MassBudget: Confused about charter school funding?

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Read our brief Charter School Funding, Explained   By most measures, Massachusetts schools are the best in the nation. We have a long way to go, however, to make sure that we provide every child with a great public education. MassBudget's research has examined a number of strategies that can contribute to progress towards that goal. And when our public schools give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential, it's not only good for our economy, but also for our democracy and our communities. As John Adams wrote in our constitution, our "rights and liberties" depend on "(w)isdom and knowledge, as well as virtue, [being] diffused generally among the body of the people." With so much focus in education policy debates on charter schools, our new fact sheet Charter School Funding, Explained provides a clear explanation of the facts surrounding the school finance elements of this contentious issue. The explainer provides detail on: Charter school tuition calculations Issues with funding for special education students Charter school reimbursements for sending districts The cost of underfunding reimbursements in recent years Transportation funding Recent proposals for changing some of these mechanisms To read the report, click HERE.  #     #     # The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

MassBudget Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

TeamFitness: FREE April Break Kids Training

Develop Competitive Skills to be the BEST!

FREE Program for Kids Over April Break! Check Out This Boston Globe Article on CFour Training... http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2015/02/20/more-young-athletes-work-out-for-sports/4nllIrfRbG7mNPxhLrI5pM/story.html?event=event25  Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin  | 508-541-8330  |  tom@teamfitnessfranklin.com| CFour Website Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.

Team Fitness Franklin, 100 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by tom@teamfitnessfranklin.com in collaboration with Try it free today

Buck a Book - Book Sale at the Library on Saturday!

Help the Library minimize the number of books they'll move by taking out as many as you want (return in four weeks) or go to the Book Sale on Saturday and get books for $1 each.

Buck a book - book sale - Apr 9

This was shared from the Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/04/franklin-public-library-book-sale.html

If you missed hearing about the pending renovations at the Library, that it will relocate to 25 Kenwood Circle for about one year while the work is being done, then you can catch up here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/03/multiple-updates-on-franklin-library.html

In the News: "Bible doesn't say that", Elks Care 5K, Sheriff speaks to Town Council

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Bible doesn't say that

The author of “The Bible Doesn’t Say That!” will speak in Franklin on Monday, April 11, starting at 7 p.m., at the Franklin Federated Church,171 Main St., Franklin. 

An internationally acclaimed teacher, author and translator, Dr. Joel M. Hoffman brings “fresh insights and interpretations about religious life in the 21st century.” Well known for engaging both academic and popular audiences alike, Hoffman looks back through 2000 years of revisionism to the text as it originally was.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160407/franklin-houses-of-worship-to-host-the-bible-doesnt-say-that-author

"The Franklin Elks will hold its fourth annual Elks Care Elks Share 5K Road Race Walk and Run at 9 a.m. May 7 at the Franklin Elks Lodge, 1077 Pond St. 

The event will feature a 5K road race and walk through the neighborhood with trophies for the top three finishers in various age categories. Refreshments will be provided and T-shirts will be supplied to all who register online by May 1"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160407/franklin-elks-to-hold-5k-road-race-walk

"Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti spoke before the Town Council this week about strategies to prevent recidivism among area offenders. 

Bellotti, speaking at the council's Wednesday night meeting, said it is important to connect offenders with services before their sentences are up. 

"We hear time and time again - up to 90 percent of (offenders) have alcohol or drug issues," he said, adding that other problems - like a lack of housing or vocational skills - contribute to offending or re-offending. "What we try to do is assess where their deficits are."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160407/sheriff-speaks-to-franklin-town-council

Earth Day trails project at the DelCarte Recreation area - Apr 23

Dear Franklin residents: 

We are writing to invite you to participate in an Earth Day trails project at the DelCarte Recreation area on Pleasant Street in Franklin. 

DelCarte is a 136 acre conservation area, managed by the Conservation Commission. This unique property offers multiple recreation opportunities for our Town residents including picnicking, birding, fishing, canoeing/kayaking or hiking along the dam, meandering past wetlands and through wooded upland trails. 

With spring’s arrival, it is a perfect time to refresh the trails and picnic areas, pruning back fallen branches, raking leaves, making sure trail markers are in place and low lying trails are passable. 

On Saturday, April 23rd , the Commission will be hosting a 1st annual clean-up of DelCarte, from 8am – 11am. The morning will include projects led by Conservation Commissioners familiar with the trails, light snacks, and an informative talk on our local wildlife led by Mass Audubon Sanctuary Director, Doug Williams. 

For more information call Conservation Commission at 508-520-4929 

Thanks so much for your participation. 

Sincerely, 

George Russell, AICP
Town of Franklin Conservation Agent
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
conservation@franklin.ma.us

an early morning view from the MBTA Franklin train to Boston

• Video from Dec 2012

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html

• Video from Oct 2013

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-property-video.html

• Video from Mar 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/delcarte-property-winter-wonderland.html


This notification was shared from the official Town of Franklin page
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02390411-000F8513

HMEA'S 15th Annual Fundraiser Of The Year Has A New Name And Look!

HMEA's incredABLE Walk, Run and All-Day Family Fun
will celebrate the ABLE in all of us!

HMEA's 15th annual fundraiser of the year has a new name and look!

HMEA's incredABLE Day

HMEA's incredABLE Walk, Run and All-Day Family Fun raises funds to
help those with Autism and other developmental disabilities
live up to their potential and reach for independence.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

8:00 am to 3 pm

EMC² Corporation
Franklin, Massachusetts

HMEA's incredABLE Walk, Run and All-Day Family Fun includes a 5K walk, a kids' fun run and a 5K run that is registered and USATF Certified. Music, food and activities for the entire family await at the finish line. Thousands will attend. Thousands more will benefit from the services HMEA provides.

The incredABLE Walk, Run and All-Day Family Fun will be hosted by Gene Lavanchy from Fox 25 News and Steve Nelson, the all-time great New England Patriots' linebacker.  The event is generously sponsored by EMC², Rockland Trust and Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

• New incredABLE brand draws attention to what people with disabilities are ABLE to accomplish!

In celebration of the event's 15^th year, HMEA rebranded the event to draw attention to the abilities — and not the disabilities — of the over 4,000 people in 110 Massachusetts communities it serves.

According to Doug McPherson, the event used to be called the Independence Run and Walk. "HMEA has been successful in helping people with Autism and other development disabilities become ABLE to live an independent life," he said. "We wanted to remind the general public that the people we serve are ABLE to contribute to their communities in profound ways."

The event also celebrates the families, care workers, educators and support staff who support HMEA's clients. "When a child or young adult is diagnosed with Autism or other developmental disabilities the entire family is affected. HMEA also helps families, school systems and medical personnel understand the challenges of raising a child with disabilities."

HMEA's incredABLE Day

For more information on this incredABLE event visit www.hmea.org/incredable

About HMEA

HMEA was founded in 1961 on the basic principle that people diagnosed with Autism or other developmental disabilities have dreams for their lives. Our mission is to help them live that dream and our 700+ caring, committed and competent staff are dedicated to achieving that. We treat each person diagnosed with Autism or a developmental disability as an individual, with talents, abilities and challenges. And our care spans his or her lifetime — from the first few months of life through adulthood.      HMEA serves over 4,000 people who have Autism and other developmental disabilities throughout 110 communities in Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.hmea.org

1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner - April 27

The Franklin Food Pantry and the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club have joined forces to co-host the 1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on Wednesday, April 27 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Franklin High School cafeteria. The event, which includes a simple meal of soup and bread, is meant to remind guests of the many “empty bowls” that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger.

Attendees will choose a hand-painted, ceramic bowl to take home as a reminder that “somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty.” A silent auction will feature select pieces that have been created and painted by members of the FHS Empty Bowls Club, and local youth, adult and corporate groups. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and will be used to fight hunger locally.

“The Empty Bowls Dinner will bring together members of our community who are working together to fight hunger,” says Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “We hope it will be a powerful reminder of the many people who struggle to put enough food on the table. We are thrilled to partner with the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club to address the vital issue of hunger. We look forward to attracting all ages at this family-friendly event.”

Students in the Empty Bowls Club have been making ceramic bowls throughout the year to be used at the dinner. “Our students are excited to be part of such a meaningful effort,” said Brenna Johnson, FHS art teacher and instructor for the Empty Bowls Club. “It is rewarding for them to use their creativity to contribute to such a worthy cause. The true impact of their hard work will be felt on the night of our big event.”

Tickets must be bought in advance and can be purchased at the Franklin Food Pantry. Seating is limited so tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children and students. Payment must be made in cash or checks payable to the Franklin Food Pantry. 

The Pantry will hold “Box Office Hours” to sell tickets at its 43 W. Central Street location (on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station) during the following times:

• April 7, 5 – 7 pm
• April 11, 11 am – 1 pm
• April 12, 4 – 6 pm
• April 14, 5 – 7 pm
• April 19, 4 – 6 pm
• April 21, 5 – 7 pm

These ceramic bowls, made by students in the Empty Bowls Club at Franklin High School, will be given to guests at the 1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on April 27 at Franklin High School. 

Empty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger and raise funds to support local pantries. The Franklin Food Pantry and the FHS Empty Bowls Club work together to support the cause locally. The ceramic bowls are created throughout the year by the Empty Bowls Club and various corporate and community groups organized by the Pantry through its Empty Bowls Project. For more information on the dinner, or to arrange for your group to hold an Empty Bowls Project, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115.