In this conversation with Supt Giguere we talk of the prep for the new school year and much more (audio)

FM #1051 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1051 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere. We had our conversation in person at Franklin High School on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 

At a high level our topics were:

• School year prep

• One year anniversary as Superintendent

• State funded free lunch

• District hiring status

• Budget analysis per Joint Budget Cmte underway

• Comprehensive School Facility Planning about to begin process

• Reminder on communications and when to escalate

The recording runs about 32 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation our school Superintendent Lucas Giguere. Audi file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1051-fps-supt-lucas-giguere-08-23-23

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

Free lunch notification ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/franklin-public-schools-letter-to.html 

Back to School Letter & checklist -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/backtoschool_family_letter_2023-24.pdf 

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

EduSpeak glossary -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/pages/eduspeak-glossary-educational-terms-acronyms 

Communication guidelines -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/families/pages/communication-guidelines-fps-families 

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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

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

Franklin Public Schools: Letter to Community regarding Meals at no cost to students

Dear Parents/Guardians and Caregivers,

As the start of the school year approaches, we are excited to share updates regarding school meals. Earlier this month, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts voted to make universal free school meals for all students permanent. This means that breakfast and lunch will continue to be served at no cost to all students through the 2023 - 2024 school year!

Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is important for families to still complete the Household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2023-2024 school year if you believe you might qualify.

You can view and complete the application here: {https://linqconnect.com/}.

We strongly encourage families to submit this form as it allows us to establish eligibility for P-EBT benefits, waive transportation fees and other district fees for those who qualify, and serve families most effectively.

In addition, please consider applying for SNAP, the federal nutrition program that provides eligible residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase groceries. More SNAP information can be found at gettingsnap.org or by calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.

Finally, while breakfast and lunch are served at no cost to students, any second meal, milk, water, or a la carte items are subject to charges. Only the first reimbursable meal for breakfast and lunch are at no cost for students.

● Breakfast would include a main entrée, usually a grain, with fruit and milk. For lunch, a student must take three out of the five components (grain, meat/meat alternate, fruit, vegetable, milk), with one being a fruit or vegetable.

● Second meals, additional milk, water, and a la carte items must be purchased with prepaid funds from the student's Titan account or with cash as long as the account is in good standing. Students are not allowed to charge these items.

We thank you for your patience. As always, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide nourishing and healthy meals to all Franklin students, so please reach out to us at 508-613-1477 with any questions or concerns.

Best,

Lucas Giguere

Superintendent of Schools

Shared from the original copy posted here ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/16bmRRzpYHWwpSlGd--A7U2LmAaVrgPjf/view

Franklin Public Schools: Letter to Community regarding Meals at no cost to students

Going forward from FY 2024, what is sustainable? (audio)

FM #1020 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1020 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, and School Committee Chair Denise Spencer. 

We had our conversation at the Municipal Building on Tuesday June 27,2023. Tom Mercer joined via Zoom.  

Now that the major FY 2024 budget decisions are behind us, how we will go forward becomes the topic. The next steps start with the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting scheduled for Aug 2. 

Over the next several months, lots of conversations, and planning discussion should result in a plan to go forward that the ad-hoc residents committee can then spread the word on for a potential override decision by the Town.

The conversation runs about 54 minutes. Let’s listen to the recording of the way forward discussion on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1020-fy2024-going-forward-06-27-23

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Town FY 2024 budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

School FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget 

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

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"

Going forward from FY 2024, what is sustainable? (audio)

From the March audio archives - If you missed it then, you can catch up to it now

FM #959 - Superintendent Lucas Giguere and I sat for this in the 3rd of the series with him  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/superintendent-giguere-discusses.html

FM #961 - I am fortunate to get to "Talk Franklin" with our Town Administrator Jamie Hellen almost twice a monthly. Town Council Chair Tom Mercer and I also about twice a month conduct our "Town Council Quarterbacking" session condensing the prior Council meeting. For this session, the calendars aligned and I got both Jamie & Tom together.   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/quarterbacking-crossover-with-talk.html

You can find more in the Franklin Matters Radio podcast page here ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/

Franklin Matters Radio podcast page

Franklin Public Schools: "current district attendance boundaries remain the same"

I am writing to inform you about the results of the School Committee's charge to conduct a redistricting analysis during the 2022-23 school year. On April 25th, 2023, the Superintendent's Redistricting Analysis Report was presented to the Franklin School Committee. This report serves as a comprehensive reference to the entire redistricting analysis process.

On May 9th, 2023, the Franklin Public School Committee voted 6-1 to approve Option 1, which proposes that "current district attendance boundaries remain the same while a School Facilities Master Plan is conducted. ASMS/Keller spaces will continue to be used flexibly. Both administrative teams at the complex will continue to work together to utilize the available space to accommodate the needs of all students."

We understand that the decision to redistrict affects families, students, staff, and the larger community. Therefore, we strived to conduct a thorough and transparent analysis process. Throughout the process, we aimed to engage our community through various outlets. This comprehensive approach allowed us to tune into our community and gather information necessary for our School Committee to make an informed decision regarding redistricting.

I would like to thank the Redistricting Analysis Advisory Committee members for generously volunteering their time during the 2022-2023 school year. Our consultant and administrative working group greatly appreciated their perspectives, ideas, and suggestions. We also want to express gratitude to those who participated in our community forums, completed surveys, and provided valuable contributions via email to the redistricting analysis working group.

In the upcoming 2023-24 school year, Franklin Public Schools will collaborate with the Franklin Facilities Department to begin a school facilities master plan. The aim is to establish a blueprint for long-term plans that will enable our facilities to meet the educational requirements of our students in line with our educational vision. As referenced in the Redistricting Analysis Report, the process of developing and implementing a plan can take multiple years.

As more information becomes available, we will be sure to provide any updates. Respectfully,

 

Lucas Giguere 

Superintendent of Schools

FPS: "current district attendance boundaries remain the same"

Supt Giguere discusses redistricting and the school budget challenge (audio)

FM #977 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 977 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 Tuesday, April 18, 2023. 

At a high level our topics were:

• Redistricting

• Budget process, Portrait of a Graduate

The recording runs about 39 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation our school superintendent Lucas Giguere. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-977-fps-supt-lucas-giguere-04-18-23

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

Redistricting Advisory Committee page ->

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

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

Town Administrator’s budget ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

  

Prior audio sessions

March 2023 conversation -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/superintendent-giguere-discusses.html 

Dec 2022 conversation -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/my-conversation-with-superintendent.html

Nov 2022 conversation ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/conversation-with-franklin-ma-school.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

Legislative Forum hears of limited help from state funding for school budget issue (audio)

FM #970 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 970 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the 5th Annual Franklin, MA School Committee Legislative Forum held on Monday, April 10, 2023.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: School Committee members, key guests, and the public were in person in the Lecture Hall at Franklin High School. Others participated virtually via the Zoom webinar set up.

Senator Becca Rausch, and State Representative Jeffrey Roy participated in this 5th annual Forum

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are included in the show notes. The recording runs about an hour and forty-five minutes, so let’s listen to the Legislative Forum held April 10, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-970-fps-legislative-forum-04-10-23

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Agenda doc  https://franklinps.net/district/events/93796

My notes  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oUmnGWn3v7UrVk-2xU1aXisoca6aB07x/view?usp=share_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"

Legislative Forum hears of limited help from state funding for school budget issue (audio)

The Newcomers & Friends April Meeting features updates from Jamie Hellen & Lucas Giguere

Come join your Franklin friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club April Meeting.

To accommodate one of our favorite speakers, we made a date change. Join us on Wednesday, April 5th at 7:00 PM to hear updates from our Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen. We're hoping to also have our School Superintendent, Lucas Giguere, but are awaiting confirmation from him. Don’t miss this opportunity; bring your questions!

Join us at Escape Into Fiction Book Store, 12 Main Street, Franklin at 7:00. Light refreshments will be served. Come early and browse/shop the store or grab a bite beforehand nearby. No need to be a newcomer to the area, come make connections in your community.

We are a multi-generational, member-driven organization, offering a wide range of activities, and are always excited to welcome new faces and new ideas. Residents of Franklin, or any surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, are welcome to join us.

We are so thankful for the generosity and kindness that April Rock, Owner, Escape Into Fiction, has bestowed on us this year. She’s more than humble so it might not be known to you how generous she is to our community. Teachers especially should know that she keeps a Teacher Wish List at the register. All Teachers are welcome to sign up. If you are a teacher, April is an amazing resource for you and your classroom.

Look for us on our Meetup and Facebook pages for more information. https://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Newcomers-Friends https://facebook.com/FranklinNewcomersFriendsClub

The Newcomers & Friends April Meeting features updates from Jamie Hellen & Lucas Giguere

Superintendent Giguere discusses redistricting, the budget process, school successes & more in this conversation (audio)

FM #959 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 959 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 Tuesday, March 7, 2023. 

At a high level our topics were:

• Redistricting

• Budget process, Portrait of a Graduate

• School district successes

• Hiring process

The recording runs about 39 minutes. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-959-fps-supt-lucas-giguere-03-07-23

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

Storymap with the three options ->

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9db1fa2830964554ba24ddb4558556fa

Handout available at the Redistricting Forum 03/07/23  -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l9KQNRFUxKCutPmNMJSMWGmf0dIMKROa/view?usp=share_link

Redistricting Advisory Committee page ->

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

  

Dec 2022 conversation -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/my-conversation-with-superintendent.html

Nov 2022 conversation -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/conversation-with-franklin-ma-school.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