School Committee catches up on Summer Activities (video)

The School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Both the Chair and Vice-Chair were away so Ruthann O'Sullivan hosted the session. The remaining members of the committee were present.

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RElB5OknJg

Meeting agenda doc ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1851

Meeting packet folder contains the docs released before and after the meeting ->

https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/august-12%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/842818

Quick recap:

• Summer Learning Review - Paula Marano & Patty Gay, updates on lifelong learning, as well as extended school - link to album which captured the slides shared found https://photos.app.goo.gl/WwFUYqSSqCrzx6gH8
• Summer Move Update - Colin Boisvert - great detail, well organized, there is a whole lot happening across the redistricting move efforts, getting rooms and building ready, signs completed (shared here earlier), transportation updates due next week via bus routes, bus stops, additional drop off, pick up info also scheduled from principals. Photo album of the slides https://photos.app.goo.gl/JRbK3Ez1K9yxjCAX9 
• 2024 Annual Report Draft Review - discussed verbally, no doc shared, feedback due soon

Summer Move Update 

My notes in one PDF doc ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CsjvTsjM0u3b3Qs_pJUcNlGr8falxQ03/view?usp=drive_link

School Sign updates per Redistricting

On one of my "reporting by walking around" expeditions, I captured a bunch of photos. It really was an expeditions as I drove to some key spots then walked to take the photos. I could not have walked all over town in the same day.

This set of photos shows the school sign changes put in place for the redistricting to be implemented in September.

Washington Street Elementary Complex

Washington Street Elementary Complex

Lincoln Street Elementary Complex

Lincoln Street Elementary Complex

Early Childhood Development Center - Pond St

Early Childhood Development Center - Pond St

Early Childhood Development Center - Oak St

Early Childhood Development Center - Oak St

Franklin Middle School

Franklin Middle School

Additional photos can be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZYJEAMVvyAfyPaYbA

Franklin, MA: Agenda for School Cmte Mtg - Virtual Only - scheduled for June 24, 2025

Franklin School Committee 

June 24, 2025 - 7:00 PM

~~VIRTUAL ONLY~~

Call to Order Mr. Callaghan

Announcements from the Chair

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Franklin, MA: Agenda for School
Cmte Mtg - Virtual Only -
scheduled for June 24, 2025

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan

C. Payroll Mr. McNeill

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. none

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. DECA trip to VA

I recommend approval of the request of Emily Rosborough to take DECA students to Arlington, VA from November 21 - 23, 2025 as detailed. 

B. Girls Basketball Trip to ME

I recommend approval of the request of John Leighton to take the Girls Basketball team to Augusta and Portland, ME from December 26 - 27, 2025 as detailed. 

C. Disposition of Student Activity Accounts

I recommend approval of disposition of student activity accounts as discussed. 

D. Recommendation to open FMS Student Activity Accounts and close Existing MS Activity Accounts

I recommend opening of Franklin Middle School Student activity accounts and closing the existing middle school student activity accounts as discussed. 

E. User Fees

I recommend approval of the FY25-26 User Fees as discussed

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. none

V. Information Matters

A. none

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from your June 10, 2025 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B. Review of Executive Session Minutes for Declassification

I recommend review of executive session minutes for declassification as discussed.

C. Surplus

I recommend declaring the attached list of curriculum resources and supplies as surplus

 

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Adjournment

Agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5789326/SCAGENDA_6-24-25.pdf

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/june-24%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet---virtual-only-(link-in-agenda)/822105

Middle School Summer Reading Kickoff today, online link available

Middle School Summer Reading
Kickoff today, online link available

Our summer reading kickoff is today -  we are looking forward to a great event at the Unlikely Story Bookstore. 

For those who cannot attend but still want to support our fair, here's the link to our online store.

Teachers receive 20% off and are encouraged to stop at our little sign-in station and wear a nametag identifying them as a Franklin teacher.

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 

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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"

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

Middle School Summer Reading 2025: "Meet Me in the Middle"

"Meet Me in the Middle"

See the FLYER for all you need to know about Middle School Summer Reading 2025!

For more information about the FMS Summer Reading program, watch Ms. O'Leary's video ->   https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cTh32zn6rfV

Translated flyer

Additional Titles Translated

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinps.net/o/hmms/article/2230185

Flyer -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5681128/FMS_summer_reading_flyer_final.pdf

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 ???

Tuesday, May 20

Library & Senior Center events

• Empty Bowls tickets on Sale
• Early Voting - FY 2026 Override Special Election

11:00am Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

2:00pm Class of 2025 middle school reunion (Franklin, MA middle schools)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

7:30pm Smart Phone Trivia (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**   Town Meetings today   **

Norfolk County Regional Emergency Planning Committee

May 20, 2025, 10:30 AM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05202025-1739 

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Tuhina Pal talks about her book: "They. Didn't. Know." (audio)

FM #1449 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1449 in the series. 

Tuhina Pal talks about her book: 
"They. Didn't. Know." (audio)

This session shares my conversation with Franklin High School junior Tuhina Pal. Tuhina recently published a book of poems she wrote on her journey to recovery. We recorded this conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. 

We cover the following in our conversation

• How normal anxiety worsened during the pandemic

• How she recognized that, got help and has been on the recovery journey

• How recovery is not a linear journey

• Poetry was a vehicle for her to work through her issues

The recording runs about 36 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1449-tuhina-pal-they-didnt-know-04-23-25/

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FHS Active Minds Club announcement of book -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH_IsYluNwM/ 

Follow Tuhina’s Instagram account for updates -> https://www.instagram.com/tuhinapal.poetry/ 

The book is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Bookshop.org  -> 

https://bookshop.org/p/books/they-didn-t-know/b519f506fefb8083?ean=9798218477141&next=t 

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

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"

Franklin Middle School Students Recite 'Democracy' by Langston Hughes and Meet with Senator

Franklin Middle School Students
Recite 'Democracy' by Langston Hughes

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Curriculum Leader Joe Barca and Horace Mann Middle School teacher Joe Corey are proud to announce that a team of sixth-grade students formulated coherent arguments for recess as part of school-day learning time, recited Langston Hughes’ poem “Democracy” and met with State Senator Becca Rausch.

Now they’re preparing for their first Poetry Day at the Franklin Senior Center since the start of the pandemic.

Earlier this year, Mr. Corey’s Team Lightning embarked on a unit devoted to argument writing.

“Argument writing is one of the assigned units this year with our new CommonLit 360 curriculum,” Corey said. “The topic of investigation for grade 6 was recess. The kids read charts, handouts, and articles and watched videos about the research that proves the benefits of mandatory unstructured recess.”

The students had already bid farewell to recess the previous year.

“As sixth graders, they don't get to enjoy daily recess as was the case in grade 5, so they were enthusiastic about the topic,” Corey explained. “The unit closed with the kids writing a bulleted list of the best facts that support recess. My cluster, Team Lightning, took the culminating activity further by writing actual letters to three different audiences: the incoming principal of the combined middle school, the interim Commissioner of Education at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and one class wrote to state Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy, while the other class wrote to Sen. Rausch.”

Corey mentioned the letters when he spoke with Rep. Roy and Sen. Rausch at a legislator's forum in Franklin.

“Shortly thereafter, we sent the letters,” Corey said. “Our call to action in every letter was to ask for legislation or rule reform that allows for recess to count as time on learning and which thereby allows for 30 minutes of daily unstructured recess for kids in K-8.”

An aide to Sen. Rausch contacted Team Lighting to plan a visit, and the legislator was welcomed into their classroom.

“She gave us homework to investigate pending legislation, as lots of new bills were recently announced for this session, and share any new insights,” Corey said.

After the visit, Corey surveyed his students.

“The senator's visit makes me more likely to reach out to my elected leaders in the future about issues that I feel are important because I want to make the world a better place, not just by wanting to give middle-schoolers recess, but to help solve problems that are worldwide,” said student Adriana Leeber.

“She talked to us like we were adults instead of children,” said student Gabby Kepple.

Corey asked his students to describe their favorite part of Sen. Rausch's visit.

“It was fun answering and asking questions, and I think all the research paid off,” said student Carter Ficco.

The class impressed with a flawless recitation of “Democracy” by Langston Hughes.

“I was very proud of the kids for their articulate answers to the Senator’s meaningful questions about the necessity for structured recess and possible solutions,” said Curriculum Leader Barca. “Their terrific work in reciting ‘Democracy’ by Langston Hughes means that they are ready to book a visit to the Senior Center for another poetry day, the first since COVID.”

Poetry Day at the Franklin Senior Center is set for June 6 at 12:15 p.m. for Corey’s Team Lightning cluster of 42 students.

“This experience is one of many ways our teachers educate the whole child,” said Superintendent Giguere. “We’re teaching our students how to be impactful citizens in their community. I’m very impressed with these sixth graders and their dedicated teacher. The seniors are in for a treat on Poetry Day!”

Watch the students recite "Democracy" by clicking here ->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNo8uKr98X0