Monday, March 28, 2011

Franklin, MA: Town official vehicle listing

The listing of vehicles used by Franklin employees to conduct town business has been updated for 2011. Thanks to Jeff Nutting for providing the information.

Franklin 2011 Vehicles Miles


Related posts
Milford Daily News article during Sunshine Week
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/most-can-be-reimbursed-by-mile-when.html

The 2010 vehicle listing
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/06/franklin-ma-town-official-vehicle.html

Franklin, MA

Dean College - James Roosevelt, Jr.

Dean College invites the public to its

5th Annual Dean Leadership Institute Executive Lecture

James Roosevelt, Jr.
President and CEO, Tufts Health Plan

Wednesday, April 6, 2011
5:30 p.m. Networking Reception
6:30 p.m. Presentation
Dean College Campus Center, 135 Emmons Street, Franklin

RSVP to: alumni@dean.edu or 508-541-1612

James Roosevelt's presentation at the Dean Leadership Institute Executive Lecture will be on Social Security and Medicare. Mr. Roosevelt joined Tufts Health Plan in 1999 as senior vice president and general counsel, and became president and CEO in 2005. As general counsel he presided over the legal department and the company's compliance, privacy and government relations functions. In November 2008 President Barack Obama appointed Mr. Roosevelt to his transition team to co-chair a review of the Social Security Administration.



"Franklin has historically been very proactive"

Franklin, Wrentham, Norfolk and Plainville received a $44,000 grant to study regionalizing dispatching. Franklin has applied with Millis, Walpole and Foxborough for a $40,000 grant to evaluate regionalizing some health services, town leaders said. 
Regionalization "is where it needs to go at least for certain services," Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said, noting efforts to form multi-town partnerships have been slow throughout the state. "There's a lot more ownership at the town level than other parts of the country and there's a fear of loss of control. There's just a litany of barriers that have to be overcome to make this a success." 
Fire officials met Thursday in Wrentham to kick off the study, which will be performed by Pennsylvania consulting firm L.R. Kimball. While the other three towns are examining regionalizing fire and police dispatch, Franklin is only looking at fire dispatching, Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said. 
"There is a lot of commonality and the fact of the matter is we're all in the same scenario in that we need to be doing more services for less money," McCarraher said. "Is there any potential savings in joining together in dispatch? I think we'll explore all those options in an attempt to provide faster, better services."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1840140403/Franklin-considers-regionalizing-some-services#ixzz1Hsz2sVvB



Franklin, MA

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Mar 29, 2011

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.


"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."


1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 15, 2011 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Boys Hockey
b. ASMS – Make a Difference
c. Best Buddies – ASMS/FHS
d. Student Success Team (presentation available here)

3. Discussion Only Items

Policy - Discussion (policy text available here)
KCDB – School-Based Advertising Content Policy – First Reading
KBE – School/Parent Organizations Relationships
KBE-E – School Committee / Administration Participation in PCC Meetings Guidelines
KDD – News Media Relations/News Releases

Policy – Second Reading - JICFB Bullying

2011-2012 School Calendar – January 1, 2012

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of the School Committee Policy JICFB – Bullying as discussed.
b. I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
c. I recommend approval of the FHS request for a recurring field trip to the MA Junior Classical League State Convention from 4/29 to 5/1/11 in Hyannis, MA as detailed.
d. I recommend approval of the 2011-2012 FHS Program of Study including change in graduation requirements as presented at the last meeting.
e. I recommend approval of the FHS field trip to Providence Place Mall on May 4, 2011 as detailed.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3000.00 from the Keller PCC for field trips.
g. I recommend amending the 2011-2012 School Calendar as discussed.
h. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 3-ring binders from Fidelity Investments for the FHS (approximate value: $50.00).

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations


Franklin, MA

School Committee - Policies for discussion

File: KCDB - SCHOOL-BASED ADVERTISING CONTENT
The purpose of allowing school-based advising is to generate additional revenue for Franklin High School extra-curricula programs by giving community, regional businesses and organizations the opportunity to respectfully and tastefully promote themselves and the Franklin Public Schools. Revenue generated from advertising will not supplant the operational budget of the school district. Any advertising content that is interpreted as being contrary to the stated purpose and guidelines of the Superintendent of Schools shall
be prohibited.
 
The content of any advertising that may be displayed at the Franklin High Field House or Pisini Field must be approved, in advance, by the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee and the Chairman of the School Committee or his/her designee. The promotion of any product related to alcohol, tobacco, illegal substances or advocates any political or religious position is strictly prohibited. Advertising that is determined to be vulgar, profane, or sexually explicit is not allowed. Advertising content with language or graphics that are interpreted as being of a harassing nature to any individual will not be allowed.
------------

File: KBE - SCHOOL/PARENT ORGANIZATIONS RELATIONSHIPS
To enhance communications between parents and school officials, the School Committee encourages the maintenance of formal parent organizations at each school building. For this purpose the Committee will officially recognize parent organizations upon request. 
To foster relationships with parent organizations that encourage the home and school to work together to establish and achieve the educational goals for students, the administration and staff will: 
1. Encourage parents to share in school planning through the school improvement council in setting objectives and evaluating programs.
2. Help parents understand the educational process and their role in promoting it.
3. Provide for parent understanding of school operations.
4. Provide opportunities for parents to be informed of their child's development and the criteria for its measurement.

--------------

File: KBE-E - SCHOOL COMMITTEE / ADMINISTRATION PARTICIPATION IN PCC MEETINGS GUIDELINES
The School Committee and the Administration of the Franklin Public Schools recognize the autonomy of Parent Communication Councils (PCC) at each of our schools. The School Committee and Administration endeavor to support the role of the PCC and welcome opportunities to present information, provide updates on school/community business and initiatives, to engage in meaningful conversation and to solicit feedback about our schools. 
In an effort to respect the authority and mission of the PCC and to recognize that each organization has established meeting agendas, bylaws and procedures. Below is the protocol to include School Committee and/or Administration at PCC meetings.
Invitation Protocol
  • Parent Communication Council President/designee, at their discretion, will invite a member(s) of the School Committee and/or Administration to present or be available at a meeting.
  • Invitation will be extended through the designated School Committee Liaison or the Office of the Superintendent of Schools
------------

File: KDD - NEWS MEDIA RELATIONS/NEWS RELEASES
Every effort will be made to assist the press and other communications media to obtain coverage of the programs, planning, and activities of the school system.
Representatives of the media will be provided equal access to information about the schools. General releases of interest to the entire community will be made available to all the media simultaneously. There will be no exclusive releases except as media representatives request information on particular programs, plans or problems.
In order that school system publicity is given wide coverage and is coordinated into a common effort and purpose, the following procedures will be followed in giving official information to the news media:
  1. The School Committee chairman will be the official spokesman for the Committee, except as this duty is delegated by the Chairman to another School Committee member.
  2. Any news releases and statements made to the press by any staff member or administrators must be cleared by the Superintendent.
  3. News releases that are of concern to only one school, or to an organization of one school, are the responsibility of the Principal in conjunction with the Superintendent. All statements made to the press by other staff members of the particular school must be cleared with the Principal and Superintendent.
Every possible effort should be made to obtain coverage of school activities that will create and maintain a dignified and professionally responsible image for the school system.

--------------------

File: JICFB - BULLYING
It is the goal of the Franklin School Committee to promote a learning atmosphere for students free from all forms of bullying. Because bullying affects not only students who are targets but also those who participate and witness such behavior, it is detrimental to student learning and achievement and will not be tolerated by Franklin Public Schools. 

Franklin Public Schools prohibits all forms of harassment, discrimination and hate crimes based on race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability. The civil rights of all school community members are guaranteed by law. The protection of those rights is of utmost importance and priority to our school district. Franklin Public Schools also prohibits bullying of school community members for reasons unrelated to their race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability. Further, Franklin Public Schools will also not tolerate retaliation against persons who report an incident(s) of bullying and/or harassment. 
Bullying is the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that: (a) causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property; (b) places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or of damage to his property; (c) creates a hostile environment at school for the target; (d) infringes on the rights of the target at school; or (e) materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. For the purposes of this policy and related procedures, bullying shall include cyber-bullying.
Cyber-bullying is bullying through the use of technology or any electronic devices such as telephones, cell phones, computers and the Internet. It includes, but is not limited to, email, instant messages, text messages, and Internet postings. 
As is required by Massachusetts General Law, curriculum concerning the prevention of bullying and the fostering of a safe and nurturing school climate at each school shall be implemented in the Franklin Public Schools. 
All reports of bullying will be promptly investigated and will subject the perpetrator(s) to disciplinary action. Bullying actions will include, when appropriate, referral to law enforcement agencies or other state agencies. Franklin Public Schools will support this policy in all aspects of its activities, including its curricula, instructional programs, staff development, extracurricular activities and parental involvement. 
This policy applies to all sites and activities under the supervision and control of the district, or where it has jurisdiction under the law, including school grounds, property immediately adjacent to school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased, or used by a school district or school, or through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased, or used by a school district or school. 
Bullying is also prohibited at a location, activity, function or program that is not school-related or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased or used by the district, if the act or acts in question create a hostile environment at school for the target, infringe on the rights of the target at school or materially and substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly operation of the school.


The School Committee expects administrators and staff to make clear to students that bullying will not be tolerated and will be grounds for disciplinary action. 
All staff members are required to report any bullying or harassment they see or learn about. The district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment, including bullying. The Principal or his/her designee will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment or bullying. Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, who provides information during an investigation of bullying, or who is a witness to or has reliable information about bullying, is prohibited. 
Nothing in this policy is designed or intended to limit the District’s authority to discipline or take remedial action under General Laws Chapter 71, §37H or other statutes or regulations, or in response to violent, harmful, or disruptive behavior, regardless of whether this policy covers the conduct. Reports of cyberbullying by electronic or other means, occurring in or out of school will be reviewed and, when a connection to school exists, will prompt investigation and disciplinary action. 
The Superintendent will develop administrative guidelines and procedures for implementation of this policy, consistent with the requirements of M.G.L. Chapter 71 §37O and related guidelines issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Superintendent in conjunction with principals will publish disciplinary polices in Student Handbooks, which shall prohibit bullying and shall include the bullying prevention and intervention plan required by Chapter 71, §37O of the Laws of the Commonwealth. Student handbooks shall include age-appropriate summaries of the student-related sections of the district’s bullying prevention and intervention plan. 
LEGAL REFERENCE: MGL General Laws Chapter 71, §37 O
LEGAL REFERENCE: Massachusetts Equal Educational Opportunities Regulations, 603 CMR 26.00.
CROSS REFERENCE: Student Handbooks
School Committee Policy JICFA, JICFA-E, JICFA-E1, JICFA-E2 Hazing
FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Bullying Flowchart

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Student Success Team

The Student Success Team presentation is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 29, 2011.

SchCom: Student Success Team Presentation 3-29-11



Related posts:





Franklin, MA

"All this is doing is advancing how plates are read"

The camera, mounted to the cruiser's light bar, can read more than 1,000 license plates an hour on cars traveling at speeds of up to 70 mph, Lt. Thomas Lynch said.
Police hope to have the new camera installed and officers trained on how to use it within 30 to 60 days, Lynch said.
 
Franklin got the camera with a $18,945 grant, one of 26 handed out totaling $500,000 that were recently awarded to local police departments by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to purchase the automated license plate readers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provided the funding. 
"The price has come down a little bit, but it's still way out of our league," Lynch said, noting Franklin will pay $1,515 per year from its police budget for technical support and software updates beginning next year. "The grant looked like a great opportunity for us to get something we otherwise wouldn't have funds for." 
The reader can compare license plates to databases such as the Criminal Justice Information System and detect cars with drivers who have expired insurance, revoked licenses, felonies and many other violations, Lynch said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x617855388/Big-Brother-drives-into-Franklin-with-high-tech-license-plate-reader#ixzz1HnILJchY



Franklin, MA

Saturday, March 26, 2011

"something to help relieve their stress"

"I thought it was going to be really boring," said Fortey, a 12-year-old sixth-grader. "But, it turns out it was really fun." 
Now, Fortey plans to use some of the breathing techniques and stretches she learned during yesterday's workshop when she takes the math portion of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam in May. 
"It lets you relax and relieves all the stress," she said. 
Fortey and 21 other members of the fitness club gathered in the school's gym to learn yoga for an hour after school. The program was funded by a $1,500 grant from the Hockomock Area YMCA and Stop & Shop. 
Students sat on mats arranged in a circle in the middle of the gym while yoga instructor Meagan Krasner taught them to take long, slow breaths that use all parts of their lungs. 
"This has a real scientific reason behind it," said Krasner. "It helps to slow your nervous system down."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1664571752/Stress-test-Franklin-students-learn-to-relax-with-yoga-before-MCAS#ixzz1HhUtMu5D

Mrs Williams, a 4th grade teacher at the Kennedy School also has a yoga program.
http://kidskeepingup.blogspot.com/2011/03/rise-and-shine-yoga_21.html




Franklin, MA

Math standards approved for state college admissions

This announcement adds a new factor to the recent discussion on reducing the math requirement to graduate from Franklin High. An action item for the School Committee meeting on March 29th is scheduled to vote on reducing the requirement to three years of math and science.


Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 3/25/11

The state's Board of Higher Education on Thursday adopted a new standard that students applying to public colleges and universities in the state must complete four years of high school mathematics.

Things you can do from here:

Bay State Bike Week 2011

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 3/25/11

Bay State Bike Week 2011

Bike The 2nd annual Bay State Bike Week is set for May 14-20, a week of celebrating bicycle transportation across the Commonwealth. 

Last year was the first year that MassDOT and the State Bicycle Advocacy group MassBike partnered to make Bay State Bike Week a truly statewide celebration and as we learned unique in the country.

This year Bay State Bike Week will build on the successful 2010 effort and a long history of Bike Week celebrations across the Commonwealth, as MassDOT, MassBike, and MassRIDES, the statewide travel options program collaborate again on Bike Week rides and other events throughout Massachusetts.  This collaboration enables these organizations to work together to get the word out as widely as possible, and to broaden the scope of Bike Week events.

Biking as a mode of transportation is safe, economical, healthy, environmentally friendly, fast, and fun! Check out the Bike Week website at baystatebikeweek.org to find information for event organizers and participants. 

Event organizers are asked to submit your event for the website's statewide calendar!  In addition, watch for information on how to receive cool stuff for your event, including t-shirts, reflectors and posters while supplies last.  Organizers will also provide ideas and advice on organizing new events. 

May is fast approaching, so start planning now!  Mark May 14th to May 20th on your calendar for Bay State Bike Week and check the website for more information.

Things you can do from here: