Franklin School Committee - Presentation Documents for March 10, 2015

These are the documents released for the agenda of the Franklin School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2015. 

The meeting will be held in the Lecture Hall at Franklin High School instead of the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. You may recall this was scheduled for January but was wiped out by the blizzard. No snow in the forecast this time around!

FHS School Committee Update - Mar 10, 2015 from Franklin Matters

FPS School Committee Presentation - Mar 10, 2015 from Franklin Matters

FPS STEM School Committee - 2015 - updated Mar 10, 2015 from Franklin Matters

FHS in the snow

You can find the full agenda for the School Committee meeting here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-mar.html

FHS girls close out season in D1 Central Final

The Franklin High School girls basetkball team closed out their season with a 19-6 record by playing in the D1 Central Final game. They lost to the #1 seed Wachusett.

FHS Panthers

Girls BasketballD1 Central Final#2 Franklin, 45 vs. #1 Wachusett, 56 - Final

For the listing of the season results for the FHS girls team
http://www.hockomocksports.com/franklin23.html


Congratulations ladies! 

Some folks say that unless the season ends with a win it is not a success. I tend to go with the season is a success if you have been competitive, learned something along the way, and had fun. By that measure, I think you can walk proud!

Homelessness is a problem that can be solved - Invisible People @home on PBS

Mark Horvath is working to eliminate homelessness. I was fortunate to meet Mark a couple of times in Chicago when we went to a conference together. His story and passion is real. How real? Watch this four minute trailer for the documentary that is soon to be broadcast on PBS to get a sense of this reality.

@home is a documentary that tells the story of modern U.S. homelessness and one man’s fierce commitment to end it. PBS will air this documentary on March 25, 26 and 28 (see times below). Mark Horvath has experienced the highs and lows of the American Dream, from a successful career in television to barely surviving, homeless and addicted, on Hollywood Boulevard. @home follows Mark as he finds his voice again, hitting the streets with a digital camera and a smartphone to ask homeless people about their own experiences. 

“The invisible guy didn’t intend to become homeless. I didn’t plan on living on the street. Everyone on the streets has their own story, some made bad decisions, others were victims, but none of them deserve what they have been left with, and it is a reflection of our own society that we just leave them there. Please always remember, the homeless people you’ll ignore today were much like you not so long ago” said Mark Horvath.

Mark Horvath’s work has garnered the attention of social media gurus, politicians, advocates, and the American public, and he’s become a respected, independent voice on this issue. It is through this lens that @home, a documentary film produced by Kindling Group, explores the reality of homelessness in America today. @home follows Mark on a cross-country road trip, as he visits communities that are springing up all over this country in tents, by-the-week motels, and storm drains — and shares his struggle to make homelessness in America visible.

Website: http://www.athomedocumentary.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athomecampaign

Twitter: https://twitter.com/home_campaign

Mark with his pet lizard years ago

The broadcast schedule for the documentary is as follows:

Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 PM
Thursday, March 26 at 12:00 AM, 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Saturday, March 28 at 1:00 PM ET

MassBudget: Analyzing the Governor's Budget for FY 2016

The Governor's Budget starts the Franklin budget process at the state level. Why? Franklin depends heavily on state funding for its local budget. Being aware of what is happening on the state level is a key piece to understanding what Franklin can do with its local budget.

Each department has prepared their capital needs. These will be prioritized and dependent upon what is left of 'free cash' after the shortfall in the snow/ice budget is covered.

Each department has also prepared their operational budget needs which will begin to get reviewed at the Finance Committee before coming to the Town Council for hearings and then a vote to approve the budget in late May or early June. The budget needs to be in place to fund operations for the new fiscal year beginning July 1.

It is note worthy that one of the 'one time solutions' in the Governor's budget is the delay of a payment of $24 million to the state OPEB account. Franklin has an outstanding unfunded liability of about $89 million in our OPEB account. One of the priorities in our budget will be to increase some funding each year to help cover the requirements.

Stay tuned for frequent updates as the budget process develops over the next several weeks.

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Analyzing the Governor's Budget for FY 2016 In releasing his state budget proposal (House 1) on Wednesday the Governor identified important priorities: "creating better communities, better schools, and better jobs for all of Massachusetts." House 1 does not, however, propose the types of significant investments in these areas that could make a meaningful difference in the lives of working people across the state. With the budget, the Governor filed a tax reform proposal that would significantly help lower-wage working people across the state: a doubling of the state earned income tax credit. This is a tax credit that increases the after tax wages of people with incomes under about $52,000 a year. The largest benefits go to low wage workers with children. It helps these families to make ends meet and be able to pay for basic necessities like food, clothing and rent. The Governor proposes paying for the increase in the earned income tax credit by eliminating the state's tax subsidies for movie producers. Our Budget Monitor describes the spending proposals in each major section of the budget. One of the most notable features overall is how heavily this budget proposal relies on temporary revenue and savings and on proposals that may prove to provide only temporary savings. As the chart below describes, the budget relies on over $600 million in temporary solutions that will help to balance the budget this year but will leave in place a longer term structural gap.     In addition, the budget counts on $178 million in savings from an early retirement program. This savings estimate assumes that most of the positions of people who retire would not be filled. It is not clear, for reasons we describe in the Monitor, that doing so would be possible, or in the best interests of the Commonwealth. Te read our full Budget Monitor, please click HERE.  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

Small Shop Co-Op Meeting - Mar 11

Are you a small business in Franklin that is interested in sharing marketing ideas with other local businesses to promote increased sales? 

Small Shop Co-op

If so, come join the Small Shop Co-Op's next meeting! Our last meeting yielded a ton of great brainstorming ideas so we're hoping to expand on how to turn some of those ideas into reality in our next meeting. 

One of the most exciting items we discussed was coordinating a scavenger/passport type 30 day event to promote Franklin businesses. We've been in touch with a vendor that can allow us to execute this idea, and a rep will be attending the meeting to give us an overview of the phone app capabilities that we can utilize to run our own town wide, small business scavenger hunt! It's VERY COOL and something I think many people will be excited about! We hope you can join us. 

For questions, feel free to email tracievolunteer@gmail.com.

From Pantherbook: Drama Club success, Melodic Minors

Franklin’s Drama Club won a spot at the Dramafest semifinals for the first time in 10 years for its production of Rebel Without a Cause last Sunday.  

Dramafest is an annual threatre competition hosted by the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild featuring one-act plays from various local high schools. 

- See more at: http://pantherbook.org/uncategorized/2015/03/02/drama-club-reaches-dramafest-semifinals/#sthash.ZVQDOkaO.dpuf

pantherbook.org

Meet the Melodic Minors, FHS’s very own boys a cappella group! 

The group was started this year by senior Nate Wild and sophomore Gabe DeBenedict because they wanted to do a cappella for their outside-of-school chorus honors requirement. Alongside Gabe and Nate are members Zach Tassinari (senior), Andrew Rizoli (junior), Kevin Buckley, Ben Cohn, and Dan Schratz (freshman). 

- See more at: http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2015/03/04/meet-the-melodic-minors/#sthash.hrKq48OP.dpuf

MBTA: Starting Monday: Franklin Line schedule changes - additional trains

Franklin Line Schedule changes, including restored trips, begin Monday, March 9. See mbta.com/winter for full schedule information. Three trips will be restored to the Franklin Line schedule beginning March 9: Departing Forge Park Train 706 (7:36 AM to Boston) Departing Norwood Central Train 734 (8:45 AM to Boston) Departing South Station Train 793 (7:55 AM to Norwood Central) Train 719 (5:10 PM to Forge Park/495) Hyde Park stop added Train 723 (6:15 PM to Forge Park/495) Hyde Park stop added Last updated: Mar 05 2015 10:11 PM Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/winter/severe_weather/ Sent by the MBTA.

Franklin/Dean Station from the Main St bridge

Senator Spilka: Snow Storm Recovery Loans for Local Businesses

This year's historic winter storms have posed significant challenges for individuals, families and communities across the Commonwealth. Many of us have struggled to cope with transportation delays, home maintenance concerns, snow day boredom and general winter fatigue. Our local businesses have been particularly impacted by these blizzards. A Retailers Association of Massachusetts survey of local businesses shows a severe drop in sales due to the recent weather, especially among retail and restaurant employers. Businesses were also forced to absorb higher operating costs related to snow removal, roof clearing and heating. I am pleased to report that the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) has announced a Snow Storm Loan Fund for small businesses impacted by winter weather. Local businesses, shops and restaurants are the backbone of the economy in MetroWest communities. These loans, which could range from $5,000 to $10,000, are intended to help small businesses as they continue to recover from lost storm revenue. In 2010, I was proud to help establish the MGCC, which offers financial resources and technical assistance to small businesses across the Commonwealth. The Snow Storm Loan Fund is another effort to support local businesses and promote economic development. I applaud the MGCC for taking the initiative on this important issue, and I encourage all eligible businesses to take advantage of this resource. For more information about the application and terms and conditions of the loan, please visit www.massgcc.com. As always, if you would like additional information or have any concerns or comments, please call my office at (617) 722-1640 or email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov. Warm Regards, Senator Karen E. Spilka 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk http://www.karenspilka.com Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka Room 212, State House Boston, Massachusetts  02133 Phone: (617) 722-1640 - Fax: (617) 722-1077 http://www.karenspilka.com/

: Senator Karen Spilka | Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov | Office of Karen Spilka | Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka, Room 511-C, State House | Boston, MA 02133

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The latest from Mass Poetry

View this email in your browser Starting next week, watch for Poetry on the T! These three poems, by 2015 Mass Poetry Festival headliner Edward Hirsch, 2015 Common Threads poet Rhina P. Espaillat, and U35 poet Hannah Larrabee, will be up on the red line beginning Tuesday, March 9! Plan your visit to the Mass Poetry Festival In case you missed it this week, the schedule for the 7th Massachusetts Poetry Festival is now live! Join us May 1-3 in Salem with headliners Rita Dove • Richard Blanco • Stephen Burt • Denise Duhamel • Nick Flynn • Regie Gibson • Jorie Graham • Edward Hirsch • Richard Hoffman • Adrian Matejka • Marge Piercy • Rachel Wiley • and with the hundreds of fabulous poets participating in sessions. Buy your button today! Check out Tuesday's release email for information on creating your custom schedule, joining the attendee directory, participating in the Small Press Fair, listing an off-site event, volunteering, and more.  Common Threads at Grub Street with Ben Berman • April 2, 6-9 p.m. Join Mass Poetry and Grub Street Writers for a Common Threads discussion and writing workshop. We will both discuss the wonderful selections in this year's Common Threads Poems and use these poems as inspiration to write our own original pieces. There will be an opportunity to write and receive feedback during the workshop, and everyone will leave with a richer appreciation of the Common Threads Poems and a new draft of an original poem. This session is free and is limited to fifteen attendees. To reserve your spot, click here and sign up to add the event to your Common Threads calendar. Common Threads events have been taking place all over the state! Don't forget to be checking out our Common Threads event calendar regularly.  On Festival Poet Denise Duhamel by Dawn Paul Poetry is Duhamel's affirmative answer to all that life throws at her, from the dissolution of love to the certain knowledge that our time here is limited. Though she will welcome you with the familiar or even the frivolous, she will drop you off at the big questions of transcendence and mystery. Read more. Poem of the Moment Linda McCarriston: Mr. No Class, USA Thinking of how he will live             just shy of retirement                         if all goes well if all goes the way the ads             on t.v. suggest it must                         urge him to think it will, gardening with the little lady             say, golfing maybe, just                         tossing the ball with the dog in Continue reading. Why I Love Poetry by julie ann otis "The dusty manacles of what we think poetry and theatre are still weigh on us. But though the outdated or overwrought may give our art a bad name, they also provide the springboard for our minds to be blown by the true, clear voice of those gifted few who pierce thru and captivate us." Continue reading. Coming up March 24 7 p.m., The Marliave, Boston Featuring: David DiSarro Richard Shideler Denise Warren RSVP & share the Facebook event, and visit our website for more info! Coming up on our statewide calendar: Tonight (Thursday, March 5) • The Ones We Carry: A Literary Evening with Lesléa Newman Friday, March 6 • Fundraiser: An Evening with Harbor Mountain Press & Alice B. Fogel, Diana Whitney, Peter Money, and Partridge Boswell  Sunday, March 8 • Calliope Poetry Series featuring Danielle Legros Georges, John Holgerson & Sandra Storey To submit an event, click here. To submit a Common Threads event, click here. Statewide Poetry Calendar • Participate • New Books by Massachusetts Poets • Massachusetts Poet Database • Poetry Partners • Sponsorship Opportunities Share Tweet Forward Facebook Twitter MassPoetry.org Copyright © 2015 Mass Poetry, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up on our website. Our mailing address is: Mass Poetry 15 Channel Center Street, Suite 103 Boston, MA 02210