Saturday, May 16, 2009

Franklin Library book sale Sat 5/16/09

The Book Sale is at the DPW on Hayward St.

They will be open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Franklin: car wash at Parmenter school today.


Franklin: car wash at Parmenter school today., originally uploaded by shersteve.

The car wash will be open from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
The Bottle and Can drive will operate from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM


Beautification Day - 1000 flowers today

FRANKLIN -

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is preparing for its 2009 events and festivals.
On May 16, the Partnership and Franklin Garden Club will kick off the year with their annual Downtown Beautification Day. Volunteers will meet at the town center to plant more than 1,000 flowers. Due to the economy this year, the group is reaching out to businesses and residents asking for donations to assist with the cost of the flowers and the winter decorations. All contributions are tax deductible. Contact Eileen Mason at 508-330-4234 or emason11@verizon.net to volunteer or sponsor the beautification project.
Read more about event that the Downtown Partnership is holding online at the Franklin Gazette

"Technology has a lot to offer"

GHS
Posted May 15, 2009 @ 11:31 PM

FRANKLIN —

This September, Franklin High School is going hi-tech.

No more playing catch-up to students toting iPhones and other electronic gadgets in their pockets; instead, school leaders are bringing wireless technology into the classroom.

The Technology Department has installed two wireless networks, with 21 access points around the high school, to make the entire building completely wireless, said Technology Director Tim Rapoza.

"It's a very big initiative. I don't know any other district that does it. They're all watching us to see how it goes," said Rapoza, smiling.

"I don't mind pioneering it a little bit. I think it's the right way to go. I don't look at it as a leap - I look at it as us moving in the right direction faster than everybody else, because it is inevitable," Rapoza said.

Read more about the wireless internet at FHS in the Milford Daily News here


Friday, May 15, 2009

Kodak Lesson Plans

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Free Technology for Teachers by rbyrnetech@hotmail.com (Mr. Byrne) on 5/14/09
Kodak has been a household name for over one hundred years, but when most people hear the name Kodak they think "camera" not "lesson plans." A little-known aspect of Kodak's website offers lesson plans for every grade level in twelve subject areas. The lesson plans are organized by grade level and subject area. These are not skeleton lesson plans, the Kodak lesson plans have very detailed directions for classroom implementation. All of the lesson plans include the use of photographs and or cameras.

Applications for Education
The Kodak Lesson Plans provide good ideas for integrating art and photography into just about any subject area.

Here are some related resources that may be of interest to you:
Blogs for Art Teachers
Explore the British Library Online Gallery
Award Winning Google Earth Lesson Plans

Things you can do from here:

Flag in the rain at Franklin Municipal Bldg

"monument only exists because of the generosity of residents"

GHS
Posted May 14, 2009 @ 11:57 PM

FRANKLIN —

On Memorial Day, the families of Franklin's two soldiers killed in action since September 11, 2001, will unveil a new memorial honoring the fallen heroes, says Veterans Agent Bob Fahey.

The monument, which features a bronze doughboy statue, is fully in place on the town common, Fahey said.

Next week, colored cement will be poured around it as flooring, and six lit service flags will be installed, he said.

"I think it's going to possibly be one of the nicest memorial sites in the state. I really feel it's going to be a thing of indescribable beauty," Fahey said, getting choked up.

"But most of all, it's going to bring home to people recognition of the sacrifices made on our behalf by all those who served in the military," he said.

Read the full article on the monument in the Milford Daily News here

For pictures of the other war monuments on the Town Common visit here and here

A recent picture of the WWI doughboy can be see on the top right corner of Franklin Matters.


Gov Patrick comes to Franklin 5/17/09

Governor Deval Patrick will hold a "Town Hall Meeting" on Sunday May 17 at 4pm-5pm at the Franklin Senior Center 10 Daniel McCahill Street.

For additional information on Governor Patrick's forums visit www.mass.gov/governor/forum

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Industry: RokkSoft - VocalEZ

RokkSoft Solutions Offers VocalEZ Voice Recognition Medical Transcription SaaS with Expanded Support for Windows Mobile Devices
VocalEZ voice-enabled transcription software-as-a-service converts dictation to clinical documents in minutes at half the cost of traditional transcription.


Franklin, MA, May 14, 2009 --(PR.com)--

RokkSoft Solutions Corp has announced that the VocalEZ medical dictation transcription system now provides support for Windows Mobile equipped cell phones and PDAs.

VocalEZ Mobile for Windows Mobile enables dictation of patient encounter notes on any mobile phone or personal digital assistant (PDA) that supports Microsoft Windows Mobile® OS. This empowers the physician to quickly dictate encounter notes and medical letters while making rounds or when traveling. Or, simply use VocalEZ Mobile for all dictation as an un-tethered system user.

RokkSoft offers the VocalEZ medical dictation transcription system as a pay-for-use or “Software as a Service” (SaaS) model to physician practices and medical clinics.

Support of Windows Mobile devices enables physicians to complete dictation jobs when out of the office or on rounds for later conversion to clinical documentation by the VocalEZ voice recognition software.

VocalEZ wraps an integrated workflow around voice-enabled software and web technologies to provide a simple, cost effective dictation transcription platform delivering more accurate, timely and integrated medical documentation for electronic medical records.

For more information, visit www.rokksoft.com/vezmobile.html or call 866-509-0554.

###

About RokkSoft
RokkSoft Solutions Corp represents companies that provide medical practices and businesses with industry-changing technology applications to improve productivity and drive down operating costs. These applications are delivered in a “Software as a Service” (SaaS) model to minimize required startup resources and eliminate capital expenditures. This enables clients to quickly realize ongoing cost savings. For more information, please visit http://www.rokksoft.com.

This press release originally was posted here

"It's frustrating, the membership is frustrated"

Milford Daily News
Posted May 14, 2009 @ 12:45 AM

FRANKLIN —

Aside from the teachers union, the Professional Firefighters of Franklin is the only union in town that has not voted for a wage freeze next year - but for good reason.

The 47-member union has not had a contract since July 2007, or a raise since July 2006, said union President Capt. Steven J. Sims.

"A lot of guys are catching flak when they're out around town, people saying they should take a pay freeze. It's frustrating to the membership, because most of the public doesn't realize we haven't had a contract for two years," Sims said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"It's a lot easier to get 40 people to agree"

Milford Daily News
Posted May 14, 2009 @ 12:49 AM

FRANKLIN —

The heads of Local 1298, which represents five town unions, say the teachers union should "step up" and take a wage concession to save their colleagues' jobs.

"My belief is, when (Town Administrator) Jeff Nutting came to us with an offer to save jobs with a wage freeze, it was not an issue of negotiating a contract," said Patrick Farrell, Local 1298 chairman.

"We did it, the Police Department went for it, and the Fire Department is still in contract negotiations, so my opinion is, they should step up to the plate and they should take the deal," Farrell said.

Teachers instead asked for concessions on other matters in exchange for the pay freeze. That's led to an ongoing stalemate with the School Committee.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here


The Story of Stuff

Annie Leonard spent time doing some research and then managed to produce this video that tells the story of stuff.



I plan on reading the annotated script which you can find here.

You can find other resources on their web site

You can follow the updates on their blog

What do you think of the Story of Stuff?

New England Sports Celebration - 5/31/09


From the Facebook page for the New England Sports Celebration
Come down and help us raise funds for the F.X. O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center PCC. We are planning a fun-filled family day celebrating the proud tradition of New England sports!!

Currently, we have Boston hockey legend TERRY O'REILLY coming down to sign autographs from 2PM-4PM.

Signatures are $15 each with no charge for inscriptions. You are welcome to bring your own items, and we will have a great selection of pictures, pucks and other items available for sale!


Also from 2PM - 4PM, Wally the Green Monster will be visiting to take pictures and sign autographs for his fans for FREE!!!

AND JUST ANNOUNCED - Football Legend STEVE GROGAN will also be available from 2PM-4PM!!! Signatures are $15 each with no charge for inscriptions.

There will be lots of other fun activities for the kids, as well.
Cash bar and concessions will be available. did we mention....ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

This is a public event and we want to pack the place - so please feel free to invite anyone you would like!!! A lot more to come on this...

SAVE THE DATE!!

FREE SOLAR ENERGY PRESENTATIONS

FREE SOLAR ENERGY PRESENTATIONS FOR MA HOMEOWNERS

  • May 16th in Natick
  • May 19th in Newton

Hosted by Alteris Renewables, the Northeast’s leading solar energy company (www.alterisinc.com)

Come find out how solar power can affordably and effectively power your home. Photovoltaic (solar electric) technology is going mainstream as it continually becomes less expensive.

To learn about the myths and realities of solar power, including system cost and return on investment, attend a free seminar in Natick or Newton:


  • May 16, 9:30am Crowne Plaza Hotel 1360 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760 (Rte 9, across from Natick Mall)
  • May 19, 7:00pm Marriott Hotel 2345 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA 02466 (Near intersection of Rt. 30 & I-95)


Advance registration is requested by calling 800-955-1548

You can save money and the environment at the same time. Come learn how!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

"agreed to preserve full-day kindergarten"

Milford Daily News
Posted May 13, 2009 @ 12:24 AM

FRANKLIN —

Hoping to preserve as many teaching jobs as possible, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy last night announced the committee and teachers union are continuing to negotiate wage concessions into the 11th hour.

Representatives from both groups met Monday night and made "significant progress" toward a resolution in the best interest of students, Roy said.

Reading from a statement he and new union President Robert McLaughlin prepared, Roy said, "The School Committee and (union) are engaged in fruitful talks regarding a temporary wage concession for (next) year."

Roy said he is optimistic.

"I was encouraged by the respectful and collaborative tone of the discussions and I'm hopeful this will lead to a solution," he said.

Read the full article on the School Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News here

Read all the live reporting posts from the same School Committee meeting here