Live reporting: School Committee - June 23, 2015

Present: Douglas, O'Malley, Rohrbach, Clement, Mullen, Trahan, Jewell
Absent: none


1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none

• Chandler Creedon, President Franklin Education Assoc

last time as President, stepping down after 7 years, to devote time to other matters; meeting the goal can only be achieved through sustained effort
thank you

Review of Agenda - none
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the June 9, 2015 School Committee Meeting. 
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

Payment of Bills - Mr. Clement
motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0

Payroll - Mrs. Douglas

FHS Student Representatives - none

Correspondence:
Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

Special recognition for Maureen Barker, had been recording the minutes of the School Committee for the past several years


2. Guests/Presentations
a. Remington Middle School Update
- Paul Peri, Brian Wildeman
Carly Alston, Allison Ivers, Sean Henderson

"The Dawg House"
the school store at Remington

The school store is available online
http://remingtonmiddle.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinMS_WebDocs/thedawghousecatalog.pdf

The top 10 books sold at the store came from a vote by the student body

locker accessories also for sale

proceeds from the sales go to buying more stuff to sale

more collaboration planned with the Student Council next year

(presentation copy to be added later)
(5 minutes recess)

#ShopFranklin: My Little Midge

Via Kiernan Reed:

For this week’s ‪#‎ShopFranklin‬ Spotlight, I interviewed Megan Travers of My Little Midge! 

If you’ve ever been to Twist Bakery in Millis, you’ve already seen My Little Midge’s custom chalkboard art; the 23-foot-long menu above their counter is all Megan’s handiwork. Although Megan’s business started out with several different crafts, her chalkboard art quickly became her signature. “I liked how it was kind of what I was known for,” says Megan.  

My Little Midge!

She started with birthday chalkboards, which are still one of her most popular items, and expanded from there. For the birthday chalkboards, parents provide Megan with ten to thirteen facts about their child, such as their favorite foods, measurements, likes and dislikes, and so on. Megan takes that information and turns it into a permanent piece of art that captures the child at that age. 

“They change so quickly,” explains Megan; the artwork is a way for the parents to remember the little details that might otherwise be forgotten. These chalkboards aren’t just for kids’ birthdays, though. Megan has created them for weddings, anniversaries, and other milestones. “I can put anything on chalkboard and have it made into something that’s personalized,” Megan says. 

Unlike typical chalk art, Megan’s chalkboard artworks are permanent. She starts with wood or canvas painted with chalkboard paint, to give the artwork that “authentic feel,” and sketches out her design with chalk. She goes over any imperfections, smooths them out and adjusts the spacing, and then permanently fixes the design by going over it with oil paint markers. According to Megan, this method allows her to be “more precise with my execution.” 

After the birth of Megan’s second child, she became a stay-at-home mom, but felt the need to do something beyond caring for her family. Megan has always loved art, so turning her artworks into a business via My Little Midge was a natural progression. “I love what I do,” says Megan. “It allows me to be home with my kids and do something that’s fulfilling to me.” 

In fact, My Little Midge is named for Megan’s five-year-old daughter, Bridget, who has been “Midge” to her family since birth. Bridget wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps, and has her own table in Megan’s office where she creates her own art while Megan works. “She’ll ask, ‘Mommy, are we working tonight?’” Megan relates. Bridget even critiques Megan’s designs, often telling her “It needs more swirls!” 

Megan’s husband was born and raised in Franklin, so the town was a natural place for them to settle after college. Megan loves Franklin’s sense of community, and loves that “they’re really pushing the whole small business thing… people want to see small businesses grow.” 

Franklin’s support for small businesses has led Megan to make connections with other business owners; she recently partnered with Kooky Critters for a giveaway, and works with Absolutely Fabulous Affairs to throw amazing kids’ parties. Megan is also in talks with other town businesses to do more menu artwork. 

In the future, Megan plans to continue working from her home so she can be there for her kids, but would love to partner with someone for a storefront in future. Since all of her artwork is custom-created, Megan says her clients don’t always understand that it takes time. 

The “orders snowball… I’m like, OK, I can’t take any more for six weeks!” For Megan, “my kids always come first and I don’t ever want them to think that they don’t,” so as her business continues to grow, she’s looking for ways to merchandise her artwork on easily reproducible items such as mugs, prints, and greeting cards. “I don’t want to just plateau – I want to keep going, I want to see where this takes me,” Megan says.

You can find My Little Midge on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/MyLittleMidge

or Etsy   https://www.etsy.com/shop/mylittlemidge



Kiernan's post was shared from the Living in Franklin website

2015 Summer Reading Program gets started at the Library

Franklin’s 2015 Summer Reading Program is set to begin with two parties this week.

For middle and high school students, a special kickoff party is being held Tuesday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. Teens will be able to register for summer reading, as well as enjoy Henna tattoos, Wii games, and karaoke. Moe’s Southwest Grill is putting on a taco buffet, and Making Whoopie will provide whoopie pies.

For younger readers, a special party is planned for Wednesday, June 24, at 3 p.m., on the library lawn. In addition to information about summer reading, there’ll be glitter tattoos, face painting, balloon animals and sidewalk chalk.

The kickoff events and Summer Reading Program are sponsored by The Friends of Franklin Library in conjunction with library staff.

Franklin Public Library

For a complete listing of the Summer Programs check this flyer
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/summer2015.pdf

Franklin Community Coalition on Opioid Abuse

The first meeting of the coalition is Monday, June 30 at 7 p.m. at FHS. View this email in your browser Share your info Please answer this brief survey to help us learn about the audience We are conducting a voluntary five (5) question survey to learn a little about our coalition members ahead of the first meeting which will be held on June 30th at 7 pm in the Franklin High School Auditorium. The information you provide will help us maximize the potential of this coalition and enable us to use your experience and expertise appropriately and create the best materials to help us reach our goals. Simply click here to complete the short survey. Thank you in advance for your interest and assistance with this project. In the meantime, you may want to review Governor Baker's Stop Addiction website which provides  information on how to prevent and identify opioid misuse and where to go for help. You can view that site by clicking here. And below, I have included some links to two timely videos on the subject. One is a short film called If Only which was produced by James Wahlberg and filmed in Tewksbury. It tells the story of two teenagers battling addiction to prescription opiates. One of the boys gets help to beat the addiction, while the other dies of an overdose. The other film is an 87-minute documentary titled The Other Side of Andover Massachusetts. It's the work of a recent Andover High School graduate who is trying to draw attention to opiate abuse in his community. I thought the films would be of interest in preparation for our first community conversation next Monday. I look forward to seeing you then. If Only, a film produced by James Wahlberg, tells the story of two teenagers battling addiction to prescription opiates. Click the image above to view the movie. The Other Side of Andover Massachusetts is the work of a recent Andover High School graduate trying to draw attention to opiate abuse in his community. Click on the image above to watch the movie. Copyright © 2015 Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in joining the fight against obioid abuse in our community. Our mailing address is: Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov State House - Room 527A Boston, MA 02133 Add us to your address book

Senior Center: A new edition of The Franklin Connection is available

A new edition of The Franklin Connection has been published on the Town of Franklin web site.

Click the link below to read the latest edition.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/JulyAug15connection.pdf

Franklin Senior Center

_______________________________________________
You are subscribed to the The Franklin Connection - Senior Newsletter mailing list.

Franklin's first Cultural Festival arrives this summer!

The Franklin Cultural District Committee is in the final weeks of preparation for its first Franklin Cultural Festival that will run from Wednesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 2, 2015. The Celebration will take place in various locations in downtown Franklin including: THE BLACK BOX (inside and outside on its stage) and Historical Museum, in locations along Main, Daniel McCahill and Oak Streets that include but are not limited to The Cake Bar, Jane’s Frames, Dean College, the Public Library, the Town Common, and the Horace Mann Middle School, and in other locations (businesses, restaurants, etc.) within the district footprint.

Franklin Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here!

The opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29 at the Town Common. It will be followed with a performance by Electric Youth and, later in the evening, FPAC: One Acts at THE BLACK BOX. Earlier in the day the Pumpernickel Puppets will perform at the Library and Jane’s Frames will host a Zentangle Class. Numerous activities are scheduled for the evening of Thursday, July 30 and the afternoon and evening of Friday, July 31.

The majority of the Cultural Festival events and performances take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2. Saturday the performances and events will be located around the Town Common and on Sunday afternoon, they will be downtown at the Historical Museum, the Methodist Church, and THE BLACK BOX. Sunday afternoon the Circle of Friends is hosting a stage for numerous performers and the first Taste of Franklin will be offered by Franklin restaurants.

Throughout the Festival ceramic bowls, made by the Franklin Art Association, will be available for purchase, as a fund raiser for the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Franklin Cultural District Steering Committee includes: Alan Mercer, Roberta Trahan, Sue Sheridan, Jim Schultz, and Pandora Carlucci.

If you are interested in learning more about the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out our Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival or our webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

To financially support the Festival please visit: gofundme.com/tx62gs. If you want to be added to our email group, contact us at: FranklinCulturalDistrict@gmail.com. Thank you!



This was shared from the Cultural Festival page here

http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/2015/06/franklin-cultural-festival-summer-2015.html

The Town of Franklin is looking for volunteers for committees/boards

Some committees are up for their annual re-appointment and some have openings for you to step up to help!

Town of Franklin header image

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees: If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the attached form and return the Town Administrator's Office.

• Conservation    Conservation Commission
• Design Review Commission
• Disabilities Commission
• Municipal Affordable Housing Trust- Contact Maxine Kinhart 508-520-4949
• Zoning Board of Appeal

The volunteer form to fill out when you are interested can be found here

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E3B9EF-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf

In addition to those listed above, there is also an opening on the Finance Committee:

The Town of Franklin is looking for a new Member for the Finance Committee.  If you are interested,  please complete the attached form and send along with a resume and letter of interest to the Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting at jnutting@franklin.ma.us

You can fill out the same volunteer form (above) and contact Town Administrator Jeff Nutting