Wednesday, January 25, 2017

"We just want people to know that everything's open for business"


"Though the busy season at the Franklin State Forest has passed, state officials are reminding area residents that the property remains open during the winter. 
The state Department of Conservation and Recreation put out a notice this month to promote the winter recreational use of the 843-acre forest. Park Supervisor William "Tom" Ashton said that there are many ways that locals make use of the land, even after snow has fallen. 
"During the wintertime, there are activities like snowshoeing and hiking," he said, adding that cross-country skiing and fat tire snow biking are other options. "We want to let people know that, 'Hey, we're still here - we have a beautiful park with a lot of wonderful scenery.'" 
The notice highlights the forest's pine trees as being especially scenic when they are blanketed in new snow."

Continue reading the article online
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20170116/franklin-state-forest-remains-open

  • The park hiking map

http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dcr/parks/trails/franklin.pdf

My wife and I took a walk on a recent Sunday. We started from the SNETT and then took a side trail into the State Forest to pick up the old logging trail in the forest that ended up at the water tower. It was a good walk.


winter forest land
winter forest land

look up once in a while, quite a view
look up once in a while, quite a view

old logging road
old logging road

remnants of trees come in odd shapes
remnants of trees come in odd shapes

and yes, in New England forests you will find stone walls
and yes, in New England forests you will find stone walls



In the News: superintendent search forum; heroin arrests made

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The school district has scheduled a public forum with its superintendent candidates as it continues its search for a new leader. 
The event - scheduled to take place at the Franklin Municipal Building on Monday, Jan. 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - will give participants a chance to meet the finalists: Blackstone-Millville Assistant Superintendent David Thomson, Chelmsford Assistant Superintendent Linda Hirsch and Weymouth Assistant Superintendent Susan Kustka. 
Each of the candidates, according to the district, will be available for 30 minutes to answer questions and listen to comments from the public. 
"Hopefully, we'll get productive feedback from that event," said School Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170124/franklin-public-to-meet-schools-chief-hopefuls

Vice Chair Anne Bergen, Chair Kevin O'Malley and Denise Schultz at the School Committee meeting Tuesday
Vice Chair Anne Bergen, Chair Kevin O'Malley and Denise Schultz at the School Committee meeting Tuesday


"Three men were arraigned in Wrentham District Court Tuesday on heroin distribution charges stemming from a Monday night arrest in Franklin. 
Johan Olea, 27, of 128 Empire St., Lynn, pleaded not guilty to charges of distributing a class A drug, conspiracy to violate drug law, driving with a suspended license and being present where heroin is kept. He had a $250 cash bail imposed on him by Judge Emogene Johnson Smith. 
Jugeily Luciano-Mateo, 30, of 285 Rathbun St., Woonsocket, Rhode Island, pleaded not guilty to distributing a class A drug and conspiracy to violate drug law. He was held without bail on a separate charge of being a fugitive from justice on a court warrant. 
Sterlin Almanzar, 26, of Providence, Rhode Island, pleaded not guilty to charges of distributing a class A drug, conspiracy to violate drug law and being present where heroin is kept. He was released on personal recognizance."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170124/franklin-three-charged-with-heroin-distribution

Reminder - What not to flush!

Franklin DPW posted this reminder to Facebook!





swiffers that have clogged up sewer pumping stations
swiffers that have clogged up sewer pumping stations

For additional info on what not to flush!
http://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/help-us-keep-our-sewer-system-running-smoothly-learn-what-not-flush

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Real Time Reporting: Action items through Closing


3. Discussion Only Items
none

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
recommend to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

b. I recommend approval of the FHS Program of Study as presented.
recommend to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1.060.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in-house enrichment.
recommend to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,991.58 from O’Connor Portraiture, Inc. for supplemental supplies at Keller Elementary School.
recommend to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

e. I recommend approval of the request for Parmenter & JFK Chorus students to travel to the Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI for a concert.
recommend to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

f. I recommend approval of the request for FHS Music students to travel to Washington, D.C. for a music festival on April 19 through April 22, 2018 as detailed.
recommend to approve, seconded, passed 7-0



5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
family science night March 16, student run evening of STEM, etc. open to families of K-8 students (6:00 -8:00 PM at FHS)

piloting a peer coaching program, team of teachers did a walk through of elementary schools, and saw the value of seeing peer to peer evaluation around instruction

how do you take proficient teachers and move them to exemplary? have provided coaches for struggling teachers before, this extends that effort

educator round table with teachers from around the district
a lack of resources doesn't stop the innovation within the district that doesn't cost anything


School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

  • a. Superintendent Search
    • reminder, Jan 30th Superintendent forum, 3 candidates
    • looking for community input
  • b. Community Engagement
    • another edition of newsletter coming
    • coffee scheduled for Feb 1 at Franklin TV at 7:00 PM
    • looking to get the School Committee website to be easier to use, will bring update ideas to the budget sub-committee for discussion
  • budget sub-committee
    • reports from the rest of the committee, what are the goals for the next budget; due for the next School Committee workshop meeting 1/31/17 (3rd floor training room); create priority blueprint for school district implementation
    • meeting with the Town budget subcommittee on Feb 1, 5:30 PM (RM 205) discussion on the capital recommendations, Feb 14 to go before FinCom, and then before the Town Council  (TBD)

motion to adjourn

Real Time Reporting: FHS Athletics update

Tuned into the School Committee late. Time enough to catch the update on FHS athletics by new athletic Director Tom Angelo.

2. Guests/Presentations
b. FHS Athletics Update – Tom Angelo




6 basketball teams: varsity, junior varsity and freshman each for boys and girls.


moving many items to online, including online ticket sales

big Twitter user (as you have seen as I have shared)

"Franklin is lucky to have 3 turf fields"

gym floor being re-done during the summer, there were issues with the original install this is being done by the builder at no cost to Franklin

Turf Fields being replaced as part of the Town facilities planning, they have been putting funds aside for several years in anticipation of the replacements.






will have need for additional coaches to help manage the proper numbers (athletes to coach ratio)

there are non-cut sports during most seasons



https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/824045257390260227
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/824045257390260227


http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jan_23.html


Real TIme Reporting: FHS Update; Program of Studies

(sharing the doc that I would have shared earlier had I not been late)

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Update / Program of Study / Alumni Survey – Paul Peri and Bill Klement


https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/824051052345487361
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/824051052345487361








Full agenda for the School Committee meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jan_23.html


Free Narcan and CPR (‘Hands Only’) Training Session - Feb 15

The S.A.F.E. Coalition, in association with the Franklin Fire Department, Franklin Police Department and BAMSI (Brockton Area Multi-Services Inc.) will present a Free Narcan and CPR (‘Hands Only’) Training Session on Wednesday February 15, 2017 at 4:00 – 8:00 pm at the Franklin Fire Department Headquarters, 40 West Central Street, Franklin MA. 

The public is invited.


‘Drop-In’ Narcan Training Session


The ‘Drop-In’ Narcan Training Session will be ongoing from 4:00-8:00 pm with no reservation necessary. Narcan will be distributed at no charge after the training session.


“Overdose deaths caused by heroin and synthetic opioids have reached an all-time high. Naloxone, commonly referred to by the brand name Narcan, has been proven to save lives by reversing the effects of opioids. Anyone with minimal training can learn how to administer naloxone and save the life of an individual experiencing an opioid-related overdose.”
T.J. Lynch
Chief of Police, Franklin


“Generic Narcan (naloxone), an opioid antagonist, is perhaps the one most critical drugs in combatting overdose with heroin, fentanyl and other illicit opioids. Without this drug, untold numbers of lives, far in excess of those already lost, would have not been given the chance to battle Substance Use Disorder. It is critical that ‘Narcan’ become widely available during this prolonged and growing epidemic until we can stem the deaths associated with these opioids.”
Jordan E. Warnick, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and Associate Dean (Ret.)
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Secretary, S.A.F.E.


"Providing Narcan is an important step in combating the opioid epidemic that is raging in our community. Life-saving Narcan grants overdose victims another chance to find recovery" 
Jim Derick
President, S.A.F.E.


Franklin Fire Dept Headquarters, 40 West Central Street, Franklin MA
Franklin Fire Dept Headquarters, 40 West Central Street, Franklin MA


CPR Training Session


The CPR Training Session is a ‘Hands-Only’ session and will be offered at 4:00 pm, 5:15 pm and 6:30 pm. REGISTRATION is essential for the CPR training – send an email to info@safecoalitionma.com with your name and session time. Information of certificate programs will be available.

“In an emergency that causes a loss of breathing or lose their pulse, whether it is drug-related or not, the availability of CPR can be critical. Waiting for an ambulance and trained medical personnel may not be an option. You can make a difference!”


The S.A.F.E. Coalition provides this and other sessions to provide education, treatment options, and coping mechanisms for those affected by Substance Abuse Disorder, their families and friends. For more information please contact the S.A.F.E. Coalition at 508-488-8105 or info@safecoalitionma.com

http://safecoalitionma.com/
http://safecoalitionma.com/



Opera for Kids: Little Red Riding Hood - Sunday, February 5

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present Opera for Kids: Little Red Riding Hood on Sunday, February 5, at 2:30 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. 

This special program is a presentation of FPAC’s Family Concert Series and is offered free to the community. A treasured FPAC tradition for more than two decades, Family Concert Series events are geared toward children in length and format and provide young audiences with a fun introduction to the world of live music. The performances introduce audiences of all ages to music of many genres and feature talented, professional musicians in an engaging, entertaining and interactive way.

Set to the masterful music of American composer Seymour Barab, Little Red Riding Hood is an operatic adaptation of the children’s fairy tale classic and brings the beloved story to life. Engaging audiences of all ages, the opera is under 45 minutes in length and is in rhymed verse. 

The performance features sopranos Mariko Matsumura and Shauna Martin as Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother, along with lyric baritone Thomas Gareau as the wolf. Pianist Synthia Sture will accompany the vocalists.

A native of Winnipeg, Canada, Shauna Martin received her master’s degree in Opera from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University. Her performances include a wide variety of operatic and musical theater roles in works by classical as well as contemporary composers. Shauna is a founding member of the popular children's show Opera Night in Canada and has performed with Canada’s regional orchestras and on CBC Radio. 

A native of Tokyo, Japan, Mariko Matsumura received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance with high honors from the University of Montana and a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Longy School of Music. Mariko's performance credits include Messiah, Aida, Hansel and Gretl, Der Rosenkavalier, The Magic Flute and numerous premiere performances throughout the Boston area. She has performed with Lorelei Ensemble, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Jyugoya Ensemble, Chorus Boston, Setegaya Women’s Chorus and Opera Unmet. 

A graduate of The Boston Conservatory with a BM in Vocal Performance and an MM in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance, Thomas Gareau has performed a wide variety of repertoire, from jazz to musical theater to opera and oratorio. As a regular and soloist with the Boston Choral Ensemble, he performed in the memorable production of Thomas Tallis’ Spem in alium at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross as part of the Boston Early Music Festival. Other notable engagements include Odyssey Opera’s debut concert production of Wagner’s Rienzi at Jordan Hall. Thomas has appeared in numerous solo recitals performing standard repertoire and unearthing lesser known art songs and arias. 
 
Little Red Riding Hood (1881) by Carl Larsson
Little Red Riding Hood (1881) by Carl Larsson (via wikipedia.org/)

FPAC’s 2017 Family Concert Series is sponsored by Berry Insurance. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com and www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Jan 24, 2017

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which
may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed
and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent
permitted by law."


the key to learning
the key to learning

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 5, 2017 and January 10, 2017 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
1. Nicolas Gnaman
2. Alexander Chitarra
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Update / Program of Study / Alumni
Survey – Paul Peri & Bill Klement
b. FHS Athletics Update – Tom Angelo

3. Discussion Only Items
none

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend approval of the FHS Program of Study as presented.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1.060.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in-house enrichment.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,991.58 from O’Connor Portraiture, Inc. for supplemental supplies at Keller Elementary School.
e. I recommend approval of the request for Parmenter & JFK Chorus students to travel to the Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI for a concert.
f. I recommend approval of the request for FHS Music students to travel to Washington, D.C. for a music festival on April 19 through April 22, 2018 as detailed.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

  • a. Superintendent Search
  • b. Community Engagement

School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Personnel Update

8. Motion to Adjourn
– Dr. O’Malley

Both FHS swim teams and the girls hockey team post wins on Monday



Boys Swimming = Franklin, 104 @ Mansfield, 65 – Final
– Connor Bourgeois, Roy Wang and Jack Cashin each won a pair of events to pace the Panthers to a win over Mansfield. Bourgeois won the 50 and 100 free, Wang took first in the 100 back and 200 IM and Cashin won the 200 IM and the 100 breast, qualifying for sectionals in the latter event.

Girls Swimming = Franklin, 95 @ Mansfield, 70 – Final

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 4 @ Leominster/St. Bernards, 2 – Final


https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-012317/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Via the Twitterverse










Note: I have a list of all the FHS sports Twitter accounts. You can follow the listing for updates. If you find an account not part of the listing, let me know

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports