Monday, October 8, 2012

Franklin facility is a one-stop-shop for your dog

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by Anthony C. Fireman/Daily News correspondent on 10/7/12

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Although many questions surround a decision to get a dog, only one is important, at least for my family: Will we give our new pup, Baxter, a home or a life?

At the outset, giving Baxter a home is providing him the basics such as food, water, walks, affection and play, which are the norm. However, over time, the new dog novelty dissipates and, oftentimes, Baxter can end up ignored, if not neglected. However, to give a dog a life is so much more. A life includes the basics plus a daily dose of fun, socialization, treats, regular exercise, training and, strange as it sounds, a conversation.

Things you can do from here:

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Oct 9, 2012

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.

"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 September 25, 2012 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills - Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Middle Schools’ School Improvement Plans

3. Discussion Only Items

Policy – First Readings
1. JFAA – New Resident Procedures
2. JLCB – Student Immunizations

Policy Elimination – First Reading
1. JLCCA – AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) School Attendance Policy

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Horace Mann Middle School’s School Improvement Plan.
b. I recommend adoption of Remington Middle School’s School Improvement Plan.
c. I recommend adoption of Annie Sullivan Middle School’s School Improvement Plan.
d. I recommend moving Policy JFAA, JLCB & JLCCA to a second reading.
e. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $50.00 from Richard DiPrima for FHS Schaeffer Scholarship.
f. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a Bach TR 300 Trumpet and wire metal folding music stand (valued at $360.00) by Donna Estey for Remington Middle School.
g. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a Selmer USA Clarinet and Selmer USA Saxophone (valued at $550.00) from Susan & Jim Jacobson for the Franklin High School.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from HMEA for a banner ad at the Franklin High School.
i. I recommend approval of the request of Mr. Fitzgerald for the recurring field trip for the Remington Adventure Club to Mt. Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH on October 20, 2012.
j. I recommend acceptance of the donation of art supplies from Mr. & Mrs. Richard Groth valued at approximately $300.00 for the FHS.

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

8. Adjourn

FPS: Draft Policy - New Resident Procedures

On the agenda for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 9 is a new policy draft. The policy establishes procedures for new residents looking to register their children to attend school in Franklin.





This policy is currently in draft. It will require review and approval before becoming effective.

All the existing policies can be found online in the Schools section of the Franklin webpage
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Emanual/index

Annie Sullivan MS - School Improvement Plan

The School Improvement Plan (SIP) for the Annie Sullivan Middle School is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 9.





The full agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/10/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-oct.html

Remington MS - School Improvement Plan

The School Improvement Plan (SIP) for the Remington Middle School is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 9.





The full agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/10/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-oct.html

Horace Mann MS - School Improvement Plan

The School Improvement Plan (SIP) for the Horace Mann Middle School is scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 9.





The full agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/10/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-oct.html


New teacher evaluation system based upon MCAS data

The MetroWest Daily News reports on the use of MCAS results for teacher evaluations.
"In Massachusetts, it’s required that teachers be evaluated. Accordingly, we are making it possible for evaluators to access the ratings of educators for which they are responsible to evaluate. So an evaluator can access student growth scores and a teacher’s score in the Data Warehouse," Considine said. "An educator’s rating is considered part of his or her personnel record and will not be subject to disclosure." 
Districts that chose not to join Race to the Top – including Milford, Franklin, Hopkinton, Lincoln-Sudbury, Hopedale, Wayland and Holliston – will be required to implement the teacher evaluations by the start of the 2013-14 school year.
Later in the article
Franklin Public Schools won’t use the state’s evaluation system until next year, either, but Joyce Edwards, director of instructional services, said Data Warehouse is routinely used by the district to look at everything from growth percentiles for certain students, to specific questions from the MCAS test.

Read more of the MetroWest article here: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x21086594/Schools-will-use-MCAS-data-for-teacher-evaluations#ixzz28bwBAGdl

As an example of how the MCAS data is used by Franklin, the School Improvement Plans (SIP) for the three middle schools are scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 9. The High School plan was reviewed on Sep 25 and the elementary plans will be review at an upcoming meeting.


The Franklin High School SIP
Presentation Document
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/franklin-high-school-update-to-school.html

SIP Document
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/09/franklin-high-school-improvement-plan.html 


The Middle school plans

Horace Mann

Remington

Annie Sullivan