In the News: Sec of Energy takes a bike ride; School Committee stands against Question 2

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Local residents, town officials and state legislators lobbied for state support in an unusual way: by going on a bike ride. 

The group guided Matthew Beaton, the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, down the town's portion of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) Wednesday afternoon. Their aim was to garner support for a tunnel beneath Prospect Street, which would connect the trail to a wider network of bike paths. 

State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, said the group was hoping to convince Beaton to bring its concerns to Gov. Charlie Baker. 

"It's a nice trail all the way, until you get to Prospect Street," he said, estimating that the intersection was about 1.25 miles from the trail's Grove Street entrance. "There, it's a steep climb up - you can't ride it."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161026/state-official-rides-franklin-rail-trail

"Citing the town's key role in American public education, the School Committee took a position against a charter-school ballot question in the November election. 

The committee at its meeting Tuesday night voted unanimously against Question 2, a ballot measure that would lift the cap on charter schools in the state. 

Several of those who spoke on the matter mentioned that Franklin is the birthplace of Horace Mann, regarded as the father of public education in the U.S., and that they believed the referendum, if passed, would go against the principles he supported. 

Committee member Anne Bergen said she believed the measure would create schools that were not subject to public oversight."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161026/franklin-school-committee-opposed-to-charter-school-question

trail head parking lot for the SNETT on Grove St

FPAC presents "The Odd Couple"

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents Neil Simon’s hilarious The Odd Couple on November 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on November 6 at 2:00. Directed by Aaron Andrade, FPAC’s production will be staged at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin as part of the company’s 26th season.

A classic American comedy by one of the most produced playwrights of the twentieth century, The Odd Couple is an epic mismatch of personalities, as an incompatible pair of suddenly single pals becomes roommates. Thrown out by his wife, the fastidious and uptight news writer, Felix Unger, moves in with the slovenly sportswriter, Oscar Madison, recently divorced. Unsure why their marriages fell apart, the friends repeat the same mistakes with each other – with hysterical results. The Odd Couple won the 1965 Tony Award for Best Author of a Play and was a Best Play nominee. The renowned buddy tale is the original play behind the hit TV sitcom and film.

Tickets are $24. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com. The Odd Couple is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

THE BLACK BOX at 15 West Central St, Franklin

FHS girls soccer win big vs. Attleboro

From Hockomock Sports we share the FHS fall sports results from Tuesday, Oct 25

FHS Panthers

*** Boys Soccer = Franklin, 0 @ Attleboro, 1

– Final – Attleboro sophomore Will Halben scored in the second half for the lone strike of the game.

*** Girls Soccer = Attleboro, 0 @ Franklin, 7 – Final

– Emily Mastaj and Calen Frongillo each had two goals and an assist for the Panthers. Molly Duncan added a goal and an assist for Franklin, while Nadia Havens and Ellie Teixeira both scored goals. Miranda Smith and Jamie Dragsbaek also had assists.


For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-102516/

Your input looked for to help develop the leadership profile of the next Franklin (MA) Superintendent of Schools

Dear Sir/Madam:

The Franklin School Committee has begun the process of selecting the next Superintendent of Schools in Franklin. To facilitate this important process, the Committee has enlisted the firm of Hazard, Young and Attea Associates, a national consulting firm. A critical first step in the selection process is to develop a profile of desired leadership characteristics based on feedback from the community.

The Franklin School Committee would like to cordially invite you to offer your feedback to help inform them in this phase of the selection process. This will be invaluable in developing the leadership profile of the next Superintendent of Schools.

If you would like to offer your feedback about the desired leadership characteristics of the next Superintendent of Schools, please follow the link below to a brief survey. This survey will be open until November 15, 2016.

http://ecrasurvey.com/franklin


Thank you for your interest and support

The Franklin School Committee
HYA Associates

help develop the leadership profile of the next Franklin (MA) Superintendent of Schools

In the News: Math update to School Committee; Tri-County shows off robotics progress

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Math educators from the town's schools said instruction in the district has shifted to encourage activity and problem solving, but School Committee members expressed concern about communication with parents and the standards set. 

Math specialists and instructors spoke at the committee meeting Tuesday night as part of a general overview on the curriculum and instruction in the district. 

Assistant Superintendent Joyce Edwards said the district's curriculum has been changed to align with state standards. 

"It involves the construction of knowledge - not just passively sitting and being talked at," she said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161025/franklin-school-committee-reviews-math-instruction

one of the elementary math specialists updating the School Committee during the Tuesday meeting

"It may have looked like play, but the robotic arm demonstration was really a glimpse at manufacturing's present and future. 

Students Andrew Plante and Candis Brodeur were showcasing the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School's new robotic arm, using it to build a tower with assorted blocks Tuesday. 

"We're just starting now on this - trying to play around with it and learn how it works," Plante said, adding that the arm had just arrived last week. 

Brodeur said the school already had a smaller robotic arm, which introduced students to the basic concepts of programming robotics.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161025/franklins-tri-county-showcases-manufacturing

Pantherbook: "FHS Sound Record Department Receives Ableton Grant"

Riley Halliday, Writer for the Franklin High School "Pantherbook" writes about the grant received for the Sound Record Department.

"It’s no secret the FHS has an outstanding resources for its sound recording department, however things just got a little more interesting. 

Mr. O’Connors, the new sound recording teacher, has already made an impact in his first months here. He recently applied for a grant from Ableton, a music software company. This Wednesday, sound recording classes and the music production club received fantastic news which included 15 new Ableton Push boards, as well as Ableton Live software.

Continue reading the article online
http://franklinpanthers.us/student-life/2016/10/24/fhs-sound-record-department-receives-ableton-grant/

Pantherbook photo for the article on the sound grant received

Find more articles in Pantherbook here   http://franklinpanthers.us/

Real time reporting: School Committee - Oct 25, 2016

Present: O'Malley, Schultz, Douglas, Jewell, Scofield, Bilello, Bergen
Absent: none

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the September 27, 2016 School Committee Meeting and the October 11, 2016 Worksession.
motion to accept, seconded, passed

Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives

• Football team won against Attleboro on Saturday, going on to playoffs
• Homecoming dance was a good time
• two congressional candidates visited FHS to meet with an AP class

Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

• acknowledgement of the increase of $162K for the budget to cover for the K-Grant shortfall, thanks to the Town Council for this action

2. FEA – Open negotiations with EA Unit
training and negotiations to begin again before the contract expires June 30, 2017


2. Guests/Presentations
a. Math Program Overview

K-12 Math Program Update for Franklin (MA) School Committee from Franklin Matters

Ron Taylor had an injury and is recovering

Joyce Edwards, leading the presentation in his absence

elementary math specialists

6 total, one for each school

Elementary school math link

https://sites.google.com/a/franklinps.net/math-k-5/home

https://sites.google.com/a/franklinps.net/math-k-5/home

(other notes to be added from Twitter feed)

(be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to review all the entries)