Sunday, May 1, 2016

Check out all of the activities at incredABLE Day 2016!



Having trouble viewing this email? Click here



"Celebrating the ABLE in all of us"
incredABLE Day Family Fun Activities

HMEA's incredABLE Day 2016 - 15th Annual Walk, Run and All-Day Family Fun will be held on Sunday May 22nd, 2016.

This fundraising event benefits our community's children and adults with Autism and special needs, and includes a 5k run or walk and all day family fun. Food. Music. And activities for the entire family. Join the celebration!
  • Run: Register 8 AM, race starts at 9 AM
  • Walk: Check-in at 10 AM, walk starts at 11 AM
  • Kids: Fun Runs start at 10:15 AM and 12:30 PM

HMEA's Children's Services
Kids Corner:

Other Event Attractions:
  • Home Depot Woodworking
  • Bubble Music Man
  • FREE Kids raffle
  • Bouncy Houses
  • Game Booths
  • Crafting
  • Popcorn, cotton candy 
  • ...and more!
  • "Lifts For Love" - Truck Pull
  • The New England Revolution
  • 50/50 Raffle for a chance to win $5k at the 5k! 
  • Dream Raffle prizes
  • All Hands Drumming
  • Touch a Truck area
  • Photo Booth
  • Train Rides
You might get lucky and see The Red Sox's Wally the Green Monster, Slyde from The New England Revolution, Nibbles Woodaway of Big Blue Bug Solutions, Garelick Farm's Bessie the Cow, or NiRoPe from Cardi's Furniture!
Here are ways you can participate in this year's event

  • Create a fundraising page and ask your friends and family to donate 
  • Create a team and ask your friends and family to join your team [create a team]

  • Have fun while you're at it! :D


Get involved with incredABLE Day 2016 at:

Sunday, May 22nd, 2016
EMC2, 50 Constitution Blvd, Franklin MA 02038

Follow us on Facebook for daily updates, stories of inspiration, motivation and more!
Like us on Facebook
STAY CONNECTED:
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
View our profile on LinkedIn
HMEA, 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038

Sent by hmea@hmea.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

Dean College Children's Center Open House, June 2, 2016

Dean Children's Center will host an Exploration Open House on Thursday, June 2, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. 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.

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.


image linked from Dean CHildren's Center webpage
image linked from Dean CHildren's Center webpage

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Changes to curriculum, state funding, and the school calendar the consistent thread

The School Committee recognized the FHS boys hockey team as the State Division 1 Champions with plaques on Tuesday. 2 of the 4 team captains helped present the full team to the School Committee assisted by Coach Spillane. The 2 captains missing also participate in a spring sport and were unable to attend.


2 of the 4 team captains helped present the full team to the School Committee assisted by Coach Spillane
2 of the 4 team captains helped present the full team to the School Committee assisted by Coach Spillane

Digital learning and the changes to the science curriculum were key presentations to the School Committee. Additional details and a combination of screen shots from one presentation and a copy of the other presentation are contained in the live reported notes linked below.

A resolution to address state funding of Chapter 70 was also presented and passed by a 6-1 vote. Committee member Vanessa Bilello presented an articulate and thoughtful summary of the reasons for the resolution. The lone vote against was cast by Committee member John Jewel who wanted the increase in funds but objected to wording that seemed to have strings attached restricting on how the fund could be used. 

Two proposal for changes to the school year calendar were also discussed. While one of the calendars proposed was reported out by the subcommittee to contain 'no changes', it does make at least one change that would need to be negotiated with the teachers union. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is shown on the proposals as full days. They were typically half days until about 2007 when they became a no school day in recognition of the attendance patterns for both students and faculty.

The School Dept will bring the proposals to the teachers union for further review and discussion before the next School Committee meeting. The Committee plans to approve a calendar for the 2017-2018 school year at the May 10 meeting. If the desired changes are approved, they want to provide parents and the community enough time to plan for them.


Option 1
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczalVVTG5IZzNFSWZxT0dUaUdnLV9rY0ZhZWpF/view?usp=sharing

Option 2
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczcF92Qmt0WklWN0U/view?usp=sharing

representatives of the Digital Learning Committee at the School Committee meeting

Additional photos and notes from the meeting can be found here:

Student produced video on Autism Awareness

Demi Seremetis writes: 
"This is a video that me and my friend Lauren Ballinger made for our local police department. It shows the importance of autism awareness because most people in our community do not know what the disorder entails. We hope that in watching this you will learn and realise more about autism."

The video is shared on YouTube and by the Franklin Police Dept as part of their campaign on autism awareness





MassBudget: The House Budget explained




MassBudget  Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.
We've made it easy to zoom into Wednesday's House budget proposal, and compare it to current funding and earlier proposals from the Governor and House Ways and Means Committee. The new House Budget Monitor for Fiscal Year 2017 enables you to quickly check the major programs you're most concerned about.

The House Budget changes the overall budget picture very little, but proposes a few significant changes for the next budget year. After three days of debate to consider 1307 amendments, the House changed the bottom line of the budget proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee by less than one fifth of one percent. Overall, the House added about $90 million in new spending, partially offset by $31 million in reduced spending as a result of reduced enrollment forecast at the state's Group Insurance Commission.

While many of the House changes were small earmarks for specific local projects, a number of the additions aim to address broader challenges. These include an additional $5 million to more adequately pay early childhood educators. Several of the larger increases approved by the House would actually just restore - or partially restore - funding that the Ways and Means Committee had proposed cutting. For example, the House adopted amendments that would add:
  • $7 million to provide employment and training for low-income parents receiving transitional assistance to help them enter the workforce successfully. The proposal still falls $1 million below current funding levels.
     
  • $1 million to the Shannon Grant program for anti-gang and youth violence prevention efforts. Including this increase, the House Budget proposal remains $1 million below the current funding level.
  • $7 million for the Office of Travel and Tourism, leaving total spending more than $2 million below the current funding level.
This Budget Monitor describes the amendments adopted in each major section of the state budget and offers comparisons to current and historic funding levels and the Governor's proposals for this year. To read it, click (here) or jump directly to a particular section below:

Overview page 1
Child Welfare page 10
Disability Services page 11
Early Education and Care page 1
Economic Development page 13
Elder Services page 11
Environment and Recreation page 5
General Local Aid page 15
K-12 Education page 2
Higher Education page 3
Housing page 9
Juvenile Justice page 12
Law and Public Safety page 16
MassHealth (Medicaid) and Health Reform page 6
Mental Health page 7
Other Human Services page 13
Other Local Aid page 15
Pensions page 18
Public Health page 7
State Employee Health Insurance page 8
Transitional Assistance page 12
Transportation page 15
Revenue page 19

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER
15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
TwitterFacebook

Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

Local food and craft fair at An Unlikely Story Bookstore - May 1 - 10am to 2pm


There will be a lovely, local food and craft fair at An Unlikely Story bookstore this Sunday, from 10am to 2pm. 
It is comprised entirely of local farmers and artisans, including a handful from right here in Franklin. 
It will be a great spot to shop for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for Mother's day, to meet local artists, and to shop for the upcoming gardening season.



More info on the bookstore can be found on their webpage http://www.anunlikelystory.com/

flyer for An Unlikely Story local food and craft fair May 1
flyer for An Unlikely Story local food and craft fair May 1

Franklin Democratic Town Committee Holds First Meeting After Electing New Officers

On Monday, May 25th at The Alumni Restaurant in Franklin, the Franklin Democratic Town Committee held its monthly meeting. Massachusetts State Senator Jamie Eldridge was their guest speaker. Senator Eldridge addressed the commuting problems with communities in the Metro West area, the MBTA, and public transportation in general in Massachusetts. Expanding public transportation for Massachusetts residents, at a critical time of a booming Massachusetts economy, and growing populations is something the senator finds critical to the continued prosperity for all Metro West communities.

Following Senator Eldridge, newly elected Chair John May highlighted some ideas on growing the committee's membership and supporting teamwork. After collaborating with his fellow officers and a general discussion of all members present, the committee decided to move its monthly meetings to the Function Room at Alumni Restaurant. "Alumni provides a welcoming atmosphere, good food, and has the capacity to allow our committee to grow" said May. May also thanked the leadership of outgoing Chair Denise Schultz saying "We all owe you a great deal of gratitude for the work you have done in the past four years."

The committee also deliberated on the winner of the Carol Pizzi Memorial Scholarship, the results of which will be announced at The Franklin High School Scholarship Award Ceremony next month.

The Franklin Democratic Town committee will hold its next meeting on Monday, May 16th, at the Alumni, guest speaker to be announced. Meetings are typically held the 3rd Monday of every Month.



Left to Right: Max Morrongiello - Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor  , John May - Chair,  Christine Manns - Vice Chair,  Henry Maddox - Treasurer,  Rob Vacca - Secretary
Left to Right: Max Morrongiello - Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor  , John May - Chair,
Christine Manns - Vice Chair, Henry Maddox - Treasurer, Rob Vacca - Secretary

In the News: Dean commencement, Garden Club, Fitness fund raising

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin
"Franklin resident Allison Clarke will speak on behalf of the School of Continuing Studies students at Dean College’s 150th commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. May 14 at Dean College, 99 Main St. Clarke is a business major who will receive her associate degree at Dean College. She has appeared on the dean’s list and will graduate magna cum laude. 
“I am grateful for Dean’s School of Continuing Studies,” said Clarke. “Without this program, I would not have been able to achieve getting a degree. Going back to school showed me that I can juggle working two to three jobs, a family and school effectively. Dean has extraordinary professors who made a huge impact on me through their personal stories and lessons. I am very lucky to have had the best professors throughout my college journey.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160428/franklin-resident-to-speak-at-dean-college-commencement

"Pat Morse, who operated Wadsworth Farm in Franklin for 26 years, will provide tips for successful vegetable and flower gardening 7-9 p.m. May 3 at the Franklin Senior Center, 26 Daniel McCahill St. 
Morse will speak during the Franklin Garden Club’s meeting. Morse’s sister, Sue Hehn, a lifelong gardener and partner operating the Wadsworth Farm greenhouses, will join her in offering suggestions for growing bountiful vegetable and beautiful flower gardens, including timing of planting, fertilizing and dealing with gardening challenges."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160429/franklin-garden-club-to-host-pat-morse


Lauren Tweed, of Franklin, will participate in a day of fitness at the inaugural Jimmy Fund Fit Fest on May 14 at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade at 47 David G. Mugar Way, Boston. She will learn from trainers while raising funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. 
The event will feature fitness classes including:—CrossFit with Austin Malleolo at 8:30 a.m.—Bootcamp with Derek Durkin at 9:15 a.m.—Combat with Tyler King at 10 a.m.—Sh’Bam with Carmen Rojas at 10:45 a.m.—Reebok Spartan with Cara Bednar at 12:15 p.m.—Yoga with Elizabeth Ekborg King at 1 p.m.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160428/franklin-resident-to-participate-in-jimmy-fund-fit-event

Friday, April 29, 2016

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 4/29/16 - THU 5/5/16

FRIDAY 4/29/16
7pm   Art Exhibit by Jay Gluck at Franklin Art Center
9pm   Comedy Night at “3” - Dan Crohn

SATURDAY 4/30/16
9am-12pm   Earth Day in Franklin - Help Clean Up Your Town, meet at Beaver Pond at 9am
10:30am-12pm   Trail Walk and Clean Up at Charles River Meadowlands in Franklin, meet in the wooded area next to KinderCare (42 Pond Street)
12-8pm   Spring Art Show by Franklin Art Association at The Black Box
2pm   FSPA’s Summer Theatre Auditions (38 Main Street)
4pm   Sleeping Beauty presented by Illuminate Children's Theatre at 282 Summer Street
4-6pm   Bowl Away Cancer - Relay for Life Fundraiser at Ryan Family Amusements in Millis
7:30 - 8:30pm  Clafin Hill Symphony Orchestra "American Dreamscapes” featuring Vocalist Tommy Gatturna, Milford Town Hall

SUNDAY 5/1/16
12-3pm   Spring Art Show by Franklin Art Association at The Black Box
10am-1pm   Camp Open House at the Franklin YMCA
1-4pm  Horace Mann Birthday Party at the Franklin Historical Museum

MONDAY 5/2/16
9am   Franklin Public Library re-opens in a new temporary location at 25 Kenwood Drive
6pm   Autism Eats at Restaurant 45 in Medway

TUESDAY 5/3/16
1:30-3pm   Knitting Circle for Adults at Franklin Public Library (25 Kenwood Circle)

WEDNESDAY 5/4/16
7:30pm   Let’s Laugh Today - Laughter Yoga at the FUSF

THURSDAY 5/5/16
6:30-9pm   Paint your own vase at Franklin Art Center. Register at Lifelong Learning.

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 Top Ten Reasons to Attend the 2016 Mass Poetry Festival!



View this email in your browser
The Top Ten Reasons to Attend the
2016 Mass Poetry Festival!
View the schedule here.

10. Prose Poets vs. Dadaists bake-off.

9. Find poems as hard as granite, as soft as forgiveness.

8. Commit Random Acts of Poetry at the PEM!

7. It's the best place to dote on Marie Howe and wonder how Mark Doty does it.

6. Have the submission process de-mystified—won't that be nice?

5. Slams—where poetry collides with performance and no one's got insurance.

4. The Atlantic's got nothing on Ocean Vuong!

3. Didn't that guy, right over there, win a Pulitzer Prize?

2. It costs hardly a cento.
 
And the #1 reason to attend the 2016 Mass Poetry Festival …

National Poetry Month may be ending, but we're just getting started!

See you in Salem!
If you love the work we do to support poets and spread the love and power of poetry to students, T riders, and more, please consider supporting us with a recurring monthly donation of $10.
Donate Now
Share
Tweet
Forward
Facebook
Twitter
Website
Copyright © 2016 Mass Poetry, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up on our website.

Our mailing address is:
Mass Poetry
15 Channel Center Street, Suite 103
Boston, MA 02210