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 *
Please see the attached message from the Office of Superintendent and the Franklin Public Schools
Dear Franklin Families,
I find myself in the unfortunate position of, once again, writing to inform you of the latest TikTok challenge. There have been reports of a “School Threat Challenge" encouraging followers, on Dec. 17, 2021, to call in bomb threats, school shooting threats, etc., at schools in the United States. We do not believe these posts originated in our area.
We must remain vigilant when it involves these types of threats. Any situation that involves threats to our schools is taken seriously and acted upon immediately using our well-established threat assessment protocols. Our partnership with the Franklin Police Department is an essential component for quickly investigating and assessing the level of concern. As a precautionary measure, we have notified the Franklin Police Department, and we will have a police presence at each school tomorrow. As of this afternoon, Dec. 16, 2021, the Franklin Public Schools have not received any threats.
As I stated in my last “November Tik Tok Challenge” communication, social media is a powerful tool often used to influence others, and not always for good. I enlist your support and strongly encourage you to discuss the negative impact of engaging in inappropriate TikTok challenges with your children. Students must understand that making violent threats towards the school is a criminal act, and violators will face disciplinary action, including suspension, expulsion, and criminal charges for making threats against the school.
Despite the apparent threat these trends present to our community, many of our students are engaging in positive behaviors across the district worth acknowledging.
I hope this information allows you to connect with your children about the concerning content on TikTok and other social media platforms. For resources on how to support your children’s healthy and safe technology use, we encourage families to access Common Sense Media for their social media monitoring guidance.
If you listened/watched the School Committee meeting Tuesday (12/14/21), one of the parent comments was hard for me to follow but could be summarized as:
"Parent with policy issue, allowing schools to use punitive exclusionary consequences on disabled student for having symptom of a disability that they knowingly failed to support while claiming to be instituting restorative practices"
The effort to lift masking for vaccinated Franklin High School students and staff only has been postponed until further notice.A mask mandate will go into effect on Friday, December 17th, 2021 at Franklin High School regardless of vaccination status.The Town of Franklin percent positivity rate is the driving factor for this decision. Please see the Letter to FHS Families sent on the evening of December 15th, 2021 below...
Dear FHS Community,
We have an update regarding our positivity rate within the Franklin community. We learned, through a conversation with the Franklin Health Department today, that our 14-day % positivity rate is 4.24% and we anticipate that this value is going to be reported in the MA DPH COVID dashboard tomorrow evening. As an adjustment we will be encouraging all vaccinated students and staff to wear masks tomorrow Thursday, December 16th. As you know, unvaccinated students and staff are required to wear masks. We will be returning to the school committee's policymandatethat all students and staff wear masks beginning Friday, December 17th, regardless of vaccination status. This mandate will be in place as long as our 14-day % positivity rate is above 4%. I can appreciate the varied responses to this message and would like to welcome anyone with any questions to email me directly.
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association announced our very own Paula Lupien as the Gymnastics coach of the year!
"Earning this prestigious honor does not surprise me in the least. When it comes to coaching, Coach Lupien is the total package. I attribute the success of our Gymnastics program to Coach Lupien's meticulous attention to detail, her love for her student-athletes, and overall dedication to the coaching profession." - Athletic Director, Tom Angelo
Each coach will be recognized at the annual MIAA Awards Banquet in January and will be nominated for the NFHS Sectional and National Coach of the Year Award. View the full list of recipients here.
Performing Arts: Upcoming Concerts
Bravo to the students at FHS and ASMS who showcased their incredible talents at our concerts so far this month! Be sure to check out our upcoming performances.
Upcoming Concerts
12/15 RMS Concert - 6pm at the HMMS 6pm. (snow date 12/20)
12/20 String School of Franklin Winter Concert - 6 PM at the HMMS Auditorium
1/19 FHS Jazz Concert - 7pm at the FHS Auditorium
1/20 Musical Theatre Showcase - 7pm at the FHS Auditorium
For many, the winter months are a time of celebration, however, we recognize that these cold and dark months can have a negative impact on our mental health. For those in need of additional mental health support, we recommend utilizing the William James College INTERFACE Referral Service. Their website hosts a wide variety of community resources and their referral service can get you the specialized support you need without having to strain yourself looking for it.
The FPS Inclement Weather Policy outlines the decision making process for school cancellation or delays in response to weather related incidents. Families are encouraged to review the policy as we enter the start of the winter season.
53 educators earned the honor of obtaining Professional Teachers Status over the last 2 years and the District was glad to be able to reconvene, recognize and celebrate them with a small ceremony on 12/7. These members are no longer considered "probationary" and embrace the necessary knowledge, skills, care, compassion and tenacity we look for in working with our Franklin children. We thank them and look forward to their continued success!
Big thanks to our FPS Families, Faculty, Staff and Franklin Community for a great year thus far!
Catching up to sharing the video and presentation document from the Critical Conversations event held on Nov 18, 2021.
“The Franklin Public Schools Substance Abuse Task Force teamed up with the SAFE Coalition to host the Critical Conversations Panel. This event was held online and in person at Franklin High School on November 18th, 2021. The panel featured 7 speakers with various perspectives representing education, health care, law enforcement, parent/guardians, and people with lived experience. The conversation focused on identifying and addressing mental health and substance use among families and within our community.”
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As with most meetings/events in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the FHS auditorium.
The Twitter hashtag #CC1118 can be found online The thread begins with
The THC available today is FAR more potent than that used in the 90's - like 60 times more potent! #cc1118 this is being used in vap cartridges
Dr Bergen introduces the panel for this discussion #cc1118
Dan, recovering alcoholic, wanted communication in his earlier days to have helped his turn to substance use as the aid; punishment, and increasing punishments, didn't help #cc1118
Jim, parent of a son with trouble, urges other parents to get involved, don't think it will just 'get better' #cc1118 ask for help, you are not alone.
Sgt Colecchi provides some staggering stats on current calls for mental health and substance abuse, a good number of them are youth under 18 #cc1118
Principal Hanna seeing behavior unlike anything seen during 25+ years teaching in a high school. The combination of the pandemic and substance use are driving the change in behavior #cc1118
Per Hanna, they are organizing to respond to this issue. it had not part of their charter. #cc1118
SAFE seeing students buying vaps via dealers more so now than before. Increase also seen in parental supply of alcohol and vaps. #cc1118
Rep Roy touts mental health legislation that the MA Senate just passed and sent to the House for their review/action. #cc1118
Do some homework on what the vapes look like, they do come via mail, it can be a quick trip to someone at the car in the driveway to get a supply #cc1118
If near someone overdosing, call 911, do not drive to the hospital. The drugs are so fast acting, you'll be too late. 911 is the best way, paramedics should have narcan handy #cc1118
Shifting to the audience Q&A segment of the evening #cc1118
Late to this but shifted to the break out portion of the evening; checked out the "hidden in plain sight" display and product table. Fascinating info! #cc1118 that's all for tonight, catch you next time!
The cast and crew of the Franklin High School Theatre Company delivered an outstanding performance of Mamma Mia! Thank you to all who came out to support.
Mamma Mia was nothing short of unforgettable. I am so honored I was able to share this experience with such a talented and professional cast.
- Sarah Dumas, 2024 (Donna Sheridan)
Performing in the musical Mamma Mia was a challenging yet thrilling experience for me. I had so much fun bonding with the cast and jumping into the role, It was truly the highlight of my high school experience thus far.
-Linnea Remillard, 2022, Tanya Chesham-Leigh
Throughout the rehearsal process, Mamma Mia was referred to as "a party on stage." This is a party I never wanted to end, a home I never want to leave, and a family I never want to say goodbye to.
Joe Maple, Class of 2022, Harry Bright
Parmenter Mural Unveiled
Parmenter School's Artist in Residence Bren Bataclan has worked with students and staff to create a colorful and unique mural that visually expresses Parmenter's core values of caring, inclusion, respect, courage, leadership, and effort. Together, they have conceptualized and created various symbols to represent our school's values and our community as a whole. Bren will be back in Franklin in December for a mural residency at Jefferson Elementary School. Special thanks to Mrs. Vulfovich and Ms.Whelan for their work on this project!
Panther Pride: Sports Spotlight
Franklin athletics are on fire! Our student athletes & athletic staff have been hard at work. Congratulations to all our Fall Sports teams on an great season thus far!
Upcoming games
Franklin Football - Final Four - vs. Springfield Central 11/20, 11am @ Shrewsbury High
Volleyball - Final Four - vs. Needham 11/17, 5pm @ Milton High
Field Hockey- Final Four -next game vs. Andover 11/16, 7pm @Burlington High
Varsity Cheer - 2nd at regionals - State Meet 11/21,10am @ Worcester State
Show up and show out! Note that tickets will no longer be sold at the door.
Our Interventionists provide classroom and small group instructional support to students as planned and directed by literacy and math specialists. Their specialized interventions are based on data analysis and targeted for specific learning needs. Thank you for all that you do!
Critical Conversations: Identifying and addressing mental health and substance use among families and within our community
The Substance Abuse Task Force has partnered with the Safe Coalition to host a panel centered around mental health and substance use. Following the panel discussion will be a Q&A, breakout sessions and a "hidden in pain sight" exercise.
