Things to do today in Franklin

An Introduction to Gardening and Garden Planning 
9:30 am to 11:30 am
By the Franklin Community Garden at the YMCA 45 Forge Hill Road Franklin, MA
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/franklin-community-garden-update.html




Stamp Out Hunger food drive
Timed with you mail delivery
Leave out a bag for your mail carrier with food or non-food items. They will pick it up on the mail delivery rounds today and bring it to the Franklin Food Pantry.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/stamp-out-hunger-sat-may-12.html




Cub Scout Recycle Shoe drive  
2:00 to 4:00 PM

• Fletcher Field on Peck Street
• Dacey Community Fields on Lincoln Street (from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• King Street Memorial Park on King Street
• Beaver Pond on Beaver Street
• Town Common across from St. Mary’s Church

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/franklin-cub-scouts-looking-for-shoes.html

"everybody knows where we are"

“That shouldn’t have happened last year,” Town Council Chairman Robert Vallee said, of the Town Council cut. 

To prevent a similar scene, the School Committee and Town Council have been meeting regularly as the Joint Budget Subcommittee to provide each other updates on budget needs and financial limits. 

“There’s more communication, more open communication, between the School Committee and the Town Council,” Vallee said. “There’s nothing (in the fiscal 2013 budget) that will come up that will make the councilors attack the School Department for any reason whatsoever, nothing controversial.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x775168158/Franklin-officials-hope-to-avoid-budget-showdowns-this-year#ixzz1ued22sgs


The Town Council will hold their budget hearings on Weds May 23 and Thu May 24.

The budget documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/franklin-ma-fy-2013-budget-documents.html

The Finance Committee budget hearings
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/fincom-fy-2013-budget-hearings.html

“You get to share stuff"

Seven sets of twins at the same school?  in the same kindergarten grade?

Parmenter Principal Tom Morris said that, while twins aren’t necessarily uncommon in schools, he hasn’t seen such a large number of them in the same grade in his more than 20 years in education. 

“Having so many here this year has been interesting for us,” Morris said. Chuckling, he added, “It can be hard for a principal to learn names when you have kids who look exactly alike.” 

Fortunately for Morris, most of the twins have been split up, not sharing a teacher. 

Despite living in close proximity to one another, none of the parents of the 14 students were aware of this anomaly until they signed their children up for school over the summer, they said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x2069500543/Seven-sets-of-twins-in-same-grade-no-big-deal-at-Franklin-school#ixzz1uYIJXYE4

Alert: low flying helicopters Friday, May 18

From the Announcement page on the Franklin website:

Please be advised that on Friday, May 18th, National Grid will be conducting low-level distribution and sub-transmission helicopter patrols in the area. In case of inclement weather the patrols will be postponed until a later date.

In the News: candidates making progress

Roy files nomination papers for state representative seat

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Padula making bid for Franklin, Medway state rep seat

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

As Foxborough folds, optimism grows in Milford for casino

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

As Foxborough folds, optimism grows in Milford for casino

via Boston Business News - Local Boston News | Boston Business Journal on 5/10/12

A decision this week by the Kraft Group and Wynn Resorts to drop their plans for a resort casino in Foxborough has kindled increased optimism for development of a casino in Milford (and no doubt other places as well), the MetroWest Daily News reports. Colorado-based developer David Nunes is looking to build a $700 million, 300,000-square-foot casino at the junction of Rte. 16 and Interstate 495 in Milford. Nunes told the Daily News that with Foxborough out of the picture, there is now going to be...

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Franklin Library: Nook eReaders

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Nook eReaders

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 5/10/12

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“What is Franklin?"

The last master plan was drafted in 1997, and is the document Franklin officials refer to now when making any developmental changes to town, but even that draft was never fully adopted, officials said last night. 

“We need your input,” Town Councilor and Master Plan Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy told residents, and a local cable TV camera.

“We can’t do this alone. We can’t make this work unless you participate.” 

The master plan has seven sections, explained town Planning Department Director Bryan Taberner: economic development; land use; community service and facilities; housing; natural, cultural, and historic resources; circulation; and open space and recreation. Public opinion is sought when making any changes.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x2069500175/Franklin-residents-offer-guidance-for-town-master-plan#ixzz1uSS7gvV3


Related posts on the Master Plan
From Dec 2011
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/what-is-franklins-master-plan.html

The recent announcement of these public hearings (next one Sat May 19th 10:00 AM at the library)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/franklins-master-plan-public-hearings.html

The Committee has a website on the Franklin Town page athttp://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/Masterplan.  

It also has a presence on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FranklinMasterPlan.  

HMEA 11th Annual Independence 5K - May 20th

Run or walk for a good cause on Sunday May 20th. The HMEA is holding their 11th Annual Independence 5K Race/Walk event at the EMC facility on 50 Constitution Blvd, here in Franklin, MA.



If you want to register as a runner, you can do that directly here
http://www.active.com/register/index.cfm?CHECKSSO=0&EVENT_ID=2009516

or if you want to register and raise some funds for HMEA, you can do that here
http://www.firstgiving.com/hmea


You can also view the document here
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczMXJVVzMxLVFRazQ

Introducing "Food Chain" (video)

There is more interest in food now than at any point in our nation’s history. We have more standards with which to make conscious food choices than ever before. Yet while people want to know where their food is grown, how it’s grown, and when it was harvested, no one is really asking any questions beginning with “who”. Despite this tremendous interest in food, there is almost no interest in the people that pick it.

Found on the Civil Eats website
http://civileats.com/2012/05/02/meet-your-food-chain/

Google, MBTA Debut Innovative Station Indoor Maps

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Google, MBTA Debut Innovative Station Indoor Maps

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 5/9/12

Beginning today, MBTA riders will have a new and innovative way to get around the system. The MBTA is excited to announce that the T is the first U.S transit agency to have indoor maps of its stations in Google Maps for Android. 

Google Maps for Android users will now see indoor maps when they zoom into select MBTA stations. With indoor maps, users will be able to see station features such as stairs, escalators, elevators, entrances and exits to help guide them through the system. The "blue dot," familiar to Google Maps users can now help riders find their own location in many indoor stations. 

Indoor maps and walking directions are available in Google Maps for Android in two dozen key stations including Park Street, South Station, and Downtown Crossing. 

This new feature is the latest way that the MBTA is collaborating with Google to help riders get around the system. Last year, the MBTA was one of the first U.S. transit agencies to bring real-time transit data to Google Maps. In 2009, Google and the MBTA launched our collaboration to provide digital transit maps and schedule information.

This initiative is just one of many ways that the MBTA is working to give customers improved information. More than 50 apps answering the question, "Where's the T?" are available at MBTA.com/apps. 

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Franklin Community Garden Update

Hello Gardeners,

Every indication shows that we've passed the last of the cold weather, and have entered into prime gardening time.  The average last frost date for Franklin Massachusetts is May 1st, and the extended forecast shows pleasant weather in our future.  If you haven't had a chance to get down to the garden an prepare your bed now is a good time.  We have early weeds that are starting to go to seed, so get them pulled now before they spread the next generation into your bed and your neighbors!  Remember that you are responsible for weeding your bed and the area around it!

Raised bed in April, 2012

When you visit the garden you may also notice a new structure in it, we now have a garden shed with tools in it thanks to a generous grant from the Franklin Rotary!  The shed has a keyed lock on the front, and you can obtain your key to the lock at the Recreation department.  Please be sure to lock the shed after you leave, and return any tools you've borrowed.   If you'd like to further suppress weeds in your area feel free to take woodchips from the large pile and add them on top of any weed hotspots.  The wheelbarrow and tools in the shed makes moving them easy, and there are gardening gloves in the shed to aid handling.

The water seems to be running slowly, but hasn't been officially turned on.  We're in contact with the town to have to water turned on fully as soon as possible.

We have a number of gardening events coming up in May!

May 12th: 9:30 am to 11:30 am - An Introduction to Gardening and Garden Planning at the YMCA 45 Forge Hill Road Franklin, MA
May 19th: 9:00 am to 11:00 am - A Tomato Planting & Support Demonstration at the King St. Memorial Garden
May 28th: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm - King St. Memorial Garden 1st Anniversary Celebration at the King St. Memorial Garden

We hope to see you there!

The Franklin Community Garden Committee

Additional Event Info

An Introduction to Gardening and Garden Planning
Hosted By: Chris Clay, Friends of Franklin Community Gardens, and the YMCA
May 12th: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
YMCA 45 Forge Hill Road Franklin, MA

This class will give you a basic introduction to gardening and what you need to do to have a successful harvest.  We'll also go over the basics of planning out what you'll be putting in your garden throughout the growing season, and have materials on hand to help you plan your garden for this year.  All those who attend will also be able to pickup some free seeds, and meet fellow gardeners.

A Tomato Planting & Support Demonstration
Hosted By: Chris Clay and Friends of Franklin Community Gardens
May 19th: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
King St. Memorial Community Garden

Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable among home gardeners, and with good reason.  The flavor of a tomato fresh off the vine is something you simply cannot find at the supermarket.  They also happen to be my favorite vegetable, and in this presentation I'll go over the tips and tricks for successful tomato growing I've collected.  I'll also cover additional information on tomato varieties, how to prune tomatoes, and setup proper support structures for optimal tomato health.

King St. Memorial Garden 1st Anniversary Celebration
Hosted By: The Friends of Franklin Community Gardens and the Franklin Community Garden Committee
May 28th: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
King St. Memorial Community Garden

On May 28th, 2011 the King St. Memorial Community Garden official opened for gardening.  Join us as we celebrate the our first successful first year of gardening, and the many years to come.  There will be seedlings on hand for sale to support The Friends of Franklin Community Gardens efforts to continue to expand on the garden, and other events and activities.  Drop by to share a story, a piece of cake, or just the view.
--

www.franklincommunitygardens.org

Visit us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

Follow us on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/#!/FRKLNCommGarden

Franklin Cub Scouts looking for shoes and a few good boys to have fun

Boy Scouts Maxwell McGuire and Liam McGuire from Troop 2 in Franklin 

If you’ve been at any of the local playing fields or the Town Common any of the last few Saturday afternoons, you’ve probably seen a few Cub Scouts – and lots and lots of shoes.  The five Cub Scout packs in Franklin, in conjunction with the charities Soles4Souls® and Rerun ShoesTM, have been running a charitable drive to collect gently worn shoes for impoverished and disaster-stricken people worldwide.  They are urging Franklin area residents to clean out their closets and donate their old shoes this Saturday, the last day of the drive.

“To tell the truth, we don’t even know how many pairs of shoes we’ve collected so far,” said Ed Milham, cubmaster of Pack 29.  “Thanks to the Franklin area community, as well as the efforts of many dedicated volunteers from our Cub Scouting families, the collection effort has been so successful that there’s been little we could do to keep count!”  The packs will be getting an accurate count after this Saturday’s final day of the shoe drive, though, because the pack that’s collected the most shoes will win an ice cream social, courtesy of the other four packs.

Another reason they’ll need that count is that the five packs are collaborating on a membership registration event on the Franklin Town Common on Sunday, May 20th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the newly-registered boy who guesses the closest to the actual number of shoes collected will win a free membership in Cub Scouts for his first year.  The packs plan an afternoon of fun activities that show off some of the things boys can learn and do in Cub Scouts.  Kids can participate in a “Rain Gutter Regatta,” a compass course, a knot tying demonstration, an interactive animal tracks display and a model rocketry activity.  Boys currently in kindergarten through fourth grade will be able to sign up right at the event, and start participating in the packs’ summer activities right away. Of course, if they can’t wait one more week, the boys can sign up online today at BeAScout.org.

“We’ve been really excited about the community getting to see our boys participating in a public service activity like the shoe drive,” added Milham. “It's activities like this that help the boys learn to be responsible members of their community, a concept that is central to Scouting. Last month, Pack 29 participated in the Franklin Earth Day activities, as we do each year.  And of course, there’s the nationwide ‘Scouting for Food’ drive every November.  One of the core values of Scouting that the boys learn is to ‘do a good turn daily,’ to help other people without thought of recompense or reward.”

Pack 29 is chartered by the Franklin United Methodist Church, and is made up mostly of boys from the Oak Street School neighborhood.  The pack meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Franklin VFW post on Pond Street.

“The best thing about Scouting is that the boys learn about a huge variety of subjects, without really feeling like they’re learning,” Milham continued, “They’re self-motivated to learn.  And it’s not just the hiking and camping and other such things that people associate with Scouting; it’s history, civics, science, the arts, sports, the whole gamut of what makes up a well-rounded individual.”

And there is no shortage of fun activities for the boys, as well.  In recent months, Pack 29 has gone hiking in the Blue Hills Reservation, gone to see the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Providence Bruins, and the Harlem Globetrotters, and sent boys to the Seven Rivers District Pinewood Derby at Bass Pro Shops at Patriot Place.  In the near future, you’ll see them marching in parades and replacing flags on veterans’ graves.  They also plan a summer of hiking, camping and fishing, as well as a trip to the Boston Harbor Islands, a visit to Battleship Cove in Fall River, and a sleepover at McCoy Stadium after a PawSox game.

Meanwhile, the shoe drive continues for one more week.  This Saturday, May 12th, Franklin area residents can bring their used but still usable shoes to any of the following locations between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. (with one exception, as noted):

• Fletcher Field on Peck Street
• Dacey Community Fields on Lincoln Street (from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• King Street Memorial Park on King Street
• Beaver Pond on Beaver Street
• Town Common across from St. Mary’s Church

In the News: 4th July, gas, security

Planning under way for 4th of July celebration

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

BP stations pumping gas again

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Secure Communities being launched in Mass.

by ASSOCIATED PRESS

Parmenter 5K - Jun 10

This year's 4th Annual Parmenter Fun Run for All Ages will be held on Sunday, June 10th at 10am.

You can register online here

http://www.active.com/running/franklin-ma/4th-annual-parmenter-run-for-all-ages-2012

For specific questions, one can email parmenter5k@gmail.com

StarPLUS this summer for middle schoolers!

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StarPLUS for Middle Schoolers!

via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 5/8/12

Visual Arts, Forensic Science, Cooking, Games Theater, Inventor's Lab and Builders of the Future. Franklin Public Schools is offering the second summer of StarPLUS, which is just for middle school students.

StarPLUS has two, one-week sessions planned for Summer 2012: July 9 to July 13 and July 23 to July 27. Classes meet from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The morning is separated into 3 sessions and students choose what they want to do. They select classes that focus on their interests and strengths.

The program is directed by Ms. Orfalea and Ms. Leazott, and will be held at the Horace Mann Middle School. It is open to all middle school students from Franklin and the surrounding communities.

For additional information and registration, please visit our website: www.franklin.k12.ma.us, select Lifelong, select Summer Program, select view all classes, select StarPLUS. Please telephone or email us with any questions: 508-553-4814 or lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us.

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Franklin Art Center Calendar Project Call for Artists

Franklin Art Center CREATIVITY     CULTURE     COMMUNITY ARTIST PROJECT 2013 Artist Calendar Project Open Call The Franklin Art Center is looking for local artists who have done work based on the Town of Franklin. We are accepting all mediums and will be working with a professional photographer to capture high quality imagery for the calendar. 2013 Town Calendar Project Bring your work in now! Let you friends know. OPEN TO ALL Working with the Historical Society, the school system, and the town of Franklin the calendar will be all about our great community. Important dates from our town's past to upcoming events will be displayed along with the Artist work and information. The work can be anything from famous monuments, buildings, to our beautiful open spaces. The Center's Board will be choosing the work so get you piece in now we only have 12 spots. For more information about drop off times contact Linda atfranklinartcenter@gmail.com. Or call 508 887-2797. You're receiving this newsletter because you have signed our contact list

"I think we’re pretty much staying on top of everything"

“What I was looking for, personally, was to find out how many work orders come across Facilities’ desk in the course of a day, or a week, or a month, or a year, because I really don’t have any idea,” Councilor Thomas Mercer said. “I’d like to know, and I’d like to know how long it takes for each of those to get dealt with.” 

The topic came up at last week’s Town Council meeting, when councilors took some time grilling Facilities Department Director Michael D’Angelo, and Facilities Manager Richard Gaskin about various problems — mostly roof leaks — in town buildings. 

The discussion touched on leaky roofs and damaged ceiling tiles in the Remington-Jefferson school building and the Senior Center. Some residents have complained that the existing high school is in poor condition due to insufficient maintenance.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1456178378/Franklin-Town-Council-wants-repair-reports#ixzz1uGonl8Xu

This topic was a frequent one during the recent high school building project vote. The issue can be addressed very simply with a regular report on tickets open by category with some status on aging. It can be posted to the website and available for everyone to read.

Health Care in the House Budget Proposal

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Health Care in the House Budget Proposal  As part of our continuing analysis of the budget process, MassBudget is releasing a new report on Health Care spending in the House budget.* The final House budget proposal includes $12.66 billion in funding for programs that provide health care for approximately 1.5 million low- and moderate-income residents of Massachusetts. That includes:  $45.3 million more for MassHealth than was initially proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee (HWM)   New, lower projections for the cost of the Commonwealth Care program.  Read Health Care in the House Budget Proposal    * The report is the third in a series of budget briefs published by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI) and produced by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center in partnership with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.   MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies--with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

Forward email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by nberger@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Downtown Partnership updates

Strawberry Stroll Sponsorship

This is the last call to Franklin businesses. If you would like to be a sponsor or participant of the Strawberry Stroll on Thursday, June 7, please email us with your sponsorship information and we will get you listed.

We have extended the deadline to Wednesday, May 9, for Strawberry Stroll Sponsorships. Please email the FDP office at Downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com if you would like to be a sponsor and be included in Sponsorship Row and listed in the press release, flyers and posters.


Spring Reminders

Beautification Day
Saturday, May 19, 9:00 a.m.
Sponsors Needed
Please consider being a sponsor so we can continue with our beautiful flowers.
Flower invoices due this week!


Membership
Did you forget to send in your 2012 renewal? Would you like to join? The membership form can be found here  2012 Downtown Partnership membership form

Thank you to all of you who continue to support the Franklin Downtown Partnership with your membership and sponsorships. Please check our website and make sure your business link is in the column to the right of this page.


Harvest Festival
Sunday, September 30
Information coming soon!
Mary Graff is the booth event chair and can be reached at mgraff@berryinsurance.com

Circle of Friends concert set, May 12 - Deborah Henson-Conant

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Circle of Friends concert set, May 12

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 5/7/12

Deborah Henson-Conant will perform at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, 262 Chestnut St., Franklin, on Saturday, May 12, at 8 p.m.

Imagine a harp shrunk to the size of a crossbow. Brushed chrome, with 32 strings, Henson-Conant plugs it in like an electric guitar and pulls sounds from the strings that you never thought could come from a harp: Hendrix-style wails, Flamenco, Blues and lush atmospheric sounds capes.

Singing with a voice that's been compared to Carly Simon and Joan Baez, in one-woman shows that are unified like a collection of musical short-stories. Admission, $25.

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Visit Deborah's website http://hipharp.com/

Read Deborah's blog  http://www.hipharp.com/blog/

Wrentham Police Launch Statewide Click It or Ticket Enforcement

Franklin drivers be aware!

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Wrentham Police Launch Statewide Click It or Ticket Enforcement

via The Wrentham Times by The Wrentham Times on 5/7/12

The Wrentham Police department in partnership with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's (EOPSS) Highway Safety Division (HSD), the State Police and over 120 other local departments, is launching a high-visibility seat belt enforcement mobilization called Click It or Ticket. During the Click It or Ticket mobilization, thousands of extra state and local police will patrol the state's streets and highways in a concerted effort to promote and enforce seat belt use with the ultimate goal of saving lives. Many departments across the state have adopted zero-tolerance policies for seat belt violations signaling the increasing importance of seat belt use. In fact, if pulled over, everyone in the car found not wearing a seat belt will be ticketed.
This Click It or Ticket mobilization runs from May 14th through June 3rd.

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"applying it to a real work site"

Eighty-three high school seniors are participating in the senior shadow project this spring — heading out to experience the working world for about a month. 

“I would definitely think this project is extremely helpful,” Smith said. “I’m so happy I did it.”
Some of the dozens of sites include the Attleboro Arts Museum, medical manufacturer Zeptometrix Corp., Lakeview Pavilion, Hampton Inn and Dean College. 

“I think it provides (students) with real-life world experience,” Franklin-based Byrne Financial Freedom marketing director Carol Donnelly said of the students with whom the company has worked. “We’re not giving them copies to make.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/multimedia/photos/x2069499049/Franklin-High-program-imparts-shadow-wisdom#ixzz1uB1PmkVY

Stamp Out Hunger - Sat - May 12

The letter carriers of the Franklin Post Office will pick up your contribution this Saturday as they make their rounds with the mail.



Food and non-food items are welcome. You can check out the current needs listing for suggestions

Note: At this time the Franklin Food Pantry has lined up more than enough volunteers to help process the receipts on Saturday. Thank you!

Saving the American Chestnut tree

For more than a century, a relentless blight has decimated the American chestnut tree, driving the nation’s once grandest hardwood to the edge of extinction. 

First identified in 1904 in chestnut trees near the Brooklyn Zoo, the blight is thought to have arrived on imported Japanese chestnuts. It spread by airborne spores across the Eastern seaboard, eventually killing an estimated four billion trees, said Paul Franklin, communications director of The American Chestnut Foundation. 

“The American chestnut has gone from being a dominant tree to a shrub. If we do not intercede, it will eventually become extinct,” he said from the Foundation’s headquarters in Asheville, N.C.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1266595025/Saving-the-American-chestnut-tree#ixzz1uAydZqOl

The American Chestnut Foundation website can be found here  http://www.acf.org/

While we are talking about trees, I have noticed that the maple tree is suffering from blight here in Franklin.



More about maple blight  http://www.savatree.com/maple-tree.html

Share your wedding gown with Franklin Historical Museum

The Franklin Historical Museum is preparing for the return of their very popular Wedding Dress Exhibit. It will include dresses representing each decade of the last century and back to the late 1800's. The exhibit will run in June and July, dresses should be received before May 19.



If you would like to loan your wedding gown, or your Mom's or grandmother's gown to the museum for this beautiful exhibit, you can contact Debbie Pellegri at Franklin Town Hall, 508-520-4900 or drop off your dress with your name and as much information as you would like to share during Museum hours: Saturday 10:00am - 1:00pm; Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00pm and Thursdays 5:00pm-8:00pm.



If you don't have the gown but still have some pictures of the wedding, please share those with the story of the wedding. 

For more information visit the Historical Museum Facebook page.

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 8, 2012

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement

The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 24, 2012 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Davis Thayer Update
b. Common Core – Joyce Edwards

3. Discussion Only Items
Draft 2012-2013 School Committee Meeting Calendar

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of the Proposed FY 13 School Budget for $52,710,000.00 as presented at the Budget Hearing on April 24, 2012.
b. I recommend adoption of the draft School Committee Calendar for 2012-2013 as discussed.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check in the amount of $4,200 from the Parmenter PCC for document cameras.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check in the amount of $239.19 from Funding Factory for supplies at Remington Middle School.
e. I recommend acceptance of a donation in the amount of $885 from TPC Boston for a field trip for 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students from Davis Thayer.
f. I recommend acceptance of a donation in the amount of $1,449.95 from Mr. Robert Salzbert of Resh, Inc. to be used for supplies at Davis Thayer.
g. I recommend acceptance of a donation in the amount of $500 from Peter Baglioni for the Fernando P. Baglioni Scholarship fund.
h. I recommend acceptance of a donation in the amount of $250 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check in the amount of $125 from the JFKennedy PCC for Nurses fee for a field trip.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check in the amount of $175 from the JFKennedy PCC for a bus for a field trip.
k. I recommend acceptance of check in the amount of $89.69 from PGB for the athletic gift account.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check in the amount of $50 from All American Publishing for the athletic gift account.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Franklin, MA: Curriculum

Part of the agenda for the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 8 will be an update on curriculum from Joyce Edwards. Part of the presentation will reveal the plans for the MCAS replacement with PARCC.

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is a consortium of states working together to develop a common set of K-12 assessments in English and math anchored in what it takes to be ready for college and careers.

More about PARCC can be found on their website http://parcconline.org/

Her presentation document can be viewed here:

In the News: Jordan Hall, field trip

Franklin teens to perform at Jordan Hall Sunday, May 6

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin students raise funds for field trip

by Brian Benson/Daily News staff