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Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Live reporting: Discussion Only Items
6. Discussion Only Items
a. School Start Times
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/x11-28-2017%20SC/A.%20%20Memo%20about%20School%20Start%20Times.pdf
proposal to undertake a study of the matter, a complex matter
could spend next couple meetings to frame the committee
including appropriate stakeholders
this is not anything quick, it needs to take some time to work through it
Superintendent Ahern will come back with a more formal proposal and time lines for next meeting
Donna Grady, President of FEA
issue not new to Franklin, this could begin an other chapter in this
there is a good amount of info out there
the issue is not that simple, far reaching implications
day care, work schedules, transportation, busing and related items
before and after school care
needs to be heavily researched, not just for now but for future as well
some items are going to require negotiation with the teachers union
b. 18-19 School Calendar Draft
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/x11-28-2017%20SC/B.%20%20Draft%20School%20Calendar%202018-2019.pdf
looking for feedback, for a potential vote at an upcoming meeting
relatively few changes to prior years as Superintendent is only here for five months
combined conferences across the district on two days in October is a change
input and feedback is welcomed
thinking about the number of interrupted weeks (where 5 days are not taught)
half day vs. full day provide different opportunities for professional development, a combination of both is a nice blend (full allowing cross district, half more building based)
c. School Committee Presentation Schedule 2017-18
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/x11-28-2017%20SC/C.%20%20Draft%202017-2018%20SC%20PRESENTATION%20SCHEDULE.pdf
an outcome from the School Committee and Central office planning session during the summer, the plan has been brought forward for feedback and input
d. Class Size Report
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/x11-28-2017%20SC/D1.%20%20Memo%20about%20Class%20Size%20Reports.pdf
providing some additional detail around class size at the high school, i.e where there are areas of need to be consistent across the district. Most in middle school are meeting School Committee guidelines
class sizes at FHS tend to be larger, enrollment increases can be justification for adjustments
Live reporting: Discussion - Action items
5. Discussion / Action Items
a. Addition to FHS student Handbook on Breathalyzer Use – Mr. Peri and Mr. Klements
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Packets/x11-28-2017%20SC/DiscussionActionA-FHSHandbook.pdf
I recommend making the addition to the FHS Student Handbook as discussed.
this was exciting as it was a student lead idea, they did the work
what a deterrent could and would that be?
we have a had a run of events where we have been incident free, so since this was student lead, this was really exciting to look at
what we hope comes across as a deterrent, not as a 'gotcha'
we did not take these jobs to become DEA agents
we do want to see kids come to dances and have a good time without issues
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
b. Extended Field Trip Approval – Instrumental Music to Providence, RI
I recommend approval of the request to take 3rd grade music students to The Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI on May 24, 2018 for a concert as detailed.
new trip out of state and hence up for approval here, recurring trips outside with prior approval are in the consent agenda section
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
c. Policy – Second Reading
i. BEDH – Public Participation at School Committee Meetings
I recommend adoption of policy BEDH as discussed.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
ii. JJF-R – Student Activity Accounts
I recommend adoption of policy JJF-R as discussed.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
iii. BDD – School Committee – Superintendent Relationship
I recommend adoption of policy BDD as discussed.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0
Live reporting: School Committee - Nov 28, 2017
Present: Feeley, Linden, Douglas, Scofield, Bergen, Schultz, Zub
Absent: none
1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments
spirit week completed, Seniors one
Sophomores won the powder puff game
Neon dance
winter sports tryouts this week
Santa Foundation, fund raising 3,000 towards a goal of 10,000
3. Superintendent’s Report
earlier this week, via Dr Edwards received word that teacher Colleen Donahue had been published in a journal
two exciting sportsmanship awards by MIAA
potential mold at Horace Mann Middle School
testing and inspection done on Nov 9, there is no evidence of mold in the building
tests returned were 'normal' no further action was required
FEF fundraiser, Harlem Wizards game
3rd quarter was competitive, lots of stunts and tricks by the Wizards players
Community Forum, Nov 30th in the Training Room
faculty forums and students forums underway as well
4. Guests / Presentations
Ryan Jette
Bob Dellorco
Mike Socci
proposal has been reviewed by various parties around the Town and schools
connection of facility with utilities, security background checks for the workers
assuming approval, early 2018, with target of completion in Sep 2018
anticipating cost of $270,000
work to be accomplished via volunteers and fund raising
drawing done by architect, reviewed with Town
could you include a single use bathroom?
If the concession stand was part of the MSBA program, it likely would have cost closer to $1M and therefore was not included.
ongoing maintenance would be incremental
could also review the facilities fees for future adjustment if necessary
this saves us about $800,000
to come back at a future meeting with the formal proposal for a vote
b. MCAS Presentation – Dr. Joyce Edwards
testing has been in MA for over 20 years, now finally moving to computer based
Franklin chose PARCC to explore that form in advance of MCAS 2.0
3 years of three different tests have there been conducted here
computer based tests, last two years
elementary and middle schools are being held 'harmless' with no accountability levels assigned due to the change in testing
no comparisons available between the tests
this year will be a 'baseline' year, growth and comparisons for future years to this year but nothing more than that
student growth report was not provided to the parents, it can be used in some cases by the schools
FHS took the legacy MCAS tests and was graded at a "2" down from a "1" previously
failure to meet gap narrowing goals for high needs students which resulted in the lower rating
(slides to be added later - hopefully, if not - then I do have some photos of the slides to share)
a lot of the work is around teaching the teachers to teach the students at the higher level that is expected of them, if they teach to the standard, and do that well, the tests will take care of themselves
the "all students" category did exceed state results, the "High needs" did not exceed the state results
some comparison charts for other local communities were added
current 8th grade class could be the first to take the new MCAS 2.0 as 10th graders
Feeley - "I am happy to hear that we teach to the curriculum and not to the test"
Bergen - "Do we get feedback from the students on how they are experiencing the test and results?"
Kids grade 3-8 get other feedback so they are not phased by that; in high school, the threshold is easier to pass and our students usually do pass on the first time, there are also retest options; I think if students are stressed it is from other factors and not MCAS tests.
Absent: none
1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH2. FHS Student Representative Comments
spirit week completed, Seniors one
Sophomores won the powder puff game
Neon dance
winter sports tryouts this week
Santa Foundation, fund raising 3,000 towards a goal of 10,000
3. Superintendent’s Report
earlier this week, via Dr Edwards received word that teacher Colleen Donahue had been published in a journal
two exciting sportsmanship awards by MIAA
- Unified Basketball Team for Central Section
- FHS 16-17 Hockomock Sportsmans award
potential mold at Horace Mann Middle School
testing and inspection done on Nov 9, there is no evidence of mold in the building
tests returned were 'normal' no further action was required
FEF fundraiser, Harlem Wizards game
3rd quarter was competitive, lots of stunts and tricks by the Wizards players
Community Forum, Nov 30th in the Training Room
faculty forums and students forums underway as well
4. Guests / Presentations
a. Concession Stand Proposal – Mr. Michael SocciWayne Simmarian, Rec Advisory Board
Ryan Jette
Bob Dellorco
Mike Socci
proposal has been reviewed by various parties around the Town and schools
connection of facility with utilities, security background checks for the workers
assuming approval, early 2018, with target of completion in Sep 2018
anticipating cost of $270,000
work to be accomplished via volunteers and fund raising
drawing done by architect, reviewed with Town
could you include a single use bathroom?
If the concession stand was part of the MSBA program, it likely would have cost closer to $1M and therefore was not included.
ongoing maintenance would be incremental
could also review the facilities fees for future adjustment if necessary
this saves us about $800,000
to come back at a future meeting with the formal proposal for a vote
b. MCAS Presentation – Dr. Joyce Edwards
testing has been in MA for over 20 years, now finally moving to computer based
Franklin chose PARCC to explore that form in advance of MCAS 2.0
3 years of three different tests have there been conducted here
computer based tests, last two years
elementary and middle schools are being held 'harmless' with no accountability levels assigned due to the change in testing
no comparisons available between the tests
this year will be a 'baseline' year, growth and comparisons for future years to this year but nothing more than that
student growth report was not provided to the parents, it can be used in some cases by the schools
FHS took the legacy MCAS tests and was graded at a "2" down from a "1" previously
failure to meet gap narrowing goals for high needs students which resulted in the lower rating
(slides to be added later - hopefully, if not - then I do have some photos of the slides to share)
a lot of the work is around teaching the teachers to teach the students at the higher level that is expected of them, if they teach to the standard, and do that well, the tests will take care of themselves
the "all students" category did exceed state results, the "High needs" did not exceed the state results
some comparison charts for other local communities were added
current 8th grade class could be the first to take the new MCAS 2.0 as 10th graders
Feeley - "I am happy to hear that we teach to the curriculum and not to the test"
Bergen - "Do we get feedback from the students on how they are experiencing the test and results?"
Kids grade 3-8 get other feedback so they are not phased by that; in high school, the threshold is easier to pass and our students usually do pass on the first time, there are also retest options; I think if students are stressed it is from other factors and not MCAS tests.
Tri-County RVTHS Invites the Community to Annual Showcase Spectacular Event
If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a vocational technical high school and a traditional high school, then you don't want to miss the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Showcase Spectacular. Tri-County would like to invite the community to learn more about their local vocational technical school in a fun and interactive setting.
Tri-County Regional will host its 2017 Showcase Spectacular on Saturday, December 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All members of the community are invited to attend this free event packed with fun activities for the whole family. Raffle prizes include Beats Wireless Headphones and other exciting giveaways.
Each of the school's 16 Career Programs will provide unique activities and games for the whole family to enjoy. Attendees will have the opportunity to operate robots and view a 3D printing demonstration in Engineering Technology. The Early Education program will have many STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities for children including crafts and a science experiment.
After working up an appetite, visitors can stop into the cafeteria to enjoy a delicious lunch made by Culinary Arts. Students will be serving chili, pizza, french fries, salad, cookies, brownies, and more. Visitors are invited to take home a variety of pre-packaged meals, side dishes and desserts from Tri-County's student run restaurant, Gerry's Place, which is open to the public daily for lunch.
"Our annual Showcase Spectacular is an event that gives members of the community an opportunity to view what makes quality Career Vocational Technical Education so popular with students, employers and political leaders," explained Superintendent-Director Stephen Dockray. "There will be activities for all ages, and we hope everyone will have a great time experiencing the exciting programs that Tri-County has to offer."
Members of the Tri-County staff will be available as a resource to discuss curriculum, college and career planning, and vocational opportunities.
Campus maps and tour booklets will be provided to those who would like to learn more about the school.
Tri-County Regional will host its 2017 Showcase Spectacular on Saturday, December 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All members of the community are invited to attend this free event packed with fun activities for the whole family. Raffle prizes include Beats Wireless Headphones and other exciting giveaways.
Each of the school's 16 Career Programs will provide unique activities and games for the whole family to enjoy. Attendees will have the opportunity to operate robots and view a 3D printing demonstration in Engineering Technology. The Early Education program will have many STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities for children including crafts and a science experiment.
Tri-County RVTHS Invites the Community to Annual Showcase Spectacular Event |
After working up an appetite, visitors can stop into the cafeteria to enjoy a delicious lunch made by Culinary Arts. Students will be serving chili, pizza, french fries, salad, cookies, brownies, and more. Visitors are invited to take home a variety of pre-packaged meals, side dishes and desserts from Tri-County's student run restaurant, Gerry's Place, which is open to the public daily for lunch.
"Our annual Showcase Spectacular is an event that gives members of the community an opportunity to view what makes quality Career Vocational Technical Education so popular with students, employers and political leaders," explained Superintendent-Director Stephen Dockray. "There will be activities for all ages, and we hope everyone will have a great time experiencing the exciting programs that Tri-County has to offer."
Members of the Tri-County staff will be available as a resource to discuss curriculum, college and career planning, and vocational opportunities.
Campus maps and tour booklets will be provided to those who would like to learn more about the school.
Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham. For more information, go to www.tri-county.us.
#GivingTuesday options
A few of the many options to contribute to a worthy Franklin cause today!
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Your donation today will provide an individual with disabilities
Donate to help the Franklin Food Pantry raise enough for 1,000 bags of groaceries
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"Community.
A thriving town center.
Local businesses and services.
A gathering place.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is hard at work revitalizing the center of town. We rely on memberships, sponsors and gifts to further our cause.
You can support the Franklin Downtown Partnership and 100% of your donation will go right back to the community.
We know you have many worthy causes and groups vying for your charitable dollars. We hope you will consider giving to the FDP on this #GivingTuesday. We have a donation button on our website's homepage or you can donate using the button below.
Thank you,
The Franklin Downtown Partnership"
|
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S.A.F.E. is a coalition of community partners who have come together to provide support, education, treatment options, and coping mechanisms for those affected by substance abuse disorder. We do so by empowering those affected, including their families, with the tools necessary to succeed on their journey to recovery. We understand that while I can't, we can
Donate to the SAFE Coalition ! |
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Donate to help HMEA
"Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.
Your donation today will provide an individual with disabilities
the tools necessary to Reach for Independence!"
https://hmea.org/givingtuesday2017/ |
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Donate to help the Franklin Food Pantry raise enough for 1,000 bags of groaceries
Our wish is that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones, and that you enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday in good cheer and with a festive spirit.
With all of the gifts checked off on your list, you saved the best for last. Today, #GivingTuesday, you can give the gift of hope to help a neighbor you may never have met.
Hope that there will be an after-school snack. Hope that no one has to choose between paying for heat and buying food. Hope that hunger doesn't get in the way of making friends. Hope there is enough food in the house to make a lunch for school.
Every bag of groceries our clients take home is full of hope. Our goal is to raise enough funds to fill 1,000 bags of groceries.
1,000 people. 294 children. 140 seniors. Your neighbors. Our community. Give them the gift of hope today, #GivingTuesday. Give now.
For the donations already made and for those still to come,
THANK YOU!
-Erin
Give them the gift of hope today, #GivingTuesday |
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And there are many other organizations in Franklin looking to you for help today.
In the News: veterans walkway bricks for sale; municipal aggregation in Bellingham
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171127/franklin-pathway-to-recognize-all-veterans
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171127/bellingham-signs-energy-contract
Update: Franklin also has a municipal aggregation program. The Town has gone to bid three times and have yet to get a good rate to start. Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen wants to get a good differential rate for the first time out as the rate will change over time (as shown in the Bellingham article).
The Municipal Aggregation program documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/municipal-aggregation-program.html
"The town is doing more to remember not just local veterans, but any veteran or active duty member from anywhere in the country. A newly approved pathway project at the town common offers anyone the chance to buy a dedicated brick for a military person they know.
The bricks will cost $100 each and proceeds will go into the project and maintenance. Each brick will include the name and branch of the person for which it is dedicated.
The pathway will stretch from the flagpole at the town common by the war memorial, and circle around to connect with the diagonal walk on the Union Street side. The entire project will cost about $85,000, and will have room for 5,000 to 6,000 bricks dedicated to veterans. As of Monday, nine bricks had been sold.
Veterans Services Officer Dale Kurtz said it would be great to have the pathway completed by next Veterans Day, but that will depend on funding. Kurtz said once the initial construction is complete, they will periodically replace blank bricks with newly dedicated ones."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171127/franklin-pathway-to-recognize-all-veterans
"The town has signed a new municipal aggregation energy contract in an effort to save local electricity customers money over the next year.
The contract is the town’s second since it began its aggregation program earlier this year. With municipal aggregation, towns look to save money from the utility company’s default rate by seeking bids from energy suppliers.
The town announced the 12-month agreement, with Agera Energy, on Monday. Its standard option charges 11.5 cents per kilowatt hour - a rate Town Administrator Denis Fraine said is about a penny lower than National Grid’s default rate and two cents below the Eversource charge. The new Bellingham rate is set to take effect in December.
The contract comes with the expiration of the town’s one-year contract with NextEra. Fraine noted that the new rate would be higher than that contract’s 8.68 cents per kilowatt hour charge, but said that reflected an across-the-board jump in prices."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171127/bellingham-signs-energy-contract
Update: Franklin also has a municipal aggregation program. The Town has gone to bid three times and have yet to get a good rate to start. Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen wants to get a good differential rate for the first time out as the rate will change over time (as shown in the Bellingham article).
The Municipal Aggregation program documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/municipal-aggregation-program.html
- From the Town Council meeting where this was approved
cover page of presentation to Town Council on Aggregation Program |
IR-2017-193, National Tax Security Awareness Week, Online Security - 7 tips for safety
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News EssentialsWhat's HotNews Releases IRS - The Basics IRS Guidance Media Contacts Facts & Figures Around The Nation e-News Subscriptions The Newsroom TopicsMultimedia CenterNoticias en Español Radio PSAs Tax Scams The Tax Gap Fact Sheets IRS Tax Tips Armed Forces Latest News Home IRS ResourcesCompliance & EnforcementContact My Local Office Filing Options Forms & Instructions Frequently Asked Questions News Taxpayer Advocate Where to File IRS Social Media | Issue Number: IR-2017-193
National Tax Security Awareness Week No. 1: Online Security - Seven Steps for Safety
IR-2017-193, Nov. 27, 2017
WASHINGTON – During the online holiday shopping season, the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry remind people to be vigilant with their personal information. While shopping for gifts, criminals are shopping for credit card numbers, financial account information, Social Security numbers and other sensitive data that could help them file a fraudulent tax return.
Anyone who has an online presence should take a few simple steps that could go a long way to protecting their identity and personal information.
The Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax community, partners in the Security Summit, are marking "National Tax Security Awareness Week", Nov. 27-Dec.1, with a series of reminders to taxpayers and tax professionals. In part one, the topic is online security.
Cybercriminals seek to turn stolen data into quick cash, either by draining financial accounts, charging credit cards, creating new credit accounts or even using stolen identities to file a fraudulent tax return for a refund.
Here are seven steps to help with online safety and protecting tax returns and refunds in 2018:
There are also a few additional steps people can take a few times a year to make sure they have not become an identity theft victim.
Receive a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year. Check it to make sure there are no unfamiliar credit changes. Create a "My Social Security" account online with the Social Security Administration. There users can see how much income is attributed to their SSN. This can help determine if someone else is using the SSN for employment purposes.
The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry are committed to working together to fight against tax-related identity theft and to protect taxpayers. But the Security Summit needs help. People can take steps to protect themselves online. Visit the "Taxes. Security. Together." awareness campaign or review IRS Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers, to see what can be done.
Thank you for subscribing to the IRS Newswire, an IRS e-mail service.
If you know someone who might want to subscribe to this mailing list, please forward this message to them so they can subscribe. This message was distributed automatically from the mailing list IRS Newswire. Please Do Not Reply To This Message. |
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