Sunday, February 8, 2026

Maybe you can help with the English for Speakers of Other Languages tutoring program ???

The Franklin Public Library is looking for new volunteers for the library's English for Speakers of Other Languages tutoring program.

Maybe you can help with the English for Speakers of Other Languages tutoring program ???
Maybe you can help with the English for
Speakers of Other Languages tutoring program ???
There are training sessions scheduled for Saturday, March 7 at 2 PM and Tuesday, March 24 at 6:30 PM.

These training session are up on the Library event calendar and registration is open.

Volunteers don't need to have teaching or tutoring experience, they just need to be over 18 years old. There is more information for anyone who is interested on the library's website - https://www.franklinma.gov/313/English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages-


Download the flyer as a reminder of to share with someone who might be interested

Project 351: "We are having a Winter Coat Drive"

Project 351: "We are having a Winter Coat Drive"
Project 351: "We are having a Winter Coat Drive"
The winter coat drive is organized by Franklin's Project 351 Ambassadors and Alumni. They are collecting new or gently used coats and jackets 
to support local children in need with a specific focus on sizes for 3rd through 6th graders. 

Donated items can be dropped off at the Franklin Middle School (FMS) Front Office

They are accepting donations for an extended period of time, despite what the flier says below.

FMS Class of 2032 - 6th Grade


What is Project 351?  Find out about it online - https://project351.org/

Franklin TV: In the Swim - We’re treading water

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 02/08/2026

We cover many sports events. Included – swim meets. They are long. 3-4 hours. The resulting stats and rankings from the MIAA fill 14 pages.

Franklin TV: In the Swim - We’re treading water
Franklin TV: In the Swim - We’re treading water

A lesser known statistic – the emails and phone calls we get. They are many, and sometimes they’re laced with a slight tone of panic until we say, “Yes. we’ll be there.” It’s what we do.

We cover these events on our school channels – almost always live-streamed as well. You can watch for free on YouTube – for now.

However, consider that cord-cutting (dropping your cable service) also cuts our funding – and our future ability to say, “Yes, we’ll be there.”

You can help us stay afloat. Contact your MA legislators and tell them you want them to support legislation for local PEG TV funding by the streaming services.

And – as always –
Thank you for watching.
Thanks 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
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Joe Landry Taping a Session about the Stewart Block (Clark Sq) at Franklin TV

Joe Landry Taping a Session about the Stewart Block (Clark Sq) at Franklin TV
Joe Landry & Scott Mason will be taping a Session about the
Stewart Block (Clark Sq) at Franklin TV

"Hi there! Scott Mason and I will be doing a presentation at the studios of Franklin TV at 23 Hutchinson Street when we will examine the James Stewart Block, which is at Clark Square at the town bridge. We'll look back at the buildings that stood here over the years and how the block has evolved.
This program is part of a series of programs that will take a close look at the downtown area of Franklin. This will not be a live broadcast. It will be taped for future viewing on Franklin TV.
I hope you can make it! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!!!!!"

"Panthers for a Purpose" open fundraising drive

My name is Abby Souza and I am a student at Franklin High School. Along with a team of my friends we are leading a fundraising drive called Panthers for a Purpose
"Panthers for a Purpose" open fundraising drive
"Panthers for a Purpose" open fundraising drive

Some of you may be familiar with the charity LLS now known as Blood Cancer United and the program they run called Student Visionaries of the Year. 

If you would consider supporting your local high school students in our efforts to make a difference please click the link to hear about our story and stay updated with other fundraising events coming soon!




Back to textbooks: Denmark rolls back digital learning (video)


"Denmark has long been hailed as a digital champion, with online public services, digital IDs and tablets in schools as early as 2011. But authorities are now shifting course in the education and social sectors, following alarming figures on children’s mental health and school performance. 

A massive return to analogue life is underway: mobile phones are banned in schools and after-school clubs, a return to pre-digital learning is being rolled out and social media will soon be banned for anyone under 15. Our team reports from Copenhagen.

#Denmark #education #mentalhealth

Read more about this story in our article: https://f24.my/Befz.y"



Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, February 8, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin 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, February 7, 2026

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, February 7, 2026 ???

Saturday, February 7


9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am St. Mary Women’s Faith Formation Group (St. Mary's Parish) 

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Franklin in Miniature (Train Town 3) (Franklin Historical Museum) (Continued through Feb 15, 2026)

10:00am Brunch with Non Scene Friends (Maks Roast Beef and Breakfast) 

10:30am Weekend Wiggles! (Franklin Public Library)

2:30pm Taylor Swift-themed public skating (Pirelli Veterans Arena)

7:00pm Community Concert with Michael Rivelis (Franklin United Methodist Church)

7:30pm Crys Matthews (ticketed concert) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)


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

SOUPer Bowl, 4th quarter score has Franklin Behind!!!

FRANKLIN, WE ARE TRAILING!

SOUPer Bowl, 4th quarter score has Franklin Behind!!!
SOUPer Bowl, 4th quarter score has Franklin Behind!!!
Weymouth Food Pantry is currently CRUSHING the SOUPer Bowl canned soup challenge with 4,898 cans donated. With only two days left, we are down to the wire and need a massive play to take the lead. 

While you're out grabbing your game-day food, please consider purchasing soup for The Pantry!  

Bring donations to the Franklin Food Pantry 341 W Central St, Franklin and place in the purple bin on the loading dock by end of day, Sunday, February 8th. 

While we want to beat Weymouth, the stakes are higher than a trophy. Local hunger has spiked by 40%. Let’s huddle up and make sure no one in our community goes hungry.

Franklin, let’s show Weymouth how we show up! 

Franklin, MA: School Committee agenda for Feb 10, 2026 meeting

Note: neither the budget docs, nor the meeting packet are available at this time. I'll update when they are public.


Franklin School Committee 
February 10, 2026 = 6:00 PM
Municipal Building – Council Chambers 


Call to Order Dr. Griffith
Announcements from the Chair
Pledge of Allegiance 
Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business
  • Review of Agenda
  • Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan
  • Payroll Dr. Griffith
  • FHS Student Representative Comments
  • Superintendent’s Report
2. FY27 Budget Open Hearing

3. Discussion/Action Items
1. Policy - 2nd Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of Policy BL - Remote Participation as discussed.
2. Chapter 70 Arts and Music Letter of Support
I recommend endorsement of the letter to the State Legislature in support of a Chapter 70 funding allocation to directly support the Arts and Music programming across all MA public schools.

4. Discussion Only Items
  • Monthly Financial Report
5. Information Matters
  • School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
  • School Committee Liaison Reports
6. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your January 27, 2026, and February 3, 2026 School Committee meetings as detailed. 
B. ECDC Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $500.00 from The Special Olympics of Massachusetts, Inc. for Supplemental Supplies as detailed. 
C. FHS Gifts
I recommend the acceptance of $500.00 for FHS Mock Trial Field Trip as follows:
$200.00 Elizabeth Mullen
$100.00 Family Legal Partners
$200.00 Franklin Law Group 
D. FHS Gifts
I recommend the acceptance of $5,238.85 for FHS as follows:
$4,554.00 Franklin Music Boosters In-house enrichment
$  558.00 Soccer Boosters Field Trip
$ 126.85 Ohiopyle Supplemental Supplies 
E. Recurring RW Zoo Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Christine Souza (Lincoln St K-2) to take 2nd graders to Roger Williams Zoo, Providence, RI on May 8, 2026 as detailed. 
F. Lincoln St. Gifts
I recommend the acceptance of $10,775.00 as follows: 
LK-2 PCC $2,000.00 Field Trip
L3-5 PCC $2,400.00 Field Trip L3-5 PCC $6375.00 Field Trips
6. Citizen’s Comments

7. Good of the Order

8. New Business
To discuss any future agenda items


8. Executive Session
As per M.G.L c. 30A, § 21 (3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares.

9. Adjournment

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info -


Mitzi shares insights on the happenings at the Franklin Public Library during Feb 2026 (video & audio)

FM #1654 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1654 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion virtually on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

 

We talk about 

  • Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month

    • Closed on Sundays due to budget reduction

    • Closed all day on Monday, Feb 16 for President’s Day

  • Library events for February 2026

    • In calendar order rather than by category this time around


Registration for those events required should be done through the Town website, Library page. There are nefarious folks trying to convince folks otherwise via Facebook. Be safe, use the official Town and Library pages.


The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.


The recording runs about 17 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Video link - 
https://youtu.be/cg5Rs0jBIZw





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


Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net 


Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 


Library event calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events 


February 2026 newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/92 


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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"


FHS girls basketball top Attleboro 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, February 6, 2026


Boys Basketball = Attleboro, 66 @ Franklin, 42 – Final
– Franklin hung around for the first half on Friday night but Attleboro dominated the third and ran away with a big win to sweep the regular season series. Franklin sophomore Danny Santos hit a trio of threes and had 11 points in the second quarter as the Panthers were within striking distance, down 33-24, at half. But it was all Attleboro in the third as senior Ladainian Rodrigues sparked a 17-0 run that spanned the first seven minutes of the quarter, getting a steal for a three-point play to ignite the Bombardiers. Rodrigues scored 12 of his team-high 20 points in the third as Attleboro pushed the lead to 52-28 going into the final quarter. Rodrigues also had nine rebounds, classmate Connor Houle added 11 points and four assists, and junior Ben Lally splashed in a trio of threes for nine points. Santos led the Panthers with 11 points and Ben Scaccia chipped in with nine points.




Girls Basketball = Franklin, 73 @ Attleboro, 57 – Final
– Franklin dominated the third quarter, outscoring Attleboro 23-6, to pull away and secure a road win that clinches at least a share of a second straight Kelley-Rex title. It was a shootout in the first half, with both team’s offenses clicking from the start. Tessah Rodrigues scored seven and Liz Dumais hit a pair of threes for the Panthers, who scored 20. Attleboro went one better in the opening eight minutes, as Jenna Callahan hit a pair of threes, Tia Williamson scored six points, and Lola Ronayne and Lily Didick were also on target from deep. Franklin grabbed the lead going into halftime with a 24-16 second quarter. Freshman Brielle Nicholls sparked the Panthers with all 11 of her points (including a pair from deep) coming in the second. Kaylee Fernandes added seven and Ava Bonney scored six points in the frame. Callahan hit two more threes but Attleboro went into the break down 44-37. Franklin took over in the third. Bonney hit a couple threes and scored seven points and Sophia Sacramone added five, while the Panthers held Attleboro to just six points. The Bombardiers flipped it in the fourth, holding Franklin to just six, and getting six points from Williamson but the Panthers comfortably held on for the win. Bonney led Franklin with 16 points, Rodrigues finished with a dozen, and Fernandes added 11. Williamson was the game’s top scorer with 19 and Callahan scored 12 points.

Gymnastics = Hockomock Championships, 
Franklin finished 8th

Below are the results from the 2026 Hockomock League Gymnastics championship meet held at Starland Sportsplex in Hanover.

Team Results
1. Mansfield – 142.40
2. Attleboro – 140.85
3. Oliver Ames – 136.25
4. Foxboro – 133.65
5. King Philip
6. Taunton
7. North Attleboro
8. Franklin
9. Canton

All-Around Events
All-Around
1. Paige Austin, Mansfield – 38.0
T5. Alivia Hess, Franklin – 35.25
T5. Sophia Hall, Taunton – 35.25

All-Around Beam
1. Paige Austin, Mansfield – 9.50
2. Alivia Hess, Franklin – 9.40

All-Around Bars
1. Paige Austin, Mansfield – 9.75
2. Alivia Hess, Franklin – 8.90

Complete results for the gymnastics championship



For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  
FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com
FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Franklin High School Welcomes Eighth Grade Students for Panther Pride Night

Franklin High School welcomed incoming eighth graders and their families during a recent Panther Pride Night, giving students an early look at academics, activities and student life ahead of their transition to high school this fall.

Current eighth graders and their families visited the high school to learn about course offerings, extracurricular activities and life at FHS. Middle school students toured the school and spoke with current FHS students, coaches and faculty about their future at the school.

Franklin High School Welcomes Eighth Grade Students for Panther Pride Night
Franklin High School Welcomes Eighth Grade Students for Panther Pride Night

Families listened to an academic scheduling presentation in the auditorium, where department leaders and the administrative team explained what to expect for course schedules.

More than 35 clubs were represented at a club and activities fair in the cafeteria, where middle school students spoke with FHS students and club advisors about the many extracurricular options available. Students also had the opportunity to meet with athletes and coaches from more than 30 athletic teams.

The evening allowed eighth grade students to learn more about the support and offerings available to them at the high school. They began to familiarize themselves with the building as well as some of the people within it as they toured the school and heard from current students.

"We were thrilled to welcome the Class of 2030 into the high school for Panther Pride Night," Principal Maria Weber said. "With the leadership of our Director of Guidance Heather McVay, students and families were able to get clear, helpful information about academics and the scheduling process at Franklin High School. We thank our middle school families for attending, and we look forward to welcoming them back in the fall."

"Panther Pride Night was a demonstration of the community we strive to foster within Franklin Public Schools," Superintendent Lucas Giguere said. "Providing the eighth grade class with an opportunity to speak with current Franklin High School students helps to alleviate some of the questions and concerns middle school students might have. Thank you to all of the high school students, faculty, staff and coaches for volunteering their time. Their willingness to share their experiences and meet the eighth grade class truly made the evening a success."



Franklin School Committee Newsletter Feb 6, 2026

School Committee Newsletter Feb 6, 2026
Franklin School Committee Newsletter Feb 6, 2026
The February School Committee Newsletter is available now. 

Check out what the School Committee covered in the first 3 meetings of the year.

Read the entire newsletter:  https://aptg.co/MKSgXK
 


Free Community Concert at Franklin UMC - Feb 7 features Michael Rivelis

TONIGHT! Free Community Concert at Franklin UMC 🎶

Join us at 7:00 PM for an evening of live music with Michael Rivelis — a local favorite known for his Folk Rock and Classic Rock covers from the ’60s–’90s, including songs by Bob Dylan, John Prine, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, and more.

Bring a friend, enjoy great music, and stay for refreshments and community afterward!

📍 Franklin UMC (United Methodist Church)
82 W. Central Street, Franklin, MA

Parking available in the lot next to the church, around the Franklin Historical Museum, and on nearby streets.

Free. Family-friendly. All are welcome.
Let’s fill the space with music and community tonight! 




BFCCPS Information Session on Saturday, Feb 7 now virtual due to weather

Due to weather predictions for tomorrow, Saturday February 7th please note that the previously planned Information Session is moving to a virtual format.  

BFCCPS Information Session on Saturday, Feb 7 now virtual due to weather
BFCCPS Information Session on
Saturday, Feb 7 now virtual due to weather
**There is no in-person event at our school campus tomorrow.**

We apologize for any inconvenience, but wanted to communicate this change in plans as soon as possible for the safety of our student tour guides and you all of our prospective community members.

Families who have RSVP'd and families who have applied for enrollment have received meeting details via email.


Joe Landry: Industry in Franklin (video)

Joe Landry presented on Industry in Franklin at the Franklin Senior Center. Franklin TV video is available - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfEsSvTOq3A



Note: Joe Landry will be recording at the Franklin TV Studio a new program on Feb 18 at noontime. If you'd like to be in the studio audience, it is easy to be there.