Saturday, November 13, 2010

Recycle to help the Panthers

ATTENTION: FRANKLIN PANTHERS FANS!
Support the Girls Ice Hockey team
at this
SPECIAL EVENT
CLEAN UP - CLEAN OUT
Electronic & Appliance Recycling Drive

Proceeds from electronics will benefit the Panthers.

Saturday, November 13
9am to 2pm
at
St. Mary's Charter School Parking lot
201 Main Street
Franklin


Big Brother Big Sister will participate by collecting used clothing. Please look for
the Big Blue Truck. Receipts available from our drivers.


Price List for Electronics/Appliances is as follows:
Large Home Appliances...............$10.00
Small Appliances............................$5.00
Televisions less than 48".............$20.00
Air Conditioners/Dehumidifiers....$10.00
Stereos/Speakers...........................$5.00
Computers, Monitors, Printers.......$5.00
Office Equipment.....................$5-10.00
Notebooks.....................................$5.00
DVD/VCR.......................................$3.00

All Fees are Tax Deductible.
Receipts given - cash only

For more information, call Franklin School at 508.520.7590
or call Big Brother Big Sister Foundation 1.800.483.5503
or contact us at: www.bbbsfoundation.org donate@bbbsfoundation.org

Thank you. We appreciate your support and participation.



Franklin, MA


Friday, November 12, 2010

Bullying Plan - Comments wanted!

You may recall that the School Committee formed an Anti-Bullying Task Force. This group has come together and developed a plan to address bullying in the Franklin School District. The plan is scheduled for discussion at the Nov 16th School Committee meeting.

In addition to the public discussion, the committee is soliciting written comments by e-mail or letter. For e-mails, please send your comments to: millerd@franklin.k12.ma.us. For letters, please send your comments to: Franklin School Committee, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038.
The public comment period will be open through Thursday, December 9, 2010. The plan will be finalized and voted on at the December 14, 2010 school committee meeting.


The plan can be viewed below or on the School Committee page or on the Task Force page

Franklin Public Schools Bullying Plan

Don't be bashful, let your voice be heard.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.


Franklin, MA

Yes, class size matters.

No surprise here:
But if the board hoped to hear that they could let class sizes creep higher without harming student development or achievement, Rivkin, who also sits on the Amherst School Committee, disappointed.
Extracting from two studies that met his criteria for reliability, the Tennessee STAR project and a 2005 study he did with colleagues on Texas schools, Rivkin told the panel that class size matters.
Moreover, he said, studies using STAR (for Student Teacher Achievement Ratio) data have found students in smaller classes were more likely to attend college, attend a good college, and earn more than peers in larger classes.
You can read the full article in the Boston Globe West section of the print version or online

Class size can increase with growth which Franklin has seen and Brookline is now seeing, or class size can increase due to cuts in teacher staff which Franklin has seen and is likely to continue to see until something changes.


Franklin, MA

In the News - Franklin Food Pantry, Class of 1961, Civil War, Comedy Night tonight

Franklin Food Pantry ready for a big weekend

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 

Franklin schools seeking members of the Class of 1961

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 

Franklin Men's Club holds Civil War program


Franklin parent group holds fundraiser


Franklin, MA

'God of This City' Tour Stops at St Mary’s

The 2010 God of This City Tour stops at St. Mary’s on Thursday, December 2nd from 7:00-9:00 pm
Each night during the first week of Advent, the God of This City Tour will visit one parish in each of the five regions of the Archdiocese of Boston. It is a great honor for St. Mary’s to be chosen as the host parish of our region for one of the five awe-inspiring evenings. Cardinal Sean O’Malley will host the final night of the tour at the mother church of the Archdiocese, the Cathedral of The Holy Cross, in Boston.

The tour is organized by LIFT Ministries, whose ‘Worship for a New Generation’ format presents a fresh means for teens, young adults and people of all ages to reverently assert their Catholic faith. The tour nights will be similar to LIFT nights, providing a unique blend of contemporary music, opportunity for confession, a dynamic speaker and the occasion to bow down in Adoration before His holy presence. It is a night of both enthusiastic praise and quiet contemplation.

LIFT’s vision for the tour is to rally parishes throughout the regions to unite in prayerful support of our youth; and in the process renew their own faith and see, as it travels throughout the five regions of the Archdiocese, that the Church is alive in her young people.

Every person of every age, but especially teens and young adults, and your friends and family …come see the majesty of God up close and personal. The experience is life altering for many, faith affirming for all, and an extraordinary way to begin your Advent. As a time of preparation, Advent allows us to refocus on and make room in our lives for Christ. Eucharistic Adoration grants us time with Jesus to share our joys, troubles, gratitude, disappointments, needs, everything with Him, and listen to Him speak to our hearts. As Advent begins this year, open your heart and your over filled calendar to this amazing opportunity to spend time in conversation with the One. Prepare to receive the ultimate gift.

There is no fee to attend the God of This City Tour. For more information, including images of last year’s tour, visit http://www.godofthiscitytour.com/ or contact St Mary site coordinators, Jackie LaNeve or Jennifer Moccia, at therockyouthministry@verizon.net.



Franklin, MA

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Property tax alternative

“We’ll be talking to different entities to gain support for this concept," he said. “We haven’t identified a champion yet. There’s a lot of new ground being plowed here."
The idea, Sinnot said, is to take some of the tax burden off property owners, particularly older residents who purchased their homes when values and taxes were lower, and shift it onto residents making more money. The average value of a single-family home in Concord is $835,697, with a tax bill of $10,128.
Sinnot said Pennsylvania and Maryland are among the states that allow local income taxes.
“We’re serious about dealing with particularly high property taxes and those earning a lot would have to pay a little more," he said. “House-rich people would benefit, older folks would benefit, and high earners would pick up the slack a little bit."
Read the full article in the Boston Globe West print edition or online



Franklin, MA

Veterans Day

Some folks are off today as Veterans Day is celebrated. Some folks still need to work. Either way, if you get a chance to meet a person in the military or a veteran, please thank them for their service.

If you get a chance, walk around the Town Common. There are memorials to all the major wars that Franklin folks have served in. If you can't take time today, you can take this virtual tour in pictures.





Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the photos.

Franklin, MA

In the News - snow day, casino night, town recognized


Franklin schools may change snow day procedures

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 


Franklin Education Foundation casino night

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 


Franklin lauded for assistance to town's vets


Franklin, MA

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Are you helping the Franklin Food Pantry this weekend?

Don't miss our first benefit THIS SATURDAY, November 13th at 3 restaurant, thanks to Rich Brachold and Bigelow Station. Tickets are $25/person and can be purchased at Village Ski or by calling the Franklin Food Pantry by this Wednesday (11/10/10).

We have 25 tickets left, first come first serve. A fun night of appetizers, drinks and great music begins at 7pm. The band, Bigelow Station, will begin playing at 8:00pm. Tickets will include a chance to win a mid-week ski or "get-a-way" vacation at Sugarloaf in Maine. We request ticket holders bring a food item on the listing below. Call a few friends and join us this Saturday night at 3.

If you cannot join us on Saturday, please consider purchasing a ticket to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and we will enter ticket in our raffle. We would love our first event to be sold out!

____________________________________________________________________________

The Franklin Food Pantry is pleased to be one of the charitable organizations to benefit from the ‘Legacy of Giving’ being held at Legacy Place in Dedham, MA on Sunday November 14th.

The ‘Legacy of Giving’ is an evening of shopping in support of local charities, offering exclusive savings, prize giveaways, entertainment & more. Guests will enjoy one-time special offers in a festive atmosphere at participating businesses, including discounts up to 25%. The event will run from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

You can support the Franklin Food Pantry by purchasing a $10 bracelet and receive amazing one-time savings on your holiday shopping. 100% of the bracelet price will go to support the Franklin Food Pantry. If you wish to purchase a bracelet(s) please contact Maureen Roy at 508-528-5170.

____________________________________________________________________________

Visit http://www.igive.com/FranklinFoodPantry

Up to 26% of each and every purchase benefits the Franklin Food Pantry, and donation rates vary by store. Donation rates are clearly listed within the iGive Mall. When you shop, every penny of the advertised donation goes directly to the Franklin Food Pantry. No administrative costs, fees, no mark-ups. We promise, you’ll never pay more to shop through iGive.

Established in 1997, iGive.com is an Internet company whose goal is to enable the economic power of individuals to benefit their chosen communities. Hundreds of thousands of iGive.com shoppers have raised over $5,000,000 for their favorite causes - all at no cost. More information attached.

iGive.com’s online mall features over 800 of the web’s best stores, including Amazon.com, Pottery Barn, Best Buy, Staples, eBay, PETCO, Expedia, and QVC. From gifts to groceries, special occasions to everyday necessities, every purchase can help the Franklin Food Pantry.


Please forward to any friends or family who may be interested,

The updated holiday needs listing:

Food Pantry Holiday Needs 2010 11




Franklin, MA

Dean College to present "Medea"

Dean College will present the Greek tragedy Medea featuring Broadway actress Mary Vreeland in the title role.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. this Wednesday (November 10); 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 11, and 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, November 12 and 13; and November 19 and 20; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 14 and 21.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and can be purchased through the Dean College Box office at 508-541-1606 or online at www.dean.edu/performance

The play will be presented in the Main Stage, the new theatre in Dean College’s expanded Campus Center. Parking is available off of Route 140 near Emmons Street.


Franklin, MA

School Committee - 11/09/10

The collection of posts live reported from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov 9 can be found here:




Franklin, MA

In the News - capital plan, Chamber moves


Franklin school board OKs $2.4 million capital plan




Franklin, MA

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Live reporting - closing items

5. Information Matters

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
policy subcommittee met and will have a new policy on teacher research projects
school budget process started

School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

FEF Casino night

public comment period is open, Nov 16th discussion on the bullying policy
period open until Dec 9th

for voting at meeting on Dec 14th

Dec 9th - Bullying Forum at Dean College 7:00 PM



7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

motion to enter executive session with no intention to return to open session



Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Superintendent Report

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report

need to conduct a visioning exercise as part of the high school renovation project, it could be an engaging several days
you do need to be there for all three days
it is an opportunity to help reinvent Franklin High School

A copy of a study that we had worked on previously
interesting to re-read the study to see what we said about where we need to go

the documents for both of these can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/school-committee-superintendents-update.html

The walking club at the high school has been going very well
The Weight Watchers club joined us Monday


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed. motion to accept, passed 7-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the JFKennedy PCC for a nurse for the 3rd grade field trip to Plimoth Plantation on 11/16/10. motion to accept, passed 7-0


c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $750.00 from the JFKennedy PCC for buses for the 3rd grade field trip to Plimoth Plantation on 11/16/10. motion to accept, passed 7-0


d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $20.00 from Debra Meredith for in-house enrichment at Horace Mann Middle School.  motion to accept, passed 7-0


e. I recommend approval of the FHS Classics Club Certamen Team field trip to Dover, NH for a competition on November 13, 2010. motion to accept, passed 7-0

f. I recommend the request of Joan Toye, Principal of JF Kennedy to declare 522 Harcourt Trophies books surplus. motion to accept, passed 7-0


g. I recommend acceptance of 4 checks totaling: $2,467.00 from the Parmenter PCC for grade 2 and 3 field trips. motion to accept, passed 7-0


h. I recommend approval of the 2012 Capital Plan as discussed. motion to accept, passed 7-0


i. I recommend approval of the Field Trip request of Peter Light to take 20 students to Europe from June 24, 2011 to July 3, 2011 as detailed.  motion to accept, passed 7-0



Franklin, MA