"It was heart breaking to see at the new building."

Recognition of the students from Franklin High School who were selected for All State Music Festival.

All State Music students from FHS at School Committee meeting 2/23/16

There was a good deal of time also spent with highlights on the math program being implemented at Davis Thayer. Students, faculty and administration coordinated to make the presentation. The presentation document is embedded here:






The FHS broken water pipe situation can be summarized with information combined from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday and the Town Council meeting on Wednesday. FHS Building Committee Chair Tom Mercer provided the update to the Council on Wednesday.

As announced on Monday as the students were to return to FHS, there had been a 'little water' situation at the high school over the school vacation. Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski provided an update to the School Committee. There was a meeting on Tuesday with all the relevant folks from the building contractors. This apparently was a known situation, an item on the 'punch list' that has been unresolved since the building opened. 

The section of the building near the principals office has not been able to be heated properly. The deep cold that Franklin experienced on Presidents Day resulted in some broken water pipes and a lot of water damage. 

The restoration is underway. The principal's office is the major area affected and hence it really doesn't hinder any of the instructional processes in the building. The clean up was handled, the painting and new walls are underway. When the office will be ready for use is not known.

The fix both short term and longer term is not a cost for the taxpayers as this was the result of the open 'punch list' item. 

"It was heart breaking to see (this occur) at the new building." 

On my walk around Franklin on Saturday, Feb 26, I was able to capture this photo through the window of the principal's office.

reconstruction in the principal's office at FHS

• Live reporting: Action items to closing
• Live reporting: Davis Thayer - update on math prog...
• Live reporting: School Committee - Feb 23, 2016
• Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Feb 23, ...

Town Council - 02/03/16

• While I missed the meeting on Feb 3rd due to difficulties with the commute on the MBTA, you can view the meeting with the video replay available here

http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=325

• The published agenda and documents released for the meeting can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-feb-3.html

Happy New Year greeting at the new location of the Recreation Dept on Beaver St

Town Council - 02/24/16

The collection of posts from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Feb 24 can be found here:

• Real time reporting: Town Council Meeting - Feb 24...
• Town Council meeting 2/24/16 - missing portion

Conservation Commission member and Conservation Agent George Russell presenting to the Town Council meeting on 2/24/16

The official actions recorded during the meeting can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2016%20Actions%20Taken%20on%20Town%20Council%20Meeting%20Agenda/February%2024%202016%20Actions%20Taken.pdf


The video replay of the meeting can be viewed at any time here
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?&PGD=franknma&eID=331

Baseball and softball clinics this March at FHS

FHS coaches and athletes will conduct baseball and softball clinics this March at the high school. Additional details including fees and registration information can be found in the links listed here.

FHS Panthers

• Softball clinic

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160210/franklin-high-school-to-host-softball-clinic

• Baseball clinics

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160210/registration-opens-for-franklin-high-school-spring-training-clinics

FHS basketball playoff schedule for first games set

The basketball playoff seeds and pairings have been announced. FHS boys play on Thursday, Mar 3. The FHS girls play on Friday, Mar 4.


D1 Central - Boys

• #3 Franklin (15-5) will #6 Westford Academy (13-9) on Thursday, March 3rd at 7:00.

http://www.hockomocksports.com/hockomock-boys-basketball-playoff-seeds-matchups/



D1 Central - Girls

• #5 Franklin will travel to #4 Westford Academy on Friday, March 4th at 7:00.

http://www.hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-basketball-playoff-seeds-matchups/

FHS Girls tip off against King Philip earlier this year

Tri-County Students Place Third In Massachusetts Prostart Invitational

Six juniors from Tri-County Regional’s Culinary Arts program brought home bronze medals from the 2016 Massachusetts ProStart Invitational held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Tuesday, February 23.

The students claimed third place honors in both the Culinary Arts and Management competitions. Eight teams from across the state participated in the annual competition.

students prepared a menu entitled "American Delights"

Tri-County’s Culinary Arts team included Hannah Ruff, of Norfolk, Justin Chapman, and Rob Jackson, both of North Attleborough, and Julia Ohlson, of Plainville. Miranda Way, of Medway, and Colleen Kinney, of North Attleborough, competed on the Management side.

During the competition, the Management team developed a proposal to launch a new restaurant, including a marketing plan and menu. The Culinary team then had 60 minutes to cook an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Participating students were required to provide recipes, food cost, and menu pricing.

Six students from Tri-County’s Culinary Arts program received bronze medals at the 2016 Massachusetts ProStart Invitational 

The students prepared a menu entitled "American Delights,” comprised of plates from different regions in the United States. Their appetizer, "From the Seas of New England," featured a fresh pan-seared North Atlantic Sea Scallop nestled on a bed of Sautéed Spinach with Mussels in a rich Saffron Sauce. The entrée was "From the Wild West," and included Lamb Chops grilled with Rosemary and Garlic and served alongside Mashed Potatoes and Root Vegetables. The dessert, "From the Golden State," was a Chocolate Mousse served in a Twill Cup.

The Massachusetts ProStart Invitational is hosted by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Education Foundation. Winners at the state level advance to the National ProStart Invitational. This is the fifth year Tri-County has participated in the competition.

ProStart is a two-year high school Culinary Arts program, with curriculum developed by industry and academic experts. Tri-County's Culinary Arts program follows the ProStart curriculum.

In the News: Science topic of discussion, FSPA summer programs

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Educators, town officials and local business owners met with the head of the Massachusetts Life Science Center Friday to discuss the state of the sciences in town and how it could be improved. 

Travis McCready, the center's CEO, visited Franklin, taking part in round-table discussions and touring the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, Franklin High School and the Zeptometrix Corp. His visit was hosted by state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, and state senators Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, and Karen Spilka, D-Ashland. 

The center, Roy pointed out, is a 10-year, $1 billion state effort to ensure Massachusetts' primacy in life science education and business development. 

"Franklin has positioned itself well," Roy said of the town's friendliness to the bioscience industry. "Recently, our BioReady level was upgraded from 'gold' to 'platinum,' and it's a great place to live, work and raise a family."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160226/science-education-makes-grade

MA Life Sciences Center

Franklin School for the Performing Arts announced a summer session of theater programs, ballet intensives and one-week creative camps, along with voice, instrumental and dance classes. The summer session will run from July 5 to Aug. 26, with registration beginning March 7. 

FSPA Summer Theater provides the opportunity for hands-on immersion in a Broadway Boot Camp, cabaret show, behind-the-scenes theater design, straight play or musical theater production, with enrollment for one to five weeks. The Cabaret week (July 25-29) focuses on repertoire choices, song interpretation and presentation, and concludes with a cabaret style revue at The Black Box, 15 W. Central St. 

A behind-the-scenes exploration of theater design and production, also running July 25-29, includes staging, lighting, costuming, sets and sound. A two-week musical theater program (Aug. 8-19) presents the Tony Award-winning classic “Bye Bye Birdie.” Younger students, in grades 3-8, will present “Bye Bye Bieber”, an original FSPA musical comedy parody by Nick Paone, inspired by “Bye Bye Birdie” and featuring pop music hits.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160226/fpac-slates-summer-programs-for-children-and-teens

Electronics Recycling Day on March 19th

Please join the Grade 8 students at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School for an Electronics Recycling Day on March 19th. 

Clean out your house or place of business and pay no more than $50! TV's Computer Monitors, Gaming Systems, Wii, XBox, VCR's, DVD Players, Laptops, Computers, kitchen electrics, appliances, old stereo equipment, pretty much anything with a plug!

The event is open to the public so please invite your friends and neighbors. This is a fundraiser to benefit the upcoming Washington DC Trip.

BFCCPS event image on Facebook

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/26/16 - THU 3/3/16

FRIDAY 2/26/16
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at the Franklin Art Center
7:30pm   Electric Youth 2016 at The Black Box

SATURDAY 2/27/16
4-7pm   Beer Extravaganza at Pour Richard's. Free event.
7pm   Beatles Concert (Studio Two Band) at The Black Box (benefit for HMEA)
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Seth Glier with Chelsea Berry at the FUSF

SUNDAY 2/28/16
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast at Franklin Rod and Gun Club
10am-3pm   Harry’s Comic and Toy Show at Elk’s Lodge
1-4pm   Student Art Show at Franklin Art Center
1pm   Information Presentation on Death with Dignity at FUSF
2pm   Chess Group for Adults at Franklin Public Library
3pm   Mega Challah Bake for Kids at Chabad Jewish Center in Milford
3pm   FPAC Presents: Broadway in Franklin at The Black Box

MONDAY 2/29/16
7pm   SAFE Coalition Meeting: Speaker - Chris Herron at the Franklin HS
7pm   Teen Knitting at the Franklin Public Library

TUESDAY 3/1/16
6am-8pm   Presidential Primary - all precincts vote in the FHS gymnasium (enter through the door with the Panther logo above it)
7pm   Franklin Garden Club Meeting and Presentation on Irises at the Franklin Senior Center

WEDNESDAY  3/2/16
6:30pm   Franklin Art Association Meeting - watercolor demonstration by Chris Coyne

THURSDAY 3/3/16
8am   Franklin Downtown Partnership 2016 First General Meeting - open to public (Golder Room, Dean College Campus)
4pm   Dean College Leadership Lecture Series: Hosting a Team of ‘Finest Hours’ - FREE, open to public but registration is required.

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

The Turf Grass Forum asks "Is the Beaver Street field safe to use?"

PROBLEM: 

• The Beaver Street field is still slated for use in the spring of 2016
• Precautions the Town of Franklin should take: GMAX testing and LEAD testing

photo of Beaver St field conditions

QUESTIONS:

• Who was the synthetic turf/carpet and in-fill material supplier for the Town of Franklin's Beaver Street Field?
• Is the town liable or the manufacturer for maintenance which effects safety or warranty of the current field?

WHY GMAX and what is it?

You can read all the scientific details but simply put:

It is a test to measure the Surface hardness and applies to natural grass and synthetic turf.
GMAX is important because of the increased potential of concussions and other injuries cause by impact on a hard surface.

Read the full posting online
http://turfgrassforum.blogspot.com/2016/02/franklin-massachusetts-beaver-street_24.html

FHS girls swim team results from MIAA Division 1 meet

The MIAA held its division meets over the weekend at Boston University. Hockomock Sports has posted the results for female Hockomock swimming athletes focusing on the FHS swimmers. For all the Hockomock results follow the link at the bottom of this listing.

FHS Panthers

GIRLS DIVISION 1

Teams
1. Westford Academy – 312

• 12. Franklin – 85.5

23. Sharon – 22
24. King Philip – 19
35. Taunton – 2
37. North Attleboro – 1

PLACEMENTS

200 Medley Relay
1. Beverly – 1:46.39

• 21. Franklin (Jennifer Ayotte, Colleen Proulx, Leah Zogby, Helen Huang) – 1:59.38

200 Free

• 1. Ashley Loomis, Franklin – 1:51.96

200 IM
1. Sarah Welch, Beverly – 2:03.31

• 19. Colleen Proulx, Franklin – 2:21.19

100 Butterfly
1. Kaitlin Harty, Beverly – 54.69

• 15. Leah Zogby, Franklin – 1:01.12

500 Free

• 1. Ashley Loomis, Franklin – 4:58.50
• 21. Molly-Catherine Brown, Franklin – 5:35.60

200 Free Relay
1. Westford Academy – 1:37.84

• 9. Franklin (Colleen Proulx, Jennifer Ayotte, Helen Huang, Ashley Loomis) – 1:44.06

100 Breaststroke
1. Kelsey Johnstone, Westfield – 1:05.50

• 15. Colleen Proulx, Franklin – 1:11.88
• 21. Megan Lazarek, Franklin – 1:13.49

400 Free Relay
1. Beverly – 3:29.71

• 11. Franklin (Molly-Catherine Brown, Jennifer Ayotte, Leah Zogby, Ashley Loomis) – 3:48.23

http://www.hockomocksports.com/hock-girls-swim-results-miaa-division-meets/

Real time reporting: Town Council Meeting - Feb 24, 2016

Present: Pellegri, Padula, Mercer (via phone), Vallee, Kelly, Pfeffer, Bissanti, Dellorco, Jones
Absent: none

screen grab of Spectra Energy presentation via the video broadcast

Here is the Storify capture of my notes for the meeting recorded via Twitter:
(be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to review all the entries)

screen grab of video replay for Town Council meeting 2/24/16

There will be a Part 2 to cover the portion of the meeting missed.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/town-council-meeting-22416-missing.html

Town Council meeting 2/24/16 - missing portion

I was able to report on the Council meeting via the live broadcast for a portion of the Wednesday meeting. Left to handle a business meeting and returned to catch the end of the lengthy meeting. This portion I caught via the video replay.

As with the other Storify summaries I have posted, be sure to scroll within the widget to see all the entries.

A member of the Conservation Commission and the Franklin Conservation Agent George Russell

Dean Children’s Center will host an Exploration Open House - Mar 21

Dean Children’s Center will host an Exploration Open House on Monday, March 21, 2016 from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parents of children 2 years old to 6 years are encouraged to bring their child to explore the school and learn about our program. Applications are being accepted for 5-day morning, 2-day morning, 3-day morning preschool programs or 4-day Pre-K program. 

Dean Children's Center

Innovative and progressive, the school is NAEYC accredited and well known in the community for an inspiring preschool experience. Dean Children’s Center is a lab school for ECE majors, with teachers-in-training alongside credentialed teachers. The center has a very professional and caring environment for children to learn through exploration. 

The school uses a developmental approach to education which reflects current research in child development and peer conflict resolution. Director Faith Nickolas states “We are a regional resource to parents and educators on peer conflict resolution in young children and our lab school is a demonstration site for best practices in early education of children.” 

Dean College Children’s Center is located at 144 School Street in Franklin. For more information, call 508-541-1598.

Franklin Girls Softball Association 2016 season - register now

Registration for the Franklin Girls Softball Association 2016 season will close March 7.

The Franklin Girls Softball Association provides girls 3 to 18 years old instruction, competition and fun playing fastpitch softball.

League costs:

• Instructional $65;
• Intermediate $95;
• Minor and Juniors $125; and
• Seniors $140

Visit fgsafastpitch.org for more information and to register.

lawn sign touting the Franklin softball registration