DNA - District News & Announcements
June 2023
District News and Announcements
June 2023
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OVERVIEW & DNA INTRODUCTION
This newsletter is affectionately called the DNA because it's a beautiful collection of unique stories and experiences contributing to the development and function of our school communities. (Also it's an acronym for District News and Announcements ;) )
We hope you've enjoyed seeing some of these behind the scenes stories and joined your fellow community members at events! We look forward to continuing the monthly DNA Newsletter next year!
Kindergarteners Offer Advice to FHS Seniors
The Communications Office recently sat down with a few Kindergarteners across the district and after introducing the concept of high school, graduation, and advice - students were asked to help send off our seniors. In this brief video, our young learners share their advice to the class of 2023. Enjoy :)
FPS Communications Office Wins a Social Media Award
The FPS Communications Office earned a 2023 NSPRA (National School PR Association) Award of Excellence for the Social Media campaign which supported Dr. Tremblay's school-based residencies.
From the award submission material: "This campaign increased the Superintendent’s social media presence, reach, and following, but more importantly, it gave him a way to connect with students, staff, and parents across the district. It became a conversation-starter with students and encouraged connection beyond his building-based presence. This was always the goal of the social media plan and it was so much fun getting to see the students’ faces light up when they recognized him from TikTok or Instagram."
This has been posted to the NSPRA website and will be honored at the NSPRA 2023 National Seminar on Sunday, July 16th in St. Louis, MO.
Recent Press Releases
FPS to be Recognized at SchoolWorks’ 25th Anniversary Celebration
Framingham Public Schools is proud to be considered a changemaker and representatives are honored to attend this special event in recognition of effort and dedication to improving outcomes for all students.
FPS Honors Talent and Retirees in a Recognition Ceremony
The Talent Recognition Ceremony was an invitation-only ceremony to honor 58 retirees and ‘Talent of the Year’ from each school. Read the press release for the list of retirees and the 'Talent of the Year' who were honored at this year's event!
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Distribution of Material
In case you missed it, several Framingham-based, youth-oriented, non-profit organizations submitted material for the June Distribution of Recruitment material. Take a look at the Smore and PDF from June 2nd.
Summer Reading and Learning
Visit the Office of Teaching and Learning Website for all resources: Summer Reading and Learning
Here are some shortcuts:
Good News Network
If your child's school is not included below, that does not mean they aren't doing wonderful, exciting things! We look forward to sharing even more news and updates in the Good News Network section of future District Newsletters!
Submit your good news to communications@framingham.k12.ma.us for a special shoutout in future newsletters and social media posts!
A Score for Potter Road!
Inspired by the World Cup and the in-class reading of "If I Built a School" during Dr. Tremblay's Residency at Potter Road Elementary School, two students advocated for soccer nets. A couple weeks ago, their wish was granted! Nets and soccer balls were provided to the school to be used during recess.
FHS to Benefit from Men's Wearhouse 'Cash for Schools' Program
Huge thanks go to Men's Wearhouse for supporting Framingham High School through their 'Cash for Schools' program! The nationwide initiative began in 2013 and offers participating schools a $5 donation for each tuxedo rented for their prom from Men’s Wearhouse. This year, FHS will be receiving $1,500 which can be used towards tuxedo rentals for next year's prom. This gift will be presented at a future School Committee meeting.
FHS Boltz Awards
On Friday, June 16th Framingham High Studios hosted The Boltz Awards. This is a formal award show featuring the nominated work of our fantastic students and news crew members from the past year. Students, faculty, families, and friends were invited to attend!
FHS Paraprofessional and Award-Winning Author to Host an Event on August 10th
In December of 2021 we shared that FHS Assistant Teacher and Tutor Janice Laakko worked with Atmosphere Press to fulfill her dream of becoming a published author! Fast forward to 2023 and she's been invited to host an author event at the McAuliffe Library! See below for event details and to learn about her award-winning children's novel, Gloppy. (The book is a heartwarming tale of friendship and forgiveness.). There is no obligation to make a purchase, but autographed copies of the book will be available!
Meet the Author: Janice Laakko
Where: McAuliffe Library, Framingham
When: Thursday, August 10 at 3 PM
Audience: Kids ages 8-11, their caregivers, and anyone else who is interested in the books!
The Program
- Fun presentation
- Reading from Gloppy
- Crafts
- Drawing for a door prize
Congratulations to our Award-Earning Multilingual Students!
Framingham Public Schools is proudly awarding the State Seal of Biliteracy and State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction to students in grade 12, the Language Opportunity Coalition Biliteracy Awards and the district FPS Love of Languages Participation Award to students in grades 5, 8, and 12.
Congrats to ESL Teacher, Writer, and Translator Any Gijka!
"My forthcoming book has a cover and officially drops on December 5th! This is a book I have worked on for eight years, but really, it’s a whole lifetime that has fed and inspired it.... I cannot wait to share this book with the world."
An Unruled Body, by Any Gjika
In a searching and powerful debut memoir, award-winning poet and literary translator Ani Gjika tells a different kind of immigrant story by writing about the ways a woman listens to her own body, intuition, and desire.
**Winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing
It was an EPIC Fun and Learning Day at BLOCKS!
On June 2, BLOCKS held their annual Fun and Learning Day. This year’s theme was Outer Space. The many fun and learning activities included:
- NASA rocket ship test run – flying a foam rocket for a distance.
- A Moon Rock Exploration.
- Making their own planet with marble painting or sponge painting.
- They took a journey on a spaceship. “Going on A Rocket Ship” song/video.
- Read the book “On the Moon”.
- They watched videos which had real astronauts: “Q&A with an Astronaut in Space” and “Storytime from Space”.
Please check out their vision of outer space created by each classroom for the Outer Space Walk in this photo slideshow: Fun and Learning Day 2023- Outer Space Walk
Along with all the outer space learning, the kids enjoyed the petting zoo, the bouncy house, face painting and other fun activities. Thanks to BLOCKS' wonderful PTO.
Fuller-McCarthy Reading Buddies Program Pilot!
Recently, 7th and 8th grade students from Fuller Middle School crossed Flagg Drive to read to Kindergarten students in two classrooms at McCarthy Elementary School. The older students selected and practiced reading picture books and poems, and then shared their selections with the younger students. The Fuller students did a wonderful job reading with expression and talking about the texts with the Kindergarteners. The little buddies LOVED being read to by their big buddies! After such a successful launch, we are hoping to expand the program next year!
FHS Students Got The Glam!
Thank you so much to Giving the Glam, a nonprofit that provides new dresses/tuxes, and professional hair, makeup, nails and accessories for students who may otherwise struggle to afford them. This year, 26 Framingham High School seniors participated in the Giving the Glam program for the prom.
About Giving the Glam
Giving The Glam provides an incredible prom experience for underserved urban and suburban high school seniors. We cover the cost of all attire and accessories for students who couldn’t otherwise afford to participate in their prom. Students are given an opportunity to attend their event in style, while we make a large impact on their self-esteem and confidence.
Nala Continues to Spread Love!
- Nala the Service Dog for the Resiliency for Life classroom was honored as the "Service Dog of the Game" at Fenway Park on Tuesday May 23, 2023. This was made possible through a relationship between NEADS, the program that trained and partnered Nala with the Resiliency for Life Program, and the Boston Red Sox.
- Nala, and her human Mr. Goldschmidt, visited the Cameron March Madness reading rewards winners. The winning team truly fell in love with Nala and a fun time was had by all!
Ocean World Oceanarium Experience for Stapleton Students!
Explore the Ocean World Oceanarium visited Stapleton on May 26th! Kindergarten and third graders rotated to learn all about ocean animals, animal adaptations, and got to hold animals such as crabs and starfish. It was such a fun experience for all! Thank you Stapleton PTO!
Lego Club at Barbieri
This year, the third grade Lego Club at Barbieri Elementary School met on Friday mornings to work on Lego robots and the engineering design process. They built robots following the instructions and then experimented with coding the robots with simple movements. They also used the engineering design process to design and build treehouses that were installed in the Barbieri tree in the lobby. Finally, they came up with design specifications and built their own Lego cars to meet the requirements they chose.
FHS Civics Class - Project Presentation
On June 5th the FHS Library hosted the second annual History & Social Science Department Civics Extravaganza! Groups of US History II students from the Class of 2024 studied the role of government and researched an issue of their choice that affects their communities on the municipal or state level to understand their own power within our democratic system. Community leaders and government officials visited the Library to meet with students, so the students could advocate for a particular action to address the issues they researched.
FHS Teacher Spotlight!
KUDOS to the several high school teachers who are dedicating their time to the evaluation of AP exams in their prospective fields!
Colette Sicotte is serving as a table leader for the AP English Language and Composition exam. In this role, she oversees the accuracy of 8 other teachers & college professors (from around the world) who will score the exams side by side for seven days. (WOW!)
Together, they are engaging in conversations about student writing and how to assess it accurately. They are collaborating on future lessons and sharing best practices. This is Colette's 5th year as a reader, but her first as table leader; in both roles, she's found this to be the absolute best professional development!
KUDOS also go to Karen Strader, Holly Anza, and Jen Abreau for their support in scoring the exams. In order to read the exams, each educator needed to apply and provide credentials, and wait to be 'invited.' It is serious, grueling work, but also really exciting and inspiring to be able to further support students and colleagues with the knowledge gained from this experience.
FPS is fortunate to have educators seeking out this incredible opportunity to shape not only our students, but others as well!
Potter Road Partners with Boston Scientific
5th Grade students had the opportunity to work with Boston Scientific where they learned about cool engineering, science, and other technology! Thank you Mrs. Lapa Silva and Mr. Weinstein for organizing this awesome opportunity!
FHS Students Visit the Framingham History Center
FHS's AP Seminar class visited the Framingham History Center to learn more about how to connect their research interests with the local history materials held in the FHC's archives. They also viewed the current exhibit, Framingham's Top Ten, and took a class photo with the vintage neon Shoppers World sign.
Potter Road's Kindergarteners Explored Drumlin Farm
Kindergarten took a field trip to Drumlin Farm on a beautiful, warm day! They got to walk around, see different animals, and learn more about Drumlin farm!
PRIDE Day!
BLOCKS Pre-School (Left) and Dunning (Right) supporting our LGBTQIA community!
Fuller Students Support Project Dash
Friday, June 9th was the last chance for Fuller's 8th grade group to go to the Greater Framingham Community Church to pack bags of grocery to be delivered to families in need across the city. They have very much enjoyed being a part of this opportunity in coordination with the Wrap Around Coordinators!
A Moment in Time for the Dunning Community!
All 434 students and 68 staff gathered on the DUNNING field to take the 2023 photo to present to our retirees and 5th grade graduating class yearbook. Thanks to Shannon Pierson who pulled together the design, implementation and organization of the photo. And many thanks to all those who contributed their time to the success of this awesome photo!
The Golden Eye - A Literary Magazine from Fuller Middle School
Under the guidance of Caroline Lovett, literary specialist, a group of students at Fuller have been working hard to create a literary magazine that will represent writing and artwork from both students and staff. The interested students worked in collaboration with Mrs. Lovett to make decisions about the magazine and get information out to students in the building. Numerous titles for the magazine were suggested; and after several rounds of voting, the winning title of the magazine is The Golden Eye. The group hopes to have several editions of the magazine every year, with the first edition of the magazine was ready this week.
Enlarge the magazine cover to view it and read below for details! This was created by rising 8th grader, Jeena Ann Kidambi.
"I painted this cover art (acrylic and sequins), entitled Inclusion, in a traditional Indian folk art style. In Indian art, the peacock symbolizes regality and majesty. Like students, peacocks have royal qualities seen by few, not many. Also like students, peacocks grow and change over time, eventually displaying their beauty. But most importantly, like several other Fuller students and myself, the peacock is traditionally Asian. This is why the peacock is so important to this painting. Although the peacock on this magazine's cover symbolizes all the great things about all the students at Fuller, my painting of this great bird with the golden eye of a falcon further symbolizes an underrepresented, low-incidence, minoritized group at Fuller, and shows that we are also Falcons, just like any other student. My work as a folk artist is to give a voice to a group of people who have been silenced for a long time. I hope that one day, all ethnic groups at Fuller can be seen heard, and accepted, and I further hope that my painting helps put us on that path."
Hemenway Gets an Interactive Storytelling Experience
To kick off summer reading and a love of books. Author/Illustrator Jannie Ho came to Hemenway to do an interactive program: Visual Storytelling through Comics & Graphic Novels.
Her presentation included a step by step activity where students can draw along and create a comic strip. The goal was to inspire students to write and draw in a fun and engaging way through visual storytelling and sequential art.
IB PYP Exhibition Day at Harmony Grove Elementary School- A Global Academy
Thursday, June 8th, was IB PYP Exhibition Day at Harmony Grove Elementary School- A Global Academy. This annual 5th grade event took place in the cafeteria during the school day for staff and 3rd and 4th grade students to attend and then in the evening for 5th grade families, staff, and community members. The IB PYP Exhibition is an exciting inquiry project that students at all International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) schools around the world do during their 5th grade year.
This year for the IB PYP Exhibition, 5th graders researched global issues connecting to the United Nations Global Goals and how we can all take action to help the world. Some of the topics included climate change, plastic pollution in our oceans, gender inequalities, racism, and poverty/hunger. The students all wrote individual essays and in small groups they created tri-fold posters and creative art projects to display on IB PYP Exhibition Day. They also all took action in some way to make a difference with the various global issues. Student actions included organizing a food drive for Daniel's Table, creating a book display in the library, raising awareness about the issues, and lifestyle changes such as increasing recycling and decreasing the use of single-use plastics.
Each small group was matched with a mentor (including teachers, parents, community members, and School Committee members) who met with them weekly throughout May/June to support students with their Exhibition projects. Throughout the Exhibition process, students reflected on their learning and set goals with their mentors related to their work completion as well as how they demonstrated IB Learner Profile attributes and IB approaches to learning.
The 5th grade students all worked very hard on their projects and they were proud to share what they learned with their families and our school community on Exhibition Day! Congratulations Harmony Grove 5th graders! Thank you to our 5th grade teachers as well as the 30 Exhibition mentors who volunteered to support the students with this important experience!
Kudos to the FHS Red Cross Club
The FHS Red Cross Club held a blood drive on May 26th at Framingham High School. The blood drive was a success and ended with a total of 21 pints of blood and 32 donors who had all donated for the first time! The Club reached out to the blood drive services of the Red Cross and carried out the event after planning it for 3 months. More Red Cross Club events can be viewed on their instagram: @redcrossclubfhs.
Girls on the Run - Harmony Grove
This spring, Harmony Grove started the first Girls on the Run team in our district!! Four Harmony Grove staff members, Beth Gibson, Judy Renaud, Grace Murphy and Mari Kale, took an initiative to coach the girls this season. Fourteen 4th and 5th grade girls worked together for 10 weeks.
During this time, the coaches and girls built confidence, community, physical strength and Star Power in our group. We finished the season with a 5K race at Suffolk Downs in East Boston. The Girls on the Run 5K included over 1,800 girls and their running buddies from the Greater Boston area. It was amazing!
The girls raised close to $400 with a car wash fundraiser held at Harmony Grove. The girls chose to donate the proceeds from the car wash to purchase much needed supplies for the clients of Pathways Family Shelter in Framingham. What a way to give directly back to the Framingham community!
Congratulations to our 14 girls who completed the 10-week secession. WOW! We are so proud of you! If you would like to start a Girls on the Run group at your school, reach out to Girls on the Run Greater Boston.
A Climate Change Lesson, Made Possible by the Climate Municipality Vulnerability Preparedness Grant
Students from Framingham High School's Environmental Awareness Club and Environmental Science classes traveled to the Berkshires in western Massachusetts to learn about the effects of climate change on local biomes. The trip was funded through the Climate Municipality Vulnerability Preparedness grant. Through this grant, students previously traveled to Cape Cod, exploring the climatic effects on coastal communities. Our focus this year was to investigate the effects of climate change on forest and freshwater ecosystems. Activities included canoeing with biologists on Lake Warner, learning about the history and conservation of the Wissatinnewag (a sacred piece of Native American land), and exploring the geologic history of Mount Toby. It was another great adventure for these environmental stewards!
Math Club Celebration! ¡Celebración del Club de Matemáticas!
Brophy students from Grade 2 to 5 have been working on developing and strengthening their math skills, in both languages of instruction, in the after-school Math Club. On Wednesday, May 31st the club had their last day celebration where all students enjoyed practicing math skills solving, as a team, different levels and kinds of math problems. Ms. Gardner, Ms. Newcomb, and Mrs. Lillian feels honored to support Brophy’s mathematicians!
Los estudiantes de Brophy de 2do a 5to grado han estado trabajando en el desarrollo y fortalecimiento de sus habilidades matemáticas, en ambos idiomas de instrucción, en el Club de Matemáticas después de clases. El miércoles 31 de mayo el club tuvo su último día y para celebrar todos los estudiantes disfrutaron practicando habilidades matemáticas resolviendo, en equipo, diferentes niveles y tipos de problemas matemáticos. ¡La Srta. Gardner, la Srta. Newcomb y la Sra. Lillian se sienten honradas de apoyar a los matemáticos de Brophy!
FSN Students Speak at Juneteenth Celebration
Freedom Starts Now (FSN) was created to educate people about Black Lives Matter, the LGBTQ+ community and other Social and Environmental issues. Two FSN Sluc students spoke recently at the Framingham Pride Flag Raising Ceremony and at the Framingham Juneteenth celebration. Sanika Agrawal and Mackenzie Sorenson, 2 of the FSN co-founders, were clear in their message that everyone in Framingham should feel safe to be themselves. FSN was created when they were in 5th grade at King Elementary and was brought to Fuller with them this year.
Need / Want a Job? We Are Hiring!
Community Corner
Fireworks
Mayor Charlie Sisitsky is bringing fireworks back to the City of Framingham. The Stars & Stripes Over Framingham event will take place on Friday night, June 30 from 5pm - 10pm at Farm Pond Park. There will be more than a dozen food trucks at Barbieri Elementary School. There will also be back-to-back musical performances. First Larry Bee & The Buzz and then a performance by the U.S. Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band and Rhode Island Sound ensembles.
Follow the City of Framingham on social media or visit their website for updates on parking, road closures, and more in the coming weeks!
Friday Night Concert Series
The City of Framingham is excited to kick-off the annual Summer Concert Series tomorrow night, June 23. Hosted on the Framingham Centre Common, the concerts will continue every Friday night through August 11, from 6pm - 8pm (unless otherwise noted).
Grab your friends, bring your picnic blankets, and get ready to dance the night away!
- June 23 (6:00pm - 8:30pm): New Sound Assembly - American Acapella Barbershop Chorus Way Up South - Americana
- July 7: Petty Larceny - Tom Petty Tribute
- July 14: Brothers Walk Band ~ Featuring JC - R&B / Soul
- July 21: Dwayne Haggins Band - Rock & Roll/Blues
- July 28: The L&M Rhythm Kings ~ With Special Guest Gary Bernath - Blues & Roots/R&B
- August 4: Hot Acoustics! - Classic Rock
- August 11: The Deadheads - Grateful Dead/Classic Rock
- August 18: RAIN DATE
View the full concert schedule on the City's website!
The concerts are weather permitting, and any cancellations will be posted on the City's Facebook page.
Farmers Market
The 2023 Framingham Farmers Market begins today, June 22, at the beautiful Framingham Centre Common on Edgell Road!
- Food Trucks from 12pm - 7 pm
- Market from 3pm - 7pm featuring 4 amazing farms, 7 delightful bakeries, 9 tempting food trucks, and numerous other vendors.
- Parking is available in several lots around the Common, and there will be signs guiding you to the designated parking areas.
- The SNAP program will be available in two weeks' time, starting on July 6th.
- Check out our vendor map and explore the diverse offerings: https://maps.managemymarket.com/5760
Save the Date: A Back to School Event on August 26th
This year we are collaborating with Wayside on their annual back to school event. More details to follow!
Submit Your Good News!
The Media and Communications Office hopes to increase the frequency of these good news and opportunity compilations. We are improving and refining the submission process over time and always appreciate hearing from staff, parents/guardians, and students with events, accolades, shoutouts, and more.
The mission of the Framingham Public Schools is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically-thinking, responsible citizen in a multicultural, democratic society by providing academically challenging instructional programs taught by highly-qualified staff and supported by comprehensive services in partnership with our entire community. For news, updates, and announcements, follow Framingham Public Schools (@FraminghamPS) on Facebook, Twitter, and (@framinghamschools) on Instagram. You can also join the conversation using #FraminghamSchools.