Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Wally the Green Monster
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 4/9/12
Wednesday April 18th 1:30 PM
Come meet Wally the Green Monster, the official mascot of the Boston Red Sox. Wally's friend will read a book about Wally and Wally will take pictures with the children and their families.
All Ages, No registration required.
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Bubble Party with The Bubble Music Man
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 4/9/12
Tuesday April 17th 11 AM - Noon
An interactive program designed for children ages 3 to 7 years which brings together musical fun, interactivity, and BUBBLES!
No registration required.
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Monday, April 9, 2012
You can help your neighbor
You may recall hearing of the house fire in on Hillside Road last Wednesday. The Milford Daily News story is here http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x826299284/Cat-dies-in-Franklin-fire
Fortunately, no one was hurt as the family escaped although they did lose one of their cats. The house and contents were destroyed. Neighbors have rallied to help collect food, clothing and money for the family.
Cheryl Hobbs is one of the neighbors leading this effort. Her post in the Yahoo Group for "Franklin Area Parents" summarized the situation last Wednesday:
What can you do?
Make your check made payable to: Michelle Kelly.
Provide a gift card for Walmart, Kohls, Stop & Shop or any other retail outlet the family could use.
You can drop off your donation (or sent via mail) to: Cheryl Hobbs - 144 Hillside Road, Franklin
Fortunately, no one was hurt as the family escaped although they did lose one of their cats. The house and contents were destroyed. Neighbors have rallied to help collect food, clothing and money for the family.
Cheryl Hobbs is one of the neighbors leading this effort. Her post in the Yahoo Group for "Franklin Area Parents" summarized the situation last Wednesday:
Today has been a very terrible day for our neighbors (Lazanski/Kelly) on Hillside Road, they lost their home and all their belongings. Taryn is a senior at Franklin High. Tom graduated 2 years ago. All 4 are safe and being well taken care of. They, of course, are devastated! They did lose one cat and the other cat was revived and staying well at Tufts. I, first, want to thank my neighbors who came in in a clutch and gave clothing. Many of you have asked what you can do in lieu of clothes (because you don't have kids their size, etc.). Monetary donations are being accepted. Checks made payable to: Michelle Kelly. Please drop off your donation (or mail) to: Cheryl Hobbs - 144 Hillside Road, FranklinHer update on Easter:
I just want to update everyone on the happenings here on Hillside. Michelle is in better spirits this morning...smiling, laughing and so thankful for all that has been given to her, her husband and kids. The cat is back home and not leaving Michelle's side.
I am going to try and email once a week now, however, please know, I am still collecting. Again, it is overwhelming the generosity of this community. I was surprised to what I came home to last night..letter box over flowing, as well as, foyer filled with envelopes.
What can you do?
Make your check made payable to: Michelle Kelly.
Provide a gift card for Walmart, Kohls, Stop & Shop or any other retail outlet the family could use.
You can drop off your donation (or sent via mail) to: Cheryl Hobbs - 144 Hillside Road, Franklin
MBTA halting 12-ride punch card
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
The MBTA plans to retire the 12-ride commuter rail punch card and its six-month expiration as of July 1, replacing it with a 10-ride pass good for a mere 30 days, the Boston Globe reports. As the Globe reports, the punch card is open to abuse, in which users can stretch the card well beyond the 12-ride limit, which means lost revenue for the cash-strapped T.
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Coming soon!
It is good to walk around Franklin. Walking slows things down, you get to observe more detail about what is around. On Saturday's walk, I realized that Bellino's had closed and there will be a new Indian restaurant opening in it's location:
I had already heard through the Planning Board agendas that Dean was putting up a new residence dorm on the corner of West Central and West St.
What do you find out about Franklin by walking around?
I had already heard through the Planning Board agendas that Dean was putting up a new residence dorm on the corner of West Central and West St.
What do you find out about Franklin by walking around?
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Happy Easter!
No matter what religious beliefs you hold, spring time brings new life to this world that we inhabit.
Enjoy the signs of new life!
Enjoy the signs of new life!
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 4/10/12
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.
Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.
"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."
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 27, 2012 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. Music Department Update – Nancy Schoen (presentation)
b. Budget Overview
3. Discussion Only Items
Kindergarten Registration (Current status - PDF)
Pay to Ride Update
4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from JF Kennedy PCC for field trips and nurses fees for JF Kennedy Elementary School.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $750.00 from JF Kennedy PCC for field trips and buses for JF Kennedy Elementary School.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from Cop Ex, Inc for Davis Thayer Elementary School.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
7. Executive Session
Review of Executive Session Minutes
a. 1-24-12
b. 2-28-12
8. Adjourn
Franklin, MA: Music Program
Nancy Schoen is scheduled to present this document to the School Committee on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2012 to provide an update on the Music Program.
Franklin Public Schools MUSIC presentation 4/10/12
Both my daughters participated in the Music program throughout their years in the Franklin schools (Parmenter, Remington and FHS). I think some of their success can be attributed to the musical program as a component of their overall development and growth.
Franklin Public Schools MUSIC presentation 4/10/12
Both my daughters participated in the Music program throughout their years in the Franklin schools (Parmenter, Remington and FHS). I think some of their success can be attributed to the musical program as a component of their overall development and growth.
Franklin, MA: Kindergarten Enrollment
The Kindergarten enrollment as of 4/2/12. This is a line item for discussion at the School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Apr 10, 2012.
Franklin Public Schools K-registration as of 4-2-12
Note: the actual enrollment for K exceeds the projection provided last January. The details of that projection can be found here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/01/school-enrollment-projections.html
Looking at the current K classroom staffing and the enrollment to date, it looks like there should be some re-alignment of K teachers to better balance the class size across the district. Parmenter for example has 4 K classes this year and may only need 2 next Sep. Current K classes and class size can be found in the following Enrollment document.
The enrollment comparison of March 2011 to March 2012:
Franklin Public Schools: Enrollment Compare March 2011 2012
Disclosure: yes, my wonderful wife teaches kindergarten at Oak Street Elementary School.
Franklin Public Schools K-registration as of 4-2-12
Note: the actual enrollment for K exceeds the projection provided last January. The details of that projection can be found here http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/01/school-enrollment-projections.html
Looking at the current K classroom staffing and the enrollment to date, it looks like there should be some re-alignment of K teachers to better balance the class size across the district. Parmenter for example has 4 K classes this year and may only need 2 next Sep. Current K classes and class size can be found in the following Enrollment document.
The enrollment comparison of March 2011 to March 2012:
Franklin Public Schools: Enrollment Compare March 2011 2012
Disclosure: yes, my wonderful wife teaches kindergarten at Oak Street Elementary School.
"These are not new challenges for Massachusetts"
As we get into the annual budget season, one factor driving up the cost of education is the cost of delivering services for the special education students. The Milford Daily News devotes a long article to a recap of this issue and the state's underfunding of the costs back to the local school districts.
The state funding of special education was raised in a MassBudget report posted here recently
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/new-massbudget-video-discusses.html
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x826306718/More-students-complex-needs-higher-costs-in-special-education#ixzz1rRVln8jj
The 2011-2012 School Budget for Franklin highlights special education as one of the factors increasing the cost of education. Additional information on the FY 2012 Budget for Franklin is collected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/01/fiscal-year-2012-budget-information.html
The state funding of special education was raised in a MassBudget report posted here recently
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/03/new-massbudget-video-discusses.html
The Marlborough School Department Finance Director Adam Olivere said that because special education costs have risen so dramatically, there is an underfunding in the foundation budget, which is calculated using the average cost-per-pupil, enrollment, and inflation. Costs are rising at a much greater rate than funding each year.
“The state uses a percentage around 5 perfect to determine what the increase in costs should be, when in actuality, special education costs are increasing as much as 15 or 20 percent each year,” Olivere said. “The foundation budget underfunds special education costs by about $1 billion, and that affects net school funding.”
Meanwhile, the federal government has never lived up to a promise 40 years ago to cover 40 percent of the excess cost of educating students with special needs.
“The brunt of it still is falling on the local schools to fund out of their own resources,” said Rich Robison, executive director of the Federation for Children with Special Needs and a member of the Sudbury School Committee.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x826306718/More-students-complex-needs-higher-costs-in-special-education#ixzz1rRVln8jj
The 2011-2012 School Budget for Franklin highlights special education as one of the factors increasing the cost of education. Additional information on the FY 2012 Budget for Franklin is collected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/01/fiscal-year-2012-budget-information.html
Karen Spilka: A decade at the State House
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Joe O'Connell/Daily News staff on 4/7/12
Karen Spilka takes pride in her relentless approach to her job representing the Second Middlesex and Norfolk District in the state Senate. "Patience and perseverance" are two important qualities one needs to have to be a legislator, Spilka said.
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Saturday, April 7, 2012
Franklin at night
I stopped at the triangle downtown to snap this photo when walking back from the Food Pantry after a Board Meeting the other night.
It was quiet. The buds have changed to blossoms this week.
If you would like to share a photo of spring around Franklin you can send it via email to shersteve.fmnews@blogger.com or post it to the Franklin Matters Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/franklinmatters
It was quiet. The buds have changed to blossoms this week.
If you would like to share a photo of spring around Franklin you can send it via email to shersteve.fmnews@blogger.com or post it to the Franklin Matters Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/franklinmatters
Water Restrictions begin Apr 17
The lack of precipitation during the winter (was there a winter?) and lack of rain this spring is not helping the situation. In either case, the annual water restrictions imposed by the Commonwealth of MA being ot take effect on Tuesday April 17.
Details are contained in this notice originally published on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0188C918-000F8513
Franklin Water Restrictions 2012
Details are contained in this notice originally published on the Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0188C918-000F8513
Franklin Water Restrictions 2012
FYI: Route 140 Construction
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Friday, April 6, 2012
"information we’re going to use”
“Franklin gets it,” state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, said. “It knows what it’s doing and it knows what businesses need.”
She and state Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, spoke at the 2 ½ hour session.
The summit was held at Tegra Medical in Forge Park, one of Franklin’s three touted industrial parks, meant to accommodate businesses while balancing residential needs.
Jones said that high technology and biotechnology businesses, like those Franklin has begun to attract, have job openings, but that most applicants are not qualified to do the jobs.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x121059633/Leaders-praise-second-economic-summit#ixzz1rFf4kQ2p
Prior economic development summit info
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/10/economic-development-summit-schedule.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/10/franklin-economic-development-summit.html
Franklin wants your business!
Franklin Wants Your Business - 2012
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