Exploring Education

15th Annual Brophy Science Fair

Brophy Elementary school held its 15th Annual Science Fair Wednesday night.

Brophy Elementary School held its 15th Annual Science Fair Wednesday night. Projects ranged from crystals to mines to plants to bioluminescense. It was a chance for the kindergarten to fifth grade students to shine. Parents volunteer to be coaches for the teams of scientists. Fifth graders were fascinated with eggs. The team of Heath Bastow, Anne Culhane-Williams, Angel Martinez and Justina Topin-White used eggs in water to explain buoyancy to visitors. While fifth grade girls Liana Chan, Charlotte Fishman, Fiana Herscovici, Brooke Hirsch and Sophia Mavrikis explained their egg experiments to Framingham Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott and curriculum director Lori DiGisi, who attended their first Brophy Science Fair. First grade …

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Exploring Education

Yertle the Turtle Climbs Into Books at Brophy Elementary

Former Framingham Public Schools bus driver David Levin dressed up like the Dr. Seuss character Yertle the Turtle for Read Across America Day.

Former Framingham Public Schools bus driver David Levin dressed up like the Dr. Seuss character Yertle the Turtle Friday, March 1 for Read Across America Day at Brophy Elementary School. Levin read the Dr. Seuss classic, and moved up the ladder as Yertle's throne grew for Brophy students. Levin's wife Terry, was the long-time school librarian, until she died in November 2012, after a battle with acute myelogenic leukemia. She was also the elementary school's PTO president, at one point.

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Cheryl Tully Stoll

7:39 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013

David, thank you for continuing Terry's dedication to teaching children to love books. I think she would be thrilled.   more ›

State: Achievement Gap Between Elementary Schools Widens

The achievement gap at Framingham's eight public elementary schools is widening according to report by the State of Massachusetts. At one elementary school, 79 percent of students were proficient in English, at another school only 33 percent.

There are "wide variations in proficiency rates across the eight elementary schools" in Framingham, according to a Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education District (DESE) Review report. The State's DESE review report looks at data from 2007 to 2011 and made in person visits to 12 of the 13 Framingham Public Schools in May 2012. "The differences in proficiency between the highest- and lowest-performing elementary schools widened during this period for both ELA (English language arts) and mathematics," concluded the report. Framingham does not have neighborhood elementary schools, instead parents have a limited school choice. Parents prioritize from 1-8 which elementary school they would like their child to attend. The District, …

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Sharon Machlis Gartenberg

10:42 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013

The fact that they say "1 year" for all students regardless of age tells me all I need to know about rules for ELL students: They're arbitrary and do not give useful data. I might agree that a child who comes here at age 6 could be ready to test in English after a year (especially if living in a household with well-educated parents). A student who arrives here at age 14? Much less likely.   more ›

Coyote Mom and Pups Reported Near Brophy School Walking Path

Parents reported the coyotes to Framingham Animal Control.

Brophy Elementary School parents are reporting seeing a coyote mother and her pups on the walking path between the elementary school and the Belknap Road and Flanagan Drive neighborhoods. Coyote moms are known to be protective and aggressive. Coyotes use a den for rearing the pups and sleeping. They will scent mark the area around the den and defend it. The den can be a burrow dug into the ground, or under a rock outcropping, a tree or a bush. One parent reported seeing the coyotes near the path around the elementary school's 3:15 p.m. dismissal time on Wednesday. Parents reported the coyotes to Framingham Animal Control. Parents and students using the Belknap Road pathway to the elementary school should be cautious.

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Ryan Seavey

12:39 am on Friday, January 25, 2013

I'm in Ashland near 135 and I heard what sounded like a pack of dogs late last night, so I guess I now what I heard now...   more ›

Framingham Updated Its School Security System Earlier This Year

Framingham Superintendent of Schools issued letter to staff, in the aftermath of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary stating "It will be a challenge for all of us to remain strong during this time but a challenge I know we can and will overcome."

While some school systems across the country are updating its security systems following the shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, CT Friday, Framingham Public Schools upgraded its security system, including new buzzers, automatic door openers and video equipment, in the fall. Editor's Note: Having visited many of the schools since August. Visitors ring a buzzer at the front door. Office staff can view who is at the door, talk to the person via the system and if they choose, open the door for the person to enter the building. Many of Framingham Public Schools principals sent out emails, letters and ConnectEd phone calls to parents Friday and over the weekend. Most reminded parents of the current security measures in place. This was …

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Dave Lenane

6:53 am on Monday, December 17, 2012

Does anyone know or able to explain whats the process for allowing students in to start the day? How many doors are open to allow students in at say Framingham High School?   more ›

Brophy Elementary Librarian Terry Levin Has Died

The former Brophy Elementary School librarian had been battling cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

Brophy Elementary School librarian Terry S. (Karas) Levin, of Framingham died Tuesday. Levin had been battling acute myelogenic leukemia. Earlier this year, bone marrow drives were held for Levin, as her doctor's said post chemotherapy she would need a bone marrow transplant. Acute myelogenic leukemia is cancer of the blood and bone marrow. "I know many of you rallied to her side and were tested," wrote neighbor and Brophy Elementary parent Tanya Lipp to their neighborhood association. "She was able to receive a transplant, but unfortunately she recently had a turn for the worse in her health. Her husband David and her family were able to be by her bedside in her last days." For a dozen years, Levin has been working at Brophy elementary. "…

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Cheryl Tully Stoll

8:52 am on Wednesday, November 14, 2012

I remember Terry collecting children’s books for the lower-income students at Brophy so that they would have books at home during the summer months just like the other children in their class. She was a wonderful woman and will be missed by many. Ed and my thoughts and prayers go out to Dave and the fine young men they raised.   more ›

Exploring Education

IMAGE GALLERY: Brophy Elementary Multicultural Day

Thanks to Michelle Feudo for these fabulous photos; families upload your photos too!

Brophy Elementary School held a Multicultural event Sunday. Thanks to Michelle Feudo for these fabulous photos!! Families: feel free to add your photos too.

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Exploring Education

IMAGE GALLERY: Brophy Elementary Math Night

Parents learned about the curriculum, were taught strategies by Brophy's math coaches and then played math games with their children.

More than 50 Brophy Elementary School families enjoyed the school's annual math night last Thursday. Math coaches Vicky Barstow and Kate Coleman met with parents, reviewed the school’s math curriculum and discussed strategies for parents to use at home to encourage and practice good math skills with their children, said Brophy Elementary Principal Frank Rothwell. Students were entertained in the gym with a movie, while the presentation was given in the cafeteria. Once the coaches’ presentation ended, a Q&A session for parents followed. At the conclusion of the parent presentation, students were brought back to the cafeteria to play and practice different grade-level math games and activities with their parents, while staff moved around the…

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Susan Petroni

12:04 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Thanks to Brophy Elementary for sending us photos!! Great family event to encourage students to use (and enjoy) Math! FYI, for other schools in town -- please let us know of your school's & PTO's events - upload them to our calendar. PLUS contact us for coverage of them at susan.petroni@patch.com. If we can't make it, due to scheduling, you can always take photos like Brophy did here!   more ›

Exploring Education

Brophy Elementary Celebrates Summer Reading Successes

Brophy Elementary staff held weekly activities at the town library, where they volunteered their time Tuesday nights through the summer to do read-alouds, to help students and families select "just right" books, and to promote literacy and reading.

On Friday, Sept. 21 Brophy Elementary School held two assemblies to celebrate students' summer reading.   The Brophy data team set a goal to increase students' summer reading. Brophy staff held weekly activities at the town library where they volunteered their time Tuesday nights through the summer to do read-alouds, to help students and families select "just right" books, and to promote literacy and reading. Summer reading was also promoted through flyers sent out at the end of the year, ConnectEd messages at the start of the summer, and postcards sent to returning students encouraging them to keep reading and to fill out their journals. The program met with tremendous success and we have already begun planning for next year to make it …

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News by the Numbers

Framingham Elementary School 2012 MCAS Results

2012 MCAS results for the eight elementary schools in the Framingham Public School district.

2012 MCAS results for the eight elementary schools in the Framingham Public School district.

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