Live reporting: Information Matters

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. none

4. Discussion Only Items
a. none

5. Information Matters
a. Information Matters
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports 
(e.g. Budget;

Community Relations =looking at how to do something virtual, i.e. Twitter live chat or something

Policy - met on July 18, some policies underway, looking for additional input on social media 

Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation

school committee handbook in process

b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task
Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC];  all meeting in the fall

School Start Times Advisory Committee [SSTAC] 
connected with Mashpee on a survey they used and could be also adopted here

MASC
how to define a 'critical incident' in schools
everyone in school today was here post-Columbine

Summer workshop - Aug 7 at Dean

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

school handbooks coming up next time, changes to be highlighted
they are published on the webpage all year

policy meeting on Aug 7, maybe some updates for 1st read

Live reporting: School Committee - July 24, 2018

Present: Linden, Douglas, Bergen, Schultz, Zub
Absent: Feeley, Scofield


1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
no changes

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 BEDH

None

c. Superintendent’s Report
Dr Ahern
summer programs underway,extended school year and LifeLong Learning
Music ensembles performed on Friday, amazing to see them come together in so short a time
Math Academy, applied problem solving, design thinking, demoed a programmable robot; math also applied to art works they did

in process of bringing on new teachers, welcoming 6 new administrators as well; orientation held last week; administrative mentors also participated last week

MASC Executive Institute Joyce and Lucas participated, Dr Ahern was away and unable to attend. Dr Scott McLoud was one of the keynote speakers

facilities update - play grounds at Jefferson, down, construction should begin shortly, part of capital budget last year

DPW working hard on a variety of things in the buildings

concession stand underway and on schedule

Joyce to present on digital learning at a conf in Boston coming up this week
other FPS personal also scheduled to present


2. Guests / Presentations
a. Best Buddies Donation – Mr. Glynn and Tyler Glynn
presenting a donation from a concert held on July 8 in Foxboro

after some technical difficulty, a video of the concert highlights was shown

playing BBC - Franklin on Aug 2 at 8:00 PM


b. Educational Study Tour Finland/Germany – Dr. Ahern

traveled with about 30 educational leaders from around in the USA
traveled to Helsinki, Finland and Berlin, Germany

"What does educational reform look like in Finland, the top country in the World for Education?"

MA is the top state in the US, comparison of Finland with MA

Dr Ahern presenting on her trip

a close up of the slide shows the details that Dr Ahern talked to

youth soccer players watching a World Cup game in an open square

teacher recruitment is a key focus, they go for the top 20 percent students to get them into the teaching profession

schools are starting to see some diversity

standardized testing is more evaluation and not puntative

shortest time on learning of major countries, no correlation to PISA scores

with 30 students in class, the teach did have a co-teacher

promotion of native language through tutors or parents is a focal point

"feeling validated with what they are doing and is already underway here"

Tim Walker had taught in MA, moved to Finland and shared his insights on both

45:15 ratio of instruction to break time

school visit photos

reflections, next steps, and implications

Q - are they wrestling with substance abuse too?
A - they do have some counselors to support students, help is provided but not needed for stress; boys seemed to be disengaged from learning - they are looking to address. Drugs are present but don't seem to be in the same arena as here

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - July 24, 2018

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.

A G E N D A

“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
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 BEDH

c. Superintendent’s Report

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Best Buddies Donation – Mr. Glynn
b. Educational Study Tour Finland/Germany – Dr. Ahern

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. none

4. Discussion Only Items
a. none

5. Information Matters
a. Information MattersSchool Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget;
Community Relations; Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc
Superintendent’s Evaluation)
b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task
Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; School Start Times Advisory
Committee [SSTAC], MASC)

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your June 26, 2018 School Committee Meeting.
b. FHS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $600.00 from the Franklin Cultural Council for supplemental supplies at FHS as detailed.
c. Davis Thayer Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from Paula Russo for supplemental supplies at Davis Thayer as detailed.
d. FHS Scholarships
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $522.00 from various donors for the Keiichi Katanosono Scholarship as detailed.
e. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,500.00 from the Parmenter PCC for Supplemental Supplies as detailed.
f. Davis Thayer Donation
I recommend acceptance of a tree donated by the 5th Grade Class valued at $399.00 as detailed.
g. FHS Donation
I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the Franklin Newcomers and Friends for in-house enrichment as detailed.
h. District wide donation
I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from Nancy and Brendon Connelly for district wide enrichment as detailed.
i. Oak Street Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,750.00 from the Oak St. PCC for the school Library as detailed.

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence 
– Budget to Actual, Miriam Goodman

11. Executive Session
a. Strategy with respect to pending litigation.

12. Adjournment

The agenda can be found on the Town of Franklin page
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Agendas/q20182019/SCAGENDA%207-24-18docx.pdf

The documents released for this meeting 
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/j7-24-18%20SC%20Packet/

https://www.bestbuddies.org/

"the increase will help fund ongoing infrastructure improvements"

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

"Utility bills in Franklin this quarter were mislabeled with a typo showing old rates while residents were being charged with new rates. 

The higher rate, according to Treasurer-Collector Kerri Bertone, is the correct one, and the misconception will not be a problem next pay cycle because the error has been resolved. 

The bill system was updated, but the printing company contracted by the town, Globe Direct, did not update its template to match the town’s changes. The result was a misprint on the bill, causing some confusion among residents. 

Word about the error spread through the town’s website and social media. The Water Department won’t be re-sending the bill - a situation that, Bertone said, would likely cause too much confusion."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180723/franklin-utility-bills-contain-error

"the increase will help fund ongoing infrastructure improvements"

"This summer’s project will use a more condensed timeline"

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

"Have any vacation time saved up? If you commute to work on the Massachusetts Turnpike, this might be a good time to use it. 

State transportation officials are warning drivers to expect significant delays in the area of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge in Boston as the state finishes the second phase of its $110 million project to replace it. 

The work, set to begin this week, will disrupt nearly all forms of travel, though for commuters in MetroWest, the worst effects will likely be felt between 9 p.m. on Friday, July 27 and 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 6. 

During that nine-and-a-half day stretch, the Turnpike will be reduced to a maximum of two lanes in either direction between the Allston Interchange and the Beacon Street Overpass."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180723/boston-bridge-project-to-slow-mass-pike-commute

Additional details and link to MassDOT information on the project was shared in May  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/05/comm-ave-bridge-project-update-i-90.html

Comm Ave Bridge Project Update: I-90 Lane Reductions
and Ramp Closures begin July 27

FTC Scam Alerts: Staying away from nanny and caregiving job scams

Staying away from nanny and caregiving job scams by Carol Kando-Pineda Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education Finding a new job can be a challenge. Websites can help you find work, but scammers also use these sites to find people to rip off. Do you look for work on caregiver/nanny job sites?  Sometimes scammers will offer a job but say you need to buy supplies or other equipment. They pressure you to act quickly, before you have time to think. They send you a check and tell you to deposit it and transfer money to their vendor to buy the supplies.  Don't do it — scammers post fake job listings for nannies and caregivers, then make up elaborate stories to get your money. The positions seem real, but they're not — it's a scam. The check will bounce. So, the money you sent is actually your own — and it's gone. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/07/staying-away-nanny-and-caregiving-job-scams?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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PanMass Challenge rides through Franklin Aug 4

In the build up to the PanMass Challenge which is scheduled for Aug 4-5, the Milford Daily News will be sharing profiles of local riders.

Representative Jeff Roy appears in this issue
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180722/pan-mass-challenge-profile-state-rep-roy-rides-for-his-late-colleagues

I know of several riders from the area and my work connections who are riding in this worthy event. You can contribute to the fund raising online at

PMC.org/

PMC.org/

Franklin also is a rest stop for riders on the route from Sturbridge to Provincetown. If you have a chance to get to the Remington Jefferson School complex on Saturday morning, Aug 4, the early riders usually start coming in about 7 AM and then the peak is usually between 8 and 10. It is quite an experience!

the riders arrive at Remington-Jefferson in Aug 2013

You can explore posts over the years on the PMC ride through Franklin
http://www.franklinmatters.org/search?q=pmc%2C+remington