Stats and standings for Hockomock League softball, baseball

Hockomock Sports has published the current stats and standings for softball

http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/04/hockomock-softball-stats-standings-42813.html?utm_source=feedly


and baseball

http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/04/hockomock-baseball-stats-standings-42813.html?utm_source=feedly

In the News: Franklin 5K, TerraCycle

Franklin 5K, 'The K Girls' set to run May

On Saturday, May 4, celebrate Kris and Kayla Biagiotti’s (The K Girls) incredible accomplishment of becoming the first mother/daughter team to finish the Boston Marathon

New TerraCycle program kicked off at Franklin's Helen Keller School

Helen Keller Elementary School in Franklin is participating in an innovative "green" program that, in addition to reducing waste and raising students’ awareness about recycling, will also earn extra money for the school by joining TerraCycle’s Chip Bag Brigade recycling program.

Franklin High School Tour (photo essay)

The tour of Franklin High School on Wednesday, Apr 24 drew the best attendance of all the school tours this year. Principal Peter Light welcomed all and was joined by Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, Asst Superintendent Sally Winslow, and School Committee members Pamela McIntyre and John Jewell. The tour started outside as it was still daylight and a good time to get a teaser of what the new building looks like before getting into the current facility.

magic underway

There is magic underway! Steel and concrete are being transformed into a wonderful learning place.

front right corner, Principal's office

In this front right corner, the Principal's office will be located where the circular section appears.

design view of entrance and principals office 

This is one of the design views showing by comparison the front right section of the building as it will look when finished.

Additional design photos can be found here or on the NewFHS website

crane view

The cranes are raising the additional sections along the front where the library and gymnasium will be.

Classroom walls

In the back right corner of the new building, they are just starting to frame out the walls. This would be one of the classrooms in the new media center.

grand stairwell

The steel pieces sticking up with the orange caps are the footings for the stairway that will be the grand stairway up from the main entrance.

interior courtyard

There is an empty space just beyond this first section of building. This will be the opening for the interior courtyard. It will allow light and air into the interior sections of the building.

art in entrance hallway

As we moved inside to the current facility, I spent time capturing some of the art work along the halls and murals on the walls. Discussions are underway on which of the mural and other art work will move to the new building and which will not. The students in the new building will need to make it their own space while carrying some of the past with them.

Roman mural - H wing

Walking along H Wing, there are several large murals on the walls. This one of a Roman scene.

French themed mural

This one of a French scene

The Beatles

The Beatles

Spanish themed mural

Spanish themed mural

directions to water

The arrow points to the water fountain.

I did not complete the tour on Wednesday evening. I left before it finished to get to the Town Council meeting and report on the happenings there. You can find my notes updated with the DPW presentation copy here

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Apr 30, 2013

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.

"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 April 9, 2013 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Oak Street Elementary School Update – Corine Minkle

3. Discussion Only Items
Bi County Collaborative Board and ACCEPT Collaborative Board

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of budget transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Linda and Elizabeth Lachuk for a FHS Scholarship.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Stephen, Cheryl & Kirsten Miller for a FHS Scholarship.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Richard & Janet Silloway for a FHS Scholarship.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $50.00 from Ralph Parette for a FHS Scholarship.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $35.00 from Carole Andrews for a FHS Scholarship.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,500.00 from the Music Boosters for in-house enrichment at FHS.
h. I recommend acceptance of the donation of an ipad from John Thomas and Special Friends Fund for Jefferson Elementary School.
i. I recommend approval of the request of Chris Mahan to take 55- 65 ASMS Presidential Fitness winners to a Pawtucket Red Sox game in Pawtucket, RI on May 21, 2013 funded by a grant as detailed.
j. I recommend approval of the request of FHS to take students to Barnstable HS for the Junior Classical League competition on May 10 to 12, 2013 as detailed.
k. I recommend the Franklin School Committee appoint the Superintendent of Schools to be appointed to the Bi County Collaborative Board of Directors for the 2013-2014 academic year.
l. I recommend the Franklin School Committee appoint the Superintendent of Schools to be appointed to the ACCEPT Collaborative Board of Directors for the 2013-2014 academic year.
m. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip request of Nancy Schoen to take music students to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH on June 14, 2013 as detailed.
n. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2580.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment.
o. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Kannon Communications for supplemental curriculum materials for the District.
p. I recommend acceptance of a check for $57.75 from Follett for consignment sales for supplemental curriculum materials for Jefferson Elementary School.
q. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Peter Baglioni for a FHS Scholarship.
r. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5664.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips.
s. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1500.00 from Whitson’s Food Service Corp. for a FHS Scholarship.
t. I recommend acceptance of a check for $117.74 from PBC for in-house enrichment for FHS.
u. I recommend approval of the request of HMMS for a field trip to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on June 18, 2013 as detailed.

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
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Get out and vote - Apr 30

A primary election on Tuesday, April 30, will whittle the field of candidates in the race to fill John Kerry’s former U.S. Senate seat from two Democrats and three Republicans down to one contender from each party. 

Democrats will choose between U.S. Reps. Stephen Lynch, D-9th, and Ed Markey, D-5th. The GOP candidates are private equity investor and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez, former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and state Rep. Dan Winslow, R-Norfolk, a former judge.

Primary Election - Apr 30

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x715749372/Senate-candidates-ready-for-Mass-primary#ixzz2RktyYjaW

Democrats websites

Stephen Lynch = http://www.stephenflynch.com/

Ed Markey = http://www.edmarkey.com/


Republican websites

Gabriel Gomez = http://www.gomezforma.com/

Michael Sullivan = https://www.mikesullivanforsenate.com/

Dan Winslow = http://www.danwinslow.com/

Working on a silent film in North Attleboro "Right There"

Film Production Company, IM Filmworks is at it again preparing to film their 9th film this May. IM Filmworks is a local production company run by North Attleboro resident, Nathan Suher, and Seekonk resident, Gregory Capello. Their collaboration over the years has yielded an impressive portfolio of creative projects almost exclusively shot in town of North Attleboro, or surrounding communities. 

Their current project, RIGHT THERE, is a romantic comedy about a simple man’s persistent attempts to gain the attention of a beautiful woman eating lunch on a park bench over the course of 30 days. “This isn’t your average romantic comedy”, says Nathan Suher, director. By this he means that RIGHT THERE will be a silent film. Nathan says that this film will have a heavy influence from the early era of filmmaking. “I’ve always been a gigantic fan of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Our film’s goal is to recapture this golden era of cinema.” 

Production is slated to take place this May in downtown North Attleboro, MA and will use many storefronts and local businesses for locations, including Bistro 45, Mackie’s Restaurant, Cut, and Speed of Though Playhouse. Many local actors and crew have been brought on to participate in this film including Ryan Hanley, Andre Boudreau, and Brooklyn, NY actress Lauren Ashleigh. RIGHT THERE is written by longtime collaborator Ian Taylor, as well as Nathan Suher and Gregory Capello. 

For more information on IM Filmworks, their movie RIGHT THERE, and Nathan Suher, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/IM-Filmworks/156110034436445

Hopkinton Middle School Lipdub 2013 (video)

Many people got into helping Hopkinton Middle School put together this lip dub of Lady Gaga's "I Was Born this Way". The MetroWest Health Foundation provided some funding for bullying prevention to the district.

Join the K Girls running the Franklin 5K

On Saturday, May 4th, celebrate Kris and Kayla Biagiotti’s (The K Girls), incredible accomplishment of becoming the first mother/daughter team to finish the Boston Marathon. Kris and Kayla were 50 yards from the finish line when the first bomb went off and instead of raising their hands in victory, they were forced to shield themselves from flying shrapnel.

Kris and Kayla Biagiotti

This race was founded nine years ago by Kris and other members of the community to honor the life of Bob Biagiotti, Kris’ late husband and Kayla’s dad. Bob’s belief was that no child should sit on the sidelines. The Franklin 5K, formerly called Run for Bob, has raised $75,000 to benefit children with special needs. It has become a celebration of children of all abilities.

The community at large is invited to The Franklin 5K to give Kris and Kayla the celebration they deserve as they cross the finish line at a race Kris founded years ago to benefit the YMCA. Everyone is encouraged to participate, both young and young at heart! Or just come out for a great day with friends and cheer on The K Girls.

Participants in Saturday’s event will celebrate with Kris and Kayla in their first event following Boston. By supporting this race, participants also help to improve social skills, build self-esteem, increase physical activity and independence, and enhance mutual respect among people of all abilities.

Location for the event is Marsh & McLellan Companies, 431 Washington Street, in Franklin. The event will include kids’ activities, touch-a-truck, refreshments, silent auction, raffle, music, and more. Day of registration begins at 9am.

Register today by visiting www.hockymca.org. Medals will be awarded to the top 3 men’s and women’s finishers from several age categories and all participants will receive a finisher medal.

The event is presented by Iron Mountain. To find out more about the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Reach Out for Youth and Families program, Integration Initiative, or THE FRANKLIN 5K, contact Michael Bordonaro at 508.643.5225 or michaelb@hockymca.org.

Help Franklin clean up on EarthDay

Franklin's annual Earth Day begins at 9 a.m., rain or shine, at the Beaver Pond Recreation Area, 450 Beaver St. 

Teams of volunteers will convene there to sign in before dispersing into neighborhoods with plastic bags for the townwide roadside cleanup. Registration runs from 9 to 11 a.m. 

Every person who registers will receive a community service certificate, and the first 200 volunteers get Earth Day T-shirts.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1424270821/Franklin-celebrating-Earth-Day-today#ixzz2RenMJo3p

MassBudget: what happened during debate - the House budget for FY 2014

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. House Final Budget for FY 2014 On Wednesday evening, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its budget proposal for FY 2014. Our new brief, "House Budget for FY 2014: Amendments Adopted During Debate," describes the differences between this proposal and the earlier version put together by the House Ways & Means Committee. These include: A much smaller cut to Youth Empowerment programs, which help young people find jobs and build careers Additional funding to reverse proposed cuts to Public Health, including programs that support the well-being of children and young adults Partial restoration of funds for Law & Public safety, and particularly for the courts Overall, the full House budget is still largely similar to the Ways & Means budget. It provides new funding in some areas--notably Higher Education and Transportation--but also cuts to Early Education & Care programs that help improve the life-prospects of young children. Read HOUSE BUDGET FOR FY 2014: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED DURING DEBATE See ALL OF OUR BUDGET RESOURCES 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

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Mass Poetry: Outdoor performances you won't want to miss, and more!

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Share this: Sessions are filling up! Make sure you're registered so you don't miss one minute of the festival, and buy your festival button today! If you order your button online, just pick it up starting Friday, May 3 from our headquarters at 125 Museum Place Mall! Don't miss amazing musical acts, poetry performances, and more on our outdoor Performance Stage in Derby Square on Saturday, May 4! As the Sparrow, 12 p.m. Poetry Out Loud Finalists, 1 p.m. Louder than a Bomb, 2 p.m. Helen Creeley Award Winners, 2:30 p.m. Boston Typewriter Orchestra, 3 p.m. Cape Ann Improv & Poetry Show, 4 p.m. And bring your own poems for open mics in between acts! Festival Spotlight Interested in families and relationships of all kinds? Check out these explorative and insightful events! Primary Connections: Writing Poetry about Family | Friday May 3, 1:15-2:15 | Old Town Hall, Second Floor Richard Hoffman, Charles Coe, Susan Donnelly Writing poetry about one's family can be challenging. How do we address emotionally sensitive issues with both candor and sympathetic understanding? Why should the reader or listener care about the people in the poet's life? How is the connection made between the personal and the universal? Sentimentality and its Absence in Contemporary Poems of Pregnancy and Motherhood | Saturday, May 4, 12:15-1:15 | PEM Native American Gallery Jennifer Militello, Arielle Greenberg, Lisa Olstein, Rebecca Wolff In this panel, poets who are also mothers will read poems and discuss the relationship of poetry to motherhood, exploring the ways in which poems of pregnancy and motherhood can both emphasize feeling and shy away from traditional approaches, as well as sharing poems that reflect on the experience in ways that welcome sentiment, reshape it, and even thwart it. Writing Your Unwritten Recipe: Poems of Your Family's Immigration | Friday, May 3, 2:30-3:30 | Old Town Hall, First Floor Rachel Barenblatt, Monica Raymond, Joy Ladin, Merle Feld In this workshop, participants will read published poems that celebrate both immigrant stories and delicious food memories. This is your opportunity to write poems that celebrate both where our families come from, and the ways in which food continues to tie us to our family origins. Love what we do? Consider donating today, or even setting up a small recurring payment. You'd be surprised what a difference $10 a month can make! Buy your 2013 Festival Button at any of these great locations: Beverly The Book Shop of Beverly Farms Brookline The Brookline Booksmith Cambridge Grolier Poetry Book Shop Harvard Book Store Porter Square Books Rodney's Bookstore Concord The Concord Bookshop Marblehead The Spirit of '76 Newton Newtonville Books Salem Gulu Gulu's Harrisons Comics Roost SSU English Department Sophia's The Salem Wax Museum Volunteer at the Massachusetts Poetry Festival! Receive free Festival admission, a snazzy T-shirt, and an invite to the poets' reception! Sign up here or email Laurin Macios with questions. 225 Lowell St | Carlisle , MA 01741 US Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.

In the News: place to prosper, plea deal, welfare benefits

At Dean College: A place to prosper

Hitting an academic wall in college can hurt more than in high school, as not only is it lined with less padding, but expectations that students will know where to turn and what to do after the initial impact are much higher.

Dookhan lawyer said he's had 'cursory' talks about plea deal

The lawyer for the chemist charged with faking results and tampering with evidence at a state drug testing lab says he has had "cursory" talks about a possible plea.

State releases information on bombing suspects' welfare benefits

Reversing course once again, Massachusetts' welfare agency made available new details Friday about state benefits received by the family of the Boston bombing suspects, saying public interest in the case trumped the privacy rights of Tamerlan and Dzokhar Tsarnaev.

Franklin Public Works: Upcoming Projects

Thanks to DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi for sharing the presentation document he used for the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Apr 24, 2013.

For my notes that accompanied the meeting you can check this link

Franklin, MA: DPW Upcoming Projects from Franklin Matters

You can also find this presentation on the Franklin DPW webpage here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/Construction_Projects/DPW_Upcoming_Projects%20april%2013.pdf

Dan Meyer: Math class needs a makeover (video)

Today's math curriculum is teaching students to expect -- and excel at -- paint-by-numbers classwork, robbing kids of a skill more important than solving problems: formulating them. In his talk, Dan Meyer shows classroom-tested math exercises that prompt students to stop and think. (Filmed at TEDxNYED.)

Regent Circle Documents

Thanks to Steve Derdiarian for sharing these documents referenced during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Apr 24, 2013.

For my notes that accompanied the meeting you can check this link

MBTA Debuts 3 New Commuter Rail Coaches

The MBTA this week put into service the first three new commuter rail coaches from Hyundai-Rotem USA. 

The first trips for the 3 new coaches carried passengers on Train No. 213 from North Station to Haverhill Wednesday morning. The new coaches will continue to operate on the North Side of the commuter rail system in the weeks head. It is expected that an additional 15 new coaches will be in service throughout the system by the fall of 2013.

Read more here

MBTA Debuts 3 New Commuter Rail Coaches

In the News: healthy kids, anti-casino, amputee expenses

Hockomock YMCA slates Healthy Kids Day on Saturday

The Hockomock Area YMCA is celebrating Healthy Kids Day with a free community event that encourages kids to be active and provides families with options and methods for living healthier.

Towns to form anti-casino coalition

Facing a classic David versus Goliath scenario, several small towns opposed to having a casino in the neighborhood are seeking strength in numbers – about 58,000 residents worth.

Amputees from Patriots Day attacks facing wide range of expenses

Cost of amputating a leg? At least $20,000. Cost of an artificial leg? More than $50,000 for the most high-tech models. Cost of an amputee's rehab? Often tens of thousands of dollars more. These are just a fraction of the medical expenses victims of the Boston Marathon bombing will face.

Town Council - 04/24/13

Regent Circle residents made another appearance at the Council meeting to continue to make their case for getting the road repaired, rebuilt and at minimum a date for such actions. They did gain a commitment to having the patch work started in the next 60 days. The patching will address the safety issues. Franklin will be working to combine the water/sewer work listing with the current road conditions listing and have the updated 'master' list ready by the end of the year. From that listing, there will likely be a proposal for a water bond issue to cover the next set of water main repairs. The funding from the last bond is what is providing the work currently scheduled for the next couple of years. A compete rebuilding of the road and neighboring roads is possible 2-3 years out at the earliest if the timelines discussed during the meeting hold true. Worse case, it could be easily beyond 5 years out for a re-buld of the road. Once money is allocated (and that is the key issue) design work would still need to be done before the work is started.

The status of the former municipal building on Emmons St drew some sharp criticism from some councilors as they reviewed an estimate for repairs that clearly had not been presented in any prior capital budget session. They hadn't because Facility Director Mike D'Angelo didn't recommend them. The Council's position is that they make the decisions and D'Angelo should simply be providing the data and information.

An outstanding request for work orders for school building repairs also gather some sharp words when the conversation shifted to the persistent leak at the Jefferson School. Work on the leaks has been done since the building opened and is now the subject of an engineering study and proposal due in May to re-do the spot that is poorly designed and generating the leaks.

DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi made a presentation on the work projects the DPW has underway for the next couple of years. A copy of the presentation should be added here later.

A series of zoning bylaws was rescheduled to be heard on May 15th. The Planning Board has them currently under review and have not completed their work with them yet, hence the rescheduling.

Earth Day clean up will be held from Beaver St on Saturday, Apr 27 from 9:00 Am to 1:00 PM

The FY 2014 budget hearings will be at the Town Council on May 15 and May 16.


The collection of posts reported live from the Town Council meeting Wednesday, Apr 24 can be found below.

• Live reporting - closing
• Live reporting - action items
• Live reporting - DPW Upcoming Projects
• Live reporting - Facilities
• Live reporting: Hearings
• Live reporting: Town Council - Apr 24, 2013