Circle of Friends: Gretchen Peters - April 7 with Carolann Solebello

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Don't miss multiple GRAMMY nominee and Country Music Association Song of the Year winner Gretchen Peters

GRETCHEN PETERS with Carolann Solebello April 7th 8PM $20 Gretchen Peters is a multiple GRAMMY nominee and Country Music Association Song of the Year winner. For two decades, she has been one of Nashville's most beloved and respected artists, known never to shy away from darkness and struggle in her writing. "If Peters never delivers another tune as achingly beautiful as 'On A Bus To St. Cloud,'" People Magazine wrote, "she has already earned herself a spot among country's upper echelon of contemporary composers." Gretchen has risen to the top of her craft by writing and recording songs that explore the deep corners of life with empathy and integrity. She has accumulated accolades as a songwriter for artists as diverse as Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, The Neville Brothers, Patty Loveless, George Strait, Bryan Adams and Faith Hill. http://www.gretchenpeters.com/ New York singer/songwriter Carolann Solebello https://carolannsolebello.com/ will open the show. With a smooth, compelling voice and warm acoustic guitar, she nods to rural folk traditions, but creates lyrics that rise from the shadows of the towers, bridges, and highways of her urban home. Carolann was an original member of Red Molly. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Admission is $20. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.  Upcoming Shows Apr 28      Pat Donohue May 12     Antje Duvekot with The Starlight Honeys Next season - Chris Smither, John Gorka, Susan Werner, and much more.

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Announcing Spring Livestrong at the YMCA

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a free 12-week program designed for cancer survivors and their families seeking to regain health, build strength, and connect with other cancer survivors. 

Our goal is to help participants build muscle mass and muscle strength, increase flexibility and endurance, and improve functional ability. Certified YMCA fitness instructors give personal individualized instruction and are trained in the elements of cancer, post rehab exercise, nutrition, and supportive cancer care. 

The program meets twice a week for 90 minutes, using traditional exercise methods to ease you back into fitness and help participants improve confidence and self-esteem.

Announcing Spring Livestrong at the YMCA

Check out the locations, dates, and times of the upcoming LIVESTRONG at the YMCA classes!

Bernon Family (Franklin) Branch
45 Forge Hill Road
Franklin, MA

Day and Time: 
Monday and Friday, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, beginning on April 9th 

Monday and Wednesday, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM, beginning on April 2nd


Additional information can also be found at www.hockymca.org/new-livestrong-classes

The Annual SEPAC Comedy Show - May 4

SAVE THE DATE for The Annual SEPAC Comedy Show on Friday, May 4 at the 
Showcase Live, Patriot Place, Foxboro

The Annual SEPAC Comedy Show - May 4

It is that time of year again!! The 8th Annual Comedy show to benefit Franklin SEPAC is being held on Friday, May 4 at Showcase Live, Patriot Place. 

Enjoy good food, drinks, lots of laughs, and chances to take home fabulous items through the silent auction, food frenzy and raffle. 

All proceeds raised will fund SEPAC’s speakers and social events. Tickets are on sale now on our website: www.franklinsepac.org!! 

If you cannot attend but would like to contribute, we welcome any and all donations. 

Please email us at franklinsepac@gmail.com with any questions.
Hope you can make it!!

8th Annual Franklin and Bellingham Fives Road Race - May 5

8th Annual Franklin and Bellingham Fives Road Race

5K Run/Walk - 5 mile run - 1.5 mile walk

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Remington Middle School 

628 Washington Street Franklin, MA

USA Track and Field Sanctioned Event

Run or Walk-5k or Run 5 mile Courses through residential neighborhoods on paved roads. 1.5 mile walk through residential neighborhoods. Help support our effort to develop the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) into a multi-use path for Franklin and Bellingham. Post race refreshments. Prizes awarded by category. T-shirts to the first 150 entrants. Participation Medals & raffle prizes and DJ at the site for your enjoyment.

8th Annual Franklin and Bellingham Fives Road Race - May 5

Event details and schedule
T-shirts to the first 150 entrants. Prizes awarded by category. Post race refreshments. Race timing by Spitler Race Systems.

• Registration: 8:30 – 9:45 AM
• Start Time: 10 AM
• Start / Finish: 628 Washington St. Franklin, MA (Remington School)
• Run – 5K and 5 mile course through residential neighborhoods
• 1.5 mile walk through residential neighborhoods
• Entry Fee: 
• $30 prior to race day; $35 day of the race 
• $15 Students prior to race day;  $20 day of race for Students

Link to the Rail Trail Committee website with registration info:
http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/race

Link directly to registration page:
https://www.active.com/franklin-ma/running/distance-running-races/8th-annual-franklin-and-bellingham-franklin-fives-road-race-2018?int=

Link to Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/801815903359955/

Live reporting: Information Matters through to closing

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget; Community Relations; Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation)
b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; MASC; School Start Times Advisory Committee)

reminder - Apr 4 - next coffee hour 

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

next meeting 
- curriculum update
- school safety update


7. Consent Agenda
a. Keller Recurring Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request for a recurring field trip for Keller 5th Graders to Roger Williams Zoo, in Providence, RI on Friday, May 11, 2018 as detailed.
b. Jefferson Donation
I recommend acceptance of the donation of sporting equipment valued approximately at $300.00 from Dr. Maureen Sabolinski for supplemental supplies at Jefferson Elementary School.
c. Grant for Jefferson
I recommend acceptance of a check from Martin W. Richard Charitable Grant for $500.00 for supplemental supplies at Jefferson Elementary School as detailed.
d. FHS Senior Pilot
I recommend continued suspension of policy JH – Student Absences for the purposes of the late arrival/early release pilot for seniors at FHS on good standing during quarter 4.
e. Budget Transfers
I recommend Budget Transfers as detailed.

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


8. Payment of Bills 
Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll 
Mrs. Douglas

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION 
going into Executive Session will not be returning to open meeting

Live reporting: Discussion / Action Items - Mar 27, 2018

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. School Choice Vote
I recommend that the School Committee not accept any new public school choice students for the 2018-2019 school year as discussed.
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/q3-27-18%20SC%20Packet/Discussion%20ActionA-School%20Choice%20Vote.pdf

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

only 3 students left in the School Choice program

it depends, it can be revenue generating but given the capacity issue at the high school, it really would not be good


b. Draft 18-19 School Committee Schedule
I recommend that the School Committee approve of the 2018-19 School Committee meeting schedule as discussed.
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/q3-27-18%20SC%20Packet/Discussion%20ActionB-SC%20Mtg%20Schedule%2018-19.pdf
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


4. Discussion Only Items

Live Reporting: School Committee - March 27, 2018

Present:  Feeley, Linden, Douglas, Scofield, Bergen, Schultz, Zub
Absent:  none


1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
no adjustments

b. Citizen’s Comments
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH
c. FHS Student Representative Comments
students not present this evening

d. Superintendent’s Report
huge shout out to music program at MICCA Festival this past weekend
bronze, 8 silver medals and 2 gold medals
showcase Sunday, Apr 8 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester

Fri Apr 6 professional day
some continue from prior days
Davis/Parmenter 3rd workshop with Lesley
Jefferson social emotional theme
Keller
Kennedy focus on instructional strategies
Oak St continues committee work
Annie Sullivan/Remington - keys to learning
Horace Mann working on fall orientation


2. Guests / Presentations
a. FY19 Budget Hearing

Superintendent Sara Ahern
Business Administrator Miriam Goodnman

Franklin Public Schools - FY19 Budget Hearing from Franklin Matters

began budget process in October with Workshop (p4)
foundation budget for Franklin per pupil cost at 10,163 determined by state

44% provided by Chapter 70 state funding

$800K of revolving funds non-recurring revenue

$3M increase over FY 18

budget assumptions found on page 14

balanced through use of revolving funds

level service budget plus a few critical needs, page 15
adds for critical needs amount to only $26,000

staffing to be adjusted based upon increased enrollment in some areas and offset by loses, retirements, in other areas, hence budget neutral

two additional critical needs outlined on page 17 should be budget neutral (i.e. assumed to be offset by fee income)

additional FTE proposed on page 18

76% of the budget funds salaries; a total of 85% covers salary and benefits

per pupil costs being calculated at in-district and total by state

below average 33% vs state in the health care and other insurance categories

vote for adoption of budget scheduled for Apr 10
Finance Committee budget hearings in April
Town Council budget hearing in May/June

outstanding needs identified for FY 2020, page 27

good question from one of the boy scouts on how the budget is built.

line item reading and holds for further discussion being made

asst superintendent splitting due to categorization by State

attorney fees cover a multitude of requests; negotiation, policy review, student special ed planning, etc.

2400 less per student than others in the State (on average)

Additional info on the FY 2019 budget can be found
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_budget/index

ArtWeek: Worcester Chamber Music Society - Multi-media Concert - May 6

The Worcester Chamber Music Society will be coming to Franklin for a unique multi-media concert on May 6 as part of ArtWeek. In conjunction with the Franklin Public Schools, the Art + Music Family Concert will offer music of Mozart, Debussy, Haydn, and Ginastera at the Franklin High School auditorium from 3:00 - 4:30pm. 

Artwork inspired by the pieces and created by Franklin's elementary school students will be projected above the musicians' heads in a presentation timed to the music. In addition, Jacob Hoover and Katherine Bickford, who dance professionally with the Festival Ballet Providence, will perform, and children in the audience will have an opportunity to create art real-time. 

After the concert, there will be a Meet & Greet with the musicians, giving audience members a chance to see the instruments up close and speak to the people who play them.

"ArtWeek is a great opportunity for people to experience the arts in new and engaging ways, and we are excited to come to Franklin!" says Worcester Chamber Music Society Executive Director Tracy Kraus.

Thanks to sponsorship by the MetroWest Visitors Bureau, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, Dean Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank and the Franklin Cultural Council, tickets are being offered at a greatly reduced ticket price of $10/adults, $7/seniors and students, and all children 17 and under free with a paying adult. 

Tickets can be purchased at: www.worcesterchambermusic.org/franklin-family-concert.

The program will include Mozart's Flute Quartet in D Major, Allegro; Debussy's Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp, Interlude; Haydn's Piano Trio in A Major, Allegro; and Ginastera's Impresiones de la Puna (complete).

About the Franklin Cultural Council —

The mission of the Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) is to encourage participation and enhance opportunities for enrichment in the cultural arts and sciences throughout our community. Comprised of committed residents, the FCC meets monthly with the purpose of supporting events and programs through grants from the Town of Franklin, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

ArtWeek: Worcester Chamber Music Society - Multi-media Concert - May 6

Franklin School Committee Newsletter: March 2018

Dear Franklin Community,

Please use this link or download the PDF to read the Franklin School Committee's latest newsletter.

https://www.smore.com/7a4ze


Thank you!

Franklin School Committee newsletter

Reminder: Register to participate in the Community Arts Advocacy Day 2018 - April 7

Action and IMPACT: Community Arts Advocacy Day 2018 is a multi-town event bringing together artists, art advocates, cultural organizations, and local businesses to participate in a day of grassroots activism and education.

Agenda:

8:00 - 9:00 Registration, Breakfast and Networking
9:00 - 9:10 Welcome Address
9:10 - 9:25 Why Advocate?
9:25 - 9:40 MASSCreative: Advocating for Public Funding for the Arts, Arts Education and Public Art
9:40 - 10:00 Creative Break to Advocate…grassroots advocacy activities
10:10 - 11:10 Educational Workshop Session 1
11:20 - 12:20 Educational Workshop Session 2
12:30 - 1:15 Lunch and Meet Your Reps … talk about the arts with legislators while noshing
1:25 - 2:25 Panel Discussion: How to Drive Community Engagement
2:25 - 2:30 Wrap Up



Workshops:

• How to Attract and Keep Volunteers
• Marketing for Arts Organizations
• How to Build Community Partnerships
• Social Media Basics
• Grant Budget Planning for Non-Profits
• Creating a Successful Arts/Business Partnership Event
• Developing a Social Media Strategy
• Ask the Experts: Grants and Budgets
• Leveraging PR and Email Marketing
• The Ins and Outs of How to Advocate for the Arts, with MA Representative Jeff Roy
• Panel discussion: How to Drive Community Engagement

Register here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/action-impact-community-arts-advocacy-day-tickets-33284907053

Register for Community Arts Advocacy Day 2018 - Apr 7

Temple Etz Chaim service schedule; Good Friday "Cross Walk" on Common

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

Temple Etz Chaim, 900 Washington St., Franklin, has listed its scheduled worship services for April below. All services will take place at the temple building unless otherwise specified.

• Friday, April 6: Erev Shabbat service, 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 11: Yom HaShoah service, 7 p.m.
• Friday, April 13: Erev Shabbat service, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 14: Shabbat morning service and Bar Mitzvah, 10 a.m., Universalist Society.
• Friday, April 20: Erev Shabbat service, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 27: Erev Shabbat service, 7:30 p.m.

For information: 508-528-5337; http://temple-etzchaim.org.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180326/strongtemple-etz-chaim-announces-worship-servicesstrong

http://temple-etzchaim.org/

St Mary's teens and families will host its annual 'Cross Walk' procession on the Franklin Town Common beginning at Noon on Good Friday. Christians of all denominations and ages are welcome. Participants will gather on the Church Square end of the common.

Together, they will process through and around the Franklin town common and back to St Mary's lawn, pausing along the way to reflect on Jesus' great love for us.

Anyone who wishes to may help share the burden of carrying the heavy cross during the procession. Teens from St Mary's parish will read reflections and prayers at each stop.

All area residents and our families and friends from surrounding communities are encouraged to take part in this meaningful procession on Good Friday to remember Christ's Passion.

Friday, March 30- 12:00-1:00 pm

Good Friday 'Cross Walk' is scheduled on the Franklin Town Common - Mar 30

This was re-shared from

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/03/good-friday-cross-walk-is-scheduled-on.html

In the News: "Theater of Life" film; Caleb Haven Martin

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"On Thursday, March 29, at 7 p.m. at the First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF), 262 Chestnut St., Franklin, the FUSF food group Home Made will screen the documentary “Theater of Life.” 

“Theater of Life” is a 2016 Canadian feature-length film written and directed by Peter Svatek about a gourmet soup kitchen created by Italian chef Massimo Bottura and 60 international colleagues, including Mario Batali, Rene Redzepi and Alain Ducasse, using food waste from Expo 2015 in Milan. 

The film addresses the issue of food waste and the 1.3 billion tons of food thrown away annually around the world — one-third of all food produced. “Theater of Life” takes pains to study the persistence and perseverance of the disenfranchised while celebrating gastronomic talent."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20180326/fusf-to-screen-theater-of-life-documentary



More info on the movie can be found online http://www.theateroflifemovie.com

"Caleb Haven Martin, who attended Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School in Franklin, died on Wednesday due to injuries he sustained in a car accident on March 17. 

Martin, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst, died at the Cleveland Clinic in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, according to his obituary. He lived with his family in Senegal, where his parents, William and Katherine Martin, have a ministry. 

Martin was driving to UMass after “visiting a friend in Wisconsin when he hit a deer in the highway. As he was calling 911 he was hit by another car from behind. He was taken to a local trauma center in Cleveland with a severe brain injury, and was put into a medically induced coma so his body could heal,” according to a YouCaring page set up in Martin’s honor by Janice Thompson."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180326/former-franklin-resident-dies-in-crash-returning-to-umass

Consumer Reports: Facebook was careless with your data - Now what?

                                                   

If you are having trouble viewing images, click here. Recently, as many as 50 million Facebook users learned that their social media data was swept up in a massive data grab. Facebook users taking a psychology quiz may have unknowingly given away their own and their friends' private information. Then the creator of the quiz, a private app developer, sold that data treasure trove to a political targeting firm involved in the 2016 elections. If this situation has convinced you to rethink Facebook, here are your options: Don't want to give up Facebook? At least, eliminate 3rd party data collection on the platform Ramp up your privacy and eliminate 3rd party access and data collection. Manage your app settings and turn off Facebook Platform. This will deny access to apps, websites and plugins, but there are consequences you need to be aware of, like losing access to profiles or previous posts. Not ready to pull the plug but need a break? You can deactivate your Facebook account Consider putting your posts and photos on a brief hiatus and easily deactivate your account (you'll need to enter your password to confirm). When you're ready, you have the option to go back to sharing your updates on Facebook at any time. Ready to leave Facebook completely? Deleting your Facebook account may be the option, but do your research first This decision means that your photos, status updates, and messages will disappear, and your name will vanish from Facebook search. Before you say goodbye for good, know the steps you should take, like downloading your personal archive and checking which 3rd party accounts you access with your Facebook log in. We always want to keep our members informed on issues that impact their safety, well-being and privacy. Before you take any action, click here for more information on all three of these options and find out more on how to use Facebook privacy settings. © 2018 Consumer Reports, 101 Truman Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703. All rights reserved.

School Committee recap - March 22, 2018 (audio)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting originally scheduled for March 13 and snowed out by the blizzard was rescheduled and held on Thursday, March 22. Due to the reschedule, Franklin TV was not broadcasting the meeting so the audio recording here is made available for the community.

Three items of note from the meeting:

• The budget was reviewed again and it was revealed that the plan to close the more than $900K gap was to utilize more funds from the revolving accounts. This is a concern as the revolving accounts are one-time use and simply continue to 'kick the can down the road' yet again and avoid the real decision on how to appropriately fund the school needs. 'Yet again' as there was significant use of the revolving accounts last year ($6.5M for FY 18 vs. $4.5M as proposed for FY19)
• Asst. Superintendent Joyce Edwards reviewed the homework planning underway. The slides from the presentation are not yet posted to the Schools webpage so the photos captured during the meeting can be reviewed along with the audio to better understand what was presented.
• It was revealed during the subcommittee update portion of the meeting that the School Start Advisory Committee actually met for the first time this week. The Advisory Committee was appointed in a prior meeting yet only one name for the committee has been posted for the membership. The Advisory Committee page did get updated (post meeting) to remove the form that was still asking for volunteers for this important work. 

My notes reported live from the meeting can be found in the links here:

Live Reporting: Action Items to Closing
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/03/live-reporting-action-items-to-closing.html

Live Reporting: Discussion / Action Items
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/03/live-reporting-discussion-action-items.html

Live Reporting: Homework Update
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/03/live-reporting-homework-update.html

Live Reporting: School Committee - Mar 22, 2018
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/03/live-reporting-school-committee-mar-22.html

Asst. Superintendent Joyce Edwards reviewed the homework planning underway

LiveARTS presents Keisuke Wakao - Apr 8

LiveARTS presents Keisuke Wakao, Oboist with the Boston Symphony, on Apr 8. Mr Wakao will be performing with Kazusa Mizutani, bassoon, Etsuko Hirose, piano, and Keila Wakao, violin.

Program: Previn, Bruch, Lalliet, Sarasate, Suk, Piazzolla

$20 Adults
$15 Seniors
Students under 18 free


All Concerts on Sundays, 3:00 pm (NEW TIME!) at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, MA

Doors open at 2:30 pm. Open Seating. 
Handicapped accessible

LiveARTS presents Keisuke Wakao - Apr 8

For more information about LiveARTS, visit them on the web at
http://www.liveartsma.org/