![]() |
Franklin SEPAC presents a workshop on the science of reading and IDEA Law |
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 *
Monday, March 27, 2023
Franklin SEPAC presents a workshop on the science of reading and IDEA Law (virtual) - April 12
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Massachusetts Center for the Book has a 2023 Reading Challenge
- February: Read a book set in your home town/ city, or state
If you are looking for a fun, unique reading challenge to take on in 2023, the Massachusetts Center for the Book has you covered.
Check it out today! https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge
![]() |
Massachusetts Center for the Book has a 2023 Reading Challenge |
Monday, January 2, 2023
One book, One Community -> Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation
What is "One Book, One Community?"
The goal of the Franklin Library’s One book, One Community program is to help build a better sense of fellowship through a shared reading experience.
What are we reading?
Beginning January 1st, 2023, we'll be reading Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler, adapted by John Jennings and Damian Duffy. The novel, first published in 1979, is Butler’s most celebrated, critically acclaimed work and tells the story of Dana, a young black woman who is suddenly and inexplicably transported from her home in 1970s California to the pre–Civil War South. As she time-travels between worlds, one in which she is a free woman and one where she is part of her own complicated familial history on a southern plantation, she becomes frighteningly entangled in the lives of Rufus, a conflicted white slaveholder and one of Dana’s own ancestors, and the many people who are enslaved by him.
During numerous such time-defying episodes with the same young man, she realizes the challenge she’s been given: to protect this young slaveholder until he can father her own great-grandmother.
For more about the book and this reading https://vbuchanio.wixsite.com/onebook
![]() |
One book, One Community -> Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation |
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Join RIF for our Every Book is a Math Book webinar!
|

Thursday, October 27, 2022
The Nation's Report Card: Declining Reading Scores - Reading Is Fundamental
|
Friday, October 21, 2022
Author Leslie Connor scheduled to visit Franklin's 3 middle schools next week
Thank you for your ongoing support of this initiative; Franklin has a reputation as a town that grows readers and it's events like this that keep the spirit alive.
- Pamela Allard
- Daniel Moriarty
- Erin O'Leary
![]() |
Author Leslie Connor scheduled to visit Franklin's 3 middle schools next week |
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Author Visits scheduled for Franklin Middle Schools Oct 25-27
Exciting news! We'll welcome @LeslieConnor29 to HMMS in October - this will be her second tour of the middle schools and our first IN PERSON author in two years!
Be sure to read before her visit @EscapeIntoFictn @FrkPublicLib https://t.co/kl8A7N2HWK
https://twitter.com/HMMSLightning/status/1575881728249339910?t=lk2ltmsX3s4kaW7eMbUUyQ&s=03
Author Tour scheduled for Middle Schools Oct 25-27 |
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Advances on the reading front: Library of Congress adds teachers; DESE changes screening rule
"The Library of Congress kicked off the 2022-2023 school year by welcoming two teachers to its Capitol Hill campus. Jacqueline Katz and Caneshia Mills will work closely with staff in the Library’s Center for Learning, Literacy and Engagement to make primary sources from the Library’s collections more accessible for teachers, students and families throughout the United States.
Jacqueline Katz, a high school science teacher from Princeton, New Jersey, will serve as the Library’s Albert Einstein Fellow.
Caneisha Mills, a middle school history teacher from Washington, D.C., has been named the Teacher-in-Residence at the Library. "
![]() |
Teachers to Advance Accessibility of Primary Sources for Educators |
"Massachusetts schools for the first time will face a requirement to screen young students for dyslexia and other potential learning disabilities at least twice per year under a policy state education officials approved Tuesday.
Taking aim at what Education Secretary James Peyser dubbed a "wait-to-fail strategy," the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted unanimously in favor of regulations setting statewide standards for districts to monitor student literacy progress.Many Bay State schools are already performing some kind of dyslexia or learning disability screening, but officials said the existing framework is dotted with gaps. Now, schools will be subject to the same requirement to assess every kindergartener, first grader, second grader and third grader at least twice annually using state-approved tools to gauge their "reading ability and progress in literacy skills."
"The Department is supporting schools with a variety of funding opportunities. The Department has offered a competitive grant twice in the last 18 months to support the purchase of early literacy screening assessments and the associated professional development, awarding over $471,955 total to 27 school districts. A similar grant will be offered again in the current school year to support schools that do not yet have an appropriate screening measure in place or are in need of training. The Early Grades Literacy Grant and Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts Grants also provide funding to school districts to purchase an approved screening assessment and the associated professional development if needed. Student Opportunity Act (SOA) guidance identified early literacy screening as a key evidence-based practice, and the Department encourages school districts to use SOA funding to support this cost."
From the "backup" doc shared by Tracy https://www.doe.mass.edu/bese/docs/fy2023/2022-09/item3.docx
Friday, August 26, 2022
Escape Into Fiction sets up teacher wish lists
"New #teacher wish lists in the store for our #localteachers. Come in or email to create yours!
We love our #teachers. Mail@escapeintofiction.com 10 books/author, grade, school!
#franklin #franklinpublicschools #wrenthamma #kpschools"
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/EscapeIntoFictn/status/1562446370036142080
Where is Escape Into Fiction? 12 Main St in downtown Franklin or visit them on the web at -> https://escapeintofiction.com/
Escape Into Fictions sets up teacher wish lists |
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Franklin Middle School - Summer Reading Recommendations
Summer Reading
○ Use this log to record the books you read and return to your ELA teacher in the fall.
○ This is a great way to connect with new teachers and peers.○ We recommend that students take brief notes on their favorite title to keep their memory fresh.
○ Students should read or listen to one of her books this summer.
Continue reading the 2 pager -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/news/middle_school_summer_reading_2022.pdf
![]() |
Franklin Middle School - Summer Reading Recommendations |
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Horace Mann Middle School "Books to go" open 11 to 1 Thursday
"#Summerreading makes a difference!
If you need help finding a book, stop by Books to Go in the HMMS lobby Thursday 11a-1p."
Ms O'Leary has a brief video to promote reading during the summer
#Summerreading makes a difference! If you need help finding a book, stop by Books to Go in the HMMS lobby Thursday 11a-1p. pic.twitter.com/AtLETUlsho
— Horace Mann MS (@HMMSLightning) July 13, 2022
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/HMMSLightning/status/1547267299173928961
![]() |
Horace Mann Middle School "Books to go" open 11 to 1 Thursday |
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Franklin Public Library July 2022 News & Events
Franklin Public Library July 2022 News & Events
Library Hours
The Franklin Public Library will be closed Monday, July 4th for Independence Day. The Library's summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Library is closed on Sundays in July and August.
Book Sale
Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, July 15th , 1:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday, July 16th , 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, July 16th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!
Your Franklin Public Library card gives you the opportunity to receive either free or reduced cost admission to many of the areas' most popular museums and attractions! Some of the most popular destinations are the Boston Children's Museum, New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, and the Mass State Parks Pass. Reservations may be made up to thirty days in advance on the Museum Pass page of the library's website. Be sure to check back regularly as we are continually adding more passes for you to enjoy! http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/tkflex.cfm?curOrg=FRANKLIN&curapp=passes
See the latest additions to our collections at the Franklin Public Library! -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/new-materials
Special Events for Kids & Families
Rolie Polie Guacamolie Concert! Saturday July 2 @10:30AM
Holy Guacamole! The award-winning kiddie music titans of Brooklyn, Rolie Polie Guacamole, are ready to raise the roof with a rocking, all-ages show! Rolie Polie Guacamole is pure FUN with high-energy songs all done up in folk, funk, rock, Latin and country styles, about eating healthy, staying active, and places the band loves to go, with a sprinkling of animal tunes thrown in for good measure.
Events for Adults
Franklin Reads!
Summer reading is not just for kids! Beginning July 1st, in connection with the Hoopla Book Club, we'll be reading The Temps by Andrew DeYoung. Is it a post-apocalyptic mystery? Witty satire of the corporate machine? Page-turning thriller? Or all of the above? Grab a copy and find out! Both audiobook and ebook are available through the Hoopla app, and print copies will be available at the library or through interlibrary loan.
Foreign Film Night, Tuesday July 5 & 19, 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of world cinema! Light refreshments will be served.
- Tuesday, July 5th: Certified Copy, 2010, France
Juliette Binoche stars in this enchanting romantic drama about two strangers who fall in love on one luxurious day in gorgeous Tuscany.
- Tuesday, July 19th: A Man Called Ove, 2015, Sweden
Ove, an ill tempered, isolated retiree who spends his days enforcing block association rules and visiting his wife's grave, has finally given up on life just as an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbors. Based on the bestselling novel.
The films also can be viewed at home using your library card on Kanopy.com !
This is a short listing of the full slate of events for July. To view the full listing, please visit the library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/franklin-public-library-july-2022-news-events
![]() |
Franklin Public Library July 2022 News & Events |
Monday, February 21, 2022
"we can celebrate both our differences and our similarities"
The analogy of "windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors" struck me when I heard it at the School Committee meeting Feb 8 and then again at the Town Council meeting Feb 16. I was delighted to find my eyes caught a reference to this in my Twitter stream.
Via Debbie Reese (https://twitter.com/debreese), we find that Reading is Fundamental (https://www.rif.org/) shared a re-print of the original article by Rudine Sims Bishop published in 1990.
"Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created or recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. Reading, then, becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books."
You can read the full article here -> https://scenicregional.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mirrors-Windows-and-Sliding-Glass-Doors.pdf
The Twitter thread -> https://twitter.com/debreese/status/1495060049634467840
School Committee DEI presentation -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/dei_presentation_february_8_2022_5.pdf
Audio recording of the DEI segment -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-727-school-committee-meeting-02-08-22-p2-of-3
slide from the update on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts around the district |
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Ruta Sepetys visits HMMS virtually
"Books, balloons, and @RutaSepetys. These @HMMSLightning kids and this extraordinary author filled the auditorium with *wonderful*.
There aren't enough words for this day. It means so, so much. #IMustBetrayYou #letthemread @PenguinClass @unlikelybkstore "
https://t.co/x96dQz1iHy (follow link for additional photos)
Ruta Sepetys visits HMMS virtually |
Wicked Local: "On World Read Aloud Day, locals share their favorite stories"
"Often they begin with "Once Upon a Time," but there are other beginnings, too, like "Once there was a tree," and "All children, except one, grow up."
No two are exactly alike, but they all have something in common: A way of creating memories of childhood and family traditions.
Most people have special memories of being read aloud to -- moments spent in havens of love and comfort, immersed in myriad stories where bears can talk, boys can fly, and frogs can turn into princes with a kiss.
Today it's World Read Aloud Day, a world-wide effort started by the non-profit LitWorld 13 years ago as part of its mission "to strengthen kids and communities through the power of stories." Sponsored by Scholastic, World Read Aloud Day calls attention to "the importance of sharing stories by challenging participants to grab a book, find an audience, and read aloud," according to scholastic.com."
https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/country-gazette/2022/02/02/its-world-read-aloud-day-do-you-have-favorite-story/9304861002/
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Attention Elementary Students: Enjoy a Summer of Reading and Earn up to $25!
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monday, May 31, 2021
Franklin Library: Summer Reading Registration Begins June 1
Summer Reading Sign-ups go Live on the Franklin Public Library Website beginning Tuesday, June 1st! Visit our Summer Reading Portal and sign up each of your children using our convenient Google form!
The Portal will also contain:
- Our complete summer schedule
- Links to the school summer reading lists
- FAQs
- A google form to help us track your reading!
- Downloadable activities!
- And more!
Summer Reading Bags will be available for curbside pickup at 10AM beginning on June 1st! Call the Children’s Room when you arrive at the library, and we will help make sure you’re signed up/check you off our list, and bring your summer reading bags out to you! Inside the summer reading bags you’ll find everything you need to have an awesome summer with the library, including:
- Reading logs and stickers (and instructions) to track your reading progress!
- A jam packed event calendar to hang on the fridge!
- Special activity packets that correspond with each themed week of the summer!
- Fun surprises!
The Summer Reading Theme this year is: Tails and Tales, with a fun focus on Animals and Habitats, and we’ve got a great calendar of events that correspond with weekly themes, from Woodland story-walk romps and Savannah STEAM challenges, to Desert Animals and Under the sea ‘Seek-N-Finds’! We can’t wait to make this an epic summer!
Summer Reading Portal -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/summer-reading-2021-0
Shared from the Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/317406
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture Boston: HOME Poetry reading March 5-6
"The next HOME poetry reading and workshop will be on March 5-6. The theme is "I Belong There", and the facilitator is Monica Sok. In this workshop, we will read poetry of exile and ask ourselves what it means to create (be)longing inside of our poems."
City of Boston poet laureate https://www.boston.gov/departments/arts-and-culture/city-boston-poet-laureate
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Looking for something to read? How about the School Committee policy manual?
Looking for reading material during school vacation? Have you checked out the policy manual for the School Committee?
"THE PEOPLE AND THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Franklin School Committee has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and local citizens' expectations for the education of the community's youth. It also has an obligation to determine and assess citizens' desires. When citizens elect delegates to represent them in the conduct of public education, their representatives have the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, making decisions, and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility.
The Franklin School Committee therefore affirms and declares its intent to:
- Maintain two-way communications with citizens of the community. The public will be kept informed of the progress and problems of the school system, and citizens will be urged to bring their aspirations and feelings about their public schools to the attention of this body, which they have chosen to represent them in the management of public education.
- Establish policies and make decisions on the basis of declared educational philosophy and goals. All decisions made by this Committee will be made with priority given to the purposes set forth, most crucial of which is the optimal learning of the student enrolled in our schools.
- Act as a truly representative body for members of the community in matters involving public education. The Committee recognizes that ultimate responsibility for public education rests with the state, but individual School Committees have been assigned specific authority through state law. The Committee will not relinquish any of this authority since it believes that decision-making control over the student’s learning should be in the hands of local citizens as much as possible. "
Reviewed; no revisions 4/8/2008; Reviewed; revised 5/3/2014
Shared from the Franklin Public Schools page: https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual/pages/ab-people-and-their-school-district
Top level of the policy manual https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual
![]() |
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual |