Blackstone River Theatre - Blackstone Valley Bluegrass returns!

COMING SOON TO BRT!                      February 13, 8 PM, $15 BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS BAND February 20, 8 PM, $15 ATWATER-DONNELLY TRIO February 27, 8 PM, $15 MATT FLINNER TRIO with special guest DAROL ANGER Sunday, February 28, 4-6 PM ROOTS MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASS WITH DUKE ROBILLARD Friday, March 4, 8 PM, $22 advance / $26 day of ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS March 5, 8 PM, $15 advance / $18 day of RUNA March 12, 8 PM, $15 advance / $18 day of PENDRAGON celebrates St. Patrick's Day! March 13, 7 PM, $15 adv / $18 day of THE PAUL McKENNA BAND March 19, 2 PM matinee $12  / $6 children EASTERN MEDICINE SINGERS sponsored by Navigant Credit Union March 19, 8 PM, $25 MARK O'CONNOR & MAGGIE O'CONNOR American Classics       THANK YOU to everyone who attended Blackstone River Theatre's 5th annual Summer Solstice Festival!  We will see you   this year on June 18 The first band we will announce is an exciting trio called BARRULE who plays music from their native home of Isle of Man. Listen HERE    Quick Links... BRT Website     Directions to BRT BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS ATWATER-DONNELLY TRIO Tickets often available at door but to ensure a seat CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 401-725-9272 Please understand that when a show is SOLD OUT, it truly is! We must adhere to fire codes and it truly is not possible to fit "just one more"... especially when we have had several people ask to do the same! If a show at BRT has an advance price & a day-of-show price it means: If you pre-pay OR call in your reservation any time before the show date, you get the advance price. If you show up at the door with no reservations OR call in your reservations on the same day as the show, you will pay the day-of show-price. NOTE for prepaid tickets or if reservations have been made but not pre-paid: If you reduce the number of tickets requested or paid for at the box office on the night of the performance, that ticket must still be paid for! BRT requires 24 hour notice for cancellations or you will be charged for all seats reserved. This Saturday we bring back the amazing picking and beautiful 4-part harmonies of BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS ... On Feb. 20 we see the return of the ATWATER-DONNELLY TRIO   and on Feb. 27 we present the BRT debut of the Matt Flinner Trio with guest fiddler extraordinaire Darol Anger. BRT has an incredible winter and spring season lined up for you ... AND we are getting closer to the launch of our redesigned website! Please LIKE us on Facebook.   And please share what we do with YOUR friends!  https://www.facebook.com/BlackstoneRiverTheatre     Hope to see you soon... Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS        Brothers Bob and Dave Dick from Sutton, Mass., renowned musicians and celebrated recording artists, regularly wow audiences with their award-winning picking. The Taylor-Nowlan bass/mandolin combo has been together in numerous bands since 1989. Put these four longtime friends together and you have a group that has excellent musicianship, high energy and a true love of the music. Blackstone Valley Bluegrass plays breakdowns and gospel, fiddle tunes and waltzes and features strong four-part harmonies. Bob Dick plays guitar and sings lead and harmony vocals for the band. He toured for 12 years with Front Range, with whom he recorded five albums on the Sugar Hill label, playing rhythm guitar and adding some rapid-fire flat picking. Dave Dick plays banjo, guitar, and mandolin and he sings harmony and occasional lead vocals. He has been a member of several popular bands including Southern Rail, Salamander Crossing and Northern Lights. Although primarily known as a banjo player, Dave also shines on the guitar and mandolin and his imaginative playing style always dazzles the audience. Dan Nowlan plays mandolin, guitar and sings lead and harmony vocals. Dan began his musical career playing drums with the Valley Airs Drum and Bugle Corps. Dan helped form Central Turnpike, the "Bluegrass with a Twist" band from central Mass., and also played with Rolling Hills Bluegrass. Ken Taylor keeps the band tight with arguably the most solid bass-playing in the New England area and he is also the bass singer in the band. He was one of the founding members of the Central Turnpike Bluegrass Band. EVENT INFO Saturday, February 13, 8 PM, $15.00 at Blackstone River Theatre 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI 02864 Reservations: 401-725-9272

Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI 02864 Sent by russell@riverfolk.org in collaboration with

Subway, all classic footlongs only $6 each for February 2016

from the Patel's operating the Subway at 252 East Central St

Subway, all classic foot longs only $6 for February 2016

19th Annual Trivia Bee - Apr 13

The Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) will hold its 19th Annual Trivia Bee on Wednesday, April 13th, 2016. There will be live music by the Franklin High School Jazz Band, a raffle table, and refreshments.

19th annual FEF Trivia Bee - Apr 13

Fundraisers such as the Trivia Bee have enabled the FEF to donate over $300,000 to the Franklin Public Schools since 1997 for innovative education programs that would not otherwise be possible.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TRIVIA BEE PRIOR TO THE REGULAR BEE!

The Bee will be held at the Thomas Mercer Auditorium at the Horace Mann Middle School. 

• The middle school Bee will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and the theme will be general trivia. Teams for the middle school Bee will be composed of students from each of the 3 Franklin middle schools. 
• The regular Bee will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and the theme will be pop culture. For the regular Bee, teams consist of three people sponsored by local businesses, civic groups and individuals. 

Organizations may send their own team or may sponsor a team of Franklin High School students.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a team, donating an item to the raffle table, or bidding on naming rights for the final championship round should contact Kit Brady at cbbrady1@comcast.net. All entries must be received by Wednesday, March 30th.

For more information about the Franklin Education Foundation, please visit our website at www.franklined.org or visit us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/franklined.org)

Trash and recycling will be delayed 1 day this week

2/8/16 Notice - Due to the storm trash and recycling will be delayed 1 day for the week. 

If your collection day is Monday, it will be picked up on Tuesday and every other day will be delayed 1 day with Friday's pickup on Saturday. 

Make sure carts are 3 feet apart, shoveled out and can be picked up by the truck.

the trees have been picked up in January and trash is delayed one day this week

Additional information about trash and recycling can be fond on the DPW page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PublicWorks/index

Last day to register to vote for the Presidential Primary

Town Clerk Teresa M. Burr of Franklin reminds residents that Wednesday,February 10th is the deadline to register to vote if they want to participate in the Massachusetts Presidential Primary on March 1st. 

February 10th is also the deadline for registered voters who wish to change their party enrollment either to another party or to “unenrolled,” which is commonly referred to as “independent.” This should not be confused with the United Independent Party (UIP); a party that will have ballots available but with no candidates printed on them. Voters registered in UIP will NOT be eligible to take a Democratic, Republican, or Green-Rainbow ballot. 

With spirited contests in both parties, pervasive advertising and intense coverage in early primary states, some voters may want to vote for a candidate in a different party from the one they are registered in now. 

To do that, however, the voter must switch to the other party or to “unenrolled” status by 8 p.m. on February 10th. 

Franklin voting booth

Unenrolled voters or voters enrolled in political designations can ask for any party ballot on Primary Day, but someone registered in a party can only vote on that party’s ballot. A Democrat cannot take a Republican ballot, and a Republican cannot take a Democratic one. 

City/Town Hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on February 10th for voters who wish to change their party registration status or for persons wishing to register for the first time. 

Towns with fewer than 1,500 voters will have voter registration available at least from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 8 p.m. on February 10th.

The full Presidential Primary calendar can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/presidential-primary-schedule-prepare.html

MBTA: Commuter Rail Proposed Schedule Changes - feedback sought

Reminder: Provide feedback online at mbta.com regarding the proposed Commuter Rail schedule changes and fare increases. Please visit http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings or click the link below and select the appropriate option to provide feedback on the fare changes or schedule changes.  Passengers should provide their feedback using the online Customer Comment form. Last updated: Feb 09 2016 11:07 AM Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings/ Sent by the MBTA.

MBTA train heading to Franklin/Forge Park

Dean Children’s Center - Exploration Open House - Mar 21

Dean Children’s Center will host an Exploration Open House on Monday, March 21, 2016 from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parents of children 2 years old to 6 years are encouraged to bring their child to explore the school and learn about our program. Applications are being accepted for 5-day morning, 2-day morning, 3-day morning preschool programs or 4-day Pre-K program. 

Dean Children's Center

Innovative and progressive, the school is NAEYC accredited and well known in the community for an inspiring preschool experience. Dean Children’s Center is a lab school for ECE majors, with teachers-in-training alongside credentialed teachers. The center has a very professional and caring environment for children to learn through exploration. 

The school uses a developmental approach to education which reflects current research in child development and peer conflict resolution. Director Faith Nickolas states “We are a regional resource to parents and educators on peer conflict resolution in young children and our lab school is a demonstration site for best practices in early education of children.” 

Dean College Children’s Center is located at 144 School Street in Franklin. For more information, call 508-541-1598.

FHS girls top Taunton on Tuesday

Catching up to Tuesday's results

FHS Panthers

Girls Basketball

• Taunton, 30 @ Franklin, 65 – Final 

– Erin Skidmore paced the Panthers with 15 points. Aubrie Kutil added 12 points and Catherine Gray had 10 for Franklin.

Boys Basketball

• Franklin, 72 @ Taunton, 83 – Final 

– Quan Roberson scored a career-high 25 points and hauled in eight rebounds to go along with a pair of steals, blocks and assists to lead the Tigers. Jose Mercado added 19 points and seven rebounds, Tommy MacLean had 17 points, five assists and four rebounds, Dom Smith had 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists and Carlos Borrero had seven points, nine rebounds and five assists. Tim Prunier led Franklin with 20 points, four assists and three rebounds, sophomore Paul Mahon finished with 19 points, five rebounds and six steals and freshman Jay Dieterle had 17 points and seven rebounds.

For all the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-020916/


Ryan Lanigan, Editor-in-Chief of Hockomock Sports.com writes:

"If there was one game that reflected on how this season has gone for Taunton, it was Tuesday night’s win over Franklin. 

The Tigers offense shot an impressive 57% from the floor, had 18 assists on 31 field goals, out-rebounded the Panthers 36-24 and scored over 80 points. 

Luckily that was enough to overcome 26 turnovers and over 70 points from Franklin. 

What has been an up and down season so far is currently back on the up side as Taunton scored an 83-72 win to sweep the season series against the Panthers."

Continue reading the article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/efficient-offense-helps-taunton-boys-basketball-overcome-franklin-turnovers/

Live reporting: through to Closing

5. Information Matters

• Superintendent’s Report

listing of student athletes with NCAA acceptances
(add listing later)

Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards announced
(find listing to add)

Thanks to the DPW, they have been running 24x7 Friday though Monday with the back to back storms

issues with ConnectedEd system, issues were state wide, will look at other options (i.e. email, Twitter, etc.)

How did we make the call so early? AP Government students were slated to leave at 5:00 AM Monday to go to NH for the campaign; they had been preparing for months for this trip

Family Science Night - Mar 10
so successful last year, coming back this year


School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
budget sub-committee did meet on needs for the budget
this is the budget cycle, what will the state provide is unknown at this time

School Committee Liaison Reports

joint PCC meeting, tremendous group of parents involved

Trivia Bee coming, 'pop culture' is the theme


7. Motion to Adjourn, second, passed 6-0

– Dr. O’Malley

Live reporting: Calendar Committee and Action Items

3. Discussion Only Items

• Calendar Committee

MJ Scofield to lead as chair
looking at vacation schedules, holidays and opening day for students
looking to complete the analysis this year, target to get a recommendation for June, get ahead of the schedule if there are changes for the 2017-2018 schedule

no issues with quorum as the sub committee will not be making decisions

4. Action Items

a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $20.00 from a parent for district wide field trips.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $700.00 from Target for field trips for Parmenter students. 
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,771.63 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips for Jefferson students.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of HDMI Cables from JEM Electronics (approximate value $50) for districtwide use.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

Live reporting: ECDC Update

a. ECDC Update

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczLWk2bDJXMXVFTm9WYTNvS205S0tJWEw5bEpv/view?usp=sharing

ECDC - Strengthening Community - Improving Quality from Franklin Matters

Kelty Kelley, Principal of ECDC

Valentines prepared by students for the Senior Center

values learning through discovery

community garden started last year, grant from the Y, assistance from the DPW

ECDC is a tuition school, looking to improve and enhance development opportunities

eliminating the 2 day option next year
extending time in school programs overall, shortest program will be 3 days

piloting a single age group next year, will really be dependent upon the registration and enrollment for this option

raising expectations for student actually results in increased performance

technology, use of Google docs and use of Blogger
thematic unit updates for classrooms to bring to the families

introducing students to technology as a learning tool, iPads for example


big difference in the 3 days versus the 2 days

There is a scholarship program available

early education matters...

Live reporting: School Committee - Feb 9, 2016

Present:  Bergen, O'Malley, Schultz, Jewell, Douglas (late), Bilello (late)
Absent:  Scofield 

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments 
none

Review of Agenda
minor adjustment on order of presentations

Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 26, 2016 School Committee Meeting.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 4-0

Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas (not present)

FHS Student Representatives

• Alana

thanks for the past 2 snow days
caps and gowns coming soon, 

• Julie 

new food policy for within the school building
teachers have discretion in their classrooms
new lanyard policy, have on their presence, need not wear them

parents dropping kids off in student parking lot
need to use the loop not the parking lot

Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations

b. Student Services Update 
Deborah Dixon, Director
Sue Borchard and Stephanie Geddis


reviewing the section 504 requirements
379 0r 6.7% percent of the students


McKinney-Vento Homeless Education

Q - on the immunization requirement
roughly 20 students in this category over the last 2 years
not that they don't need it, the records are normally required for admission
we serve them and then follow up on the records

special education is specially designed instruction for the students
requirements

Special ed programs at Jefferson, Keller and Oak St
all schools provide inclusion based class services

review of types of disabilities
autism the #1 category

full inclusion (608), partial inclusion (53) and sub separate (90) are the three types of delivery

some students are serviced outside the district

comments from Tom Hehir, special education educator at Harvard

Special education survey coming in March, targeting families and faculty

Leaping into Kindergarten, Feb 29 (leap day)

Students
Best Buddies at FHS now on Twitter
@bestFHSbuddies    https://twitter.com/BestFHSBuddies

getting buddies involved with more than just football
did volleyball, basketball and working on others

Best Buddies Holiday party

pep rally before the Thanksgiving break

Jason, co-president of Best Buddies at FHS

Parents
"when parents are involved, the success is marvelous"

SEPAC Chair - Sara Mulcahey

parents can help each other, recommendations, support
monthly workshops open to the public

http://franklinsepac.org/

The SEPAC group is a 501(c)3 operating separately but collaboratively with the school district

Caryn Budd, Vice Chair SEPAC
mother of Korey, now 16 with a passion for life
Guild School, Waltham

O'Malley - thanks, very proud of the students

Jewell - comments to reinforce the parents getting involved with their children's development, it is so critical to the overall success

Bilello - use of more technology to help with some of the disabilities, need more professional development to support the teachers servicing the students

Bergen - is it tracked to see how many students with services eventually don't need the services?
- it is tracked but we haven't got the numbers handy

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Feb 9

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.

AGENDA

"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."

Franklin Public Schools "the key to learning"

1. Routine Business 

• Citizen’s Comments 
• Review of Agenda 
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 26, 2016 School Committee Meeting. 
• Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley 
• Payroll Mrs. Douglas 
• FHS Student Representatives 
• Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations
a. ECDC Update 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczLWk2bDJXMXVFTm9WYTNvS205S0tJWEw5bEpv/view?usp=sharing

b. Student Services Update

3. Discussion Only Items

• Calendar Committee

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $20.00 from a parent for district wide field trips. 
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $700.00 from Target for field trips for Parmenter students. c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,771.63 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips for Jefferson students.
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of HDMI Cables from JEM Electronics (approximate value $50) for districtwide use.

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. Motion to Adjourn 
– Dr. O’Malley

In the News: family science night, Dean performance scheduled, Circle of Friends concert

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The high school will hosts its second annual "Family Science Night" next month - an event intended to encourage science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) interest on the part of elementary and middle school students. 

The event - scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 10 - will be organized by the high school's Science National Honor Society group. 

The group, said high school science teacher Ann Butler, is comprised of students who have reached a certain GPA in science subjects. This is the society's largest event of the year. 

"Last year, the idea was to invite elementary students to the night, and it was a wild, wild hit," said Butler. "We never anticipated the crowds we got - it was about 300 kids."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160208/franklin-science-night-set-for-march

The School of the Arts at Dean College will perform “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” March 2-6 in the Performing Arts Studios Stage at Dean College, 61 School St. 

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” is the tale of Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” as told from the view of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. 

The Dean College production will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160208/dean-college-to-present-rosencrantz-and-guildenstern-are-dead

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse will host Seth Glier at 8 p.m. Feb. 27 in the First Universalist Society’s Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. 

A singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who averages over 250 live performances annually, Glier has gone from opening act to headlining his own shows and playing major festivals. He’s shared the stage with artists as diverse as James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, Edwin McCain, Martin Sexton, Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams. For more on Glier, visit sethglier.com.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160208/circle-of-friends-coffeehouse-to-host-seth-glier

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

Memory Café - Feb 18 - 3:00 PM

Memory Café

Thursday-February 18th at 3:00 pm.

Please join us!

We will be hosting a small dog for a pet visit.

Please join us in the Cafeteria 

at the Franklin Senior Center.

The Café is free of charge and open to the public.

We will serve light refreshments!

Please call Elaine Owens at 508-520-4945 to sign up.

Franklin Senior Center