Monster Dash: Fund raising fitness event - Oct 30

Franklin Interact Monster Dash has been postponed to Nov13 due to the weather. The sign up will remain open until then :)

https://twitter.com/FranklinIntera1/status/1321960710658756610

From Pantherbook we share the following:  

"Looking for a way to help your community while still being able to have fun this Halloween season? Join the Franklin Interacts Club in participating in the Monster Dash being held on October 30th to help raise money for donations to local shelters! 

The Franklin Interacts Club is a group which organizes projects every year to help others in their local communities. According to Saivagmita Kantheti, a member of the organization, the purpose of the club is to “connect with other young people and have fun while serving their communities and learning about the world”. Most of their work revolves around helping the Franklin Food Pantry and other shelters in Massachusetts. "

Continue reading about the Monster Dash:
https://franklinpanthers.us/clubs-activities/2020/10/26/the-franklin-interacts-club-presents-the-monster-dash/

Monster Dash: Fund raising fitness event - Oct 30

Pantherbook: "DECA Engages Future Business Leaders from Home"

From Pantherbook we share the following:  

"Are you interested in business? Want to be an entrepreneur? Do you just want to try something new? Then DECA is just right for you! 

What is DECA? 

DECA stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America. It’s an organization that helps students enter the world of business and get to know more about it. Franklin’s DECA organization appeals to anybody who is interested in any field of business. In DECA, students either create a written project or compete in a role play. Both events require persistence and hard work. The topics for these projects vary from Finance to Entrepreneurship to Sports and Entertainment and more.

“It is not an easy club, but if you put in the effort, then you will succeed and have fun as well!” said Mr. Carmo. Mr. Carmo teaches business and other subjects at FHS and runs DECA as well. "

Continue reading the article on Pantherbook

https://franklinpanthers.us/clubs-activities/2020/10/11/deca-engages-future-business-leaders-from-home/

DECA States 2020 (pantherbook image)

What Is Pantherbook?

From Pantherbook we share the following: 

"Many of you may be wondering what is Pantherbook and how is it run. This article will explain everything Pantherbook does, how it operates, and how you can join if interested!

Pantherbook started many years ago at FHS but it was much different compared to the Pantherbook we know and love today. Pantherbook used to be a hard copy newspaper that was printed out weekly for students and teachers to read.

Believe it or not, Pantherbook is the way it is today because of Facebook! At the time Facebook was the new sensation, so the staff decided to move the school newspaper online to save paper but also make it easier for staff and teachers to view it as technology was on the rise. The play on words is “Panther” panther pride and then “Book” because of Facebook!"

Continue reading about Pantherbook

https://franklinpanthers.us/clubs-activities/2020/10/05/what-is-pantherbook-3/

 

 

Halle Goldsmith (right) and Elise Ravech (left) representing Pantherbook at Panther Pride Night!

Pantherbook: FHS "Student Finds Her Voice in Black Lives Matter Movement"

From Pantherbook we share the following:

"Many Franklin residents gathered at the Common on June 2nd, to peacefully show support for the Black Lives Matter movement and stand against police brutality.

At the protest, people knelt for nine minutes to honor George Floyd, a Black man who recently died at the hands of police in Minneapolis.

After the nine minutes of silence, several speakers came up to talk about Black Lives Matter. Two of these were FHS students Ndoumbe Ndoye and Kianna Thomas."

Continue reading the article online at Pantherbook:
https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2020/06/25/franklin-student-for-blm/#photo

Picked up by the Franklin radar via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FHSPantherbook/status/1276178113437761536?s=09

Kianna Thomas Speaks at the Common. Credit: Kianna Thomas

Pantherbook: "The Graduation Parade: Reflecting and Looking Forward"

From Pantherbook we share the following:

"Throughout a challenging, confusing ending to their final year of high school, the class of 2020 showcased their resilience in many ways. Their effort to make the most of the year was visible in carefully crafted music videos, an Instagram account dedicated to the graduating class, and a parade and virtual graduation.

This graduation parade, which was put together with the hard work of the class officers and admin, was an amazing success. The Town Common was packed with family, friends, and community members. A fun environment of celebration was created with decorated cars, music from a radio station, and even the shooting of confetti.

When speaking with the graduates in the weeks after the parade, there was an overwhelmingly positive response. While this certainly wasn’t the expected ending to their senior year, many graduates looked on the bright side, and some even said the parade was better than a regular graduation ceremony. Graduate Megan Torrey said, “The parade was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I’m so grateful for what the Town of Franklin has done for us to make our senior year so special.”

The Franklin community certainly showed up to help these graduates celebrate, and it was well deserved. Whereas tickets are very limited in a regular graduation ceremony, the parade was beneficial because the whole town could come out to cheer on the seniors. It also offered the seniors the chance to see and reconnect with their teachers from elementary, middle, and high school years."

Continue to read the article at Pantherbook
https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2020/06/25/the-graduation-parade-reflecting-and-looking-forward/

Picked up by Franklin radar via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FHSPantherbook/status/1276177344298979329?s=09

Franklin All-Access 
Comcast Channel 8; Verizon Channel 26

Saturday
04:30 PM FHS Graduation 2020

Franklin Pride 
Comcast Channel 96; Verizon Channel 28

Friday
01:30 PM FHS Senior Awards 2020

Saturday
03:30 PM FHS Graduation 2020
09:30 PM FHS Car Parade 2020

The full schedule can be found in the TV guide for this week
http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

"The Graduation Parade: Reflecting and Looking Forward"

Pantherbook: "What Will Fall Sports Look like Next Year?"

Sharing this article with an FHS student view on what fall sports might look like

"With Massachusetts beginning their staged reopening, many kids are wondering what their sports seasons will be like next year. Many questions are up in the air like, ¨Will we have to wear masks? Or will there even BE a season?¨ Pantherbook reached out to try and help ease your concerns.

Freshman Cameron Sawyer played soccer for FHS this year, and is looking to play again next year. According to Cameron, FHS soccer is beginning their captain’s practices but will limit the group to 10 people and have no contact practices. This helps to fit social distancing guidelines and helps prepare athletes for a possible season.

Cross Country runner Katie Barrow is working on the summer training program her coaches distributed via Google Classroom. There are three options for runners and each includes a very descriptive schedule for the summer."

Continue reading the article online
https://franklinpanthers.us/sports/2020/06/12/what-will-fall-sports-look-like-next-year/

Pantherbook: "What Will Fall Sports Look like Next Year?"

Panther News Special Edition: "Senior Sign-Off" May 22, 2020

The 'Senior Sign-Off' Panthers News   https://youtu.be/YuHlTQT-rp4

Panther News Special Edition: May 1, 2020

Produced by Franklin High School's TV Production Program

https://youtu.be/od5ZAN9U-7o



https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1256199418220630016?s=09

Panther News Special Edition: April 17, 2020 (YouTube)

Produced by Franklin High School's TV Production Program   https://youtu.be/2rPz8u-PKnw




Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1251139625185353728?s=09

Panther News Special Edition: March 27, 2020 (YouTube)

Some of the FHS students got creative in producing this edition of Panther News during this COVID-19 pandemic period.

https://youtu.be/W2nSyNNkSrA




Visit Pantherbook for additional news from FHS  https://franklinpanthers.us/

Pantherbook Series: Environmental Investigations

via Pantherbook we find:

"In recent years, environmental issues have taken center stage in political discussions across the globe. How do these large-scale issues affect Franklin? Answering this question is the goal of Pantherbook’s newest series, known as Environmental Investigations.

Each week, a new article will be posted detailing an ecological problem pertaining to Franklin High School, or the town as a whole.

The series will be kicked off by Anika Patchala, who will talk about FHS’s resident environmental activists: the Green Team. Halle Goldsmith will discuss recycling practices and Amanda Wylie will inform readers about plant-based meat as a solution to meat overconsumption. Next, Gretchen Scotland will detail the issue of forest fragmentation in Franklin. Amelia Johnson-Pelligri will investigate the purportedly unsustainable cafeteria practices at FHS. Finally, Elise Ravich will summarize the findings of other journalists by describing the most effective ways for readers to get involved."

Continue reading about the new series
https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2019/11/15/upcoming-series-environmental-investigations/

Is Franklin doing a good job conserving beautiful landscapes like this one? (Photo by Emily Cesa)

"Starting the Road to States at Franklin High"

Elizabeth Clark opens the school year at Pantherbook with an FHS fall sports preview

"With the end of Labor Day weekend, it is officially Fall sports season at Franklin High. Franklin is typically dominant all-around in sports, having almost 75% total wins as a school last year. This fall shouldn’t be any different, with many returning athletes looking to continue their teams dominance in the Hockomock League and in the playoffs."

Continue reading the fall sports preview at Pantherbook
https://franklinpanthers.us/sports/2019/09/01/starting-the-road-to-states-at-franklin-high/

"Starting the Road to States at Franklin High"

“The reality is: a professional person needs a professional portrait”

Via Pantherbook we find about a talent agency opening a branch office in Franklin

"A talent agency, Dynasty Models and Talent, is opening soon in downtown Franklin. If you have always wanted to pursue acting or modeling, now is your chance. 

First of all, what is an agency? For those serious about the entertainment industry, having an agent is essential. An agency is a company, usually with multiple agents, that represents actors. Agents receive casting information from casting directors and submit the actors that best match the breakdown of the character. Then, casting directors choose which of the submitted actors should be brought in for an audition. 

Kristen Reidt, mother of two child actresses, states, “Having an agent is almost a requirement, particularly if you are interested in on-camera work. You will get the opportunity to audition for things that you didn’t even realize were out there. Of course, the hardest part of entering the acting business is finding an agent who is willing to invest their time by signing you.”

Continue reading the article including a video interview with Paul Vicario
https://franklinpanthers.us/ae/2019/06/14/audition-for-a-new-talent-agency-opening-in-franklin/

Franklin-based photographer Paul Vicario sits down in his
studio for an interview. (Pantherbook photo)

Staff Spotlight: Ms. Waters

From Pantherbook, we share this acknowledgment of Ms Waters by Halle Goldsmith:

Ms. Waters has been teaching at Franklin High School for a total of twenty-three years and has put on around 115 productions, but has finally decided to retire. 

When she first started teaching, she wanted to teach inner-city kids. At the time, Mayor Menino only allowed people who lived in Boston to teach in Boston. So after her student teaching period at Dorchester High in Boston, she started teaching at FHS. 

Waters wasn’t always a teacher though. Before teaching, she worked in retail merchandising in the fashion industry and had the hopes of being an actress. When asked why she decided to start teaching she answered, “I became a single mother with three children, I was divorced, retail is 364 days a year job and I never thought I would remarry. I thought I should pick a profession that I could enjoy while taking care of my children. I ended up remarrying, but I fell in love with teaching.”

Continue reading the article
https://franklinpanthers.us/student-life/2019/06/12/staff-spotlight-ms-waters/

Ms. Waters (Pantherbook photo)

"when you’re picking a school you have to be picking it for more than just sports"

Elizabeth Clark, student and writer for Pantherbook, recently published an interview with Kristi Kirshe.

"Every athlete imagines having successes in high school, college, and eventually the big stage of either professional sports or Olympic sports. For one Panther alumna, she had successes in high school, collegiately, and is now taking the Olympic stage, in a way many wouldn’t expect. 

Kristi Kirshe, FHS Class of 2013, will play for the USA Rugby team. In high school, she was a Gatorade Player of the Year for soccer, and a standout in basketball and lacrosse as well. She went on to play soccer at Williams College, where she was the all-time leading scorer of goals in a season (18), career goals (43), and career points (114). After college, she missed being a competitive athlete and got involved in rugby. I recently got a chance to talk to her about her successes in high school, college, and now her involvement in rugby."

Continue reading the interview with Kristi
https://franklinpanthers.us/sports/2019/05/03/fhs-alumni-kristi-kirshe-to-the-olympics/

Kristi Kirshe (US Rugby photo)

3 National Merit Scholars named at Franklin High School

"Congratulations to Franklin Panthers Sidhartha Chaganti, Alexandra Krylova, and Gerard Collins for earning the National Merit Scholars certificate. 

The National Merit Scholarship program is an academic competition managed by The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, established in 1955. Approximately 16,000 high school students, less than 1%, compete as National Merit semi-finalists, but only 7,500 students are acclaimed as National Merit Scholars. 

To be eligible, a student must take PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), along with other requirements such as completing all four years of high school. The Scholarship program views scores based on states, so each student has an equivalent chance at winning. The National Merit cutoff scores most likely change every year."

Continue reading the article online at Pantherbook
https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2019/03/25/national-merit-scholars-certificate-goes-to/

Sidhartha, Gerard, and Alexandra, on receiving National Merit Scholars certificate of Merit. This puts them in an elite group of scholars across the country.  FHS Administration

Pantherbook: "FHS Sports: Monumental Fall Seasons"

Elizabeth Clark provides a great recap of the fall sports season for Franklin High School:

This fall sports season for Franklin High School was monumental. Almost every team placed high in the Kelley-Rex division of the Hockomock League, and many advanced far in the sectional (and even state) tournament, some even winning the whole thing! We had upsets against high seeds, along with devastating overtime losses. Overall, each team left everything they had on their field or court, and FHS will go into the winter as a force to be reckoned with.

Continue reading the full article at Pantherbook
https://franklinpanthers.us/sports/2018/11/20/fhs-sports-monumental-fall-seasons/

https://twitter.com/FHScheer_/status/1064331664208334849

In the News: stained glass being restored; student walkouts planned

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Accompanied by the shrill of an electric saw, and a clinking rainfall of decades-old glazing, an entire wall of stained glass windows was extracted over the course of three days from the historic Franklin Federated Church -- bound for a Minnesota workshop to be restored to their original glory. 

Under the guidance of project manager Kit Sherwood, of Willet-Hauser Stained Glass, each delicate panel was meticulously freed from the glazing and tiny nails that held them in place. Panels were carefully tipped out, set down and lowered to the ground on a mechanical elevated work platform. There, each panel was handed over to two other team members - Sherwood’s nephew, Tyson, and brother in-law, Jimmy Cope - to be taped and cautiously packed between layers of padding into a shipping container. 

“It’s a little nerve-wracking,” admitted Sherwood, seeming relieved to have the panel he just removed safely secured with an “x” of blue tape and nestled into place among the other panels in the packing container."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180311/stained-glass-from-franklin-church-to-undergo-restoration

Related posting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/03/franklin-federated-church-stained-glass.html

The large center window was removed first

Then the smaller surrounding windows were removed

"As schools around the country brace for student walkouts following the deadly shooting in Parkland, Florida, principals and superintendents are scrambling to perform a delicate balancing act: How to let thousands of students exercise their First Amendment rights while not disrupting school and not pulling administrators into the raging debate over gun control. 

Some have taken a hard line, promising to suspend students who walk out, while others are using a softer approach, working with students to set up places on campus where they can remember the victims of the Florida shooting and express their views about school safety and gun control. 

Since the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, demonstrations have sprung up on school campuses around the country. But the first large-scale, coordinated national demonstration is planned for March 14, when organizers of the Women’s March have called for a 17-minute walkout, one minute for each of the 17 students and staff members killed in Florida."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/ZZ/20180311/NEWS/180319987

The Pantherbook article on the FHS student walkout was posted here earlier
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/03/pantherbook-walkout-planned-at-franklin.html

Pantherbook: "A Walkout Planned at Franklin High"

Pantherbook: "A Walkout Planned at Franklin High"

Rebekah Redwine, Guest Writer for Pantherbook, provides a summary of the student walkout planned at FHS for March 14.

"On February 14th, 17 lives were taken at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. As a result of the cruel gun violence of the recent years, a National School Walkout will be happening on March 14, 2018 at 10 AM. Schools all over the country will be doing this, as a way to honor those who lost their lives and to call on Congress to act upon the violence in our nation.

Franklin High will be participating in this, but the way we are doing it is a bit different from how many schools across the country are. We are lucky enough that students and teachers will not face consequences, such as suspension, for walking out and standing up for what they believe in. However, many students do not want to walk out and they will be given the chance to go to the gym for the 17 minutes. 

There is a lot of debate over this walk out, as many students do not understand what the point of the walkout is or believe that it will not make a difference. We should not have to feel unsafe in our schools, movie theaters, or homes. We call upon Congress to make a change and help end gun violence nationally. This walk out though, is more about school safety. Feeling safe in a learning environment should not be a political issue, as nobody wants to arrive at FHS at 7:15 every morning fearing for their life. This mass movement is to help us end the tragic deaths of students and teachers as a result of gun violence."

Continue reading the article about the walkout at Pantherbook
https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2018/03/06/a-walk-out-planned-at-franklin-high/

Pantherbook: "A Walkout Planned at Franklin High"

Pantherbook: "Franklin’s Winter Sports Domination"

Joe Clark, Sports Editor of Pantherbook, provides a summary of the FHS success across the winter sports season.

"Throughout the winter sports season, a familiar team has been at the top of the standings. Franklin dominated their competition throughout the entire season, which led to an astounding 111-30 record (78.72% winning percentage) across boys and girls basketball, boys and girls indoor track, boys and girls ice hockey, boys and girls swimming, wrestling, and gymnastics. 

Franklin finished first in the regular season in boys hockey, wrestling, girls indoor track, and girls swimming. 

In addition, they won the Hockomock League in boys hockey, wrestling, girls indoor track, boys and girls swimming, and cheerleading also won the Hockomock League, in addition to finishing second at their state competition. 

They finished no lower than 4th in the standings in any sport. Every single team qualified for the postseason in their respective sports."

Continue reading the summary on Pantherbook
https://franklinpanthers.us/sports/2018/03/03/franklin-winter-sports-domination/

FHS Panthers