Franklin Matters

Monday, March 4, 2013

Franklin Road Races in May

For the runners and walkers in Franklin, there are a bunch of 5K events coming up.

May 11
The Elks will hold their first event in what is expected to be an annual series. This event will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and the Wounded Warrior Project. For additional information and to register visit the website http://www.franklinelks5k.com/index.html

May 11
The 3rd Annual 5K for the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will be held to raise money for the further development of the trail. http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/3rd-annual-road-race

May 19
The 12th Annual Independence Day 5K and Walk, Roll, Stroll will benefit the Horace Mann Education Association. More info and to register visit their webpage http://www.hmea.org/events.html

If you hear of other events in May, please let me know so I can add them to the calendar

"unpredictable twists and turns"

From the Milford Daily News we read about Michael Tougias and his latest book:

Tougias has just published his 20th book, "A Storm Too Soon,’’ a gripping account of three men who barely knew each other trapped in a flimsy raft amid 70-foot waves in a 2007 tropical storm in the Gulf Stream.

"It’s funny how fate works. I was a business major in college. I didn’t write a word until I was 30,’’ Tougias said recently. "But I’ve always been interested in anything to do with the sea.’’

Subtitled "A True Story of Disaster, Survival And An Incredible Rescue,’’ his new book chronicles the struggles of Captain JP de Lutz and his two crewmen after their 47-foot sailboat capsized in raging seas.

"expects the town to embrace Today's Special"

The idea is alive and work remains to be be done according to this article in the Milford Daily News:

In fact, Carlucci has already picked a name: Today’s Special. The restaurant, she hopes, will provide crucial job opportunities for young adults with special needs amid an engaging, vital social environment.

"It’s important for a lot of reasons," she said. "I feel like young adults with special needs really live a separate life from other young people, and I would really like to blur the lines between them."

She added, "Once they leave school … the opportunities really go away — social opportunities and employment opportunities. We are looking to give them a place to go and work. Not everybody is going to want that social type of job, but some do..."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x898141789/Restaurant-to-give-youths-with-disabilities-chance-to-succeed#ixzz2MZ6KZd6g

The Horace Mann Educational Association holds their major fund raiser in May. The 12th Annual Independence Day 5K Run and the Independence Day Walk, Roll and stroll are scheduled for May 19th. For more information on this event please visit http://www.hmea.org/events.html

FHS Winter Carnival

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

FHS Students Hosting Winter Carnival For All Children

Sunday March 10
12 to 4 pm
FHS field house

Cotton candy, popcorn, games,"Bouncy House"

Proceeds will go to the Sandy Hook School support fund

$5 admission - includes all games etc.
ages 3 and under free

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 6, 2013

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 6, 2013

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Chief of Police, Stephan Semerjian
2. Financing the New High School

H. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

I. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-08: Swahn Lane, A Private Way Acceptance of Covenant with Owner
2. Resolution 13-09: Transfer of Tax Title Possession Parcels to Different Municipal Purposes
3. Resolution 13-10: Town of Franklin Net Metering Power Purchase Agreement Authorization
4. Resolution 13-11:Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations
5. Bylaw Amendment 13-700: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading

J. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

K. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

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

P. ADJOURN

Note the full set of documents as published for this meeting can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/030613.pdf

Keller Sullivan School Tour - Mar 7, 6:00 PM

The next stop on the tour of the school facilities here is Franklin is the Keller Sullivan complex on Lincoln St.

Join the principals, members of the School Committee and Central Office on the tour. This is a good opportunity to see inside the building, visit classrooms, and have questions answered along the way.

The Helen Keller Elementary School entrance

The Keller school webpage can be found here http://kellerelementary.vt-s.net/Pages/index

The Annie Sullivan Middle School entrance

The Sullivan school webpage can be found here http://sullivanmiddle.vt-s.net/Pages/index

Respond to the event invite on Facebook here
http://www.facebook.com/events/468882659832077/

"as challenging as it is rewarding"

Joyce Edwards, Director of Instructional Services for the Franklin Public Schools, is quoted in the Milford Daily News article on the new PARCC test that will replace the MCAS test.

What is PARCC? PARCC is Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.

What is the difference between the MCAS and PARCC?

The MCAS —influenced by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, whose creation followed the passing of the Education Reform Act of 1993 — has consistently tested for a collection of skills that educators expect students to learn during their elementary and secondary schooling.

However, PARCC’s goal has been to use benchmarks that will accurately predict students’ chances of excelling beyond high school, should they choose to attend a four-year institution or dive into the workforce.

"The MCAS was not developed to look ahead and signal whether or not students are ready for success after high school," said Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester. "This assessment is very deliberately asking that question . . ."

While the current MCAS science test will remain, the other subject areas will move to the new PARCC test.

Bolduc added, "They are taking the MCAS and putting it on steroids."

With two versions of the test given in one school year — though districts will have the option to administer up to four versions in a year — teachers will get initial feedback from a late year test before the comprehensive final exam, providing them with, as Edwards put it, "just in time intervention."

To prepare for PARCC testing, districts have to make sure they have the infrastructure to administer the test (for those that do not, the state will offer a pencil and pen version) and continue fusing their curriculum with the Common Core.

When you read "the infrastructure required" what they really mean to say is the computer systems the student will used to take the test.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x898141577/New-tests-for-Massachusetts-students-on-the-horizon#ixzz2MTYqd24v

For more information on the collaboration of the 24 states visit http://www.achieve.org/parcc/

For information from the MA Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/parcc/