Franklin's F.X. O'Regan Early Childhood Education Center Celebrates Read Across America Week

F.X. O’Regan Early Childhood Education Center is pleased to share that students recently celebrated Read Across America Week with a visit from guest readers.

On March 6, special guests from across Franklin Public Schools and the community visited the Pond Street and Oak Street Early Childhood Education Center locations to continue the annual tradition of reading to Franklin’s youngest learners during Read Across America Week. This yearly event is a memorable experience for students that fosters a love of reading through shared stories across the Franklin community.

Students gathered on classroom rugs as educators, administrators and community members read their favorite children’s books. Students met different members of the Franklin Public Schools community and connected over stories. Read alongs and conversations about favorite books reinforced the importance of early literacy in an engaging and exciting way.

The list of guest readers included the following school and community role models: 

• Craig Williams, Franklin Middle School (FMS) Principal
• Paula Marano, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
• Evan Chelman, Washington St. 3-5 Elementary School Principal
• Matt LaFleur, Franklin Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic
• Beckie Motte, FMS Associate Principal
• Keri Busavage, Lincoln St. K-2 Elementary Principal
• Eric Stark, PreK-12 STEM Coordinator
• Tina Rogers, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
• Lizzie Morrison, PreK-12 Humanities Coordinator
• Lucas Giguere, Franklin Public Schools Superintendent
• Becky Lavergne, Administrative Assistant
• Caleigh Keating, Franklin Public Library
• Officer Amanda Ayer, Franklin Police Department

Read Across America Week, held March 2 through 6 this year, is an annual nationwide celebration organized by the National Education Association that celebrates literacy and encourages children to develop a lifelong love of reading. 

Franklin community members, including a four-legged friend,
shared their love of reading with the EarlyChildhood
Education Center. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

“Read Across America Week offers a special opportunity for the Franklin Public Schools community to come together and connect over a love of books,” said Superintendent Lucas Giguere. “Thank you to all of the guest readers who visited the Early Childhood Education Center. This tradition is a fun day for both the students and adults who participate, and it is always wonderful to see the excitement it brings to our schools.”

Shared from - https://www.franklinps.net/live-feed#11766457

Franklin TV: Trigger Day

Return of the Re-Diet

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/22/2026

Spring happened – oh-fishlyon Friday 3/10 at 10:46 AM EDT. The start of Spring is a useful trigger day – a day that tells you to change the HVAC filters. Same in fall. It’s also a good time to check oil, change batteries in some devices, etc.

The first day of Spring is also a good trigger to honestly assess where my weight is. How much of that past lost weight has found its way back to me. Pernicious. It’s well timed, given the end of Winter and ‘The Eating Season’ – with all those holidays and gatherings through those chilly months.

Welp – that honest assessment is in. ( Ugh!) Time once again to buckle down on weight loss. (Sigh!) That said, the means and methods of engagement for successful dieting that I’ve cobbled over time are simple. I take it one step at a time.

And so it begins…

On Friday I launched my tried and true ‘on ramp’ – make it through Just One Day.

I start my slow weight loss march in March by dieting for just that first Spring day. This is about restarting some good (yet recently neglected) dietary habits.

My Re-Diet effort is now in play. Time to get serious – for Just – One – Day.

With Friday in the rear view – as I write this on Saturday I will not go food-crazy. It’s about combining reasonable pacing between those dedicated diet Days.

I must now atone for my small (but many) gustatorial excesses. Therein lies another key concept. What we eat on any given day may appear reasonable enough, but a paltry 100 – or even 50 – additional calories over many days – more days than not – is how that weight gain gradually yet inexorably creeps in.

So, beyond Saturday, there will be other Just – One – Day; events – diet Days that will gradually yet inexorably get me to back to my goal weight. Patience is key.

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 

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) guide ->  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

April 2026 Franklin Library News & Events (part 1 of 3)

Library Hours

The library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm. The Library will be closed Monday, April 20 for Patriots’ Day.

Library Survey

We want to hear from you! Franklin Public Library is looking ahead and planning for the future, and your input will help shape how the library looks, feels, and serves the community in the years to come. This 5 question survey helps us understand what’s working well, what could be improved, and what matters most to you. Thank you for your input!

2026 Reading Challenge

April: A Short Story or Essay Collection

Looking for a way to expand your reading habits this year? Join the Massachusetts Center for the Book 2026 Reading Challenge for adults and the library will reward your reading with a coupon for a free book from our book sale! Check out the details on our Reading Challenges page.

VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Saturdays, 10am - 4pm; Last day April 11

It's tax season and volunteers at Franklin Public Library are here to help! If you made $67k or less as a household in 2025, have a disability, or limited English, our volunteers are prepared to work with you to file your federal and state taxes for free. Be sure to bring all of your tax documents (such as W-2, 1099s, 1099HC, etc.), valid government issued photo ID, and social security cards (photocopies and previous returns accepted). Learn more about the VITA program and what documents you need at www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers or email site coordinator Mitzi Gousie at mgousie@minlib.net.  

ESOL Tutoring Program

The library is looking for more volunteer tutors for our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. If you want to make a difference right in your own community, this is a great opportunity! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly.  No prior teaching experience needed and volunteers and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the volunteer form.

Homebound Delivery Program

Can’t make it to the library? Let us bring the library to your door! Franklin Public Library is excited to begin offering Home Delivery Service for Franklin residents who are unable to visit the library due to aging-related limitations, illness, disability, or temporary mobility limitations. Items will be delivered to and picked up from a homebound patron’s home by staff members approximately every three weeks. For eligibility requirements, registration, and more information, please visit the library website.

Museum Passes

Now is a great time to reserve passes to the area’s most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.

Franklin Library Book Sale

• Friday, April 17: 1 - 5pm
• Saturday, April 18: 9am - 12pm
• All books are just one dollar!
• Bag Sale - $5 Per Bag
• Saturday, April 18: 1 - 4pm

Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Shared from - https://www.franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/109

Look for leaky trouble

Take five minutes to track down leaks around your home.

Look for drips and puddles under sinks and tub spouts indoors and hose bibbs outdoors—all indicate a leak that might just need tightening at the pipe joint.

#FixALeak #fixaleakweek2026

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GBX5DvAFq/

For additional leak fixes - https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week

The Ice Cream Window is back at Kings Brick Oven Pizza on King St

ICE CREAM WINDOW IS BACK 

The Ice Cream Window back at Kings Brick Oven Pizza

We’re officially scooping again 

What flavor are you picking first 

Vanilla, Oreo, Strawberry, Chocolate, S’mores, Coffee Caramel Brownie, Pistachio?

Comment your flavor — we might pick a winner for a FREE cone 

Bar is open inside too!

370 King St, Franklin MA

508-346-3305                    kingsbreakovenpizza.com

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cegk3z5EV/

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, March 22, 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

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, March 21, 2026 ???

Saturday, March 21

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

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

10:00am    Volunteer Income Tax Preparation with VITA (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am 2026 Franklin Polar Plunge (Beaver Pond)

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

10:00am Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

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

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

7:00pm The Shams (live music) (Franklin United Methodist Church)

7:30pm Into the Woods (THE BLACK BOX)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

8:00pm Ken Barney (live music) (Finnegans Wake)

 

*** NO  Town Meetings today   ***

----------

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

April's Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum

Join us at Franklin Historical Museum for the Ladybug Spring Trail Walk and more and more this April!

Check out new and upcoming events at www.franklinmuseum1778.org.

See the latest on our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Franklin-Historical-Museum/61577107304816/#

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DWFChI6D5aK/

Franklin, MA: Agenda for School Committee meeting scheduled Tuesday, Mar 24 at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee 

March 24, 2026 = 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers 

Call to Order Dr. Griffith

Announcements from the Chair

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

 

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan

C. Payroll Dr. Griffith

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Lifelong Learning Presentation

III. Discussion/Action Items

A.   Student Opportunities Act Plan Vote

I recommend approval of the Student Opportunities Act Plan as discussed.

B. Endorsement of Request for Statement of Interest for Development of Strategic Plan

I recommend the endorsement of the Request for Statement of Interest for Development of Strategic Plan for the Town Council and School Committee Statement of Interest for the Development of Strategic Plan as approved by the Town Council on March 18, 2026.

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. none

V. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from your March 10, 2026 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B. Washington St. K-2 Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $1800.00 from the Washington St. K-2 PCC for field trips as detailed.

C. FHS Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $300.00 from George’s Pizza for in-house enrichment as detailed.

D. FHS Donation

I recommend the acceptance of 3 standing desks from David Gipson for in-house enrichment at FHS as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Adjournment

The agenda doc also has the remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03242026-2201

School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee meeting audio for March 16, 2026 session (audio)

FM #1691 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1691 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee meeting held on Monday, March 16, 2026. 

The meeting agenda had placed the session in the 3rd floor conf room so I was there. Subcommittee Chair Al Charles, member Nadia Mausolf and Operations Director Colin Boisvert were remote. Member Stephen Karunakaran was caught in another meeting and didn’t make it. Future meetings are intended to be virtual unless otherwise noted. 

The agenda topics:

● Website Usage Metrics

● Quarterly Community Engagement Update

● Senior Center Visit / Monthly Q&A Session

● Strawberry Stroll Planning

● Newsletter Planning

The recording runs about 44 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Relations Subcommittee meeting of March 16, 2026.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1691-schcmte-community-relations-subcmte-mtg-03-16-26/

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

School Committee Subcommittee assignments

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

Subcommittee agenda

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03162026-2181 

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

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 www.franklin.news or  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"

Franklin School Committee - Budget Subcommittee Meeting - March 24 at 6 PM

Franklin Public Schools Franklin School Committee

Budget Subcommittee Meeting 

March 24, 2026 = 6:00 PM

Municipal Building - 3rd Floor Training Room

● FY27 Budget check-in, questions, and next steps

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info -

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03242026-2200

Earth Day 2026 at Fairmount Fruit Farm on April 18 for Franklin, MA

Join the Franklin Conservation Commission on April 18 to celebrate Earth Day! 

We will be tabling at the Franklin Agricultural Commission's Earth Day Celebration at Fairmount Fruit Farm where we will be giving away native shrubs and wildflowers from Native Plant Trust and building native solitary bee boxes. 

Around midday our celebration will commence with a forestry demonstration by William Ashton at the Riverbend Conservation Area.

Hope to see you there!

Family Science Night - Thursday, April 9

via Grace Apicella

"Hi everyone! I’m a student at Franklin High and Vice President of our Science National Honor Society!

I wanted to give a quick promotion to SciNHS’s upcoming annual Family Science Night, which will take place Thursday, April 9th from 5:30-8:00PM at Franklin High School.

This event provides kids and families with the opportunity to learn about all fields of science and participate in many fun hands-on activities. The theme this year is biomes, with each classroom taking a different decor theme (beach, arctic, swamp, etc.).

All activities are created by students and will be executed with the help of faculty chaperones.

Our club works all year to create a fun and educational space for Franklin families and we would love to see you there!"

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

Beaver St. Interceptor Project: Construction Updates ~ Monday (3/23) Through Friday (3/27)

RT. 140 (West Central Street) Lane Closure Alert: 

Monday Night (3/23) through Thursday Morning (3/26), 7 PM to 5 AM and Friday (3/27) 7 AM to 3 PM.

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.

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 info, please visit the project page - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/557/Beaver-Street-Interceptor-BSI-Project

Wine Labels Seminar - April 16

Many people buy wines based on labels only. Do you?

This sit-down wine tasting/education will explain all the truths and lies on a wine label. Knowing this information will help you get more value for your money with shopping for wines. What is in this bottle? Is this organic?

After this event buying wine will never be the same!

This event is located at Franklin Liquors

Registration link -

https://registration.xendirect.com/tri-county/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=4587