Franklin Candidate Forum - Biennial Election 2019

FM #176

This internet radio show or podcast is number 176 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the Candidate Forum conducted in the Council Chambers on Thursday, October 17, 2019. Town Clerk Teresa Burr opens the forum. Moderator Larry Bennedetto outlines the process and introduces the panelists who will ask the questions for the Town Council candidates in the first segment, and then the School Committee candidates in the second segment. I edited to remove the break so the two segments run back to back with a brief musical interlude.

The Town Council segment runs approx 33 minutes. The School Committee segment runs just less than that. The whole forum is just about an hour long.

Town Council candidates

School Committee candidates

https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HW4Mm3yX



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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

Overall:

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
• If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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 application = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Reminder: How Your Town Government Works - Sep 25

How timely!

• Who determines the school start times being reviewed for a possible change?
• How do we address the systemic budget issues?
• Who makes the decision on a study to evaluate closing Davis Thayer?
• How do we maintain our roads?
• How do we control growth? 

With the local election coming in November, get some insights into the process on all these questions and more ...

Contact the Organizer

Reservations for the town government forum are recommended.
Sign up at https://FranklinGovt.eventbrite.com

Franklin 2050: The Climate Crisis - Oct 17

Climate change is real; you can see it happening all around us, not just in America but on a global scale. Improbable weather events are happening in the most unlikely places. Yet it’s hard to get one’s head around it and figure out what the solution is.

The 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report is a call to action to avert the changes. The IPCC and 97% of climate scientists worldwide say the changes that are necessary to avert disaster are stark: 50% reduction in carbon emissions is needed by 2030, and net carbon effect by 2050.

But we have an Administration in denial, and mass media that’s more concerned with the latest tweet than explaining what’s going on in the climate, and what can be done about it by citizens in cities and towns in the Commonwealth.

How will the average citizen learn about what can be done to minimize the effects?

Several of us from Franklin got together along with the Franklin Democratic Town Committee, 350 Massachusetts for a Better Future, and Massachusetts Climate Action Network to plan a community-wide educational forum to examine the causes and effects policy implications, and actions to take at the town and state levels. 

It’s called “Franklin 2050: The Climate Crisis” and it’s happening Thursday, October 17 at 7:00 PM at Franklin Elks 1077 Pond Street in Franklin.

Hope to see you there in this free forum event!

Richard Halpern
Franklin, MA






Register for the event
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franklin-2050-the-climate-crisis-tickets-65325208457

Visit the IPCC page to get more information  https://www.ipcc.ch/report/srccl/

You can also get a copy of the report directly 
https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl-report-download-page/

2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report

Notes from the Legislative Forum - Feb 5, 2019

The Legislative Forum hosted by the Franklin School Committee on Tuesday, Feb 5 was an informative evening. My notes taken via Twitter can be read here. I'll share the audio of the 90 minute session later this week.

Updated: Unfortunately, the technical quality of the audio was not worthy of sharing and won't be published.

Dr Anne Bergen opening the School Committee's Legislative Forum tonight at Horace Mann #schcom0205 pic.twitter.com/PmrHpHS8bU

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Next up Supt Sara Ahern presents the proposed school budget for FY 2020 pic.twitter.com/pI9tdOEzC9

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

The class of 2032 will be registering for school next week. What will the world look like when they reach Senior year in high school? #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Presentation copy will be on schools web site on Weds. $2.6M increase req'd for level service, $3.8M for some critical needs #schcom0205 pic.twitter.com/XMf3mKaTFW

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

FY 2020 Superintendent's Recommended Budget from Franklin Matters

Or from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/fy20_superintendents_recommended_budget.pdf

Superintendent Sara Ahern's prepared remarks can be found on this page
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/superintendents_opening_remarks_legislative_forum_2-5-19.pdf

Sch Com Denise Schultz up next to introduce the panel of speakers. #schcom0205 pic.twitter.com/qcfQvs0SGM

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Rep Jeff Roy, Senator Karen Spilka and MASC Exec Dir Glenn Koocher all at one time had School Committee experience, not usual #schcom0205 pic.twitter.com/TALw3MFVzT

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

"My best memory of elementary school is recess" Senator Karen Spilka #schcom0205 in context of needing to approach the student education holistically

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

"There is a commitment to provide funding for quality education here in MA" #schcom0205 pic.twitter.com/VYQkl2Pct3

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Are there conversations about schools having to solve all the community issues that walk in the door? Resounding yes. Not easy to do #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

"You don't appreciate the problems that you don't have" with the MA health care coverage, that one item helps in so many ways #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

DESE not receptive to reducing time on learning to provide recess or unstructured time. #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Great question on how to address the inequity of education between district and charter school students. #schcom0205 all Franklin needs to respectfully have the discussion, many of the charter school students will end up at FHS

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

More tools in the toolbox for local community to resolve budgeting other than the property tax would be good to do so you don't have to do it all at the state level #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Parent reporting Franklin has worst recess/lunch policy among the 15 neighboring communities. Only 20 mins scheduled for each #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

Rep Roy encouraging participation at the local Senate Ways and Means sessions, schedule to be posted #schcom0205

— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) February 6, 2019

School Committee Chair, Anne Bergen

FPS Superintendent Sara Ahern

School Committee member Denise Schultz

Left to Right: Rep Jeff Roy, Senator Karen Spilka, and MASC Exec Dir Glenn Koocher

2nd Annual Legislative Forum - Feb 5

"The Franklin School Committee will hold its 2nd Annual Legislative Forum on Education on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 7-8:30 PM, in the auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School (note this is a location change!). 

The event, hosted by the Public Schools Advocacy Sub-Committee of the Franklin School Committee, will feature Senate President Karen Spilka, and state Rep. Jeffrey Roy. 

Join these elected officials for a discussion as they provide updates and insights on legislative initiatives directly impacting public schools in general and Franklin in particular. 

For this year’s forum, the organizers have expanded the focus to include issues beyond funding, including:

• Developmentally appropriate practices (such as recess and start times);
• addressing the physical, emotional and social needs of students;
• college, career and civic readiness;
• impacts of the current funding formula on the FY 2020 budget and beyond, and 
• special education and associated costs."

Continue reading the article online 
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20190122/franklin-school-board-to-host-legislative-forum

• Live reporting from the Forum in 2018

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/live-reporting-legislative-forum-feb-13.html

• The audio of the Forum was published previously

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/fm-139-legislative-forum-on-school.html

• Announcement of the Forum

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/franklin-school-committee-legislative.html

Jennifer Knight of SAFE Coalition tying some comments and points
together at the end of the 2018 Legislative Forum

2nd Annual Legislative Forum on Education - Feb 5

"The Franklin School Committee will hold its 2nd Annual Legislative Forum on Education on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 7-8:30 PM, in the lecture hall at Franklin High School, 218 Oak St., Franklin. 

The event, hosted by the Public Schools Advocacy Sub-Committee of the Franklin School Committee, will feature Senate President Karen Spilka, and state Rep. Jeffrey Roy. 

Join these elected officials for a discussion as they provide updates and insights on legislative initiatives directly impacting public schools in general and Franklin in particular. 

For this year’s forum, the organizers have expanded the focus to include issues beyond funding, including:

• Developmentally appropriate practices (such as recess and start times);
• addressing the physical, emotional and social needs of students;
• college, career and civic readiness;
• impacts of the current funding formula on the FY 2020 budget and beyond, and 
• special education and associated costs."

Continue reading the article online 
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20190122/franklin-school-board-to-host-legislative-forum

• Live reporting from the Forum in 2018

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/live-reporting-legislative-forum-feb-13.html

• The audio of the Forum was published previously

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/fm-139-legislative-forum-on-school.html

• Announcement of the Forum

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/franklin-school-committee-legislative.html


The video of the 2018 Legislative Forum

Jennifer Knight of SAFE Coalition tying some comments and points
together at the end of the 2018 Legislative Forum

Parent/Guardian Sleep Education Forum - Jan 30

Dear Franklin Families,

The School Start Times Advisory Committee is hosting a parent/guardian education forum on Sleep Research and Adolescents on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 7 PM at Franklin High School. 

Please see the attachment for more information and to kindly RSVP for planning purposes.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQsD-YfvOb0bGABqWK1GrLkFU6Ccsl56o-X7EnPREIJdENMw/viewform

Kind regards,
Franklin Public Schools

--
Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Franklin Public Schools
355 East Central Street
Suite 3
Franklin, MA 02038
508-553-4819

Follow Us on Twitter: @FranklinPSNews


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczMTdfNUp1N2RmeHJ5cTUwSERWU0ZpcXN3dVVj/view?usp=sharing

Parmenter School sign - reminder no school on Monday, Jan 21

January 8 - Social Emotional Learning Forum a Success!

Social Emotional Learning Forum A Success! The Social Emotional Learning Alliance for Massachusetts and I are incredibly proud to have brought together over 200 teachers, students and engaged residents at the Social Emotional Learning Forum on Tuesday, January 8, to learn more about the importance of social emotional learning for our children. We heard from a diverse panel of SEL experts, including Framingham School Committee Member Beverly Hugo, Director of Counseling and Social Emotional Learning at Ashland Public Schools Jennifer Cutler, Principal of Miller Elementary School in Holliston David Keim, and Parent Liaison, Natick Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Elise Gorseth. As Senate President, I am committed to improving education and advocating for mental health parity for residents across the Commonwealth. SEL is a critical 21st-century skill to foster resilient, empathetic, and workforce-ready graduates. Event materials and resources on SEL can be found online. The forum is part of my MetroWest Kids Initiative, designed to identify strategies to help children in MetroWest learn, grow and succeed, with a focus on social emotional learning. SEL is a research-backed framework to bring skills like stress management, positive relationship-building, responsible decision-making, and empathy into classrooms and throughout the community. Thank you again for demonstrating a commitment to social emotional learning in classrooms throughout the Commonwealth. We look forward to seeing you at our next forum! Sincerely, Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka | 617-722-1500 | Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov www.karenspilka.com

Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka  Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov in collaboration with Try it free today

SAFE Community Forum Agenda - Jan 9

SAFE Community Forum Agenda

Franklin Municipal Building

Third Floor

Wednesday, January 9, 2018

I. Welcome 7:00-7:05

II. Introductions 7:05-7:15

III. Recovery Stories Shared 7:15-7:30

IV. What is the PMP and how is it used? 7:30-8:15

V. Grandparents Raising Grandparents group plan 8:15-8:30

VI. Upcoming Community Events 8:30-8:55
(HIPS, Narcan, 5k, ask about interest for college night/comedy show event)

VII. Closing 8:55

Next Meeting: TUESDAY, February 5 @ 7-9 pm, Franklin Municipal Building

For more about the SAFE Coalition  http://www.safecoalitionma.org/

SAFE Community Forum Agenda - Jan 9

SAFE Community Forum - Nov 7

Hello All.

The SAFE Community Forum is Wednesday (11/7) at 7 PM, Franklin Municipal Building, 3rd Floor (355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038):

Jordan

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Agenda

7:00 - Welcome
7:05 - Intros
7:15 - Recovery stories shared
7:30 - Addiction and the Brain - a conversation on how Substance Use Disorder affects the body
8:15 - Coalition and Recovery News (What is Recovery Dialogue?)
8:30 - Upcoming Community Events (HIPS, Narcan, Medical Panel, Peer to Peer, etc)
8:40 - Closing


Looking forward to seeing you.

Jordan

Jordan E. Warnick, Ph.D. | SAFE Coalition
Secretary, Board of Directors
Chair, Marketing and Communications

www.safecoalitionma.org

SAFE Community Forum - Nov 7

SAFE Community Forum - Weds, Oct 3 - 7:00 PM

Join the Safe Coalition on Wednesday, Oct 3 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. You can hear Shared Recovery Stories, Grandparents Role in Recovery from SUD, Outreach Talks on Alcoholism, Recovery News, and Upcoming Community Events,

SAFE Community Forum - Weds,Oct 3  7:00 PM

For more about the SAFE Coalition, visit their web page    http://www.safecoalitionma.org/

Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum - Feb 13 (video)

The video of the Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum is now available.

• Live reporting from the Forum

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/live-reporting-legislative-forum-feb-13.html

• The audio of the Forum was published previously

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/fm-139-legislative-forum-on-school.html

• Announcement of the Forum

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/franklin-school-committee-legislative.html

Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum - Feb 13 (video)

FM #139 - Legislative Forum on School Funding (audio)

This internet radio show or podcast is number 139 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording is of the Legislative Forum on School Funding held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 in the Lecture Hall at Franklin High School.

The event featured opening remarks by School Committee Chair Anne Bergen and then a panel discussion facilitated by Vice-Chair Denise Schultz. The panelists were Senator Karen Spilka, Senator Richard Ross, and Representative Jeffrey Roy.

The Forum itself runs just about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Without further ado, here is the recording





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My notes from the Forum can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/live-reporting-legislative-forum-feb-13.html


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors.
If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

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

Jennifer Knight of SAFE Coalition tying some comments and points together at the end 

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Live reporting: Legislative Forum - Feb 13, 2018

Notes via Twitter from the Legislative Forum hosted by the Franklin, MA School Committee in the Franklin High School Lecture Hall on Feb 13, 2018. 

Be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to view all the posts.

Jennifer Knight of SAFE Coalition tying some comments and points together at the end 

No School Committee meeting today - Legislative Forum at FHS Lecture Hall at 7:00 PM

Friendly reminder that in place of the normal School Committee meeting today, there will be the Legislative Forum held at the FHS Lecture Hall beginning at 7:00 PM.

Additional info on the Legislative Forum can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/franklin-school-committee-legislative.html

FHS Lecture Hall - photo from the opening day tour in 2014

Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum on Education Funding - Feb 13

Our goal as a School Committee is to make sure Franklin Public Schools remain a shining star among both private and public schools across the state. We have been able to maintain services while ranking 272 out of 323 Massachusetts districts in per pupil spending. In our region of more than 30 towns we ranked fifth from the bottom in per pupil expenditure (based on fiscal year 2016 data). 

Rising health insurance, transportation and special education tuition costs have increasingly created pressures on the school budget. Additionally, the state has mandated a number of programs with which all public schools must comply, but has not provided additional funds to support them. In addition, the Franklin Fiscal Forecast published on April 11, 2017 indicates challenging budget cycles are ahead. We cannot and will not jeopardize our excellence as a school system.

We have confirmed attendance of our state legislators, Senators Richard Ross and Karen Spilka and Representative Jeffrey Roy to provide updates and insights on legislative initiatives directly impacting public schools in general and Franklin in particular. Their focus will be on funding and other school issues on which they will be working in the current legislative session.

Please join us on Tuesday evening, February 13, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. in the Franklin High School Lecture Hall. We strongly encourage and greatly appreciate citizen involvement in the budget process.

The Franklin School Committee intends to host another forum in the Spring with our federal elected official(s) to discuss federal level funding and policy impacts. We hope you can join us for these important community discussions.

For additional information, please contact Anne Bergen, Chair of the Franklin School Committee, at 508-520-1469 or Denise Schultz, Vice Chair of the Franklin School Committee at 508-612-5950.

Franklin School Committee Legislative Forum on Education Funding - Feb 13

The Franklin Fiscal Forecast
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/five_year_fiscal_forecast_fy18_-_fy22.pdf

Senator Spilka Hosts Social-Emotional Learning Forum - Tuesday Jan 9 @ 6pm, Ashland

On Tuesday, January 9, Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) will host a forum with the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy about social-emotional learning (SEL). The conversation will highlight the work of exSEL: Excellence through Social-Emotional Learning, a network bringing together school districts across Massachusetts to design and implement policies and practices that promote SEL.

The forum is part of Senator Spilka's MetroWest Kids Initiative, designed to identify strategies to help children in MetroWest learn, grow and succeed, with a focus on social-emotional learning. SEL is a research-backed framework to bring skills like stress management, positive relationship-building, responsible decision-making and empathy into classrooms.

WHO: 

• Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland)
• Jennifer Poulos, Associate Director, Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy
• Debra Bromfield, Director of Student Services, Canton Public Schools
• Rachelle Engler Bennett, Associate Commissioner, Student and Family Support, MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Richard Fournier, Director of District Partnerships, Transforming Education

WHAT: 
Discussion of social-emotional learning and opportunities for implementation in MetroWest schools


WHEN: 
January 9, 2018 - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.


WHERE: 
Warren Conference Center and Inn
Hayden Lodge
529 Chestnut Street, Ashland


NOTE: This event is free and open to the public; attendees must RSVP via Eventbrite.

Senator Spilka Hosts Social-Emotional Learning Forum - Tuesday Jan 9 @ 6pm, Ashland

The exSEL Network is led by the exSEL Coalition, whose members include the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives and Massachusetts School Administrators Association. The exSEL Coalition's non-profit partners, the Rennie Center and Teachers 21, provide expertise, support and training for the network.