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Tuesday, November 29, 2016
You Saved the Best for Last
A Ballet for The Ages: Growing Up With The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a holiday season tradition for countless young dancers whose annual turn in the Christmas fantasy marks a celebrated rite of passage. The chance to take part in the enchanting production, full of pageantry and splendor, engages the starry-eyed child dancer, while more advanced ballerinas relish opportunities to be cast in progressively more challenging roles.
Franklin’s Shaina McGillis, 18, made her Nutcracker debut with the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) in 2004 at the age of six. A polichinelle coming out from Mother Ginger’s giant hoop skirt, it was her first time performing on stage. Now a senior at Franklin High School and a veteran of 12 FPAC Nutcrackers, Shaina dances her 13th consecutive year in FPAC’s production this season. She has played most of the ballet’s roles, including little mouse, party girl, little Chinese, marzipan, Clara, Chinese demi-soloist, Chinese soloist, kissy doll, soldier doll, Spanish and Arabian corp, Russian, rose flower, Mouse Queen, candy cane soloist, Nutcracker, Spanish soloist, and Dew Drop.
“Particularly for students who start dancing The Nutcracker at younger ages, the ballet becomes tradition, a treasured part of their holiday season,” says Director/Choreographer Cheryl Madeux, who formerly danced with the Joffrey Ballet, Hartford Ballet and American Ballet Theatre companies. “As dancers continue to train year after year, they develop the maturity, physically and emotionally, to take on more demanding and age-appropriate roles.”
Shaina’s parts in the ballet’s magical snow scene reflect her progression, dancing first as a snow maiden, then as a snowflake and snow princess, and this year as Snow Queen. “The snow scene is exciting,” she says, “and very cool with the live orchestra. There’s a lot going on, and there are many dancers on stage. The snow can be slippery under point shoes. It’s well rehearsed, but you have to be very aware.”
Cast in multiple roles, Shaina will also dance the parts of Spanish soloist and Dew Drop this season. “It’s great to have the opportunity to grow into it,” she says of Dew Drop and the chance to reprise the coveted role. “It’s more artistically challenging, and it’s tiring physically. The stamina is hard.”
Shaina will be joined on stage by her dad, Jim McGillis, who will perform the role of Clara’s father, Herr Silberhaus. This is Jim’s sixth consecutive year as Party Parent in the festive Christmas Eve scene that opens the ballet’s first act. Jim, who used to coach Shaina in soccer, stepped into his Nutcracker role to share a different experience with his daughter when she stopped playing soccer to focus on her ballet training.
“It’s a real team effort,” says Shaina’s mom, Anne McGillis, noting how the sport and ballet production share a spirit of collaboration. “Jim appreciates the athleticism, too, and the way in which the dancers make what is so physically challenging look so effortless.”
“Everyone has to work together,” she continues, “and Ms. Madeux promotes such a positive attitude among the dancers. They really support each other.”
Shaina adds, “Ms. Madeux expects a lot from us, and that makes us work harder.”
A student in the Ballet Conservatory program at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), where Ms. Madeux is Ballet Director, Shaina also studies jazz, tap and contemporary dance at FSPA. Her training has included summer intensive programs at the Joffrey Ballet in San Francisco, Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York City, and Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City. Shaina plans to continue dancing in college and aspires to dance professionally.
Reflecting on her last season in FPAC’s The Nutcracker, she says, “It will be bittersweet. It went by so fast.”
FPAC presents The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 at 2 p.m. at the Franklin High School auditorium, 218 Oak Street. With special guest artists, world-class musicians and more than 100 area dancers, the fairytale ballet features Festival Ballet Providence company dancers Vilia Putrius and Mindaugas Bauzys in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier and a professional orchestra under the direction of maestro Peter Cokkinias.
“There’s so much excitement around it – the music, the costumes, the choreography – as it all comes together,” Shaina says of the production.
For tickets ($30-$34) and more information, visit www.FPAConline.com or call (508) 528-3370. Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is FPAC’s 2016 Holiday Sponsor.
Franklin’s Shaina McGillis, 18, made her Nutcracker debut with the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) in 2004 at the age of six. A polichinelle coming out from Mother Ginger’s giant hoop skirt, it was her first time performing on stage. Now a senior at Franklin High School and a veteran of 12 FPAC Nutcrackers, Shaina dances her 13th consecutive year in FPAC’s production this season. She has played most of the ballet’s roles, including little mouse, party girl, little Chinese, marzipan, Clara, Chinese demi-soloist, Chinese soloist, kissy doll, soldier doll, Spanish and Arabian corp, Russian, rose flower, Mouse Queen, candy cane soloist, Nutcracker, Spanish soloist, and Dew Drop.
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| Franklin's Shaina McGillis is pictured, center, in this 2015 production photo, dancing the role of Dew Drop |
“Particularly for students who start dancing The Nutcracker at younger ages, the ballet becomes tradition, a treasured part of their holiday season,” says Director/Choreographer Cheryl Madeux, who formerly danced with the Joffrey Ballet, Hartford Ballet and American Ballet Theatre companies. “As dancers continue to train year after year, they develop the maturity, physically and emotionally, to take on more demanding and age-appropriate roles.”
Shaina’s parts in the ballet’s magical snow scene reflect her progression, dancing first as a snow maiden, then as a snowflake and snow princess, and this year as Snow Queen. “The snow scene is exciting,” she says, “and very cool with the live orchestra. There’s a lot going on, and there are many dancers on stage. The snow can be slippery under point shoes. It’s well rehearsed, but you have to be very aware.”
Cast in multiple roles, Shaina will also dance the parts of Spanish soloist and Dew Drop this season. “It’s great to have the opportunity to grow into it,” she says of Dew Drop and the chance to reprise the coveted role. “It’s more artistically challenging, and it’s tiring physically. The stamina is hard.”
Shaina will be joined on stage by her dad, Jim McGillis, who will perform the role of Clara’s father, Herr Silberhaus. This is Jim’s sixth consecutive year as Party Parent in the festive Christmas Eve scene that opens the ballet’s first act. Jim, who used to coach Shaina in soccer, stepped into his Nutcracker role to share a different experience with his daughter when she stopped playing soccer to focus on her ballet training.
“It’s a real team effort,” says Shaina’s mom, Anne McGillis, noting how the sport and ballet production share a spirit of collaboration. “Jim appreciates the athleticism, too, and the way in which the dancers make what is so physically challenging look so effortless.”
“Everyone has to work together,” she continues, “and Ms. Madeux promotes such a positive attitude among the dancers. They really support each other.”
Shaina adds, “Ms. Madeux expects a lot from us, and that makes us work harder.”
A student in the Ballet Conservatory program at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), where Ms. Madeux is Ballet Director, Shaina also studies jazz, tap and contemporary dance at FSPA. Her training has included summer intensive programs at the Joffrey Ballet in San Francisco, Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York City, and Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City. Shaina plans to continue dancing in college and aspires to dance professionally.
Reflecting on her last season in FPAC’s The Nutcracker, she says, “It will be bittersweet. It went by so fast.”
FPAC presents The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 at 2 p.m. at the Franklin High School auditorium, 218 Oak Street. With special guest artists, world-class musicians and more than 100 area dancers, the fairytale ballet features Festival Ballet Providence company dancers Vilia Putrius and Mindaugas Bauzys in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier and a professional orchestra under the direction of maestro Peter Cokkinias.
“There’s so much excitement around it – the music, the costumes, the choreography – as it all comes together,” Shaina says of the production.
For tickets ($30-$34) and more information, visit www.FPAConline.com or call (508) 528-3370. Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is FPAC’s 2016 Holiday Sponsor.
Franklin Library: Author Susan Kapatoes - Dec 3 - 2:00 PM
The Franklin Public Library will host author Susan Kapatoes on Saturday, Dec 3 at 2:00 PM.
https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Kapatoes-M.H.A./e/B01AZGH5VU/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
This was shared from the Franklin Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/11/author-susan-kapatoes-saturday-december.html
"Greetings to all :)
Throughout my life, I have had the unexpected opportunity to experience certain events that can be described as divine intervention. In a beneficial manner, I have been allowed to feel the omnipresent energy that is moving through our amazing universe and permeating our everyday lives. I felt compelled to write about these graceful times in order to help people expand their consciousness and connect to their own inner power in a positive way.
As a result of my life experiences, I enjoy writing books with a spiritual and uplifting theme. In regards to my educational background, I hold a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in Nutrition and a masters degree in Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.). As a complement to my formal learning, I have also studied holistic healing modalities which help to promote balance and optimal well-being in a person's life."
https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Kapatoes-M.H.A./e/B01AZGH5VU/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
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| Franklin Library: Author Susan Kapatoes - Dec 3 - 2:00 PM |
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/11/author-susan-kapatoes-saturday-december.html
"It's not really something we have to worry about until 2018"
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161128/franklin-committee-may-take-up-marijuana-rules
The full agenda for the Economic Development Committee (EDC) is
A full copy of the agenda can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/edc_agenda_november_30_2016.pdf
Additional info on the plastic bag bylaw can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/economic-development-committee-to-take.html
"After a state vote in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, a town committee is scheduled to discuss the potential impacts at a meeting this week.
The matter is one of the items on the agenda for the Town Council's economic development subcommittee meeting, which will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Franklin Municipal Building's council chambers.
Subcommittee Chairman Andrew Bissanti said the town had, in its zoning bylaws, already considered recreational marijuana. Those bylaws, he said, consign such facilities to industrial parks."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161128/franklin-committee-may-take-up-marijuana-rules
The full agenda for the Economic Development Committee (EDC) is
The EDC meeting agenda
1. Plastic Bag Ban Legislation 2. Recreational Marijuana Zoning
A full copy of the agenda can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/edc_agenda_november_30_2016.pdf
Additional info on the plastic bag bylaw can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/economic-development-committee-to-take.html
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| cover page of presentation to Town Council on reducing plastic bags for retail |
It's #GivingTuesday!
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Franklin Performing Arts Company uses Vendini for ticketing, marketing, and box office management.
Franklin Performing Arts Company - PO Box 16, Franklin, MA, 02038, (508) 528-8668
Vendini, Inc. - 660 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94104, 1 (800) 901-7173
Monday, November 28, 2016
Capital Budget Planning Committee - Agenda - Nov 30 - 7:00 PM
1. Capital Budget Requests
A. Turf Fields design and development funds
B. Google Doc’s
C. E-Permitting Software for the Town Clerk’s Office
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/capital_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda_11-30-16.pdf
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| the crumb rubber fill will be one of the considerations for the turf field replacements |
The meeting is scheduled for the Council Chambers and will follow the Economic Development Committee scheduled for the same room to begin at 5:30 PM.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/11/economic-development-committee-to-take.html
Related posts on the crumb rubber turf issue
- Legislative request to US Consumer Product Safety Commission
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/12/massachusetts-legislators-submit-letter.html
- Medway took action to move away from crumb rubber
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/06/article-two-would-also-ensure-all.html
- NBC covers the crumb rubber safety issue
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/fields-of-danger-video.html
- New England Center for Investigative Reporting gets into it
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/the-state-recommends-common-sense-to.html
- What do Franklin's turf fields look like? photos from a walk around Franklin in February
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/photos-from-walk-around-franklin.html
"evidence of student learning must be included in the body of evidence evaluators use to determine educator ratings"
"The state’s education commissioner, aiming to end a long-brewing controversy, is proposing to scrap a rule requiring school systems to develop individual ratings for teachers and administrators based solely on student test scores.
“I heard loud and clear from teacher unions and administrators that having a separate rating has more downsides then upsides,” Mitchell Chester, commissioner of elementary and secondary education, said in an interview.
His proposal, however, would not entirely do away with the use of student test scores in evaluating teachers and administrators, prompting mixed reaction to the proposal Tuesday.
Instead, it would require school systems to fold the scores into a separate system of judging educator performance: the annual job review, a process that has been based largely on observations, and a review of other evidence, such as lesson plans."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/11/23/state-may-scrap-teacher-ratings-tied-test-scores/FMn4OSFqbuVvYFGSgyX8YM/story.html
The full agenda for the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Nov 29, 2016 can be found here
http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/docs/FY2017/2016-11/
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| The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education |
"Importantly, the proposed amendments eliminate the separate student impact rating, but preserve a focus on student learning in the evaluation framework. This approach addresses the concerns about a separate student impact rating while retaining evidence of student learning based on multiple measures, including common assessments and statewide student growth measures, as a component of the educator's summative performance rating."http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/docs/FY2017/2016-11/item2.html
Summary of Proposed Amendments
The proposed regulatory amendments include the following:
- Eliminating the separate student impact rating of high, moderate, or low, which was to be reported to the Department at the educator level.
- Retaining the 5-step cycle, which culminates in a summative performance rating based on multiple categories of evidence and the professional judgment of the evaluator. (See the attached Quick Reference Guide for more information about the evaluation process.)
- Establishing a "student learning indicator" under Standard II: Teaching All Students (for teachers) and under Standard I: Instructional Leadership (for administrators). Standards describe the broad categories of knowledge, skills and performance of effective practice, and indicators describe specific knowledge, skills, and performance for each standard. By including a student learning indicator, impact on student learning is a component of the rating for the Standard. The rating for the Standard, in turn, is a component of the Summative Performance Rating. The student learning indicator does not result in a separate stand-alone rating.
- Providing additional information about the types of measures that can be used as evidence of educator impact on student learning, including: a definition of common assessments, establishing the use of common assessments and statewide growth measures in the evaluation process as optional for educators who are not responsible for direct instruction, and clarity that other evidence of student learning beyond common assessments and statewide growth measures may be considered.
- Adding a new definition of "expected impact" on student learning to guide evaluators and educators in understanding the role of professional judgment in looking across multiple measures to understand an educator's impact on student learning.
In addition, the proposed amendments also include technical changes unrelated to the student impact rating, such as removing provisions describing timelines that have expired.
http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/docs/FY2017/2016-11/item2.html
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