Chalkboard chat condenses the 4 hour Jan 13, 2026 School Cmte meeting to an hour (video & audio)

FM #1627 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1627 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee member Reis Hansen.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Friday, January 16, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting January 13, 2026.

Our conversation covered the following topics:

Early insights on role as school committee member

Subcommittee work on Policy & Horace Mann Legacy

Meeting recap

Recognition of cheerleaders

FHS trip to Galapagos for 2027 was approved

FHS 2026-27 Program of Studies Update

how courses are added, selection by students  

Office of Teaching & Learning District Assessment Presentation

The role of teaching & learning

The use of data to provide support and interventions as needed

MCAS still used just not a requirements for graduation

Franklin Childcare Presentation

The planning underway for initial opening for 9 student with 2 teachers

For school dept personnel first, then Town employees

Further expansion possible for community over time

Can provide revenue to sustain program 

We close with a discussion on screen time and use of technology in the classroom

    based upon a resident comment

Our conversation runs about 72 minutes. Let’s listen

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnBKBSydGU4

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1627-chalkboard-chat-01-16-26/

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School Committee page (with contact info) ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee 

School Committee subcommittee assignments -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaXy2prDrCI 

Agenda ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2086 

Meeting packet folder (copies of the presentation are not yet available, once posted they should be in this folder) ->  https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/january-13%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/24614180 

Pictures of the slides shared captured in one album for 

The Galapagos trip presentation ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/amcYuXHUxJfRbu6Y7 

The FHS Program of Studies -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/p5zRxxEXyke76hV66 

Teaching & Learning update -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/LotQq5wCQJ8qJmUy9 

Little Solutions Childcare update ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/JoMPxdB2v7a2TMV26 

 

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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 out. 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"

Both FHS girls (video) & boys basketball teams top Milford on Friday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, January 16, 2026

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 52 @ Milford, 41 – Final

Girls Basketball = Milford, 42 @ Franklin, 66 – Final

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ3CkRa4IIU

– Franklin drilled 12 threes as a team and used a huge second quarter run to earn a big win over Milford. It is Franklin’s fifth win in a row, moves them to 0.500 for the first time this season, and puts the Panthers alone in first in the Kelley-Rex. Milford got off to a good start. Ava Baglione scored eight points and Katelyn Kearnan added four as the visitors took a 12-11 lead after one. Franklin took full control with a dominant, 24-3 second quarter. Freshman Brielle Nicholls sparked the Panthers, knocking down three from beyond the arc and scoring 13 points in the frame. Ava Bonney added a pair of threes and scored eight points in the frame. Milford edged the third quarter by a point, as Kearnan scored six and Reagan Cunningham and Abby Murphy each scored four. Franklin never allowed the Hawks to mount much of a comeback and Kendall Mone scored six of Franklin’s 16 in the fourth to put the game away. Nicholls finished with a career-high 19 and Bonney added 14 – both hit four threes. Mone added a career-high 13 points, while Tessah Rodrigues scored eight and Sophia Sacramone had seven.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-16-26/

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

Indoor Track: Meet #3 Highlights & Top Performers for FHS vs. Taunton - Jan 15, 2025

In addition to the FHS Indoor Track results provided on Friday from Thursday's meet, Hockomock Sports has prepared these highlights and top performers.

Franklin vs. Taunton

Boys Score: Franklin 67, Taunton 33

• Franklin’s Peter Gubka won the 55-meter dash and hurdles, setting personal bests in both and the league lead in the dash (6.58, 7.76).
• Franklin went one-two in the 300m as Peter Theodorou won (38.95) and Owen Bertoldi ran a personal best for second (39.31). Taunton’s Michael Braxton was third in a personal best (39.62).
• Kyle Twomey and Andrew Rontiris set personal bests to finish first and second for Franklin in the 600m (1:28.82, 1:30.76).
• Taunton’s Jordan Trucchi edged Franklin’s Tucker Morin in the 1000m, finishing six hundredths apart (2:53.89, 2:53.95). Sawyer Laing won the mile for Franklin in a personal best (4:55.53).
• Franklin’s Adam Peng won the 2 mile (10:47.28) with Nicholas Mitchell second in a season best (10:49.91). Franklin won the 4x200m relay (1:38.17), while Taunton won the 4x400m relay (3:42.37).
• In the field, Taunton’s Jaedan Thompson won the shot put in a personal best (48’7.75). Franklin swept the high jump as Peter Gubka (5’10), Stephon Reed Jr (5’8), and Caleb Keras (5’2) went one-two-three.
• Taunton’s Michael Braxton won the long jump in a personal best (18’4).

Girls Score: Franklin 77, Taunton 23

• Phoebe Cuneo and Jossie Camp ran personal bests to go one-two in the hurdles (9.56, 9.66). Camp also won the 55m dash in a personal best (7.75), and Cuneo won the 300m (43.93).
• Franklin’s Keelan Donnelly won the 600m in a personal best (1:50.58). Maddie Bruno and Victoria Courtright-Lim set personal bests to take the top two spots in the 1000m (3:08.85, 3:10.89).
• Savannah Copeland won the mile in a season best (5:44.73) as Franklin swept the event. Franklin also swept the 2 mile, led by Annabelle Santiago (12:53.11) and Violet Copeland (14:11.28).
• Taunton won the 4x200m relay (1:54.31), while Franklin won the 4x400m relay (4:32.48).
• In the field, Lydia Donnelly won the shot put for Franklin in a personal best (29’6.50). Callie Joyce won the long jump and high jump in personal bests (15’7, 4’8).

Boys Indoor Track = Franklin, 67 vs. Taunton, 33 – Final

Boys team results by event ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QShD4DQoKuMNQzw_SyOMtPZdKI_DIG89/view?usp=drive_link

Girls Indoor Track = Franklin, 77 vs. Taunton, 23 – Final

Girls team results by event ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xsrJc0WNTqmIQ-_0x2MyvoKWNVRVSHaG/view?usp=drive_link

Complete Indoor meet results for 1/15/26 ->  https://lancer.trackscoreboard.com/meets/427/events

For all the other Hockomock League Team Indoor Track results from Meet #3 (subscription Required) -> https://hockomocksports.com/indoor-track-meet-3-highlights-top-performers/

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

A Cappella Music Festival – Live at 3 Restaurant - Feb 7

 A Cappella Music Festival – Live at
Franklin High School! - Feb 7

Updated Feb 7

IMPORTANT SHOW/SNOW RELATED NEWS!!!!! The town has cancelled all events on school property this Saturday, February 7th. THIS CONCERT HAS MOVED TO THE RESTAURANT "3" AT 461 WEST CENTRAL STREET IN FRANKLIN!!!! SHOW WILL STILL START AT 7:30PM, BUT WILL NOW BE UPSTAIRS AT 3.

Looking for something fun and different to do on a Saturday night? 

Tim Seamans and I are proud to bring to town Saturday, February 7th at the Franklin High School Theater an unforgettable evening of live vocal music featuring three outstanding collegiate a cappella groups:

• The Colgate Thirteen
• The Tufts Jackson Jills
• The Fairfield Crust

From tight harmonies to show-stopping arrangements, this is a concert that will surprise, impress, and leave you smiling all the way home.

Doors open: 7:00 PM
Show starts: 7:30 PM

Tickets: $5 (+ small processing fee)

All event details and tickets can be found on Eventbrite — grab yours and we hope to see you there!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-cappella-music-festival-at-franklin-high-school-tickets-1980463761423

Beaver St. Interceptor Project: Construction Updates for Week of Jan 19 to 26, 2026

Construction Updates ~ Monday (1/19) Through Friday (1/23)

RT. 140 (West Central Street) Lane Closure Alert  -  Monday Night (1/19) thru Thursday Morning (1/22) 7pm to 5am, Friday (1/23) 7am-3pm

The Contractor will continue with the installation of the sewer force main within RT. 140 (West Central Street). The work will be contained within the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. During this time there will be evening lane closures on RT. 140. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.

Fisher Street Easement  - Monday (1/19) thru Friday (1/23) - 7AM to 4PM

Beaver St. Interceptor Project

The contractor will be working off the road along Fisher Street.  There are no anticipated traffic impacts at this location.

West Central Street (near BJs) - Wednesday (1/21) thru Friday (1/23)  - 7AM to 4PM

As the weather allows the contractor will be working on the installation of the helical piles along the side of West Central Street.  During this time there will be evening lane closures on West Central Street. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.

Beaver Street Pump Station

At the Franklin Recreation Center

the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the internal building component installation and testing of the pumps.  Bypass piping equipment will be onsite and protected by barriers.  Access to the recreation center will NOT be affected during this time.

For additional details on the complete project, please visit -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project 

Junk Dunkers can provide Curbside Junk Pickup

(508) 595-8419 | support@junkdunkers.com
17 Symmes Rd, Franklin, MA 02038

Winter Hours at the Beaver St Recycling Center

Friendly reminder from DPW on the winter hours for the Beaver St recycling center

Winter Hours at the Beaver St Recycling Center

Shared from ->  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14VeTtvap87/

Overview of Children's Museum of Franklin accessibility features

via Alison Rheaume, Accessibility Consultant

Overview of Children's Museum
of Franklin accessibility features

Children's Museum of Franklin gets a huge shoutout for accessibility and inclusion!

Before construction even began, and all during the process, they consulted with many different people regarding access accessibility, myself included.

This has definitely been one of my favorite consulting opportunities!

In addition to my overall passion for accessibility, I also love working with children with years of experience as an educator, a Bachelors Degree in Movement Science, a Masters Degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, and additional certifications for Special Populations.

Put all of that together, and it was truly a dream to be invited to evaluate the space before, during, and continuing forward as well.

The owners Meg and Erin have been extremely open to accepting all feedback regarding accessibility, and truly take action on it as they are able to.

Whether was encouraging benches with back to them, having a fragrance free environment, making sure transition areas are smooth, and so much more, they listen and care about all of it!

The @childrensmuseumfranklin is located at 157 Cottage St in Franklin, MA.

Check out the hours and more information on their website at https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org

Have fun!!

Video: Footage showing a tour of the Children's Museum of Franklin. It starts outside, showing handicap parking and ramp access. Once inside, there are white cubbies and a rack a g coat. It pans to the front desk, which has a sensory kit and headphones on the counter. Then, it shows a restroom, walks by some water fountains, and goes into the open concept play area. It shows parts of the museum including a play vet office, farm area, bank, Lego section, train exhibit, a lift down to a lower area, digital body exhibit, a tree that you can go inside for sensory items, and a gear based mechanism.

Hashtags: #inclusion #accessibility #childrensmuseum #accessibilityconsulting #accessibilitymatters

View the full view (reel) online ->  https://www.instagram.com/p/DTi9TiLAQ9F/

Monday: Commuter Rail will operate on regular weekday schedule for MLK Day - Jan 19, 2026

On Monday, January 19th, for MLK Day, all Commuter Rail line trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.

Affected lines:

• ALL

Franklin/Foxboro, Providence/Stoughton and Fairmount Line passengers:

The Amtrak infrastructure repair work has been completed and effective Mon. 1/19, trains resume operating on Fall/Winter schedule available now at mbta.com/cr.

Keep your commute on track and sign up for T-Alerts!

Go to https://alerts.mbta.com and subscribe to receive relevant, real-time service alerts via email or SMS.

Last Updated: Jan 16 2026 01:54 PM

ICE Detainer data "driven entirely by immigrants without criminal convictions"

via Austin Kocher

ICE Detainer data "driven entirely by
immigrants without criminal convictions"

"New data drop: We've updated the Immigration Enforcement Dashboard with 395,406 ICE detainers from Sept 2023 through Oct 2025, thanks to FOIA work by the Deportation Data Project.

The key finding? Growth in detainers is driven entirely by immigrants without criminal convictions. Detainers for people with convictions stayed flat while those for people with pending or no charges surged.

This matters because detainers let ICE leverage routine local police activity (traffic stops, 911 calls) to funnel people into the deportation pipeline. The data shows enforcement expanding far beyond any public safety rationale.

Dashboard link in bio. More analysis coming soon."

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DTQeW2mkY8Y/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday, January 17, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday

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

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, January 16, 2026 ???

Friday, January 16

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Library book sale (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

7:00pm The Grafters (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

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

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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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 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-calendar

Franklin Police Chief Lynch says thanks to the Franklin community for "your patience, understanding and support "

For the past two days the Town of Franklin has hosted the funeral services for Stephen A. LaPorta, an Uxbridge Police Officer who passed away tragically on January 7, 2026 while responding to multiple motor vehicle crashes on Route 146.  Thousands of mourners were expected to attend the services throughout the two days and as you can imagine, the planning for the services for a police officer killed in the line of duty is an extraordinary undertaken. 

Franklin Police Chief Lynch says thanks to the Franklin community for "your patience, understanding and support "

The Franklin Police Department was honored to assist in providing a safe and organized venue so the LaPorta family, the Uxbridge Police Department, the greater Uxbridge community, friends, and law enforcement officers from throughout the country could pay their respects to a public safety hero who gave his life in service to others. 

This extraordinary undertaking would not have been possible without the support, understanding and flexibility of the entire Franklin community.  A long list of organizations, agencies and town departments were requested and graciously agreed to provide direct support or alter their operations and schedules to assist in this endeavor. The members of these various entities had to adjust to changed schedules or cancellations.  The entire community was affected by the road closures, detours and increased traffic.

On behalf of the LaPorta family, the Uxbridge Police Department, the greater Uxbridge community and the Franklin Police Department; I want to thank the Town of Franklin for your patience, understanding and support over these last two days. 

Thank You!

Thomas J. Lynch

Chief of Police

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HYexa5Gxa/

Friends of the Franklin Library Fudge Fundraiser, get your order in before February 6

This year's fundraiser: 

• You can order and pay electronically using this link: FOFL FUDGE FUNDRAISER ONLINE ORDER FORM   or directly ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhMbwVC2TYuizxynmL4Dwv2FSrma-D3QuEr4UkoSEc5KMhMw/viewform?pli=1

• Hard copies of the order form are available at the library or by emailing FoFL02038@gmail.com

• Friends of Franklin Library are accepting in-person orders at the library this weekend (1-5pm on Friday, 1/16 and 9am-1:30pm on Saturday, 1/17).
  
  
• As an added bonus, anyone ordering 4 or more containers of fudge will receive a free Friends' Tote Bag.

Reminder: Friends Of Franklin Library Fudge Sale - your order is due by Feb 6, 2026

Friends of the Franklin Library Fudge Fundraiser, get your order in before February 6

FHS girls & boys track, boys hockey all post wins on Thursday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to Hockomock Sports .com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Thursday, January 15, 2026

Boys Hockey = Oliver Ames, 2 @ Franklin, 6 – Final

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4tkF2a8r7U

Boys Indoor Track = Franklin, 67 vs. Taunton, 33 – Final

Boys team results by event ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QShD4DQoKuMNQzw_SyOMtPZdKI_DIG89/view?usp=drive_link

Girls Indoor Track = Franklin, 77 vs. Taunton, 23 – Final

Girls team results by event ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xsrJc0WNTqmIQ-_0x2MyvoKWNVRVSHaG/view?usp=drive_link

Complete Indoor meet results for 1/15/26 ->  https://lancer.trackscoreboard.com/meets/427/events

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-15-26/

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

Souper Bowl update: Weymouth leads at 1st Quarter

Souper Bowl update: Weymouth leads at 1st Quarter

SCORE UPDATE: We’re down, but not out!

The first quarter just wrapped up, and Weymouth Food Pantry is off to a fast start.

The score is:

• Franklin: 330
• Weymouth: 540

Franklin, we know our community has the heart to take the lead! If you’re able to, please consider donating soup to the Franklin Food Pantry before February 8 and help us keep our SOUPer Bowl Championship title.

Here's how to help:

Drop off: 341 W. Central St., Franklin, MA

Ship it: Use our Amazon Wishlist: https://bit.ly/49EfYJa

Let’s show Weymouth what Franklin pride looks like! Let’s go!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1FX3LgGbyf/

Tri-county SPIRIT NIGHT at Chick-Fil-A!! - Jan 20

Tri-county SPIRIT NIGHT at Chick-Fil-A!!  - Jan 20

Join us for food & fun at Chick-Fil-A in WALPOLE !

A portion of the sales from this spirit night will be going back to Tri-County Track & Field! Be sure to print the flyer, and make sure to toggle on the spirit night button if placing a mobile order or tell the order taker you are here for the spirit night so it can be tracked!

TUESDAY - JANUARY 20, 2026

5 - 8 PM

WALPOLE, MA

Thank you for your support!!

#WorkHardTodayCounts

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