Bi-County Collaborative Awarded More Than $420,000 in State Grants to Strengthen Literacy Instruction Across All Grade Levels

Bi-County Collaborative is pleased to announce that it has received more than $420,000 in competitive state grants to expand access to high-quality English Language Arts (ELA) instruction and professional development for teachers.

BICO was awarded $294,000 through the state's PRISM II grant program to support early literacy instruction in grades K-3, and an additional $127,500 through the PRISM III program for literacy instruction in grades 4-12.

From left, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, BICO Professional Development and Curriculum Specialist Ann Buckley, DESE ELA/Literacy Content Specialist Octavia Nixon, Department of Early Education and Care Early Literacy Practice Specialist Jennifer Crandell, Bi-County Collaborative Executive Director Jeanne Sullivan, and DESE ELA/Literacy Content Specialist Lori McNally at the Literacy Launch event at the Easthampton Public Library on Aug. 18. (Photo Courtesy Bi-County Collaborative)

These substantial awards, part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration's multiyear investment in literacy education, will allow BICO to purchase brand-new, high-quality instructional materials for students in all grade levels and provide extensive professional development for educators.

"This funding is transformative for our Collaborative," said Ann Buckley, the Professional Development and Curriculum Specialist for BICO. "It ensures our students have access to rigorous, high-quality instructional materials, while also giving our teachers the time, resources, and coaching they need to strengthen instruction. Ultimately, it's about equity and making sure every student, regardless of background or disability status, has access to the same level of opportunity."

With the PRISM II grant, BICO will roll out HMH Into Reading as its new K-5 ELA curriculum. The PRISM III grant will fund the adoption of StudySync for grades 6-12. Both selections were made last year after a collaborative vetting process involving BICO educators, with support from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and its high-quality instructional materials curriculum evaluation networks.

The grant funds will also cover costs for staff participation in professional development and curriculum planning, including substitute coverage and teacher stipends for work beyond the school day; support instructional coaching from The New Teacher Project; and provide long-term investment in curriculum materials, with funding supporting a four-year adoption cycle.

Through these initiatives, BICO will strengthen early literacy instruction, enhance high school literature studies, and close achievement gaps by ensuring equitable access to world-class materials and teaching practices.

"These grants represent a significant investment in our students and educators, and we are extremely grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for this funding," said Executive Director Jeanne Sullivan. "They will allow us to expand access to the very best instructional tools and practices, while also providing the time and support teachers need to make them successful in the classroom. This work strengthens literacy from the earliest grades through high school and will have a lasting impact on achievement and equity across our Collaborative."

Bob & I review the COA Letter and reveal the town records on the position funding (audio)

FM #1489 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1489 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Robert (Bob) Kaufman, member of the Council on Aging which oversees the Senior Center in an advisory capacity. We had our discussion on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio.

 

We talk about 

• The circumstances that created the situation

• The points of the COA Letter

• Rebuttal or alternate explanations for the points of the letter

The point of our conversation was to more fully explain the details around the letter and ensure that we could have a better and civil discussion. While this happened this year, given the financial situation of the town, we will likely see this again. We, the collective "we", need to determine how "we" are going to solve our budget problem.

The recording runs about 59 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1489-coa-letter-robert-kaufman-07-30-25/

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History of the grants and Friends of Franklin Elders (FOFE)

Robert’s email -> bobkaufman@msn.com 

COA Letter as discussed -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/franklin-council-on-aging-letter-to.html 

History of the grants and Friends of Franklin Elders (FOFE) funding for the cook and nurse from 2010 through 2017 when the Town budget provided the funding https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iOz6F1W9Rq-H67C2jmhthNNPL7GZCyMQ/view?usp=drive_link 

To save some from searching, Bob did struggle to recall the name of the last Republican Mayor of Chicago -> a source of the history for “Big Bill” Thompson is available https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hale_Thompson 

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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. 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"

Franklin Public Schools Receive $5,000 Grant to Continue Visiting Author Program

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Horace Mann Middle School Reading Specialist Erin O'Leary are proud to share that Franklin Public Schools have been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Franklin Cultural Council to continue the visiting author program.

"I want to thank the Franklin Cultural Council for such a generous donation that will allow us to continue the visiting author program," O'Leary said. "With their help, we can continue promoting engaging and hands-on reading curriculum that unites the three middle schools in a unique and exciting way."

Author Steve Sheinkin presents to the Remington Middle School student body. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

The three Franklin middle schools have a long-standing tradition of welcoming highly engaging young adult authors. The program was originally a schoolwide initiative at Horace Mann Middle School but spread to all three middle schools in 2019.

The visiting author program is built around contemporary authors whose books are popular, engaging, and speak to the middle school experience. Reading specialists collaborate with publishers, school and district administrators, the Franklin Public Library, and Plainville bookstore An Unlikely Story to select an author whose work aligns with Franklin's core values and curriculum. Previous authors include Aisha Saeed, Jordan Sonnenblick and Steve Sheinkin.

In recent years, the middle school visiting author experience has been a three-day residency. The author spends a full day at each middle school presenting to the student body, signing books, answering questions, and hosting small group writing and reading sessions. There is also an evening event for community members, allowing families to meet the author and share a common experience with their students.

The visiting author's work is woven into the curriculum leading up to the visit. Their books are used for summer reading, purchased for classroom libraries, and chosen for read-alouds. Teachers utilize the author's books to teach lessons regarding figurative language, dialogue, paragraph structure, and other skills.

Given the scope of this endeavor, the schools seek multiple funding sources to sustain the program. O'Leary has been awarded a grant to finance part of the experience for the last several years. And thanks to the Franklin Cultural Council's grant, the visiting author program will continue in the 2025-26 school year.

"The visiting author program has become an integral part of the middle school curriculum," Superintendent Giguere said. "It promotes literacy development and connections within our school community and across the district and town. We are very grateful to the Franklin Cultural Council and thank them for their donation. Thanks to them, we can continue our tradition of encouraging a love of reading through dynamic programs such as this one."

Franklin Fire Department awarded SAFE & Senior SAFE program grant

SAFE & Senior SAFE program grant

 

"The Franklin Fire Department is pleased to announce that we have been awarded $9,800 through a state grant for the SAFE and Senior SAFE program."

 

 

Shared from -> https://x.com/FranklinMAfire/status/1910362401419014207?

 

 

For the full list of grant awards -> https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-announces-32-million-in-fire-safety-grants

 

Franklin Public Schools Receives Grant to Further STEM Career Learning

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, High School Principal Dr. Maria Weber, and Franklin Middle School Principal Craig Williams are excited to announce Franklin Public Schools will expand its Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs to provide hands-on, applied learning and in-depth teacher professional development.

Franklin Public Schools have received additional grant funds from the One8 Foundation to offer new applied learning curricular programming from PLTW that will better prepare students for school and career success. PLTW is a nonprofit organization providing a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers through computer science, engineering, and biomedical science coursework. With the PLTW curriculum, students apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Students worked their way through the design
process and created toys and games
for other students.
(Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

“Expanding the Project Lead The Way curriculum resources and instructional materials available to our teachers will strengthen our students’ STEM futures,” said Eric Stark, Franklin Public Schools Director of Curriculum STEM. “I am proud of the real-world connections students are making and the challenges they are tackling.”

Franklin joins more than 12,000 schools across the country offering PLTW programs to millions of students.

“We are thrilled to bring more high-quality applied learning opportunities to our students and look forward to the impact this expansion will have on our school community,” said Principal Williams.

Since 2017, the One8 Foundation, the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, the Workforce Skill Cabinet, and the Massachusetts Life Science Center have supported expanding PLTW programming for students across the Commonwealth to better prepare them for a rapidly changing, data-rich world. PLTW coursework in biomedical science, engineering, and computer science provides students the skills to access opportunities in sectors that power the state economy.

“Students are hungry for experiences that allow them to apply what they are learning to solve real-world, meaningful problems,” said Joanna Jacobson, President of the One8 Foundation.  “Providing equitable access to hands-on applied learning programs that deliver academic gains while building critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills ensures students are engaged and interested in school and prepared for success in this ever-changing world.”

Franklin Middle School will use grant funds to expand its PLTW Gateway program. Specifically, students will experience Computer Science for Innovators and Makers, Design and Modeling, and Medical Detectives units.

In one class this year, students worked their way through the design process and created a toy or game for other students.

“To ensure these toys were not just another STEM project but truly functional for occupational therapy, I collaborated with the occupational therapists (OTs) from Annie Sullivan Middle School and Helen Keller Elementary School for feedback and guidance,” said STEM Teacher Emily Carens. “I had the privilege of delivering the completed projects to the Occupational Therapy (OT) room, and the OTs were beyond grateful and impressed by the creativity, effort, and thoughtfulness students put into their work. Students demonstrated empathy and problem-solving skills, creating toys that will make a real difference in their school community. PLTW helped make this possible by creating the curriculum to show students that they can make an impact on their community.”

Franklin High School will use grant funds to start its PLTW Biomedical Science program. Students may take Principles of Biomedical Science and Human Body Systems as part of its developing Innovation Career Pathway. Funds from the grant will support teacher professional development and the purchase of materials and equipment for PLTW courses.

In addition, as a school with PLTW programming in Massachusetts, Franklin Middle and High School will have access to a regular set of teacher professional learning opportunities, student project showcases, and connections to industry professionals offered by the Mass Learning Project and the One8 Applied Learning Hub.

Shared from -> https://41518511.hs-sites.com/franklin-receives-grant-to-further-stem-career-learning

YOU'RE Invited!! Cultural Volunteer & FY25 Grant Recipient Reception - March 13 at 7 PM

A Night of Gratitude – Honoring Franklin's Cultural Volunteers & Grant Recipients

Thursday, March 13  7 - 8:30 PM | Dean College | Guidrey Center, Paula Rooney Student Center RSVP here! Dear Franklin Community, We invite you to an evening of celebration, appreciation, and connection—where we come together to honor the people who make Franklin's cultural heartbeat so strong. This special night is dedicated to you—our incredible volunteers, artists, and supporters—who pour passion, time, and creativity into making Franklin a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. We will recognize our FY2025 grant recipients, whose work continues to inspire and enrich our community. And we are honored to celebrate a group of outstanding cultural volunteers whose dedication has made a lasting impact on Franklin's arts and culture: Amy Adams – Franklin Cultural District Sarah Cronin – Franklin Cultural Council Lauren Kloos & Roger Trahan – Franklin Farmers' Market Brenna Johnson – Franklin High School Ceramics Instructor & Empty Bowls Coordinator with the Franklin Food Pantry This event is free and open to all, and we would love to celebrate with as many of you as possible. We can't wait to share this evening of gratitude, laughter, and community with you. Thank you for being part of Franklin's creative story! Town of Franklin Franklin Culture District | 355 East Central Street | Franklin, MA 02038 US

Save the date to Celebrite the arts - March 13 at Dean College

 

Save the date to Celebrite the arts - March 13

"You're invited to the Franklin Arts and Culture Volunteer and Grant Recipient Reception! ⁠
⁠
March 13th, 7-8:30pm, presented at Dean College!⁠
⁠
RSVP in the link in our profile so our volunteers can organized the festivities, more program details to follow."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DGF7nwctTdZ/

Or RSVP -> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franklin-arts-culture-volunteer-and-fy25-grants-recipient-reception-tickets-1249444775959

Stephanie talks with me about the housing programs offered by the SAFE Coalition (audio)

FM #1361 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1361 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Stephenie Heath, Ph.D., MSW who works as a Community Outreach Counselor for the SAFE Coalition. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studios on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

We talk about

Stephanies’s path to SAFE

The housing program funded through the ARPA grant 

Postpartum support sessions with the YMCA

Suspension diversion program with area high schools

The recording runs 25 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1361-safe-coalition-housing-program-etc-01-22-25/

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SAFE Coalition web page -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/ 

Support programs offered -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/get-support 

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

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. 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"

Stephanie talks with me about the housing programs offered by the SAFE Coalition (audio)

Fire Dept announces grant award for FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment

FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment

"The Franklin Fire Department is pleased to announce that we have been awarded $24,919.10 through a Massachusetts Department of Fire Services FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant.  

Thank you to the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for your continued support."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/15jhnmSrb6/ 

Info on the grant application and review timelines -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/notice-of-funding-opportunity-amendment-2/download

Franklin Cultural District: Announces the Investment Fund Grant Awards

January 2, 2025

Volume 5, January 2, 2025 Congratulations! Cultural District Investment Fund Grants Awarded In fall, 2024, the Massachusetts Cultural Council awarded the Franklin Cultural District Committee a $15,000 Cultural District Investment Grant. This grant, one of several awarded to state-sponsored cultural districts, is intended to infuse new arts and culture activities and to attract creative businesses to the cultural districts. The Franklin Cultural District Committee voted to reserve a portion of the grant funds for FCDC-directed work and offer the remainder, in the form of grants,  to Franklin arts and culture organizations.  The Franklin Cultural District Committee (FCDC) is honored to announce the grants made possible by MCC Cultural District Investment Grant funds. The FCDC, in concert with the Town of Franklin Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, offers its sincere congratulations to all who received a grant. The FCDC looks forward to seeing these grant-funded initiatives come to life through performances, events, and more. The FCDC gratefully acknowledges the MCC and its generous grant that made these local grants possible, appreciates the leadership of the Franklin Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, and recognizes the continued support of the Town of Franklin. Below, please find a list of funded grants and a link to the organizations' websites. Some of these events will take place in the late spring or early summer. As a result, information pertaining to the grant-funded activity may not appear on the website until closer to the date. However, many of the organizations have other events and activities that may be of interest at this time. FY25 Cultural District Grant Awards Franklin Art Association: To contribute toward the cost of "Fakes and Forgeries" event during June 2025. ($400) Children's Museum of Franklin: To add a mural to the back wall of the Museum, currently under construction. The mural will be created by a local artist. ($600) Select Museum to learn more. Franklin Farmers Market: To provide entertainment at the Franklin Farmers Market during June 2025. ($1,100) Select Market for information.  Franklin Historical Commission: A second and expanded presentation of "A Community Rediscovery of Ideas, Literature, and the Shared Gift of Language. " This month-long presentation celebrates the life and many contributions of Franklin's namesake, Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Select Ben for event information. ($1,100) The Ben activities begin Saturday, January 4 at the Historical Museum. Franklin LGBTQ Alliance: To subsidize a small portion of the costs associated with the June Celebrate with Pride festival. ($1,030) Select LGBTQ for information about this organization. Franklin Performing Arts Company: To subsidize a small portion of the costs associated with the June 6 – 8, 2025 performance of Little Women at THE BLACK BOX.($1,100) Select FPAC for ticketing and performance information. Franklin Public Library: A concert by the Boston Typewriter Orchestra, April 2025. ($750) A concert by the Blackstone Valley String Quartet, performing the music of Taylor Swift. ($600) Select Library for event information. Franklin Public Schools, JFK and Parmenter Elementary Schools: To bring music, dance, the arts and more cultural diversity to JF Kennedy and Parmenter Schools (where Ms. MacMurray is the music faculty member). ($1,000) Select FPS Music for more information.  Franklin Public Schools Music Department, and the Franklin Public Schools: To contribute toward the purchase of needed quality string instruments to rebuild and strengthen middle school string program. ($2,120) Select FPS Music for more information.  In addition to the funds associated with these ten grants, the FCDC reserved $5,200 to fund three projects to be overseen by the FCDC. The committee-directed projects are: Porchfest 2025, to contribute to the cost of the Porchfest website, police detail and insurance. ($3,500) Artsy Boxes, to provide for maintenance of the artwork of current Artsy Boxes. ($1,200) Collaborative Musicians, to compensate musicians performing at community events. ($500) Information about these and other and Culture happenings is shared weekly in the Cultural District Newsletter. Partnering with Franklin Matters @https://www.franklinmatters.org sharing information about what matters in Franklin. Visit Franklin Matters for Franklin information. Franklin Cultural District Committee Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho, Pandora Carlucci, Sue Cass, Patrick Conlan, John LoPresti, Roberta Trahan Next meeting: January 9, 2025 at 7:00pm at Franklin Senior Center

Town of Franklin Franklin Culture District | 355 East Central Street | Franklin, MA 02038 US