Save the Date! Empty Bowls Fund Raiser - May 23

Save the Date!

Franklin High School Empty Bowls Fundraiser to Support the Franklin Food Pantry scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 6-8 PM, Franklin High School Cafeteria, 218 Oak St, Franklin, MA.

Join Franklin High School’s Empty Bowls Club for a simple meal of soup and bread and bid on silent auction items including ceramic pieces made by club members. Each attendee will receive a handmade bowl as a reminder that “somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty”.  All proceeds from the event will support the Franklin Food Pantry.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, April 1, 2024.

Sponsorship opportunities are available: https://bit.ly/47P0MWk

For more information, please email Jen Johnson at jjohnson@franklinfoodpantry.org

Save the Date! Empty Bowls Fund Raiser - May 23

Franklin High School newsletter for Week of Jan 29, 2024

Franklin High School (@FranklinHS) posted Mon, Jan 29, 2024:

FHS Newsletter https://t.co/Dv0lAS1YAz @FranklinPSNews https://t.co/3KwJn5x8zN

https://twitter.com/FranklinHS/status/1751958041912586449

Franklin High School newsletter for Week of Jan 29, 2024

FHS Winter Jazz Concert January 29, 2024

Franklin High School is pleased to invite you to our annual Winter Jazz Concert. 

Come hear our very own award winning FHS Jazz Bands and Jazz Combos under the direction of Leighanne J. Rudsit & Matthew Geisinger.  Music will include swing, bebop, ballads and funk.  

Some big band titles will include “Birk’s Works” and “Ran Kan Kan”, music by Charles Mingus, Myles Davis, Sonny Rollins, and Horace Silver.  Featured soloists include John Kane IV on Saxophone, Aidan Padula and Anton Sackley on Drums, Thomas Bradley on Trombone, Brady Devlin on Trumpet, Maria Zaki on Flute, and Weylan O’Connell on Bass.  

The event will take place at 7:00 PM on Monday, January 29 in the Franklin High School auditorium.  A $5 donation is requested at the door, but is not required.  

   

FHS Winter Jazz Concert January 29, 2024

27 FHS Music Students performed with the Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Chorus and Orchestra

Twenty seven members of the Franklin High School music program auditioned and were accepted into the 2024 Massachusetts Central District Honor Ensembles. The performance took place on January 13th at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA.

27 FHS Music Students performed with the  Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Chorus and Orchestra

Participating in the Central District Band were

• Gavin Abdel-Aziz - Trombone
• Emma Anderson-French Horn
• Jake Blanchard - French Horn
• Karah Bradanese - Clarinet
• Peter Bryan - Trumpet
• Daniel Campbell - Trumpet
• Lauren Curtis - Trombone
• Alexander Fioravanti - Euphonium
• Francis Fracassa - French Horn
• Liam Geoghegan - Tenor Saxophone
• John Kane IV - Baritone Saxophone
• Lola Richardson - Flute
• Isabelle Simino - Trombone
• Gabriel Terry - Trombone
• Maria Zaki - Flute
• Katharina Zercie - Bass Trombone

Franklin High School students performing with the Central District Jazz Band were

• Adithya Balagurumoorthy - Baritone Saxophone
• Thomas Bradley - Trombone
• Emelia Chambers - Trumpet
• Brady Devlin - Trumpet
• Weylan O’Connell - Bass
• Aidan Padula and Anton Sackley - Drum Set

Selected to perform with the Central District Orchestra is

• Victoria Courtright-Lim - Violin
• Emily Liu - Violin
• Adam Peng - Cello
• Zo Pietras - Violin

School Committee hears about Oak St, FHS Program of studies, approves Cheerleader trip to Nationals, and Capital Budget request (audio)

FM #1134 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1134 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. 

Due to a Verizon internet outage at the Franklin TV Studio, the meeting was recorded for broadcast later and available via Zoom. Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8BvAH3q6xM&list=PLNyv0AkVasIR_a80hAfFnQoFngebCICow&index=46

Quick recap:

• Internet out at TV studio, meeting via Zoom but not through to cable, it is being locally recorded for broadcast later, Audio recording also being made, Owl camera out to use for this meeting and Zoom session

• Skipped ahead to Superintendent report, will come back to the FHS student update assuming they connect successfully

• Facility planning underway, subcmte met last week. 3 piece process: (1) demographics, (2) educational adequacy and how to support it, (3) age and use of the space in the schools; More info coming as the presentation is scheduled for completion later this school year

• Workshop on executive function, 90 mins for adults only, sign up through Lifelong Learning (link to be shared later)

• Regards to the weather, please communicate also through the reverse 911 process

• Dr Dutch provided an update on the state funding for the newly arrived students, submitted not received yet. Student update on activity at the high school

• Oak St administration team to provide an update on the school activities this year so far 

• Good question on languages and how the new folks, especially the younger ones, are catching on? 'Wheels on the bus' sung in multiple languages is a thing to hear! language is building every day in K and 1

• Question to expand on trauma informed practices, some kids are having tough times, how do you handle them? Lesley Univ presenting a course on this topic for a grad level course being set up for this. 27 staff members at Oak will be taking this course

• Interview by students focused on 3, 4, and 5th grade students. Adapted also for the lower levels. Coming up later this year!

• Next up, program of studies at FHS, Mr Hanna and H McVey

• Personal finance and community service coming back for FHS graduation requirements for future classes

• Students will receive a copy of the courses available to them, as opposed to prior years advised to review the listing (turns out many didn't)

• Timeline reviewed for information process & enrollment

• Panther Pride night Feb 12, a good one for the incoming 9th graders (currently 8th graders)

• Recurring FHS Varsity Cheerleading National Competition, approved by 7-0 vote

• Capital Budget Proposal - I recommend approval of the Capital Budget Proposal as discussed. Motion to approve, second, passes 7-0; Budget subcmte had met earlier and approved this request

The meeting runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. Audio link - > https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1134-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-09-24

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School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

Meeting Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/1-9-24-agenda 

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-9-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet  

Oak St highlights -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/MyeaEisD1EuirtpTA 

FHS program of studies -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/aeMBP35oMNzM5QHs5 

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXpStXQX6JrK5nRluvpygt-tkT3o9GCZ/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

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"

FHS student providing update on FHS activities during School Cmte meeting via Zoom session

FAA Info Night scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 10, 2024 from 6 to 8 PM

Franklin Arts Academy (FAA) Info Night scheduled for Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 6 PM - 8 PM at the FHS Library/Media Center.

An evening for prospective students and families, who are seeking more information on the Franklin Arts Academy. Applications are open through February 19, 2024

Questions? Contact: Mr. Grossman:  grossmans@franklinps.net

FAA Info Night scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 10, 2024 from 6 to 8 PM

Franklin Public Schools Celebrates Successful Fall 2023 Athletics Season

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Athletic Director Karrah Ellis congratulate Franklin High School’s student-athletes and athletic staff on a successful fall athletics season.

“I’m so proud of our hard-working, dedicated athletes,” said Director Ellis. “Receiving MIAA recognition is a testament to our student-athletes who have displayed great sportsmanship throughout the entire season.”

Hockomock League Champions Fall 2023

Franklin High School teams compete in the Hockomock League as part of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). FHS athletics finished the fall season with the most wins across all teams within the Hockomock League. 

FHS sports teams recognized include: Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Soccer, Golf, Boys’ Cross Country with Volleyball and Field Hockey placing in the Final Four for the Division 1 State Tournament. 

The FHS cheer team won its 10th consecutive Hockomock League title, the Division 1 South Regional Championship, and the Division 1 State Championship with the highest score in the state.

FHS also won the Hockomock League Val Muscato All-Sports Award for fall 2023, tallying the highest average of earned points from league standings in all sports this year.

Boston Globe Dalton Award

Franklin High School athletics secured the Boston Globe Dalton Award for the fifth year in a row, winning 74.7 percent of its games for an overall record of 251-83-6.

MIAA Coach of the Year Award

The MIAA recognized three FHS head coaches as Coach of the Year including Baseball coach Zach Brown, Unified Basketball coach John Leighton and girls’ Lacrosse coach Kristin Igoe, who was also honored as the National Federation of High School Sports Section 1 Coach of the Year.

All-Scholastic Awards

Several FHS student-athletes won individual year-end accolades from Boston media:

Boston Herald All-Scholastic

Emily Carney (Field Hockey)

Raena Crandall (Field Hockey)

Rex Cinelli (Boys’ Soccer)

Anya Zub (Girls’ Soccer)

Boston Globe All-Scholastic

Rex Cinelli (Boys’ Soccer)

Raena Crandall (Field Hockey)

Emily Carney (Field Hockey)

Kelly O’Connor (Girls’ Soccer)

Taylor Lacerda (Volleyball)

“Congratulations to our Athletic Department, coaches and talented student-athletes on their many accomplishments,” said Superintendent Giguere. “I am continuously impressed by each athlete’s determination, grit and steadfast commitment to their chosen teams, always displaying the highest level of sportsmanship.”

Shared from -> https://jgpr.net/2024/01/02/franklin-public-schools-celebrates-successful-fall-2023-athletics-season/

Franklin Public Schools Celebrates Successful Fall 2023 Athletics Season

Franklin High School - the FIRST newsletter of 2024!

Franklin High School (@FranklinHS) posted Tue, Jan 02, 2024:

First FHS Newsletter of 2024!  https://t.co/iEX5pe8Uk6 @FranklinPSNews 

https://t.co/97cBR2BurU

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/FranklinHS/status/1742187152845267194

Franklin High School - the FIRST newsletter of 2024!

Samples from the Franklin Public Schools K-12 Winter Art Showcase - Dec 13, 2023

Catching up to sharing more of the photos of the Franklin Public Schools K-12 Winter Art Showcase which was held in a short period from 4:30 to 6:30 PM in the FHS Library/Media Center on Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023.

I had shared a sample initially on Wednesday via Instagram.  What I wrote then is still good upon review today:

"Just a sample of the art displayed here at the high school from around the district. I wish there was more space to share these works, and more time for folks to come & see. The variety and quality is amazing!"

The link to the Instagram post -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C0zx9MVxhXH

The album with all the photos I captured on Wednesday. Please take time to review them, the work being showcased is amazing.  

Link to album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/5HpymGQqAJMds4dz7

Just a sample of the art displayed here at the high school

Franklin High School: Important Information and Dates

Important Information and Dates

Calendar subject to change so check back often !

 

• New Student Registration >> click HERE
• Moving? Complete a Change of Address form >> click HERE
• Withdrawing your student from Franklin Public Schools? click HERE

DATE	EVENT
Dates/Times subject to change	School Year 2023-2024
December 22	Half Day of School - PD Day
December 25 - January 1	No School - Holiday Break
January 10	FAA Information Night 6-8 PM in the Library/Media Center
January 15	No School- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 16	Half Day of School - PD Day
January 17	FHS Jazz Concert-FHS Auditorium @ 7PM (snow date: 1/18)
February 2	Half Day of School - PD Day
February 8	Concert Hour Recital @ 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM in the FHS Auditorium
February 12	Panther Pride Night for current Franklin 8th grade students
February 19-23	No School - Winter Break
February 28	Half Day of School - PD Day
February 29	Jazz Cafe @ 7:00 PM in the FHS Cafeteria
March 12	All Town Showcase-Chorus & Orchestra FHS Auditorium 6:00 PM (Snow date 3/14)
March 13	All Town Showcase-Band FHS Auditorium 6:00 PM (Snow date 3/20)
March 28	Half Day of School - PD Day
March 29	No School - Good Friday
April 11	FHS Chamber Concert @ 7 PM in the FHS Auditorium
April 12	Half Day of School - PD Day
April 15-19	No School Spring Break
May 1	FHS Jazz Concert @ 7 PM in the FHS Auditorium
May 22	Oskey @FHS Auditorium - for seniors only- 7 PM
May 27	No School - Memorial Day
May 31	Graduation for the Class of 2024!
June 14	Last Day of school with NO SNOW DAYS used

SNOW DAYS 2023-2024:

Shared from -> https://www.franklinps.net/fhs/news/important-information-and-dates

 

Franklin High School: Important Information and Dates

Franklin High School: newsletter for week of Dec 11, 2023

Franklin High School (@FranklinHS) posted  on Mon, Dec 11, 2023:

"FHS Newsletter https://t.co/6bXm9yPsTU 

@FranklinPSNews"

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/FranklinHS/status/1734186967913415161

Franklin High School: newsletter for week of Dec 11, 2023

3x Coach of Year Awards for Franklin High School

via FHS Athletics 

"Congratulations to these amazing FHS Coaches: Zach Brown, John Leighton, Kristin Igoe!! 

All three are  @MIAA033  Coach of the Year Recipients!!! Coach Igoe is also NFHS Section 1 Coach of the Year for GLax!!"

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1732587482544234940

Congratulations to these amazing FHS Coaches: John Leighton, Kristin Igoe & Zach Brown

Franklin Music Boosters share schedule of winter concerts for December

Franklin Music Boosters (@MusicBoostersFr) posted on Fri, Dec 01, 2023:

"Time for the Winter Concerts!

12/4: Remington at HMMS 6PM
12/5: FHS Band Concert at FHS 7PM
12/6: Horace Mann at HHMS 6PM
12/7: FHS Chorus & Orchestra at FHS 7PM
12/14: Annie Sullivan at HMMS 6PM

Come hear some great music!

$5 donation requested at the door. Students free.

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/MusicBoostersFr/status/1730744802843496684

Franklin Music Boosters share schedule of winter concerts for December

Celebrate the Holidays with Humbug! Dec 16 & 17

FPAC Holiday Productions will close its December season with the return of Humbug! December 16 and 17. 

A family favorite since debuting as part of FPAC’s 2008 season, Humbug! is an original musical retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, starring the script’s writer, Nick Paone, as Ebenezer Scrooge. With musical hits of every genre and live accompaniment by a 10-piece band of professional musicians, Humbug! transports audiences from Dickensian England to contemporary America as the novel’s iconic characters and storyline are cleverly reimagined with modern setting and dialogue. Humbug! delivers a holiday gift of hilarity with a timely – and timeless – message.

Celebrate the Holidays with Humbug! Dec 16 & 17

The FPAC original features sets of parents and their children, siblings, and friends that are like family as part of a large ensemble cast of over 100 professional artists, community performers and students of the arts. “Live theater creates a space where we can come together and have a collective experience,” says Mireille Eastman, mother of two “Humbug!” student cast members Ameline and Emmett Eastman. She has previously also performed in the production along with her husband, Charley Eastman, and all three of their children. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be involved in 'Humbug!' as a family. Sharing our passion for live theater with our children has brought us all closer together.”

The show also features mother/daughter pairs Kylie and Edna Bodiya, Kim and Baree Frigon, Lindsay and Lila Hartman, Kristin and Polly Palson, and Robin and Zoey Tucker. Siblings Christopher and Owen Charles, Katie and Helena Cornwell, Jenna and Anna Cusano, Julia and DJ Ormond, Brodie and Devin DeAngelis, Aida and Julian DiChiara, Kayla and Macie Hoben, Liam and Grayson Kerrigan, Matthew and Shane Packard, and Charlotte and Katherine Weldon all perform together as well as married couples Tim and Liz Ayres-Kerr and Greg Leach and Michele Webster. 

Youth development in the arts is a special focus of FPAC, founded in 1991 by Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer. Productions provide ongoing opportunities for families to connect through the arts, with multiple generations sharing rehearsals and time on stage together.

Humbug! is presented at the Franklin High School Auditorium. For tickets and more information, visit www.FPAConline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370. 

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda for Meeting Tuesday, Nov 28, 2023

Franklin School Committee 

November 28, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order Mr. Callaghan

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan

C. Payroll Mr. McNeill

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Parmenter Elementary School Highlights Presentation

B. FHS National Art Honor Society Trip Proposal

C. District Assessment Presentation

III. Discussion/Action Items

A.   FHS National Art Honor Society Trip Proposal

I recommend approval of the request of Diane Plouffe and Amy Edson to take Art students to the MassMoca (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and the Clark Museum in North Adams, MA from March 15-16, 2024 as presented.

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. none

V. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 14, 2023 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B. Keller Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $2609.86 from O’Connor Studios for in house enrichment at Keller Elementary as detailed.

C. FHS Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $356.67 from Ohiopyle Prints for Supplemental Supplies for FHS as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Adjournment

Agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_-11-28-23_.pdf

Meeting Packet folder -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-28-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

School Committee - Agenda for Meeting Tuesday, Nov 28, 2023

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the School Committee reorganization, Tri-County debt exclusion, & FHS presentation (audio)

FM #1103 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1103 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee member Dave Callaghan. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Monday, November 20, 2023. 

Our primary topic was a recap of the School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 14, 2023.  We covered 

• The election, the School Committee reorganization

• The Tri-County debt exclusion avoids problems with the Franklin budget

• The FHS update on what’s happening across their academic, club & sports activities

The recording runs about 25 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1103-chalkboard-chat-06-dave-callaghan-11-20-23

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 

School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

School budget ->  https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget 

Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_11-14-23.pdf    

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-14-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet 

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc8T3jv8fGc 

My notes captured during the meeting via Twitter can be found in one easy to ready PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M0cTWjQ0zg0L-SwDeswUGh-X5k2eUAcO/view?usp=drive_link 

The “Chalkboard Chat” image was the result of a joint collaboration with Mickayla Callaghan. Thank you!

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

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"

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the School Committee reorganization, Tri-County debt exclusion, & FHS presentation (audio)