Read WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" and Help Schools

R E A D  T H E  B O O K, H E L P  A  C L A S S R O O M Read Waiting for "Superman": How We Can Save America's Failing Public Schools -- the companion book to the acclaimed documentary Each book includes a $15 gift card from DonorsChoose.org to use to help a classroom in need The American public school system is in crisis, failing millions of students, producing as many drop-outs as graduates, and threatening our economic future. Educators, parents, political leaders, business people, and concerned citizens are determined to save our educational system. Waiting for "Superman": How We Can Save America's Failing Public Schools offers powerful insights from some of those at the leading edge of educational innovation, including: Bill and Melinda Gates, whose foundation's groundbreaking work reshapes how schools select, train, support, and reward teachers Geoffrey Canada, leader of the Harlem Children's Zone, which is demonstrating that kids from even the most challenging backgrounds can learn Michelle Rhee, the remarkable chancellor of the Washington, D.C. public schools, who is challenging tradition as she brings reform to a troubled system Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, who is working to make her union a major force for change on behalf of students Bill Strickland, founder of the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, who explains how an effective school can bring hope to an entire depressed neighborhood Eric Schwarz, creator of the Citizen Schools movement, who discusses the vital role ordinary people are playing in transforming America's schools Jay Mathews, the nation's leading education reporter, who recounts the lessons he's learned about how excellent schools are really built Eric Hanushek, renowned educational researcher, who has documented the impact that great teachers have on kids' achievements Davis Guggenheim and Lesley Chilcott, filmmakers who describe the emotional impact of following the children's stories in their film Waiting for "Superman" is an inspiring call to action and includes special chapters that provide resources, ideas, and hands-on suggestions for improving the schools in your own community as well as throughout the nation. For parents, teachers, and concerned citizens alike, Waiting for "Superman" is an essential guide to the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing America's schools. Available in paperback or as an e-book   You are receiving this email from Participant Media. You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails. Participant Media, is a company that seeks to entertain audiences first, then to invite them to participate in making a difference. Participant's films include THE COVE, THE SOLOIST, FOOD, INC., AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, and more. TakePart.com is the official  online hub for Participant Media's Social Action campaign. Participant Media Privacy Policy Participant Media Terms and Conditions

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In the News - Pirelli Scholarship

Third annual Comedy Night benefit

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

The SSG Robert Ryan Pirelli Scholarship Committee presents the third annual Comedy Night on Saturday, Oct. 16.


Franklin, MA

Big Lots - jobs in Franklin

According to an email from the Milford Career Center, the Big Lots store in Franklin is hiring. There weren't positions on the corporate website but the information said to go to the store, fill out an application and be prepared for an interview.

Franklin, MA: Sparky's Puppets

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Sparky's Puppets

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 10/4/10

Saturday, October 30,2010  Sparky's Puppets presents "A Halloween Harvest" at 1 pm.  This show is suitable for ages 3 and up.  No registration is required and is funded by the Friends of the Franklin Public Library.

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Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 10/05/10

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS -Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License, British Beer Company

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS – DelCarte Dam Feasibility Study

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-48: Appropriation – DelCarte Open Space Design and Permitting of Repairs to Dam
2. Resolution 10-60: Acceptance of Deed with Conservation Restriction for Open Space Parcels Located in Franklin for the Preserve At Oak Hill
3. Resolution 10-61: Renewal of the Comcast Cable Television License
4. Bylaw Amendment 10-649: Amendment to Sewer System Map, Coutu Street- 2nd Reading
5. Bylaw Amendment 10-650: Chapter 168, Vacant Properties: Registration and Maintenance -1st Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN


Franklin, MA

Comedy Night - Nov 12

Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC)

2010 Evening of Comedy Fundraiser!

Date: Friday November 12, 2010

Time: Doors at 6:30, show at 8

Location: Milford Doubletree Hotel Ballroom, 11 Beaver St. Milford, MA 01757

Ticket cost: $30 in advance/ $35 at door (includes show and appetizer buffet)

We are happy to announce our 3rd annual Comedy Night

Featuring:
Door prizes throughout the evening
AMAZING silent auction
Our infamous balloon raffle
And, of course, TONS OF LAUGHS


TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
Email Sarah Montani, SEPAC fundraising committee chair, at sarahmontani37@gmail.com.


Franklin, MA

Native Plants of Franklin

Greetings Franklin! It has been two weeks since I posted the last mystery plant - sorry for that unexpected delay. The hint for this week's plant is "the fruit is a lot more interesting than the flowers." And here is the flower:



I cheated here: I had to aim the camera up into the flower to get a good picture. The flowers are a pretty yellow on the inside, and they bloom from summer all the way through until the fall, but they hang downward like bells, so they aren't particularly showy.

The plant itself is a foot or two high, a bit fuzzy, perennial, and , if you know your veggie garden plants at all, you might think it looks like a tomato or potato plant. That's because it's a relative. This is called ground cherry, or more specifically, "clammy ground cherry", or Physalis heterophylla. And just like its more well-known veggie cousins, this plant has edible parts.





Ground cherry is perhaps most closely related to the tomatillo. Just like the tomatillo, it produces edible fruit in a papery husk. This is what the husks look like when they are developing.




And these are the husks when the fruit is ready to harvest. Which, by the way, is right now, so get out there and look in the weeds for this plant. If you find some, you may get a tasty treat.



The fruit itself is a marble-sized berry that is yellow or orangy when ripe, and tastes like a combination of a tomato and pineapple.

One word of caution: like the tomato, tomatillo, and potato, this plant is in the nightshade family of plants. Nightshade plants are all typically poisonous to some degree, which is why we don't eat tomato leaves or green potatoes. To be safe, don't eat any portion of the ground cherry plant except for the ripe berries.

But don't let this put you off from sampling these delicious native fruits! Ground cherries used to be more common as backyard vegetable garden plants, but seem to have been forgotten in recent years. I hear they make good pies, but I wouldn't know, because I ate all of my berries before I had a chance to cook them.

Here is next week's mystery plant. It's a tree actually.



Here's a hint: this tree is nearly extinct. I'll tell you all about the effort to restore the tree in next week's post, along with where you can go to see it growing in and around Franklin.


Michelle Clay writes about gardening here in Franklin at the Clueless Gardeners Blog.

Franklin, MA