Franklin Matters

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

FHS Jazz Concert: Livestream Concert - February 12

"Welcome to Franklin High School's first virtual Jazz Concert. With band instruments prohibited indoors until recently, this performance was a challenge to put together, to say the least. We are so happy that things are slowly coming back and that we were able to provide this performance for you this evening. Our hopes are to have live performances in the spring, outdoors. We will look forward to sharing our music with you once again!"

FHS Jazz Concert: Livestream Concert - February 12 - 7 PM

Update from Diane Plouffe, Director of Visual and Performing Arts

Unfortunately, due to the snow cancellations this week, the teachers were not able to meet with students to finish up the concert recordings for the February 5th concert. This announcement was coming out today. They will be postponing it until next Friday, February 12th.

The link for the Concert Hour performance on February 11th is:

https://givebutter.com/yDnAHt

The link for the Jazz Concert on February 12th is:

https://givebutter.com/2Kmqlq

FHS Jazz Concert: Livestream Concert - February 5

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting, Thursday February 4, 7:00 PM

Hello to our members and supporters. The Greater Franklin Node of 350 Massachusetts will meet this week, Thursday, February 4, at 7:00 PM. Here are the the Zoom details, and a preview of the meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09
Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755
Passcode: 350ma
Audio by phone: +1 646 876 9923

There's no need to RSVP, and we'll send a reminder on Thursday.

Meeting Agenda

The principal topics at this meeting will be:

State legislative action on climate: In January the state Senate and House of Representatives passed the Next Generation Roadmap Climate Bill, only to see it vetoed by Governor Baker. The legislature proceeded to vote again and pass the same bill. It is now up to the Governor to take action by Sunday, February 7. We call on everyone to contact the Governor and urge him to sign the bill. SEE THIS TOOLKIT FOR ACTION.
350 Mass 2021-22 Campaign: The organization is on the verge of selecting priority projects for this year and next, to address the escalating climate crisis by eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and moving to a 100% clean, sustainable, and just energy future. We will discuss likely projects and roles for our Node within this region of the state.
State Legislature Transparency Campaign: 350 Mass, Act on Mass, and other organizations have advocated for rules reform in the House of Representatives to improve and make public the House's decision-making. The new Speaker of the House Ron Mariano has postponed the vote on this session's rules for several months. We will share updates and strategies.

In addition, we will share announcements about local meetings and activities, and relevant webinars and reports so we can all be better informed.

This year holds promise for major progress on slowing the climate crisis, led by our state legislature and the Biden Administration. There is much to be done. 350 Mass and our Greater Franklin Node will continue to inform you about developments and opportunities for your help. We hope you can attend our meetings (1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month) as your schedule allows, to learn more and to contribute to this most important cause.

Thanks for your participation and support.

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel

Ralph Halpern

ralph.halpern@comcast.net

781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017 (c)

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting

Franklin Public Schools: Kindergarten Registration Open for 2021-2022

"Kindergarten Registration for the Class of 2034 is now available! Franklin Public Schools are now enrolling K students for the 2021-2022 school year.

Visit our website at franklinps.net/district/prek- for details. Questions? Please reach out to Central Office at 508- 553-4819"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1356693063318528002

Link to form: https://www.franklinps.net/district/prek-grade-12-student-registrationchange-address-online-form/pages/kindergarten

Franklin Public Schools: Kindergarten Registration Open for 2021-2022

Franklin Cultural District & Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant Application

Good Morning,

Thank you all very much for your participation in the Cultural District Meeting last night (Monday). It was great to see everyone and hear your ideas for our June arts celebration.

Below you will find the link to the FCD grant application. Once you have completed the application please email it to franklinculture@franklinma.gov with "Grant Application" in the subject line. All grant applications are due by February 11, 2021. We are expecting to notify all grant recipients by the end of February.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

The Franklin Cultural District Committee

Link to application doc: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dWeRrcWjU7qHEBie9iDstEKFrhMLDw_J/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Cultural District & Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant Application

"The town, using Community Preservation Act money, bought the lot"

Via the Community Preservation Coalition:

"Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity wants to build a cluster of up to 20 homes on a sliver of town-owned land off Route 41 in Housatonic.

The project would create the town’s first homes designated as affordable — nearly half of the units would be reserved for households making 80 percent or less of the area’s median income.

The town acquired the 7.5-acre parcel, known as the Alden property, last year for $175,000, and entrusted its development to the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The Habitat proposal was the only one submitted for the site.

The formal vetting of the plan got underway Friday, when the board heard details about the plan via Zoom. Habitat is proposing 14 to 20 homes at varying costs, to be built in phases, said Carolyn Valli, Habitat’s CEO. It would begin with seven homes, and more would be added gradually, in collaboration with Construct Inc. and the community."

Continue reading the article at the Berkshire Eagle: https://t.co/LHiuyNR0YQ

Ben knows it is important to keep your hands clean

"Ben knows it is important to keep your hands clean, even when you aren't near a sink. Have hand sanitizer with you!

#BenKnows #DoYourPartFranklin #CleanPaws #ItMatters" @franklinpolice

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/R3Oh8v7WgW

Ben knows it is important to keep your hands clean

Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Via Denise Spencer:

"In June, School Committees across Massachusetts found themselves debating the anti-racism resolution outlined by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). Among the many statements in the resolution are efforts to recruit a diverse workforce, examine policies for systemic racism, and incorporate works of diverse authors into the curriculum, as well as the history of racial oppression.

Following these discussions, and approval of the Anti-Racism Resolution, in July I was happy to hear Dr. Ahern discuss her upcoming plans to form a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Last week over 50 community stakeholders (students, faculty and staff, central office and school committee) met and began working together, taking a look at who we are and what we can do better as a school community to make sure our staff, students and families feel welcome.

Franklin Public Schools will be conducting an equity audit in the coming year. MASC members are asked to ensure that diversity and inclusion are made part of the everyday culture of schools. I am looking forward to the results of this audit and learning which areas we need to improve on."

Please click on the below link to find more information regarding the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-1byeie6g7-MG9-FwvFiOhI8Pbme4cEz/view?fbclid=IwAR1RplopkcOgi6m4XzVXBIdB5BvLoGjAt1KWdn1UuyWAWnLd4T_IYnc4-PY

Shared from Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=469766124409443&id=113623673357025