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| High School Musical Jr scheduled May 2 & May 3 |
Click the link below for tickets and more information!
Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HbHmUhH9R/
Showing posts with label Franklin High School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Franklin High School. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Footlighter's Production of High School Musical Jr scheduled May 2 & May 3
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Class of 1975 50th High School Reunion - June 21 at THE BLACK BOX
Members of the Franklin High School Class of 1975 can purchase their tickets for $50, online at THE BLACK BOX. The reunion starts at 7 PM.
Purchase online -> https://www.purplepass.com/fhs1975
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Purchase online -> https://www.purplepass.com/fhs1975 |
Quilling Art Workshop scheduled for May 1 at FHS via Lifelong Community Learning
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| Quilling Art Workshop scheduled for May 1 |
Space is limited in this exciting -- but easy -- class from Lifelong Community Learning!
Our talented instructor has taught people from 10-85 to successfully complete their own versions of quilling art.
Go to bit.ly/3Mzy6cp to register.
Friday, April 25, 2025
Franklin Students Find Success at State Music Festival
Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Director of Visual & Performing Arts Diane Plouffe are pleased to announce that several Franklin High School music ensembles achieved high honors during their performances at the annual Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) Festival.
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| Franklin High School Choruses received a Silver Medal at the MICCA Festival |
Ensembles were evaluated and awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold medals based on the quality of their performances. Franklin High School’s Concert Band and choruses earned Silver Medals, while both orchestras and the Wind Ensemble received Gold Medals, the highest distinction given at the festival.
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| Franklin High School Orchestras received a Gold Medal at the MICCA Festival |
Due to their outstanding performances, the Franklin High School Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, and Repertory Orchestra were invited to perform this past weekend at the Gold Medal Showcase at the Groton Hill Music Center on Sunday, April 13.
“This is a remarkable accomplishment for our student musicians and the dedicated educators who support them," said Superintendent Giguere. “Their hard work, passion and commitment to their craft are truly inspiring."
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Franklin High School Theater Company Reaches State Finals of METG Festival with Staging of 'The Yellow Boat'
Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Principal Dr. Maria Weber are proud to congratulate the Franklin High School Theater Company for its moving performance of “The Yellow Boat,” as part of this year's competitive Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG) festival.
The production, of a play based on the tragic story of a child with congenital hemophilia, reached the State Finals.
The 32 Franklin High School students, including cast and crew, staged “The Yellow Boat” in the State Finals at John Hancock Hall in Boston on March 28. The Franklin High School Theater Company was one of 15 groups to make the State Finals for the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival held by METG, out of 88 schools that entered the competition during the preliminary round.
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| The Franklin High School Theater Company performed the play "The Yellow Boat" as part of the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival held by METG, becoming one of 15 groups to make the State Finals out of 88 schools that entered. (Photo Courtesy Maggie Warren) |
The festival, which calls on each group to perform a 40-minute, one-act play, also includes a preliminary round and a semifinal round, with each stage judged by a team of METG Adjudicators.
“It’s a real privilege to be with these kids. They are a really magical group,” said Franklin High School Drama Director Chloe Selznick, who is in her first year leading the program. “We’re all just very grateful. When we took group photos at the State Finals, instead of saying ‘cheese,’ the kids would say, ‘We weren’t supposed to be here!’ There’s a lot of gratitude within the company.”
Selznick, a 2020 Franklin High School graduate, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Hofstra University, said “The Yellow Boat” was influential to her years ago, and she thought the play would allow her students an opportunity for growth as well.
“The Yellow Boat” is the true story of Benjamin, who was born with congenital hemophilia, and died in 1987 at the age of 8 due to AIDS-related complications after receiving a blood transfusion. The play, published in 1997, was written by Benjamin’s father, David Saar.
“As heartbreaking as that is, Benjamin’s story wasn’t just defined by his illness,” Selznick said. “‘The Yellow Boat’ was a way to tell his story that was joyful, whimsical and childlike, and it was able to bring him to life. This made for a good artistic challenge for these young artists as they continue to grow as actors. I think they handled it wonderfully. They handled it in a way that’s sensitive but truthful.”
The reaction from the audience and judges included “a lot of tears,” she said.
“It felt nice to know that people were touched by the story in the same way that we had been,” Selznick said. “The judges' feedback was wonderful. It was nice to get feedback from people in the theater world. The kids really valued that as well.”
In addition to the State Finals, the Franklin High School Theater Company performed “The Yellow Boat” during the METG festival’s preliminary round on March 3 at Wayland High School and during the semifinals on March 15 at Framingham High School.
The Franklin High School Theater Company was assisted in its production of “The Yellow Boat” by Erin Ferreira, who came on as a volunteer to be the show’s movement director and assistant director. Franklin High School student Riley MacDonald served as the production’s dramaturg, providing classmates with a research package about “The Yellow Boat,” containing insight into the context of the play, showing how the story should be handled with sensitivity and truthfulness.
Throughout the METG festival, the Franklin High School students witnessed 25 plays staged by drama groups from other schools in the matter of a month.
“Most people won’t see one play in a year, let alone see that many,” Selznick said. “It was a real treat all around. It was a wonderful experience. There was a lot of support. Now, afterwards, there’s a lot of gratitude.”
The METG Festival is a prestigious annual event for high school theater companies, and this marked the 94th year of the competitive drama festival.
METG also has a middle school division and a musical theater division. In addition to the annual METG Festival held in March, the organization also facilitates a series of acting and technical theater scholarship contests held in December.
This experience with the METG Festival will provide some momentum for the Franklin High School Theater Company ahead of its next production, a musical called “Urinetown,” with showings planned for June 13-14.
Principal Weber and Superintendent Giguere congratulated the Franklin High School drama performers for their success in the METG Festival and wished them the best on their upcoming productions.
“We are so impressed by the incredible skills and abilities of our stage performers, crew and everyone involved with staging this play,” Principal Weber said. “They possess great individual talents and also display incredible teamwork. Bravo to our students for an incredible run in the METG Festival. And bravo to Director Selznick for the guidance she is providing to this talented group.”
“I’d like to congratulate all of our stage performers and crew members who really put their hearts into these shows,” Superintendent Giguere said. “Their passion, talent and skills are inspirational. They really did a great job with this play. I’d also like to recognize Director Selznick and our other teachers, along with parents and all of our Franklin High School Theater Company supporters, who help make all of this possible.”
Additional photos can be found where this was shared from -> https://www.franklinps.net/article/2149677
You can also listen to my conversation with three of the members of The Yellow Boat performance -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/listen-to-how-fhstc-performance-of.html
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
5 Franklin High School Music Students Perform at Annual All-State Concert
Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Director of Visual & Performing Arts Diane Plouffe are pleased to share that five Franklin High School musicians recently performed in the Annual All-State Concert.
Each year, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) hosts the All-State Concert, featuring performances from some of Massachusetts' best student-musicians in chorus, concert band, jazz band, orchestra, and treble chorus.
Five students in the Franklin High School music program auditioned and were accepted into the All-State Honor Ensembles. The performances took place on March 29 at Symphony Hall in Boston.
Alexander Fioravanti (euphonium) and Sophia Francis Fracassa (French horn) performed in the All-State Band. Chongyu Liu (violin), Abram “Ace” Eagerman (bass), and Emma Anderson (French horn) perform with the All-State Orchestra.
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| Five Franklin High School students — from left, Emma Anderson, Chongyu Liu, Sophia Francis Fracassa, Abram Eagerman, and Alexander Fioravanti — recently participated in the All-State Concert. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools) |
"I am incredibly proud of our five Franklin High School students who were selected to perform in the All-State Concert," Plouffe said. "This prestigious event brings together the top musicians from across Massachusetts, and it is a true honor for our students to be a part of it."
"Congratulations to our talented Franklin High School student-musicians for this honorable achievement," Superintendent Giguere said. "Performing alongside some of their most talented peers in the state showcases their dedication and artistry and is an experience they can carry with them for years to come."
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Family Science Night – Free Event - Thursday, April 10 from 5:30 to 8 PM
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| Thursday, April 10 from 5:30 to 8 PM |
Family Science Night – Free Event!
Join the FHS Science National Honor Society on Thursday, April 10th, from 5:30 – 8:00 PM for an exciting night of interactive experiments, hands-on activities, and live demonstrations!
Theme: Movie Night! Each science group—covering topics from biology to forensics—has chosen a movie to bring their subject to life.
FREE ENTRY! This event will be accepting donations for the Franklin Food Pantry.
Bring your family and friends for a night of science, fun, and discovery—we can’t wait to see you there!
Friday, April 4, 2025
Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting 03/25/25 - audio in 3 parts for easy access
FM #1420-1421-1422 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1420-1421-1422 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. 7 members participated, 6 in Council Chambers.1 remote (Gallagher).
The audio for the meeting is split into 3 segments for ease of listening
Part 1 - #1420 = the beginning and ending of the meeting (approx. 58 minutes)
Part 2 - #1421 = the High School course curriculum update (approx. 1 hour, 22 minutes) https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1421-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-03-25-25/
Part 3 - #1422 = the Middle School redistricting update (approx. 1 hour 28 minutes) https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1422-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-p3-of-3-03-25-25/
Quick recap:
During the Superintendent's Report recognition was made of the Boys Basketball team for their first State D1 Championship. Recognition also made of the Cheerleaders with their National Championship multiple years doing so
One team is still in competition, that is the FHS Theatre Co is scheduled to perform in the finals on Friday, with results known on Saturday evening. Tickets available via the website metg.org
France, England & Scotland Field Trip - Nikki Hafele - an EF Tour proposed for 2026, approved via roll call by 7-0 vote
Franklin High School Update - Dr. Weber, H McVay - an update on the course selection process and student choices within that, discussion also around budget and range of offerings as well as the trend of choices seems to be changing
Middle School Reorganization Update - Mr. Williams; Evolution of the master schedule, mention of the must haves, can haves and nice to haves...
A unique year to do a middle school experience for all three grades, but thereafter would be for the incoming new 6th grade as they get welcomed from the future 2 elementary sending schools
Policy - 1st Read & Elimination - I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading: ACA - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex Elimination: ACA-R - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex Under Title IX Including Sex-Based Harassment; Motion to move to second, passes via roll call 7-0
Motion to enter Executive Session not to return to public session, passes 7-0 via roll call
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Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/RwZ6HFEvzx8?&t=95
The meeting agenda can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03252025-1651
Documents released for this agenda after the meeting can be found ->
My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PEGYx0qPwSu93ymlY0Xn7y57Rd0_s-kY/view?usp=drive_link
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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
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do
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"
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| FHS boys basketball State D1 Champs pose with School Committee |
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| FHS cheerleaders multiple times National Champs pose with School Committee |
Franklin's Helen Keller Elementary School Celebrates LOVE Keller Day, STEM Day
Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Principal Keri Busavage are pleased to share that Helen Keller Elementary School students recently participated in two engaging events — LOVE Keller Day and STEM Day — that brought students together to celebrate neurodiversity, build connections across grade levels, and explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
"Helen Keller Elementary School continues to foster a learning environment that values inclusivity, curiosity and innovation," said Superintendent Giguere. "Through events like LOVE Keller Day and STEM Day, students are empowered to build meaningful connections and explore the world around them in exciting and engaging ways."
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| Fifth-grade teacher Wendy Greenstein takes a selfie with Helen Keller Elementary School students on LOVE Keller Day. Students in Wendy Greenstein's class partnered with Donna Grady's Kindergarten class and added a splash of color to black and white brains. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools) |
LOVE Keller Day
During LOVE Keller Day, students sported tie-dye shirts to recognize Neurodiversity Week, embracing the idea that no two people are alike. Students in partnered classes joined together to share how they learn best, discuss their passions and enjoy reading their favorite stories with their buddies.
LOVE Keller Day events are held throughout the year to create opportunities for students to connect with partner classes across grade levels. The students participate in team-building activities that foster kindness, awareness and acceptance while engaging in meaningful discussions about Keller's Core Values: Caring, Inclusive, Intelligent, Respectful and Unique.
"These celebrations help our students build relationships, develop empathy, and recognize the strengths that make each of us unique," said Principal Busavage. "Seeing our students embrace these values and create a supportive school community is inspiring."
STEM Day
As part of STEM Day, Helen Keller Elementary School welcomed Franklin High School Math and Science National Honor Society members to lead students in a series of hands-on, standards-aligned STEM activities. Across four interactive centers, Kindergarten to fifth-grade students explored key scientific and engineering concepts through engaging, inquiry-based challenges.
Key learning experiences included:
Magnetism: Students investigated how magnets interact, how magnetic fields change with additional magnets, and the real-world applications of magnetism in technology and engineering.
Spaghetti Engineering: Students experimented with structural design and strength using spaghetti and marshmallows, testing how to balance forces and improve stability.
Geometry Bingo: Students identified and classified shapes and explored geometric properties, including perimeter calculations.
Straw Shapes: Students analyzed different angle types to strengthen their problem-solving skills.
"Our students loved working alongside high school mentors and engaging in STEM challenges that sparked curiosity and critical thinking," said Principal Busavage. "These activities reinforced classroom learning and encouraged collaboration, perseverance and creative problem-solving."
Additional photos of STEM activities can be found on the school district page ->
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
FHS Theatre Co to perform "Urinetown (The Musical)" in June
Via FHS Theatre Co
"Urinetown (The Musical)" on June 13 & 14 Looking to get more involved? Auditions are this wednesday at 2:15 in the FHS auditorium! for more information look at or join our google classroom (Code: LFPDOST)! We hope to see you there!For more updates on this production, keep an eye out on all of our social media! We hope to see you in the audience in June!"
Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DH4NLL-PIez/
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Attention Parents: Check out the Interent Safety event April 3; it comes with free kid care & a meal
Vis Donna Grady:
"Franklin Community,Most of you know me as the President of the Franklin Education Association. I'm also Chair of the Massachusetts PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Committee.THIS coming Thursday, April 3, from 5:30 -7pm at FHS, my committee is hosting a FREE Family Safety Awareness Forum about Online Safety and CyberBullying. Our doors open at 5:30 for child care, with the adult program running from 6-7pm. We have food for the kids and adults and activities for the kids. We're giving away an IPad as well.
Interent Safety event April 3 Please come learn how to identify online dangers and how to protect your kids and family."
Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16TrhfTjkM/
You can listen to Donna & I talk about the importance of this event
Monday, March 31, 2025
Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Committee meeting to get to the gist of the matters (audio)
FM #1417 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1417 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of March 25, 2025.
We cover
Recognition of Boys Basketball & Cheerleaders; acknowledgment of FHSATC still competing in State finals
European capitals trip outlined; Paris, London, Edinburgh; approved by unanimous vote for 2026
FHS update, trending on course selections; indication of the budget cuts and program stability in choices (my view)
Middle school update
Budget remains a concern -June 3 date for override vote
The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1417-chalkboard-chat-03-26-25/
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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net
School Committee Meeting Info
Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/RwZ6HFEvzx8?&t=95
The meeting agenda can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03252025-1651
Documents released for this agenda after the meeting can be found ->
My notes captured in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PEGYx0qPwSu93ymlY0Xn7y57Rd0_s-kY/view?usp=drive_link
-------------
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
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do
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"
 |
| Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Committee meeting to get to the gist of the matters (audio) |
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