Franklin Matters

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 ???

Tuesday, March 18

* Dine out at Hot Table on March 18 to help the Music Boosters

* Senior Center Closed today, no events other than bus service

* "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Elton E Ekstrom (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

11:00am Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House)

For additional details on Library events ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

** Town Meetings today **

Franklin School Committee - Negotiations - Executive Session

Tuesday, March 18th Time: 4:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_03182025-1585

Franklin School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting (virtual only) = Tuesday, March 18th Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03182025-1610

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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

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

Fallen Hero Recognition: Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army - March 18, 2025

Memorial event today (3/18/25) at 9 AM on the Town Common Veterans Walkway to honor Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history may be available for that veteran. This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

Fallen Hero: Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army

Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom, U.S. Army, was born on November 11, 1918 to August and Hannah Ekstrom. Elton lived with his parents, four sisters and three brothers at 417 Lincoln Street.

Elton attended the Franklin Public Schools and for a number of years lived on Lincoln Street and maintained his residence there after his marriage to the former Arlene Beals. Elton and Arlene were the parents of two sons, Paul and Elton, Jr. Paul graduated from West Point and served two tours of duty as an army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. Elton, Jr. also served in the army during the Vietnam War Era.

PFC Elton E. Ekstrom served in the 87th Infantry Division of General Patton’s Third Army during the Rhine River crossing into Germany. Details of the Rhine River crossing as provided by Barbara Strang, 87th Infantry Division Historian, are as follows: “The assault boats of the 347th Battalion crossed the Rhine after midnight on March 25th. The Germans opened up with everything they had from the steep banks on the opposite side. Numerous boats were hit resulting in many casualties. Further assaults occurred at Rhens, Boppard, and Oberlahanstein.”

Private First Class Elton E. Ekstrom was killed by machine gun fire on March 18, 1945 at age 26 while in combat crossing the Rhine River.

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For the full published series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Photo album of the Fallen Hero pillars along the Veterans Walkway
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oRGdmq9krLNEBnjJ7

You can find all the videos for 2024 in one playlist ->
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3eJGInVXU&list=PLbAODFjFPJ0zOqXRuHZ5-_LPf6UwmBNSA

Fallen Hero: PFC Elton Ekstrom

The Joy of 12-Tone Music - March 30

Beyond Do, Re, Mi

We Will 'Scale New Heights’ of Musical Appreciation with TWO Franklin Music Educators as we discover …

The Joy of 12-Tone Music - March 30

The "joy" of 12-tone music, or dodecaphony, lies in its unique and challenging approach to musical structure, where all 12 notes of the chromatic scale are treated as equally important, leading to a potentially more complex soundscape.

Learning about 12-tone music (also known as 12-tone technique or serialism) can offer a new perspective on how music can be organized and can help you develop your creativity across different musical languages as well as your appreciation of modern pop and classical music where 12-tone has been influential.

Using all 12 notes of the chromatic scale equally, avoids the traditional emphasis on a "home" key or tonal center. Our guides are Franklin native, Randy LaRosa, a multi-instrumentalist who has played with many of the greats – even including Duke Ellington-- and took classes with 12-tone pioneer Karlheinz Stockhausen. He will be joined by Jon Mitchell, a composer (including the Franklin-premiered Opera, Mary Anning: Fossilel Hunter) and retired conductor. Come to be amazed and entertained at this free event at the Franklin Historical Museum, on Sunday, March 30.

The Museum is open 1-4, program starts at 1:15.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10AM-1PM (except as noted above) and Sunday afternoons from 1:00PM-4:00PM.

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry.
Questions? Contact Alan Earls at 508 560 3786.
Visit us online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com

Franklin Public Schools Receives Grant to Further STEM Career Learning

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, High School Principal Dr. Maria Weber, and Franklin Middle School Principal Craig Williams are excited to announce Franklin Public Schools will expand its Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs to provide hands-on, applied learning and in-depth teacher professional development.

Franklin Public Schools have received additional grant funds from the One8 Foundation to offer new applied learning curricular programming from PLTW that will better prepare students for school and career success. PLTW is a nonprofit organization providing a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers through computer science, engineering, and biomedical science coursework. With the PLTW curriculum, students apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Students worked their way through the design
process and created toys and games
for other students.
(Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

“Expanding the Project Lead The Way curriculum resources and instructional materials available to our teachers will strengthen our students’ STEM futures,” said Eric Stark, Franklin Public Schools Director of Curriculum STEM. “I am proud of the real-world connections students are making and the challenges they are tackling.”

Franklin joins more than 12,000 schools across the country offering PLTW programs to millions of students.

“We are thrilled to bring more high-quality applied learning opportunities to our students and look forward to the impact this expansion will have on our school community,” said Principal Williams.

Since 2017, the One8 Foundation, the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, the Workforce Skill Cabinet, and the Massachusetts Life Science Center have supported expanding PLTW programming for students across the Commonwealth to better prepare them for a rapidly changing, data-rich world. PLTW coursework in biomedical science, engineering, and computer science provides students the skills to access opportunities in sectors that power the state economy.

“Students are hungry for experiences that allow them to apply what they are learning to solve real-world, meaningful problems,” said Joanna Jacobson, President of the One8 Foundation. “Providing equitable access to hands-on applied learning programs that deliver academic gains while building critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills ensures students are engaged and interested in school and prepared for success in this ever-changing world.”

Franklin Middle School will use grant funds to expand its PLTW Gateway program. Specifically, students will experience Computer Science for Innovators and Makers, Design and Modeling, and Medical Detectives units.

In one class this year, students worked their way through the design process and created a toy or game for other students.

“To ensure these toys were not just another STEM project but truly functional for occupational therapy, I collaborated with the occupational therapists (OTs) from Annie Sullivan Middle School and Helen Keller Elementary School for feedback and guidance,” said STEM Teacher Emily Carens. “I had the privilege of delivering the completed projects to the Occupational Therapy (OT) room, and the OTs were beyond grateful and impressed by the creativity, effort, and thoughtfulness students put into their work. Students demonstrated empathy and problem-solving skills, creating toys that will make a real difference in their school community. PLTW helped make this possible by creating the curriculum to show students that they can make an impact on their community.”

Franklin High School will use grant funds to start its PLTW Biomedical Science program. Students may take Principles of Biomedical Science and Human Body Systems as part of its developing Innovation Career Pathway. Funds from the grant will support teacher professional development and the purchase of materials and equipment for PLTW courses.

In addition, as a school with PLTW programming in Massachusetts, Franklin Middle and High School will have access to a regular set of teacher professional learning opportunities, student project showcases, and connections to industry professionals offered by the Mass Learning Project and the One8 Applied Learning Hub.

Shared from -> https://41518511.hs-sites.com/franklin-receives-grant-to-further-stem-career-learning

SAFE Coalition Announces 3rd Annual Gala for May 8

SAFE Coalition has announced their 3rd Annual Gala for May 8, 2025, at the Lakeview Pavilion in Foxborough. Titled “An Evening of Giving,” the event will raise funds to advance SAFE’s mission of offering compassionate, judgement-free support to those affected by substance use disorder and mental health challenges.

Guests of SAFE’s gala will enjoy a gourmet dinner, live music, silent and live auctions, and inspirational guest speakers.

3rd Annual Gala - May 8

Jake Haendel will be the keynote speaker, whose podcast Blink is currently at the top of the Apple Podcast charts. Haendel, a Boston native, struggled with substance misuse in early adulthood. He is the only known survivor of a rare brain disease that caused him to develop “locked-in syndrome,” a condition causing complete, coma-like body paralysis.

Haendel will speak on risk factors for substance abuse, especially for adolescents, and how more needs to be done to ensure no one goes unsupported.

“All kids are good kids,” he says, “and substance use disorder does not discriminate.”

Struggles like depression, anxiety, and trauma affect all kids, regardless of background, he says. These stressors can result in harmful coping mechanisms regardless of a person’s outward appearance or perceived privileges.

Businesses and individuals across New England show their support of SAFE’s work to reduce stigma and raise awareness by sponsoring the gala, such as Direct Federal Credit Union, who secured a champion sponsorship for the 2025 gala.

“Direct Federal Credit Union is committed to supporting organizations like SAFE that make a difference in our community,” says Kristen Johnson, DCFU Senior Vice President, Employee & Brand Experience. “By combining our efforts in philanthropy, volunteerism, and financial literacy, we’re able to contribute to the long-lasting impact SAFE is having on individuals and families. We are honored to stand with SAFE in their mission to strengthen our community.”

SAFE serves over 50 communities in Massachusetts with programs for teens, support groups for loved one’s impacted by others’ substance use, harm reduction education, resources for families in need like a community diaper bank, housing support, and more. SAFE’s services are free to recipients and no insurance is needed.

SAFE began in 2015 after a community discussion on the increasing deaths from opioid use and what could be done to combat the rising epidemic. Today, the nonprofit works with first responders, local and state politicians, municipalities, schools, other nonprofits, and concerned citizens across southeastern Massachusetts to fill gaps in substance use prevention and education, harm reduction, recovery, and mental health support.

“At the gala we bring together stakeholders, community partners, and members of the public, without whom we would not exist,” says SAFE Co-founder and Director of Family Recovery Jim Derick. “This event provides a platform to highlight our services and successes, report on impacts we have made, and chart our course for the year to come.”

Purchase tickets, secure a sponsorship, donate to the live and silent auctions, and learn more about SAFE’s work at www.safecoalitionma.org/2025-safe-gala

Learn more about SAFE Coalition at (508) 488-8105 or info@safecoalitionma.org

Karaoke Night is back at La Cantina Winery on Friday, March 28

Karaoke Night is back at La Cantina Winery

Karaoke Night is back at La Cantina Winery on Friday, March 28, from 7–10 PM!

Grab a glass of wine, warm up those vocal cords, and get ready to sing your heart out. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just here for the fun, it’s always a night to remember!

Tag your crew and let’s make it a night full of music, wine, and good vibes!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DHQ5Fk4x7GP/

Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit - Mar 31 through Apr 25, 2025

Franklin Art Association Art Show
and Sale Exhibit - Mar 31 through Apr 25, 2025

Exhibit Open: March 31 - April 25, 2025

Opening Reception: Thursday, April 10 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Hosted at the

Norfolk Public Library
139 Main Street
Norfolk MA

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K7Pat-KCetHEHXNiWI7xEk-u7gNDddz9/view?usp=drive_link

Apply to be a technical assistance vendor for Green School Works

Dear Friend of MassCEC,

MassCEC is pleased to announce the release of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for technical assistance vendors for Green School Works.

MassCEC seeks qualified vendors to provide technical assistance for eligible K-12 public schools and districts looking to begin or supplement their decarbonization planning.

The deadline to submit statements of qualifications to the Green School Works Technical Assistance RFQ is Friday, April 4, 2025, 11:59PM ET. MassCEC will consider additional qualifications on a rolling basis after the deadline if vendors apply with a partner school or district for an eligible project.

Learn more & apply here

RFQ questions should be submitted via email to greenschools@masscec.com. "TA RFQ Questions" should appear in the subject line. Please submit questions by Wednesday, March 26 by 11:59PM ET. Answers will be posted March 31 to the TA RFQ page. Interested potential applicants may also attend an informational webinar to learn more about this opportunity on March 24 at 3:00PM ET.