In the News - forum, teenangels

Franklin forum tonight will focus on override

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin anti-bullying group to visit Washington, D.C.

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff



Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: the choice we have

There is a lot of good information in this presentation.

Of particular interest:

Slide 6 - which compares the student population and the number of teachers. This means class size will increase. This means children will get less direct and personal attention from the one person in the classroom that should be providing it. We have already seen a decline in some areas of the student population on the MCAS results. Those student populations are the early warning signs. We can either listen to the "canary in the mine" or ignore it and suffer the consequences.

Slide 9 - which shows the growth of the special education funding as a percent of the over all school budget. Bill Glynn raised this point in his essay on Friday.

Slides 10-15 - which cover aspects of the educational programs that have been cut over the years to make ends meet. This is how I got involved in reporting and sharing information here. My daughters were fortunate to graduate from FHS in 2004 and 2006. While there were changes in what was available to them during their time in the school system, the changes since then are more drastic. The education kids in the Franklin schools are getting today is NOT what my daughters got just a few years ago.

The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

• Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut). 

Or

• Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children.

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!

Override presentation

View more webinars from jeffroy.

Note: updated with audio to accompany the slides

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me. I'll make time to review what I know to help you.

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 5/25/10

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the Open and Executive Sessions of the May 11, 2010 School Committee Meeting and the Executive Session minutes of the April 27, 2010 School Committee meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:

1. Letter from Mrs. Bullers

2. Letter from Mrs. Jacoby

3. Letter from Mrs. Juszczyszyn

4. Letter from Mrs. LaRoche

5. Letter from Mrs. Lipson

6. Letter from Mrs. Masters

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Latin Exam Certificates
b. FHS Jr. Classical League State Latin Convention Certificates
c. Pawtucket Red Sox – Significantly Improved Students (FHS)
d. FY2011 Budget Hearing

3. Discussion Only Items
Second Reading – Policy JJFG Disposition of Student Activity Account
Budget to Actual / Transfers
MASC Regional Meeting / Proposed Reductions to full day Kindergarten Grant

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of Policy JJFG Disposition of Student Activity Account.
b. I recommend budget transfers as detailed.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the Kennedy PCC for a nurse for the field trip to Southwick Zoo on May 27, 2010.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the Kennedy PCC for buses for the field trip to Southwick Zoo on May 27, 2010.
e. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a set of basketball hoops from the Recreation Department.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $100.00 from Patricia M. Bishop (Class of 1960) for a FHS Scholarship.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1000.00 from James M. Betts for a FHS Scholarship.
h. I recommend acceptance of four checks ($2500.00) from the Guidrey Family for FHS Scholarships

1. Philip & Jennifer Guidrey $500.00

2. Alan Guidrey $500.00

3. Janet Guidrey $500.00

4. Nancy Lovely $1000.00

i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1250.00 from the FHS PCC for large screen projectors for Class Day and Graduation.
j. I recommend approval of the FHS trip for four students to compete in the National Jr. Classical League State Convention at the University of North Dakota from July 26, 2010 to August 1, 2010 as detailed.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from Let Us Never Forget for a FHS Scholarship in memory of Shane Cabino.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check for $543.98 from Lifetouch Pictures for ECDC in-house enrichment.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Backpack Bulletin
b. Principal’s Searches
c. National Honor Society

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn




Franklin, MA

"effects of a failed override can be especially devastating"

Roche said he remembered a time when he spoke with a resident who did not bother to vote because he did not realize what was at stake.

"The man told me he didn't realize what kind of services were going to be taken away, how much fees would increase for buses, how many employees would be axed," Roche said. "He told me that if he had known he would have voted."

About $1.8 million of the override request will go toward the school if approved.

"If it doesn't pass we'll lose seven to eight teachers at the elementary school level," he said. "We'll lose three police dispatchers at the town level.

"The chief of police said that at various times he might only have one dispatcher to rely on."

Towns look to overrides to fix budget shortfalls

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Evan Lips/Daily News staff


Franklin, MA

"The effort makes downtown a prettier place"

Franklin resident Mary Anne Dean is an enthusiastic gardener with the Franklin Garden Club. Dean said Beautification Day is a great event, and though this was her first time volunteering at it, she plans to come back again.

"It just makes downtown look nicer, people enjoy it," she said. "Flowers make people happy."

Dean said she keeps her own garden at home and though she has accidentally killed a few plants, she enjoys the hobby.

"I have a lot of perennials and Daylillies, those are hard to kill," she said with a laugh. "I have a few annuals, too."

Kevin Neenin, 16, of Franklin, volunteered yesterday as part of his community service for his Confirmation. Chad Narducci, 14, also helped as he is a part of a YMCA group looking to reach out into the community.

Making downtown Franklin beautiful

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Krista Perry/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Police activity 1999 - 2009

The activity numbers for the Franklin Police Dept are quite compelling. Growth in the Franklin population and commensurate growth in the activities over the last ten years all without an increase in a single officer!

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Get out and vote on June 8th. Take at least a couple of neighbors with you to Franklin High School when you do go.


Franklin, MA

Now Is the Time to Embrace Your Future

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Now Is the Time to Embrace Your Future

via Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health by Julia Hurley on 5/20/10

Posted by: Secretary of Elder Affairs Ann L. Hartstein

Many of us grew up with the conventional wisdom that we need to think about the future and are familiar with the Aesop's Fable about the ant and the grasshopper.  As the fable goes, the industrious ant spent the summer carefully storing provisions for winter, while the more carefree grasshopper ignored the bounty of the peak growing season, and chose to spend the summer idling instead.  When winter came, the ant was dining on corn he had stored, while the grasshopper paid the price for not thinking ahead.  Aesop got it right:  planning and saving early in life when you have the resources will give you better options later on.

If you are in your prime earning years, trying to save for your children's college education while meeting current household expenses may mean delaying long-range planning.  You may not even be thinking about long-range planning.  If so,  "Embrace Your Future," an, innovative long-term care initiative from the Patrick-Murray Administration encourages earlier planning for long-term care supports that may help in later life.  Massachusetts is one of 25 states promoting "Embrace Your Future," a national initiative dedicated to helping individuals 45 and over to plan for their futures. As part of this initiative, the Office of Elder Affairs has sent to 400,000 homes a free 44-page guide for consumers that offer long-term care planning information tailored specifically to Massachusetts residents.

Most of us, whether we are seniors or have parents and relatives who are seniors, know how stressful it is to try to provide the at-home assistance that may be required later in life.  Since 80 percent of all seniors live with one or more chronic disease and 70 percent require assistance and support, it's easy to see that individuals needing assistance often rely on help from others in order to stay in their homes, rather than move to a nursing or retirement facility.  Unfortunately, family members and friends aren't always available or able to provide that help.  And, for the most part, Medicare and Medicaid don't pay for these services until you have "spent down" your assets.  In fact, in the spirited national debate about health care reform, both proponents and opponents predicted shortfalls in both accounts as well as in Social Security. 

Both local and national media outlets report that in the current economic situation, savings accounts are dwindling, as are personal investments and pension funds.  Today's seniors are facing challenges that will be even more daunting for the rapidly growing ranks of aging baby boomers – people born between 1946 and 1964.  At the end of this decade, about a quarter of Massachusetts residents will be age 60 or over.

In addition to the "Embrace Your Future" guide, with Governor Patrick's support , the Office of Elder Affairs has been promoting "Embrace Your Future" throughout the Commonwealth on multiple platforms, including the cable access program, "Senior Scene"; at regional shopping malls; at commuter train stations and in conjunction with businesses and libraries.  We're committed to reaching as many people as possible to let them know about the guide, and to start planning now.

The "Embrace Your Future" guide includes planning strategies for long-term care health insurance and other options, as well as planning resources available to Massachusetts residents, and a planning checklist.  The guide explains what Medicare and Medicaid do and do not pay for—and community-based support systems that are available to seniors.  There is also information for people who are already seniors looking for assistance with long term care planning.

Visit www.longtermcare.gov/campaign/ma for more information on the "Embrace Your Future" campaign and tips on long-term planning.

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