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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
"All the @jfkladybugs are excited for Kids Heart Challenge to begin next week.
Over the past 5 years we have raised $57,823 for the @AmericanHeartMA ! Our goal this year is $12,000!
Be on the lookout for the envelope next week."
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https://twitter.com/jfkladybugs |
FM #471 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 471 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Feb 23, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee members, Central Office personnel, and key guests were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
I’ve split the just over two hour and fifty minute meeting into three logical segments:
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the other documents released for the meeting (as we go to press, the Superintendent’s Report is not yet posted to the meeting folder)
Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting of Feb 23, 2021
Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a6a10c1d-f815-4072-aa92-1d28f7867611
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
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?
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"
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FM #471 - School Committee Meeting - 02/23/21 - P1 of 3 (audio) |
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"Hi Ladybugs! Check out this awesome video from your teachers and staff members at JFK! We miss you so much! We are proud of the great work you are doing to keep learning alive at Kennedy!"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1icmlmGaqWvw7wEGKDzNK3yTvVe8oIxqO/view
"Police announced Tuesday night that the individual the Franklin Police was interested in identifying earlier in the day had come forward.
The announcement came hours have they issued a press release saying they were trying to identify a young man who entered the John F. Kennedy School on Pond Street last Friday after classes had concluded for the day.
“There was no criminal intent and the matter is resolved,” said in a statement issued Tuesday night."
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"Franklin Police Department is only seeking to identify the individual in the photos" |
"The parents and guardians of students attending John F. Kennedy Memorial School received quite the surprise on Thursday morning - a message reporting their child as being absent.
Just after 10 a.m., an error caused by the district’s automated absentee notification system notified each family affiliated with the Pond Street elementary school that their child was not present, according to Superintendent of Schools Sara Ahern.
“We use an automated system to send out messages to parents/guardians when we are not contacted by them to notify us when a student will be absent for the day,” said Ahern. “A mistake was made and the message was sent to all Kennedy Elementary School families at approximately 10:09 a.m.”
She said the error was “caught right away and a clarifying message was sent promptly at approximately 10:14 a.m.”
A message went out to the Kennedy Elementary community regarding student absences. It was sent in error and has caused some alarm in the community. We are working to correct it.— Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) January 30, 2020
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https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews |
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elementary school principals presenting their School Improvement Plans |
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Hockomock Area YMCA |
Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.
The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.
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Intermission Cafe one of the downtown Franklin businesses scheduled for a visit |
"Building on the success of Tour 34 during his first two terms, Congressman Kennedy will continue his commitment to bring public office hours to constituents in each of the 34 cities and towns in the 4th District. By visiting every community, the Congressman is able to hear the stories, priorities and concerns of constituents in every corner of the district."
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Congressman Joe Kennedy III has scheduled office hours in Franklin this Sunday - July 15 |
1 The Annual Ladybug 5K Road Race and Kids Fun Run is about to hit the roads of Franklin once again next Saturday, Oct. 14. The event takes off from Franklin’s John F. Kennedy Elementary School on Pond Street.
2 The Ladybug 5K benefits the Kennedy School PCC, which funds enrichment activities for students, such as field trips, guest speakers and more.
3 The course of this USATF sanctioned event with professional timing is as follows: Start on Joval Court, right onto Southgate, right onto Coronation, left onto Oakland Parkway, right onto Ashbury Drive, left onto Norumbega Circle, left onto Charles River Drive, left onto Franklin Springs Drive, left onto Maple Street, left onto Southgate Road, ending with a left back onto Joval Court.
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The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015 |
"Calling the Republican-backed health care bill a piece of “zombie” legislation that will not die, U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III told the Franklin Chamber of Commerce at Dean College Wednesday that this legislation if passed would have a devastating effect on Massachusetts.
He said that some of the mandatory protections put into place by the Affordable Care Act will be made optional instead. He estimates that there will be a 20-percent spike in premiums that first year, and that 30 to 32 million people will lose healthcare coverage altogether.
“Pre-existing condition coverage, they might cover you, they might not,” he said of the repeal vote in the Senate slated to take place in 10 days. “The cost of getting covered for pregnancy could go up about roughly $20,000. Substance use disorder similarly would have about a $20,000 increase.”
Kennedy, D-4th, mentioned that the new bill will essentially leech from states such as Massachusetts, New York, and California, whom have been investing in statewide healthcare for a number of years, and re-distribute those funds to states that haven’t been saving as much or at all."
"After a few months on the job, Patricia Hohl finds every day both rewarding and challenging.
As the new director of Voices Against Violence, a Framingham-based nonprofit that serves victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, she listens to tough stories each day. Then she and her staff figure out how to help and protect their clients.
“It sounds like a cliché, but it truly means a lot to me to make a difference in my own community. It’s just something I believe in as a human being,” said Hohl, who took over as director in June. She replaced Mary Gianakis, who led the agency for two decades.
The goal of the agency is to prevent domestic violence and sexual abuse, and help survivors forge a new life. All services are free and confidential."
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Voices Against Violence, a Framingham-based nonprofit that serves victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence |
"The key to success as a lawmaker on Capitol Hill is to find common ground, U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III told students Friday at Franklin High School's U.S. National Government and Politics AP class.
He said it is his job to address change in a Congress where his party is a minority.
"If I want to get something passed, I need to find pieces of policy that my Republican colleagues will not only like, but will champion," he said. "We will have philosophical disagreements about a number of issues, but my job isn't to pick a fight."
Democrat Kennedy - running for re-election in the state's Fourth District against Dighton Republican David Rosa, who spoke to the students earlier in the week - learned that the environment, gun control, abortion rights and national security were the top concerns among the U.S. National Government and Politics AP class.
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U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III speaking at the recent ribbon cutting for downtown Franklin |
"A microscopic pair of scissors sparked a large reaction from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School students Friday morning.
As Alex Magyar, vice president of operations at Medway’s MicroGroup, Inc., placed the tiny tool under a microscope, he explained the device - built right there in the company’s facility - is used for cataract eye surgery.
“That is awesome,” said one student. “That is terrifying,” cried another.
"Franklin resident Robert Rappa was recently voted chairman emeritus by the Tri-County Regional School Committee in recognition of his decades long commitment to the district.
Rappa, a member of the committee since the building first opened in 1977, announced plans to step down from his post last spring after 40 years. He was also a member of the building committee prior to construction of the school.
In a unanimous vote on Sept. 21, the school committee awarded Rappa the title of chairman emeritus."
"A 5-kilometer race in town this weekend will raise funds for enrichment activities for Kennedy Elementary School.
The race - the Ladybug 5K and hosted by the school's Parent Communication Council (PCC) - is set to start from the school at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Race director Stacey Federico said the PCC works to provide students with opportunities they might not otherwise have.
"We're the parent group that fundraises for enrichment activities," she said. "(Without those funds), schools wouldn't be able to do things like field trips."
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The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015 |
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The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015 |
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The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015 |