Franklin TV: Where is America?

I miss it.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/13/2025

I spent July 4th with relatives on Martha’s Vineyard – Edgartown. Thus, I missed the excellent festivities in Franklin. (We do know how to make it happen. Don’t we?)

It’s fascinating how a change of venue can offer a change in perspective. I’m standing in a crowd of citizens on Main St. in Edgartown. The collective mood is festive, anticipatory, enthusiastic. We’re all waiting for the parade to start. I was told it was an event not to be missed. So, “ Yeh. Uhh, sure. Guess I’ll go.”

As I watched the parade glide by – the world changed. It went back to the way it used to be – the good parts. The emotionally pristine parts.

There was an antique fire engine – with a manual siren that the fireman in the shotgun seat cranked up for extra effect. A wagging dalmation on top. Other firemen walking alongside, tossing candies and beads to scrambling kiddies in the crowd. It was a slow motion, throwback moment – a Rockwell painting come to life. Tykes on dad’s shoulders waved little flags. There were home-brew floats with sharks (It’s the 50th anniversary of ‘Jaws’.) And the place became ‘Amity’ once again.

General Meaning:

Friendship and Harmony: Amity is a formal or literary term for friendship, mutual understanding, and a peaceful relationship. It often implies a spirit of goodwill and positive coexistence, even amidst differences.

Then a group of paraders held a large banner that read: D E I Lives Here.

I felt an oddly visceral sensation of – safety? In that moment nothing could hurt me. I’m comfy. I’m white. I’m privileged. And yet, somehow, I felt better, safer. The entire crowd began to cheer – wildly. A collective ‘YES!’. Several floats, banners, and hand-held signs throughout the parade brandished unabashed D E I messages. Each, accompanied by more spirited cheering – happiness – Amity.

I witnessed – experienced – the America that I believe we all want. How do we get it back?

And – as always –

Thank you for watching. 

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.

And staying informed at Franklin●news.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

More Perfect Union - WFPR: 99 - DEI (audio)

In this episode, the group and guest Dr. Bell, as well as the audience from the Senior Center discuss the DEI, or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace, and how it as a concept has been around, and it's important to provide opportunities and fairness to all people.

Audio link -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/99-dei

More Perfect Union - WFPR: 99 - DEI (audio)

More Perfect Union - WFPR

Discussing American Politics and Current Events

Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.

Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

My conversation with Superintendent Giguere covers multiple topics and a "day in the life" (audio)

FM #907 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 907 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere. We had our conversation in person in the Superintendent’s office in the Municipal Building on Monday, December 19, 2022. 

At a high level our topics were:

• DEI deep dive 

• Redistricting

• Finance Committee school budget discussion

• A day in the life of a Superintendent

The recording runs about 30 minutes  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-907-fps-superintendent-lucas-giguere-12-19-22

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

Superintendent’s page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent 

DEI page (with link to plans, etc.) -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/diversity-equity-and-inclusion 

Redistricting page -> https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee

Finance Committee video replay -> https://youtu.be/o4vY1ekbk10 

Franklin Matters recap & audio -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-some-financial.html   

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

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

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

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

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

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"

Franklin (MA) School Superintendent Lucas Giguere

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion workshop focuses on the sense of “belonging” (audio)

FM #884 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 884 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Public Schools Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) “Deep Dive” Workshop held at the Franklin Public Library on Saturday, November 19, 2022.   

Superintendent Lucas Gigiure and DEI Director Heidi Harris co-lead the session. Approx. 30 folks were in the room to participate. 

Much of the workshop was a review of the efforts to date, sharing definitions for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the findings of the equity audit, and understanding the drive to develop a sense of “belonging.”

The equity audit was referred to multiple times as “one slice of the pie” in gathering info to develop the “Equity Action Plan to meet the needs of all learners.” Other sessions like this one will be scheduled to provide opportunity for the community to explore DEI and work toward the plan development.

Given this was a working session, the whole group sections of the meeting audio is what is shared here. There are breaks in the audio when 

• The participants found a person they did not know to introduce themselves

• The participants found another person they did not know to discuss an instance of belonging and then of feeling left out

• The table discussion to review the sticky notes written by the members providing feedback

The breaks are indicated by a few seconds of music then the group discussion resumes

The edit meeting audio recording runs about 70 minutes. Let’s listen to DEI “Deep Dive” Workshop.

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-884-fps-dei-deep-dive-workshop-11-19-22

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

Franklin Public Schools Diversity Equity & Inclusion department page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/diversity-equity-and-inclusion 

DEI page -> https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/fps-diversity-equity-inclusion/home?authuser=0 

Equity audit (1 slice of the pie)  ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fps_equity_audit_final_report_october_2022.pdf 

DEI Plan for 2022-2023 -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fps_dei_plan_2022-23_for_sc_0.pdf

DEI Presentation to School Committee Oct 25, 2022 -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fps_dei_presentation_10_25_2022_0.pdf

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

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

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

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

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

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"

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion workshop focuses on the sense of “belonging” (audio)

Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee schedules "Deep Dive" Nov 19

Equity Statement
Vision (Hopes and dreams for the future)

• Franklin Public Schools is committed, through its educational mission, to building an anti-biased and socially-just school system. Members of our school community commit to the process of listening, learning, acting, and reflecting in order to
• affirm the diversity among community members; 
• promote equity and accountability by providing resources and opportunities and reducing barriers to success;
• foster a safe and inclusive school environment so that each student and faculty/staff member truly belongs and is empowered to participate in decision-making. 
• As a system and as individuals, we are responsible for proactively taking steps to prevent bias; similarly we are responsible for illuminating and addressing bias and discrimination when incidents occur. As a result, each student in Franklin Public Schools will have equitable opportunities to achieve Franklin’s Portrait of a Graduate.   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/portrait_of_a_graduate_.pdf

Definitions

• Diversity is a reflection of the uniqueness of an individual’s identity, thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and values, and the fluidity through which each may evolve. Some examples include, but are not limited to, a person’s race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, religious beliefs, culture, national origin, disability and cognitive styles.
• Equity involves each individual being able to attain the attributes of Franklin’s Portrait of a Graduate.
• Inclusion is consistently ensuring that individuals belong in the school community by authentically seeking out, valuing, and respecting their input particularly regarding decisions that affect theirs and others’ lives.

Shared from -> 

https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/fps-diversity-equity-inclusion/home

Participate in the Deep Dive into DEI on Saturday, Nov 19 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM  https://www.franklinps.net/district/events/90971

Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee schedules "Deep Dive" Nov 19

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Deep Dive - Nov 19, 2022

The Franklin Public School District invites our community to attend the D.E.I. Deep Dives and engage in collaborative dialogue on November 19, 2022 10 AM – 11:30 AM, at the Franklin Public Library in the 1st-floor Meeting Room (School Street Entrance). 

Following a brief presentation, attendees will be able to engage in a structured, authentic and informative conversation with the District Administration, facilitated by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Heidi Harris. This session will focus on various areas of improvement related to the Culture and Climate portion of our Equity Audit.

This session will focus on various areas of improvement related to the Culture and Climate portion of our Equity Audit and will help inform the District’s Equity Action Plan as it is developed throughout the 2022-2023 school year. We encourage attendees to review the presentation slides from the October 25th, 2022 School Committee D.E.I. Presentation in advance, however, it is not required!

This is a great opportunity for families, faculty, students, and members of the greater Franklin Community to learn more about how our D.E.I. efforts support the development of the attributes associated with our Portrait of a Graduate, whilst fostering a safe and inclusive school community.

https://www.franklinps.net/district/events/90971

https://facebook.com/events/s/dei-deep-dives-climate-and-cul/5514779958591088/

D.E.I. Deep Dives