Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
I am writing to share with you an exciting new opportunity for civic engagement in Franklin via a role on the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee.
Horace Mann
Horace Mann was a Franklin native who is now considered the Father of Public Education due to his commitment to education reform, promoting universal public education and establishing the public education system in Massachusetts that was then adopted by most other states.
In August, the School Committee voted to create the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee as a means to guide the development of initiatives that honor the life, legacy, and enduring influence of Horace Mann. This work will focus on the following primary areas:
Horace Mann Campus Identity & Physical Recognition – Establishing a clear, consistent, and historically grounded identity for the Horace Mann Campus through visible but restrained physical and digital markers.
Community Awareness & Storytelling – Increasing public understanding of Horace Mann’s life, legacy, and connection to Franklin through educational and interpretive efforts.
Public Education Advocacy (Informational) – Supporting historical education and awareness related to public education, without engaging in lobbying or political advocacy.
We are seeking interested community members to serve as voting members of this committee! Specifically, we are seeking:
4 community members at-large
1 Franklin Middle School student representative
1 Franklin High School student representative
to serve alongside members from the Franklin School Committee, Historical Commission, Cultural Council, and Town Council on this 12-person subcommittee.
The subcommittee will meet monthly and is scheduled to serve until May 4, 2027 unless extended by School Committee vote.
All submissions will be reviewed at the next subcommittee meeting, currently scheduled for Friday, January 23, and interested parties will be contacted following this review.
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Friends,
Today was one of those *"pause and smile"* days – we welcomed Visitor 25,000 through our doors! 🎉
That number represents 25,000 friends who have found joy, belonging, connection and discovery in this space – and all in less than FOUR months since opening day.
When families choose CMF as a place to spend time together, we see a powerful reminder of this space becoming all we dreamed it would be: a welcoming hub for families across our region where learning feels joyful, play is purposeful, and every visitor is celebrated for exactly who they are.
FM #1627 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1627 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with School Committee member Reis Hansen. We had our discussion via Zoom on Friday, January 16, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting January 13, 2026.
Our conversation covered the following topics:
Early insights on role as school committee member
Subcommittee work on Policy & Horace Mann Legacy
Meeting recap
Recognition of cheerleaders
FHS trip to Galapagos for 2027 was approved
FHS 2026-27 Program of Studies Update
how courses are added, selection by students
Office of Teaching & Learning District Assessment Presentation
The role of teaching & learning
The use of data to provide support and interventions as needed
MCAS still used just not a requirements for graduation
Franklin Childcare Presentation
The planning underway for initial opening for 9 student with 2 teachers
For school dept personnel first, then Town employees
Further expansion possible for community over time
Can provide revenue to sustain program
We close with a discussion on screen time and use of technology in the classroom
based upon a resident comment
Our conversation runs about 72 minutes. Let’s listen
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!
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Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, January 16, 2026
Boys Basketball = Franklin, 52 @ Milford, 41 – Final
Girls Basketball = Milford, 42 @ Franklin, 66 – Final
– Franklin drilled 12 threes as a team and used a huge second quarter run to earn a big win over Milford. It is Franklin’s fifth win in a row, moves them to 0.500 for the first time this season, and puts the Panthers alone in first in the Kelley-Rex. Milford got off to a good start. Ava Baglione scored eight points and Katelyn Kearnan added four as the visitors took a 12-11 lead after one. Franklin took full control with a dominant, 24-3 second quarter. Freshman Brielle Nicholls sparked the Panthers, knocking down three from beyond the arc and scoring 13 points in the frame. Ava Bonney added a pair of threes and scored eight points in the frame. Milford edged the third quarter by a point, as Kearnan scored six and Reagan Cunningham and Abby Murphy each scored four. Franklin never allowed the Hawks to mount much of a comeback and Kendall Mone scored six of Franklin’s 16 in the fourth to put the game away. Nicholls finished with a career-high 19 and Bonney added 14 – both hit four threes. Mone added a career-high 13 points, while Tessah Rodrigues scored eight and Sophia Sacramone had seven.
For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
In addition to the FHS Indoor Track results provided on Friday from Thursday's meet, Hockomock Sports has prepared these highlights and top performers.
Franklin vs. Taunton
Boys Score: Franklin 67, Taunton 33
Franklin’s Peter Gubka won the 55-meter dash and hurdles, setting personal bests in both and the league lead in the dash (6.58, 7.76).
Franklin went one-two in the 300m as Peter Theodorou won (38.95) and Owen Bertoldi ran a personal best for second (39.31). Taunton’s Michael Braxton was third in a personal best (39.62).
Kyle Twomey and Andrew Rontiris set personal bests to finish first and second for Franklin in the 600m (1:28.82, 1:30.76).
Taunton’s Jordan Trucchi edged Franklin’s Tucker Morin in the 1000m, finishing six hundredths apart (2:53.89, 2:53.95). Sawyer Laing won the mile for Franklin in a personal best (4:55.53).
Franklin’s Adam Peng won the 2 mile (10:47.28) with Nicholas Mitchell second in a season best (10:49.91). Franklin won the 4x200m relay (1:38.17), while Taunton won the 4x400m relay (3:42.37).
In the field, Taunton’s Jaedan Thompson won the shot put in a personal best (48’7.75). Franklin swept the high jump as Peter Gubka (5’10), Stephon Reed Jr (5’8), and Caleb Keras (5’2) went one-two-three.
Taunton’s Michael Braxton won the long jump in a personal best (18’4).
Girls Score: Franklin 77, Taunton 23
Phoebe Cuneo and Jossie Camp ran personal bests to go one-two in the hurdles (9.56, 9.66). Camp also won the 55m dash in a personal best (7.75), and Cuneo won the 300m (43.93).
Franklin’s Keelan Donnelly won the 600m in a personal best (1:50.58). Maddie Bruno and Victoria Courtright-Lim set personal bests to take the top two spots in the 1000m (3:08.85, 3:10.89).
Savannah Copeland won the mile in a season best (5:44.73) as Franklin swept the event. Franklin also swept the 2 mile, led by Annabelle Santiago (12:53.11) and Violet Copeland (14:11.28).
Taunton won the 4x200m relay (1:54.31), while Franklin won the 4x400m relay (4:32.48).
In the field, Lydia Donnelly won the shot put for Franklin in a personal best (29’6.50). Callie Joyce won the long jump and high jump in personal bests (15’7, 4’8).
Boys Indoor Track = Franklin, 67 vs. Taunton, 33 – Final
IMPORTANT SHOW/SNOW RELATED NEWS!!!!! The town has cancelled all events on school property this Saturday, February 7th. THIS CONCERT HAS MOVED TO THE RESTAURANT "3" AT 461 WEST CENTRAL STREET IN FRANKLIN!!!! SHOW WILL STILL START AT 7:30PM, BUT WILL NOW BE UPSTAIRS AT 3.
Looking for something fun and different to do on a Saturday night?
Tim Seamans and I are proud to bring to town Saturday, February 7th at the Franklin High School Theater an unforgettable evening of live vocal music featuring three outstanding collegiate a cappella groups:
The Colgate Thirteen
The Tufts Jackson Jills
The Fairfield Crust
From tight harmonies to show-stopping arrangements, this is a concert that will surprise, impress, and leave you smiling all the way home.
Doors open: 7:00 PM Show starts: 7:30 PM
Tickets: $5 (+ small processing fee)
All event details and tickets can be found on Eventbrite — grab yours and we hope to see you there!
Construction Updates ~ Monday (1/19) Through Friday (1/23)
RT. 140 (West Central Street) Lane Closure Alert - Monday Night (1/19) thru Thursday Morning (1/22) 7pm to 5am, Friday (1/23) 7am-3pm
The Contractor will continue with the installation of the sewer force main within RT. 140 (West Central Street). The work will be contained within the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. During this time there will be evening lane closures on RT. 140. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.
Fisher Street Easement - Monday (1/19) thru Friday (1/23) - 7AM to 4PM
Beaver St. Interceptor Project
The contractor will be working off the road along Fisher Street. There are no anticipated traffic impacts at this location.
West Central Street (near BJs) - Wednesday (1/21) thru Friday (1/23) - 7AM to 4PM
As the weather allows the contractor will be working on the installation of the helical piles along the side of West Central Street. During this time there will be evening lane closures on West Central Street. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.
Beaver Street Pump Station
At the Franklin Recreation Center
the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the internal building component installation and testing of the pumps. Bypass piping equipment will be onsite and protected by barriers. Access to the recreation center will NOT be affected during this time.
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