Sunday, January 18, 2026

Audio recording for the School Cmte - Policy Subcmte Mtg - Jan 13, 2026

FM #1630 - This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1630 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. All 3 members (Dave Callaghan (Chair), Al Charles, Reis Hansen) participated in the session held in the 3rd floor training room. Supt Lucas Giguere and Dr Tina Rogers also participated.


Quick recap:

  • Opening discussion on an update to the remote participation policy which dated from pre-COVID. This brings it up to current authorized practice per State law. 

    • Added clarification on a remotely only session where remote for the public goes down. (Note there is also a Backchannel process being put together to enable communication among the meeting conductors and organizers). 

    • Motion to bring as modified to School Committee as a first reading, second, passes 3-0

  • Discussion on crowd funding to help provide materials, is there a policy? 

    • Yes, there is a policy and process, can review at the building level to ensure coverage

  • Discussion on the state championship signage, inconsistent in appearance and there is no policy. Complicated by State ownership of the existing sign (and land) and process around it. How do we create something equitable, consistent and sustainable?

    • Need to determine the equivalence of the title achieved; MIAA, MSAA, METG, DECA, etc.

    • Consideration for digital, the cost is coming down and it will make it easier to maintain going forward

    • Additional research to be done to bring together something as a 'strawman' for a policy for further review and discussion

  • Motion to adjourn, passes 3-0 


  • The recording runs about 54 minutes, so let’s listen in.

    Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1630-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-01-13-26/



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    Audio recording for the School Cmte - Policy Subcmte Mtg - Jan 13, 2026
    Audio recording for the School Cmte - Policy Subcmte Mtg - Jan 13, 2026


    School Committee Subcommittee assignments

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


    The meeting agenda can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2087 


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

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/18KUiY-44063oivzPxMnuFbhDnwrRdlCS/view?usp=drive_link 


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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"


School Committee: Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting Jan 12, 2026 (audio)

FM #1629 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1629 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee meeting held on Monday, January 12, 2026. The meeting was conducted via remote only. 


Al Charles (Chair), and members Stephen Karunakaran and Nadia Mausolf participated. Operations Director Colin Boisvert also participated, representing the Central Office. 


  • Discussion around Mission Statement / 2026 Goals

  • Potential 2026 Engagements & Activity Brainstorming

  • Discussion around newsletter planning


The recording runs about 55 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Relations Subcommittee meeting of January 12, 2026.


Audio link ->
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1629-schcmte-community-relations-subcmte-mtg-01-12-26/


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School Committee: Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting Jan 12, 2026 (audio)
School Committee: Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting Jan 12, 2026 (audio)


School Committee Subcommittee assignments

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


Subcommittee agenda

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01122026-2082 


Unable to locate my notes for this session (odd, and a first)


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

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/

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 or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


The Grid and The Scam (video short)

Video link -> https://youtube.com/shorts/-rR2gGzTQGA
Video link -> https://youtube.com/shorts/-rR2gGzTQGA
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has a video short on "The Grid & The Scam" to explain what the current administration is after all the lower cost energy sources; wind, solar, etc.



Note 'video shorts' can't be embedded like regular videos.



This Identity Theft Awareness Week, find tools and events just for you


Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

By BCP Staff

Identity theft can happen anytime, to anyone. In fact, last year, more than a million people reported identity theft to the FTC. So, being ready to spot identity theft — and deal with it if it happens — can make a big difference.

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/01/identity-theft-awareness-week-find-tools-and-events-just-you?utm_source=govdelivery




Identity Theft Awareness Week (IDTAW), January 26-30, 2026
Identity Theft Awareness Week (IDTAW), January 26-30, 2026

    

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a schedule full of 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 Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday


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 Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday

Saturday, January 17, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, January 17, 2026 ???

Saturday, January 17

8:00am St. Mary Men's Faith Formation Group (St. Mary's Parish)
9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)
9:00am Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10:00am Franklin in Miniature (Train Town 3) (Franklin Historical Museum)
10:00am Rise Up (Franklin United Methodist Church)
11:00am Franklin as Composer with The Metro-West Symphony Orchestra (Franklin Public Library)
1:00pm Library books by the bag sale (Franklin Public Library)
1:00pm Bacchus Busters (Pour Richard's wine & Provisions)
1:00pm Ken Barney (live music) (AJ's Pub, Wrentham)
7:00pm The Padula Family (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
8:00pm Rowboat (live music) (Jimmy D's Bar and Grill)

For additional details on Library events -> 

** 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

Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee looking for interested community members

To all members of the Franklin, MA community,


I am writing to share with you an exciting new opportunity for civic engagement in Franklin via a role on the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee.


Horace Mann
Horace Mann
Horace Mann was a Franklin native who is now considered the Father of Public Education due to his commitment to education reform, promoting universal public education and establishing the public education system in Massachusetts that was then adopted by most other states.


In August, the School Committee voted to create the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee as a means to guide the development of initiatives that honor the life, legacy, and enduring influence of Horace Mann. This work will focus on the following primary areas:


Horace Mann Campus Identity & Physical Recognition – Establishing a clear, consistent, and historically grounded identity for the Horace Mann Campus through visible but restrained physical and digital markers.


Community Awareness & Storytelling – Increasing public understanding of Horace Mann’s life, legacy, and connection to Franklin through educational and interpretive efforts.


Public Education Advocacy (Informational) – Supporting historical education and awareness related to public education, without engaging in lobbying or political advocacy.


We are seeking interested community members to serve as voting members of this committee! Specifically, we are seeking:


  • 4 community members at-large

  • 1 Franklin Middle School student representative

  • 1 Franklin High School student representative


to serve alongside members from the Franklin School Committee, Historical Commission, Cultural Council, and Town Council on this 12-person subcommittee.


The subcommittee will meet monthly and is scheduled to serve until May 4, 2027 unless extended by School Committee vote.


If you are interested, please communicate your interest through the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/NjuLBgHVfQsREvRv7


All submissions will be reviewed at the next subcommittee meeting, currently scheduled for Friday, January 23, and interested parties will be contacted following this review.


If you have any questions, you can reach me at reish@franklinps.net.


  • Submitted Respectfully by Reis Hansen on behalf of the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee

Smile Days at the Children’s Museum of Franklin

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
Erin & Meg welcome visitor number 25,000

 

Friends,
 
Today was one of those *"pause and smile"* days – we welcomed Visitor 25,000 through our doors! 🎉
 
That number represents 25,000 friends who have found joy, belonging, connection and discovery in this space – and all in less than FOUR months since opening day. 
 
When families choose CMF as a place to spend time together, we see a powerful reminder of this space becoming all we dreamed it would be: a welcoming hub for families across our region where learning feels joyful, play is purposeful, and every visitor is celebrated for exactly who they are.
 
With huge smiles,
Children's Museum of Franklin

Children's Museum of Franklin is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization made possible by the community, for the community. Thank you for supporting enrichment for children and families.

Here's what else is happening:

MLK%20Day%20Pre-Reg%20(4%20x%204%20in).png

Members & non-members: Snag your spot ahead of time to guarantee entry on Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 19.

Pre-Register

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. You can full the full set on content online.