FHS boys soccer tops Foxboro 3 - 1

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Thursday, Nov 12

 

Boy Soccer = Consolation Rounds = Franklin, 3 @ Foxboro, 1 – Final 

– Franklin opened the scoring just before halftime and tacked on two straight in the second half on its way to a 3-0 win on the road at Foxboro. Ben Moccia redirected a free kick from Terry O’Neill to put the Panthers ahead just before the halftime whistle. O’Neill doubled the lead in the third quarter, blasting a penalty into the back right corner with just over five minutes to play in the third quarter. Charlie Amante shouldered in a cross from Moccia to extend the lead to 3-0 in the fourth. Foxboro’s Matt Angelini got the Warriors on the board, burying a touch from Adam Connolly. 

 

For other results around the Hockomock League 

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-11-12-20/

 

 

FHS boys soccer tops Foxboro 3 - 1

 

Town of Franklin, MA: Senior Coffee Hours - Nov 19

This month's Senior Coffee Hours with State and Local Officials will be held on Thursday, November 19th at 8:30 AM.  

 

Join Zoom Meeting  =  https://t.co/3NfQGIfN78
Meeting ID: 865 3864 3813  Passcode: 883566

Via Phone: Dial-in at 1-646-558-8656 

 

#Seniors #Connections @jeffroy @FranklinSrCntr 

https://t.co/788RD39SuU

Town of Franklin, MA: Senior Coffee Hours - Nov 19

Franklin Cultural Council: Annarella's Favorites: Italian Ricotta Cookies & Almond Crunch Biscotti

The next Franklin Cultural Council’s Masterclass is schedule for Monday, Nov 16. Are you registered? It’s FREE! 

Join owner of Annarella's Bakery, Suzanne Gendreau, for a night of Italian baking!
Join us to make Italian Ricotta Cookies and Almond Crunch Biscotti!

PDF copies of the recipes will be emailed to you. Please reach out to us at Franklinculturalcouncil02038@gmail.com if there are questions!

**The Almond Crunch Biscotti has almonds that need to be caramelized 1-2 hours minimum before the class starts***

 

Topic: Annarella's Favorites: Italian Ricotta Cookies & Almond Crunch Biscotti

Time: Nov 16, 2020 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

Register online

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annarellas-favorites-italian-ricotta-cookies-almond-crunch-biscotti-tickets-127258996083

 

Annarella's Favorites: Italian Ricotta Cookies & Almond Crunch Biscotti

virtual Senior Health & Wellness Fair = Nov 20

Senate President Karen E. Spilka is excited to announce a one-hour VIRTUAL Senior Health & Wellness Fair that will be broadcast on Facebook and karenspilka.com on November 20, 2020, at 10 am. EST. 

 

Designed to help seniors maintain their mental and physical health during the Pandemic, it will feature expertise and resources from local and state experts, including: strategies to beat social isolation with AARP Massachusetts President Sandra Harris; short workshops on at-home fitness, fraud prevention, and finding the right care; and overviews of community organizations and services that can help with transportation, fighting scams, and lifelong learning, as well as helplines and other resources-by-phone. There will be fun and entertainment too! 

 

Learn more: https://fb.me/e/31IiyU7w0

 

virtual Senior Health & Wellness Fair = Nov 20

 

DLS Alert: Commonwealth Employees Targeted by Phishing Campaign

The following is a notification from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS). Commonwealth Employees Targeted by Phishing Campaign Curtis M. Wood - EOTSS Secretary and Chief Information Officer As many of us in state and municipal government are increasingly conducting our work remotely, the cybersecurity risks of data breaches, disclosures of sensitive data, and targeted cybersecurity threats have increased. As you will see below, we are seeing a rise in malicious cyber attacks, specifically aggressive phishing campaigns over e-mail and texts. The Commonwealth continues to be in contact with our federal partners at the Department of Homeland Security to stay vigilant of emerging cyberthreats and remains on high alert to protect Commonwealth systems and ensure continuity of government operations. The Commonwealth has recently been the target of an aggressive phishing and smishing campaign. The malicious actors are using free e-mail services, such as g-mail, to create fake e-mail accounts designed to impersonate Commonwealth Leadership and are using social engineering tactics to elicit a sense of urgency. In addition to e-mail, the scammers have started using text messages as another way to phish our community. This technique, often referred to as smishing or SMS phishing, is a text-message based variation of traditional phishing scams, and a growing cyber threat. This particular campaign does not contain any links or malicious documents, but rather requests that the user purchase a gift card on behalf of the executive. If you receive an e-mail or a text message requesting you to purchase a gift card, to pay by gift card, or to wire money – for any reason – that's a sure sign of scam. Any correspondence, whether e-mail or SMS-based, imploring (or even threatening) the need for an immediate response, should be treated with healthy skepticism. Remember to pay attention to key warning signs: False sense of urgency External e-mail address as either the sender or the reply-to address Misspellings and Typos Consider the purpose; is this someone you'd typically correspond with? Be wary of suspicious attachments and links

read the red outlines for details on what to look for

  

read the red outlines for details on what to look for 1

Job Search Workshop: "Simplicity and Personal Brand for Job Seekers"

Stephen Melanson, the corporate branding specialist, has announced a two-session workshop for job-seekers.

Dec 10 and 17 - 1-2:00 PM ET

If you're looking for your next professional role, you have to break away from the pack and be clear about your value. And if it's not simple enough, it won't work as well as you need.

Why would an employer be crazy to not hire you? Do you know? Can you verbalize it in about 5 seconds, or describe it in a few words?

In this two-session package, we'll cover:

• The rules for 'Simplicity' as a business tool
• What 'Verbal Branding' is, and how to use it
• How to differentiate and not commoditize yourself
• Building a strategy for job seeking that works
• Viewing the effort to sell yourself
• How to be more effective in less time
• The scary, critical truth about being memorable
• Confidence and a little courage

Register via Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/simplicity-and-personal-brand-for-job-seekers-tickets-128648026711

TESTIMONIAL QUOTE: Conference Speaker for Top 5 Asset Management firm worldwide: Annual Summit, 2019 "Yours was the only session to get a perfect score from the audience."

NOTE: There are no refunds for this package. Please be sure you can attend before signing up.

To learn more about Stephen Melanson:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmelansonconsulting/

 

Job Search Workshop: "Simplicity and Personal Brand for Job Seekers"

 

FM_#389 School Committee Meeting - 11/10/20 Part 3 of 3 (audio)

FM #389 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 389 in the series.

This session shares one of three segments for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the two hour and thirty-five minutes meeting (2:35) into three logical segments:

First - covers the opening through the Superintendent's Report, covering the re-opening status; including testing for FHS athletes and theater students to enable their return this week (about 48 minutes)

Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Portrait of a Graduate (about 47 mins)

Third - covers the Discussion Actions Items, and the remainder of the meeting. (about 60 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the Superintendent’s Report and Portrait of a Graduate presentation copy. Those are usually posted to the folder the day after the meeting.

Let’s listen to this third segment of the School Committee meeting of Nov 10, 2020   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HVjvV5tS

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

Agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-11-10-20

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-10-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/school-committee-meeting-oct-27-2020.html 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

newly elected vice-chair of the School Committee Denise Spencer

Superintendent Sara Ahern answers a question

FM #388 School Committee Meeting - 11/10/20 Part 2 of 3 (audio)

FM #388 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 388 in the series. 

This session shares one of three segments for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the two hour and thirty-five minutes meeting (2:35) into three logical segments:

First - covers the opening through the Superintendent's Report, covering the re-opening status; including testing for FHS athletes and theater students to enable their return this week (about 48 minutes)

Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Portrait of a Graduate (about 47 mins)

Third - covers the Discussion Actions Items, and the remainder of the meeting. (about 60 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the Superintendent’s Report and Portrait of a Graduate presentation copy. Those are usually posted to the folder the day after the meeting.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting of Nov 10, 2020. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HskT5mtS

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

Agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-11-10-20 

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-10-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/school-committee-meeting-oct-27-2020.html

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

cover page for presentation deck

Marketing and Communication Specialist Anne Marie Tracy explains the design elements

FM #387 School Committee Meeting - 11/10/20 - Part 1 of 3 (audio)

FM #387 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 387 in the series. 

This session shares one of three segments for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the two hour and thirty-five minutes meeting (2:35) into three logical segments:

First - covers the opening through the Superintendent's Report, covering the re-opening status; including testing for FHS athletes and theater students to enable their return this week (about 48 minutes)

Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Portrait of a Graduate (about 47 mins)

Third - covers the Discussion Actions Items, and the remainder of the meeting. (about 60 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the Superintendent’s Report and Portrait of a Graduate presentation copy. Those are usually posted to the folder the day after the meeting.

Let’s listen to this first segment of the School Committee meeting of Nov 10, 2020. Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H1Ykmf3S

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

Agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-11-10-20 

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-10-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/school-committee-meeting-oct-27-2020.html

 --------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

four designs for Portrait of a Graduate

designs icons for the skill areas for the Portrait of a Graduate

Franklin Food Elves Launch Holiday Drive: “12 Days of Donating” Campaign Celebrates 15 Years

This year the Franklin Food Elves “12 Days of Donating” Campaign marks 15 years of helping neighbors in need during the holiday season and beyond. Starting on December 1 and running through December 12, the neighborhood collection by local middle and high school student serves as the largest fundraiser for The Franklin Food Pantry. Be on the lookout in your neighborhood for purple envelopes to support your local Food Elf or donate here.

This year especially, The Pantry needs monetary donations to help feed its neighbors. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Pantry has had to change how it serves its neighbors. Neighbors are able to visit The Pantry once a week and they all receive a bag filled with the same shelf-stable items. Neighbors all get a choice of proteins and a bag of fresh produce. The money raised by the Food Elves will help to purchase the items needed by our neighbors to help meet their needs.

“So many people in our community have reached out to ask how they can help us during the Pandemic. Becoming a Food Elf is a great way that some of our younger community members can support The Pantry,” said Lynn Calling, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. “Food Elves is our largest fundraiser of the year and helps us purchase what we need when we need it to provide for the more than 1400 individuals who count on us.”

The Food Elves will notify people in their neighborhood about how they can support the Pantry. They will distribute flyers in their neighborhoods about the Food Elves Drive. Neighbors can make donations in two ways” through a check donation that the elves will pick up personally; or through each Elf’s own online personal campaign page. Each Elf will be able to keep track of how much they personally raise.

The Franklin Food Pantry thanks our middle and high school students who serve as our Food Elves and our district parents who are helping to lead. 

Any student interested in becoming a Food Elf can visit: https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/franklin-food-elves/

Past Food Elves gather at the Pantry for an orientation and tour

FHS field hockey tops North Attleboro; girls soccer falls to North Attleboro

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Wednesday, Nov 11.

Girls Soccer - Hockomock Cup = #D4 North Attleboro, 2 @ #KR1 Franklin, 1 – Final 

– Tess Collins put North in front six minutes into the fourth quarter and the Rocketeers held on for an upset over the Kelley-Rex champions to advance to the Hockomock Cup semifinal. North grabbed the lead in the second quarter on an Emma Pratt goal after she followed up a save by Franklin keeper Julia Bertone. Sydney St. Marie equalized for the Panthers five minutes into the second half, but Collins popped up with the winner to send North into the next round. Franklin coach Tom Geysen said, “It was a well played game by both teams. North finished better than we did. We had a number of chances but could not find the net.”

 

 

Field Hockey - Hockomock Cup = #D4 North Attleboro, 2 @ #KR1 Franklin, 8 – Final – Franklin scored five straight goals over the first three quarters to build a big lead that it never relinquished in an opening round win of Hockomock Cup action. Junior Kaitlyn Carney scored twice while Stephanie Bell, Amanda Lewandowski, and Lindsay Morse each scored once for the Panthers, who led 4-0 at the halftime break and 5-0 heading into the final quarter. North’s Julia Puccio and Zoe McKeon scored early in the final quarter to cut into the deficit but Sara Carney sandwiched a pair of goals around a tally from Lewandowski to help the Panthers put the game away. Neilee Hess made three saves in net for the Panthers.  

 

For other scores around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-11-11-20/

 

FHS boys soccer close out season with Loss to Oliver Ames

 

Senator Rausch: Help me fight cuts to the MBTA

The MBTA is considering drastic service cuts for 2021.

View this email in your browser November 10, 2020    Dear friends,    Yesterday, I attended a very concerning meeting hosted by the MBTA, called with very little advanced notice. Governor Baker and the MBTA proposed significant and serious service reductions and other changes, including cutting all weekend and evening commuter rail services, drastic fare increases for The Ride, striking electric bus service, and a full stop on reconstruction at the South Attleboro train station. These proposals are short-sighted and will disproportionately and negatively impact people who are already most hurt by the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. You can read more about the MBTA's proposal here: mbta.com/forging-ahead.    At the state level, I will absolutely fight against these cuts. However, I need your help. Please make your voice heard at any of the following public meetings and submit comment at mbta.com/forging-ahead.    Upcoming Regional Meetings Regarding Our District   Forging Ahead Virtual Public Meeting: Bristol (Region 8) Attleboro, Franklin, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, and Wrentham are in this region.  NOVEMBER 30, 2020, 6:00 PM    Upcoming System-Wide Meetings   Forging Ahead Virtual Public Hearing: System-Wide Service  NOVEMBER 19, 2020, 6:00 PM     Forging Ahead Virtual Public Meeting: System-Wide Service  DECEMBER 2, 2020, 6:00 PM     Find additional information and other regional meetings at  mbta.com/forging-ahead. Yours in service,      Senator Becca Rausch  Our mailing address is: The Office of Senator Becca Rausch Massachusetts State House, Room 218 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133

Milestone Cranberry Bog videos

"Thank you all for attending today's (Monday, Nov 9) event "Milestone Cranberry Bogs: A discussion with Nantucket Conservation Foundation Ranger, Allen Reinhard"  attached is a link to all the videos that were shown today.  

Ironically I have figured out how to link them all together now. 

Stay well and keep the Human connection alive during this time of social distancing,"

 

Ariel

Video link = https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeQpHw40w0bcuXQ_bh81-2LsRRXaC2DRV 

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

 

The first video (use the link ave to find the series)

Franklin (MA) School Committee - meeting recap - Nov 10, 2020

Quick Recap:

• Organization meeting to start with; Bergen re-elected as Chair, Spencer elected as Vice-Chair
• Portrait of a Graduate finally introduced with four drafts of graphical representations to convey the concept. The textual work had been carefully reviewed with a variety of stakeholder groups over the course of several months who are not getting a formal opportunity to provide input on the graphical representation which was first revealed this evening
• New report format for review and update of the re-opening of schools. K-8 in hybrid, high school opening hybrid next week after delay due to the party. Athletics and theater students were tested to enable participation this week. Testing paid for by some savings within the school budget as well as some sports Alumni contributions.
• Multiple parents expressed that for K and first graders, remote is not working, the students are not prepared to conduct themselves and require parent or guardian assistance. The process is not sustainable, the students are being left behind.
• Feasibility report was conducted during the summer and while the District will look at options for K-1, there are space limitations and or staffing limitations to bringing all the K-1 back. (Yes, look at the building report to see how each of the elementary schools differ in class size and set up) The feasibility report referred to is currently a District internal doc (at least it is not found anywhere on the FPS pages).
• Budget workshop scheduled for next week

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found online in one folder  https://photos.app.goo.gl/LEPDXAqWfntkEBpX8

----
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #schcomm1109
https://twitter.com/hashtag/schcomm1109?src=hashtag_click

• Getting ready for the SchComm meeting at 7 PM - To watch or listen:  Via Comcast (Channel 11) or Verizon (Channel 29)  Or  Call-In Phone Number:Call 1-929-205-6099 & enter Meeting ID # 811 6905 2702--Then press #  #schcomm1109
• To watch or listen:  Via live stream  https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream…  #schcomm1109 
  
• For active participation:  #schcomm1109  Via Zoom:  https://t.co/rlYH12I2Rt?amp=1
• Franklin TV is also getting ready to broadcast this meeting #schcomm1109
• Brief audio interruption during roll call, needed to redo part of it. Hopefully it won't reoccur. #schcomm1109 pledge and moment of silence before reorganizing the committee, Supt Ahern opens meeting nomination of Bergen, second, 6-0 (D'Angelo connection difficulty) Note D’Angelo did rejoin the meeting and appeared to have no audio issues for the reminder of the meeting.
• Bergen open nominations for vice chair Spencer, seconded, via roll call 6-0 (D'Angelo still difficulty) #schcomm1109
• Comment on parent impact for 1st grade student, coming back later as this is on the agenda in the re-opening update #schcomm1109 FHS getting used to remote learning, testing hard, found online learning personally easy to adapt to
• Parent raises problem with chromebooks issue and insurance req'd after the fact. #schcomm1109
• COVID-19 testing modifications changes as of Friday, were yellow now green with new map. In person, if feasible, desired by DESE. Feasibility study done during summer
• In hybrid K-8 and moving to that for FHS, full in person would be a challenge to maintain distance as well as staffing positions difficult. #schcomm1109 health concerns, buses at 1/3 capacity, other matters on re-opening plan would be factors. In person is valued
• Feasibility is the real issue, Superintendent association put out message on this in the afternoon, continue to monitor were 7+ now 4+ so we're doing better, we'll continue to look at to see what it would take. #schcomm1109 lots of work being done in hybrid model
• Wants to emphasize a few key points on FHS remote, so many emails the joint message was best way to handle volume, welcome to FHS students to building in hybrid model, decision had been made due to police action on this party, needed to respond #schcomm1109
• We do have masks, practices etc. in place but FHS has not had as much practice with it as the other schools. Stress and screen time is important to look at. Would look at facts of situation for next decision. #schcomm1109 did screen varsity athletes and drama as a test
• Would have liked to do more testing but it wasn't available at the time and scale needed (600 not likely a yes) 60-80 was a yes and successful. #schcomm1109 shout out to Fire Chief McLaughlin for helping to make this happen along with school personnel and Central Office
• Middle school visiting author coming to schools via remote next week. FEF grant helps to fund this. Attempting to show a musical showcase, audio difficulty, link will be in Superintendent report #schcomm1109
• Suggestion to leverage the remote author visit and translate nor make available for ELL and others #schcomm1109 "when we don't follow the guidelines the kids end up suffering" the testing was not free, some savings from budget as well as alumni donors made that happen
• Portrait of a graduate presentation being shared, doc will be on schools page Weds have captured screen grabs in the meantime #schcomm1109
• Getting along the way for PoG #schcomm1109
• More pages of PoG presentation #schcomm1109
• More pages of the design itself #schcomm1109
• Main design #schcomm1109
• Design #2 #schcomm1109
• Design #3 #schcomm1109
• Design #4 #schcomm1109
• And instead not me putting the 4 together, they thought of it #schcomm1109
• Will take feedback and bring back two graphic choices for the 11/24 meeting #schcomm1109
• Send feedback to SchComm as they will be making the choices, survey had gotten feedback on the text previously (but not on the graphics which was seen for the first time here) #schcomm1109
• Getting to the chromebook insurance question raised earlier ( property of school district, akin to books, athletic equipment, musical instruments, etc.) #schcomm1109 would encourage insurance for coverage of accidental damage
• Motion to adopt policy as proposed, second, passed 7-0 via roll call. #schcomm1109 Re-opening schools is a new item as a regular part of the meeting agenda; transfer requests are a big item for folks moving to remote or to hybrid, checking volume of switches
• Are looking at K and Grade 1 in regards to instruction, exploring in person, could at 3' but not 6'; may be space or staffing or both. Great deal of variables among the 6 elementary schools with current size of classrooms #schcomm1109
• Still working on and the dominos are multiple (transportation, contact tracing, etc.) Staffing still an issue, trouble filling substitutes, more staff are being requested to stay home due to change in family status i.e. COVID or otherwise #schcomm1109
• New report format for reopening status and discussion https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/reopen-status-update  #schcomm1109 (and yes just realized should have tagged these as  1110, oh well)
• Hearing of excess screen time for FHS, likely to reduce as move to hybrid, but will keep looking at #schcomm1109 teachers may be taking sick time to catch up on work (some might have also done so before COVID-19) measures of coordination at a level we are not there yet
• High class size a concern for K, 2 in particular, for virtual learning academy VLA, are looking to provide additional support where possible, many moving parts, deadline of Friday for change request, to be made in Dec (Dec 11) #schcomm1109
• Busing an implication, may not have enough for a mid-day run if trying to bring all K, 1 back in split sessions, would also be an expense item as it would increase cost #schcomm1109
• Parent telling story of 1st grader who needs one of the parents to assist with the instruction, both parents work and can't participate. #schcomm1109 options aren't great, 2 older kids are making it work, the 1st grader is getting left behind when parents can't help
• It is a slide deck that the first grader can't read, without either parent help, kid can't function to learn. Disappointed that it is Nov and we still don't have options #schcomm1109 not something they will make up in 6 months
• 3rd parent with K and 1, it is not sustainable, they do ok in school but can't work well remote, teacher teaches both cohorts, increasing days would not increase risk #schcomm1109 it is failing the youngest learner's
• Parent kept spreadsheet to summarize an average every 13 mins need to click something to open or close, that the first grader couldn't. #schcomm1109 Q can Supt Ahern bring options to SchComm for discussion?
• Budget workshop for #SchComm1109 next Tuesday, what info do we want to get out and be aware. Community relations, no meeting on calendar. Res 10 of MASC didn't pass, other 9 did. Policy meeting Thursday, DTFA met and then met with Community for info session
• DTFA had about 30 participants, survey out for input closing Dec 2, possible appearance with Franklin Matters podcast. (Yes, I am ready awaiting date/time from participants) #schcomm1109
• Next meeting PoG adoption, reset presentation schedule going forward Consent agenda proposed for approval, seconded, passes 7-0 via roll call. #schcomm1109
• Motion to adjourn, seconded, passes  7-0 via roll call 

 

4 design choices for the Portrait of a Graduate

 

CommonWealth Magazine: "How about a civics project instead of another MCAS test?"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"At the same time, our Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, with support from Secretary of Education Jim Peyser, sought to add a history-focused MCAS test to the current series of tests focused on science, English Language Arts, and math. The intent is admirable. In a testing and accountability-focused educational climate, many school and district leaders, particularly in communities predominantly serving lower-income students and students of color, have given limited attention to history and social studies in favor of tested subjects. Making history/social studies a tested subject might address that structural inequity.

But we think there may a better solution. Instead of more standardized testing, we propose each student complete a civics education project (which is already required of all students in accordance with the 2018 law) as a demonstration of knowledge and skill equivalent to a passing score on the MCAS.

The civics project could:

• Be long-term, conducted over the course of perhaps a term, a semester, or an entire school year. In the workplace and in college, extended individual and collaborative projects are commonplace; this is excellent preparation for real-world expectations.
• Align with the ideals of “deeper learning” articulated by scholars Jal Mehta and Sarah Fine in their book, In Search of Deeper Learning: The Quest to Remake the American High School. A well-developed civics project includes a focus on literacy (particularly important given our state’s large and growing multilingual population), real-world relevance (providing motivation for students to shape their communities through civic action), and student empowerment (students gain knowledge and skills that will enable them to be informed, active citizens).
• Provide students choice, allowing them to focus on a topic of personal passion, or for a small group to pursue a shared interest collaboratively."

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https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/how-about-a-civics-project-instead-of-another-mcas-test/