Bedazzle & Diamond Art: a fun, creative afternoon just for Middle & High School students! Wednesdays !!

Parents keep asking, “What’s available for teenagers in our community?” 🎨✨

Here’s a great opportunity!

Creative Corner Art Studio is offering a fun, creative afternoon just for Middle & High School students!

💎 Bedazzle & Diamond Art

🎨 Creative projects

✨ A relaxed space to create, socialize, and have some fun!

Starts this week (9/09/26)!

📅 Wednesdays

⏰ 4:00–5:30 PM

💲35 per class

Perfect for teens who love art, creativity, a little sparkle, or simply want something fun to do after school!

Come create some BLING with us! 

High School Entrepreneurs Saumy & Andrew tell their origin story (audio)

FM #1812 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1812 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Saumy Jani and Andrew Bairos. As freshmen at FHS, they created SNND Events to make money and have been successful doing so. We had our conversation via Zoom on Monday, August 31, 2026. 

Discussion items: 

• How they started

• How they networked and expanded

• Advice for other students, start early

The conversation runs about 18 minutes. Let’s listen in 

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1812-high-school-entrepreneurs-snnd-events-08-31-26/

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SNND Events web page - https://snndevents.com/ 

Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/snndevents/ 

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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"

Attention high schoolers: Participate in this Year's MassDOT Safe Streets Smart Trips High School Video Contest!

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is excited to launch its 13th annual Safe Streets Smart Trips High School Video Contest and we look forward to your students participating!

For the 2026-2027 school year, we are inviting all enrolled Massachusetts public high school students to write and produce a 30-60 second video showcasing safe riding behaviors for electric micromobility devices (e-bikes, e-scooters, etc.). By bringing attention to this growing safety topic, we can help students, families, and community members better understand their role in promoting safe and responsible behaviors.

The video contest will feature two entry categories – a Freshman/Sophomore category and a Junior/Senior category. A grand prize, runner-up, and honorable mention will be selected in each category. Top videos may be used in future MassDOT safety campaigns.

Prize categories:

Grand Prize package – $500 Amazon gift card & sponsor items

Runner-up package – $300 Amazon gift card & sponsor items

Honorable Mention package – Sponsor items

All winners will be announced on October 27, 2026 at MassDOT’s Moving Together Conference. The winners will be featured during one of the conference sessions and the videos will be showcased to a large audience of transportation professionals.  

Please circulate the attached submission guidelines and encourage your students to have fun, be safe, and get creative! There is no limit to the number of students who can participate. All video submissions must be uploaded in the submission form no later than,

October 4, 2026 at 11:00 p.m. Eastern.

We encourage students and school staff to watch our recorded information session. For more contest information, please go to Mass.gov/road-safety-video.

• Download the full contest guidelines
• Access the contest submission form
• Download the contest promotional flyer
• View past winning videos

Boston Globe: "High schoolers are placing sports bets online. Experts warn of growing risks of addiction."

"At Fenway High, Angel Benitez even tried to document the use among classmates. For a humanities project last spring, Benitez and his friends surveyed their classmates about wagering on sports and whether their friends outside of school were also betting.

They spoke to 90 teens and found that 82 of them – more than 90 percent — were gambling on sports.

“I was like, whoa. I didn’t know that many people at our school were gambling,” said Benitez, who graduated and this fall is attending Northeastern University. “Not only is it at our school, but kids our age everywhere are gambling.”

That does not surprise Jennifer Knight-Levine, cofounder of the SAFE Coalition, a nonprofit that supports young people facing mental health and substance abuse challenges.

“Youth gambling on online platforms in school is absolutely happening across the Commonwealth,” Knight-Levine said."

Shared from - https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/10/metro/underage-gambling-risks-sports-betting-in-teens/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Reminder: Norfolk Aggie AG Mech Club Spring Car Show - May 16

Norfolk Aggie AG Mech Club Spring Car Show  - May 16

via Norfolk County Agricultural High School

"Don't miss it! Same day as the Aggie Expo!!!"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1CL34BksNC/

Entering FHS in September 2026? Consider the X-Country Experience on May 27

For the incoming frosh to Franklin High School for the school year starting in September 2026

Shared from https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ENWr5QXeh/

Norfolk Aggie AG Mech Club Spring Car Show - May 16

Norfolk Aggie AG Mech Club Spring Car Show  - May 16

via Norfolk County Agricultural High School

"Don't miss it! Same day as the Aggie Expo!!!"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1CL34BksNC/

Franklin Fire Department Receives State Funding to Support Fire Safety Education

The Franklin Fire Department is pleased to announce it has been awarded $13,117 in state fire safety grant funding from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.

The department received $9,367 for the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Program and $3,750 for the Senior SAFE Program for 2026.

These grants are part of a broader initiative by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, which awarded nearly $2 million statewide to support fire safety education for children and older adults. The SAFE programs provide critical resources to local fire departments to deliver life-saving education and prevention initiatives in their communities.

The SAFE Program focuses on teaching school-aged children how to recognize fire risks and respond safely in emergency situations. The Senior SAFE Program addresses fire risks among older adults through education, home safety improvements and partnerships with local service organizations.

“These grant funds allow our Fire Department to continue providing essential fire safety education to some of our most vulnerable populations,” said Fire Chief Chuck Allen. “By reaching both students and seniors, we are helping to prevent emergencies before they happen and ensuring residents are better prepared to stay safe.”

Franklin School Committee gets a mid year update on the District & School Improvement Plans (audio)

FM #1732 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1732 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM. All 7 members of the Committee were present in Chambers. 

Quick recap:

• The complete administrative leadership team across the district was present to provide a midyear update on the District and School Improvement plans

• The 'current' District and School plan can be found - https://heyzine.com/flip-book/24ecc9f7e5.html#page/1. The updates as approved last night should be updated to the school page in a day or so.

Let’s listen (approx. 3 hours 7 minutes)

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1732-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-04-14-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF4JTAfLa5E 

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04142026-2250 

The meeting packet folder contains the doc released before the meeting and after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/april-14%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/26737086 

My notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vRqOLinf4Pyzl_K-5sm6fjBuhOqbceig/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!

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

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

All Town Showcase Concerts scheduled for Tues - 3/17 and Thurs - 3/19

via the Franklin Music Boosters

"Please join us for All Town Showcase Concerts on 3/17 and 3/19. These concerts are expected to be very busy with large crowds, so save time by purchasing gate donations, raffle tickets, or merchandise online before the show! 

3/17 Chorus/Orchestra (with detail schedule): https://givebutter.com/2026-ATS

3/19 Band (with detail schedule): https://givebutter.com/2026-ATS-B

All Town Showcase Concerts scheduled for Tues - 3/17 and Thurs - 3/19

The All Town Showcase concerts celebrate the upcoming MICCA Festival performance for each ensemble and serve as a "practice run" in a formal setting with an audience.  We like to call this the "MCAS" of music.  At this festival, each group performs in front of a panel of highly respected judges who assess our performances, providing feedback and a score aligning to a performance rubric.  This is always considered one of the highlights of our year. Please join us to celebrate the talented students in our middle school and high school ensembles.

Pardon the broken schedule for this particular evening. We are fortunate to have a large contingent of talented chorus students this year!

4:30 pm - 6th Grade chorus students arrive through the community entrance (normal auditorium/gym doors)

5:00 pm - performance starts

5:30 pm - Grades 7-12 chorus students arrive as follows:

• 7/8th Grade chorus students should arrive through the main office door (right side) and meet in the media center
• FHS chorus students please meet in the chorus room
• parents may park and enter through the community entrance (auditorium/gym doors)

6:00 pm - performance starts

6:15 pm - Grade 6-12 orchestra students arrive through the cafeteria doors around the back of the building

7:00 pm - parents may enter for the orchestra performance when the chorus audience has fully exited

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1Byhug75XQ/

Attention High School Students Graduating in 2026: Applications for Knights Of Columbus Scholarship Program are open

The Knights of Columbus 1847 St Mary Parish Franklin is accepting applications for The Robert Simmler PGK, Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council Scholarships. They are offering two scholarships, one in the sum of $3000 and the second $1500 scholarship.  

The applicants must be a registered member of St Mary’s Parish in Franklin and must be graduating from High School in Spring 2026 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/university.  

All interested applicants please submit a completed scholarship application postmarked on or before the application deadline of March 27, 2026

The application form is available from the banner on the St Mary parish website www.stmarysfranklin.org  or on the Knights of Columbus website https://www.kofc1847.org/ .  

Knights Of Columbus Scholarship Program opens for 2026

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to             

Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847, 

St Mary’s Parish c/o Michael Swan 

38 Madison Ave. 

Franklin MA 02038

The scholarship recipients will receive payment upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

If more information is needed, please contact Mike Swan: 508-404-4792 

"Panthers for a Purpose" open fundraising drive

My name is Abby Souza and I am a student at Franklin High School. Along with a team of my friends we are leading a fundraising drive called Panthers for a Purpose. 

"Panthers for a Purpose" open fundraising drive

Some of you may be familiar with the charity LLS now known as Blood Cancer United and the program they run called Student Visionaries of the Year. 

If you would consider supporting your local high school students in our efforts to make a difference please click the link to hear about our story and stay updated with other fundraising events coming soon!

Follow link - https://pages.lls.org/svoy/ma/svoyboston26/FranklinHighSchool

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

BFCCPS annual High School Fair scheduled for September 18 from 5 to 6:30 PM

BFCCPS annual High School Fair 

The BFCCPS annual High School Fair takes place September 18 from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM in the Learning Commons for families interested in learning about local high school options for the 2026-2027 school year. The school is located at 500 Financial Park in Franklin MA.

The event is open to 8th grade students both at BFCCPS and from local schools as well. Please note that a parent or guardian must accompany all students for the duration of the event.

Students are invited to pick up brochures and applications, ask about fall open house dates and speak directly with representatives and current students of the schools that will be in attendance.

Please contact Lauren Callaghan our School Counselor with any questions at lcallaghan@bfccps.org.

You can see the schools who have already signed up to attend here

Talking about the summer reading blitz and "Meet Me in the Middle" (audio)

FM #1463 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1463 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation about the Summer Reading Blitz and the middle school program “Meet Me in the Middle.”  We talk with Erin O’Leary and Caleigh Keating, the collaborators who fill in the details on summer reading efforts for readers of all ages. We recorded this conversation virtually on Thursday, May 29, 2025. 

• Caleigh Keating, Youth Services Librarian

• Erin O’Leary, Reading Specialist at Horace Mann Middle School

We cover the following in our conversation

• Library events for the June school half days

• Reading program sign up for grades 0-6, teens, and adults

• Middle school “Meet Me in the Middle” reading program

• The middle school will begin in September with some common points around reading (the 6 books)

The recording runs about 37 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1463-summer-reading-blitz-05-29-25/

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Franklin Public Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 

Meet Me in the Middle info page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/hmms/article/2230185 

Erin O’Leary email address -> olearye@franklinps.net 

Caleigh Keating email address -> ckeating@minlib.net 

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

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"

Talking about the summer reading blitz and "Meet Me in the Middle" (audio)