Franklin Matters: MICCA

Showing posts with label MICCA. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

FHS musicians return from MICCA with 2x Gold medals & 4x Silver medals

via Music Boosters

"Congrats to our Concert Band and Wind Ensemble!

Both received Gold at MICCA."

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18UfCVAbAC/

"Great job orchestras!

Franklin Repertory and Franklin String Orchestra both received silver at MICCA"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1FdMWFXoLQ/

"Congrats to our Concert Choir and Treble Choir.

Both received silvers at MICCA!"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BcURz4Zt7/

Monday, June 2, 2025

School Committee recognizes musicians, biliteracy students, and retirees May 27, 2025 (audio)

FM #1460 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1460 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. 6 members participated all in Council Chambers, 1 absent (Gallagher).

Quick recap:

In the Superintendent's Report, Supt Giguere used some time to recognize the FHS students who won MICCA awards
The students who achieved the State of MA Biliteracy certificates were recognized. 13 were present
In the Guests/Presentations segment, the school district personnel retiring this year were recognized
Civics Presentation by Students featured Mrs Ambrose from Remington MS and Kayla who share her project on autism awareness (photos of the presentation below)
The District Improvement Plan/School Improvement Plan Update featured a portion on MS Math which was provided earlier this year

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1460-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-05-27-25/

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FHS music students who won MICCA awards

students who achieved the State of MA Biliteracy certificates

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBa7M7YI4A4

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05272025-1761

The meeting folder where other docs will be posted after the meeting ->

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/may-27%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/806450

Retiree recognition -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/fLJf4boDFr6S9MvE7

Civics Project presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/oAh2AdNrLoE1Exu89

DIP/SIP presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/6ipuwvmfph7khgNF8

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CMp9pP040uUMF-aEHLahg3-LSN3ErBDV/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 out. 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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Sunday, June 1, 2025

This Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Cmte Mtg of May 27 (audio)

FM #1459 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1459 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 in person on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of May 27, 2025.

We cover

MICCA award recognitions
Biliteracy certificate recognitions
School personnel retiree recognitions
District Improvement Plan/School Improvement Plan updates
Override discussion, vote June 3; any questions, please reach out to find out

The recording runs about 42 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1459-chalkboard-chat-05-28-25/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBa7M7YI4A4

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05272025-1761

The meeting folder where other docs will be posted after the meeting ->

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/may-27%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/806450

Retiree recognition -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/fLJf4boDFr6S9MvE7

Civics Project presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/oAh2AdNrLoE1Exu89

DIP/SIP presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/6ipuwvmfph7khgNF8

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CMp9pP040uUMF-aEHLahg3-LSN3ErBDV/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 out. 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

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 condenses the School Cmte Mtg of May 27 (audio)

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

School Committee recognizes musicians, biliteracy students, and retirees on Tuesday (video)

The Franklin, MA School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, May 27 at 7 PM in Council Chambers. 6 of the 7 members participated, 1 absent (Gallagher).

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBa7M7YI4A4

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05272025-1761

The meeting folder where other docs will be posted after the meeting ->

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/may-27%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/806450

Quick recap:

In the Superintendent's Report, Supt Giguere used some time to recognize the FHS students who won MICCA awards
The students who achieved the State of MA Biliteracy certificates were recognized. 13 were present
In the Guests/Presentations segment, the school district personnel retiring this year were recognized
Civics Presentation by Students featured Mrs Ambrose from Remington MS and Kayla who share her project on autism awareness (photos of the presentation below)
The District Improvement Plan/School Improvement Plan Update featured a portion on MS Math which was provided earlier this year
No discussion action or discussion only items tonight
Subcommittee updates

Supt evaluation June 3 to prepare the draft review for discussion then
Budget no meeting, pending result of June 3 may need to meet
Policy awaiting override results to review fees
Community relations preparing for Strawberry Stroll June 13; Meeting on 5/29 to prep
Joint PCC met on the 20th, Facebook group set up, spirit activities
May have PCC info for Strawberry Stroll distribution
High school start time, a 5 minute shift to handle transportation
Mental health prepare for Stroll
Reorg no updates recently, will need clarity from the vote June 3

Consent agenda: Motion to approve as detailed, second, passes 6-0-1 (6 for, 1 absent)

Retiree recognition -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/fLJf4boDFr6S9MvE7

Civics Project presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/oAh2AdNrLoE1Exu89

DIP/SIP presentation -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/6ipuwvmfph7khgNF8

FHS music students who won MICCA awards

students who achieved the State of MA Biliteracy certificates

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CMp9pP040uUMF-aEHLahg3-LSN3ErBDV/view?usp=drive_link

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

MICCA showcase recordings - WOW!!! (video)

via Ruthann O'Sullivan:

Good morning!

I wanted to congratulate our FHS musicians on their performance at the 2025 Gold Medal MICCA Showcase concert. Performing were the FHS Wind Ensemble, Repertory Orchestra and String Orchestra. See YouTube link below. This performance was held at the Groton Hill Music Center on Sunday. It was not only a beautiful venue in which to perform, but it was also an opportunity for the top music programs in the state to hear each other perform and support each other. It is always a proud moment to be invited to such an elite event.

It is my hope that we can use this as a reminder of the special music program we have in Franklin. I've said it before, but this program is not a luxury to have in our schools, it is a necessity. While looking at the program linked above, it is interesting to take note of the schools who earned gold medals. For the most part, these schools are also some of the highest achieving schools academically. This is not a coincidence.

Please continue to fight to protect what we have. These performances are a result of a supported program K-12. We have an enormous responsibility to maintain this gem for future generations.

Our Director, Diane Plouff, received this email from an attendee from Ashland following the performance.

Ms. Plouffe,

I attended the MICCA Gold Medal Showcase this afternoon. I heard the FHS Orchestra's performance and was stunned! The emotion and precision with which the students performed moved me, particularly the first piece they performed. I would appreciate it if you would send me the names of the pieces performed today.

Please pass along my congratulations! Your students performed remarkably!

Diane Umholtz
Vice President
Ashland Music Association

The playlist of performances -> https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9Bs1M9EbM8ggqeQTlauFyOPSRosxzmdE&si=UN96TWL7eVwJaH2R

Saturday, April 12, 2025

BFCCPS Chorus & Band take home Bronze awards from first participation in MICCA

via Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

"Our Band and Chorus groups participated in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) competitions this past weekend.

This is the first time our school has participated in this festival, and we're so proud of them for earning Bronze Medals!