Franklin High School Celebrates Student Success

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Assistant Superintendent Tina Rogers, and Principal Maria Weber are thrilled to share Franklin High School students' success.

From the classroom to the performance stage and on the athletic fields, Franklin High School students succeeded in academics, athletics, clubs, extracurriculars, and in the community.

"We are continually impressed with our students' dedication and determination," Superintendent Giguere said. "They work extremely hard and constantly exceed the day-to-day requirements expected of them. We are thrilled to celebrate their success stories."

Some of the highlights over the last few months at Franklin High School include the following:

Academics

Forty-seven Franklin High School students have either earned the Seal of Biliteracy or are in line to earn it when they graduate. The award recognizes students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by graduation. Last year, four Franklin High students were awarded college credit for earning the Seal. 

Poetry Out Loud

More than a dozen Franklin High School students participated in a Poetry Out Loud competition on Thursday, Jan. 23. Students recited two poems from memory during two rounds of competition. Senior Ella Mahoney won the competition and plans to move forward and compete at districts at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m. For the next round of the competition, she must select a third poem from the Poetry Out Loud website to memorize. Sophomore Abigail Schmellick came in second place and will serve as a backup to Ella for districts.

Athletics

Franklin High School Athletics teams celebrated several successes in the fall 2024 season, including a Massachusetts School Administrators' Association Div. 1 2024 Fall Cheerleading State Championship. The Cheerleading team will compete at the national level this spring.

MIAA coaches

Three Franklin High School coaches received MIAA 2023-24 Coach of the Year awards: Boys Basketball coach CJ Neely, Unified Track coach Lisa Burger, and former Boys and Girls Swim coach Jess Pridham. 

DECA

The Franklin High School DECA Chapter participated in the regional Massachusetts DECA District Two Conference on Jan. 9 and 10 in Mansfield.

DECA Chapter

On Jan. 9, over 100 Franklin students competed in the Written Event, facing intense competition from more than 700 students across various districts, all vying for the top five spots in each category. Franklin advanced one individual and 14 teams to the next stage.

On Jan. 10, Franklin High School had over 50 students competing in the Role Play Event, which featured over 450 students from other districts, competing for the top five spots in each category. Franklin advanced five individuals and four teams.

DECA Chapter 2

Franklin DECA will proudly send over 50 students to the State Competition, which will take place at the Seaport Boston from Feb. 27 to March 1. The team aspires to advance to the International Career Development Conference in Florida, the pinnacle of DECA competitions.

Visual & Performing Arts

The Franklin High School Theatre Company (FHSTC), directed by Chloe Selznik, performed "The Outsiders" in November.

Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen

Twenty-seven Franklin High School music students have been accepted into the Massachusetts Central District Honor Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. Eight students placed first chair in their sections. Eighteen of the students scored high enough to be recommended for auditions for the Massachusetts All-State Festival.

Franklin High School music student volunteers performed at various community events to help celebrate the holiday season, including performances at Walmart, Shaw's, and Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.

In collaboration with the Salvation Army, Franklin High School Chorus members sang Christmas carols at Stop & Shop on two occasions, raising $484 for the cause.

Galentine's Day Bubbles & Rose Event at Pour Richard's - Feb 13

Via Pour Richard's posting ->

"Grab your friends and loved ones and join us for an evening of wine tasting and shopping with local vendors, artisans and small businesses.

Galentine's Day Bubbles & Rose Event 

Current vendors:
Wine vendor
Jill’s Luxury Leather Goods
Permanent Jewelry with Taurie
Park Lane Jewelry with Rachel
The Fudge Lady
ReVamped Threads by Julie (revamped jean jackets, blazers and more)
 Micella Home (handmade cutting boards, wood trays and more)
 Kind Paws and Floral Services

All Vendor spots are full.

No Entry Fee
No RSVP "

Shared from -> 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1RAJJSHpLs/ 

Reminder: National Community Survey for Franklin, MA is out for those randomly selected. Please respond

Franklin has launched the National Community Survey - We want to hear from you! 

Reminder: National Community Survey

We need your input to help us make upcoming planning and budgeting decisions. Invitations have been sent to randomly selected households asking for feedback via The National Community Survey. 

In a few weeks, we'll open the survey to all residents. If you would like to receive an email notification for this community-wide survey, register now to become a part of Franklin's digital sounding board: polco.us/n/res/signup

For more information, follow this link: https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/webforms/national-community-survey

Thank you for sharing your voice! 

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Thursday, Jan 30, 2025

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday

9:00am, 12:00pm, 6:00pm - Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  

• Show 1 features the amazing Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers "Mojo" album.    Mojo is their 12th album released in 2010. Tom Petty wanted to make a Heartbreakers record after an eight year break that was as close to a live studio recording as possible. Check it out and enjoy the Mojo with The Vibe and Pauly G.
• Playlist ->   https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists

11:00am, 2:00pm, 8:00pm  - Frank Presents – Notable Local Conversations

 

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:30 am Veterans' Call: Lauren Turner

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports

11:30 am Comfort Food: Comfort Food

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies

12:30 pm CookwLinda_Chicken_111224F

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Game Day Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 1

3:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Jacob Juncker

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

5:00 pm Franklin Art Association: Joyce McJilton Dwyer

6:30 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

7:00 pm Frank Presents: KP Sompally

9:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Freedom Trail

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = Thursday

7:00 am Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 3 01-15-19

8:30 am Lifelong Music: Band & Elementary Glee

10:00 am FHS Varsity Swimming v King Philip 01-25-24

1:30 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon

2:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

4:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Taunton 01-11-25

6:30 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

9:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Medfield 01-25-25

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission 01-23-25

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee 01-15-25

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 01-23-25

7:30 pm Zoning Board of Appeals  REMOTE  968 3939 9695

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 ???

Wednesday, January 29

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library) 
• Last days to buy Music Booster calendar raffle for February

1:00pm Scribblers Writing Group (recording session) (Franklin TV Studio)

7:00pm FHS Jazz Concert (Franklin High School)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting

January 29, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01292025-1526

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Dean College 2025 Summer Programs for Teens

Dean College Announces Its 2025 Summer Programs

 Registration Now Open for Pre-College and Summer Arts Institute

Dean College is excited to announce its summer program offerings for high school students, including three pre-college courses and two performing arts programs. Registration and additional information are now available at www.dean.edu/academics/summeratdean/.

Dean's 2025 summer programs include the following:

PRE-COLLEGE

Designed especially for high school students, Dean's pre-college programs offer a great introduction to life on campus, while getting a head start on college-level learning.

Sports Broadcasting—This program offers a unique opportunity for hands-on and classroom instruction in various areas of the industry, including sports radio, television, and play-by-play broadcast. Instructed by John Rooke, Director of The Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management—and the voice of the New England Patriots, New England Revolution, and Providence College men's basketball—this is a summer experience students won't find anywhere else. College credit is available to be earned through this course.

• Session 1: Sunday, July 20 to Saturday, July 26, 2025
• Session 2: Sunday, July 27 to Saturday, August 2, 2025

Podcasting—This program allows participants to create, record, edit, upload, and market their own podcasts. Students will learn in a hands-on environment how to utilize professional digital audio equipment and software and familiarize themselves with all major podcast platforms. The podcasting course is instructed by Vic Michaels, General Manager of WGAO-FM, Associate Professor of Communications, and a 30-year veteran radio broadcaster. College credit is available to be earned through this course.

• Sunday, July 27 to Saturday, August 2, 2025

Social Media Influencer—This program introduces participants to the exciting world of social media content production. These emerging influencers will produce professional-looking videos, design brands, and partner with other content creators. Students will learn how influencers are made, from marketing strategies to content creation. Dean professors Dr. Liz Faber and Ursula Wefers bring a robust understanding of social media marketing to this program.

• Sunday, July 27 to Saturday, August 2, 2025

SUMMER ARTS INSTITUTE

Dean's Summer Arts Institute offers students ages 14 to 18 the opportunity to learn from and train with esteemed performing arts faculty, in either a musical theatre or dance intensive. Both intensives run from July 27 to August 3, 2025.

Musical Theatre Intensive—One of the best summer performing arts programs in New England, Dean's Musical Theatre Intensive is an exciting week of studying acting, singing, and dancing with industry experts. Participants will also learn to choose repertoire effectively and gain skills in rehearsal techniques and casting calls.

Dance Intensive—Students at Dean's Dance Intensive will be provided with training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and more. They will also have the opportunity to explore artistry, create choreography, and even perform an original work.

Both programs will include workshops in:

• Physical conditioning
• College prep
• Resume writing
• Headshots
• Auditioning

Space is limited for all of Dean's summer programs. Online registration is available at www.dean.edu/academics/summeratdean/ and ends on Friday, July 18, 2025. 

Dean College is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity for academic and personal success. A uniquely supportive community for more than 150 years, Dean has woven together extensive student support and engagement with exceptional teaching and innovative campus activities. Our graduates are lifetime learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social responsibility and demonstrate leadership. This is The Dean Difference.

		dean.edu

Capital Budget Subcommmittee to review the FY 2026 capital budget - Jan 29 - 7 PM

The Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Town Council gets to review and vote on the capital budget at their session Wednesday night.

The Finance Committee reviewed this capital budget among the items on its agenda at their Jan 15 meeting. The recap, audio and video links are available here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/finance-committee-approves-recommended_0799398139.html

FY25 Capital Plan & Subcommittee recommendations 

a. Town Administrator Memo  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4098/2025-01-29-CBSC-Agenda---1a-FY25-Capital

b. FY25 Department Summary Requests & Capital Plans  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4117/1b---Capital---Dept-Requests-and-5-Year-Plans

c. Quotes  

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4116/1c-Quotes

The capital budget proposal on the agenda for the Capital Budget Subcommittee Wednesday

The Capital Budget Subcommittee agenda ->   https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01292025-1526

The meeting will be broadcast to Comcast & Verizon subscriber as well as to Zoom and to YouTube  https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall

School Committee gets details on middle school math curriculum changes, FY 2026 budget, & approves Parmenter release to the Town (video)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. 6 of the 7 members were present in Council Chambers for the just over 4 hour session. 

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYxJEgzxVww

The agenda released for the meeting ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01282025-1531 

Additional documentation will be posted beginning Wednesday to the meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/january-28%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/750840

Quick recap:

• The middle school math curriculum program is being revised to meet MA Curriculum Framework guidelines and to beter meet the needs for a solid foundation in math for all students. Photos of the presentation were recorded into one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/73DtDSCgcRCPiPHz9
• The FY 2026 budget was presented and mutlipe questions from the committee to clarify the details. $80M is being requested, 3.78% more than prior year but within the guidelines offered by the Town Administrator which also assuming successful passage of the possible override
• The schools do achieve significant savings with the redistricting. 34 positions are reassigned within the district, 20 positions ultimately will be reduced. For the non-redistricted budget: it would be a >$6M increase from last year. About $3M more than level service that is being requested for this year
• The budget timeline was laid out whcih includes a budget hearing Feb 4, School Committee vote on Feb 11, the Joint Budget listening sessions, before the Finance Committee hearings in April and Town Council hearings in May
• What was not discussed, but is on the timeline, is the Town Council consideration of the possible override at a March meeting AFTER the listening sessions complete. The decision for yes or no on the override, and if yes, to determine a date and an amount are to be expected
• Photos of the presentation were recorded into one album ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/URuuP6RLYXmtnR3G9
• The decision to release the Parmenter facility to the Town was approved. Consideration of the alleged Parmenter family requirement for the land to be kept in school use was made but based upon Town Attorney advice that the deed does not include such a provision, the decision was made to proceed. Vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)
• Three sets of policy modifications were made per DESE request to bring language of the policy into compliance with current requirements. Vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)
• Motion to enter into executive session for contract negotiations, not to return to open session was made and approved. The vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PHnEHNKly-gag8T04ftDUSmm2JWyBc-G/view?usp=drive_link

School Committee gets details on middle school math curriculum changes, FY 2026 budget, & approves Parmenter release to the Town (video)

Family Concert Series: Princess Folk - Feb 2, at 2 PM

Family Concert Series: Princess Folk

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2025

2:00 PM in THE BLACK BOX

Franklin Performing Arts Company presents Family Concert Series: Princess Folk

FREE and Open to the Public!

Your favorite Disney Princess hits paired with choruses & folk songs of the real (and unreal) cultures they come from featuring: sailors, spinners, dwarves and vikings!

Directed by Tim Ayres-Kerr

Performed by the Dean Vocal Ensemble!

This program is funded by a grant from the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Franklin Cultural Council

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1XbuKEj4wK/ 

Class of 2027 Prom Fundraising with calendar raffle

Class of 2027 Prom Fundraising with calendar raffle

 

"THIS IS HOW WE GET TO PROM!! 

Selling 10 calanders will help offset the cost for prom for you next year, AND this year all you dues will be paid!! 

STARTING SATURDAY SELL SELL SELL!!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DFXoK-cOOWy/

Boston Globe: "How a burglary ring was finally brought down"

"The spree started in June of 2018 with three robberies in Bellingham and one each in Franklin and Millis. Then, authorities say, the gang set its sights on the town of Sharon.

"How a burglary ring was finally brought down"

The town has a vibrant Indian community, one big enough to support an Indian wedding planning business, an Indian spice boutique, and the cultural nonprofit Indian American Association of Sharon. When a home across the street from the spice store got robbed, the thieves made off with thousands of dollars’ worth of jewels, including diamonds, pearls, and sapphires.

Just after 9 p.m. on a night that August, according to a police report, Sharon Detective Anthony Lucie spotted a Toyota minivan driving back and forth in the area around Forge Road and Firebrick Lane."

Shared from  (subscription maybe required) ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/28/magazine/boston-area-indian-american-homes-robbed-gold-jewelry/ 

Modified Bid Posting Extension of Veterans Memorial Drive for Town of Franklin

Addendum No. 1 Issued on 1/28/2025 - Extension of Veterans Memorial Drive

Extension of Veterans Memorial Drive   In accordance with MGL c. 30 section 39m, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a construction firm for the purposes of constructing approximately 1,100 feet of new roadway extending from Veterans Memorial Drive within the Town of Franklin. Additional Information:  Extension of Veterans Memorial Drive https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/3900/DPW-2025-01-31-Extension-of-Veterans-Memorial-Drive-to-Irondequoit?bidId= Status Open Bid Category Purchasing/Bid Postings Publication Date/Time January 15, 2025, 09:00 AM Closing Date/Time January 31, 2025, 10:00 AM

Modified Bid Posting Extension of Veterans Memorial Drive for Town of Franklin