What happens on May 23rd?
Who is HMEA?
Why you should help?
These questions and more can be answered in this brief video.
If you'd like to register to run or walk, you can go to HMEA.org.
If you'd like to contribute as part of my fund raising page, there is a widget on this page or here: http://www.firstgiving.com/stephensherlock
I hope to see you on May 23rd!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Franklin, MA: Role of the Town Council
From the Town Council page on the Franklin website comes the following:
This is all good information. Let's hope all of the Councilors actually have recently read and actually follow this. The key for me is "Remember that he/she represents the entire community at all times."
Why?
Word already is around that some councilors don't want to put an override question before the voters. No matter whether they think it should be passed is not the question. The voters are the ones who should make that final pass/fail decision with their votes. All we ask is to be given the opportunity, then let the majority rule.
To already have word that there is not a majority on the Council who would put the question before the voters, seems to be flying against the precept:
"Not make statements or promises of how he/she will vote on matters that will come before the Council until he/she has had an opportunity to hear the pros and cons of the issue during a Council meeting."
As citizens and voters, we should be well informed of what could occur during the Town Council meeting on April 28th. This meeting may be one to attend in person rather than from the couch watching the cable feed.
There is plenty of information amongst these pages on the budget and budget drivers.
You can review all or parts of the 3 hour budget workshop held in January
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/budget-workshop-collection-12510.html
You can review the Financial Planning Committee report here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/financial%20planning%20committee%20report/
You can find out the latest on the School budget by either attending (or watching) the School Committee meeting Tuesday April 27th or visiting here later that night or Wednesday morning for the recap.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
Be informed! Ask for the opportunity to vote on an override!
Your vote should determine the services this Town will offer to all of us.
1. A member of the Council, in relation to his/her community should:
A. Realize that his/her basic function is to make policy, with administration delegated to the Administrator.
B. Realize that he/she is one of a team and should abide by, and carry out, all Council decisions once they are made.
C. Be well-informed concerning the duties of a Council member on both local and state levels.
D. Remember that he/she represents the entire community at all times.
E. Accept the office as a means of unselfish service, not benefit personally or politically from his/her Council activities.
F. In all appointments, avoid political patronage by judging all candidates on merit, experience, and qualifications only.
G. Abide by the ethics established by the State and not use the position to obtain inside information on matters which may benefit someone personally.
2. A member of the Council, in his/her relations with administrative officers of the Town, should:
A. Endeavor to establish sound, clearly defined policies that will direct and support the administration for the benefit of the people of the community.
B. Recognize and support the administrative chain of command and refuse to act on complaints as an individual outside the administration.
C. Give the Administrator full responsibility for discharging the duties of his/her office.
3. A member of the Council, in his/her relations with fellow Council members, should:
A. Recognize that action at official legal meetings is binding and that he/she alone cannot bind the Council outside of such meetings.
B. Not make statements or promises of how he/she will vote on matters that will come before the Council until he/she has had an opportunity to hear the pros and cons of the issue during a Council meeting.
C. Uphold the intent of executive session and respect the privileged communication that exists in executive session.
D. Make decisions only after all facts on a question have been presented and discussed.
E. Treat with respect the rights of all members of the Council despite differences of opinion.
This is all good information. Let's hope all of the Councilors actually have recently read and actually follow this. The key for me is "Remember that he/she represents the entire community at all times."
Why?
Word already is around that some councilors don't want to put an override question before the voters. No matter whether they think it should be passed is not the question. The voters are the ones who should make that final pass/fail decision with their votes. All we ask is to be given the opportunity, then let the majority rule.
To already have word that there is not a majority on the Council who would put the question before the voters, seems to be flying against the precept:
"Not make statements or promises of how he/she will vote on matters that will come before the Council until he/she has had an opportunity to hear the pros and cons of the issue during a Council meeting."
As citizens and voters, we should be well informed of what could occur during the Town Council meeting on April 28th. This meeting may be one to attend in person rather than from the couch watching the cable feed.
There is plenty of information amongst these pages on the budget and budget drivers.
You can review all or parts of the 3 hour budget workshop held in January
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/budget-workshop-collection-12510.html
You can review the Financial Planning Committee report here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/financial%20planning%20committee%20report/
You can find out the latest on the School budget by either attending (or watching) the School Committee meeting Tuesday April 27th or visiting here later that night or Wednesday morning for the recap.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
Be informed! Ask for the opportunity to vote on an override!
Your vote should determine the services this Town will offer to all of us.
"there is little agreement as to what a new model of education might look like"
Continuing to entice you to dive in and read the 2010 Horizon Report: K12 Edition:
Franklin, MA
• Many policy makers and educators believe that deep reform is needed, but at the same time, there is little agreement as to what a new model of education might look like. It is difficult to envision profound change in a system as firmly established as K-12 education is today. Proponents of change promote more learner-centered approaches; open content; programs for continuing teacher professional development in partnership with higher education institutions; and the use of social networking tools to increase access to peers and professionals for both teachers and students, but not everyone is in agreement. Opinions also differ on how to make (and measure) progress at all and whether it is better to build success slowly, using pilots and small proof-of-concept classrooms, or to push for rapid and radical change on a broader scale.
Franklin, MA
Martin's fundraiser needs your help!
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You are currently receiving email solicitations from Flower Power Fundraising on behalf of Martin Middelmann who is trying to raise funds for Marty Rides the Pan-Mass Challenge. If you would like to have these solicitations stopped and not participate in their fundraising program, click here. Flower Power Fundraising Inc., 160 Intervale Rd, Burlington, VT 05401 | 1-866-223-8831 | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday, April 22, 2010
"Students are different, but educational practice and the materials that support it are changing only slowly"
Continuing to entice you to dive in and read the 2010 Horizon Report: K12 Edition:
Franklin, MA
• Students are different, but educational practice and the materials that support it are changing only slowly. Schools are still using materials developed to teach the students of decades ago, but today’s students are actually very different in the way they think and work. Schools need to adapt to current student needs and identify new learning models that are engaging to younger generations. Many education professionals feel that a shift to a more learner-centered model focused on the development of individual potential instead of the imposition of a body of knowledge would lead to deeper and more sustained learning across the curriculum. To support such a change, both teaching practice and the tools used in the classroom must adapt. Assessment has also not kept pace with new modes of working, and must change along with teaching methods, tools, and materials.
Franklin, MA
14th Annual FEF Trivia Bee - April 29 - 7:00 PM
14th Annual FEF Trivia Bee…Still Time to Enter Your Team!
On Thursday, April 29, 2010, the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) will hold its 14th Annual Trivia Bee at the Horace Mann Middle School starting at 7:00 p.m. This year’s theme is history.
We are thrilled to say that we have a impressive number of teams already signed up as well as some awesome auction items ... including Red Sox tickets!
THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER YOUR TEAM OR DONATE TO THE AUCTION!!!!
FEF is still accepting Team Sponsors and item donations for a special raffle. Companies, organizations, parents and individuals can enter a 3-person team of their own or sponsor a team of Franklin students. Team sponsorships are $300 each. The event is well known as a fun evening out with friends and neighbors, all while contributing to a worthwhile cause. It’s a great way to show your commitment to education in Franklin.
To sponsor a team or donate a raffle item please contact Maureen Roy at 508-528-5170 or MaurRoy@aol.com. For more information visit www.franklined.org.
Admission for spectators is free. Be sure to attend on April 29, and test your knowledge of history!
Franklin, MA
On Thursday, April 29, 2010, the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) will hold its 14th Annual Trivia Bee at the Horace Mann Middle School starting at 7:00 p.m. This year’s theme is history.
We are thrilled to say that we have a impressive number of teams already signed up as well as some awesome auction items ... including Red Sox tickets!
THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER YOUR TEAM OR DONATE TO THE AUCTION!!!!
FEF is still accepting Team Sponsors and item donations for a special raffle. Companies, organizations, parents and individuals can enter a 3-person team of their own or sponsor a team of Franklin students. Team sponsorships are $300 each. The event is well known as a fun evening out with friends and neighbors, all while contributing to a worthwhile cause. It’s a great way to show your commitment to education in Franklin.
To sponsor a team or donate a raffle item please contact Maureen Roy at 508-528-5170 or MaurRoy@aol.com. For more information visit www.franklined.org.
Admission for spectators is free. Be sure to attend on April 29, and test your knowledge of history!
Franklin, MA
"Unfortunately it's the nature of the society we live in"
Q: How did it feel to win the award?
A: I was kind of surprised when I got the phone call because I know they've had some volunteers for many years ... I was very pleased, surprised and honored.
Read the full article here:
Q&A with Charles River volunteer David Dobrzynski
Related posts:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/03/david-dobrzynski-of-franklin-recognized.html
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/04/charles-river-watershed-cleanup-42410.html
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