In the News: firefighters graduate, HMMS update to School Committee

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Chief Gary McCarraher is pleased to announce that three Franklin firefighters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy recently. 

Nicholas Garland, 34, of Franklin; Christian Mills, 30, of Taunton; and Keith Schnabel, age 40, of Wrentham were three out of 24 graduates from the 243th class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s 45-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program. A ceremony was held at the Department of Fire Services in Stow on May 20. 

All three firefighters have been with the Franklin Fire Department since March 7. They completed a two-week orientation at the department before their class began at the academy on March 21."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160525/franklin-firefighters-graduate

Franklin Fire Dept

"Educators from Horace Mann Middle School spoke at this week's School Committee meeting about preparing their students for change and grooming them to be leaders. 

Principal Rebecca Motte, Assistant Principal Mary Cotillo, reading specialist Erin O'Leary and a number of Horace Mann students gave a presentation to the committee about their efforts over the past school year. 

The talk included a video - intended to prepare fifth-grade students for their transition to middle school - in which a student asked his peers about common sources of anxiety the shift engenders. The hope, the presenters said, is to create a welcoming environment for new students."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160526/franklin-school-committee-hears-horace-mann-highlights

Team O'Neil Fundraiser for Chris B O'Neil Children's Fund - Jun 17

TO BENEFIT THE CHRIS B. O’NEIL CHILDREN’S FUND

JUNE 17, 2016 = 7PM TO MIDNIGHT 

• Silent Auction 
• 50/50, Squares, etc. 
• Photo Booth 
• Dancing and more ...

FRANKLIN ELKS LODGE 
1077 Pond St, Franklin 

$50 donation/ticket Register Online Only! 
Only 200 Tickets available! 
To donate visit website https://trooperchrisboneilchildrensfund.org/

or Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/trooperchrisboneil

TO BENEFIT THE CHRIS B. O’NEIL CHILDREN’S FUND

In the News: 2-way traffic coming to downtown, school explores growing hydroponic plants

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"The town has begun its efforts to inform local drivers of the upcoming change to two-way traffic in the downtown. 

The change, slated to take place in late June, will be the result of the two-year downtown streetscape project, and will affect West Central, Emmons and Main streets. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said local officials will be looking to inform the public through a wide-ranging campaign. 

"We'll be doing weekly posts on social media, as well as the traditional channels," he said, adding that local newspapers and websites had been approached about the change."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160524/franklin-informing-residents-of-traffic-changeover

work continues along Main St putting in curbing and new sidewalks in advance of redoing the road surface and then changing the traffic from one way to two way in June

"Officials from Parmenter Elementary School shared the lessons learned through a third-grade hydroponic gardening program. 

The program - new at Parmenter this year - was chosen to illustrate the school's approach to creating learning experiences for its students. The school's three third-grade teachers gave a presentation on the matter at Tuesday's School Committee meeting. 

Teacher Edward Tighe said that when students were first shown the hydroponic equipment, they did not know what it was. 

"It has been an amazing four months of discovery - not just for the students, but us teachers as well," he said. "We've made many mistakes, the kids have seen those mistakes and we've worked together to come up with solutions."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160524/franklin-garden-advances-science-learning

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, June 1st

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, June 1st !

laughter yoga

Experience the health benefits of joyful laughter on Wednesday, June 1st (and every first Wednesday of the month except in July and August)) from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

Laughter Yoga is a unique and playful practice that does not rely on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter Yoga will have you smiling frequently and laughing heartily. It can strengthen the immune system, combat the negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. 

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, June 1st

Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! New laughers are always welcomed! $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. 

If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com. See more information and other opportunities to laugh at www.letslaughtoday.com.

FHS Boys Lacrosse completes Hockomock League season unbeaten

Boys Lacrosse

• Franklin, 19 @ Milford, 1 – Final 

– Franklin posted an undefeated league record for the season straight season. (Overall record is 12-4)

Girls Lacrosse

• Franklin, 5 @ Westwood, 15 – Final 

– Kendall Reardon and Kenzie Pleshaw each scored two goals for the Panthers and Emily Spath scored one.


For all the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-052416/

FHS Panthers

Live reporting: Discussion items to Closing

3. Discussion Only Items

Policy – First Readings

• IHBA-R - Programs for Students with Disabilities

policy with an "R" indicates the regulation
upon legal review shortening and simplifying the language
similar to parent handbook

• IHBHA - Alternative School Programs

also reviewed by legal council, updated language to bring to current regulations
to meet needs of diverse needs of students

• IJOAB - Extended Field Trips

added finger printing as a requirement in addition to CORI for volunteers on overnight trips
added language to enable the Superintendent to cancel the trip for the safety of the students

4. Action Items

a. I recommend moving the following Policies to a second reading at the next School Committee meeting:

IHBA-R - Programs for Students with Disabilities
IHBHA - Alternative School Programs
IJOAB - Extended Field Trips

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 6-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from various donors for the FHS Castelline Scholarship.

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 6-0

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report

• New director of music - Diane Plouffe

a coordinated effort with multiple stakeholder groups involved
end result the candidate was among us

Senior project culminating events on Weds
Awards night Thursday
Graduation next week

• met with the Charter School last week to review their plans for the future

• Central office went as a team to a conf to participate in "return on investment"

there will be more to come, are what we spending our dollars on really helping what we need for/from the students
did bring a different perspective to the business approach
learning ways to analyze the data

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
a. Policy Sub Committee

School Committee Liaison Reports

• school committee coffees being held, three more scheduled

attendance is growing at the sessions

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

consider better survey on school calendar to have data for next time

as this is mid-term, what is staus on progress to goals
Superintendent Sabolinski to provide


7. Motion to Adjourn
– Dr. O’Malley

Live reporting: Horace Mann update

b. Horace Mann Update

Colin came up with the idea of a transition video for the 6th graders coming to Horace Mann
should help to reduce anxiousness

lockers create nervousness
locker buddies
switching classes

"pencils are like gold"

The video will be used for the Oak and Thayer students 

"Keep your locker clean"

8th grader got a concussion during 7th grade and had subsequent incidents during this year but the teachers and her classmates helped her out

part of drama club, provided confidence to speak in public

part of student council, raising money for school mascot

screen grab of presentation showing field trip to Chatham to complete the "Finest Hours" reading activities

8th grader is also a soccer player and used to making quick decisions

started stress relief to begin understanding the transition to high school

viewed all of the options for elective classes to take, overwhelming at first

explained honors vs CP classes

select a variety of options to provide a variety of options for career path

taking a deep breadth and calming down, will try hard and while not scared will take next step to high school

"All In"

annual tradition of the 'crazy reading ladies'  just 'greatness'

if you have read the book and complete the work, you can go to the movie

'three-peat'

if they read the book each year, you earned the title 

the students chose the book "The Finest Hours" this year via popular vote

make books accessible, via library, audio book, and other creative ways

after school sessions to discuss as it goes

usually four to eight weeks to read

the power of social media is amazing, they are still getting used to

the author found about the school reading activity via a tweet

the author hosted a writing workshop for students

Mel Guthro sang every word to the Coast Guard song when introduced at the assembly

explained more detail than the book or movie covered

the piece of the boat was gifted the school

trip to Chatham to visit the lighthouse, beach where the event occurred

they saw the actual boat as it has been restored

How can they top that?

Follow the "Crazy Reading Ladies" on Twitter  https://twitter.com/allinreading