MassLive: "Federal judge rules in favor of Ludlow schools in lawsuit over treatment of transgender students"

“Since July 1, 2012, Massachusetts law has provided that ‘no person shall be excluded from or discriminated against . . . in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of [a] public school on account of . . . gender identity,’” his ruling quoted.

His order also noted that while parents have the option to send their children to public schools, they do not have constitutional rights to dictate how those schools educate children. An attorney for the school system, David S. Lawless, applauded the judge’s decision in an area of law that continues to be challenged across the country.

“Given the novelty in particular, he addressed both the legal issues in the complaint that was in front (of him) and that it’s an evolving area of the law,” Lawless said Thursday after the ruling came down. “School districts are put in a very difficult position; this is one more guidepost for them along the way.”

Continue reading the article online at MASSLive

https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/12/federal-judge-rules-in-favor-of-ludlow-schools-in-lawsuit-over-treatment-of-transgender-students.html

Found via Twitter -> https://twitter.com/TracyNovick/status/1603720917921800195

U.S. District Court, Springfield, Mass

Franklin's Event Outlook: Dec 16, 2022 to Dec 22, 2022

Still the season for concerts, winter farmers market, paint night, and so much more ... 

Friday, December 16

9:00am - Breakfast with Santa (2 sittings) (Franklin Recreation Gym)

5:30pm - David Rak (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

6:00pm - The Fourtet (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:00pm - Holiday Paint Night (sold out) (67 Degrees Brewery)

Saturday, December 17

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

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

3:00pm - Holiday Concert from NoteAble Blend (Franklin Public Library)

5:30pm - Wildcat O'Halloran (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - 'Tis the Season! (ticketed event) (Franklin High School)

Sunday, December 18

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm - 'Tis the Season! (ticketed event) (Franklin High School)

Monday, December 19

6:00pm - The String School of Franklin Concert (grades 3-12) (Horace Mann Middle School)

Tuesday, December 20

6:00pm  - The Band School of Franklin Concert (grades 4-9) (Horace Mann Middle School)

Wednesday, December 21

6:00pm - Community Conversations - (I wish you knew...) (Franklin Public Library)

Thursday, December 22

4:30pm - Joey D's Wingz N Thingz (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)

5:00pm - Mug Painting (reservations req'd) (67 Degrees Brewery)

6:00pm - The Chorus School of Franklin (grades 3-5) (Horace Mann Middle School)

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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Community Calendar

Economic Development Plus Cmte Mtg hears the ins and outs of 40R (audio)

FM #899 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 899 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee & Steering Committee meeting held on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 in the Council Chambers with all 7 members participating in person in the Council Chambers.

“Franklin For All” Steering Committee (or EDC Plus)

• Chair Melanie Hamblen, Glenn Jones, Cobi Frongillo, Pat Sheridan (Town Council)

• Greg Rondeau, Beth Wierling (Planning Board) 

• Bruce Hunchard (Zoning Board of Appeals)

Quick recap:

As best summarized by member (& ZBA Chair) Bruce Hunchard, basically you (the Town) is better off waiting for a developer to come forward and work together on a 40R than to create a 40R district or overlay zone. Or do like Shrewsbury did, solicit proposals for 40R and pick a developer to work with on a specific proposal. This effectively restates what Mark Bobrowski discussed during his presentation.

The recording of the meeting runs 58 minutes.   

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-899-economic-development-plus-cmte-mtg-12-14-22

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

The agenda doc includes remote connection info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/12-14-22_edc_agenda.pdf    

The presentation was made Mark Bobrowski.

a. Chapter 40R - Smart Growth Zoning & Housing Production

i. 40R Article  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nsr3AZscWA6m61C941Z7dHJBtzNjOVJ6/view?usp=share_link

ii. 40R PowerPoint  ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NmZArDb0LoUWh0aW5MTuIjliZNqGkrai/view?usp=share_link

Franklin TV YouTube video -> https://youtu.be/qEYNosLvD8U

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q0RnrllZfdOaiP1x43jR9Lm7ycq0rlSL/view?usp=share_link

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

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

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Economic Development Plus Cmte Mtg hears the ins and outs of 40R (audio)

Franklin Town Council closes out last meeting of 2022 with approval of an open space purchase to reach 200 acres in about 18 months (video)

The Franklin Town Council meet for the last time in the 2022 calendar year on Dec 14, 2022. The last agenda was a full one even after revising it to remote a couple of items for a future session.

After about 2 hours and 10 minutes, they entered Executive Session and returned after approx. 35 minutes to approve two more items and then close the meeting.

The Franklin TV video replay is available here -> https://youtu.be/qVbiUMlcbL8

The full agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/dec_14_tc_mtg_agenda-revised.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TT_f9Y9eVXExUtjlcCD2XKtSTjcwG582/view?usp=share_link

The meeting audio and my recap will be shared in a day or so.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda & Documents for Dec 14, 2022 7:00 PM

Pantherbook Podcast: 2022 Winter Sports Preview - FHS Girls Hockey (video)

"On episode four of Pantherbook’s 2022-23 Winter Sports Season Preview, host Ryan Martin sits down with the five captains this season for Franklin Varsity Girls Hockey, Lindsay Atkinson, Avery Greco, Shaw Downing, Molly Hurley, and Dana Stott to preview their season and understand the team’s feeling in playing under first-year head coach Mike Lubin. 

Check it out NOW:   https://youtu.be/279pT44_djM"

Shared from Pantherbook -> https://franklinpanthers.us/sports/2022/12/15/2022-winter-sports-preview-fhs-girls-hockey/ 

Pantherbook Podcast: 2022 Winter Sports Preview - FHS Girls Hockey (video)

Pantherbook Podcast: preview of Girls Basketball (video)

Via Ryan Martin: 

"Great to be able to sit down with

@BridgetLeo2

and

@_kpeterson_

prior to the senior captains/Franklin’s opening night win against Oliver Ames! The direct link to our preview: https://youtu.be/zvTmHfr54M4"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/RyanMartinPxP/status/1603431224604868610

Pantherbook Podcast: preview of Girls Basketball (video)

St John's forms New Support Group for Parents

A new Support Group for Parents of Children struggling with Mental Health, Autism, ADHD, or other challenges is forming at St John's

Love Parenting is a 6-week series created by Collette Potts, who also created the Love First children's curriculum that St John's uses.

Rev Kathy will moderate this group on Thursdays, Jan 12 - Feb 16, 2023. Contact her if you are interested.  https://lovefirstresources.com/loving-parenting/
 
For more information:
Call 508-528-2387 Email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Like us on Facebook  and Twitter
See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org  

St John's Episcopal Church

Franklin Wrestling tops Scituate 53-22 on Wednesday

Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) tweeted on Thu, Dec 15, 2022:

Good home opener yesterday taking a W over Scituate high, pins from Sauer, Carlucci, Scott, Rosenberg, Large #scituatek 
MVP goes to James Scott

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1603471739077464074

Overall results of match FHS 53 - Scituate 22, additional details are not available   https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams/Schedule/7706129

FHS Panthers

Panther News: Friday, December 16, 2022 (video)

Panther TV (@fhspanthertv) tweeted  Thu, Dec 15, 2022:

Panther News: Friday, December 16, 2022 https://t.co/5nB9DqwGCI via @YouTube @FranklinPSNews @FranklinHS @FHSPantherbook

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1603450647394893848

Video link -> https://youtu.be/K0dR6d0G3sc

Milford Daily News: "In Franklin, decades of rapid growth haven't changed community's downtown feel"

"When Rick Herrick was growing up, he could walk down Main Street and know most people by name, and the rest by sight.

“That’s not the case anymore, but, that being said, there’s still a great sense of community, which I think is kind of unique," said Herrick, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Commonwealth Real Estate. "People that come to Franklin, it seems like they set roots there and they don’t want to leave.”

Herrick has seen it firsthand — he’s been selling real estate for more than 30 years. He’s worked with people who grew up in, and wanted to buy a home in Franklin, and then another home as their family grew and a third when they want to downsize."

Continue reading the article at Milford Daily News (subscription required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/news/local/2022/12/15/franklin-ma-residents-say-rapid-growth-hasnt-changed-sense-of-community/69681584007/

 

Milford Daily News: "In Franklin, decades of rapid growth haven't changed community's downtown feel"

Franklin School Committee - Contractual Negotiations - Executive Session scheduled for Jan 9, 2023

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

Contractual Negotiations

January 9, 2023

• Van Drivers - 11:30 - 1 PM
• Cafeteria - 3-4 PM
• ESP/LPN - 4-5 PM
• Secretaries - 5-6 PM

Municipal Building 3rd Floor Training Room

A G E N D A

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Call to Order

2. Executive Session

a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the Van Drivers, Cafeteria, ESP/LPN and Secretaries units as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

b. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(2) to conduct collective bargaining sessions with the Van Drivers, Cafeteria, ESP/LPN and Secretaries units.

Shared from   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/negotiationa_agenda_-_1-9-23.pdf 

Franklin School Committee - Contractual Negotiations - Executive Session scheduled for Jan 9, 2023

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Dec 16, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:30 am New England Irish Harp Orchestra 12-10-17

9:00 am Frank Presents: Jim Derick

11:00 am Senior Connection: Council on Aging

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Banana Bread

12:30 pm Sandhya: Cupcakes

1:00 pm Santa On The Common 2022

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 8

3:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History: Pt. 3

4:00 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies

5:00 pm Franklin Interfaith Thanksgiving 2022

7:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Safety on the Roads

8:30 pm ArtWeek: Airmen of Note

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 1 12-11-18

8:30 am It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club

9:30 am Metrowest Arts & Culture Symposium

11:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Canton 02-22-22

1:30 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18

3:00 pm FHS PCC: Vaping Forum

5:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History: Pt. 3

5:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v St. John's Prep 02-16-22

8:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Durfee 03-04-22

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 12-01-22

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 12-01-22

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)

FPAC Holiday Productions schedules performances of 'Tis the Season! Dec 17 & 18

The holidays are jolly and bright as ’Tis the Season! returns to entertain audiences with great merriment, fanfare, and fun! 

An original large cast musical first presented by FPAC Holiday Productions in 1995, ’Tis is an upbeat, jazzy extravaganza featuring members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band, with contemporary arrangements of favorite holiday classics in musical styles ranging from R&B, gospel, and Motown to Rock, Pop, and Broadway. 

FPAC Holiday Productions are presented at the Franklin High School Auditorium.

Tickets can be purchased online -> https://www.fpaconline.com/events.php?id=1599

FPAC Holiday Productions schedules performances of 'Tis the Season! Dec 17 & 18

School Committee hears update from Lifelong Community Learning (audio)

FM #898 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 898 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Dec 13, 2022. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers with four members present (enough for a quorum). The other three members were participating in the Annie Sullivan Middle School Concert. 

School Committee member David McNeill opens the meeting at 7:00 PM. 

Key item on the agenda

Lifelong Community learning presentation

The show notes contain a link to the full agenda and to my notes & photos captured via Twitter during the meeting. 

The recording runs about forty six minutes, so let’s listen to the Franklin School Committee on Dec 13, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-898-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-12-13-22

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

School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

The agenda for this meeting can be found

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_12-13-22.pdf 

 

The Packet folder contains the documents released for this meeting.

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/december-13-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet 

 

My notes captured via Twitter and compiled into one PDF doc ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XQ4j36dNRTg-CXaFwbmnL4lmvLeA9cx0/view?usp=share_link 

 

YouTube video link for this meeting ->  https://youtu.be/6aX2tIRPLEE 

Photos from the meeting (mostly screen shots of the presentation not yet posted to the packet folder)  https://photos.app.goo.gl/cYXTYd91pnScy869A 

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

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

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!

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

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 hears update from Lifelong Community Learning