Support the Outreach Programs of the S.A.F.E. Coalition

Registration is now open at safecoalitionma.com for the Inaugural Golf Tournament at the Franklin Country Club to support the Outreach Programs of the S.A.F.E. Coalition in Franklin, Medway, Milford and surrounding communities in Norfolk and Worcester Counties. 

The Tournament takes place on Monday, August 22, 8 AM-1 PM and includes a BBQ Lunch and Awards.

Ongoing S.A.F.E. programs include education, treatment options, and coping mechanisms for those affected by Substance Use Disorders. Our goals are to empower those affected, including their families, with the tools necessary to succeed on their journey to recovery. 

Our Drop-In Centers provide a gateway to professional resources including medical and psychological needs, referrals to outpatient counseling, medical detoxification, in/outpatient rehabilitation programs and other treatment modalities including Healing Hearts, Learn to Cope and Community of Hope. 

The Chiefs Roundtable provides a forum for interaction and support of our first responders while SOAR supports court-involved males afflicted with substance abuse disorders.

SAFE Coalition

PokéStop Meetup Saturday, 1 - 4 PM at Franklin Federated!

PokéStop Meetup Saturday, 1 - 4 PM!

The Franklin Federated Church is hosting a "Pokéstop Meetup" on the front lawn of the church Saturday, July 23, from 1 to 4 PM. The Meetup is for anyone in the community interested in coming together to play Pokémon Go. 

The church, located at 171 Main Street across from the Franklin Town Common, is one of several Pokéstops in the neighborhood - places where players can download items to help them in the game. The Meetup will feature:

• Lures to attract rare Pokémon for the entire 3 hours
• Charging stations for players to charge their phones
• Cold drinks and other refreshments
• Access to restrooms

From the church lawn, players can compete at the  gym on the corner of Crescent St., and they will be right across the street from the Town Common, where there are lots of PokéSpots, Pokémon and another gym.

Everyone is invited - come and bring a friend!

Find out who else is going via our Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1061345627282139/

PokéStop Meetup Saturday, 1 - 4 PM at Franklin Federated!

Franklin TV schedule for 7/22 - 7/23

A bunch of local shows available for viewing on the local cable channel Franklin TV. Check out #ShopFranklin!  Or if you missed the 4th of July parade...

Franklin TV schedule for 7/22 - 2/23

For the weekly schedule, check out Franklin TV  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

In the News: workshop to address college stress, salary data research request struggles

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Citing a desire to lower stress among soon-to-be college students, several local organizations are collaborating on new college transition workshops. 

The sessions - set to take place Aug. 9 and Aug. 16 - will be free to the public, and are the product of a partnership between the Hockomock Area YMCA, Dean College, Franklin public schools, the SAFE Coalition, Community Impact, New Hope and state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, among others. Both workshops will take place in the Franklin High School lecture hall, and will run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

School Committee member Anne Bergen, who also sits on the YMCA's Board of Managers, said the workshops were designed to meet a perceived need in the about-to-go-to-college group."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160721/franklin-groups-hope-to-ease-stress-for-new-college-students

"Only two school districts in the area have complied with a researcher's statewide records request for the salaries of teachers and administrators broken down by gender. 

The request, filed by Brigham Young University researcher Joseph Price, is the subject of a recent statewide order from Shawn Williams, supervisor of records. Every district that did not respond, according to the July 13 order, must do so and undergo training in Public Record Law. 

Most area districts didn't respond. Some which did respond requested anywhere from $100 to almost $3,000 to provide the data. 

Price's request was for salary data from 1995 to 2016, divided by gender, job title, education and experience. The data was intended to bolster a national study of the gender pay gap among educators."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160721/local-school-districts-struggle-to-produce-salary-data

DPW road maintenance work

"this surface treatment method is an extremely cost effective way to seal the roadway and improve traction."

DPW photo of the chip and seal program in process

Additional photos from the DPW can be found on their Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinDPW/posts/1099406303477172

The finished look of the 'chip and seal' can be seen here

chip and seal on Delta Dr in 2014

For more about the DPW visit their Town of Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Publicworks/index

Dr Sabolinski announces retirement as School Superintendent

Dear Faculty Members, FPS Support Staff, Parents/Guardians and Community Members: 

As Superintendent of Franklin Public Schools since 2009, I have had the honor to work with an exceptional group of people dedicated to providing the highest quality of education to Franklin students. It has always been my privilege to have enjoyed the support and friendship of a committed, knowledgeable School Committee; an exemplary, student focused administration; a dedicated, conscientious support team; and a committed, talented group of educators. 

After much thoughtful consideration, I have decided to close my 32 year career in education at the end of the 2016-2017 academic year. I believe that making this decision now will allow the School Committee time to recruit an exceptional superintendent with the vision, talent, and leadership skills to take FPS into the future. It is my hope we can establish a thoughtful, seamless transition for the 2017-2018 school year. 

My experiences in Franklin have been extraordinary. Collaborative relationships with the Town Council, Police, Fire, Department of Public Works, Facilities, and Town Officials have facilitated many significant changes in our schools and community that have made Franklin a desirable, sought after place to live and for families to raise their children. Our strong sense of community defines Franklin as a special town. 

I will always be grateful to the Franklin community for allowing me to serve as their school leader for the last eight years, and as Assistant Superintendent, and Director of Student Services before then. Thank you for these opportunities. As I retire as Superintendent, I will continue to support our students, faculty, administration and School Committee as a neighbor, community member, and friend. 

With appreciation and respect,

Dr. Maureen A. Sabolinski 

Superintendent of Schools

Dr Maureen Sabolinski acknowledges Asst Superintendent Sally Winslow as she retires earlier this year with School Committee Chair Kevin O'Malley observing. 

"if I say out loud to someone that I'm going to do a triathlon, then I'll have to do it"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"When the Hockomock YMCA's 10th annual triathlon kicks off this Sunday, it will count several cancer survivors - some of them first-time triathletes - among its competitors. 

The survivors - who will be working their way through a course that travels from Wrentham's Lake Pearl through Franklin and Norfolk - are members of the LIVESTRONG class at the Y's Foxborough branch. A total of 10 course participants, including some trainers and support staff, will be taking part. 

The idea came out of a discussion at one of the classes, which encourages physical well-being for cancer survivors. Breast cancer survivor Mary Waltuck, 68, had mentioned that she had participated in numerous triathlons, and other class members wanted to learn about her experiences."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160720/franklin-cancer-survivors-to-compete-in-triathlon