Franklin Matters

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Representative Roy Calls for Primary Seat Belt Law at the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts Advocacy Day

On February 4th, 2025, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA) hosted their annual Brain Injury Annual Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House. They were advocating for bills requiring commercial health insurers to cover cognitive rehabilitation services for survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI), continued funding for the Statewide Head Injury Program, and State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy’s primary seat belt bill.

Rep. Roy attended the Annual Advocacy Day to show his support and addressed the crowd about HD.1180 An Act establishing a primary seat belt law. As he noted in his remarks, “Seatbelts offer the best defense from injury or death in car crashes. Seat belts promote safety, save lives, and save money.”

Rep Jeff Roy addressed the crowd

In fact, statistics demonstrate that we could save 45 lives, prevent 500 injuries, and save $525 million over 5 years with a primary seat belt law in effect. According to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the single greatest opportunity to improve health and reduce premature deaths lies in personal behavior and seat belt use is yet another form of impaired driving that must be addressed. Massachusetts ranks 46th in the nation in seat belt use, lagging the national rate by nearly 10 percent, reinforcing the need for this legislation.

Held at the state house every year, the BIA-MA event provides information on legislative ambitions to constituents, survivors, and elected officials. The push for advocacy does not stop with their policy agenda, as the event is also provides a platform for survivors of traumatic brain injuries to share their personal story on the significant impact of TBI.

(L-R) Ali Rheaume, Rep Jeff Roy

During the event, Franklin’s Ali Rheaume, a traumatic brain injury survivor., shared her own experiences, stating, “Brain injuries are ‘invisible", meaning you cannot see what the impact is simply by looking at someone. I may look good, but you have no idea that I actually feel confused, foggy, or even in pain.

“You may get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, drive to work, navigate work all day, and not have to think twice about any of those actions or decisions. For someone who sustained brain injury, every task is a big deal. Choosing your clothes, remembering a schedule, and problem-solving along with sudden issues that arise such as traffic, can all be extremely difficult. It takes cognition, which is affected by brain injury, and that is why we are strongly advocating for new laws, such as Rep Roy’s bill.”

The BIA-MA also presented attendees with an “Unmasking Brain Injury” exhibit. This offered compelling visual insight into TBI survivors’ everyday experiences through their artistic works. Through the speeches of Massachusetts Legislators, BIA-MA, MassAbility, and other survivors, the annual Brain Advocacy Day hopes to ensure stories like Rheaume’s are heard throughout the state.

For more information on the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, please visit https://biama.org/.

Save the date to Celebrite the arts - March 13 at Dean College

Save the date to Celebrite the arts - March 13
"You're invited to the Franklin Arts and Culture Volunteer and Grant Recipient Reception! ⁠
⁠
March 13th, 7-8:30pm, presented at Dean College!⁠
⁠
RSVP in the link in our profile so our volunteers can organized the festivities, more program details to follow."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DGF7nwctTdZ/

Or RSVP -> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franklin-arts-culture-volunteer-and-fy25-grants-recipient-reception-tickets-1249444775959

This Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Cmte Mtg of Feb 11 (audio)

FM #1384 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1384 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. We recapped the School Committee meeting of February 11, 2025.

We cover

Keller Kids “Student Council” led the pledge
Approval of the FY 2026 Superintendent’s Recommended budget & discussion
Redistricting is intertwined with the budget, Transportation update coming March 11
School Calendar for Sept 2025 to start after Labor Day to allow for move
School Committee calendar to provide for a transition to new committee in Nov
Encourage participation in the Listening Sessions (4 remaining)

The recording runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1384-chalkboard-chat-02-12-25/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net

School Committee Meeting Info

The Franklin TV video is available for replay here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfqefUMtloU&t=51

The agenda doc can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_02112025-1571

Meeting packet (other docs as they are released after the meeting will get posted here) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/february-11%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/756881

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

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUU7zppEaNgj9xN442EdbZnFvnqI3VSM/view?usp=drive_link

Photos taken during the meeting can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wUQtiMDnwKLSQyTa9

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

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

How can you help?

If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news

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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Cmte Mtg of Feb 11 (audio)

2nd Annual Nick Gaspar Invitational at Franklin High School - Feb 17 & Feb 18

Join us for the 2nd Annual Nick Gaspar Invitational at Franklin High School

to support the Nick Strong Foundation

2nd Annual Nick Gaspar Invitational

http://nickstrongfoundation.com @1NickStrong18

Mon 2/17

1pm Franklin vs. New Bedford
3pm Natick vs. Xaverian

Tue 2/18

1pm Consolation
3pm Championship

*Tickets at gofan -> https://gofan.co/app/school/MA14576

Voices of Franklin: Asks why we are telling students that "they are far less important than the bottom line?"

I’m Helen Hoffenberg and I have been an educator in Franklin for the last 18 years teaching English at FHS.

I’ve worked under 6 different department heads, 5 different principals, 5 different superintendents and with dozens of amazing colleagues that have since left our community. Although the insane turnover rate of highly qualified teachers is an important discussion point, I’m going to use this moment to talk about the Franklin Arts Academy- an amazing program that is currently being phased out due to budget cuts.

Fifteen years ago I helped create this program that aims to teach core subjects like English, History, and Science to brilliant and creative students. Actually, they are artists, and they have thrived in this program for 15 years.

Unfortunately, this group of often marginalized students will no longer have a specific space that helps them foster and apply these important critical and creative skills to the content, further putting them at a disadvantage.

Ironically, my current FAA class sizes fall within the 18-22 students recommended by the School Committee while my English 11 Honors classes have 25 or more students in each class. The FAA program has been paramount in distinguishing FHS as a progressive school that cares about all students and all learning styles.

In fact, ten years ago we applauded the FAA during a NEASC visit yet here we are phasing out the program and, essentially, those students, telling them that they are far less important than the bottom line.

Helen Hoffenberg

FHS English Teacher

Guidelines for your submission

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Asks why we are telling students that "they are far less important than the bottom line?"

Franklin TV: WFXT Channel 25 - A collaboration with COX Media Group

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 02/16/2025

A common perspective on PEG TV studios is that we are bare-bones, low-rent TV. Nope. Not here.

At Franklin TV, we apply the same technical broadcast studio standards, tools and techniques (and creativity) as the largest TV stations in Boston and elsewhere. Channel 25 recently discovered this when they came to record an extensive interview segment on child care licensure and qualifications with Juvenile Court Judge and author Carol Erskine for their Thursday evening news.

Franklin TV: WFXT Channel 25 - A collaboration with COX Media Group

When their crew arrived they were gobsmacked. “This place is – amazing.” All they had to do was take a seat and talk. We handled everything else. Easy-peasy. They noted that they’ll be sending our work to the twelve COX Media TV stations in the U.S. www.cmg.com Not shabby. Do you have a TV series you would like to create? We can do the same for you – for free.

Just email info@franklin.tv, or call us at 508-541-4118. We make it easy-peasy –

just like we did for Channel 25.

And – as always –

Thank you for watching.
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And staying informed at Franklin●news.

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

FHS girls hockey team tops King Philip in OT 3-2 on Saturday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, February 15, 2025

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 3 @ King Philip, 2 – Final (OT)

Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor, provides the gfame recap ->

"For the second time this season, Franklin watched King Philip rally in the third period with a late goal to tie the game at 2-2 and force overtime. On Saturday afternoon at the Foxboro Sports Center, the Panthers were able to recover and come out on top.

A minute into OT, senior Julia Flynn chipped in a rebound for her third goal of the game, clinching a 3-2 victory for the Panthers. The goal secured the Panthers, who entered the day at No. 29 in the Div. 1 rankings, a crucial win to solidify a playoff spot and handed their rivals their only loss in league play.

“She steps up when the lights are the brightest,” Franklin coach Brendan LaMarre said of Flynn, who recently passed the 100-point mark for her career. “She never gives up. She’s a fighter. She knows she’s going to get double- and triple-teamed every game and she’s still able to get two points a game. It just shows her competitive nature and her skill.”

Continue reading the recap -> (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/flynn-hat-trick-lifts-franklin-girls-hockey-to-ot-win-at-kp/

For a Photo Gallery from this game -> (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2024-2025/Winter-2024-2025/King-Philip-Franklin-Girls-Hockey-02-15-25

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-15-25/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Franklin High School lunch featured Local Grass Fed Beef (video)

FHS lunch featured Local Grass Fed Beef (video)

To watch the video on how it was made click: https://youtube.com/shorts/mSBJpYmXV0k?feature=share

Franklin High School featured Local Grass Fed Beef from Weatherlow Farms in Westport, MA served with Bok Choy and Fried Rice !

We used the top round cut to make our scratch made - 17 hour - Beef and Broccoli for lunch today!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/14sKCKtGVf/?mibextid=xfxF2i

Crockpot meal fund raiser for the Franklin Lions

via the Franklin Lions:

Love a meal from the crockpot?

Now you can order a crockpot meal to be delivered! You can get it all ready before you go in the morning then have it for dinner!

All the proceeds benefit Franklin MA Lions Club charities.

Thank you for all your support!

Create an account and make an order -> https://whatacrockfundraising.com/

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17QcCoq6ZL/

The All Night Party for the Class of 2025 will be held, volunteers needed to help!

Franklin High School All Night Party for Class of 2025 is continuing!!!!🎉

🎉 Calling All Volunteers!

We need your help to make FHS All night party a fun and memorable event for the students! 🥳

The All Night Party for the Class of 2025 will be held

There are multiple fun activities & there’s a spot for everyone! 💙

It’s a fantastic way to connect with neighbors, creating joyful memories for the students and have a great time with them.

Whether your student is in Elementary or Middle school or is a High School Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior, we need you!💜

Let’s come together to create an amazing experience for kids.

Thank you for your support and helping us make it happen!

👉 Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AAFAC28AAF8C52-allnight?

#community #communitysupport

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19rjNjrvDy/

Boston Globe: "Thanks to a 26-year-old nonprofit founder, one less downtown Boston office building is vacant"

"Imagine being 26 years old, at the start of your career, and figuring out how to buy an office building in the middle of downtown Boston for your fast-growing nonprofit.

The improbable scenario is all too real for Connor Schoen, who in December engineered one of the most surprising real estate deals in the city: a $6.3 million purchase of a five-story building on Franklin Street for the nonprofit he leads, Breaktime.

Schoen’s social entrepreneurship quickly became the talk of the town. Nonprofit executives and philanthropic leaders reached out to him about what they could learn from the deal, and whether they, too, could invest in downtown at a time when office building values have plummeted. For Breaktime and other nonprofits that might follow its lead, owning instead of leasing provides some control over their destiny."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/11/business/breaktime-nonprofit-connor-schoen-downtown-office-building/

You can read the article using the Franklin Library subscription to the Boston Globe. Follow these steps to do that ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/how-to-access-online-resources-with.html

Boston Globe: "Thanks to a 26-year-old nonprofit founder, one less downtown Boston office building is vacant"

Saturday, February 15, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, February 15, 2025 ???

Saturday, February 15

9:00am Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

9:30am Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Nerf Out (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Rise Up (Franklin United Methodist Church)

10:30am Weekend Wiggles (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Library Bag Sale (books by the bag) (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm John Higby: Yo-Yo Guy (Franklin Public Library)

3:30pm Franklin Q&A (with remote option) (Franklin Public Library)

5:00pm Ricky Robidoux (solo) (live music) (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

7:00pm Jamie Barrett (live music) (AvaLena's Bar + Grill)

8:00pm Karaoke Night (Raillery Public House)

** NO Town Meetings today **

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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