Ladybug Story on WCVB's 'Chronicle' Tuesday Night -> Replay available on demand

Did you catch "Chronicle" on Channel 5 Tuesday night? The show featured many of the 56 official Massachusetts symbols, including the ladybug. 

A screen shot from the WCVB website shows Rep. Jeff Roy speaking at Town Hall about The Ladybug Story booklet.

The story of the Kennedy School second grade class of 1974's efforts to have the ladybug named as the official state insect was highlighted as part of this show. 

Follow the link below to watch the segment on the WCVB Chronicle website. The fiberglass painted ladybugs from the Cultural Council's project, as well as Representative Jeff Roy, Town Hall, the Franklin Public Library and the Franklin Art Center, made appearances. The Franklin portion of the story begins after the Polka segment, at 1:45. 

http://www.wcvb.com/chronicle/keeping-it-symbol-official-insect/37413776?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=wcvb


This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2016/01/ladybug-story-on-wcvbs-chronicle.html

Related posts:

• Announcement of the Ladybugs to appear on the Town Common in August 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/ladybug-spots-on-town-common-aug-9-10.html

• The ladybugs have landed on the Town Common

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/ladybugs-on-parade.html

Senior Center: Memory Cafe - Jan 21

This month's Memory Cafe will be held as usual on the third Thursday of the month, January 21st at 3:00 at the Franklin Senior Center. 

The Memory Cafe is for Caregivers and their loved ones living with memory loss. It is a safe and supportive environment where families can socialize and feel at ease.

This month we are happy to have three or four Franklin middle and high school students who will be playing some older familiar tunes on the violin and viola. They will be led by Kathleen Woods Studio.

The Cafe is open to all in the community and free of charge. For more information please call Elaine Owens at 508-520-4945. We encourage you to sign up so that we have an idea as to how many we will have at each cafe. Refreshments are served!

guitar players from a prior memory cafe at the Senior Center

Dean College Leadership Lecture Series Announces 'Finest Hours' Team as Guest Speakers for March 3, 2016

The Finest Hours

Dean College is honored to host both the producer and the author of Walt Disney Pictures new epic THE FINEST HOURS for the Dean College Leadership Institute Leadership In Action Lecture Series on Thursday March 3, 2016.

The Leadership Series offers a unique and interactive opportunity for students, alumni, and the local community to interact with today's business leaders.

Acclaimed film producer Dorothy Aufiero will be joined by bestselling author Casey Sherman to discuss their incredible journey together from page to screen. THE FINEST HOURS is set for worldwide release beginning on January 29, 2016. The film chronicles the greatest Coast Guard rescue in American history in February, 1952 off Cape Cod and stars Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Eric Bana, Ben Foster and Holliday Grainger. THE FINEST HOURS was filmed entirely in Massachusetts.   

"We are thrilled to be joined by the creative forces behind this major motion picture," said Dr. Paula Rooney, President of Dean College. "Both Ms. Aufiero and Mr. Sherman work here in Massachusetts and the Dean College community looks forward to a memorable event as they discuss  the challenges and the triumphs behind their cinematic achievement."

Dorothy Aufiero has also developed several of the most memorable motion pictures ever filmed in Massachusetts including the Oscar winning The Fighter starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale, and the Oscar winning Good Will Hunting starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Aufiero also served as executive producer for the smash television hit Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

  

Casey Sherman is a national bestselling author of eight books including Search for the Strangler (about his re-investigation of the notorious Boston Strangler case), Bad Blood, Animal and Boston Strong. Sherman has also served as a guest analyst on CNN and FOX News.

Mr. Sherman and Ms. Aufiero are currently working on a feature film project based on Boston Strong to star Mark Wahlberg and directed by Peter Berg of Lone Survivor fame. Production is expected to begin this spring.

The speaking program will begin at 4 PM. in the Guidrey Center at Dean College, 99 Main Street, Franklin, MA on March  3, 2014. The program is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required as seating is limited. For more information and to register, visit the Dean College website www.dean.edu.


Behind the scenes preview can be seen here

FHS topped Mansfield in hockey and wrestling

FHS topped Mansfield in hockey and wrestling on Wednesday. The FHS boys swim team lost by one point to Milford. All results from Hockomock Sports

Boys Hockey

• Franklin, 4 @ Mansfield, 0 

– Final – Sophomore Kenny Demerchant scored his first career goal while sophomore Brendan O’Reilly, junior Adam Assad and sophomore Jeremy Miller each scored once. Nick Jasinski had the shutout in net for the win.

FHS Panthers

Wrestling

• Franklin, 48 @ Mansfield, 18 – Final

Swimming - Boys

• Franklin, 79 @ Milford, 80 – Final

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Wednesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-011316/

In the News: water hearing, school calendar choices

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"A state board’s evidentiary hearings on Exelon’s proposed 200-megawatt expansion of its existing Summer Street will continue Friday with testimony about the plant’s proposed use of water. 

The state Energy Facilities Siting Board, which reviews and permits power infrastructure in the state, will meet for the first time this month to discuss the average of 95,000 gallons of water the plant will need each to help control emissions."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160113/medway-exelon-water-hearings-on-friday

The hearing is interesting for a couple of reasons: one, for Medway's use of the water and two, Franklin has an interest in getting additional water from Millis to help with the Kingsbury Pond issue.

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

"The Franklin School Committee is considering two draft calendars for the upcoming school year. 

Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski at Tuesday night's committee meeting presented the early drafts for informational purposes only. The committee will be asked to make a decision at its next meeting on Jan. 26."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160113/franklin-school-committee-mulls-calendar

The two draft calendars can be viewed here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/live-reporting-calendar-choices-2.html

FHS boys basketball tops Foxboro in OT

From Hockomock Sports, we share the results of the FHS basketball games on Tuesday, January 12

Girls Basketball

• Franklin, 45 @ Foxboro, 51 – Final 

– Sophomore Ashley Sampson led the way for the Warriors with 21 points while sophomore Lily Sykes chipped in with 12 points for Foxboro.

Boys Basketball

• Foxboro, 60 @ Franklin, 65 – Final (OT) 

– Senior Tim Prunier scored a game-high 18 points while freshman Jay Dieterle scored 13 points, senior Kevin Gill had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists and Josh Macchi had 11 points and eight rebounds. Foxboro’s Jason Procaccini scored 17 points, Robby Lowey added 12 points and six rebounds and Mark Clagg had 11 points.

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-011216/

Franklin senior Kevin Gill hit a trio of three pointers between the fourth quarter and overtime. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Ryan Lanigan, Editor-in-Chief, Hockomock Sports provides a complete write up on the game:

"Franklin starting guard Kevin Gill picked a pretty good time to hit his first three of the season. 

With the Panthers trailing 52-44 with just over two minutes to play, Gill took a feed from Josh Macchi and drained the triple from the right side to get within two possessions. 

After Franklin’s defense forced a turnover on the other end, Gill picked an even better time to hit his second three of the season. Once again it was Macchi playing the role of playmaker, finding Gill wide open in the corner and he drained it. 

And then after neither team could hit a go-ahead basket, the teams headed to overtime. That was the best time for Gill to hit his third three of the 2015-2016 campaign. Franklin’s lead was just one as time ticked under a minute in the extra period when Gill found himself in the corner — this time the left side — and hit nothing but net to give the Panthers the lead for good. 

Gill helped Franklin cap a big comeback and score a 65-60 win over Foxboro in overtime."

Continue reading the article online at Hockomock Sports
http://www.hockomocksports.com/gill-sparks-franklins-comeback-win-over-foxboro/

High School Musical: On Stage! performed by BFCCPS

The Fine and Performing Arts Department at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School is pleased to announce upcoming performances of High School Musical: On Stage! to be held at the Horace Mann Middle School located at 224 Oak Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Performances will be held on Friday, January 29th from 7 – 9 PM and Saturday, January 30th from 2 – 4 PM. The public is invited and welcomed to attend the show! Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $12 for children age five and up. Tickets will be sold at the door, or advance tickets will be available for purchase at www.bfccps.org.

Disney High School Musical  - BFCCPS

This high-energy show is based on the hit Disney Channel movie and the cast is comprised of 40 students in Grades Six through Grade Eight under the direction of Mr. Bernard Benjamin. Musical Direction has been provided by Ms. Ruth Monty, the pit will be directed by Mr. Christopher Heater, artistic direction has been supervised by Mrs. Deb Balcerek, and choreography by Ms. Megan Condon. This year’s Props and Stage Manager is Mrs. Pam Holmes, Costume Hair and Makeup Design has been organized by Alumna Aleena Butt and our Production Assistants are Alumna Aliya Butt and Grade 8 Student Bridget Jackson. The cast is also supported by a dedicated 20 member backstage crew.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has received the 2014 SupportMusic Merit Award from the NAMM Foundation in recognition of its outstanding commitment to music education. This is the fourth time that the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has received this prestigious recognition.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has been in operation since 1995 and recently celebrated it’s twentieth anniversary this spring. The school provides a well-rounded, rigorous academic program designed to educate the whole child. BFCCPS’s educational philosophy, which is centered around strong core academic subjects, as well as yearlong courses in art, music, languages, technology, and physical education, integrated character education and community service, and strong parent partnerships, has lead to local, state and national recognition. Applications are now available online for enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year.

If you’d like learn more about the educational mission of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School please contact the school’s Marketing Coordinator, Joanne Basile, at jbasile@bfccps.org or 508-541-3434 x140.

In the News: Kingsbury Pond issue, substance abuse presentation

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"A meeting is set to take place Wednesday night to address resident concerns that Franklin wells have been drawing too much water from a local pond. 

State Rep. Shawn Dooley, R-Norfolk, will host the meeting, organized in response to a petition on Change.org regarding the water levels at Kingsbury Pond. It is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. at the Norfolk Public Library. 

Dooley noted that the pond's water level had reached its lowest point in 40 years, something some locals attributed to neighboring Franklin wells. As many who live in the area appreciate the beauty of the pond, he said, this naturally led to some concern. 

"I know there were additional factors (leading to the low water levels), like the drought and the fact that several of Franklin's other wells were down, but they were pulling more heavily from the pond," he said. "So, some neighbors got together and formed a petition."

image of Kingsbury Pond from petition

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160112/franklin-meeting-to-address-pond-water-levels

The earlier posting on the petition can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/12/save-kingsbury-pond-petition-underway.html

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

"Members of the school district's Substance Abuse Task Force spoke at Tuesday's School Committee meeting about their efforts to combat drug and alcohol use among students. 

High School Principal Peter Light, health department director Kristin Cerce and guidance counselor Josh MacCreery gave a slideshow presentation about substance abuse in schools and the strategies used to discourage use. 

"It's really about building emotional maturity and the skill for children to be able to adapt," Light said. "A lot of what leads to abuse is anxiety and mental health issues."

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160112/franklin-sustance-abuse-task-force-gives-presentation-to-school-committee

The live reporting from the School Committee meeting on this topic including the presentation document can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/live-reporting-substance-abuse.html

In the News: Dance performance scheduled, Photographers show scheduled

The Palladino School of Dance at Dean College will perform a choreographers’ concert 8 p.m. Feb. 5-6 in the Campus Center’s Main Stage at 99 Main St. 

The concert will highlight the choreography of selected upper class dance majors. 

The opening night will be only the performance, while the second night will offer the performance along with guest artists’ discussion of selected student work. 

Tickets range from $5-$22 and can be purchased online by visiting dean.edu/boxoffice.

Palladino Dance performing during the Franklin Cultural Festival in July 2015

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160112/palladino-school-of-dance-at-dean-college-to-present-choreographers-concert-feb-5-6

Two Franklin photographers, Marjorie Sardella, of Beaux Regards Photographic Art, and Rebecca Skinner, of Rebecca Skinner Photography, will open a juried photographic exhibit titled “Reflections: A Photographic Expression” at the Morini Gallery, 377 N. Main St., Mansfield. 

The exhibit features the work of 17 photographers, each with their own unique response to the subject, and will continue until March 20. Most of the pieces will be available for purchase. 

An artists’ reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 16 will give visitors the opportunity to meet the photographers and discuss their work. The Morini Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. 

For more information, call 508-339-2822 or visit mmas.org.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160112/franklin-residents-curate-reflections-photographic-expression-exhibit

Live reporting: Action Items

4. Action Items

a. I recommend acceptance of four checks totaling $3,350.00 for FHS as detailed:

1. Raytheon $1,000.00
2. Franklin Music boosters $1,800.00
3. Maura Schaeffer $250.00 (scholarship)
4. Anonymous $300.00
motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-0


b. I recommend acceptance of three checks totaling $12,496.00 from Franklin Music Parents from the Middle and High Schools.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-0

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Lueder’s for Davis Thayer Elementary School.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-0

d. I recommend approval of the addition of Girls/Boys Freshman Lacrosse 
motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-0

and Girls Gymnastics as outlined by FHS Principal.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-0

The motions were made separately but both ultimately passed. The unified team is more a group than technically a team and hence did not need a committee vote per Superintendent Sabolinski


Note: unfortunately, I need to leave to cover a work commitment so I was unable to report on the remainder of the meeting Tuesday night. I should be able to catch the remainder via video replay.

Live reporting: calendar choices - 2 options for 2016-2017

Option one

• starts after Labor Day, ends June 21

Option two

• start staff and students before Labor Day, end June 16

Douglas - can we consider using Dec 23 as half-day (either way) as a thanks for the teachers

Scofield - since we go so late, have we considered one winter break rather than 2?
Sabolinski - we have some discussion and data around that but it is not conclusive either way

Live reporting: Update on hiring of Football Coach

e. Update on Hiring of Football Coach

Sidwell has moved to the AD role and left the football coaching spot
a screening committee is working through 25 applications
9 candidates most likely on short list
search committee representative of the stakeholders
interview the 9 candidates starting tomorrow
looking for an educator role model 
focus on academics, social emotional development
be more visible in the community

as this is a high school position, the decision will be by the high school principle and staff
it is a coaching position, stipend position
hope to have the process shortened from 9 to next round at the end of this week

O'Malley - seems like an inclusive interview process to do this

Sabolinski - we have a good committee and want to thank them for their work in this matter

Live reporting: proposal for new sports teams

d. FHS Proposal for New Sports Teams
Brad Sidwell, Peter Light

working with a variety of folks in the community, to identify needs not currently being met
youth programs, booster groups, etc.
feasibility studies done, impact on budget, most cases budget neutral for sports
some are grant funded to defray the costs



inclusion of special education students
applied for a Best Buddies grant, also received a grant from Special Olympics to help with this
would need to get the special ed students paired with a partner

• unified track program an extension of Best Buddies

this is a no cost program for the students as it is being funded by grants

• lacrosse teams at freshman level

nothing currently elsewhere in the Hockomock League
would look around to get games for competition outside the league
need to be careful with Title 9 and offer similar programs for boys and girls

BC High, St John's Shrewsbury, Duxbury mentioned as possible competition at this level

'if Franklin builds it, the other Hockomock teams will follow'
Sabolinski - we started in 2003 with the girls hockey team, lead the way then and are continuing to lead as we need to

• gymnastics

the only team in the Hockomock League without a team
have met with parents for three years to review this team
would need to find space for the team to practice and compete, should not be an issue

gym equipment is large and expensive and hard to store so this would be a good start

discussion with School Committee members, then audience, then to be voted on later tonight

actual cost is the cost to the district

we have not decreased in number of kids at the high school participating
we have decreased in percent participation

Q - explored the opportunity for a second JV team
A - scheduling is even harder, the teams at the freshman level is usually available

did explore a variety of options, did try a freshman/JV program and it didn't work so well
this should get us with a good start

325-375 boys in the lacrosse program last several years
good success at this level, the quality of talent is there, the volume and interest is there

Live reporting: FHS Program of studies update

c. FHS Program of Studies Update
Peter Light





Note the doc linked to is in the process of being updated. It contains most of the new updates but the date for the program of instruction still refers to '2015-2016' school year (rather than the 2016-1017 school year)

• computer science, grant from State last year allowed development of this new aspect of training
• advanced placement of computer science principles; expand upon the current offering which is targeted for coders, this is more broadly based student; students develop a portfolio rather than finish with an exam
• advanced placement physic level 1 and increase over the physics C course (targeted for engineering students)
• overview of environmental science, currently offering a series of semester electives but those classes mostly do not end up being run as the enrollments don't reach the required level

O'Malley - how many AP classes do we offer?

Light - only 2 or 3 AP classes that we don't offer (languages, and micro economics as examples)

52-54% of the senior class takes an AP class

Jewel - stick with the fundamentals, sometimes the students go to fast through the intros and don't learn it as well as they should

Live reporting: Substance Abuse Presentation

b. FHS Substance Abuse Task Force

Peter Light, Kristin Circe, and Joshua MacCreery

Substance Abuse Education - 2016 from Franklin Matters

numbers lower than national average but can be better
data from MetroWest survey has not changed a whole deal over the years

substance abuse education from K-12
age appropriate through the years to create and enhance the awareness
more depth beginning about 5th grade

increase in clubs and activities at the High School helps
SADD is a key club in some of the activities

Panthers Club and Community Service Club

School Wellness Advisory Council (SWAC)
focuses on extra curricular healthy activities

FHS substance abuse sub-committee has three leads to focus on students, faculty and community to assist in raising awareness and education

Chris Herren (former NBA basketball player) coming to speak at FHS Feb 29th


Bilello - thanks for the information
it was disappointing that at the SAFE coalition forum, one student spoke to somethings that are not reflected here
what are you doing with the middle schools?

Circe - using the data to drive curriculum and awareness down to the middle school level, the 7/8 students actually participate in the survey

Light - did get about 80 FHS teachers show up to do something to help, looking to start small and build on success; activities being planned around the Chris Herren visit; possible event planned for the joint basketball games at FHS against KP. Police coming in to do some drug awareness training during March and extend to middle school personnel. This does have a district wide impact

Schultz - question on the numbers, 10% in middle school 
Circe - the answers are life time events, not necessarily an indication of a continued use. Later added that the average had decreased over the past several year. Still a decent number of users but a down trend.
Light - use of a 'party' bowl where extra drugs are brought to a party to be shared - not really a smart decision because you have no idea what is really being used
Sabolinski - academic stress increases as they get to juniors, taking more caffeine and other self medications to get through it. Can go back to the zones of regulation, helping kids learn to recognize and deal with the emotions. Have spent several years moving in this direction. The anxiety and depression increases

Jewel - concern with the guidance as not always be good, need to be able to decipher. Some of the consequences of taking one drug or another may not be recoverable.