4th Annual Pen to Picture Graphic Novel Celebration - May 16

The Franklin Public Library, in collaboration with Franklin Middle School, is hosting the fourth annual Pen to Picture graphic novel celebration! This year we are thrilled to welcome Colleen AF Venable 

Meet the author, hear about her creative process, and join us for book signings, photo ops, and breakout sessions.

Target audience is age 8-14 but this event is free and open to all!

Join us at the Franklin Public Library May 16 at 1 PM

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/?multi_permalinks=4331504707119522&hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen

Attention middle school parents: Free Internet & social media class

Attention middle school parents: Free Internet & social media class

Parents of students in grades 6-8, check out this free Internet and Social Media Safety class taught by Franklin Police!

Registration is required.

Go to bit.ly/3HypMXe for details and to register.

Shared from - 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CsnW2CTFs/

Franklin Middle School Hosts MCAS Alternative Assessments Portfolio Viewing Party

Franklin Middle School recently brought students, families, and educators together for its MCAS Alternative Assessment (MCAS-Alt) Portfolio Viewing Party, an event designed to celebrate student growth and create a meaningful opportunity for families and school staff to connect.

Franklin Middle School recently hosted its MCAS Alternative Assessments
Portfolio Viewing Party. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

Students and their families recently gathered with teachers, service providers, and administrators in the school cafeteria to review student assessment portfolios and reflect on the progress students have made throughout the year.

The MCAS-Alt is one of the assessment options available to Massachusetts public school students and is designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Rather than a traditional test, the MCAS-Alt includes evidence of student learning collected over time, such as work samples, data charts, and a skills survey completed during classroom instruction.

As part of the MCAS-Alt process, schools invite families to review their child's portfolio. At Franklin Middle School, that required step was intentionally framed as something more: an opportunity to welcome families into the school community, highlight student learning, and celebrate each child's accomplishments alongside the educators and staff who support them every day.

At the MCAS-Alt Portfolio Viewing Party, families reviewed
their child's assessment and portfolio before signing the
Student Information Identification Form.
(Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

This year, eight Franklin Middle School students completed the MCAS-Alt. During the event, families had the opportunity to view their child's portfolio, talk with teachers and service providers, and recognize the growth reflected in the work students completed throughout the year.

"Franklin Middle School's first official MCAS-Alt Portfolio Viewing Party was a wonderful opportunity to bring families, students, and staff together in celebration of student learning," said Principal Craig Williams. "It was meaningful to see families spending time with educators, reviewing student work, and recognizing the progress each child has made."

The event was organized with the support of Franklin Middle School Team Chairperson Lauren Erdmann and Administrator of Student Services Beckie Motte.

"We are so proud of the students' hard work and achievements that are captured in the portfolio," said Erdmann. "We were excited to provide a platform to honor and celebrate these achievements and to share them with their families, teachers, and school community."

Franklin Public Schools Secures $150K, Innovation Grant to Redesign, Modernize Middle School Library

Franklin Public Schools has secured $150,000 in state earmarked funding and a competitive innovation grant to support the redesign and modernization of the Franklin Middle School library and STEM space.

The funding, secured with the advocacy of state Rep. Jeff Roy, will help transform the current library into a Library and Innovation Commons.

The district also received an Inventionland Education Innovation Grant, which will support efforts to create a learning environment focused on creativity, innovation, makerspace experiences, group collaboration, and project-based learning.

The earmarked funding and grant will allow the district to redesign the space into a modern learning hub for students while also serving as a welcoming space for school and community engagement.

"Through the advocacy of Representative Roy and the support of the Inventionland Education Innovation Grant, we have a meaningful opportunity to reimagine the Franklin Middle School library as a dynamic learning environment for students," said Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Tina Rogers. "Our goal is to create a flexible space where students can collaborate, explore ideas, and engage in hands-on learning that connects across subject areas."

Over the coming months, students and staff will be invited to share input as the district develops plans for the redesigned space to ensure the new Library and Innovation Commons supports both classroom instruction and student-driven learning.

District administrators credit Elizabeth Morrison, Director of English Language Arts and Social Studies, and Eric Stark, Director of STEM, for their leadership in advancing the project.

"Creating spaces that encourage curiosity, creativity, and collaboration is an important part of supporting innovative teaching and learning," Dr. Rogers said. "We are grateful for the support that is helping make this work possible."

Franklin Middle School Reads "The Bridge Home" in advance of Author Visit

Franklin Middle School Reads "The Bridge Home"
in advance of Author Visit

"The countdown IS ON!! One week from today @venkatraman.padma visits FMS 

This photo was taken several weeks ago. The library display is currently decimated because the kids are reading like crazy!"

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DWjhZVOAE0D/

Memorial Day Update via Franklin VFW Post 3402

Via the Franklin VFW Post 3402

Memorial Day Parade Route

"We’re less than 9 weeks until Memorial Day!

The parade will be held on Monday and follow the new route that was debuted last year. 

It will begin at 11:00 AM at the Franklin Middle School and travel up Oak/Daniel McCahill St to Union St to 140 to Emmons to Main ending back at the Town Common.

I am sorry to share that there will be no Franklin Public School bands in the parade this year due to budget cuts. We do have the Benjamin Franklin Charter School band playing and we’re supposed to have the National Guard Band that performed last year back this year (we’re very lucky)! 

We hope many veterans will join us to walk (or ride) in the parade. Those veterans with kids are welcome to have their kids walk with them!

Immediately following the parade’s conclusion will be the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Town Common. There will be additional sound speakers this year to help the audience hear what is being said. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone on May 25th!"

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/post3402/posts/pfbid0iwxaUY3ckJqFhjUg3PgZM2Vc62brFyZgZ18zGcpD7L67vHftH3h9SVaTMhY8JocJl

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/

BFCCPS shares results of Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair - MSEF for Middle School

We are thrilled to share the results of the recent Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair - MSEF for Middle School.  

The students listed below will now incorporate feedback from judges in preparation for the Middle School State Fair which takes place May 9th at Clark University:

BFCCPS shares results of Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair - MSEF for Middle School

• Romir Iyer "Using Python Code to Diagnose Genetic Disorders" 2nd Place and Citadel securities Innovation Prize
• Dishita Noolu "Does a natural bandage infused with healing and antibacterial ingredients promote faster skin recovery than a regular store bought bandage" 2nd Place and Lemelson Early Inventor Prize
• Shanvika Kandanuru "The Casein Polymer Project" 2nd Place and Sandra Nasrawi Award
• Mansha Khatri and Poorvi Rajaboyina "Freezing of Different Water Types" 2nd Place and Aparna Narvane Memorial Award
• Anagha Balagurumoorthy and Shreya Kirikera "Investigation of Pharmaceutical Waste in Public Water Systems" 3rd Place
• Aagam Shah and Chittesh Patel "Selective Capture of Harmful Pathogens Using a Mucin Based Trapping Mechanism'' 3rd Place

Many thanks to Mrs Nestor and Mr Pontes-Macedo for supervising students throughout this process.

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/186MTBJnxg/

Middle School 6th Grade Orchestra & Band 02-10-26 (video)

The Franklin Middle School 6th Grade Orchestra & Band performed in concert on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Franklin TV recorded the performance and it is available for replay.

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Gwctl1bsA

Project 351: "We are having a Winter Coat Drive"

Project 351: "We are having a Winter Coat Drive"

The winter coat drive is organized by Franklin's Project 351 Ambassadors and Alumni. They are collecting new or gently used coats and jackets to support local children in need with a specific focus on sizes for 3rd through 6th graders. 

Donated items can be dropped off at the Franklin Middle School (FMS) Front Office. 

They are accepting donations for an extended period of time, despite what the flier says below.

FMS Class of 2032 - 6th Grade

What is Project 351?  Find out about it online - https://project351.org/

Unboxing books from the wishlist at Franklin Middle School (video)

via Erin O'Leary

"Thank you to all of our friends in Franklin who have purchased new books for our middle school! Let's see what's in box #1

To support our wishlist, visit:    https://bookshop.org/wishlists/79f98bd86f715dae8789b3296edd63ebd92ef1ea"

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAusFTMmnzc

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, December 18, 2025 ???

Thursday, December 18

8:30am State & Town Officials Office Hour (Franklin Senior Center)

6:00am FMS 7 Gr / 8 Gr Orchestra Concert (Franklin Middle School)

7:00am 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:00am BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio Studio)

7:30pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

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

** Town Meetings today   **

Town Council Office Hours

Thursday, December 18 Time: 8:30 AM

ZBA Meeting

Thursday, December 18 Time: 7:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12182025-2055 

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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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 ???

Tuesday, December 16

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

6:00pm FMS 7 GR/ 8 GR Band Concert (Franklin Middle School)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

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

** Town Meetings today   **

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee (Communications Subcmte)

Tuesday, December 16 Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12162025-2060 

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, December 16 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12162025-2059 

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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

Franklin Public Schools: Winter Concert Series

Franklin Public Schools: Winter Concert Series

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EipaiqR3k/

Freshly made pizza for the kiddos !!!

Freshly made pizza for the kiddos !!!

via Franklin Public Schools

"Click the link to check this video to see how we make our freshly made pizzas

https://youtube.com/shorts/zudZkXVzfs8?feature=share

We recently purchased a new conveyor oven at the Franklin Middle School to match the one we have at the HS.

We use this oven to make our freshly made pizzas daily."

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/14R4YYQ2tLh/

Erin shares a middle school reading update (video & audio)

FM #1598 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1598 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Erin O’Leary, FMS Reading Specialist. We recorded this conversation virtually on Friday, November 14, 2025. 

We cover the following in our conversation

• Success of the middle school program “Meet Me in the Middle.” 

• Virtual visiting author series though The Unlikely Story bookstore

• Culling the middle school library collection, Amazon wish list TBD

• “Content in context”

The recording runs about 30 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1598-fps-middle-school-reading-update-11-14-25/

Video link -> https://youtu.be/bNKJKKVqkvU?

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

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

Instagram posts referenced:

• Library ready to open -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRLNrqSCXoy/

• Book trailers -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DQKcERxEnXi/ 

Middle School reading wish list -> https://bookshop.org/wishlists/79f98bd86f715dae8789b3296edd63ebd92ef1ea

Tom Asacker -> https://tomasacker.com/   his book “Sandbox Wisdom” is the source of the “content in context” story that you heard

https://www.amazon.com/Sandbox-Wisdom-Tom-Asacker/dp/1497554977//humanfactormarke 

Erin shares a middle school reading update (video & audio)

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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"