"They're like a family to me"

Davis Thayer Principal Shirley Babcock and Keller Principal Mary Jane Wiles are both retiring. Horace Mann's Michael Levine was brought in for one year as an interim principal while the district searched for a replacement for Anne Bergen, who retired last year. 

The district recently named Remington Middle School Assistant Principal Shawn Fortin as the new Horace Mann principal and they plan to begin searches for two new elementary principals after February vacation, Assistant Superintendent Sally Winslow said. 

"Shawn rose to the top throughout the (interview) process," Winslow said, adding there were five candidates from outside the district in addition to Fortin. "Shawn really showed himself to be visionary in his approach. ... He's done a fabulous job (at Remington) looking at MCAS scores and working with the principal and teachers around instructional strategies so kids can perform better on those tests."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In addition to the principals in the article, Michele Kingsland-Smith, Director of Instructional Services also announced her retirement this week to be effective after the school year. She apparently will continue to work with the district in a part-time consultative capacity.


Franklin, MA

In the News - wrestling, Relay for Life

Franklin Elks host professional wrestling match

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

Relay for Life kick-off meeting planned in Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

Franklin, MA

"they have lost vital funding"

"De-accessioning" means these collections will no longer be available to the public and many plants within the collections will be destroyed. Included in this de-accession plan are the National Boxwood Collection and its associated Perennial Collections, along with the extensive Glenn Dale Hillside of the Azalea Collections. This will be a huge loss for the plant world, and for all the people who have traveled to and enjoyed these gardens. 

Arboreta and other public botanic gardens are true treasures for those of us who enjoy experiencing the beauty and value of trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and other plants in a comfortable setting. Few private gardens can offer the range of horticulture they make available, often in association with other garden treasures (sculpture, architecture, art, etc.).

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

In eastern Massachusetts, some of the best of these gardens include Tower Hill Botanic Garden (www.towerhillbg.org) in Boylston, the Arnold Arboretum (arboretum.harvard.edu) in Jamaica Plain, and the Wellesley College Botanic Garden (www.wellesley.edu/WCBG).

Franklin, MA

State implements new early childhood rating system

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

State implements new early childhood rating system

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff on 2/11/11

This month the state debuted a new rating system for early education programs with the aim of closing achievement gaps in Massachusetts.

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The MA.gov  web site with additional information on the standards and rating system can be found here.

"You don't have to be a smoker to get lung cancer"

"I have no doubt in my mind the people who will find a cure for cancer are the people at Dana-Faber," said Jamie Tighe, a Franklin resident who grew up in Framingham and is running the Boston Marathon in April in Andy's honor. 

His brother, Tim, and Tighe's brother were best friends, so "Andy was always a presence in my life," Tighe said. "He's always been like a brother." 

So, even though "I was definitely not a runner" until recently, "when he was diagnosed, it was immediate." She decided to do the 26-mile race. 

"It was always he and I. He always said, 'I'll see you at the finish line.' One of the hardest things I had to do was to change my Dana-Farber website" to reflect she's now running in his memory.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Those who would like information about supporting Tighe's Dana-Farber fundraising can go to rundfmc.org and enter her name in the "Support a Runner" tab.

Franklin, MA

Liberty Bell missing from Franklin museum

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Liberty Bell missing from Franklin museum

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff on 2/10/11

The Historical Commission is asking for the public's help locating a Liberty Bell that is missing from outside the Historical Museum sometime this week.

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This picture was taken on a warmer day.

"So many people are waiting"

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, Buccella is holding a bone marrow drive, and Flannery will distribute information on how to become an organ and tissue donor. The event will be held at the Franklin YMCA at 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin. 

All that is required to become a potential registered bone marrow donor is a simple cheek swab that determines tissue type, Buccella said. This can be done at a local drive or go online at www.BeTheMatch.org and send for a kit to do it yourself. 

Registering to become an organ donor is just as simple and can be done when renewing a driver's license, Flannery said, or registering at the New England Organ Bank website at www.neob.org. 

The two also plan to distribute literature at various Registry of Motor Vehicle branches. They stress the point isn't to find donors for themselves and those they love - it is to emphasize the need and ease.

Read the full article on the organ donor information event in the Milford Daily News



Franklin, MA