MBTA: Update - Commuter Rail service for Sunday, Feb 22, and week of Feb 23 - 27

All Commuter Rail lines will operate on a Saturday schedule on Saturday, February 21 and on a Sunday schedule on Sunday, February 22.  Franklin Line:  The following trains will NOT operate 2/23/2015 through 2/27/2015. 702,703,790,706,710,733,732,793,734,709,716,715,737,736,719 Provided is a service reduction and recovery plan/schedule for significant weather events 2015.  Visit www.mbta.com/winter for more information. Last updated: Feb 22 2015 07:42 AM Sent by the MBTA.

A commuter train leaving Franklin Dean Station

Voices of Franklin: Michael Brady on the proposed Monument Policy

Trevor Clement,
Franklin School Committee

RE: Statement regarding Franklin Public School Policy on Monuments

Dear Mr. Clement,

I am writing in response to your recent statement regarding the Franklin Public School policy on memorials. I am a Franklin resident and the father of three children, the eldest of which will be entering the school system next year. My family is in the beginning stages of the long fulfilling journey as yours was and for similar reasons, we chose Franklin as our home. 

I have been following this debate through posts and articles on blogs like Franklin Matters and groups like Friends in Franklin. I have not participated in the debate to this point because it does seem to be quite a sensitive issue, as you stated, and I don’t have a child in the system at this time. However, it won’t be long before my children are enrolled and I am very concerned by your statement. (and even more so, the spirit in which it was written.) 

I would like to start by saying that I honestly do believe your views regarding the policy are genuine and heartfelt. I would also like to say your general point that “every life matters” is certainly something I agree with. Notwithstanding, your statement contained many comments that I found troubling coming from an influential decision maker on the School Committee. 

You state that “the scope and nature of the memorials should be the same for everyone” and “everyone should be given the same honor and recognition.” This is a very naive view and absolutely should not shape policy for an institution that is so vital to preparing our children for the challenges life will certainly bring. I agree that an individual’s recognition should not be based on their “means or influence”, but to say that everyone is the same is wrong. Should a Franklin Public School student who goes on to develop a clean and renewable energy source or product be honored and recognized the same as an FPS student who chooses a life of crime? Regardless of your personal opinion, the reality is, no. While it can be difficult for a child to deal with not getting the recognition he or she feels they deserve, it is devastating for a person to believe that, no matter their accomplishments, their greatness will never be recognized. A “same for everyone” vision should be strictly applied to an individual's rights. On the other hand, a "same for everyone" vision left unchecked has the potential to crush the human spirit. I do realize that a policy regarding a monument at a public school is not going keep men like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg from changing the world, but a systematic view that we are all the same, will. 

You wrote that “School is where we teach our children how we want the world to be.” I find this to be the most unsettling statement you made. School, particularly public school, is not meant to be an institution that promotes some individual’s view of “how the world should be.” There will never be universal agreement on world views, nor should there be. Every school policy should be rooted in preparing a child for the challenges of life and how to reach their fullest potential. Schools should prepare students to create, recognize and take the avenue of opportunity. A school that tells its students that they will all just simply get the same opportunity is not being true to its students nor is it fulfilling its obligation to the community to which it serves.
Personally, I do not agree with the current policy regarding memorials. Schools have always honored and continue to honor individuals for their scholastic achievement. Whether it's through academics, athletics, arts and music, or community involvement, schools have rightfully recognized these students as examples of what to strive for. A family who makes the most of an unbelievably tragic event by turning it into an inspiration to many people for years to come should be celebrated. To view a memorial as recognition of someone's "means and influence" is missing the point. The school system and community has failed the student who views a memorial in that manner. 

I respectfully ask you and the other Franklin School Committee members to reflect on your responsibility to the community. While this memorial policy may be insignificant in the grand scheme, the influence of your decision making is not. Please recognize and understand the purpose of your position. Review your vision and mission statement. Ask yourself if you are truly fostering students’ knowledge and cultivating each student's potential, or are you imposing your personal world view on an institution meant to promote unlimited opportunity?

Sincerely,
Michael Brady
Franklin Resident


From the Franklin School Committee home page:

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.



Trevor's statement can be found here (including other background links)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/let-us-say-with-our-actions-that-every.html

the proposed Kristin Graci Class of 2007 Memorial

Note: If you would like to add your viewpoint to "Voices of Franklin" the guidelines can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Reminder: report a pothole with your phone

This info was updated here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/02/pothole-weather-reminder-to-use-dpw.html

With the changing weather, this will be prime time for potholes. As announced previously, you can use your smart phone (and the built in GPS) to report a pothole. If you don't have a smart phone, you can also do so online.

You can get the app on your phone to make reports on the spot - just search for "Commonwealth Connect" (City of Boston) in your app store or click here to go to the iTunes Store or the Google Play Store.

report a pothole or street light problem with your phone

You can follow this link from the DPW page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/General_Pages/report_an_issue

or go directly to SeeClickFix.com and find the Franklin, MA page
http://seeclickfix.com/franklin_4

When you create your account you will get notified of the status of the problem reported. You can report anonymously but would miss out on the completion notification and other status updates.

Related posts:

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/yes-it-is-pothole-season.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/pothole-season.html

Franklin Library: Basic Wilderness Survival Skills - Feb 22 - 2:30 PM

What do you know about basic wilderness survival skills? Sunday afternoon, spend some time at the Franklin Library to hear Matt from Animal World Experience. This is scheduled to start at 2:30 PM and is good for teens and adults.

basic wilderness survival skills

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/02/basic-wilderness-survival-skills.html

Franklin Performing Arts Company Awarded Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund Grant For THE BLACK BOX

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is pleased to announce that it has received a $220,000 capital grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund. This prestigious grant is awarded to cultural organizations for facilities projects with demonstrated benefit to the local economy and transformative impact to the community served. 

The grant will be used to fund Phase 2 construction and improvements at THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s new theater, music and event venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. “We are thrilled by the news of this award and excited for the anticipated project renovations to make accessible the facility’s second floor, complete the building’s exterior, and provide state-of-the-art lighting and sound,” noted FPAC Executive Director Raye Lynn Mercer. 

"I was pleased to work with the Franklin Performing Arts Company and the Massachusetts Cultural Council to bring these critical funds to our area, and I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead," said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). "Having a viable performing arts facility in our town center will breathe new life into the downtown area and be an economic boost for the other businesses. We have long valued the arts and cultural resources in our town, and this grant furthers our efforts to continue to make Franklin a great place to live, work and play." 

FPAC celebrated the grand opening of THE BLACK BOX in September 2014 with a 24th season kick-off headlined by Tony Award winner Beth Leavel and Broadway star Alexander Gemignani. With the new venue, FPAC’s production season has expanded to include five musicals, three plays and a summer festival. FPAC has also introduced Jazz, Children’s, Cabaret, New England Artists, and Artists-in-Residence Series, in addition to the company’s longstanding free Family Concert Series, helping to establish the venue as a suburban hub for great music. 

The multi-use design of THE BLACK BOX fills a need for theater, meeting and event space, and improvements to the facility’s accessibility and second-floor renovations enhance the venue’s flexibility and function. In Franklin, THE BLACK BOX provides a noteworthy cultural and community-oriented facility to anchor several town-supported renovation, building and revitalization initiatives that comprise a multi-million dollar Downtown Improvement Project. 

“The Franklin Performing Arts Company’s new theater has quickly established itself as a cultural destination in our community and across MetroWest,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This well-deserved grant will advance arts, culture and creativity in our community and complement ongoing downtown revitalization efforts. I am proud that the Massachusetts Cultural Council has recognized this state-of-the-art facility as a true asset for downtown Franklin and the Commonwealth.”  

THE BLACK BOX before the snows came!

The Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) is a capital grant program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, administered collaboratively by MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. To date, the Cultural Facilities Fund has made 601 grant commitments totaling $82.7 million to 350 cultural organizations from every region of the state. 

The 2015 CFF capital budget appropriation allocated $15 million for this round of funding for the acquisition, design, repair, renovation, expansion or construction of nonprofit cultural facilities across Massachusetts. The $220,000 capital grant to FPAC is the largest awarded to cultural organizations in the MetroWest region this year. Statewide, 2015 CFF grant recipients include such prestigious and renowned institutions as Boston Ballet, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, Museum of Fine Arts and New England Conservatory.

“We’re pleased to be among some of the finest cultural organizations in the Commonwealth being awarded grants this year,” stated Alan Mercer, Director of Advancement at FPAC. “While the funding is so appreciated, to be a recipient of this grant is an endorsement of our credibility as a valuable cultural asset to our community and the Commonwealth.” 

Founded in 1991, the nonprofit FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, community performers and students of the arts. With a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music, FPAC productions draw performers and audiences from more than 120 communities across the Boston MetroWest region, western Massachusetts and the New England states. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit online at www.fpaconline.com or www.theblackboxonline.com.

“We’re now able to give students more opportunities"

In its early years, Dean College’s campus covered only one plot, consisting of four buildings, the grandest of which, Dean Hall, still stands. 

The college has a much larger footprint in downtown Franklin now, but officials say its mission has remained as humble as when founder Oliver Dean first received state approval for a charter 150 years ago. 

“We try to meet students where they are to get them where they want to go,” said John Marcus, vice president of enrollment services and marketing. 

Dean Hall on the Dean College campus

All this year, Dean will look back on its history in Franklin during a celebration of its 150th anniversary. College officials have compiled a collection of artifacts, newspaper clippings, photographs and mementos chronicling Dean’s growth.

Continue reading the Milford Daily News article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150221/NEWS/150229275/1994/NEWS#sthash.xJ19bqTn.dpuf

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/20/15-2/26/15

FRI 2/20   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked: Boston Skyline at Franklin Art Center
FRI 2/20   8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena
FRI 2/20   8pm   Black Box New England Artist Series: Robbie O’Connell

SAT 2/21   9am-4pm   Book Sale at Franklin Public Library, music performance by Betty Kushner from 9-10am
SAT 2/21   7:30pm   Black Box: Joffrey Ballet Concert Group

SUN 2/22   9am-12pm   Bag Sale at Franklin Public Library
SUN 2/22   1pm   FREE Family Concert: Irina Fainkichen at The Black Box
SUN 2/22   2:30pm   Learn Basic Wilderness Survival Skills - teens/adults - Franklin Public Library

MON 2/23   5:30-7:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk the Track at FHS

TUE 2/24   5:30-7:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk the Track at FHS

WED 2/25   5:30-7:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk the Track at FHS
WED 2/25   7pm   FREE Workshop: Winning Over Worries - Parenting the Anxious Child - sponsored by Franklin SEPAC - Franklin Town Hall conference room on the 3rd floor

THU 2/26   5:30-7:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk the Track at FHS
 
For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com