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 *
Throughout the school year, we love sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the exciting things happening in our kitchens and cafeterias. You can always find our latest videos pinned to the Franklin Public Schools Homepage in the "live feed" section or on our Official YouTube Channel.
FM #1828 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1828 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM. 6 of the 7 members were present in Council Chambers, 1 participated remotely.
Quick recap
While the District Improvement Plan was reviewed last meeting, this session gets to the next level down, the school level plans. They started with ECDC, the Elementary k-2, then 3-5, then middle school and high school. Each administrator(s) presented the key 4 four goals. After all the initial presentations were made, the committee then in reverse order asked questions or commented on what was presented (high school, middle school, 3-5, K-2 and ECDC)
The plan was ultimately approved as submitted and discussed by 7-0 vote. There was an amendment proposed to modify a goal or two but after clarification and discussion the amendment was withdrawn
The Interacting with Law Enforcement Officers Engaged in Civil Law Enforcement (PROTECT Act) was up for first reading. Due to the timing (DESE submitted guidance just before school opened) and this was supposed to be in place before school started. The second reading was voted to be waived to move the measure into policy quickly
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"
While the District Improvement Plan was reviewed last meeting, this session gets to the next level down, the school level plans. They started with ECDC, the Elementary k-2, then 3-5, then middle school and high school. Each administrator(s) presented the key 4 four goals. After all the initial presentations were made, the committee then in reverse order asked questions or commented on what was presented (high school, middle school, 3-5, K-2 and ECDC)
Copy of the plan not yet posted to the FPS District page. It will be added here when available
The plan was ultimately approved as submitted and discussed by 7-0 vote. There was an amendment proposed to modify a goal or two but after clarification and discussion the amendment was withdrawn
The Interacting with Law Enforcement Officers Engaged in Civil Law Enforcement (PROTECT Act) was up for first reading. Due to the timing (DESE submitted guidance just before school opened) and this was supposed to be in place before school started. The second reading was voted to be waived to move the measure into ploicy quickly
The Children’s Museum of Franklin did celebrate the opening of their new ~4,000-square-foot outdoor play and exploration space with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
The expansion comes just days after the Museum marked its first anniversary. Children’s Museum of Franklin first opened its doors on September 18, 2025, and in its first year has welcomed more than 70,000 visitors from 400+ towns and cities across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and beyond.
The new outdoor space extends the Museum experience beyond its walls, creating additional opportunities for children to get messy, experiment, create, gather and learn through play.
Designed with accessibility and open-ended exploration at its core, the approximately 4,000-square-foot space includes:
Accessible pour-in-place surfacing
Messy art and creative play
A hands-on water pump and tubing system
Giant bubble play
Picnic tables for gathering, creating and eating
A signature Farm to Fridge exhibit created in partnership with Garelick Farms
The Farm to Fridge experience introduces children to the journey of milk from the farm to their refrigerator through hands-on, imaginative play.
ABOUT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF FRANKLIN
Children's Museum of Franklin is a nonprofit, hands-on museum on a mission to empower children and families to discover, imagine, and grow together through play and exploration. Through interactive exhibits, engaging programming, and a commitment to accessibility and belonging, the Museum creates opportunities for joyful learning for visitors of all ages. https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is excited to launch its 13thannualSafe Streets Smart Trips High School Video Contest and we look forward to your students participating!
For the 2026-2027 school year, we are inviting all enrolled Massachusetts public high school students to write and produce a 30-60 second video showcasingsafe riding behaviors for electric micromobility devices (e-bikes, e-scooters, etc.). By bringing attention to this growing safety topic, we can help students, families, and community members better understand their role in promoting safe and responsible behaviors.
The video contest will feature two entry categories – a Freshman/Sophomore category and a Junior/Senior category. A grand prize, runner-up, and honorable mention will be selected in each category. Top videos may be used in future MassDOT safety campaigns.
Prize categories:
Grand Prize package – $500 Amazon gift card & sponsor items
Runner-up package – $300 Amazon gift card & sponsor items
Honorable Mention package – Sponsor items
All winners will be announced on October 27, 2026 at MassDOT’s Moving Together Conference. The winners will be featured during one of the conference sessions and the videos will be showcased to a large audience of transportation professionals.
Please circulate the attached submission guidelines and encourage your students to have fun, be safe, and get creative! There is no limit to the number of students who can participate. All video submissions must be uploaded in the submission form no later than,
The Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday, Sep 16 beginning at 6 PM. All 9 councilors were present to open the meeting, one left during the meeting. All votes recorded via voice vote and noted as 8 yes, 0 no, and 1 absent.
FRANKLIN TV video is available for replay in 2 parts. Zoom automatically restarted during the session and while Zoom and the cable broadcast resumed automatically, the YuTube stream needed to be restarted.
reminder to sign up for the Franklin First newsletter
Touts future sessions Oct 14, 28, and Nov 4 to help prepare for the tax rate setting later this year
Proclamation: Hunger Action Month
Town Staff Retirements
i. John Rondeau, Facilities, 35 Years
ii. Michael Ellsworth, Facilities, 33 Years
iii. Patrick Farrell, DPW, 32 Years
iv. Irene McDonough, Facilities, 29 Years
v. Jon Chalk, Fire Dept, 21 Years
Franklin Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department; $2k donation, over $10k for the past several years
FM #1821 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1821 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith. We had our discussion virtually via Zoom on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Our conversation covered the following topics from the School Committee meetings of August 11, August 25, and September 8, 2026.
Across the 3 meetings we covered the following topics:
Lifeline learning activities for summer
Hiring status
Transportation update
Handbook and policies updated
District Improvement Plan reviewed, feedback provided
Our conversation runs about 35 minutes. Let’s listen
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"
Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, September 11, 2026
Volleyball = Bishop Feehan, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– Franklin made it three wins and three sweeps in a row to start the season, beating Feehan 25-13, 25-12, 25-18. Emerson Delleo led the way for a balanced Panthers attack with 10 kills, while adding 12 digs, three aces, and a pair of blocks. Phoebe O’Connor dished out 30 assists and chipped in with nine digs, six aces, and five blocks. Gianna Laurello had seven kills and 12 digs, Marley Lindenmeyer had six kills and a dozen digs, and Charlotte Yeulenski had five kills, four aces, and three blocks.
Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Thursday, September 10, 2026
Field Hockey = Franklin, 18 @ Milford, 0 – Final
– Ella Marzullo led Franklin with four goals, while Penelope Brady, Caydence Canavan, and Lila Reardon each had hat tricks. Evie Dolby scored her first varsity goal, and Elise Ackerman recorded her first varsity shutout in net.
Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Milford, 0 – Final
Football = Franklin, 28 @ Wachusett, 35 – Final
Franklin TV video coverage provided courtesy of Wachusetts Regional HS
"Here is the latest episode of "Once Upon A Town" that Scott Mason and I hosted. It is on the Indian Rock Riding Park on East Central Street. We hope you enjoy it."
The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, Sep 8, 2026. All 7 members were participating in Council Chambers. The meeting was delayed starting as a new Zoom link needed to be created and shared.
Note: the draft District Improvement Plan likely won't be available online until after approval at the next School Committee meeting. Last years plan can be found online - https://heyzine.com/flip-book/24ecc9f7e5.html#page/1
A photo album of the slcreens shared is available in the interim
Each of the Central Office departments presented their goals and measureable markers aligned with the strategic objectives which while the remain essentially the same as last year have measurable steps outlined to assess progress
Teaching and Learning
Student Services
Business and Finance
Lifelong Learning
Operations (including Food Service)
Technology
The Consent Agenda was approved as outlined by a 7-0 vote
Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Boys Soccer = Franklin, 1 @ King Philip, 1 – Final
– Franklin and King Philip traded first half goals and then played 40 minutes of scoreless soccer to settle for a point apiece in the season opener. Junior Cam Lambert put the visitors up inside the opening 10 minutes, finishing off a pass from classmate Ethan Herndon to give Franklin a 1-0 lead. Just before halftime, senior Iago Oliveira had a shot from 20 yards out hit off the post and senior Nick Wendling was first to the loose ball, poking the rebound in to tie it.
Girls Soccer = King Philip, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final
– Click here for a photo gallery of this game. – Lily Strong scored once and assisted on another to help Franklin pull out a win in a season-opening battle of 2025 Final Four teams. The Panthers took the lead in the 17th minute. Madison Griffith sprung Phoebe Cuneo down the right wing. After some confusion in the center of the KP defense, the loose ball popped out to Strong on the edge of the box and she slotted it into the empty net. KP nearly equalized a few minutes later, but Ava Quintin’s 25-yard free kick hit the underside of the bar and somehow stayed out. On the rebound, freshman Lola Weeman had a header inside the six saved by Devyn Cairns. Strong would force a good save from Emma Weiblin and Hannah Griffith went close after getting on the end of a free kick, but it stayed 1-0 at the break. Franklin started the second half well and nine minutes in the Panthers doubled their lead. Cuneo won the ball back in midfield and sent a through ball to Strong in the right channel. A slightly heavy touch nearly took the chance away, but Strong managed to get to the ball before the keeper and square it for a wide open Cuneo to tap in. Three minutes later, KP (which was playing without star Ella McDonald) got on the board. Avery Hebert’s long throw from the left wing dropped in the box and Molly Morgan was able to corral the bouncing ball and squeeze it in at the near post, just under the arm of Cairns, to cut the deficit to 2-1. Laila Rosen restored the two-goal cushion just five minutes later with a terrific solo effort. She won the ball back in midfield, drove forward, shrugged off a challenge just outside the box, and from the edge of the area rifled a left-footed shot into the far bottom corner. Hailey Leblanc capped off the day with her first varsity goal on a chip from the right side of the box that snuck under the bar.
Field Hockey = King Philip, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– Click here for a photo gallery of this game. – Ella Marzullo’s second goal of the game proved to be the difference as Franklin held off King Philip to open the season with a win. The senior intercepted a clearance attempt, juggled the ball into the circle, and then ripped a high shot past the keeper with eight minutes left to put the Panthers up 3-1. KP rallied to pull within one when Caitlyn McManus set up Ella Morgan in front with five minutes to go, but the Panthers were able to close out the win. Marzullo opened the scoring two minutes into the game on a well-worked corner from the hosts. Lila Reardon sent the original pass out to Penelope Brady who shuffled it over to Caydence Canavan, and her blast toward goal was tipped in by Marzullo out in front. King Philip tied the game with less than a minute left in the opening quarter when Morgan gained control just past midfield and used her speed to take it all the way into the circle, firing a near post shot in. Amelia Manning put the hosts back in front just two minutes into the third off a pass from Marzullo. KP had a chance to tie the game in the third but junior Elise Ackerman (three saves) made a terrific stick save on a penalty stroke to keep Franklin ahead. Sophomore Bella Pennini made six saves in net for the Warriors. Franklin head coach Michelle Hess credited Jossie Camp (defense) and Cade Taccini (midfield) with strong performances.
Volleyball = King Philip, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– Franklin prevailed in a tight opening set before pulling away for a convincing 3-0 win over King Philip, taking the match 25-19, 25-10, 25-9. Emerson Delleo led the Panthers with 10 kills, 10 digs, and two blocks, while Phoebe O’Connor dished out 20 assists to go along with four aces, five digs, and two blocks. Gianna Laurello added four kills, five aces, and 12 digs, and Marley Lindenmeyer chipped in four kills, six digs, and an ace. For King Philip, junior Mia Keays finished with 15 digs and junior Molly Sweeney recorded seven kills.
Golf = Franklin, 163 @ Taunton, 176 – Final
– Franklin returned home from Segregansett Country Club with a division win over Taunton, led by senior Tyler Perlman and junior Bryce Botelho, who each recorded six pars. Perlman fired a team-low 39, while Botelho carded a 40. Senior Ben Burgess added a 41 and senior Ayden Doyle finished with a 43. Colby Emond led Taunton with a 42, followed by Logan Mendes at 44 and Trey Buebendorf and Caleb Bond at 45.
For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)
