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Category: Schools & Education

  • Food Allergies at School: What Works?

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — A roundtable discussion about how to keep children with food allergies comfortable and safe at school will be the topic of the Metro-West Allergy and Asthma Educational Support Group meeting on Wednesday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Allergy & Asthma Treatment Specialists, 475 Franklin St., Framingham.

    The program is free; pre-registration is not required.

    Support group leaders Lori Brockway and Linda Drews will share their years of experience as parents of children with food allergies and as a teacher, and moderate a discussion of how parents can work most effectively as an advocate for their child.

    AAFA New England organizes educational support group programs throughout the region, publishes a newsletter, and runs a telephone resource and referral line for people coping with allergies and asthma. For more information, or a free copy of the AAFA New England newsletter or parent checklist for managing food allergies in school or child care, call (781)444-7778 or see www.asthmaandallergies.org

  • Elementary School Reorganization Proposed

    Framingham, MA – Framingham Superintendent of Schools Steven Hiersche presented a school reorganization plan to the school committee on January 5th. Information and a link to view the presentation are available on the Framingham Public Schools website: http://www.framingham.k12.ma.us
    The plan suggests reorganizing the elementary schools so that schools are paired and that one serves kindergarten through second grades and the other serves third through fifth grades.

    School Officials will field questions and comments from the public about the reorganization at two community forums.

    The presentation Format for January 11 (7PM Fuller auditorium) and January 14 (7 PM FHS auditorium) community forums:

    • PRESENTATION IN AUDITORIUM
    Superintendent Hiersche will re-present the information he presented to School Committee on Tuesday, January 5. Translations into Spanish and Portuguese will be available.

    • BREAKOUT GROUPS IN CAFETERIA
    Those who have seen the presentation will be able to provide feedback and input, and ask questions in a small group setting. These questions will be compiled and responded to as part of the Frequently Asked Questions.
    Feedback on the presentation and plan can be emailed to: reorgteam@framingham.k12.ma.us

    On January 20 the School Committee will continue discussion of the proposed reorganization plan.

    There is a discussion group on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=280442260680&ref=ts about the reorganization as well as considerable discussion on the frambors email list which you can subscribe to by emailing:  majordomo@syslang.net

  • FHS Drama Company Announces “Scotland Night” Fundraiser

    Framingham, Mass. – Scottish entertainment, amazing items up for auction, and fabulous food will headline the “Scotland Night” fundraiser on January 9, 2010 at Temple Beth Am in Framingham. Parents of students in Framingham High School’s Drama Company are coordinating and hosting this special event, which will (more…)

  • FHS’s Marvelous Marketplace

    It has been a week since the Framingham High Marketplace, but I am still in awe of the great spirit of cooperation evident among the parents and students who pulled together the event.

    To support the school’s athletics, the various teams and their parents pitched in to make money to fund their activities.  They didn’t just create another holiday shopping event, they embellished it with entertainment, and with creative ways of making money with raffles and sales of goodies and gifts. 

    For vendors, it was a dream experience as far as set up and break down.  Parent greeters and facilitators directed students to help with loading and unloading.   Shuttle service was provided to and from parking.  Tables and chairs were provided at a nominal fee. 

    For shoppers there was a good mix of vendors with reasonably priced goods.  Among the more unique items were desk signs made from Scrabble tiles and bags stitched from Capri Sun drink pouches.

    While some traditions, such as Flag Day celebrations, have gone by the wayside due to lack of funds and volunteer support, the Framingham High Marketplace looks to be an indicator that the community still has  the will and spirit to come together to create and nourish new volunteer initiatives.

  • Used Sports Equipment Sale at FHS Marketplace

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – To raise funds for the Framingham High School athletics program, the girls field hockey team will be selling used sports equipment at the Holiday Marketplace on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 at FHS.

    The team would be grateful for any donations of cleats (and other athletic shoes), skates, bats, balls, mitts, shinguards, goggles, sticks (field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse), racquets, etc. Youth and adult equipment will be accepted.

    Donations may be placed in the collection boxes in the lobbies of McCarthy, Potter Road, and Stapleton Schools by December 4, 2009.

    If you need to have your donations picked up, please contact Susan Nicholl at s.nicholl@rcn.com

  • Second Annual FHS Holiday Marketplace

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham High School is planning another Holiday Marketplace sponsored by the Parent Athletic Committee to benefit the FHS athletic program. The Marketplace will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 10am to 4pm at Framingham High School.
    Exhibitors with high quality, original handmade items, artisans and boutique items such as knitting, quitting, pottery, jewelry, toys, home décor, holiday items and gifts will fill the gymnasium areas and beyond. Plan on taking your time to get through the marketplace; there will be lots to see and to buy for holiday giving.

    Admissions fees for shoppers will only be $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for students and children over 12 years old.! There will be plenty of parking, police on duty, and refreshments will be available. All students working at the Marketplace are athletes lending their support and thanks for your participation in the Marketplace.

    For more information, please contact Faith Guarino at havefaith23@rcn.com or 508-367-6103.

  • Sensory Integration: Ideas for Home and School

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council (F-SEPAC)cordially invites you to “ Sensory Integration: Ideas for Home and School“, a talk where Phyllis Samara of the Barrett Family Wellness Center will share her knowledge of SI, and discuss ideas for helping special kids both at home and at school.  Thursday, November 12, 7:00pm – 9:00pm at the Cameron Middle School Auditorium, 215 Elm Street, Framingham, MA.

    This presentation is free & open to the public. It is geared toward parents, guardians, & education professionals who teach children with special needs.

    All TEACHERS attending may get PDPs (Professional Development Points). All ATTENDEES may receive a certificate of participation. Sign-up sheets will be available at the workshop.

    Please RSVP so they will have enough handouts available for all attendees, please RSVP to info@f-sepac.org

    For more information call 508.558.7220 or go to our web site www.f-sepac.org

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Phyllis Barrett Samara has been in the business of Occupational Therapy for over 35 years and is a graduate of Boston University. She is an SI Certified Therapist, specializing in treating children with varying disabilities. She is also a professor of Occupational Therapy at Quinsigamond Community College. In 1980 she began her own practice, P.B. Samara OT & Assoc., servicing area school systems and nursing homes. In 2000, she started the Barrett Family Wellness Center www.barrettfamilywellness.com with the goal of providing exceptional occupational therapy services that would benefit the children and parents alike. It has been her mission to educate parents about their children’s various disabilities in order to empower them, and enable them to make informed decisions as to what course of treatment is best for their child.

  • Talk on Selecting the Right College on Oct. 5th

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Youth Commission of Temple Beth Am in Framingham will be hosting a free informational session about helping all parents and their college-bound student select the right college.

    The presentation will be given by Larry Dannenberg of College Solutions, Framingham.

    Among the topics he will address are:

    • How can you identify the “right” college for your child?
    • How can you guide your child to make “smart decisions” in preparation of the college application process?
    • What are the myths about admission, required tests and financial aid

    The event will be held on Monday, October 5th and begin promptly at 7:45 p.m. at Temple Beth Am, 300 Pleasant Street, Framingham. If you need further information, please call the Temple office at 508-872-8300 or visit the temple website at www.Tempbetham.org

    There is no charge for the event but families are asked to bring one non-perishable food item that will be donated to a local food bank. Everyone is welcome.

  • Talk on Selecting the Right College on Oct. 5th

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Youth Commission of Temple Beth Am in Framingham will be hosting a free informational session about helping all parents and their college-bound student select the right college.

    The presentation will be given by Larry Dannenberg of College Solutions, Framingham.

    Among the topics he will address are:

    • How can you identify the “right” college for your child?
    • How can you guide your child to make “smart decisions” in
      preparation of the college application process?
    • What are the myths about admission, required tests and financial aid

    The event will be held on Monday, October 5th and begin promptly at 7:45 p.m. at Temple Beth Am, 300 Pleasant Street, Framingham. If you need further information, please call the Temple office at 508-872-8300 or visit the temple website at www.Tempbetham.org (and scroll down to the listing of October events).

    There is no charge for the event but families are asked to bring one non-perishable food item that will be donated to a local food bank. Everyone is welcome.

  • Backpacking

    So the first day of school we looked out the window to see our neighbor’s daughter walking to school.  Well, struggling to stay upright.  She is slightly built and had a messenger bag on her hip that she was trying to balance.

    Soon after we saw other students on their way, with what looked like full backpacks.

    We have to wonder what was weighing they down?  Did they have every single thing that was on their teacher’s lists in the backpacks?  Where would they have room for their books in the backpacks?

    The teachers surely wouldn’t want them to bring in everything all at once?  They wouldn’t have time to use every binder and folder and gluestick on the first day.

    Somehow back to school has turned into pack to school.