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Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Blackstone Valley: Things to do in October
Walk to Break the Silence - Oct 18th
Friendly reminder that you can take action to help end domestic violence.
The "Walk to Break the Silence" flyer:
For additional information about Voices Against Violence you can visit their webpage
http://smoc.org/voices-against-violence.php
To register for the Walk to Break the Silence, follow this link
Voices Against Violence provides comprehensive services including a 24 hour hotline, crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy and shelter to more the 3000 victims and survivors in the Metrowest area every year. Voices depends on the generosity of the community to ensure that life-saving services remain free and accessible to all.
The "Walk to Break the Silence" is an annual, family-friendly, 1/2 day rally and walk-a-thon event in downtown Framingham that celebrates the strength and courage of victims and survivors. The event includes powerful visual art displays, games and face painting for the kids, inspiration from our speakers, and a little exercise too! Registration is free and there are several ways you can lend your support - you can be a Team Captain, a Walker, or a Virtual Friend!
The "Walk to Break the Silence" flyer:
For additional information about Voices Against Violence you can visit their webpage
http://smoc.org/voices-against-violence.php
To register for the Walk to Break the Silence, follow this link
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| Register to Walk to Break the Silence |
“Even if you want to stay focused, it is just so tempting"
As there are two sides to a coin, there are two sides to a story. To pair with the glowing technology update Tuesday night at the School Committee meeting, we can also share this timely student update on the new Chromebooks:
My notes from the technology update can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/live-reporting-technology-update.html
Use of the new chromebooks at Franklin High School causes students to be distracted in class due to what is visible on their peer’s screen. Although they create many educational benefits, at times they become problems in the classroom.
A student will be in a class, and the student next to them will be playing a game or messaging their friends. Instead of focusing on what the teacher says, the student eyes will veer onto the computer screen of the person sitting next to them.
Now they are distracted.- See more at: http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2014/10/07/chromebooks-create-classroom-distractions/#sthash.WG6UKSW3.dpuf
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| Pantherbook reports on chromebook 'distractions' |
My notes from the technology update can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/10/live-reporting-technology-update.html
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Live reporting - Closing
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report(Sept 2013 to Sept 2014 enrollment comparison)
virus update, hand washing best practice
health advisory posted to alert the community
follow up on the emergency situation
we will be scheduling a de-brief, there is still an on-going investigation
need to wait until the investigation closes to have all the facts
there are some things we could have done better
we have a training tomorrow with the Fire Dept and will be talking with the Chief
for ConnectEd
parents sign up at the school
can sign up for phone calls and/or emails and entered at the schools
call the school secretary to sign up, can sign up at anytime
if you don't opt in, you don't get notified
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
none
School Committee Liaison Reports
none
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.FEF fund raiser, Nov 1
parents we thrilled to see the curriculum night and the technology working, heard from more than several parents
it was a far cry from lining up in the field house, there is a new way of doing business at the high school
7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiationsnot needed
8. Adjourn
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 6-0
Live reporting - Action Items
3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Readings1. GBGB – Staff Health and Safety
2. IJOC – School Volunteers
no updates or changes
4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Policies as discussed1. GBGB – Staff Health and Safety
2. IJOC – School Volunteers
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0
b. I recommend acceptance of three checks totaling $3,286.50 from the Keller PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,200.00 from the JFK PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,500.00 from the Jefferson PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0
e. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $746.80 from the Oak St. PCC for Field Trips.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0
f. I recommend approval of the request of the Remington Adventure Club’s field trip to Mt. Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH on October 25th (rain date 11/1/14) as detailed.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $400.00 from Shaw's and Star Market for in-house enrichment at FHS.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0
h. I recommend acceptance of the donation of art supplies valued at $277.00 from DonorsChoose.org for FHS.
motion to adopt, seconded, passed 6-0
Live reporting - Facility Update
2. Guests/Presentations
d. Facilities Update – Maureen Sabolinski
we got our building permit on Aug 20th, paving of the new parking lot is progressing
maybe able to resolve our parking issue in about 2-3 weeks
still working on the security system
just not at times working together, police answering calls at all hours of the day
still working on training, the training was built into the cost of the high school
much of this needs to happen during the day so we are relying on subs
signs are not quite right
Braille for example incorrectly told that the men's room was actually the women's room
flags for the gym haven't arrived yet
bell system doesn't work yet, using music to playing of the changing of classes
A/C is working in all areas of the building
the building committee has been very responsive in getting the issues addressed
once the parking lot is done, that will also open Panther Way and alleviate the traffic on Oak St
fields would be seeded for the spring and then used a year later
need to get the field established
problems with one spots and parking lights, should go away when the new parking lot is open
Live reporting - Technology update
2. Guests/Presentations
c. Tech Update / Plan – Tim Rapoza, Joyce Edwards
1700 Chromebooks distributed over couple of days and nights
220 wireless access points, the telephones, all needed to be programmed and set up
today we had an all day training on the audio section
85-90% released and trained at this point, we're not done yet
you have seen the robot, we have 3-D printers
if you have any specific question, I'd be happy to answer them
Q -What are the outstanding issues?
A - large software deployments to the teachers are finishing up, doing the one-offs here and there
One software piece had the standard license instead of the premium
the robotics kits just arrived last week
new tablets are still not shipped from the factory yet, they are a proto-type for school and ruggardized for use; trying to get 2 demo units per science lab
once we get them, we'll be glad we waited
system wide we tweak the security on the public versus academic side
working with the vendor to configure it appropriately
we are close to getting it install the proper way
right now the Facilities Director doesn't have remote access to the devices in the high school
Joyce
some low level usage to high level usageseeing references instantaneously to advance and reinforce the learning
students can do peer editing across the room with one another
students creating content and adding to a body of knowledge out there
specialized programs being used
lots of math and graphing being used
part of the 1-1 initiative extends the learning to anytime anywhere
step back about 3.5 years ago
the conference geared to using technology in instruction
that core group of 100 folks has continued to contribute to the body of knowledge within the staff
25 came voluntarily to debrief
Digital Learning Community formed preschool through 12
how do we help each other, harness and channel it to help our students
the focus is on instruction
how can we harness learning in real time?
take a look at the 'acceptable use policies' and see of changes may be required
how can families access the technology appropriately
stay within the boundaries that are safe, what should students know how to do by grade
this plays into electronic testing with PARCC coming
need to continue to support the teachers and their digital learning
keep them with the curve; build capacity within the district
sometimes the value is with failure
teachers are using all kinds of applications
how do we have equity and access?
Sabolinski
the important is where we are goingRaposa
another 200 access points for K-8another 1000 Chromebooks to be deployed to get ready for PARCC
now we are prepared to go 1:1 in every school
re-deployed interactive whiteboards in K-8 classrooms
other technology being stored in trailers (at an undisclosed location) until the staff is ready for deployment
wireless vendor visits on technology
Panasonic and Dell have requested case studies of the implementation
defacto Chromebook roll-outs are increasing so there are more visits coming
O'Malley
applaud both of you for the commitment that it takes to deploy such to allapplaud the teachers - it is not just a new skill, it is a major re-tooling
it is a big todo, it not a new series of text books
we need a set of expectation for our students grade by grade, what should they know when
When do we have PowerPoint when the teacher can count on the students knowing it?
Joyce
The committee does that have as a taskthe State also has standards coming out so we are looking to see what they have in this area
Trahan
do you have a calculation for determining the wireless hot spotsRaposa
it is complicated and ha many factors including what the building is made ofwe had started with other schools and practiced
you need to have coverage and capacity
we wanted 10,000 simultaneous connections
one access point per room and one every 50' of the corridor
Rohrbach
Do you have a structured plan for rolling the devices out to the teachersincorporating the training needs
Joyce
using subs to backfill training spots 6-7 at a timetargeted professional development
teacher PDP piece in place for a long time now
have we hit saturation?no
do we need more time and money? yes
we also need to focus on preschool - 8
Raposa
we have a specialist on staff now doing before and after hour sessionsshe is now camping in the teacher rooms to be their source of info and move from teacher room to another
trying to build that tiered level of support within the staff to meet the needs
Clement
have we had any casualties?Raposa
yes, daily, there is a process with the insurance to cover this, return the units to the vendor to do repair, etc.we have some buffer stations to use for swap outs
72 systems int he Library for check out like a book for the day (charge, etc.)
there is another inventory for the tech staff to handle the swaps
look in the system to see how many have books and to ensure none slip through the cracks
Mullen
what percent are using Chromebooksvs. personal systemsRaposa
95% using Chromebooks versus personal systems
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