"Milford High School “an incredible host” for the event"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Launching her longest javelin throw yet at 11 feet, 10 inches, Cape Cod resident Rachael Abudaram landed first place in the Division 1, tier 16 spear-tossing event at the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association/Special Olympics Massachusetts Unified Track and Field State Championship on Wednesday. 

Her excitement at the accomplishment on the Milford High School fields radiated as she ascended the podium to receive her ribbon. 

“I’m not the same [as most people],” said Abudaram, 17, wearing a blue Riverview School jersey, her blond-dipped bangs restrained by a pink headband. She’s an incoming senior at the boarding school in East Sandwich, and also enjoys swimming, specializing in freestyle."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190530/record-number-compete-in-miaaspecial-olympics-unified-track-state-championship-in-milford

Congratulations to our Unified Track Team! The team finished in 3rd place in the Division 1 State Championship Meet! Thank you EVERYONE for making this such a wonderful season! #PantherPride @fhs_unified @FranklinUnified

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) May 30, 2019

So PROUD of our Athletes yesterday w/ a 3rd place finish in Div 2 states!! Thanks for all the support-can't wait for next year!! #GoPanthers

— FHS Unified Track (@fhs_unified) June 1, 2017

@fhs_unified

In the News: Robbery suspect arrested; Wormtown expanding to Patriot Place

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

Robbery suspect arrested

"A Massachusetts man suspected of armed bank robberies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island was arrested Wednesday at Plainridge Park Casino, according to Massachusetts State Police. 

Officers from the East Providence Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit arrested Joseph Hickson, 31, of Walpole, while he was gambling at the Plainville, casino around 2:45 p.m., the Massachusetts State Police said. 

Hickson was arrested on a warrant charging him in a bank robbery that happened Tuesday, May 28, at the Washington Trust Bank on Newport Avenue in East Providence, according to the East Providence police. Franklin Police believe Hickson is responsible for the robbery at the DCU Federal Credit Union on West Central Street, on May 16, and at the time said “no weapons were shown” during that robbery."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190530/suspect-in-armed-bank-robberies-in-franklin-and-walpole-arrested-at-casino


Wormtown expanding to Patriot Place

"New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will soon add craft beer to his long list of connections to Worcester. 

This summer, Wormtown Brewery will open a brewery and taproom at Patriot Place in Foxborough, its second location and first outside the city. 

Wormtown is taking over Battle Road Brewing Co.’s space at 250 Patriot Place, part of an agreement to assume brewing and packaging operations for the Maynard brewpub."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190530/next-draft-wormtown-to-open-brewery-taproom-at-patriot-place

Wormtown Brewery

Hurricane season starts June 1. Are you ready?

Hurricane season starts June 1. Are you ready? by Colleen Tressler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC June 1 is the official start of hurricane season, and a great time to make a plan to deal with weather emergencies. Extreme weather events, like hurricanes and other natural disasters, can occur with little warning, and the effects come in many forms. Hurricanes may include heavy rainfall, high winds, storm surge, inland flooding, tornadoes, and rip currents.  Are you ready to leave your home at a moment's notice? The FTC's site, Dealing with Weather Emergencies, has practical tips to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from a weather emergency. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/05/hurricane-season-starts-june-1-are-you-ready?utm_campaign=weather-emergencies&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Memorial Day - Program Handout - May 27, 2019

For those unable to participate in person at the ceremonies on Memorial Day, a copy of the program handout is available here. Thanks to my daughter, Allison, for taking the photos and videos to share here.

I was away for a wedding weekend in the Baltimore area where we got to spend some time in Annapolis, one of the first capitals of the USA.

The Memorial Day program can also be downloaded from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fSSi5tTnqEv3VBRsSp0x2nzilNpv6Wu-/view?usp=sharing

a glorious day to remember (photo by Allison Sherlock)

Squire Fredrick, our tour guide, describing General Washington
resigning his commission to the Continental Congress

FHS Senior Awards Night to be broadcast at 6:30 PM

Tune into Panther TV LIVE this Thursday, May 30 for Senior Awards Night! 

The ceremony begins at 6:30 PM here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PantherTVLive/live

FHS Senior Awards Night to be broadcast at 6:30 PM

Shared via notification from Panther TV
https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1133699755903803393

FHS baseball and girls lacrosse teams post wins

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Baseball = Franklin, 6 vs. Bishop Feehan, 0 – Final
– Franklin seniors Gerard Collins and Ben Guzman combined for the shutout, allowing a combined six hits with neither issuing a walk to lead the Panthers to a win over visiting Bishop Feehan. Collins scattered five hits over four innings in his first career start to earn the win while Guzman picked up a three-inning save, allowing just one hit while striking out one. Scott Elliott paced the offense with three hits, including a double, and two runs scored, Alex Haba added two hits, a run scored and knocked in a team-high four runs, and Cooper Ross had a pair of hits, an RBI and a run scored. JB Floris (RBI) and Joe Lizotte (run) each had a hit for Franklin.

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 7 vs. St. John’s (Shrewsbury), 8 – Final (2OT)
– Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Spring-2019/Franklin-St-Johns-Shrewsbury-Boys-Lacrosse-5-29-19/

Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 10 @ Bishop Feehan, 8 – Final


For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-29-19/

Matt Lazzaro on the move (HockomockSports.com photo)

FM #163 - School Start Times update

FM #163

This internet radio show or podcast is number 163 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the School Start Times update from the Franklin School Committee meeting held on May 28, 2019.

The update is one of an undetermined series as the administration continues to work out details on the proposal for school start times.

Superintendent Sara Ahern provides the update. The slides she refers to are linked in the show notes so you can follow along. At the end several members of the community take an active role in commenting or raising questions.

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/school_start_times_presentation_part_i_1.pdf

FPS School Start Times - Update #1 from Franklin Matters

Per the Superintendent, the second update will come in September. Some number of updates may follow depending upon the progress in answering questions and developing a set of answers for a plan to change start times. If and when there is a proposal, there will be advance notification before the School Committee takes a vote.

Without further ado, here is the audio recording (approx 1 hour 20 minutes).






-------------


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

In particular, if you have an interest in real estate, zoning, or construction, I would like someone to help us by following the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and or the Conservation Commission meetings. I’ll provide the guidance on note taking and sharing. You need to bring an inquisitive, open mind, and willingness to learn and share.

Overall:
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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 the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

School Start Times Background Information:

The School Start Times presentation to the School Committee was March 26, 2019. The audio of the presentation was posted here on Wednesday:
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/fm-161-school-start-times-report-32619.html

The Summary document was released on Friday and published here on Saturday, March 30
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/school-start-times-advisory-committee.html

The recap of the full School Committee meeting was posted here on Sunday
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/school-committee-recap-march-26-2019.html

Additional info on the work of the School Start Times Advisory Committee 
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-start-times-advisory-committee

School Start Times Advisory Committee

Franklin Senior Center: Veterans Coffee Social - June 5

Veterans Coffee Social

Wednesday ▪ June 5 ▪ 10:00 AM

Franklin Senior Center Café

Come And Chat With Other Vets
Coffee And Pastry Will Be Provided 
All Vets Are Invited!
For More Information, Contact The Veteran Services Office At: (508) 613-1315

Franklin Senior Center: Veterans Coffee Social - June 5

Get Ready to Ride in the Franklin PMC Kids Ride - Jun 16

The 13th annual Franklin PMC Kids Ride will be held on Sunday, June 16, from 8 AM to 12 PM. The Franklin ride is one of more than 35 PMC Kids Rides throughout the New England area. Last year, the Franklin ride attracted more than 230 young cyclists between the ages of 3 and 14, who rode between 3 and 10 miles. The ride raised more than $58,000, exceeding their goal for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Altogether, the PMC Kids Rides program has raised more than $9 million since their first ride in 1998. This year's goal is $60,000.

This ride is a unique event that motivates kids to learn about the importance of giving back, introduces them volunteerism and fundraising, and offers a way for children to become part of the PMC mission in a safe and athletic way. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These donations benefit research, treatment, and care for children and families impacted by cancer.

The Franklin PMC Kids Ride will will start and end at the Jefferson School, located at 628 Washington Street in Franklin. Kids can select from a 3, 6, or 10-mile course. They will also enjoy an after-ride celebration with music, games, food, and more. Younger participants, not yet on two wheels, can partake in the Tikes and Trikes course in a contained area at the school. This area has several fun stations and activities for the little ones, including a car wash, gas station, snack stand, craft table, face painting, and more. There is a $10 registration fee and a $30 fundraising minimum for all riders.

Riders and volunteers can register, and donations can be made online at www.kids.pmc.org/franklin. All local communities are encouraged to participate. For more information about the ride or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lisa Marchioni at lisabxyz@verizon.net

Many kids. One mission. Cure cancer.

balloon arch for starting line 2014

FHS girls lacrosse top Cohasset 12-11

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 12 @ Cohasset, 11 – Final
– Franklin trailed just once in the game, down 2-1 early in the contest, but used a 5-0 run to take a lead that it never surrendered in a back-and-forth contest. The Panthers led 7-5 at halftime before the Skippers knotted the score at 9-9 with 17:20 to play. Franklin was able to outscore the hosts 3-2 over that final span to get the win. Senior Annie Walsh scored five goals and junior Erin Walsh scored a hat trick and had three assists.

Softball = Canton @ Franklin – Postponed to Friday, 5/31 at 4:00.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-28-19/

FHS Panthers

Climate Crisis: 350 Mass Road to a MA Green New Deal presentation & workshop - Jun 4

Dear climate activist friend,

The climate crisis is not in the future--it's here--and the solutions have to be on the same massive scale as the problem. 350 Mass, a statewide network of climate activists, proposes the Massachusetts Green New Deal as the answer. 

We need to vigorously ramp up these next two years using the Road to a Massachusetts Green New Deal as a guide, so we can tackle the crisis head on in 2020. We cannot wait for the federal government to take the lead; we must forge ahead at the state and local levels.

The Greater Franklin Node of 350 Mass is making a presentation in which you learn what you can do to help ramp up the effort through the Massachusetts Road to a Green New Deal and then split off to work in local groups to make it happen! Join us!

When registering for the event, please include your town so you will be appropriately grouped with other local folks.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-crisis-350-mass-road-to-a-ma-green-new-deal-tickets-62451430911


Carolyn Barthel
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
508-473-3305 H

Climate Crisis: 350 Mass Road to a MA Green New Deal presentation & workshop - Jun 4

"students learn the formal process behind applying, budgeting and proposing public art projects"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Brightly-colored PVC pipes, juxtaposed against a patch of dead trees sticking out from the small pond at Franklin’s Sculpture Park, were quickly noticed by passersby last week. 

After complications with permitting, a new sculpture, “The Trees of Life,” was installed earlier this month by students from Wheaton College. Many residents took to Facebook to express excitement about the new art installment at the popular park. 

Hyunmin Bae, an artist and recent graduate of Wheaton, designed the project in 2017. With the help of fellow artists, she put the display together last week. 

Kelly Goff, an assistant professor of art and art history at Wheaton, said after walking through the park for inspiration, Bae noticed an existing bright blue pipe sticking up from the pond. She saw the lone pipe sitting among the dying trees with its top protruding above the water and knew what she wanted to do."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190528/colorful-display-brightens-franklins-sculpture-park

the "Trees of Life" at the Sculpture Park, Panther Way

Franklin Police: Media Release arrest of B&E suspect

On Saturday May 25, 2019 the Franklin Police responded to a citizen request to check a property on Highwood Drive. The caller had reported that his property in the Town of Wrentham had recently been broken into, and he feared that the Franklin property may also be targeted.

Responding officers found signs of a break in, and located a suspect, Daniel LENNON (age 37) of Stoughton, MA. LENNON was taken into custody.

During the investigation officers found documents indicating LENNON had been targeting homes of families who had lost family members, and would be attending services for them.

An investigation is still ongoing with law enforcement agencies from neighboring communities.

LENNON was held on $50,000 cash bail over the weekend. He was arraigned in the Wrentham District Court on Tuesday May 28 on the new charges and a warrant for outstanding charges by the United States Marshall's Office.

LENNON was charged with the following offenses for crimes committed in the Town of Franklin:

• Possession of burglarious instrument
• Disorderly conduct
• Breaking & Entering for misdemeanor
• Malicious/Wanton Damage to property
• Possession of a Class E substance

The information contained in this press release does not imply listed individuals have been convicted in a court of valid jurisdiction of the crimes for which they were arrested. All individuals are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty by a court with proper jurisdiction over the matter(s) for which they were arrested.

Franklin Police: Media Release arrest of B&E suspect

Live Reporting: Consent Agenda to Executive Session

5. Information Matters

a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

Budget - meeting June 19 as part of the Joint Budget Committee

Community Relations - trying to be open and stay away from the 'sky is falling' , next engagement June 14 with Strawberry Festival; looking at virtual coffee via Twitter; talking about strategy on communications; newsletter input being sought target to get out before next meeting

Policy - June 4, more on homework guidelines more complete but no change to policy required

Transportation -  

Public Schools Advocacy - fund the future rally in Boston, approx 25 from Franklin PS went via bus

Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation

b. School Committee Liaison Reports 

(e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse TaskForce; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; School Start Times AdvisoryCommittee [SSTAC], MASC)

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

update on Student Services, counseling review, Dept of Ed review
community groups joining, SEPAC and FEF

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your May 14, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.
b. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
c. FHS Scholarships
I recommend acceptance of the following FHS Scholarships:
i. Peter Coppola (RE: Andrew Coppola) $2,000.00
ii. Friends of the Franklin Library $1,000.00
d. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $290.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.
e. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,800.00 from Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment as detailed.

motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-0

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence

11. Executive Session

a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-0


The PDF version of this agenda can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_5-28-19.pdf

The documents released for this agenda can be found online (when released)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/school-committee-packet-52819

Live Reporting: District Improvement Plans

2. Guests / Presentations


c. District Improvement Plan Update (Communication)

new website, social media policy

fledgling YouTube channel

translation feature built into the website

would pursue other channels

"Portrait of a Graduate" visioning exercise

developing a new memorandum with Franklin Police

expanding relationships with

• Franklin Food Pantry
• Franklin Cultural District
• William James College (professional development, Project Interface)
• You, Inc.
• Community gardening efforts

captured info from community and families on

Sleep and start times

homework

Parent/Guardian education events

expanded with LinkedIn for recruiting

scheduling software for scheduling substitutes

Lifelong Learning re-branded

looking at a communications focused resource to help with the channels as well as the appropriate messaging

parent/guardian nights, encourage parents and kids attending together

go to different workshops over the course of an evening

incorporating babysitting/childcare as part of the evening

Live Reporting: School Start Times Update

2. Guests / Presentations

b. School Start Times Presentation

part 1 of a series
focusing  more on the local rationale, why are we looking at it?
a bit of a preview of the potential impact, if start times are adjusted
also includes a look at the scenarios the committee looked at

(presentation to be added when available Wednesday)

school used to start later and over the past 50 years, start times have moved earlier which has raised the question

CDC info graphic 

MetroWest survey data from 2016 is currently available but the newest study should be released in the Fall

two slides on student sleep patterns, one HS, one middle schools
steady decrease over the school years in sleep time per MetroWest study

absent/missing school due to being tired is almost a parallel graph showing an increase over the grade years

possible consequence for HS vs middle school to drive tardiness results

interesting slides on tardiness sliced in different ways

athletic concussion data from last several years at HS (this year's data is incomplete as it is still in progress)

concussions reported to school nurses (also on a slide) includes athletics plus

slide with MetroWest info, again these to be updated with newer info in Fall

Question on school length difference with elementary at 6 hours 10 mins and middle/high at 6 hours and 35 minutes? Do need to be mindful of the collective bargaining agreements

model G, model H2
possible model J flips and additional scenario options to look at

Parent - Bertolinni (?)
what are the small steps we can take before we make the big jump

Tim Keenan - Nija gym
Dr Eric - research related to elementary kids; proposal for earlier start times may be detrimental for them
would be great to have a sense of measurable benefits?
sleep? maybe, decrease car accidents? 
what is the clear problem statement we are trying to solve for?
improved academic performance is not really supported by research with start times

what are we expecting to see? How are we going to measure it?

Selena Cousins - parent
if MS teachers were uncomfortable with the change, look at that again
will be the same people leading their clubs, would be concerned about starting so late
can you talk about changing the charter school start times?
are we required to use the same bus company for both?

J Davito - parent
awesome work, 
we're the stats on tardiness increasing? look at multiple years of tardiness data
so much is about cost, what is the right solution, then get the community behind it
what if we charged everyone for buses
impact of the elementary school kids needs to be looked at, even if data is limited

C Darico (?)
thanks for the additional comprehensive scenarios
you have covered all the major points that were 'deal breakers'
students with special needs, time of day medication? - what impact
assumption of early dismissal for high school for sports; 
Acton-Boxboro did change, like it may not get more sleep, does like getting ready longer

Nellan 
I really appreciate the info, all the options, exactly what the community needs
it freaked people out, how we would be doing this?
if we knew what the defined plan would be, it would help?

this is about progress and getting to a plan, no rush 
we want to take our time

what we need to do as a community is to be more involved!

Jacqueline Delcane (?)
will have four kids across the schools
the two standalone elementary schools are Title I, needs to be a consideration










c. District Improvement Plan Update (Communication)

Live Reporting: Discussion - Action Items

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Policy 2nd Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following Policies as discussed:

• 1. JKAA – Physical Restraint of Students
• 2. ID – Emotional Support Dogs

motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-0


4. Discussion Only Items
a. Superintendent’s Evaluation (presentation of additional evidence)

a review of the document provided to the School Committee (and to the community on Wednesday) around the data and evidence for the Superintendents evaluation

so much of the District Improvement Plan achievement is really accomplished by everyone on the leadership team

evaluation is on the annual benchmarks, not on the completion of the goal

visits each school at least 6 times a year to meet with principals and make classroom visits, some visits cover arrival and dismissal as well as lunch period

"I am ideas person, I get jazzed by ideas (Portrait of a Graduate) and need to be realistic about what can be accomplished within a year."

Live Reporting: Guests and Presentations

2. Guests / Presentations

a. Retiree Recognition

• Debra Kroeber / JFK Teacher
• Christine Mahan / ASMS Teacher
• Sandra Morris / ASMS Teacher
• Caryn Parnell / ASMS Teacher
• Peter Pasquarosa / HMMS / Health-PE Teacher
• Eleanor Prindeville / ASMS Cafeteria Worker
• Mary Sandford / Parmenter Teacher
• Marushka Waters / FHS Theater Teacher
• Beth Wittcoff / ASMS Principal
• Kathleen Woods / FHS Guidance Counselor