FPS Food Service Video on hake fish bake (video)

"Check out our video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/0ysIkncx0tU?feature=share

On March 17th, we served a local hake fish bake district-wide, featuring fresh catch from the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Students at Lincoln St. School also enjoyed a hands-on seafood learning table, where they could see and touch local species harvested right here in Massachusetts."

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/16SEpF41dK/

School Committee gets insights the recipes and kitchens on food service (audio in 2 parts)

FM #1694-95 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1694-95 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM. All 7 members of the committee were present in the virtual session conducted via Zoom. 

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Asst Supt Tina Rogers, Asst Supt Paula Marano, School Business Administrator Jana Melotti participated. Colin Boisvert and Aaron Lenart, RD presented on the Food Services operations. 

The audio is shared in 2 parts

• Part 1 1694 - the beginning and end of meeting (48 minutes)

• Part 2 1695 - just the Food Services update and discussion (1 hour 20 minutes)

Quick recap:

• Recognition for Chloe Bowser, FHS sophomore, selected as one of 12 essays for the commissioning for the USS Massachusetts March 28, plaque on the sub, for Chloe and Franklin

• Presentation on Food Services, self sufficient with fee based services, able to utilize almost $1M over 3 years for capital upgrades of ovens, refrigerators, etc. to support the food preparation and delivery operations

• Grants also used to cover specific food program and in one case the start up costs for the new District Chef

• pictures of the presentation slides in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/KKTXdScdVsxVK6mg7

• Consent agenda approved

• March 18 Town Council meeting includes a presentation from DESE on Chapter 70 funding, School Committee also scheduled for a public meeting to enable participation that night

Part 1 - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1694-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-03-10-26-p1-of-2/

Part 2 - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1695-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-03-10-26-p2-of-2/

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Mentioned during the presentation was a fish display at
Parmenter School last year (May 2025) (which I was able to attend)

The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/CBHC618gXFE?&t=230 

The agenda can be found - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-2175  

My notes via Bluesky thread in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xZdhJ_TR0vgcoX-NAP_06FKpj1LndhMW/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"

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the School Committee meeting of March 10, 2026 (video & audio)

FM #1690 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1690 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Thursday, March 12, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting March 10, 2026.

Our conversation covered the following topics:

• Recognition of Chloe Bowser, essay contest winner (1 of 12) for the USS Massachusetts commissioning ceremony March 28, 2026

• Food Services presentation 

• Joint Budget subcommittee April 16

• Combined Town Council & School Committee meeting March 18

• A presentation/discussion by Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) on Chapter 70 and hold harmless

Our conversation runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n5r5NlMmfI

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1690-chalkboard-chat-03-12-26/

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School Committee page (with contact info) - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee 

School Committee subcommittee assignments - 

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/CBHC618gXFE?&t=230 

The agenda can be found - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-2175  

My notes via Bluesky thread in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xZdhJ_TR0vgcoX-NAP_06FKpj1LndhMW/view?usp=drive_link 

The March 10, 2026 meeting recap and video can be found  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/school-committee-gets-insights-recipes.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

• 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"

Food services: beef brisket meal (video)

Check out our video - https://youtube.com/shorts/VYBTosx9M0U

Last week, our cafeterias were transformed into a local BBQ smokehouse! We treated students at the Elementary Schools on Thursday and the MS/HS on Friday to a true labor of love: 16-hour slow-cooked beef brisket.

We started by hand-rubbing each cut with a signature blend of mustard and savory spices before letting it cook low and slow until it was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Even better? We’re proud to partner with our neighbors at Weatherlow Farms in Westport, MA, to bring high-quality, grass-fed beef straight from their pastures to our students' plates!

Shared from - https://www.franklinps.net/live-feed#11733036

Franklin Food Services Celebrates Dr Seuss's birthday with Green eggs and ham (video)

Franklin Food Services Celebrates Dr Seuss's
birthday with Green eggs and ham (video)

Franklin I Am. Do You Like Green Eggs And Ham? 

Check out our video Celebrating Dr. Seuss's Birthday - https://youtube.com/shorts/uybI8Z9Ju1w

On March 2 we celebrated Dr. Seuss’s Birthday with a Green Eggs and Ham meal at the Franklin Elementary Schools. We also did a lucky tray and gave out Dr. Seuss books as prizes. Our staff joined in the fun and dressed up like Cat in the Hat!

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bz6EfKywH/

School Committee gets insights the recipes and kitchens on food services (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. All 7 members were present in Council Chambers.

 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/CBHC618gXFE?&t=230

The agenda can be found - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-2175 

My notes via Bluesky thread in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xZdhJ_TR0vgcoX-NAP_06FKpj1LndhMW/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• Recognition for Chloe Bowser, FHS sophomore, selected as one of 12 essays for the commissioning for the USS Massachusetts March 28, plaque on the sub, for Chloe and Franklin
• Presentation on Food Services, self sufficient with fee based services, able to utilize almost $1M over 3 years for capital upgrades of ovens, refrigerators, etc. to support the food preparation and delivery operations
• Grants also used to cover specific food program and in one case the start up costs for the new District Chef
• pictures of the presentation slides in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/KKTXdScdVsxVK6mg7
• Consent agenda approved
• March 18 Town Council meeting includes a presentation from DESE on Chapter 70 funding, School Committee also scheduled for a public meeting to enable participation that night

Mentioned during the presentation was a fish display at
Parmenter School last year (May 2025) (which I was able to attend)

Agenda for the Franklin School Committee meeting - Tuesday, March 10 at 6 PM

Franklin School Committee 

March 10, 2026 = 6:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers 

FPS Portrait of a Graduate

Call to Order Dr. Griffith

 

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 Dr. Griffith

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Food Services Presentation

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. none

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. Monthly Financial Report

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 February 24, 2026 School Committee meeting as detailed. 

B.   Washington Street K-2 Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $5,096.00 from the WK-2 PCC for field trips as detailed.

VII. Good of the Order

VIII. Citizen’s Comments

IX. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

X. Adjournment

The agenda also contains remote participation info - 

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-2175

The meeting packet folder will hold the docs released for this meeting. Some before, some are posted after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/march-10%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/26068396

FPS Food Service new lunch to feature

FPS Food Service new lunch to feature

"Yesterday (2/25/26), We served a flavor-packed lunch at Franklin Public Schools!

Our culturally-inspired meal consisting of steamed tamales with fluffy yellow rice and caramelized sweet plantains was a big hit at our Middle and High Schools."

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/18L5hzbTt4/

FPS Food Service shares "Local Beef Bolognese" student meal (video)

FPS Food Service shares "Local Beef Bolognese"
student meal (video)

Check out how we made our Local Beef Bolognese in the video below.

https://youtube.com/shorts/kr2GpMGS07c

Our District Chef used Local Grass Fed Ground Beef from Weatherlow Farms, In Westport, MA, to make our scratch made Beef Bolognese for lunch today!

We used fresh ingredients like pancetta, onions, celery and carrots.

Shared from -https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17nDpt7Mn2/

FPS food service update on a recent meal

FPS food service update on a recent meal

"On Thursday 1/29 we served slices of slow roasted carved ham across the entire district. This was accompanied by creamy whipped mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, and a sweet warm cornbread muffin."

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

Freshly made pizza for the kiddos !!!

Freshly made pizza for the kiddos !!!

via Franklin Public Schools

"Click the link to check this video to see how we make our freshly made pizzas

https://youtube.com/shorts/zudZkXVzfs8?feature=share

We recently purchased a new conveyor oven at the Franklin Middle School to match the one we have at the HS.

We use this oven to make our freshly made pizzas daily."

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/14R4YYQ2tLh/

Franklin Public School video of the Thanksgiving Dinner served last Thursday, Nov 20

via Franklin Public Schools Food Service:

"Click the Link to Check out our video for Thanksgiving Dinner.

https://youtube.com/shorts/laaTAj-m80o?feature=share

On Thursday Nov. 20th all the Franklin Public School Kitchens served fresh roasted turkey breast and scratch made stuffing, with mashed potatoes and gravy!"

Franklin Public School video of the Thanksgiving Dinner served last Thursday, Nov 20

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/17gisaZsR7/

Check out the FPS Food Service video for Local Beef Nachos

"Click the Link to Check out our video for Local Beef Nachos.

https://youtube.com/shorts/-5L0YL7jHa0

On Wednesday October 29th all the Franklin Public School kitchens served Local MA Grass-Fed Beef Nachos from Weatherlow Farm, in Westport, MA.

We served it with all the fixings. The kids went crazy over it!"

Shared from -> 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JXww7z7iF/

Chicken Tikka Masala prepared and served Thursday, Oct 23 in Franklin Public Schools

Chicken Tikka Masala video

Click the link to check out our video for Chicken Tikka Masala video https://youtube.com/shorts/0IvnZ4fBoFA

On Thursday October 23rd we served Chicken Tikka Masala with our new fresh chicken thighs made from scratch by our District Chef Steve Foote.

The meal was served with chickpeas, jasmine rice, roasted spiced cauliflower, and naan bread.

https://www.facebook.com/share/176Pt3ooWq/