Franklin High School Welcomes Eighth Grade Students for Panther Pride Night

Franklin High School welcomed incoming eighth graders and their families during a recent Panther Pride Night, giving students an early look at academics, activities and student life ahead of their transition to high school this fall.

Current eighth graders and their families visited the high school to learn about course offerings, extracurricular activities and life at FHS. Middle school students toured the school and spoke with current FHS students, coaches and faculty about their future at the school.

Franklin High School Welcomes Eighth Grade Students for Panther Pride Night

Families listened to an academic scheduling presentation in the auditorium, where department leaders and the administrative team explained what to expect for course schedules.

More than 35 clubs were represented at a club and activities fair in the cafeteria, where middle school students spoke with FHS students and club advisors about the many extracurricular options available. Students also had the opportunity to meet with athletes and coaches from more than 30 athletic teams.

The evening allowed eighth grade students to learn more about the support and offerings available to them at the high school. They began to familiarize themselves with the building as well as some of the people within it as they toured the school and heard from current students.

"We were thrilled to welcome the Class of 2030 into the high school for Panther Pride Night," Principal Maria Weber said. "With the leadership of our Director of Guidance Heather McVay, students and families were able to get clear, helpful information about academics and the scheduling process at Franklin High School. We thank our middle school families for attending, and we look forward to welcoming them back in the fall."

"Panther Pride Night was a demonstration of the community we strive to foster within Franklin Public Schools," Superintendent Lucas Giguere said. "Providing the eighth grade class with an opportunity to speak with current Franklin High School students helps to alleviate some of the questions and concerns middle school students might have. Thank you to all of the high school students, faculty, staff and coaches for volunteering their time. Their willingness to share their experiences and meet the eighth grade class truly made the evening a success."

Additional pix available - https://41518511.hs-sites.com/franklin-high-school-welcomes-eighth-grade-students-for-panther-pride-night

School Committee Chair Callaghan condenses their recent meeting in this Chalkboard Chat session (audio)

FM #1552 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1552 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 via Zoom on Thursday, October 16, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of October 14, 2025. 

 

We cover 

• Superintendent’s Report

• Budget book, zero based budget effort

• Teacher evaluations underway

• Update on clubs for FHS & Middle School

• FHS club fair held, 35 clubs presented, looking to finalize what's active with signups and payments to confirm membership. If not all to operate there are additional proposals being developed that could be implemented in lieu of some that didn't make it. High school has a late bus confirmed, awaiting word from bus company on one for the middle school

• Middle school working on confirming advisors and also setting survey to determine student club interest. Hopeful of get the matching done during November

• Franklin Food Pantry presentation by Laura Doherty and Tina Powderly. Much work to create awareness, address stigma, expand the availability of food for those who need it. Lots of coordination, collaboration underway with the School District, more to come. Empty Bowls will continue, looking also to expand and offer bowl workshops outside of the high school to the community. Looking into why middle school students who were part of the back pack program don't continue with it into high school

• Good of the order raised the following items

• Consideration of removing restrictions on citizen comment about something on the agenda, esp. now as it is at the end of the meeting; could be an opportunity to gain immediate feedback on something discussed during the meeting

• A public education slot to share info on current topics, to help address the misinformation still bantered about in the social media channels

• Do something to help the new Town Council get up to speed quickly, perhaps to include a tour of the schools, many don't seem aware of the details of daily operations

• Entered into Executive Session not to return to open meeting

The meeting recap runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1552-chalkboard-chat-10-16-25/

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

School Committee Chair Callaghan condenses
their recent meeting in this
Chalkboard Chat session (audio)

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

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

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142025-1948 

The packet folder also contains other docs released before or after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/october-14%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/857413 

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dKcjoQ-fFsLF7j1sNbpxy6QuusaqtBZG/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin Food Pantry Infographic as shared during the meeting -> 

Franklin Food Pantry Infographic

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

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!

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

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

School Committee gets updates on after school clubs and from the Food Pantry (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, October 14 in Council Chambers with all 7 members present and participating.

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

The agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142025-1948

Quick recap:

• FHS club fair held, 35 clubs presented, looking to finalize what's active with signups and payments to confirm membership. If not all to operate there are additional proposals being developed that could be implemented in lieu of some that didn't make it. High school has a late bus confirmed, awaiting word from bus company on one for the middle school
• Middle school working on confirming advisors and also setting survey to determine student club interest. Hopeful of get the matching done during November
• Franklin Food Pantry presentation by Laura Doherty and Tina Powderly. Much work to create awareness, address stigma, expand available of food for those who need it. Lots of coordination, collaboration underway with School District, more to come. Empty Bowls will continue, looking also to expand and offer bowl workshop outside of the high school to community. Looking into why middle school student who were part of the back pack program don't continue with it into high school
• Good of the order raised the following items
• Consideration of removing restriction on citizen comment about something on the agenda, esp. now as it is at the end of the meeting; could be an opportunity to gain immediate feedback on something discussed during the meeting
• A public education slot to share info on current topics, to help address the misinformation still bantered about in the social media channels
• Do something to help the new Town Council get up to speed quickly, perhaps to include a tour of the schools, many don't seem aware of the details of daily operations
• entered into Executive Session not to return to open meeting

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dKcjoQ-fFsLF7j1sNbpxy6QuusaqtBZG/view?usp=drive_link

Food Pantry slides (photos captured during meeting)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BwjzVA9dhMdwNGYR9

Agenda for Franklin School Committee - October 14 at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee 

October 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers 

A G E N D A

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

 

Call to Order                                 Mr. Callaghan

Announcements from the Chair

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

Agenda for Franklin School
Committee - October 14 at 7 PM

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Club Update

B. Franklin Food Pantry

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. none

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 your September 30, 2025 School Committee Meeting as detailed. 

B. Lincoln 3-5 Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $800.00 from the Lincoln St 3-5 PCC for field trips as detailed. 

C. Student Activity Club Approval

I recommend approval of the Student Activity Clubs as detailed.

VII. Good of the Order

VIII. Citizen’s Comments

IX. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

X. Executive Session

A. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA, Van Drivers, Cafeteria, ESP/LPN and Secretaries units as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

XI. Adjournment

Agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142025-1948

2025-26 Meeting Packet Materials

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/october-14%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/857413

School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan condense the Sep 30 meeting in this Chalkboard Chat (audio)

FM #1530 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1530 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 via Zoom on Friday, October 3, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of September 30, 2025. 

 

We cover 

• Supt Report: continue to make adjustments to the traffic, 

• Transportation website has an update for the school arrivals/Dismissals  https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6062062/Start_of_School_Traffic_Information.pdf

• New page FEF legacy program, online form to accept donations ... 

• Additional info being added as the program gets fleshed out   https://www.franklinps.net/page/the-fef-legacy-program 

• Student Clubs & Activities Approval 

• Procedural vote on account cleanup for inactive clubs, more next time for an update on current or new clubs. Amt of about $250 or so... https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6059572/Discussion_Action_A_-_Student_Clubs-Activities.pdf   Will be transferred to use of other clubs.  Vote on motion, passes 7-0

• Adjourning to executive session not to return to open meeting, Moved, passes 7-0

The recording runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1530-chalkboard-chat-10-03-25/

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

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

Chalkboard Chat (audio)

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39AoKQewDIA  

The Agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6059542/SCAGENDA_9-30-25.pdf  

The packet folder also contains other docs released before or after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/september-30%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/855018  

My notes captured during the meeting -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NAnlr9uiozVLd9MK1ROfdltU9uOqsUwe/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

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"