Two too good not to share!

1 - "Happy birthday Will! We love to bring a smile!"

Happy birthday Will! We love to bring a smile! Hey @johnkrasinski and @somegoodnews here is #SomeGoodNews ! https://t.co/70nZCAMgfG

— Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) April 3, 2020

Also found in the Milford Daily News:
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200403/video-franklin-boy-serenaded-by-police-on-his-12th-birthday

Twitter video screengrab

2 - Kathy Pennell reads "Brown Bear, Brown Bear ..."

View the story video on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kathy.pennell.10/videos/10222192179696410/ 

Facebook screengrab image

 

FM #198 - Jeff StGermain On "How I Read" - The Word Experiences Tour (audio)

FM #198

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 198 in the series, we are now collaborating on with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

Jeff St Germain, author and resident of Franklin sat with me recently at the Franklin studio. He talks about his new children’s book “How I Read” and the background research driving him to develop ‘word experiences’ for young children.

Listen to our conversation, approximately 24 minutes


https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrD7VxrX





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

Visit https://howtoreadbooks.com/about-talsd.html to learn why the focus of each event is "word experiences" for the participants.

Follow Jeff on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoreadbook/

“The Early Catastrophe” by Hart-Risley https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/periodicals/TheEarlyCatastrophe.pdf

Related link to the Hart-Risley study mentioned
http://www.wvearlychildhood.org/resources/C-13_Handout_1.pdf

Link to NPR audio report updating the study with new info
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/06/01/615188051/lets-stop-talking-about-the-30-million-word-gap

Betty Hart’s wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Hart
Todd Risley interview on YouTube https://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/experts/todd-risley


For the inquiring minds: the book that had my attention so deeply that I almost missed getting off the train, not once but twice with the same book: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman  http://philip-pullman.com/hdm

Jeff and Klondike at the Franklin Public Library

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

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I 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 this, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"

In the News: Recycling company expands; MA schools top rated again

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

"A national recycling center that has a presence in Franklin has moved to a larger location to meet increased demand in people recycling their old working refrigerators and freezers.

In June, Arca Recycling Inc moved from its approximately 15,000-square-foot facility at 40 Kenwood Circle to an approximately 22,000-square-foot facility at 20 Liberty Way, according to Regional Transportation Director Stefan Marszalek.

Many residents in the state are taking advantage of Mass Save’s appliance recycling program, which provides monetary incentives for eligible individuals who recycle their functional refrigerator and freezer. Mass Save is funded by the state’s major energy utilities, including Cape Light Compact, Eversource, National Grid and Unitil.

On Monday, the company hosted an open house at the Franklin location to give representatives from those utility companies a first-hand look at what goes on inside the facility, which includes taking apart and recycling the appliances."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190806/new-franklin-quarters-for-refrigerator-recycling-company

Arca Recycling  https://www.arcarecyclinginc.com/

Arca Recycling Inc

"The state’s schools were the highest-ranked in both math and reading test scores, as well as the lowest percentage of threatened and injured high school students.

For the second year in a row, Massachusetts schools are tops in the nation.

At least that was the result of a recently released study from the personal finance website WalletHub.

The state’s schools were the highest-ranked in both math and reading test scores, as well as the lowest percentage of threatened and injured high school students. The state ranked in the top five in several other categories."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190806/report-says-massachusetts-schools-are-best-again

Read the report online  https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-schools/5335/

the highest-ranked in both math and reading test scores

Franklin Library: Pat Patriot joins reading time - April 11

Pat Patriot is tackling story time April 11 at 10:30 AM.

Franklin Library: Pat Patriot joins reading time - April 11

Shared from the Library page
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/patriots-story-craft-thursday

LeVar Burton Continues his Legacy of Literacy

Announcing a New Literacy Resource for RIF March 2019 Happy National Reading Month! As an important supporter of RIF's work, I want you to know more about a truly transformational addition to RIF's literacy toolbox. Earlier this month, I was joined by actor, director and literacy advocate LeVar Burton at the South by Southwest Education Conference (SXSW EDU) to announce his gift of literacy to a packed house. The event was attended by thought leaders and influencers in the education industry and was a perfect opportunity to announce the gift of Levar Burton Kids' awarding-winning Skybrary to Reading Is Fundamental. Skybrary allows RIF to expand its suite of digital offerings for young readers with an interactive library of over 900 high-quality digital books and video explorations designed to engage young readers and foster a lifelong love of learning.  The child-friendly resource allows kids to explore thematic collections of books and add books they are inspired by to a digital backpack.  Each book includes audio, along with additional games, videos, and other activities that support the book. The team at RIF is so thankful for this incredible resource and we are enthusiastically exploring ways we can extend access to Skybrary to those most in need. We look forward to sharing our plans with you. LeVar is beautifully eloquent about literacy and the link to our conversation follows if you want to learn more. Watch the Video https://youtu.be/Ca84S2emJAM Thank you for sharing a bit of National Reading Month with RIF and heartfelt thanks for everything you do to support children's literacy. RIF's work would not be possible without you. Sincerely, Alicia Levi President and CEO Support Literacy © 2019 Reading Is Fundamental | www.rif.org 750 First Street NE, Suite 920 Washington, DC 20002 development@rif.org | 1-877-RIF-READ

Library of Congress: WATCH LIVE on HALLOWEEN - Frankenreads

LIVE Reading of Shelley's "Frankenreads" on Halloween 2018 marks the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," and to acknowledge this milestone, the Library of Congress hosts "Frankenreads," a live, day-long reading of the novel in its entirety by Library staff, friends and some very special guests. The program will be streamed LIVE on Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET:  Watch LIVE on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY7dn_7dj9o

Franklin Library: Summer Reading Kickoff - June 22

Summer reading kicks off with a party on the Town Common, Friday, June 22 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

Franklin Library: Summer Reading Kickoff - June 22

This was shared from the Town of Franklin Library page
http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/summer-reading-kick

"Finishing and understanding a book was such an accomplishment for him. That one win is the start to rebuilding his confidence"

From the Franklin radar for regular readers, the exploits of the "Crazy Reading Ladies" at Horace Mann may be familiar. This article provides a nice recap of their insights in getting middle school students to read.

"The expectations of middle school are daunting enough without the added challenges for students with learning disabilities. Students who have difficulty with reading skills and comprehension find themselves at a disadvantage that has repercussions academically and socially. 

Fortunately, Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin, Massachusetts, has Erin O’Leary and Mary Cotillo, affectionately known by their students as “The Crazy Reading Ladies.” Erin is a reading specialist who provides intensive reading instruction while Mary is the assistant principal and a former 8th grade English Language Arts teacher who cultivates a schoolwide community of readers and literacy. 

In a recently published Bookshare blog series, Erin and Mary share their wildly successful techniques and philosophy on removing barriers and getting reluctant readers to succeed."

Continue reading the article online   https://benetech.org/teach-reading-skills/

Erin O’Leary and Mary Cotillo, affectionately known by their students as “The Crazy Reading Ladies"

"a great thing considering the town’s history"

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

"The words of the town’s namesake filled the air. And more than three centuries later, many of them still apply. 

To celebrate the 312th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, the town held an inaugural public readathon of his autobiography at the library on Wednesday. 

The daylong event included guest readers spanning from Franklin State Rep. Jeff Roy to local engineer and inventor John Berg. 

Spectators came and went throughout the day, leaving with the words of the founding father jingling around in their heads."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180117/town-celebrates-ben-franklins-birthday-with-readathon

I had the unexpected pleasure of reading the last segment to close out the day. It was fun and so much of what Ben wrote is still applicable today.

The status of Benjamin Franklin outside the Library in the light dusting
of snow that came through Wednesday evening

Ben Franklin’s Autobiography Readathon - Jan 17

"In honor of the 312th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, the namesake of our town and founder of our library, the Franklin Public Library will be holding a “readathon” – a marathon reading of the full text of the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, first published in 1791. The book is considered a classic of American literature. According to the Library of Congress, “It was not only the first autobiography to achieve widespread popularity, but after two hundred years remains one of the most enduringly popular examples of the genre ever written.” 

Like other readathons, this one invites the public to participate! Readers are encouraged to sign up in advance for 15-minute segments. Commencing when the library opens at 9 AM on January 17, readers will share the words of Ben Franklin with anyone interested in dropping by for all or part of the event. It is expected that the reading will be completed by the time the library closes at 8 PM. Water and other refreshments will be available for readers and audience alike."

Event Timing: January 17, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Event Address: Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St, Franklin, MA
Contact us at (508)520-4941 or kshipala@minlib.net

sign up online to read
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScm0UJMnxgiGC5BZpoUH_CWO_vZvd0hOyO5RaaSloeBAYdJZw/viewform

Ben Franklin’s Autobiography Readathon - Jan 17

Charles River Meadowlands Initiative: Information and Children's Reading - Feb 2

To kick of 2018, the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative will be holding an information session on Feb. 2, International Wetlands Day AND Groundhog Day. We will be offering literature, information and a slideshow from 3-6 PM at the Franklin Public Library in the ground floor meeting room. Feel free to stop by and encourage anyone who might be interested to come, too. 

In ADDITION, we are co-sponsoring a reading of meteorologist Mish Michael's book, Ms. G. and Her Shadowy Road to Fame -- a children's book loosely based on the state's real life "official" Groundhog! Franklin Town Councilor Melanie Hamblen will be the guest reader at 3:30 in the Children's Room at the Library. For further information about the Ms. G. program, contact Children's Librarian Calleigh Keating (ckeating@minlib.net).

http://www.mastategroundhog.com/ms-g/ms-gs-shadowy-road-to-fame

For more about the Ms. G. book
http://www.mastategroundhog.com/ms-g/ms-gs-shadowy-road-to-fame

For more about the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative
https://www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org/ 

Franklin Library: Dragons Love Tacos Party - Jul 21 - 2:00 PM

The Franklin Library calls all dragon lovers to attention. The "Dragons Love Tacos" and "Dragons Love Tacos 2" books will be read aloud on Friday, Jul 21 at 2:00 PM.

After the reading, there'll be a party. Crafts, activities, and of course, tacos!

Franklin Library: Dragons Love Tacos Party - Jul 21 - 2:00 PM

This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/dragons-love-tacos-party

Franklin Library: Summer Reading Kickoff Carnival - June 21

Summer Reading Kick-off Carnival, Wednesday, June 21, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Franklin Library: Summer Reading Kickoff Carnival - June 21

This summer, the library is rolling out a whole bunch of fun new items to encourage literacy and creative play! Be sure to stop in and explore the fun new items we'll be unveiling each week!

Check out the Summer Program flyer:
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/summer_2017_trifold_update.pdf

Franklin Library: Summer Reading Book Tote Decorating - June 16

Summer Reading Book Tote Decorating, Friday, June 16, 3:30 p.m.

Franklin Library: Summer Reading Book Tote Decorating - June 16

Shared from the Franklin Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2017/06/summer-reading-book-tote-decorating.html

"You inspire me to continue writing"

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

"Best-selling author and Carnegie Medal finalist Ruta Sepetys told a rapt group of middle schoolers that the characters in her novels are not just a collection of sentences on a printed page. 

"As I'm writing, I'd feel not only angry, but sad - I'd be sobbing (while writing)," she said. "They really do feel real to me." 

Courtesy of Skype, Sepetys came to Horace Mann Middle School to talk about the writing process, resolving plot questions and plug an upcoming movie based on her New York Times best-seller "Between Shades of Gray." The 2011 novel is about the genocide of Lithuanians and other Baltic people following the Soviet occupation in 1941. 

Sepetys said she decided to write the book to shine light on a little-known chapter of history. She said she had spoken to survivors who told her not to bother with it, as the world has forgotten them."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170217/franklin-students-meet-with-celebrated-author-of-between-shades-of-gray

HMS students for @AllInReading event with the author

Horace Mann Middle School in MA brought me to tears! Students created a Lithuanian flag with their shirts for @allinreading Skype event. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GvoYQaMbQD

— Ruta Sepetys (@RutaSepetys) February 17, 2017

One Book, One Community 2017 - Vote for your choice now

The goal of the Franklin Public Library's One Book, One Community program is to help build a better sense of fellowship through a shared reading experience.

The four titles (two fiction, two nonfiction) were selected by the library's Collection Development team and were chosen for their literary merit, contemporary relevance, and reading enjoyment. The titles are

• A Head Full of Ghosts, by Paul Tremblay
• The Last Bookaneer, by Matthew Pearl
• Hillbilly Elegy:  a memoir of a family and culture in crisis, by J.D. Vance  
• Midnight in Siberia: a train journey into the heart of Russia, by David Greene

To vote, please visit this link:
https://docs.google.com/a/minlib.net/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_l11tAP6odQJQRGy6kQ2CrOO_B6rL3-OtLIg_iu1ppbR14Q/viewform

The title with the most community votes will be the 2017 town-wide read.

Which book do you think we should read? 

Voting takes place now through December 31st.

One Book, One Community 2017 - Vote for your choice now

The Last Bookaneer, by Matthew Pearl

A Head Full of Ghosts, by Paul Tremblay 

Hillbilly Elegy:  by J.D. Vance 

Midnight in Siberia: by David Greene

In the News: Snow removal for schools; Horace Mann book choice; Tri-County's Gerry's Place

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

"During a review of snow removal procedures between the schools and the Department of Public Works, a district busing policy was singled out for praise. 

DPW Superintendent Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi, speaking at the School Committee meeting Tuesday night, praised a school policy in which buses - if sidewalks have not yet been plowed following a storm - pick up every student they pass by, even those who do not typically take the bus. 

"It's a great, great thing - I've told other communities about it," he said. "It's worked out really well."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161214/franklin-schools-dpw-prep-for-snow-season

one slide from the snow removal presentation highlights the parents responsibility

"Students at the Horace Mann Middle School were on tenterhooks Tuesday, awaiting the climactic reveal of this year's "All In!" book. 

A full assembly watched as Horace Mann alum Katie O'Neill opened a package to reveal the 2017-2018 selection: "Between Shades of Gray," a novel that documents the plight of Lithuanians during the Stalinist regime. 

The program - administered by the "Crazy Reading Ladies" team of Assistant Principal Mary Cotillo and teacher Erin O'Leary - is an effort to encourage literacy by having the entire school read through one book. 

"It's entirely voluntary - we don't want to force students to do it, but we do want to make it as irresistible as possible," said O'Leary, adding that "All In!" is now in its sixth year. "Last year, we had 302 students participate."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161213/school-reveals-all-in-book-selection

"Gerry's Place, the student-run restaurant at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, will host an annual International Holiday Buffet from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the high school, 147 Pond St. 

Menu offerings will include spanakopita, French onion soup, seafood espagnole, stuffed turkey, sweet and sour pork, Israeli chicken, latke, saffron rice, sweet potato casserole, and green beans with cumin and garlic. The dessert table will feature assorted sweet treats from around the globe, including koeksisters from South Africa. 

The buffet costs $12.95 per person. No reservations will be taken."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161213/gerrys-place-to-offer-buffet

Franklin Library: End of Summer Jam with Jamie Barrett

Summer time is almost gone, school about to open. The reading list hopefully has been completed so it is time to celebrate!

Join Jamie Barrett at the Franklin Public Library on Monday, Aug 22 at 1:00 PM to help celebrate.

This was shared from the Franklin Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/08/end-of-summer-jam-with-jamie-barrett.html

From hydroponics to "Crazy Reading Ladies" all in one School Committee meeting

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday May 24 heard presentations from Parmenter and Horace Mann, reviewed three policy changes and received some updates from the Superintendent. The highlights and details follow.

• Parmenter School provided an update on their hydroponic gardens and how that is being used to foster education and collaboration.

• Horace Mann provided an update on the student efforts to help make transition to middle school better as well as the "All In" reading program. The reading program achieved major notoriety this year when the author heard of their efforts via Twitter, arranged to visit, and the brought along one of the surviving Coast Guard men who were part of real life "The Finest Hours." 

Co-author Casey Sherman and Coast Guard engineer Mel Gouthro with one of the "Crazy Reading Ladies"

• The School Committee started the review of three policy changes and moved them to a second reading. Most of the material change is bringing the language current with legal and regulatory requirements.

• Dianne Plouffe was announced as the new District Music Director replacing Nancy Schoen who is retiring after this year.

My notes captured live during the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting: Discussion items to Closing
• Live reporting: Horace Mann update
• Live reporting: School Committee - May 24, 2016

From the archives:

•   The post recounting the visit of Casey Sherman and Mel Guthro

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/03/it-touched-me-not-because-you-loved.html

Live reporting: Horace Mann update

b. Horace Mann Update

Colin came up with the idea of a transition video for the 6th graders coming to Horace Mann
should help to reduce anxiousness

lockers create nervousness
locker buddies
switching classes

"pencils are like gold"

The video will be used for the Oak and Thayer students 

"Keep your locker clean"

8th grader got a concussion during 7th grade and had subsequent incidents during this year but the teachers and her classmates helped her out

part of drama club, provided confidence to speak in public

part of student council, raising money for school mascot

screen grab of presentation showing field trip to Chatham to complete the "Finest Hours" reading activities

8th grader is also a soccer player and used to making quick decisions

started stress relief to begin understanding the transition to high school

viewed all of the options for elective classes to take, overwhelming at first

explained honors vs CP classes

select a variety of options to provide a variety of options for career path

taking a deep breadth and calming down, will try hard and while not scared will take next step to high school

"All In"

annual tradition of the 'crazy reading ladies'  just 'greatness'

if you have read the book and complete the work, you can go to the movie

'three-peat'

if they read the book each year, you earned the title 

the students chose the book "The Finest Hours" this year via popular vote

make books accessible, via library, audio book, and other creative ways

after school sessions to discuss as it goes

usually four to eight weeks to read

the power of social media is amazing, they are still getting used to

the author found about the school reading activity via a tweet

the author hosted a writing workshop for students

Mel Guthro sang every word to the Coast Guard song when introduced at the assembly

explained more detail than the book or movie covered

the piece of the boat was gifted the school

trip to Chatham to visit the lighthouse, beach where the event occurred

they saw the actual boat as it has been restored

How can they top that?

Follow the "Crazy Reading Ladies" on Twitter  https://twitter.com/allinreading