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 

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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"

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

 

Franklin Middle School Experience registration is open. Get your spot now!

Franklin Middle School Experience
registration is open. Get your spot now!

 

Attention incoming Franklin PS middle schoolers: Start the school year more confidently by joining the Franklin Middle School Experience! 

Meet faculty, tour the school, and much more. 

Go to tinyurl.com/5w87cr5t to register.

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, May 3, 2025 ???

Saturday, May 3

** FYSA fund raiser at BOTH Franklin Honey Dew locations

 

 

Library events

9am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church) Closed Today

10am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

6:30pm Italian film Festival - "Roman Holiday" (Franklin Historical Museum)

7pm Cinco De Mayo (La Cantina Winery)

7pm High School Musical Jr (Franklin High School)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

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

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

 

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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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, May 2, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events

Friday, May 2

** Tri-County: Support the Class of 2026 & Enjoy Panera Bread

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)
1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)
6:00pm High School Musical Jr (Franklin High School)
7:00pm CAFE MURDER (THE BLACK BOX)
7:00pm Dance Senior Showcase (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

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

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

 

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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

3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival features Raúl the Third at the Franklin Public Library, May 10

3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival features Raúl the Third

Since 2023, Franklin Public Library and the Franklin middle schools have joined forces to host world-renowned graphic novelists and celebrate the art of storytelling. On May 10, Franklin's 3rd annual Pen to Picture Festival will welcome Raúl the Third to the Franklin Public Library. This town-wide event is free and open to all families. 

Raúl the Third will share his process, art, and latest titles. He is the author and illustrator of many elementary and middle grade books, including The Snips: A Bad Buzz Day, Stuntboy: In the Meantime, Stuntboy: In-Between Time, The Lowriders series, and multiple picture books. Breakout sessions, photo ops and book signing will also be available.

Pen to Picture originated three years ago, the result of a collaborative effort among Ms. Bree Comeau (Franklin Public Library Asst. Youth Services Librarian) and Franklin middle school reading specialists Pam Allard and Erin O’Leary. The three literary leaders recognized their students’ growing appetite for the graphic novel format and sought funding from their schools’ parent organizations to create a town-wide festival. Pen to Picture’s mission is to expose Franklin families to contemporary titles and creators and foster the creative relationship between art and the written word. 

In its first year, the program welcomed Scott Magoon, Matt Tavares, and Maris Wicks; built on its overwhelming success, Pen to Picture welcomed Jarrett J. Krosoczka the following year.  

Graphic novels (a literary format) have exploded in popularity and both librarians and reading specialists are excited to welcome local authors and illustrators to engage students in an appreciation of the genre, learn about the process and time required to develop a graphic novel, and champion the relationship between visual arts and storytelling. We invite the community to join us at the library on Saturday, May 10. 

This year, Pen to Picture is made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

Caleigh, Erin & I had a blast talking about BLAST (audio)

FM #1434 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1434 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation about the origin story of BLAST - Bringing Libraries and Schools Together. We talk with Erin O’Leary and Caleigh Keating, the collaborators who start with “Yes” and then figure it out. We recorded this conversation virtually on Thursday, April 17, 2025. 

• Caleigh Keating, Youth Services Librarian

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

We cover the following in our conversation

• The origin story

• A ‘free’ service but dependent upon the override passing

• Middle school and elementary school coordination

• How redistricting will simplify the operations

• Summer reading kickoffs being planned for

The recording runs about 32 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1434-blast-fun-04-17-25/

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

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"

 

BLAST is referenced in the Strategic Plan