World-Record Kite Event

World-Record Kite Event: "'The New England Children’s Foundation (NE Children’s Foundation), bringing the technology community together to raise funds for grassroots charities benefiting the children of New England, today announced an officially-sanctioned attempt at breaking the Guinness world record for most kites flown simultaneously. The goal of the fundraising event is to simultaneously fly 1,000 kites, to break the current Guinness World Record of 967, established in Germany during August 2008.The family-friendly event will be held on October 11, 2009 and hosted by Patriot Place.'

http://www.patriot-place.com/article.aspx?id=2042

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golf tourney as scholarship fundraiser

For more information, please check the Wicked Local link:

Jenna Pasquino Memorial Foundation plans golf tourney scholarship fundraiser: "

The Jenna Pasquino Memorial Foundation will hold its first annual golf tournament on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Blissful Meadows Golf Club, Chockalog Road, Uxbridge.

 

In the Globe - FHS Football

How big was the FHS football team victory over Mansfield last week? BIG! First time in ten years and the Globe runs a story on the team:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2009/10/01/franklin_high_ready_to_keep_rolling/

In the News - hotel tax

The first non-property tax to create additional revenue for Franklin goes into effect today. Read more about this in the Milford Daily News:

Optional meals, hotel tax hikes go into effect in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Gregory Kwasnik/Daily News correspondent

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Gallery 218 - new art show reveals talents!

By now, you know that I am a practicing photographer. I take lots of pictures, some of which you see here. I get nervous about taking pictures of artist's work. I am now imposing my view, my frame of reference upon the work. It may create something other than what the artist intended.

Gallery 218 opened a new show featuring the creations of personnel throughout the District who are non-art teachers. I counted at least 28 artists with one or more pieces in this show!

This opens a new world. A math teacher does quilts. A computer technician does sculpture. The Director of Instructional Services does a head in plaster. The list goes on. Wonderful works. Here is a sample of what you can see:



I hope you are teased enough by this to visit Gallery 218 at Franklin High School.


Note: For those email subscribers, you may need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photo slideshow.

Proposal to restructure around literacy

Though adolescent literacy instruction is prime for more research and development, A Time to Act underscores the importance of teaching reading within the nuanced context of each subject area, and beyond the current concentration on decoding skills in grades K-3.

Read the full posting about the new report just released by the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Council on Advancing Adolescent Literacy here


The new report advocates restructuring schools K-12 around literacy.


You can also obtain the full report here.


Recall that the elementary school of Franklin have literacy as their number one goal across the School Improvement Plans just presented to the School Committee

In the News - Vietnam casualties, education

New signs in planning to recognize Franklin's Vietnam War casualties

A sign of respect

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

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I think that we are too obsessed with control as a concept. Most societies which suffer from intellectual rigidity don't produce much that is original. They tend to perfect what others have done as original concepts. Do we really want our kids to be cogs in well oiled machines? It's too bad that too many people reading this will say, "Yes, and what's wrong with that?"

If you are asking that question in a rhetorical way, there really is nothing that anyone can tell you. If the idea of the concept of an eight-hour school day and an 11-month school year is up for vote, President Obama, my vote is "No!"

Read the full essay by James Johnston here

JAMES JOHNSTON: The ideal society and education

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by James Johnston/Daily News columnist

Gallery 218 - NonArt Teacher Show - opens today

Gallery 218 (in Franklin High School) is opening a new show of art by non-art teachers within the Franklin Public Schools on Tuesday, Sep 29th with a reception from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Come to view the new show in the Gallery!

Services available at Tri-County

The Auto Tech Program provides oil changes, tire repair, rotation, and mounting, front end and brake realignment, and much more. Additionally, the Carpentry, Facilities Management, and HVAC&R Career Programs offer a variety of services upon request.

Two benefits from this, you should be able to get a service for a reasonable price, and the students get to learn from real work.

Tri-County offering vocational services to public

from Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

What is differentiated instruction?

The development of differentiated instruction over the years is outlined in a good article.

Washburne takes the reader through a short history of reform efforts aimed at making education more individualized, beginning with the efforts of charismatic educator Preston Search, of Pueblo, Colo., and proceeding through the work of Frederic Burk, who "started a movement to make textbooks self-instructive and enable children, systematically, to progress according to their own ability." From the Project Method to ability grouping, Washburne's history shows how evolving understanding of learning and development shapes educators' efforts to meet the needs of all students.

Read the full article here. Bold in quote for my emphasis.

In the News - Milford rail trail update

For those in Franklin working on or interested with the progress on area rail trails, this is the latest on the effort in Milford.

Milford bike trail's final stage discussed

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff

Hold the date! October 17th

Why hold the date?

Are you interested in the new social media technologies? Would you like to learn more about blogging, podcast, Twitter, Facebook, etc? Then the event being held at New England Institute for Technology in Warwick, RI is the one for you.

But I am a beginner?

No problem, this event is geared to the beginners. Yes, if you have some knowledge is this area you can still learn but it is targeted for the "newbies", hence NewBCamp.

How much does it cost?

Only $10. For the price of a movie, or a couple of coffees, you can gain the information you need to keep up with the technology. Don't fall behind. Participate at NewBCamp on October 17th

Tickets go on sale on October 1. The link and additional information will be provided as soon as the registration is open.

Mu Han Tae Kwan Do

Mu Han Tae Kwan Do opened in Franklin early in 2008. They chose Franklin because of the areas' emphasis on education. While there are many martial arts schools, Mu Han provides a distinct difference with its approach.

Mu Han is Korean for "no limits". The approach they make to martial arts training at Mu Han is briefly described with two lines:

1. "Together, the best of the best"
2. "Be the best _______"

Martial arts is not just a practice, not just a training, it is a way of education. In this light, the first line "together, the best of the best" is understood. You approach being the best from whatever point you start at. You have the opportunity to work with talented and experienced instructors. From your starting point, you make progress. Together you can achieve more.

Practicing with others is very motivational but you are focusing on your improvement not competing with other students. Along the way you learn discipline, confidence and how to practice. When you achieve your goal, you are in a better position to set new goals. You will see the whole landscape with a more experienced view and will set better goals.

The second line bring with it the personalization of your talent or skills. If you are a mother, or a student, or a bricklayer, you can strive to be the best mother, the best student, the best bricklayer.  Be the best (fill in the blank).

Master Chang Nam Kang worked hard on his way from South Korea to the US. He benefited from fortunate connections. For example, while working at a restaurant in Manhattan, his supervisor referred him to an instructor position with Grandmaster Y H Park's school. Master Kang worked with Grandmaster Park's school for three years.  From Manhattan, Master Kang went to Springfield, MA then to Salem, NH before coming back to MA and gradually opening the three locations now associated with Mu Han Tae Kwan Do (Attleboro, Danvers, and Franklin). The students across the three schools have grown to number about 500. Approximately, 60-70 of them have achieved a black belt level.

Mu Han is located in Franklin at 456 West Central St in the same plaza as Elizabeth's Bagels and across the street from Annie's Market. The offer a flexible schedule of classes for all ages of the family. The schedule can be found here  

Mu Han's web site can be found here:  http://muhanmartialarts.com/Home.aspx

An article from the Milford Daily News was published in 2008 and features a brief video clip of Master Chang and Master Jin in a few demonstrations.

• You can find the article here 
• You can view the video here 

Master Chang was featured on the cover of Tae Kwan Do Times in 2002:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

If you are interested in martial arts training, then the Mu Han Tae Kwan Do School located right here in Franklin would be a good place to consider.

In the News - dog park, honey, Dean College

A town dog park is part of the five-year plan in the 2008 Open Space Recreation Plan created by the Public Land Use Committee as something on the wish list of Franklin residents, Jette said.

The best spot for the park, Jette said, would be at Dacey Field off Lincoln Street, behind the playground and set back into the woods.

Franklin considering dog park idea

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Angel Roy/Daily News staff

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Howard is frequently at the Farmers Market to sell his local honey.

Hive Mind: Franklin farmer has been collecting honey for 45 years

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

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English language company to leave Dean

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Angel Roy/Daily News staff

Populatic Street Closed

9/23/09

PUBLIC NOTICE

POPULATIC STREET FROM WALKER ROAD IN MEDWAY TO BRANDYWINE ROAD IN FRANKLIN WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL OCTOBER 9, 2009.  THE ROAD CLOSURE IS NECESSARY TO CORRECT A SAFETY ISSUE.

POPULATIC STREET WILL BE OPEN TO LOCAL TRAFFIC FROM WALKER ROAD IN MEDWAY TO 10 POPULATIC STREET IN FRANKLIN AND FROM BRANDYWINE ROAD IN FRANKLIN TO 50 POPULATIC STREET IN FRANKLIN.

EMERGENCY VEHICLES, SCHOOL BUSES AND TRASH HAULERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SAFELY PASS THROUGH THE SECTION OF ROAD BETWEEN 10 AND 50 POPULATIC STREET IN FRANKLIN AND SHOULD SEEK ALTERNATE ROUTES.

Found on the Town website

Regionalization - one way to save money

Regionalization is one way local communities should explore to save money and still provide the required services. Franklin has started this effort with Medway by sharing the Library Director and Recreation programs. Ayer and Shirley are looking at regionalizing their schools.

Ayer and Shirley officials said it makes sense to join together for several reasons. Not only do the towns border each other and share activities such as youth sports, but the merger would solve school building needs.

Read more about their regionalization efforts in the Boston Globe here

What services do you think would be worthy of discussion for Franklin to regionalize? With which community?

FM #46 - Scott Mason

This is #46 in the series for Franklin Matters. In this segment, we talk with Town Council candidate Scott Mason.

Time: 24 minutes, 44 seconds

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-46-scott-mason

FM #46
This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 46 in the series.

This is the first of what should be a series focusing on the candidates for the election on November 3rd. The Town Council, the School Committee and several other positions are up for election.

Today, we will spend about 20 minutes talking with Scott Mason who will be running for his third term on the Town Council.

Before we get into the conversation with Scott, let me quickly say that if you are a candidate for election this November 3rd, please get in contact with me to arrange for a similar interview. The output can be purely text, or audio (as we are doing with Scott).

The intent of the interview series is to share your information with the Franklin community. This aligns with my overall call to share information to create fully informed voters. We need to know the ins and outs of what we are voting on. Franklin Matters.

Without further ado, let's get right into the conversation with Scott. We had met initially in person and then
recorded this conversation over the phone to make this available for you.
 
Our conversation covered Scott's answers to the following 4 questions:

1. What is Franklin's big issue? What steps should we take to resolve it?
2. What is your position on the Financial Planning Committee report?
3. What is your position on the proposed Charter revisions?
4. What use do you envision for the Open Space Fund?

The following was provided by Scott

R. Scott Mason
9 Lee Street
Franklin, MA 02038

Biographical Information
Age: 46

Married:
Wife; Patricia, Daughters: Kelly 19, Kathryn 14

Occupation:
Self-Employed

Education:
Franklin Public Schools, graduated Franklin High School 1981
College: Dean College, class of 1984; Associate of Art in Communications (Graduated with high honors); Suffolk University, class of 1986; Bachelor of Science in Journalism/English, graduated with honors.

Years in Franklin:
Lifelong Franklin resident

First elected to the Town Council in 2005, re-elected in 2007

Positions held:
Chairman; Capital Improvement Sub-Committee, 2005 – present;
member; Town Administrator’s Salary Review Sub-Committee, 2007;
member; Senior Advocacy Sub-Committee, 2007 -- present;
Clerk; School Building Committee, 2008 – present

Social and Professional Organizations:
Mensa

Reasons for wanting to serve on the Town Council:

As a lifelong Franklin resident, I feel it is essential to offer something back to our community. After two terms as a Town Councilor, I still realize that we as citizens of this town, and we as Town Councilors, have much work to do, if we value the standard of living we have come to enjoy and wish for it to continue. My goal for the new term is to work to perpetuate that standard of living for all our citizens, not just those that can afford it the most.

In order to do that, we must continue to make prudent decisions with operating and capital budgets. We must find new and creative ways to make less money reach further, and we must help those that are most hurt by a poor economic climate, such as our elderly and our young.

We as a Council must work closely with the administration to find and implement cost-saving solutions, such as regionalization. We must work closely with the School Committee to provide a school budget that provides the best educational environment for our children, and we must continually examine the efficiencies of town operations, with the goal to improve services for all.

We must also be aware of the staffing needs of our public safety and D.P.W. We cannot sacrifice our ability to respond to health and safety issues in our community, nor can we allow our infrastructure to deteriorate.

We must continue to examine the feasibility of revenue generating measures such as overrides and debt exclusions, as a last resort to maintaining our quality of life.

Lastly, we as a Council must continue to work closely with our State Representative and Senators to make sure our voice is heard on Beacon Hill.

Major issues to be addressed in the next two years:

Budget Shortfall

Franklin’s annual operating budget of approximately $100,000,000.00 is inadequate to meet the needs of its citizens. In past years, Franklin has passed budgets that have made substantial cuts in personnel and/or services on both the school and town sides. Franklin voters have historically not supported Proposition 2 ½ overrides, although voters passed a successful override in 2007.

As a result of this reluctance, if we as a Council determine that an override is necessary, we must find a way to present it to the voters in order to achieve a favorable outcome.

The Council must also carefully consider other ways to increase revenues, such as taking advantage of State options for local taxing as they become available, such as the recently passed “Meals Tax”.

High School Renovation

Within the next 12 months, voters may be asked to approve a debt exclusion to fund renovations to the almost 40-year old Franklin High School. The administration and the School Building Committee is working with the School Building Authority to acquire partial funding for this renovation. If and when it is approved, the town must act quickly to procure the balance of funding.

Capital Funding

Franklin’s capital budget is also inadequate for its capital needs. Among a long list of needs that the town has on an annual basis, which include replacement police cruisers, D.P.W vehicles and repairs to town buildings, there is also a growing need to repair and repave many roads in town, but, presently there is no source of funds within the town for road repaving.

By examining the five-year plan for capital expenditures, the Council must consider various options for funding them on a year-to-year basis.
 
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This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and East of Shirley. The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with permission.

Back to Business - Linda Waters

I met Linda Waters at the Harvest Festival last Sunday and we caught up with what each other is doing with a great conversation.

I combined the front and back of one of her handouts to present this single sided view:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

She has an interesting new product about to be introduced soon. The web site is not yet active (so check back to see when it does go active, or sign up to be notified by email).

She will be introducing Confidence Beads:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

You can connect with Linda via LinkedIn
or check out her website here