Live reporting: FHS Update (continued)

Peter Light continues the agenda (and we return to the first presentation document)

FHS School Committee Update - Mar 10, 2015 from Franklin Matters

Nicole Haberman - Assistant Principal for Student Services

Tutoring Center picks up on page 5

photo of slide not in the published presentation

Tutoring Center rebranded as "Academic Center"

additional slide reflecting the change to Academic Center

5 teachers, Mon-Tue-Thu serving students after school

tracking to over 1,000 student visits to the Center for this school year

Peter Light

Graduation and Dropout Rate definitions on page 7
current numbers just released on Page 8

Commencement Planning - June 5th
conducted a dry run of the event in January
the new gym will accomodate the students, guests, etc. outlined on page 11

6 tickets total per student for graduation
no additional tickets available
some standing room only space available on first come first served basis
gym and auditorium both fully air conditioned
ceremony will also be simulcast via local cable channel as well

Live reporting: School Committee - Mar 10, 2015

Present: O'Malley, Rohrbach, Clement, Mullen, Trahan, Douglas, Jewell
Absent: none


1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none

Review of Agenda


Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 24, 2015
School Committee Meeting. 
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0


Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives (skipped due to presentation schedule)
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Update – Peter Light

FHS School Committee Update - Mar 10, 2015 from Franklin Matters

or
http://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/fhs-school-committeeupdate20150310



Heather Moreau - TV Studio

presentation by FHS during the School Committee meeting

The video clip in the FHS update can be viewed here
School Committee Update 1-27-15 http://mediacast.franklinps.net/mediaPortal/?channelID=100000

The new media channel can be found here
http://mediacast.franklinps.net/mediaPortal/?channelID=100004


Kristen Cerce - Health and Physical Ed

FPS School Committee Presentation - Mar 10, 2015 from Franklin Matters

or
http://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/fps-school-committeepresentationcerce20150310


STEM Update – Brenda Redding

FPS STEM School Committee - 2015 - updated Mar 10, 2015 from Franklin Matters

or
http://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/fps-stem-schoolcommittee2015updated20150310



increase of approx 30% in selection of science related electives over the last 4 years at FHS (slide #6)

Franklin Public Schools: Follow up to today's incident

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

March 10, 2015

Dear Franklin Families and Staff,

Early this afternoon, the Franklin Police notified school administration that there had been a bomb threat made to Franklin High School.  The Franklin Police and Fire Departments arrived on the scene quickly and assisted school administration and staff in the evacuation process to ensure that all high school students and staff were safe.  

Because of the proximity to the high school, the Oak/Horace Mann and ECDC Complex were immediately placed in administrative lockdown. As an additional safety precaution, all other schools in the district were also placed on Administrative Lock Down shortly thereafter.  Administrative lockdown means that students and staff remain inside the building while continuing with their school day and that no individuals are allowed to enter or exit the building during this time. 

Parents were provided with both written and verbal communications regarding the situation via the district's emergency Blackboard Connect system. High school students were safely evacuated to the designated evacuation area.  At that time, they were dismissed early to allow police, fire, and safety personnel to respond to the threat and ensure that the area was secured.  Administrative lockdown was lifted in time for dismissal to proceed as usual in all the other schools. 

In speaking with the Franklin Police, it is our understanding that the call came in to the business line at the police department.  The Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. Police report that both the evacuation and lock down went smoothly as expected. Additionally, students and staff proceeded in an orderly manner, which was further facilitated by parent cooperation with police and administrative requests.

As always, the safety of our students and staff is our number one priority.  We plan to debrief with the police to review our implementation of our safety protocols.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support. 

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

Franklin Schools: Administrative Lock Down Over

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello,

We just received word from the Franklin Police that administrative lockdown is over at all of our schools.  Students at Franklin High School have already been dismissed and other schools in the district will be dismissed at the usual time.
We will provide you with further information as appropriate and based upon the direction from the police department.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sally Winslow
Assistant Superintendent of Schools

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message.

Franklin Public Schools: Administrative Lock down for schools

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello,

We have just been informed by the Franklin Police that there has been a bomb threat made to Franklin High School. The Franklin Police and Fire Departments are on the scene and are assisting school administration and staff in the evacuation process and all high school students are safe.  

As a safety precaution, all other schools in the district have been placed in Administrative Lock Down.  This means that students and staff will remain inside but will continue with their school day.  No one will be allowed to enter or exit the buildings during this time.  

Please do not go to the schools to try to pick up your children as it may interfere with our safety protocol. Parents have been directed to the police not to come to Franklin High School.  No one will be allowed on or off campus until deemed safe by the police. Please do not call the school at this time.

We will provide more information as soon as it is made available to us.

Thank you,

Sally Winslow
Assistant Superintendent of Schools

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

Safe walking around town has been challenged by the lack of passable sidewalks. Photo ops have also been limited as once you seen the white snow, what else is there?

Ah, there is more if you look closely. 

Join me on the adventures around town. Since I am catching up to this, not all the photos are from the same walk. 

Community room entrance at Central Park Terrace

Emmons St from Dean looking towards Main St

Federated Church keeps the faith!

There's a fire hydrant under there

the earth breath freezes

You want me to push the button to walk?

the Town Common is lovely in snow

why search for the paper in the snow when you can subscribe to
Franklin Matters and get it in your email once each day

Franklin in the snow

Safe walking around town has been challenged by the lack of passable sidewalks. Photo ops have also been limited as once you seen the white snow, what else is there?

Ah, there is more if you look closely. 

Join me on the adventures around town. Since I am catching up to this, not all the photos are from the same walk. 

Community room entrance at Cnetral Park Terrace

Emmons St from Dean looking towards Main St

Federated Church keeps the faith!

There's a fire hydrant under there

the earth breath freezes

You want me to puch the button to walk?

the Town Common is lovely in snow

why search for the paper in the snow when you can subscribe to
Franklin Matters and get it in your email once each day

Design Public Hearing will be held by MassDOT to discuss the proposed replacement of the West Central Street Bridge

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION - HIGHWAY DIVISION

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING

A Design Public Hearing will be held by MassDOT to discuss the proposed replacement of the West Central Street Bridge over CSX/MBTA Rail Road in the Town of Franklin, MA.

WHERE: 
Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
Municipal Building
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038

WHEN: 
Monday, April 6th, 2015, at 7:00 PM.

PURPOSE: 
The purpose of this hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to become fully acquainted with the proposed Shared Use Bridge over CSX/MBTA Rail Road replacement project. All comments and opinions made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible. 

PROPOSAL: 
The proposed project consists of the replacement of the West Central Street Bridge, which crosses over CSX and MBTA Commuter Rail tracks. Originally constructed in 1922, and rebuilt in 1967, it provided two lanes of traffic with no sidewalks prior to being closed to all traffic in 2008. It is a three (3) span timber structure on stone masonry piers and abutments approximately 58 feet in length. 

The new bridge will be a single span, prefabricated truss structure, 78 feet in length with an exposed concrete deck intended to restore pedestrian and non-vehicular travel (shared
use) over the tracks. 

The existing timber superstructure and timber piers will be completely removed and the abutments will be demolished to below finished grade. The existing stone masonry walls adjacent to the tracks (which support the timber piers) will be removed to the extent possible so as to not cause significant disruption to rail traffic. 

The limits of reconstruction of the travel way approaching the bridge extend from the existing bridge approximately 210 feet to the south and 340 feet to the north. A 12 foot wide paved travel way is proposed with 3 foot wide gravel shoulders and pedestrian and bicycle fencing. 

Proposed curb placement, pavement markings and signage will deter vehicular access, however design allowances for periodic emergency and maintenance vehicles (up to AASHTO H10 live loading) will be provided. 

Since the existing structure is already closed to traffic, no detours or multiple construction phases are anticipated. The project will commence with the erection of temporary utility supports and the relocation of active utilities currently supported on the existing structure followed by the complete removal of the existing bridge. 

The new substructure elements will be constructed and the new prefabricated trusses will be delivered and moved into position. Finally, all active utilities will be relocated and supported by the new structure and the remaining existing and temporary utility supports will be removed. 

The new structure will provide greater vertical clearance over the existing tracks, increasing from approximately 17’-0” to 18’-3”.

No property takings or temporary easements are anticipated in the present design.

Written views received by MassDOT subsequent to the date of this notice and up to five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing shall be displayed for public inspection and copying at the time and date listed above. Plans will be on display one-half hour before the hearing begins, with an engineer will be in attendance to answer questions regarding this project.

A project handout is available on the MassDOT website listed below. Written statements and other exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the Public Hearing regarding the proposed undertaking are to be submitted to Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E., Chief Engineer, Massachusetts Department of Transportation – Highway Division, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. 

Such submissions will also be accepted at the hearing. The final date of receipt of these
statements and exhibits for inclusion in the public hearing transcript will be ten (10) days after this Public Hearing. Project inquiries may be emailed to dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us 

This location is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print), as available. 

For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone (857-368-8580), fax (857-368-0602), TTD/TTY (857-368-0603) or by email (MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us). 

Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten (10) business days before the meeting. 

In case of inclement weather, hearing cancellation announcements will be posted on the internet at: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/

THOMAS J. TINLIN, P.E. .
ACTING HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR 

PATRICIA A. LEAVENWORTH, P.E
CHIEF ENGINEER



This public hearing notice was share from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020289A8-000F8513

Franklin Library: Adult coffee and craft - Friday, Mar 13

Adult coffee and craft is coming up this Frday at the Franklin Library. Maybe the 13th is your lucky day! 

You can make a fleece neck warmer to keep warm until Spring does arrive!

Franklin Library: Adult coffee and craft - Friday, Mar 13

Shared from the Franklin Library webpage here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/03/adult-coffee-and-craft.html

FHS Lady Panthers Softball Players to hold Clinic Apr 21

Could you please help us spread the word regarding the upcoming Softball Players Clinic to be held on Saturday March 21st 9am to 12:00pm at the FHS Gym.  The Flyer attached has the sign up information, more details of the event are below.

Saturday March 21st 2015 (Rain or Shine) 

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon 

Franklin High School Gymnasium 

$30.00 per player

FHS Lady Panthers

Grades 1-6

Players will learn the fundamentals of Fastpitch Softball. Specific skills will be covered using a series of stations which the players will rotate between to insure age groups and skill levels are being maintained.

Stations include:

• Proper throwing and catching mechanics

• Proper hitting mechanics

• Overall fielding and base running

The lead instructor will be KATE FALLON, Franklin High School Softball Program Director and Head Coach of Franklin High Lady Panthers Varsity Softball. Coach Fallon was a four year starter at Curry College in both pitching and catching and was team captain her senior year. After coaching JV softball at Cardinal Spellman High School, she went on to be Varsity Coach of SE Regional Vocational High School. Assistant coach Matt Connelly, along with the Varsity players will be on hand to assist in what should truly be an exciting three hours

Thanks

Blanca Di Giacomo

FHS Softball Boosters

The flyer mentioned can be downloaded from here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRXNVbHowSVMybUE4Wk1IdjVCVzBEMTcxTmw0/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Art Association: Spring Show on Apr 18-19

2015 Spring Members Show and Sale will be held at the Black Box Theater, 15 West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Saturday, April, 18th 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Sunday, April, 19th  12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

The exhibit is free and opened to the public

* Exhibit of original works of fine art and photographs 

* Bin sales of original works of art and prints 

* Complementary food and beverage 

* Clothes line art sale

Awards ceremony Saturday evening at 7:00 pm

The Franklin Art Association since 1971

Sponsored in part by the Franklin Cultural Council

For further information please visit our web site at www.franklinart.org

and www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc

THE BLACK BOX Theater, 15 W Main St, Franklin

#shopFranklin 

Reminder: Seminar on Dealing with Children and Allergies

You're invited to learn what it takes to manage a child's food allergy and understand why certain policies are in place to help keep these students safe in school. 

You can even learn skills that can help make parties and play dates a safer and more inclusive experience for children with life

creating communities of support

threatening allergies. 

Whether you are a parent, teacher, family member, friend, or caregiver of a
child with food allergies, we hope you will join us! 

This is a FREE seminar and open to the public. 

Please reserve your seat at: www.bfccps.org/allergy. (see attached flyer) If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school nurses at 508-528-1945 or via email at nurse@bfccps.org

To be held at THE BLACK BOX Theater on Wednesday, Mar 18th at 7:00 PM

There are Resources available for those Caring for their Elders

The MA Gov blog shares lots of good info. Regular readers can find that good stuff here as I share it, or you can subscribe directly to get it for yourself.

A recent post covers caring for elders.

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), more than 65 million Americans act as unpaid caregivers for a family member, and the average age of an adult who receives assistance is 69 years old. TheExecutive Office of Elder Affairs (ELD), primarily through the Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program, provides resources to enhance the quality of life for both caregivers and their elderly loved ones.

The posting goes on to provide a list of tips and resources. You can find them here  http://blog.mass.gov/blog/living-in-massachusetts/caring-for-elders-resources/

DId you know that the Franklin Senior Center offers an in-home respite program for companion caregivers? The program was introduced early in 2014 and modified in the Fall to provide better coverage.

You can find out about the program with this PDF file from the Senior Center
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/ccbrochure14.pdf

You can find more about the program by contacting the Senior Center directly.

Don't be overwhelmed by the support requirements. Ask for help!

Franklin Senior Center is full of resources!

From the Boston Globe: charter school lawuit, ideas to fix the T

A couple of articles caught my attention in Sunday's edition of the Boston Globe that I think are 'share worthy.' 

First, there is soon to be a lawsuit filed to challenge the limitation on charter schools.

"The highly charged charter school debate, waged for years in the Legislature, could soon become a constitutional court fight, launched by three prominent lawyers who believe students in Boston and other urban districts are being denied their right to a quality education. 

Paul F. Ware Jr., Michael B. Keating, and William F. Lee, who are partners at three top law firms, say the lawsuit they will file to overturn the state cap on the number of charter schools will break ground on two fronts."

Why follow this? (1) The funding of education is already being looked at from a forumla stand point. How is chapter 70 calculated? (2) The current governor's budget and the budget cycle will raise questions on what should be spent where. Recall that priorities are really set by budget dollars. There maybe good talk but if the money doesn't follow then it is just that, talk. (3) And now the number of charter schools is being questioned. All good questions as long as the discussion is healthy and civil.

Continue reading the full article here (subscription required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/03/08/prominent-lawyers-team-challenge-charter-school-cap/LhdsO8NqFYI3ffT5xM3aSL/story.html

SEAN PROCTOR/GLOBE STAFF/FILE

Second, given the struggles with the weather that the commuter rail and other MBTA services have seen this winter, the Globe asked three experts to share what they would do to 'fix the T." Very interesting reading from the three points of view.


Read the full article here (subscription required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/03/07/three-ideas-fixing-troubled-mbta/p6oriN5vh0cpnMGPh0qjXN/story.html

"These are big steps forward"

At least three projects are slated this year to improve sections of a rail trail that travel through Bellingham, Franklin and Uxbridge. 

Town officials and volunteers continue advocating for slight improvements to the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) so that it will eventually be possible to bike or walk all 22 miles seamlessly. 

The state Department of Public Health has received approval from the Franklin Conservation Commission to grade less than a mile of trail from Prospect Street in Franklin to Lake Street in Bellingham.

- See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150309/NEWS/150306865/1994/NEWS#sthash.Yrwl5M6b.dpuf

the walls of Wadsworth Station along the SNETT

Remindder: Open House - Sunrise Montessori School - March 19

Montessori Open House

Thursday, March 19 from 4 to 6pm

31 Hayward St., Franklin

Free event. The public is welcome to learn about our Montessori preschool and kindergarten programs.

Sunrise Montessori School

Website: www.MySunriseMontessori.com

Contact: Karen Roeber, Director at 508-541-8010

The Town of Franklin has one wine and malt package store license available

From the Franklin webpage

The Town of Franklin has one wine & malt package store license available. 

Anyone who wishes to apply for this license should go to the www.mass.gov/abcc website to complete the license application 

and submit the completed application to the Town Administrator’s Office at 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 by March 27, 2015 at 1:00 pm. 

Questions can be addressed to the Administrator’s office at 508-520-4949

Franklin Municipal Building is not really covered in snow

#shopFranklin

Franklin Wine Club: It’s All About The Box!

The Franklin Wine Club meets on Tuesday, March 10 to discuss "It’s All About The Box!" The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Franklin Liquors on East Central St.

Bota Box takes its name from the traditional Spanish wine skin known as a bota used to carry wine for centuries. 

one of the kinds of wine delivered via Bota Box

Bota bags became popular in the 1960’s and 1970’s with hikers, skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts who were looking for take wine along on the outdoor adventure without the weight and hassle of glass bottles. 

Bota Box is the modern version of a bota … instead of animal skin; the wine is kept fresh inside a 3L and 1.5L vacuum sealed Mylar bag or 500ml Tetra Pak. 

http://www.botabox.com 

We will welcome DFV Wines Bruce G. Hurst
Division Manager – New England

9 spots are still available for this meeting and box wine learning session
http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/events/220613601/

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Mar 10, 2015

Note: This meeting is scheduled to be held in the Lecture Hall of Franklin High School at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. This is a change from the normal location at the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. This had been scheduled for FHS in January and had been canceled by the blizzard.

FHS in the snow

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

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.

AGENDA

"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 February 24, 2015
School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Update – Peter Light

1. Health/PE Update – Kristen Cerce
2. STEM Update – Brenda Redding

The presentation documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/franklin-school-committee-presentation.html


3. Discussion Only Items

School Safety Update 

Staff Snow Day Survey 

State Budget Update

4. Action Items
a. I recommend the following dates be utilized, if needed, as school make-up dates in the event of school closures due to inclement weather. Dates:

1. April 3, 2015
2. April 11, 2015
3. April 21, 2015.

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $361.52 from Target for In-house enrichment at FHS.

c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,255.75 for Keller Elementary School as detailed:

1. BOKS $500.00 – In-house enrichment2. Keller PCC $755.75 - Field Trips

d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $6.86 from Schoola for in-house enrichment at JF Kennedy Elementary School.

e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $220.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for district wide in-house enrichment.

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
Personnel Update

8. Adjourn

Franklin School Committee - Presentation Documents for March 10, 2015

These are the documents released for the agenda of the Franklin School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2015. 

The meeting will be held in the Lecture Hall at Franklin High School instead of the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. You may recall this was scheduled for January but was wiped out by the blizzard. No snow in the forecast this time around!

FHS School Committee Update - Mar 10, 2015 from Franklin Matters

FPS School Committee Presentation - Mar 10, 2015 from Franklin Matters

FPS STEM School Committee - 2015 - updated Mar 10, 2015 from Franklin Matters

FHS in the snow

You can find the full agenda for the School Committee meeting here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-mar.html