they serve reasonable purposes; they are practical and within a child’s capability;
they are consistent; and they are an expression of loving concern…”
Fred Rogers in Mister Rogers Talks with Parents
Hi All;
Last week’s special congressional election to fill the seat of the late Ted Kennedy certainly did provide a lot
of interest at both the local, state, and national level. While this election stole a lot of the media attention,
another very important legislative issue at the state level was Governor Devol Patrick’s signing into law of
a very important education bill at the Massachusetts State House. The bill establishes "Innovation
Schools," in-district charter schools that aim to add autonomy and flexibility into school systems. It makes it
easier for the state to intervene with struggling schools. It also lifts the cap on charter schools in the lowest
performing district. The primary impetus for the timing of this signing, however, appears to be so that the
state could align itself with the requirements of the federal government’s $4 Billion new Race To The Top
education funding to states. While about ten states did not even attempt to qualify for this funding,
Massachusetts raced to meet the Tuesday, January 19 deadline and just squeaked by and closed the deal
without a day to spare. While I have not been able to familiarize myself with the exact legislation, I do know
that there will be some big changes on the horizon. One of the biggest appears to be lifting the cap on charter
schools in the state, and providing a big financial incentive to do so. As I become more familiar with the
specifics behind the bill, I will provide some commentary. Stay tuned.
Some of you may be aware that FHS was selected as one of 20 high schools in Massachusetts to participate in
a televised WGBH program called High School Quiz Show. Six of our seniors will participate in a taping of
the event next Saturday, February 6 at the WGBH studios in Allston. They will face off against the Boston
Collegiate Charter School in a head-to-head competition for points. The top four teams will then participate
in a challenge to determine a winner. The winner will eventually compete against a winning team from
western MA in order to have a “state champion”. Biology teacher Dr. Robert Langdon has been working with
the students since early September and I believe they are confident and well prepared. The actual airing of the
taped program will be later this spring. I will provide the actual date and time when it becomes available. Good luck to the group!
Many of you are likely aware of the large map of Haiti posted on the wall in first floor A-hall outside the
library. This map was inspired by a discussion in Maria Figueroa’s Italian class and drawn by a group of
students from our International Club in the hopes of using it as a backdrop for fundraising efforts to aid Haiti
relief efforts. Students will be collecting $1 during lunches for the purchase of a cutout image of a heart or
hand. These “hands and hearts for Haiti” with whatever message the purchaser desires will be posted on the
map and the proceeds sent to an appropriate relief agency.
If you are unable to get to the lunch room to donate, or if parents are eager to help, please send
a check to the FHS International Club made out to “Framingham High School” and use the message portion to
indicate “Haiti donation”. Thank you in advance for your help and support in this effort.
This past Saturday three FHS students participated in the audition process for the Massachusetts Music
Educator's Associations All-State music chorus and orchestra. Harry Meltzer and Mathew Scranton
auditioned for the All-State Chorus and Michaela Fischer auditioned for the All-State Orchestra. They all did
a wonderful job and had a great experience. Michaela Fischer received a score high enough to earn a spot as
one of the best violin players in the state. This was the second year in a row she made the orchestra.
Congratulations to her and also to Harry and Matt for making it as far as they did. They represented
Framingham's music department very well.
The results from the 2009-10 Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards were announced late last week and FHS
was again well represented. Four of our photography students and two of our art students won gold and silver
key awards in the competition. Congratulations to students Dylan Cauchon, Jackie Braxton, Cameron Burke,
Tessa Seales, Richany Nguon, and Mia Cross. Congratulations also to their art teachers Josie Kealty and Dan
Nicholson, and Photography teacher Rebecca Cauchon.
Today marks the start of the second half of the 2009-10 school year. Tomorrow is the 90th day of classes, and
grades are due this week along with our mid-year exam results. As mentioned last week, all students will be
receiving new schedules for semester two in homeroom today. One week from today we will be distributing
our 2010-11 Program of Studies booklets to all students to begin the course selection process for next year.
We will be asking all teachers to discuss appropriate course recommendations for students in each subject
area, and our annual Curriculum Orientation Night will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2010
beginning at 7:00 PM. This is an excellent opportunity for students and parents to get perspective on what
courses and levels are appropriate for their current level of performance and plans for the future. Department
heads, guidance counselors, and some teachers will be on hand to describe next years’ offerings and provide
insight and suggestions.
There will be a brief session in the auditorium for parents of eighth graders while
everyone else (those currently in 9th, 10th, or 11th grades) can get their questions answered in the cafeteria.
This is an important time of year for future planning, so please take advantage of all these opportunities.
Speaking of opportunities, remember that this Sunday is the annual College Goal Sunday financial aide clinic
at FHS. You can get personalized help with your child’s FAFSA from college admissions officers on site.
Mark your calendars now for Sunday, January 31 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM in the cafeteria.
At last Wednesday night’s school committee meeting, Superintendent Steve Hiersche presented a first
glimpse of the FY11 budget in a preliminary form. As you might expect, there is a sizeable gap in the
funding that is needed in comparison with what the town currently has forecast toward the schools. I don’t
have any great additional insights at this time, and I suspect there will be only slightly more clarity as the
house and governor’s budgets get released in the next few weeks. I will keep everyone appraised as to the
best of my knowledge but at this time any speculation would be premature.
Our guidance counselors will orchestrate additional future planning discussions during their annual meetings
with juniors during their US History 2 classes beginning the first week in February. During these visits, our
counselors will train students on the use of our NAVIANCE software that provides an excellent resource for
students to find information about colleges and universities appropriate to their needs and abilities. This
unique service allows students to see actual admissions data and decisions from prior years FHS students at
over 2000 different post-secondary institutions. This will certainly get kids thinking about their futures and
how quickly their senior year will be upon them!
