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/

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

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 

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

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/

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

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)

Voices of Franklin: Town Councilor Glenn Jones says "get out to vote June 3" (video)

Voting for the special election on June 3, 2025 is from 6 AM to 8 PM at Franklin High School.

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDCFQJyEfQU

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Town Councilor Glenn Jones says "get out to vote June 3" (video)

High School Experience Franklin register now before price increase June 11

HSE Franklin (@HseFranklin) posted  Thu, May 08, 2025:

HSE is Aug 5 & 6. 

Register before the price increase on June 11. Register at https://t.co/DqlvmzxqTA   (or directly to https://reg.learningstream.com/view/cal4a.aspx?ek=&ref=&aa=0&sid1=0&sid2=0&as=79&wp=413&tz=0&ms=0&nav=0&cc=0&cat1=0&cat2=0&cat3=0&aid=FPSLLI&rf=&pn=0)

@RMS_Remdawgs @HMMSLightning @sullythehusky @FranklinHS @FPSLearning @FHSPantherbook @FranklinMatters @FranklinPSNews @FPSHealthPE @franklinpolice

 

shared from -> 

https://x.com/HseFranklin/status/1920532315211489527

 Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOOosJD4sI4

State Representative Roy Renews Call for Early College Programs in the Commonwealth

In March, State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) participated in and spoke at an Early College Legislative Briefing at the State House in Boston.  The annual event brought together about 400 school students and program partners from across the Commonwealth.  

A persistent advocate for Early College, Representative Roy re-empathized his goal of making college in high school one of his legislative priorities as it will provide exceptional educational opportunities for students to get a credential beyond a diploma while still in high school. Rep. Roy is further supporting these by filing House Bill 1455 “An Act relative to college in high school.”

State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy advocating for early college

Early College in High School integrates college courses into high school curriculums, providing students the ability to choose to kickstart their college careers through well-rounded classes. This program has helped close achievement gaps in low-income families sand aided students in  attaining their goals without any additional cost to the student’s families. This program was launched in 2018, and since its inception has bolstered the education of about 8,237 students according to Mass.gov’s statistics. This has led to increased enrollment in higher education with a rise of about 20% more students enrolling in college in comparison to students who do not utilize the classes provided by the Early College Program. 

“Students who participate in this fully structured program receive enhanced academic and guidance support that allows them to graduate high school with a significant number of college credits already completed,” said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin).  “These students enter college with well-established study habits and skills that give them the confidence to know that they can succeed in college regardless of any socio-economic challenges that they may face. Low- income students who participated in Early College high school programs are twice as likely to complete post-secondary degrees.”

Early college credits benefit not only individual students but the health and vigor of the Commonwealth as well. In Massachusetts, median wages for full-time employees are 67% higher for individuals with a bachelor’s degree and 28% higher for associate degree holders than for high school graduates.  Families that thrive financially in Massachusetts pave the way for the success of each successive generation, potentially lifting entire communities out of poverty.

Rep. Roy added, “We must build on our success to date and provide even more robust college in high school experiences throughout the Commonwealth. H.1455 provides robust opportunities for students -- no matter their background or identity -- to take college courses in high school, engage in self-discovery, and develop a mindset for success. And we will continue to pursue these opportunities to give our students what they need to succeed.”

H1455 -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1455

Additional photos courtesy of the MA Alliance for Early College ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/wVngBZhgmzTMk3579

Registration for the High School Experience for the FHS Class of 2029 is open (video)

Attention FHS Class of 2029: Join us at the HSE August 5 & 6. 

Register at https://t.co/DqlvmzxqTA 

@RMS_Remdawgs @HMMSLightning @sullythehusky @FranklinHS @FPSLearning @FHSPantherbook @FranklinMatters @FranklinPSNews @FPSHealthPE @franklinpolice 

Video link -> https://t.co/Ia4nsVW6eQ

Shared from -> https://x.com/HseFranklin/status/1894798346725810681

Franklin School Committee hears concerns from teachers before vote to approve FY 2026 budget (video)

The Franklin School Committee conducted their meeting Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025 at Council Chambers with all 7 members present.  The major item on the agenda was the vote on the Superintendent's Recommended budget for FY 2026.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfqefUMtloU&t=51

The agenda doc can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_02112025-1571 

Quick recap:

• The Keller Student Council stepped forward to lead the Pledge of Allegiance to open the meeting
• During the Superintendent's report, there was recognition of 4 FHS musicans who were selected to the All-State Music Fesitval; Emma Anderson (French horn), Ace Eagerman (string bass), Alex Fioavanti (?) and Emily Lou, (violin)
• During the discussion prior to the vote on the budget, a number of teachs from elementary, middle, and high school stepped up to comment
• on the decline of funding over the years
• the impact on the students and their educational development
• affects on college prep with a limit on foreign language options less than optimal
• and not talked off impacts to the new schedule at both elementary & middle levels while individual classes size is maintained within guidelines,the teacher work load increases
• The committee did vote 7-0 on the proposed budget, I assume it is possible to make further adjustments (as hoped for by some of the teachers) given the position we are in for this budget cycle
• The budget as approved does assume a successful  override althoughthat decision remains before the Town Council at a March meeting, after the listening session are completed. Date and amount of override to be determined
• School calendar for the 2025-2026 year was approved. It does start after Labor Day this year to enable the move to be completed. Resumption of pre-Labor Day start is expected for the next school year
• Discussion on a draft of the School Committee meeting calendar covered multiple topics mostly around the local election in November and to prepare for a new committee to be able to transition into their new role more easily than prior
• Motion to enter into Executive session, not to return to public meeting for contract negotiation discussions

My notes in one PDF doc

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUU7zppEaNgj9xN442EdbZnFvnqI3VSM/view?usp=drive_link

slide from brief update on the FY 2026 school budget

Youth mountain biking club schedules Info Session at Library, Feb 25 at 6:30 PM

Youth mountain biking club schedules Info Session 

Bet you didn't know there's a youth mountain biking club here in Franklin. Minuteman Junior Cycling Club is for anyone in Grades 5-12.

Info session for the 2025 season - Franklin Public Library on February 25.

Lots of info can be found here in the meantime (including 2025 sign-up instructions): https://bit.ly/MJCCmtb

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ULaEER3mB/