FPAC presents Moliere's "Tartuffe" - Jan 25-26

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present Moliere's classic comedy “Tartuffe” on January 25 at 7:30 PM and January 26 at 2:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX.

So virtuous is Tartuffe that every form of pleasure is an abomination to him. Orgon, a rich merchant, is completely duped by the ruse and watches approvingly as the cunning Tartuffe "reforms" his whole family. So besotted is the merchant that he even plans to give Tartuffe his fortune, his house, and finally his daughter. Orgon's wife finally exposes Tartuffe for the rogue he is -- and her husband for being a gullible fool. By the time Orgon sees the light, only the courts can insure justice.

The cast features an array of local talent including Michael Baratta of Hopkinton in the title role. Baratta’s FPAC credits include Art (Yvan), Matilda (Sergei), Cabaret (Ernst) and You Can’t Take It With You (Mr. Kirby). Baratta trained at The Juilliard School in New York and spent two summers with the Williamstown Theatre Festival and also studied theatre at Williams College. A Hopkinton resident, he’s been featured in a number of Enter Stage Left Theater productions, including Twelfth Night (Malvolio), Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick), The Glass Menagerie (Tom; EMACT DASH Award nominee, Best Actor), Blithe Spirit (Charles), and Arsenic and Old Lace (Jonathan).

For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370. 

FPAC presents Moliere's "Tartuffe" - Jan 25-26

Franklin Public Schools: Superintendent Ahern provides update on FHS video incident

January 17, 2020

Dear Franklin Community,

I want to take this opportunity to update you on the investigation and action steps stemming from the offensive video that circulated among high school students last week. I want to restate that we condemn such statements; they violate our District’s core value of inclusivity and negatively impact the safe and welcoming environment we have committed to provide for each student, family, and our faculty/staff.

As noted in the January 10 communication, the administration promptly initiated an investigation based on our protocol of responding to incidents of hate and bias. Privacy laws restrict the extent to which we can share additional information, however we wish to assure you that appropriate remedial measures have been taken.

This incident has had a significant impact on the FHS community and we are taking steps to address this. Earlier today, High School Principal Paul Peri and Deputy Principal Bill Klements addressed the student body to emphasize and reinforce our core value of inclusivity and to discuss cultural proficiency and the appropriate use of social media. The high school administrators will be enlisting support from outside resources, while also working with the World of Difference student leaders, student government leaders, student club leaders and advisors, and other interested students and faculty members in the coming weeks to develop and implement educational opportunities about cultural proficiency and appropriate use of social media for the school.

I also wish to share the District’s continued work towards improving our school community and addressing offensive speech that violates our core values:
● Cultural proficiency is a theme across all four district and school goals in our Improvement Plans.
● We regularly review our policies, practices, curriculum, and resources for bias.
● We provide professional development to faculty and staff.
● The World of Difference program, which utilizes trained student leaders to implement an anti-bias curriculum, is instituted in our middle and high schools.
● Student meetings are held to prevent discrimination and harassment. Consequences for such inappropriate behavior are part of our school code of conduct.
● Numerous clubs and extracurricular activities focus on inclusion including but not limited to the Diversity Club, SAGA, the International Club, Unified Sports, and Best Buddies.
● The Wellness curriculum includes instruction on appropriate social interaction through social media.
● We have provided social media education for parents/guardians and their children.

The District is committed to continued review of our policies and practices related to cultural proficiency and appropriate use of social media.

We continue to remain optimistic based in part on the large number of students, staff, and community members who came forward to share their concerns and desire for a more inclusive and welcoming environment. We look forward to building upon this energy in the future.

Sincerely,

Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

This is an abridged version of a more detailed letter sent to high school families.

In case you missed the earlier notification
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-public-schools-important.html

For more info about the World of Difference program
https://www.adl.org/who-we-are/our-organization/signature-programs/a-world-of-difference-institute 

 

Franklin Public Schools: Superintendent Ahern provides update on FHS video incident

Both FHS boys and girls basketball AND swim teams post wins on Friday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Friday.

Boys Basketball = Oliver Ames, 54 @ Franklin, 57 – Final
– Senior Chris Edgehill scored a season-high 26 points and the Panthers held off a late rally from Oliver Ames to get the win. Oliver Ames held a 17-11 lead after a quarter of play and took a 24-23 advantage into halftime but Franklin used a big third quarter to take the lead for good. The Panthers poured in 23 points in the third with senior Brayden Sullivan scoring nine of his 11 points in the frame and both Edgehill and Steven Karayan hit from three to give Franklin a 46-37 lead heading into the fourth. OA had a shot to tie it at the buzzer but it was off the mark. Evan Craig scored a team-high 13 points for OA, Owen Friel added 12 points, Jay Spillane chipped in with 11 points, and Ryan Burkett added 10 points for the Tigers.

Boys Swimming = King Philip, 67 @ Franklin, 102

[Boys Winter Varsity Swimming] Franklin HS defeats King Philip Rgnl HS, 102 to 67.

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 18, 2020

I keep praising the swimmers but they are a bite out of our whole @FHSSports crew
2 losses in league so far: Gymnastics, G&Btrack
1 loss in league so far: Gswim, Bbball, Ghockey
No losses 1 tie: Bhockey
No losses in league so far: Bswim, Bbball & wrestling#keepitup #pantherpride

— Coach Balliro (@coachB_fhs) January 18, 2020

Girls Swimming = King Philip, 81 @ Franklin, 89

[Girls Winter Varsity Swimming] Franklin HS defeats King Philip Rgnl HS, 89 to 81.

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) January 18, 2020

HUGE team win tonight. Each and every person contributed our win! Dory goes to all of the seniors girls for giving countless hours to our team for the last 4 years! We are so proud to call you our team mates! @IsabelC_13 @ally_gagnon @ryandepaolo4 @FHSSports @CoachP_FHSswim pic.twitter.com/nXcUXRAJ6S

— FHSGVSWIM! (@fhsgvswim1) January 18, 2020

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 71 @ Oliver Ames, 41 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

As a freshman, Franklin forward Olivia Quinn got to experience life on the varsity team, spending every practice going up against the Panthers star center Ali Brigham during the team’s run to a Div. 1 Central title. That experience seems to have paid off handsomely for the Panthers because Quinn has taken her game to another level this winter.

In a showdown at the Nixon Gym of the top two teams in the Kelley-Rex division, Quinn was unstoppable. She poured in a career-high 32 points, including 23 in the second half, and knocked down five three-pointers, including all four that she took after the break.

Quinn and Brigham combined to score 37 of Franklin’s 41 points in the second half, as the Panthers rolled to a 71-41 victory and grabbed control of first place in the division.

“I thought on offense we executed at a high level, especially in the second half,” Franklin coach John Leighton explained. “We got under control, we didn’t kick the ball around the gym, stopped fouling, and just got good possessions. When they doubled Ali, we moved the ball and kids knocked down open shots.”

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/olivia-quinn-sets-career-high-as-franklin-girls-basketball-rolls-at-oa/

For a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Oliver-Ames-Franklin-Girls-Basketball-1-17-20/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-17-20/

And via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports 

Franklin sophomore Olivia Quinn scored a career-high 32 points, including 23 in the second half, to lead the Panthers to a big win at OA. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Networking Breakfast - Jan 24

The first Downtown Partnership Networking Breakfast of the new year is Friday, Jan. 24 at 8 AM at the Dean College Dining Center. 

Stop in for a cup of coffee or enjoy a full breakfast! 

Please RSVP to Gary (GARY.DONELAN@middlesexbank.com) or Matt (mlechter@DEAN.edu) to let them know you'll be there.

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Networking Breakfast - Jan 24

“Every box of cookies is more than just a yummy cookie”

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

"If you’ve been waiting since last winter for more Girl Scout cookies, they’re back.

The cookies, which have been around for about 100 years, are available through March 8.

There is a new cookie, Lemon-Ups. But most of the longtime favorites – including Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalongs - are back. Prices have not changed in three years. But the packaging has been redesigned.

For the first time, cookies are baked with messages on them inspired by Girl Scout entrepreneurs. Each Lemon-Ups cookie bears one of the following declarations: I Am Gutsy, I Am Strong, I Am Creative, I Am Bold, I Am A Leader, I Am A Risk-Taker, I Am An Innovator, I Am A Go Getter."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200117/girl-scouts-open-cookie-sales-with-new-variety-but-keep-recipe-for-success

As some may recall from last Saturday, I managed to stock up on a supply of Girl Scout cookies from Troop 62378 was at the Rockland Trust Bank in downtown Franklin. Other girl scouts were at locations around town and will be for the next several weekends.

Troop 62378

Girl Scout cookies

For additional info on Girl Scouts and how cookie sales fund their programs, you can listen to this Freakonmics podcast. Stephen Dubner interviews Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girls Scouts  http://sylviaacevedo.org/

podcast link --> http://freakonomics.com/podcast/girl-scouts/ 
 

"Trupiano will join Dean College’s sports broadcasting bachelor’s degree program"

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

"Whether they’re seated at the front of the class or “WAAAY BACK!” students in former Red Sox radio voice Jerry Trupiano’s class at Dean College can be expected to be called on starting next week.

The college announced this week that Trupiano, a Franklin resident since 1996, was recently appointed as an adjunct faculty member of communications for the Dean School of Business. He will teach a class called “Sports & Entertainment Media Reporting” on Tuesdays on campus.

Trupiano, 72, told the Daily News in a phone interview that before coming to Dean, he taught an online sports broadcasting class at the University of Houston.

“I’ve had a great experience teaching at Houston, and since I’m in the area now I can actually appear in person,” he said. He plans to draw from his professional experience and contacts in Hollywood and New York, including Joe Buck and Bob Costas, to teach students, and will eventually take on more classes in the future."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200117/jerry-trupiano-former-voice-of-red-sox-joins-faculty-at-dean-college

"Trupiano will join Dean College’s sports broadcasting bachelor’s degree program"

MBTA - Franklin LIne - Shuttle service on weekend, regular service on Monday (MLK Day)

1 - Weekend Shuttle Service
Weekends, through March, Franklin Train service is replaced by free buses between Forge Park/495 and Readville for a Fairmount Line connection while PTC is installed. There will be no service at Back Bay, Ruggles, Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot.

Additional weekends may be added to the train service suspension between Forge Park/495 and Readville as work progresses on the Franklin line.

Please visit https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork for more details about bus shuttle schedules. Visit MBTA.com/PTC for more information on how this project will improve commuter rail safety and travel. Passengers may experience delays of up to 30 minutes as a result of shuttle bus connections.

There will be no Franklin line service at Back Bay and Ruggles stations on weekends. Please travel to South Station to reach a Franklin Line station. If you are travelling inbound, please board a Worcester/Framingham line Train for direct connection to Back Bay or a Providence/Stoughton line Train for a direct connection to Back Bay or Ruggles.

We also recommend the subway: board the Red Line at South Station and transfer to the Orange Line at Downtown Crossing to reach Back Bay or Ruggles.

Due to proximity of adjacent stations, bus shuttles will not serve Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot stations:
-Endicott station customers, please use Readville or Dedham Corp stations.
-Islington station customers, please use Dedham Corp station.
-Norwood Depot customers, please use Norwood Central or Dedham Corp station.

8:40pm and 10:40pm departures from Forge Park as well as 11:20pm departure from South Station will be accommodated by a bus for the entire trip between South Station and Forge Park (including the portion between South Station and Readville).

Thank you for your patience while we improve the signal system on your Commuter Rail line.

• For more information: https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork

2 -  Regular scheduled for Monday, MLK Day
The Commuter Rail will be operating on a regular weekday schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 20, 2020.

• For more information: http://www.mbta.com/holidays

MBTA Franklin Line notices: Weekend Shuttle Service though March 2020

The Franklin Public Library will be closed Sunday/Monday and Town Offices will be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Day, Jan 20

• The Franklin Public Library will be closed Sunday, January 19 and Monday, January 20 for Martin Luther King Day

• Franklin Town Offices will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of the holiday

closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Day, Jan 20 

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Jan 17 to THU - Jan 23

Friday, January 17

 Snowman Scavenger Hunt

9:00am

 ECDC Open House

10:00am

 Knitting Group

1:00pm

 Book sale

1:30pm

 Storytime S.T.E.A.M

7:30pm

 James Montgomery Band with Opening Act The DayBreakers

Saturday, January 18

 Snowman Scavenger Hunt

9:00am

 Book Sale

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

10:30am

 Jeff St. Germain KidLit Creator Storytime!

1:00pm

 Bag Sale

Sunday, January 19

 Snowman Scavenger Hunt

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, January 20

 Library Closed

 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 21

9:30am

 Cool Cruisers

10:30am

 Get Ready for Kindergarten

4:00pm

 Toe-Tapping Tuesdays!

6:30pm

 Online Job Search and Resume Submittal Workshop

Wednesday, January 22

10:30am

 Terrific Toddlers

3:30pm

 Creation Station!

6:30pm

 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

7:00pm

 FHS Jazz Concert

Thursday, January 23

9:30am

 Baby Tummy Time

10:30am

 Story Xplorers

4:00pm

 Chess Club for Kids

4:00pm

 Bookworm Bounce Storytime!

6:30pm

 Genealogy Club Meeting

For the interactive version, please visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/links/submit-event

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Jan 17 to THU - Jan 23

FM #192 - School Committee Budget Workshop - Jan 14, 2020 (audio)

FM #192

This internet radio show or podcast is number 192 in the series for Franklin Matters now collaborating with Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This recording shares Budget Workshop conducted by the School Committee on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 in the 3rd Floor Training Room at the Municipal Building at 6:00 PM.

Agenda:

• Call to Order
• Budget Workshop
• Feedback –Legislative Forum Planning
• Adjournment

No packet was released for this meeting to share. Members of the committee (and those participating in the room) did receive an packet of multiple documents. Not all the documents shared via the overhead presentation were shared in the packet.

The meeting runs 2 hours, so without further ado here is the School Committee Budget Workshop of Jan 14, 2020.

Audio link -> https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H6zB43WX




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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

Overall:
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #192 - School Committee Budget Workshop - Jan 14, 2020 (audio)

Both FHS indoor track teams top Attleboro on Thursday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Thursday.

Boys Indoor Track = Franklin, 51 vs. Attleboro, 49 - Final

Close win over Attleboro tonight 51-49. LOTS of big performances and PRs tonight including a SCHOOL RECORD by Jacob Cummings in Long Jump (20’ 7”)‼️

First places from: Jacob C, Cam H, Nick C, Tyler B, 4x4#backtowork

— FHS Boys XC+TF (@FHSPanthersTF) January 17, 2020

20’10”*

— FHS Boys XC+TF (@FHSPanthersTF) January 17, 2020

Girls Indoor Track = Franklin, 75 vs. Attleboro, 25 – Final
– For Attleboro, Kelly Neuendorf took first in the 1 Mile and qualified for divisionals in the process. Neuendorf set a new PR with a qualifying time of 5:32.26 to take first for the Bombardiers. Kamsi Igbobi also had a first place finish for Attleboro, landing a throw of _ in the shot put. Cassondra Stuger had a pair of second place finishes (600M in 1:51.58, 55M in 7.96), Madison Ellis placed second in the 1000M (3:26.98) in her first time running the event, and Kimberly Esteban took second in the 2 Mile (13:03.31). 

#PantherPride https://t.co/EP7W0SFc2V

— FranklinHighSchool (@FranklinHS) January 17, 2020

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-16-20/

And via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

Franklin’s Sabrina Addi clears 4’6 @FHSSports @MetroWestSports pic.twitter.com/VDYgffkXZq

— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) January 16, 2020

Franklin’s Katelyn Guidi clears 4’4 in the early stages of high jump @FHSSports @MetroWestSports pic.twitter.com/OFN0PI3qKL

— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) January 16, 2020

Both FHS indoor track teams top Attleboro