Inside the New FHS (part 1 of 2)

I was able to join the School Building Committee meeting on June 30th as they toured the new Franklin High School. Construction was putting the finishing touches on everywhere we went although much had been completed.

This part 1 of 2 will feature pictures of front of the school with landscaping and a rain garden, then interior views of the library/media center, principal's office, interior corridors and a first floor classroom.

rain garden

front looking to gym and community entrance

2nd floor view of front

front looking toward principal's office

front entrance

principal's office

main entrance corridor

from the corridor to the front of the building at the Library/Media Center

from the front/main entrance looking to the Library/Media Center

interior corridor

first floor classroom

Part 2 will feature pictures from the gym, auditorium, lecture hall and cafeteria.

All the photos from the tour can be found here on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645748897659


Other photos taken the same night and posted to the New FHS Facebook page can be found here
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.498420113591225.1073741837.264913556941883&type=1


The entire collection of posts on the High School Project can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

Bone Marrow Drive to be held at the St. Rocco’s Festival -> Aug 8 -10

Here is a link to St. Mary’s Newletter called "The Weave."  The front page story tells how the Bone Marrow Drive came about.

http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103685264445-47/July+2014+Weave.pdf

Hopefully this is just the first of many Bone Marrow Drives to be held at the St. Rocco’s Festival in the years to come.

The St Rocco Festival schedule and additional information can be found here
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/93

Franklin Library: Clifford

For the youngsters, Clifford the Big Red Dog will appear at the Franklin Library Friday morning. Bring you camera to take some photos for this story time that starts at 10:30 AM.

Clifford the Big Red Dog

This was re-posted from the Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/07/meet-clifford-big-red-dog.html

funding for school zone safety lights in Franklin put back in the budget

State funding for traffic signals for additional locations within Franklin was part of the current FY 2015 budget, vetoed by the Governor and re-instated last week. Milford Daily News reports:

The other amendment, which asked for $60,000 to fund the installation and operation of solar-powered school zone safety lights in Franklin, was also vetoed. 

Roy last month said he called the governor’s office asking for an explanation and was told Patrick "was eliminating all earmarks in the budget." 

And with the new Franklin High School set to open this fall, Roy said the town’s "reasonable request" would help mitigate traffic in the school-heavy area. 

"To me, these were two very important issues for both Franklin and Medway," Roy said before he asked the House and Senate to override the vetoes.

Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140804/NEWS/140809091/1994/NEWS


What kind of traffic signals are these? Similar to the one installed on King St by the Parmenter School.

pedestrian traffic signal on King St

#franklingrows: photo challenge

Found on the Franklin Town Common

#franklingrows 1

#franklingrows 2

#franklingrows 3

We can keep this open and if you have other photos to share, please send them along.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Aug 6, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Election Workers (see listing in agenda doc)
Conservation Commission - Scott D. McLean

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
»Petition for Change of D/B/A- Soco Rose
»Change in Beneficial Interest and Removal of an LLC Director and Concept President – 99 Restaurant of Boston LLC

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
»Gateway Committee
»Collection Containers
»Parking Discussion

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building

The full set of documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/080614.pdf

Interested in Solar? Meeting August 20

Join us for our kick-off meeting, Wednesday August 20 at 7PM in Town Council Chambers! 

The Dept. of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) wants to know if Franklin wants solar panels. The Franklin Solar Challenge will help residents and business owners obtain solar panels for less. The more residents and business owners that sign up, the cheaper solar panels become. 

Right now, DPCD is speaking with other communities who have run their own Solar Challenge, in order to see how best to move forward.

solar panels at Mt Saint Mary's

DPCD Needs Your SupportPlease help get the word out about the Franklin Solar Challenge. DPCD will contact those interested to organize a meeting date and discuss next steps. 

Concord recently engaged in their own Solar Challenge and now 160 residents and business owners have their own solar panels. Save money and go green! Contact Franklin’s DPCD today!

Interested in the Franklin Solar Challenge?
Please Contact the Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning & Community Development at:
(508) 520 – 4907 or TOFPlanning@franklin.ma.us

"I love the camaraderie, all these people coming together for a cause"

The Milford Daily News reports on the rest stop for the PanMass Challenge that rode through Franklin on Saturday in part by writing:

This year – the 35th year of the challenge – roughly 5,700 riders are participating, according to Jackie Herskovitz, the Pan-Mass Challenge spokesperson. 

Riders choose from 12 routes that range from 25 to 190 miles. The ride has three starting lines in Sturbridge, Wellesley and Bourne, and five finish lines: two in Provincetown and one each in Foxborough, Wellesley and Bourne. 

At press time, the challenge has raised roughly $26 million, all of which goes to research and patient care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute via the Jimmy Fund. 

The goal this year is $40 million. The final day to donate is Oct. 1, she said.

You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140802/NEWS/140809214/1994/NEWS

PanMass Challenge in 2013

You can still donate via this link:  https://www2.pmc.org/donation.asp

PanMass Challenge

For more info on Dana Farber you can visit there page
http://www.dana-farber.org/

Franklin School: Get Ready for 2014-2015

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello

I hope you are all enjoying a restful and fun summer.  I wanted to check in as we are one month away from the opening of the new school year.  Time to get out and purchase the new notebooks, pencils and backpacks!

Some pertinent dates/information:

• Administrative Offices: All Principals and clerical staff will officially be back full- time on August 11. Class schedules and placement letters will go out in the mail on August 18.

• Medication Drop Off: We are unable to accept student medication until our school nurse are back on September 3. If your child is required to take medication during  the school day, please see the school nurse on September 3 with the medication and medical orders. 

• FHS is on schedule to open and our Class of 2018 will be visiting the HS as part of the FHS Experience the week of August 11. Students attending will be issued their Chromebook, Class Schedule, Bus Pass and School ID.

• Transportation- Bus Passes will be issued at your child's school the week of August 24-28 between 7:30 and 4:00.

• Bus routes will be online and in the local paper on August 14.

• FHS parking- There is limited student parking and student spaces were assigned in the lottery last spring. Students who did not receive a parking space will need to  arrange for transportation , sign up for Pay to Ride or may purchase a Shuttle Bus Pass (reduced fee).

Other Town Information:

If you interested in going green, the Town of Franklin is seeking families to be part of the Solar Challenge. Using solar panels lowers your carbon footprint and can save energy costs. 

The Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development is hosting a meeting on August 20 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall to look at how to engage the community to invest in solar energy. By group purchasing community the cost can be lower. 

The Parmenter School has had solar panels for several years and  the energy savings has been tremendously impactful. We hope that our other schools will look to be a partner in this initiative.

the new Franklin High School under construction earlier this year

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

Franklin Schools: Phone Problems

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello 

There is a problem with the school district phone system and all school phones are being routed to the Town Hall (508-553-4800). We hope this will be repaired by Monday morning.  

For calls placed beginning Monday 8/4/14 please know you will be re-routed to 553-4800 and if you know the extension you will get the school you are seeking. 

If you do not know the  extension you can call the Office of the Superintendent at 553-4819  or 553-4824 and we ill help you get access to the school. 

Thank you

the new Franklin High School earlier this year

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

Franklin School For The Performing Arts To Hold August Open Houses

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold Open Houses for prospective students and families on Tuesday, August 12 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and on Wednesday, August 27 from 4-8 p.m. at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin. The community is invited to tour the facilities, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs for all ages and abilities in music, dance, and drama. Prospective students are also encouraged to try a complimentary class. 

FSPA

Since 1985, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. Founded by Director Raye Lynn Mercer and built upon the notion that arts experiences are an integral part of a well-rounded education, FSPA offers an extensive roster of classes for recreational enjoyment or serious study in all dance disciplines, acting, musical theater, voice, and instrumental instruction. The music program provides private lessons and group classes with ensemble performing opportunities. 

Little Music School®, an innovative program developed exclusively at FSPA, teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano. Dance instruction is offered in ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, dance for musical theater, acro and Horton Technique, with specialized classes for boys, adults and beginner teens. Drama department classes, beginning with kindergarten children, explore storytelling, theater games, improvisation, scenes and monologues, character development, and audition preparation. 

FSPA online

An unparalleled calendar of performing opportunities features studio voice and instrumental recitals, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses, musical theater showcases, Glee Club, performing troupes, dance companies, ballet variations ensemble, ballet repertoire series, chamber music, and jazz and percussion ensembles. Many FSPA students also participate, through audition, in the affiliated Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual season of shows.
FSPA’s fall session begins on September 8 and summer programming runs through August 23. 

In addition to weekly classes in music and dance, the summer’s remaining one-week performing arts camps include Choreography Camp (August 11-15), Jazz and Tap Camp (August 11-15), and Acting Camp (August 18-22). Summer workshops include Vocal Styles (August 18-20), with critically acclaimed R&B singer April Hall, introducing students to jazz phrasing, scatting, and improvisation, as well as microphone and performance techniques. A performance skills workshop, Up Your Game (August 11-13), focuses on audition techniques, presentation skills, and developing or improving an audition binder, headshot/resume, and audition wardrobe. For musical theater and jazz dancers, Stepping Up (August 11-13) explores technique, choreography and audition skills.

Registration is ongoing for summer and fall programs. For more information, including summer session brochure and 2014-2015 class schedule, call (508) 528-8668 or visit online at www.fspaonline.com.

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 8/1/14 - THU 8/7/14

FRI 8/1  12-6pm   Farmers Market at Franklin Common
FRI 8/1   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center

SAT 8/2   10:30am   Tanglewood Marionetts: The Fairy Circus, Franklin Public Library

SUN 8/3   8am   Yoga on the beach - free event at Beaver Pond, Franklin

MON 8/4   10:30am   FSPA presents: Once Upon a Time, Franklin Public Library
MON 8/4   3-7pm   Farmer’s Market at Whole Foods Plaza in Bellingham
MON 8/4   6:30pm   Family PJ Storytime at Franklin Public Library.

TUE 8/5   4pm   Beach Box Craft for ages 11 and up, Franklin Public Library

WED 8/6   3pm   Scott Kepnes: Electric Zany Rock and Roll Science Show at Franklin Public Library

THU 8/7   6-10pm   Feast of St. Rocco, Franklin. All rides open, limited food booths.
THU 8/7   6:30-8:30pm   Ladies Night Out at Pour Richard's in Franklin
THU 8/7   7:30pm   FSPA SummerStage presents Legally Blond: The Musical at Medway High School


For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Mobile food pantries hit the road

As announced earlier, the Boston Globe gets to talking about the mobile pantry that the Franklin Food Pantry has started.

In a move to serve residents who otherwise have difficulty accessing its services, the Franklin Food Pantry has launched a delivery service to provide assistance where its clients live and gather. 

Last month, the private, nonprofit operation began a series of weekly deliveries to three rotating locations — two at the town’s Housing Authority properties and one at the Franklin Senior Center. 

“One of the reasons we looked into doing a mobile pantry is that hunger can be very isolating,” said Erin Lynch, the pantry’s executive director and lone employee. “As much as possible, we want to make sure we’re reaching neighborhoods and connecting them to the resources they need.”

You can continue reading the full article in the Globe West section of the Boston Globe edition on Thursday or online here   http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2014/07/30/mobile-food-pantries-hit-road-area-communities/t16S85DPe8NLxg61FBioOJ/story.html

the Franklin Food Pantry's mobile pantry

Related posts on the mobile pantry
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/06/franklin-food-pantry-announces-summer.html

Volunteers for the mobile pantry can sign up here
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/06/looking-for-volunteer-opportunities.html

PanMass Challenge rides through on Saturday

Be aware there will be hundreds of bicyclists on the roads early Saturday morning as the riders for the PanMass Challenge make a stop at Remington-Jefferson School. The water stop is a favorite spot full of energy and fun. If you haven't been, I would suggest making a visit sometime.


Photos from last year:

the riders arrive at Remington-Jefferson

refreshments, gears checks, and lots of conversations

Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting

A map of the PMC Course
http://www.pmc.org/routes/sturbridge-provincetown

You can donate to the PMC by rider or in general
http://www2.pmc.org/donation.asp


Post on the PMC form 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/the-pan-mass-challenge-riders-through.html

Post on the PMC from 2009
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/08/pmc-franklin-water-stop.html

KidsCount: FAQ - Earned Paid Sick Time

EARNED PAID SICK TIME: Frequently Asked Questions A state economy works best for everyone when working people can balance work, family, and life's challenges. Over the past several years a number of cities, and one state, have enacted laws that allow workers to take time off if they are ill or need to care for a sick family member. Without these laws, workers can generally be fired if they miss work because they are sick. Earned Paid Sick Time - Frequently Asked Questions describes how many workers currently have no access to earned paid sick time, what kinds of jobs these workers have, and how these laws work.        The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Senator Karen Spilka: Approaching the Finish Line

July 31, 2014 Dear Steve, The legislature's schedule of formal sessions comes to a close today at midnight, and we're running through the tape at full speed! We will continue to meet regularly in informal sessions to address routine business, but many important controversial matters must be debated and finalized today. I'm pleased to share a few highlights from the week so far in the Senate, and be sure to stay tuned for many more legislative updates after today's final formal session. For more frequent news from the Senate and other details, be sure to follow me on Twitter and "like" my Facebook page. Legislature Passes Capital Bond Bill for State Building Projects Yesterday, the legislature enacted a bill authorizing $1.3 billion in spending for the improvement of state facilities and other building projects across the state. The bill includes funding for accessibility improvements, cultural facilities, school equipment at vocational schools and public library improvements, as well as increases in spending authorizations for state universities and community college campus facilities. I was especially proud to successfully advocate for $14 million in additional funding for MassBay Community College to build a new campus in downtown Framingham, bringing the state's total capital contribution to $36 million for the $59 million campus project. MassBay is a true partner for the MetroWest region, and this additional funding for a new campus is wonderful news for the college and for our ongoing efforts to transform and revitalize downtown Framingham. MassBay will be able to improve and expand educational opportunities for students, and a new campus in the heart of downtown will also provide a significant boost to local businesses in the area. Read more about MassBay's plans for a downtown Framingham campus. Read the full text of the capital bond bill here. Senate Passes Healthy Kids Bill The Senate passed An Act relative to healthy kids, which encourages healthy living by requiring physical education courses in public schools across the Commonwealth. Promoting public health starts with our children, and this bill takes important steps to improve education in the areas of health, wellness and nutrition, while increasing our kids' physical activity. Read the Healthy Kids Act here. Legislature Passes Disabilities Rights Bill Too often, people with intellectual disabilities and their families have little control over major life choices regarding their care and the services they receive. This lack of control inhibits people from fully participating and thriving in their own communities. Their voices deserve to be heard. The Real Lives Bill, passed by the legislature yesterday, changes the conversation about the role disabled individuals should play in their own lives. We are expanding the ability of people to direct their own public funds and empowering them to choose what is best for their unique situations. Legislature Passes Technology Spending Bill The House and Senate passed a multi-year technology bond bill, authorizing up to $1 billion for the improvement of information technology equipment and projects across the state. Innovative technology drives economic growth in Massachusetts, and this bill makes important investments to allow the state to take full advantage of the opportunities that modern technologies offer. These technology upgrades and projects will allow the Commonwealth to better support our schools, public safety, transportation and other government operations, while also increasing internet and technology access state-wide. Highlights include funds for upgrades to the State Police's communication network, a public school broadband access improvement grant program, a system to track diagnosis, treatment and services for individuals with autism and IT improvements at the Department of Transportation. Read the full text of the IT bond bill here. As always, if you would like additional information or have any concerns or comments, please do not hesitate to call my office at (617) 722-1640 or email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov. Warm Regards, Senator Karen E. Spilka 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk http://www.karenspilka.com Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka Room 320, State House Boston, Massachusetts  02133 Phone: (617) 722-1640 - Fax: (617) 722-1077 http://www.karenspilka.com/

This message was sent to shersteve@gmail.com from: Senator Karen Spilka | Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov | Office of Karen Spilka | Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka, Room 511-C, State House | Boston, MA 02133

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