In the News: flag displays in Milford; school calendar challenges return

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Two eye-catching flag displays surfaced downtown on Monday. 

One, in Draper Memorial Park, is a tribute to war veterans, with tall poles bearing American flags stationed at intervals, most including a photo and the name of a military serviceman. 

The other is a sea of 2,000 small pink flags across the street, filling the front lawn of the Milford Police Station. 

The second is an effort by a local organization, Missin’ Matt, Inc., to raise awareness for the opioid epidemic during the week of International Overdose Awareness Day."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180827/what-are-pink-flags-in-downtown-milford

"Margaret Robicheau keeps a calendar on her desk at work to keep track of her 7-year-old’s school schedule. 

She has marked off at least four full days and five half-days for professional development, along with 25 vacation days. And ensuring someone can look after her children each of those days seems impossible. 

“My husband and I cannot possibly take all the time off in addition to the summer-school vacation,” Robicheau said. 

The Plainville mother is not alone."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180827/tradition-prevails-when-it-comes-to-school-calendars-in-massachusetts

The Franklin School District calendar for 2018-2019
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/18-19_calendar.pdf

Explore the new website for the School District:  https://www.franklinps.net/

The Franklin School District calendar for 2018-2019

Flag garden on Boston Common for Memorial Day

I worked in Boston on Wednesday and stopped by the Boston Common on the way to the MBTA at South Station to catch this view of the annual flag garden put up that day. 

It will remain through Memorial Day to honor the 37,000+ Massachusetts residents who gave it all for our country.

"Our signature community building event!  We and hundreds of volunteers create a majestic garden of flags on Boston Common for Memorial Day weekend.  Each of the 37,000+ flags we plant at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument will represent every brave Massachusetts service member who gave his or her life defending our country since the Revolutionary War. The completed garden is a breathtaking tribute to the true meaning of Memorial Day and a powerful message of community support to the families of these fallen heroes that their sacrifices will never be forgotten. 

We rely on donors and volunteers to create this display and to stand watch over them throughout Memorial Day weekend.  More information about these opportunities can be found here: Volunteer flyer 2018."

http://www.massmilitaryheroes.org/our-work/community-building-events/public-program-events/memorial-day-flag-garden-planting/

And by way of disclosure, I do work for John Hancock, one of the sponsors of this event.

Flag garden on Boston Common for Memorial Day