Franklin Community Coalition on Opioid Abuse Update - Meeting June 30th

The first meeting of the coalition is Tuesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. at FHS. View this email in your browser Meeting reminder Here is a quick reminder about the Franklin Community Coalition meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 30th at 7 pm in the Franklin High School Auditorium. We are expecting a large group at the meeting, and we have arranged for a number of speakers to address topics surrounding opioid abuse and ways that the coalition can help curb this epidemic. The goal is to jumpstart a community conversation and establish a coalition that will meet on a regular basis and provide consistent programming in this area. In addition, many of you have already completed the survey included with last week's email. Thank you. Please click here or on the image to the right to view the document which includes the names and information on the people who have already responded. You can also download a copy that you can print out if you choose. I trust that you will find it valuable to know about some of the folks who will be with you on Tuesday. If you haven't already submitted your information, and are still interested in adding it, simply click here to complete a short survey. We will then incorporate your info into the final list. In the meantime, last week Governor Charlie Baker released the findings of his Opioid Working Group, a comprehensive report detailing 65 actionable steps to curb the deadly opioid epidemic. You can view the report by clicking here. The findings by the 18-member Working Group include short and long term action items to be implemented between now and the next three years, some requiring legislative action and funding and some will be achieved through partnerships with private industry and federal leaders. The announcement comes just days after the launch of a statewide public service campaign to alert parents about the dangers of prescription opioid misuse by their kids. You can link to the campaign by clicking here. Finally, below I have again 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 on Tuesday. 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

Rep Jeff Roy: What's happening in the district - June 2015 newsletter

This is our regularly monthly newsletter. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can get on our email list by clicking here. Facebook Twitter Website Email Newspapers to publish legal notices on the web The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a history-making bill that will require newspapers to publish legal notices on the Web. The bill, H 1566, "An Act Concerning Electronic Publication of Certain Legal Notices," was one that I sponsored with help from the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association.  For centuries, public notices only appeared in print. But as we well know readership of print papers has taken a sharp decline. At the same time, overall readership of newspapers has been on the rise because of the Internet and online access. It's time that public notices take part in this increased readership. During the debate, I had the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech on the House floor.You can view the video by clicking here or on the image above, and photos by clicking here. The House voted 153-0 in favor of the legislation. The bill now goes to the Senate. As always, I thank you for he opportunity to serve and I urge you to contact me with any questions about the bill or any other matter.

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Franklin School For The Performing Arts Slates Summer Open Houses

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold summer Open Houses for prospective students and families from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15 and Thursday, July 30 at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin. The community is invited to tour the facilities, observe classes and rehearsals, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance, and drama. Prospective students are also encouraged to try a complimentary class during the summer session, which runs through August 21.

Celebrating a milestone 30th anniversary season, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer and built upon the notion that arts experiences are an integral part of a well-rounded education, FSPA offers an extensive roster of classes for all ages and levels, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study. 

FSPA

Programs are provided in all dance disciplines, acting, musical theater, voice, and instrumental instruction. FSPA is also the home of the Little Music School, an innovative program teaching children as young as 18 months to play the piano. 

An unparalleled calendar of performing opportunities features all-student musicals, plays, voice and instrumental recitals, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses, musical theater showcases, Glee Club, performing troupes, dance companies, a classical ballet variations ensemble, and instrumental ensembles. Many FSPA students also participate, by audition, in the affiliated Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual season of shows. 

Summer programming features week-long performing arts camps, 3-day workshops, two 3- and 4-week ballet intensives, and an 8-week session of dance, voice and instrumental private lessons and classes. An all-new FSPA Summer Theater program provides opportunities for hands-on immersion in a cabaret show, concert musical (Schoolhouse Rock!), behind-the-scenes theater design, straight play or musical theater production (High School Musical). Registration for summer and fall sessions is ongoing. 

For more information, including fall class schedule and summer session brochure with full program descriptions and dates, call (508) 528-8668 or visit online at www.FSPAonline.com.

Recap: School Committee meeting June 23

Among the items for discussion at the School Committee meeting were two policies. One a set of documents covering the "Community Use of School Facilities". The other covering "Domestic Violence Leave." Both policies were moved to a second reading (meeting in July).

The Community Use of School Facilities can be read here




Domestic Violence Leave can be read here




The presentation documents for Horace Mann Middle School and High School Guidance updates were posted to those sections after the meeting and can be found below.

Maureen Barker was recognized for her many years of keeping the minutes for the School Committee.

School Committee Chair Paula Mullen, Maureen Barker, School Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski

• Live reporting: Closing
• Live reporting: Action Items
• Live Reporting: Policy updates
• Live reporting: Jefferson / FHS Guidance Presentat...
• Live reporting: School Committee - June 23, 2015

Recap: School Committee meeting - June 9

At the School Committee meeting on June 9, recognition was given to those teachers and school personnel retiring.

Three current vice principals at Franklin High School are also leaving to take other positions advancing their careers outside the district.

Mr Lucas Giguere is leaving to begin his new role as the Principal of Bellingham High School. (You can also view a video interview on Pantherbook here)

Nicole Haberman is going to be the Academic Assistant Principal at Westwood High School

Christopher Schmidt is going to be the Athletic Director at Nipmuc Regional High School.

• Live reporting: Action Items to Closing
• Live reporting: Team Horace Mann Middle School
• Live reporting: ECDC update
• Live reporting: School Committee - June 9, 2015

Franklin Community Gardens: Pollinator Event postponed due to the weather

Hello Gardeners,

The work day and pollinator events have been postponed due to the inclement weather. We'll update you all as soon as we have confirmed a new time with the speaker for the pollinator event.

bee on flower

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/pollinator-talk-in-king-st-community.html

Electric Youth To Perform Free Summer Concerts

Following a two-and-a-half week summer concert tour of England and France, Electric Youth (EY) will perform two free outdoor concerts on Thursday, July 23, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Norfolk Town Hill and on Wednesday, July 29, from 6-8 p.m. on Franklin Town Common. The Franklin concert will be presented as part of the first annual Franklin Cultural Festival, hosted by the Franklin Cultural District Committee. The culinary, fine and performing arts celebration will take place at various downtown Franklin locations from July 29 to August 2.

Electric Youth’s 12th European tour features three shows at Disneyland Paris and several concerts along the coast of Normandy. Performances in England include a July 4th show for U.S. troops stationed at Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell Air Force Bases and concerts at Wimborne’s Tivoli Theatre and in Arundel and Hastings. Electric Youth first debuted in England and France in 2013 and this season’s itinerary marks a return to those countries after last summer’s tour of Austria and Italy. 

The 13 singer-dancers of Electric Youth 2015 are pictured in this portrait photo

Backed by the eight-piece band of world-class musicians, Electric Youth delivers a fun, high-energy evening of family entertainment with an extensive range of contemporary pop, classic rock, Broadway and country hits for audiences all ages. This season’s repertoire features fully choreographed performances of the best of Adele, Aretha Franklin, Imagine Dragons, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, Frank Sinatra, Styx and more. 

Selected annually by audition, the group is chosen for superior musicianship, stage presence, and triple threat accomplishments in voice, dance, and acting. This season’s ensemble of performers, ages 15-17, studies multiple dance disciplines, voice, and acting at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA). Electric Youth 2015 includes Adriane D’Amato of Foxboro; Madison Asgeirsson, Kendra Dombroski, Jocelyn Jones, Shaina McGillis, Lauren Szczepanowski and Melissa Wyner of Franklin; Michael Fajardo of Hopkinton; Sam Evans of Medfield; Maddy Williams of Medway; Katie Gray of Milford; Kylee Rollins of North Attleboro; and Jenna McDermott, of Wrentham.

The EY singer-dancers are backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Van Morrison. EY’s show band features Kenny Hadley on drums, Bill Miele on bass, Artie Montanaro on trombone, Walter Platt on trumpet, Ken Reid on tenor saxophone, Ben Whiting on baritone saxophone, John Wilkins on guitar, and Raye Lynn Mercer on piano. Under the direction of Mark Poniatowski, musical arrangers for Electric Youth are Rick Hammett, Jeff Perry, Walter Platt, Poniatowski, Mark White and Ben Whiting. Hallie Wetzell is Electric Youth’s Vocal Director. Choreographers include Mercer, Casey Andrade, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone and Kellie Stamp. 

Electric Youth has released six professional CDs and performed internationally at England’s Arundel Festival, Disneyland Paris, professional theaters in Bristol, London and Windsor, and such renowned venues as Sanremo’s Ariston Theatre and Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Musikverein and Schonbrunn Palace. EY has also headlined Fourth of July shows for U.S. troops and their families stationed in Italy at Camp Ederle, Camp Darby, and Aviano Air Force Base. The ensemble has performed on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, on Fox-TV and WBZ Radio, and at Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, Mechanics Hall, the Smithsonian Museum Theater and the United Nations. EY’s music, including the 2014 album Power Chord is available at amazon.com and iTunes.

For more information about Electric Youth or the EY summer concerts, call FSPA at (508) 528-8668 or visit www.electricyouth.com.