Saturday, November 26, 2011

Franklin High School Winter Concert and Silent Auction December 7th


The Franklin High School Winter Concert promises to be a warm and festive evening for music students, their families and the community this year. The concert begins at 7:00 PM on Wednesday December 7th and is being held at the Thomas D. Mercer auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School, 214 Oak Street. Performances by the Franklin High School Orchestra, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble under the direction of Leighanne Rudsit will be featured, as well as the Chorus and Select Chorus directed by Michael Sansoni. Concert goers will enjoy a selection of classic and contemporary pieces with a holiday spirit, and the winners of the Franklin Music Boosters 2011-2012 music scholarships will be recognized.

The Franklin Music Boosters, Inc. will be hosting a silent auction and reception beginning at 6:30 and during intermission, when refreshments will also be served. Many generous area businesses as well as music students and their families have donated items for the auction and refreshments. Donations are still being accepted. Area businesses and individuals who wish to donate please contact Cindy Gleichauf, 508-397-5204 or cindygleichauf@gmail.com.

Franklin Music Boosters, Inc. is a parent organization which supports the entire Franklin Public School Music Program grades 6-12. Through volunteer support and fundraising, the Music Boosters help provide transportation for performance trips, competitions and outings; sponsor concerts and special events; finance the purchase of musical equipment and uniforms; fund private lessons and scholarships, as well as support the music department with volunteer help.

For more information about getting involved with the Franklin Music Boosters, contact Amy Czuba, amyczuba@gmail.com.

DLS reports on average single-family property taxes and values in FY11

In preparation for the tax rate hearing being held Wednesday, Nov 30th at the Town Council meeting, this is some good background reading.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 11/18/11

The Division of Local Services in its publication City and Town yesterday reported on average single-family tax bills and property values for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2011.
Given the fiscal confines of the state's property tax limitation law, Proposition 2 1/2, it was not surprising to see that the average property tax bill increased a modest 3.35 percent in FY11.
Proposition 2 1/2 allows for annual tax levy growth of 2 1/2 percent, plus additional property tax revenue coming on line from new growth and/or Proposition 2 1/2 overrides. The rate of increase in average property tax bills in FY10 was 3.3 percent.
And given the relative stability in property values -- Massachusetts has not experienced anything like the steep drop in property valuation seen in states such as Florida  or California -- it was not surprising to see a decline in single family property valuation in Massachusetts of 3.23 percent.
As the City and Town story reports, Massachusetts has indeed seen a decline in average single family home valuation since the housing bubble burst in 2008, but the tumble downward has been quite gentle compared with other locales.
The story includes a chart with comparison data for tax bills, valuations, and rankings for the state's cities and towns.
More historic information is available in DLS' Municipal Data Bank in the event readers want to explore trends going back to 1981.
The DLS story makes the point that as property valuations increase, tax rates go down, but when those same valuations go down, as they have in recent years, tax rates go up. There are still many homeowners in Massachusetts who assume that when home valuations go down, property taxes go down as well. However, under Proposition 2 1/2, tax levies are allowed to increase regardless of the direction of property valuations.

Things you can do from here:

Help my kids school - PLEASE. It just takes a second to help


PLEASE!!  I need more help!! We are #11 in the Pepsi Challenge and need to be in the TOP 10 to win.

As many of you may already know, my children's school is trying to raise money for a new Inclusive Playground. Our current one is deteriorating quickly despite the efforts of our DPW to keep it maintained. In deciding to rebuild we have designed a new Inclusive one, where all children of all abilities can play together.

I am asking for your help - it only takes a few seconds and cost you nothing. I am just asking that you vote for our project in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge. We are in the running for $50,000 and just need to reach the TOP 10 to win. We are currently at #17. We started at 43, moved quickly to 22, then 19, 17 and now we are at 11!! We need more votes and support!!!

Go to the Pepsi Website - If you click on this link it should take you directly to us - www.refresheverything.com/kennedyplayground - There is a wonderful video that the KennedyKids are in!
ALSO you can vote a 2nd way by Texting in a vote - TEXT 109738 to 73774

Vote EVERYDAY until Nov 30th to help us!

Any and all help would be appreciated. If you could ask friends and family to help too, we would really appreciate it! Anyone 13 and older can vote! Please help my kids school!!! Our website is www.kennedyplayground.com if you would like to learn more about this project.

Thank you
Sandy Brown
Kennedy Playground Committee

Second Annual Giving Tree to benefit The Santa Foundation



The United Regional Young Professionals Organization (YPO), a group of young professionals having an interest in social and business networking, community involvement, and professional development; is proud to announce their second annual Giving Tree collection efforts for The Santa Foundation.

With the holidays quickly approaching and the giving season upon us, the YPO has created a Giving Tree collection drive to benefit The Santa Foundation. The tree has been set up at the Hampton Inn in Franklin, MA where patrons can collect an ornament to donate new hats, mittens or scarves for all ages. Can’t get to the Hampton Inn? Don’t worry; picking up an ornament isn’t required to donate.

Patrons can drop off all unwrapped donations to the Hampton Inn, 735 Union Street, Franklin, MA or to the United Regional Chamber of Commerce office at 42 Union Street, Attleboro, MA. Donations must be returned by December 9, 2011. Members of the YPO will deliver all of the items collected to The Santa Foundation after this date.

The Santa Foundation in Franklin, MA was established over 25 years ago to fulfill one goal - to provide gifts for families in need at Christmas time. 100% of all contributions, cash and gifts received go directly to local families in need. In 2010 alone, The Santa Foundation assisted over 700 families.




Back row, Left to right: Lori Suher, Phil Hickey, Chris Pintarich, Victoria Faunce
Front Row, Left to Right: Ron Groves, Amanda Culhane, Santa, Jen Osojnicki and Kaitlyn Pintarich

Friday, November 25, 2011

Real Food Tips: 5 Uses for Leftover Turkey

Yes, there is some left over turkey today. I plan on making a soup.

There is also some pie leftover.

Apple pie


What are you doing with your leftovers?

If you needs some ideas, Lisa Leake has a nice website with lots of good ideas on healthy food:

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via 100 Days of Real Food by 100 Days of Real Food on 11/24/11

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and time with family today. Before we know it we will be on to those tasty leftovers! I am sure I'm not the only one who tries to be creative with all that turkey we couldn't finish so here are some ideas to consider:
Make "Turkey Noodle Soup" instead . . . → Read More: Real Food Tips: 5 Uses for Leftover Turkey

Things you can do from here:

In the News - Franklin Art Center



Holiday Workshops for Kids at the Franklin Art Center

Mendon-Upton school board members allowed to vote remotely

With the recent advances in technology this is a good logical step. Technology can be very useful to conduct meetings with participants not all in the same room. The meeting can be conducted as long as the technology works well.

 
 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 
 

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Morgan Rousseau/Daily News staff on 11/24/11

School board members in the Mendon-Upton Regional School District now have the option of participating in meetings while not being physically present.


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving


As we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner today, let's pause a moment or two to give thanks for what we do have.

Thanksgiving: the turkey

Enjoy!

In the News - winners announced, anniversary celebrated



Winners in this year's Run for Bob 5K announced




First Universalist Society in Franklin marks 10th year in meetinghouse



“It’s all about vigilance"


Natick, Newton, Weston, and Wellesley are among several communities that have seen a significant jump in reports of residential break-ins, police said. The crimes do not appear to be related, police say, with the methods of gaining access and the types of valuables stolen varying with each incident. But detectives throughout the area are working closely to share information.
“We do have officers out there and are actively pursuing all the breaks,’’ said a Newton police spokesman, Lieutenant Bruce Apotheker. “One of the main components is we do work well with other cities and towns.’’
Newton has logged 155 house breaks this year, compared with 99 during the same period last year, he said. Just since Oct. 1, he said, there have been 35.
Law enforcement officials said they don’t know why there has been a sudden increase, but they said it’s not uncommon to have periods of ups and downs. Some officials, though, said many of the break-ins appear to be drug-related.
 Read the remainder of the story in the Boston Globe West article here


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

High School Project - Part 7 (audio)


Part 7 of 8 recorded at the School Building Committee informational forum held Nov 17, 2011.

Time: 17 minutes, 41 seconds



MP3 File

Show Notes

This internet radio show or podcast is number 99 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the seventh of a series of 8 audio segments recorded during the informational session on the new high school. The forum was conducted by the School Building Committee and held at the Horace Mann Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2011.

This seventh segment continues the Question and Answer period with Tom Mercer (School Building Committee Chair), Jim Jordan (partner and owner of Ai3 Architects), Sean Fennell (Project Manager) and School Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski provide answers to the questions.

The questions covered during this segment

  • What is the life expectancy of this school?
  • How much does the building handle school population growth?
  • What is the projected peak population?
  • How does the classroom handle the average class size?
  • What happens if the debt exclusion doesn't pass?
  • Is accreditation at risk?
  • Why doesn't this building include an indoor track?


Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation
Part 2 - Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects provides an overview of the building
Part 3 – Q and A: educational space and construction cost
Part 4 – Q and A: various project costs and overall process
Part 5 – Q and A; cost of designing a green building and debt exclusion timing
Part 6 – Q and A; alternate fields and communication campaign

Part 8 – Q and A and closing



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

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. 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!

High School Project - Part 8 (audio)

The eighth and final segment of the complete recording from the School Building Committee forum on the new high school held on Nov 17, 2011.

Time: 16 minutes, 11 seconds




MP3 File

Show Notes:

This internet radio show or podcast is number 100 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the eighth and final for the series of the informational session on the new high school. The forum was conducted by the School Building Committee and held at the Horace Mann Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2011.

This eight segment continues the Question and Answer period with Tom Mercer (School Building Committee Chair), Jim Jordan (partner and owner of Ai3 Architects) Sean Fennell (Project Manager) and School Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski provide answers to the questions. Andrew Chagnon (?) joins to answer the traffic questions.

The questions covered during this segment
  • Teachers end up cutting off the HVAC because it interferes with the class, is the noise in the room something you are planning for?
  • Can you tell us about the technology? Wireless of course, but what is there in the cutting edge?
  • Are you going to have virtual desktops?
  • Can you facilitate the traffic situation?
  • I don't want to minimize the traffic situation, it hasn't been done right at any of the schools!
  • Where are you going to hold the 4th of July fireworks?

Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation
Part 2 - Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects provides an overview of the building
Part 3 – Q and A: educational space and construction cost
Part 4 – Q and A: various project costs and overall process
Part 5 – Q and A; cost of designing a green building and debt exclusion timing
Part 6 – Q and A; alternate fields and communication campaign

Part 8 – Q and A and closing

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

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. 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!

In the News - tree lighting, Tri-County library



Franklin tree lighting set




Franklin's Tri-County library dedicated to retired superintendent

Downtown Partnership - Holiday Stroll



3rd Annual Holiday Stroll Happenings

A Cut Above: Hot cocoa and cookies, 10% off Strawberry Patch jewelry and gift cards

Allied Chiropractic & Whole Health Center: Free chair massage and chiropractic evaluation.  Visit us outside Rockland Trust.

Berry Insurance:  Holiday Happenings with WODS-FM 103.3, Boston’s Holiday Music Station

Confidence Beads:  Discounts on a unique and meaningful gift.  Visit us outside Dean Bank.

Crossway Church:  Snack bags. Visit us at the Berry Insurance parking lot.

Dean Bank: Gingerbread men cookie decorating

Dean College: 4:00pm tree lighting, caroling and holiday snacks

Digital Credit Union: Glow necklaces/sticks for children at the Mobile Branch. Visit us at the Simon’s parking lot.

Franklin Art Center: Local art exhibition and sale, ornament craft for children, free art class raffle, and
evening band exhibition

Franklin Boston Sports Club: Fitness contests and demos, Scooby Doo appearance, free 1-week gym membership. See us at Jane’s Frames.

Franklin Dance Workshop: Holiday entertainment 5:00pm at Simon’s Furniture parking lot

Franklin Federated Church: Project International. Visit us at the Berry Insurance parking lot.

Franklin Fire Department: Holiday Fire Safety Tips

Franklin Food Pantry: Open House and Franklin Food Elves donation drive kick off for “1,200 Pounds of Food and $1,200 in 12 Days

Franklin Girl Scouts: Crafts for strolling kids. Visit us at the Berry Insurance parking lot.

Franklin Historical Museum: Meet Mrs. Claus, Busy Bees craft sale, browse through Franklin history

Franklin School for the Performing Arts: Singing, crafts with the elves at Santa’s Workshop

Grandma Jen’s Crafts: Scarves, blankets and other hand crafted items. Visit us at the corner of Summer and East Central Street.

H&R Block:  Free giveaways and refreshments

Jane’s Frames:  Cider, live music, drawing for framed NE Patriots Sports Panoramic Print, Wish List sign-ups, check out Boston Sports Club at Jane’s Frames.

Mary Kay: Product samples, pampering gift basket drawing.  Visit us at H&R Block.

Printsmart: Free candy cane pens.  Check out The Cake Bar at Printsmart.

Rick’s Restaurant: Choose either a complimentary cup of Rick’s award winning chowder or a small dish of Brigham’s ice cream with the purchase of any adult entrée

SELF Aesthetics and Therapeutics Specialists: Free chair massage, hot cocoa and a holiday treat, tour of facility

Simon’s Furniture:  Meet Santa from 5-7pm

The Cake Bar: Fabulous cupcake sale.  See us at Printsmart.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

High School Project - Part 5 (audio)


The fifth segment of 8 recorded from the School Building Committee forum on the new high school held on Nov 17, 2011.

Time: 19 minutes, 17 seconds



MP3 File

Show Notes

This internet radio show or podcast is number 97 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the fifth of a series of 8 audio segments recorded during the informational session on the new high school. The forum was conducted by the School Building Committee and held at the Horace Mann Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2011.

This fifth segment continues the Question and Answer period with Tom Mercer (School Building Committee Chair), Jim Jordan (partner and owner of Ai3 Architects) and Sean Fennell (Project Manager) providing answers. Ed Cafasso, a member of the School Building Committee, chimes in to talk about the communication process.

The questions covered during this segment

  • What is the scale of savings talked about for energy rebates?
  • What is the cost of designing a green building?
  • How do we package this building to sell it well?
  • Do you have the numbers on what the total cost would be?
  • Is the Remington/Jefferson debt exclusion coming off the books around the same time?
  • Does anyone have statistics on house valuations for districts with good schools?
  • Does the tax figure include the reimbursements?
Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation
Part 2 - Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects provides an overview of the building
Part 3 – Q and A: educational space and construction cost
Part 4 – Q and A: various project costs and overall process

Part 6 – Q and A
Part 7 – Q and A
Part 8 – Q and A and closing

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

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. 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!

High School Project - Part 6 (audio)

This is part 6 of 8 from the School Building Committee Information Forum on the new high school project held Nov 17,2011

Time: 18 minutes, 37 seconds




MP3 File

Show Notes:

This internet radio show or podcast is number 98 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the sixth of a series of 8 audio segments recorded during the informational session on the new high school. The forum was conducted by the School Building Committee and held at the Horace Mann Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2011.

This sixth segment continues the Question and Answer period with Tom Mercer (School Building Committee Chair), Jim Jordan (partner and owner of Ai3 Architects) and Sean Fennell (Project Manager) providing answers. School Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski joins the conversation to provide some key answers (for example on the cluster model and visioning process and how the high school education can lead to better vocational choices).

The questions covered during this segment
  • Where will they play while the fields are being used to build the school?
  • The new fields, will they be seed or turf?
  • In your campaign, how are you approaching those without school age children?
  • You seemed to have been surprised about the cluster arrangement, if we are designing a building can we validate that this is a good thing to do?
Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation
Part 2 - Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects provides an overview of the building
Part 3 – Q and A: educational space and construction cost
Part 4 – Q and A: various project costs and overall process
Part 5 – Q and A; cost of designing a green building and debt exclusion timing

Part 7 – Q and A
Part 8 – Q and A and closing

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

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. 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!

In the News - turkey dinner, winter concert



Thanksgiving dinner taking a bigger toll on pocketbooks this year

In the News - toy collection, home invasion, service award



Franklin police collecting toys, coats for those in need


Franklin cops still looking for home invasion suspects

St. John’s Episcopal Church Christmas Fair – December 3rd


St. John’s Annual Christmas Fair will take place on Saturday, December 3rd from 9am to 3pm at 237 Pleasant Street in Franklin, MA. Shop for Christmas gifts at our craft tables offering beautiful items, many handmade by the parishioners. A wide variety of themed gift baskets will be available, wrapped and ready to go!

 Save yourself some baking time by taking advantage of our cookie walk. Select a box size and fill it with a wide variety of homemade Christmas cookies. Or choose bakery items from our “freeze to go” area.

Sit and relax while you enjoy hot soups and stews available at our snack bar and try a sweet from our fancy pastry table. Early Shoppers can enjoy breakfast items, such as quiche and cinnamon rolls. We’ll have many raffle items as well as an amazing silent auction, featuring a quilt by the Yankee Quilters!

The Children’s area will feature games, make and take ornaments, face painting, special snacks and more! Santa will be available for pictures from 11-1.

Don’t miss this great church fair!


Annual Christmas Fair Flyer-2011



Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document

Adult Education Update

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 11/21/11

It is Thanksgiving week and many of the Session 1 courses are making way for the Session 2 courses. Take a moment to visit Adult Ed at:www.franklin.k12.ma.us select Lifelong select adult ed.

Health & Wellness, Volleyball, Basketball, Art, Dance and more will begin to offer Session 2 classes. Some of these classes begin after Thanksgiving and others come on line in January.

The Child Care Provider courses with Tracy Cheney were very well-received. All three courses were filled. Joan Borgatti, Director of Adult Ed., is working with Tracy on the new Child Care Provider courses for the spring.

Ed2go courses are another great way to update and strengthen your business skill base. They're on line courses, usually 4 to 6 weeks in length, and you can access them at a time that is convenient for you.

Include some Adult Ed. classes in your New Years' resolution.

Things you can do from here:

Monday, November 21, 2011

High School Project - Part 3 (audio)


This is the second third segment from the School Building Committee Informational Forum held Nov 17, 2011.



MP3 File

Time: 13 minutes, 54 seconds

Show Notes:

This internet radio show or podcast is number 95 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the third in a series of 8 audio segments recorded during the informational session on the new high school. The forum was conducted by the School Building Committee and held at the Horace Mann Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2011.

This third segment picks up with the start of the Question and Answer period. Sean Fennell, the Project Manager joins the dialogue to provide some answers

Questions covered during this segment include

  • Can you define educational space?
  • How can students adapt to the newer hallways?
  • When looking at the four model schools, was construction cost part of the criteria?


Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation
Part 2 – Jim Jordan, principal and owner of Ai3 provides an overview of the proposed model

Part 4 - Q and A
Part 5 - Q and A
Part 6 - Q and A
Part 7 - Q and A
Part 8 – Q and A and closing

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

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. 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!

High School Project - Part 4 (audio)


This is part 4 of 8 from the School Building Committee Information Forum on the new high school project held Nov 17,2011




MP3 File

Time: 16 minutes, 16 seconds

Show Notes:

This internet radio show or podcast is number 96 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the fourth of a series of 8 audio segments recorded during the informational session on the new high school. The forum was conducted by the School Building Committee and held at the Horace Mann Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2011.

This fourth segment continues the Question and Answer period with Tom Mercer (School Building Committee Chair), Jim Jordan (partner and owner of Ai3 Architects) and Sean Fennell (Project Manager) providing answers.

The questions covered during this segment


  • Once the drawing is done there will be a bid process?
  • What is the purpose of the courtyard in the center?
  • How do you compare in dollars per square foot?
  • What would be the project cost for Franklin?
  • What number will be presented when the voters get to the polls?
  • How are the utilities involved at this point?
  • Has the Franklin Facilities Dept been involved?
  • At what point is the commissioning agent brought into the project and how is it done?

Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation
Part 2 - Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects provides an overview of the building
Part 3 – Q and A – first set of questions

Part 5 - Q and A
Part 6 - Q and A
Part 7 - Q and A
Part 8 – Q and A and closing

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

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. 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!



In the News - Holiday Stroll, food elves



Franklin partnership hosting Downtown Stroll





Franklin Food Elves launching 12 Days of Donating campaign

Sunday, November 20, 2011

High School Project - Part 1 (audio)

The first of 8 segments recorded during the School Building Committee Informational Forum held on Nov 17, 2011



Time: 22 minutes, 45 seconds

Show Notes

This internet radio show or podcast is number 93 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the first of a series of 8 audio segments recorded during the informational session on the new high school. The forum was conducted by the School Building Committee and held at the Horace Mann Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2011.

This first segment covers the opening remarks by School Building Committee Chair Tom Mercer.

Tom review the origins of the planning for the school, the drafting of four plans including a couple of renovation options, and eventually the invitation by the MSBA to join the Model School program. This option provides the best reimbursement rate to the tax payers of Franklin. While some may still say that renovation is the way to go, there is no money for reimbursement of renovation costs for the field house from the state.

If Franklin insists on renovation, then the entire bill would be paid for the the taxpayers of Franklin. If the model school option is approved, then up to 58% of the costs would be paid for by the Commonwealth.

Fact:
New facility is 306,543 sq. feet.
Existing facility is 312,571 sq. feet

While the new high school would be about 6,000 sq foot smaller, it would increase the educational space by 30,000 sq feet. One factor for this increase is that the number of classrooms increases from 52 today to 58 in the proposed facility.


Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)


Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 2 – Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects – overview of the project
Part 3 - Q and A
Part 4 - Q and A
Part 5 - Q and A
Part 6 - Q and A
Part 7 - Q and A
Part 8 – Q and A and closing


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

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help. How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please tell me.

This feedback loop is important. 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!


High School Project - Part 2 (audio)


This is the second segment from the School Building Committee Informational Forum held Nov 17, 2011.




Time: 19 minutes, 54 seconds

Show Notes

This internet radio show or podcast is number 94 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This is the second of a series of 8 audio segments recorded during the informational session on the new high school. The forum was conducted by the School Building Committee and held at the Horace Mann Auditorium on Thursday, Nov 17, 2011.

This second segment picks up with School Building Committee Chair Tom Mercer introducing Jim Jordan, partner and owner of Ai3 Architects.

Jim introduces members of his team and then gets into some background information on his firm. How they have worked designing schools and how the MSBA developed the 'model school' program. There is an additional 5% reimbursement available from participation in the 'model school' program.

Whitman-Hanson was the facility they designed that serves as one of the four model schools and the one Franklin has chosen.

Facts:

  • The model proposed will include an 850 seat auditorium
  • Dec 9th due date for the project scope and budget package that will be submitted to MSBA (first real dollars associated with the total project)
  • 60% construction documents due approximately in April 2012
  • 6 cost estimates done and validated at three different times along the way
  • Construction could begin in the Fall of 2012


Without further ado, here is the recording from Thursday evening Nov 17th

(audio)

Be sure to listen to the other parts of the series:

Part 1 – introduction and evolution of model school invitation

Part 3 - Q and A
Part 4 - Q and A
Part 5 - Q and A
Part 6 - Q and A
Part 7 - Q and A
Part 8 – Q and A and closing

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

While this podcast is my public service effort for Franklin. I can use your help.
How can you help, you ask?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like this, please let me know.

This feedback loop is important. 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!


"Tri-County is the only high school in the Northeast to be chosen"



Last summer, Tri-County's engineering program was selected by MIT to participate in the NASA HUNCH program, in which students come up with real-world products to be used on space shuttles. With the help of an MIT faculty member, they hope to put their inventions to the test on a zero gravity aircraft, or space simulator, in April. 
The school had worked with MIT on projects before and had a student co-op at the university, said Bakr. 
"Every year, students indicate an interest in aerospace engineering," said Bakr, who has taught at Tri-County for eight years. 
"Typical schools in the program propose one idea, instead we proposed four. NASA liked three of the ideas," he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x2075767420/Can-astronauts-cook-scrambled-eggs-in-outer-space#ixzz1eFFg5xDf