Saturday, December 11, 2021

FHS gymnasts open with win at Sharon on Friday

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

Gymnastics = Sharon, 121.8 @ Franklin, 145.35 – Final

"Great way to kick of the season with a 145.35 win over Sharon's 121.8.

We started off strong on Vault; top 4 scores freshman Molly Chandler tied Junior Emma Nelson with an 8.5;  senior captain Caroline Woelfel with a 9.15; senior Lizzie Brown with a 9.2 and senior captain Kate Rudolph topping out with a 9.65. 

Bars your top 4 were Caroline with an 8.0; senior captain Elizabeth Schirduan with an 8.75; Kate with a 9.75; and senior Emma White with a 9.75.

Beam,  your top 4 were Junior Olivia Reagan with an 8.55; Caroline with a 9.1; Emma with a 9.35 and Kate with a 9.5. 

Floor your top 4 were Olivia with an 8.8; Caroline with an 8.85; Kate with a 9.4 and Emma with a 9.65!  

Caroline Woelfel with a career high All Around (AA) of 35.1 and Kate Rudolph with a career high AA of 37.7. What a way to start the season. 

I'm so proud of this team!!  We have work to do and need to turn around and get ready to con1pete against North Attleboro next Friday at 8:30 PM. Don't miss out watching this amazing group of girls!!"  Coach Paula Lupien via Twitter

For other results around the Hockomock League on Friday

FHS Gym twitter -> https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1469538096257589249

Kate Rudolph, FHS floor exercise & fam
Kate Rudolph FHS floor exercise & fan


Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting Agenda - Dec 14, 2021

School Committee Meeting
Municipal Building - Council Chambers 
(Virtual Link in Agenda)

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments
In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy  BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. Recognition of recent School Committee Members – Dr. Ahern

B. Lifelong Learning Presentation – Pattie Gay, Interim Director of Lifelong Learning
Institute    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/lli_presentation_december_2021.pdf

III. Discussion/Action Items 
A. Dissolve Transportation Sub Committee
I recommend dissolving the Transportation Sub Committee as discussed.
B. DECA Field Trip for State Competition
I recommend approval of the request of Miguel Carmo to take students to the
DECA State Competition in Boston, MA from March 10-12, 2022 as detailed.
C. New York City Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Paul Cadenhead and Miguel Carmo to
take NBHS (National Business Honor Society) students to NY City on April 9, 2022
to visit the Stock Exchange, Wall Street and the World Trade Center as detailed.

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. 2022-2023 School Committee Meeting Schedule - DRAFT   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/22-23_scschedule-draft.pdf

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Supt. Evaluation, Budget,
Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force,
School Wellness Advisory Council, SEPAC, DEI Committee)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 23, 2021 School
Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Athletics Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $33.00 from Campus Box Media for
Supplemental Supplies for the Athletics Department as detailed.
C. Districtwide Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $295.00 from BJ’s Wholesale Club for
in-house enrichment districtwide as detailed.
D. Jacqueline A Schaeffer Theatre Arts Scholarship
I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from Sean Jobin for the
aforementioned FHS scholarship as detailed.
E. Vincent & Alma DeBaggis Scholarship
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Roberta Trahan for the
aforementioned FHS scholarship as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Ms. Spencer

IX. Payroll Ms. Stokes

X. Executive Session
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A §21(a)(2) to conduct collective bargaining with nonunion personnel as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the Chair so declares.
XI. Adjournment 

Agenda doc -> 


Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting Agenda -  Dec 14, 2021
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting Agenda -  Dec 14, 2021


Franklin, MA: School Committee Budget Workshop - Dec 14, 2021

School Committee Budget Workshop
6:00 PM Municipal Building, 
3rd Floor Training Room


Or embedded here:


School Committee budget documents
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget


Tri-County Welcomes Guest Panel to Speak to Freshman

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School welcomed a panel of eight speakers, four of which are alum, who are in non-traditional careers on December 1, 2021. A non-traditional career is defined is by the US Department of Labor as an occupation in which individuals from one gender comprise less than 25% of the individuals employed in such occupation. The panel included an early educator, firefighter/paramedic, plumber, police officer, cosmetologist, engineer, salon owner, and dental assistant. 


Guest Panel provides advice to Freshman
Guest Panel provides advice to Freshman

Each panelist had the opportunity to speak about what and who inspired them to pursue their careers, what a typical day at work looks like, the positive and negative aspects of having a non-traditional career, and offered advice to students who are interested in pursuing a career in a non-traditional role. Salon owner, Ken Tracy, was encouraged by his high school guidance counselor to attend Malden School for Girls in the 1960s and during the visit his passion was ignited. He noted that in his early days as a hair stylist his friends would ask him why. After he became a salon owner and found success in the profession he loved, his friends apologized for the negative comments they had made. 

Many of the panelists noted the positives of being in a non-traditional career. For the early childhood educator he has found that male students flock to him as one of the only male teachers and seem to find it easier to make a connection with him. The mechanical engineer noted that she was frequently the only female on a team and was called upon to work on machines because her smaller hands were able to fit into spaces her male counterparts could not. The female police sergeant noted that her communication skills and compassion has allowed her to defuse tension during calls.

Tri-County Welcomes Guest Panel
Tri-County Welcomes Guest Panel

After the discussion students were able to ask questions of the panel and the freshman had thoughtful queries to help them understand if they would like to pursue a non-traditional career.

Misinformation and democracy: How can we find truth in the age of misinformation?

"The past several years have seen a massive, sometimes malicious, assault on our sense of shared reality. The combination of social media and conspiracy theories has increased the reach and velocity of destructive lies. As a result, both the physical and political health of our country have been placed at risk.

On public health, the dissemination of misinformation about COVID-19 and the safety of vaccines has been responsible for thousands of avoidable deaths. Public benefit from the miraculous development of vaccines was partially squandered. Some politicians even echoed fraudulent information for political benefit – riding a wave of falsehoods with casualties when it crashes to the shore.

On America’s civic health, the tribalization of information is a serious threat to democracy. Many Americans live in ideological bubbles where their main sources of information gain profit by feeding fear and anger. In some cases, it has encouraged the self-radicalization that led to the Jan. 6 insurrection and other violence. "
Continue reading the article online 
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/12/09/threat-democracy-misinformation-covid-age/6430888001/?s=03

The research report that drove the article can be found here ->


hidden common ground
hidden common ground


"Residents are just going to have to be more patient this year"

Via the DPW Facebook page, a NBC 10 video clip featuring Franklin DPW Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi   Shared from =>  https://www.facebook.com/931498886934582/posts/4785111358239963/


Washington Post: "Five charts explaining why inflation is at a near 40-year high" (3 min video)

"The bumpy economic recovery has had policymakers, economists and American households grappling with greater price hikes for groceries, gas, cars, rent and just about everything else we need.

The latest inflation data, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed prices in November rose to a nearly 40-year high, climbing 6.8 percent compared with the year before.

For months, officials at the Federal Reserve and White House argued that pandemic-era inflation will be temporary. But they’ve had to back away from that message, which was increasingly hard to square with what was happening in the economy — and the way Americans experience it.

Persistent supply chain backlogs and high consumer demand for goods have kept prices elevated. There is no clear answer for when that will change, leaving Americans to feel the strain in their pocketbooks in the meantime. This is a breakdown of how we got here."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
Year-over-year changes in overall consumer price index, seasonally adjusted
Year-over-year changes in overall consumer price index, seasonally adjusted


What it will take to unleash the potential of geothermal power?

"Untapped potential: There's enough heat inside the earth to meet total global energy demand twice over. But harnessing it requires drilling deep underground and transforming that heat into a usable form of energy. That's difficult and expensive, which is why geothermal power only makes up only about 0.3% of electricity generation worldwide, despite the fact it's more consistent than virtually every other form of renewable energy. However, it's now getting a boost, thanks to a $84 million Department of Energy project to build four demonstration plants. They'll test enhanced geothermal systems, an experimental form of the technology.

Exhausted supplies: The most accessible geothermal resources in the US have been tapped, and it's hard to figure out how many more potential sites may be out there, and where they might be. Some researchers and startups are trying to expand into new places by pumping fluid into impermeable rock to force cracks open. This creates space where water is free to move around and heat up, producing the steam needed for power.

Barriers: Despite geothermal's vast potential, reaching these resources won't be easy. The process has been shown to trigger earthquakes, and despite the injection of government cash, financing geothermal projects can also be a challenge. "

Read the full story from The MIT Technology Review  =>   https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/12/08/1041511/potential-geothermal-power-infrastructure-bill/

What it will take to unleash the potential of geothermal power
What it will take to unleash the potential of geothermal power

Friday, December 10, 2021

Franklin's Event Outlook: Dec 10 - Dec 16, 2021

A festive variety on the calendar for this weekend. The Zajac Brothers Band appears at THE BLACK BOX Friday night. St Mary's Women's Faith Formation meets Saturday morning. Do your Christmas shopping at the Grace Church (in Foxboro) to #shopFranklin for Wright's Old School Chocolate. Listen to Charles Harrington speak at the Historical Museum on Sunday.

 

Friday, December 10
8:00pm - Zajac Brother's Band

Saturday, December 11
9:30am - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
4:00pm - Wright Old School Chocolate @ Grace Church Christmas Fair

Sunday, December 12
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm - Second Sunday Speaker: Charles Harrington 


Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar
Community Calendar

Lt Gov Polito visits Franklin to announce $2.2 Million MassWorks Award (audio)

Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito was joined by state and local officials to announce a $2.22 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program award for intersection and roadway improvements along Grove Street.  The improvements will support a local throughway that connects multiple Economic Opportunity Areas and will also support ongoing and future commercial development along the corridor, including a new $20 million industrial warehouse recently completed and leased to UPS.
 
“We are pleased to be able to offer critical support for Franklin’s efforts to make intersection improvements at this key location, which will unlock even more economic development opportunities in the future,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “Congratulations to Franklin for their work in addressing this important need and for their forward-looking approach to future growth.”
 
“Thanks to infrastructure investments like this, our Administration can support communities’ efforts to advance locally-driven economic development plans,” said Lt. Governor Polito.  “As Franklin demonstrates, leveraging the MassWorks program for public infrastructure upgrades is critical to attracting high-impact projects that bring in private investment and also create jobs.”
 
Lt. Governor Polito
Lt. Governor Polito


Franklin’s project leverages $650,000 in local and private funds and will provide immediate access and transportation benefits for a newly constructed $20 million warehouse at 206 Grove Street.  The 150,000-square-foot building was recently leased to UPS and is expected to generate 70 permanent jobs at full use. 
 
Franklin’s project is phase one of a local infrastructure improvement program aimed at stimulating new growth in the Grove Street corridor.  The MassWorks grant will fund public improvements including more than 6,000 linear feet of sidewalk, curbing, and road rehabilitation, as well as a new traffic signal at the intersection of Grove Street and Washington Street.  The improvements will support development opportunities for more than 30 properties zoned for industrial uses, several of which are undeveloped or underutilized.
 
MassWorks is a competitive program that offers cities and towns flexible capital funding to support and accelerate housing production and job growth and is the largest program in Community One Stop for Growth, a single application portal and collaborative review process for grant programs launched in January 2021 to make targeted investments based on a development continuum.
 
With the addition of this year’s round, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded 326 MassWorks grants to 181 communities and has invested over $608 million in public infrastructure projects throughout the Commonwealth. These grants have directly supported the creation of 21,000 new housing units and tens of thousands of new construction and permanent jobs, while also leveraging over $13 billion in private investment. 

Including MassWorks grants, the Community One Stop for Growth program awarded $88 million for 196 projects in 122 communities across the Commonwealth in its first year.  Of the 196 projects awarded, nearly one-third were located in a rural or small town, half were located in a Housing Choice Community, and one-third were located in a Gateway City.
 
In addition to its MassWorks award, Franklin also received two other awards through programs included in the Community One Stop for Growth platform.  Franklin’s second award was a $75,000 Community Planning grant, which will fund a zoning audit as well as a process to update and modernize the town’s zoning bylaws.  For its third award, Franklin received $500,000 through the Underutilized Properties Program to convert an underutilized property into a community food pantry to address social and health disparities. By moving to a new location, the nonprofit Franklin Food Pantry will be able to operate additional hours, increase access to healthy food, and will provide office space for confidential client support. 

“We created the One Stop to offer access to a wide variety of programs through a single, streamlined process that ensures that valuable funds can be directed more effectively, to more communities, in less time,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.  “The One Stop gives communities and other partners the opportunity to work collaboratively with us, to pursue multiple projects simultaneously and to meet their economic development goals. Franklin has demonstrated how applicants can be creative with grant funding to maximize the impact of state investments in transformative projects.  While the first year of the One Stop has shown tremendous promise, the demand for our programs demonstrates that we can do more.” 
 
“The size and scope of what the town of Franklin will be able to accomplish with this generous award is truly noteworthy,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “With these funds, the Grove Street Improvement Project will ease traffic, improve safety, expand commercial opportunities for local business, and provide good jobs. I thank the town for its vision and commitment to making this a reality.”
 
"Robust infrastructure is key to supporting the vitality of our municipalities,” said Senator Becca Rausch. “I look forward to seeing the lasting impacts of this project on local job creation and economic development, as well as greater livability and accessibility in Franklin."
 
“I am delighted that the state is continuing to invest in and improve the quality of life for the residents of Franklin,” said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy.  "This funding will result in much needed infrastructure improvements and increase the overall condition of the roadways.  In addition, this project will help our local economy by creating not only construction jobs but hundreds more once the commercial space is developed."
 
“We are happy to have played a small part in the town of Franklin receiving the MassWorks roadway grant,” said Paul Marcus, Principal and CEO of Marcus Partners.  “The grant process is a great example of our team working together with the town of Franklin to help improve infrastructure that benefits both the residents and businesses of Franklin.  And, our ongoing collaboration with local officials will aim to create additional economic development to the Town of Franklin through strategic development opportunities.”

$2.2 Million MassWorks Award
$2.2 Million MassWorks Award

The full list of this year’s MassWorks grant recipients can be found here. 


Press Release shared from -> https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-22-million-massworks-award-for-franklin

Audio file ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/91ab1349-0b47-4946-acee-1922780149a1

Photos from the event can be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/WzmrFbcu46PpdG9o8

FHS' Gulla named Hockomock League football MVP; Arone, Kindred, Tracey, Tirrell selected as All Stars, Pek get Honorable Mention

Here are the FHS athletes selected for recognition by the Hockomock League coaches. Links to the full listing of Hockomock athletes are provided.

Below are the official 2021 Hockomock League Football All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

KELLEY-REX DIVISION MVP
Mack Gulla, Franklin

KELLEY-REX DIVISION ALL STARS
Jared Arone, Franklin
Shane Kindred, Franklin
Will Tracey, Franklin
Joe Tirrell, Franklin

Honorable Mentions
Cullen Pek, Franklin

For the complete Hockomock League listing

KELLEY-REX DIVISION MVP Mack Gulla, Franklin
KELLEY-REX DIVISION MVP - Mack Gulla, Franklin


Franklin Athletics : Winter Sports Reminder from Hockomock League


"Hockomock League - Winter reminders for athletes and spectators. Please read. Thank you!"
Link to Hockomock League page with statement -> https://t.co/saDw79kV0L   or

PantherTV - News for 12/10/21 (video)

"This week we showcase the National Art Honors Society, Gymnastics Coach Paula Lupien, and senior Mack Gulla. Panther News, Dec. 10, 2021!"

Video link -> https://youtu.be/9QaWfXfTHa0




2021 Turkey Trot a Great Success - Thank You!

Wow! Wow! Wow! 

The 10th Annual Turkey Trot for the Franklin Food Pantry was an incredible success thanks in large part to your sponsorship and support. We offer our gratitude for your generosity which will help the Food Pantry continue its service for our community's most vulnerable. You have led by example, showing your care and involvement in the town of Franklin and we hope you'll join with us again in 2022! 

The grand total of funds raised through sponsorship, race entrants, donations, and shirt sales is a whopping $35,000, topping all previous years. It is truly amazing what the collective effort of a few can do and you've been a part of it.

We hope the holidays are a time of joy and gratitude for you,

Best Wishes!
--
erin campbell
Race Director

2021 Turkey Trot a Great Success - Thank You!
2021 Turkey Trot a Great Success - Thank You!




Tri-County Culinary Shop created a gingerbread Franklin Police Station

@TriCountyRVTSD Culinary Shop Built a gingerbread Franklin Police Station for the She Love's Police Gingerbread Competition. To vote, click on the following link!   
https://facebook.com/135246697133022/posts/921318221859195/ 
gingerbread Franklin Police Station
gingerbread Franklin Police Station

Get Wright Old School Chocolates at Christmas Fair Sat, Dec 11

Where do you #shopFranklin for chocolate? Wright Old School Chocolate is now available online or this Saturday in Foxboro: 

"Join us for Christmas with Grace: A Neighborhood Celebration. Bundle up and join us to experience Christmas through different time periods, an interactive experience of lights, music, and Christmas festivities! With activities for all ages, this celebration is sure to be added to your Christmas traditions year after year.

Guests will be able to explore at your own pace- strolling through Christmas scenes from different time periods, as well as an indoor marketplace to purchase some gifts while supporting local vendors. To ensure we prepare well for our guests, we encourage everyone to RSVP in advance, letting us know which timeframe you'll most likely join us for. There is no charge for admission, but we encourage everyone to bring spending money for the marketplace, as well as donations of men's winter hats and gloves to support our friends with LYNN Ministries, as they care for neighbors in need in Brockton. "

Register for this event (no free, COVID protocol's required)   https://www.grace.org/event/3858089-2021-12-11-christmas-with-grace--foxboro/

Listen to the Wright Old School  Chocolate Story ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/fm-577-inside-wright-old-school.html

Shop for Wright Chocolates online ->  https://wrightoldschoolchocolate.com/

Get Wright Old School Chocolates at Christmas Fair Sat, Dec 11
Get Wright Old School Chocolates at Christmas Fair Sat, Dec 11


Winter/Spring Kids' Corner Classes Start Soon


Where fun and learning meet!
Winter 2022 Classes
Classes Start Soon
All classes are at Franklin High School
Cut, chop, stir, and mix your way to a delicious dish. Students develop their skills: cutting, chopping, stirring, mixing, and teamwork! Each child works in partnership with another student to create a delicious dish. 
5 Wednesdays, starting January 12
Times vary by grade
Lively songs and playful games in these one-hour classes will be used to teach useful everyday phrases.
6 weeks starting:
6 Wednesdays, January 12, 6:00 pm—Spanish, Gr. 3-6
6 Tuesdays, April 5, 4:30 pm—French, Gr. 4 & 5
Kids learn the basics of being safe when home alone for short periods of time whether by plan or because of any emergency.
Tuesday, January 25, 4:00 pm
CLASS IS FREE. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
What a great way to spend a morning and/or an afternoon and have some creative fun! Students will paint and take home their own piece of art.
Thursday, February 20
Morning OR Afternoon
* * * *
Morning Session
Owl on a Branch  
Afternoon Session
Winter Birch
For more class options & additional details visit:


FPS- Lifelong Community Learning | 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA 02038

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