Franklin Public Schools: Opening Delayed until Sep 6

Due to the continued impact of the tropical storm that has left forty percent of Franklin residents without power, the school administration made the decision to defer the opening of school until September 6. Faculty and staff will report on Friday, September 2 for orientation. On September 6, each school will host Kindergarten orientation and all Kindergarten students will report to school on Wednesday September 7 at the regular time.

Additional information is contained in the following memo:

Franklin Public Schools- School Opening Postponed

Tree damage

Photos of tree damage in Franklin as we walked around on Monday

Susan's Way

Parmenter School

Wachusett St

Milliken Ave

King St

Being without electricity gives a new sense of what it is like to "have not".

"it doesn't show any sign of coming back"

Franklin Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said that as of this afternoon, 40 to 50 percent of Franklin is without power and his main concern has been ensuring residents have access to food and water. 

"The sewer and water system is functioning as designed, which is a blessing," said McCarraher. "The downtown Franklin restaurants are all open for business...We're pretty confident our people can get access to food." 

Residents without water can head to the Department of Public Works, at 257 Fisher St., or either fire station - 40 West Central St., or 600 King St. - with their own containers for water. 

Most of the traffic lights along Rte. 140 in Franklin are out, and stop signs affixed to barrels are set up at the intersections instead. McCarraher said he is meeting with National Grid, but that the DPW has opened all roads that are free of debris and downed wires. 

Although National Grid is working as fast as they can to restore power, it still is frustrating to some residents.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1688627525/Area-towns-still-without-power-after-Irene#ixzz1WVL6OXAC

Y Opens Doors to Residents Without Power

                         

SUPPORTING      
OUR                   
NEIGHBORS
     
 FFFY OPENS DOORS TO RESIDENTS WITHOUT POWER

Dear Members,

Please help us spread the word to your neighbors, family and friends: We are opening our Franklin and North Attleboro Branches to area residents who have lost power. 

According to YMCA President Ed Hurley, "We want to help our neighbors in our local communities who have been impacted by Sunday's storm.  In this spirit, we are opening up our facilities for people to take a hot shower, charge their cell phones, or simply get out of the house.  Our YMCA's doors will be open to all during this difficult period."

The Hockomock Area YMCA's Foxboro Branch did not open today and will remain closed until commercial power is restored.

Those who wish to visit one of the Ys, must bring an ID and fill out a guest pass form in order to access the locker rooms.  Individuals and families will be able to use Hockomock Area YMCA facilities free of charge as long as they are without power.  The YMCA hours are 5:15 am – 9:30 pm.  For additional information, please call the Member Service Desks at our Franklin Branch (508) 528-8708 or our North Attleboro Branch (508) 695-7001.

Sincerely,
Hockomock Area YMCA

www.hockymca.org

 facebook.com/hockomockareaymca 

Franklin Public Schools: Open House/Classroom Visits

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello As the new school year is starting, many of our schools have set up Open Houses for Tuesday, August 30, 2011 to visit the school and classrooms. Based on the power outages at some of our schools and the safety challenges presented by downed power lines all over Franklin, all visits and Open Houses are canceled. We know you are disappointed but until National Grid is able to assure the safety of the community we cannot sponsor these events at our schools. We will set up visits at a later date. I know many of you are calling the office to inquire as to the possibility of postponing the start of school. The administration and School Committee are consulting with Public Safety Officials and we will be making a decision sometime tomorrow. Please be aware the Municipal Building has no power or phone service. We have a small generator that is supporting some of the business office functions. We are not able to produce bus passes or complete enrollments. As soon as we are up and running we will notify the community. Thank you for you support and warmest regards, Maureen Sabolinski, Superintendent of Schools To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer. This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/stephensherlock

Franklin Public Schools: Professional Development Schedule 8/30/11

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello Please be aware that the planned professional development day will be scheduled as planned. We change several locations due to the continued power outage at Parmenter and HM/Oak/ECDC. New locations are posted on the door at each school and principals sent via email. I wanted to let you know you will receive your Orientation/Prep Day as outlined in the FEA contract. We will be working with the FEA to schedule this day. I want to thank Peter Light for sending out the message this morning as the Municipal Building has no power and we were working on installing a temporary generator in order to get the payroll out. Here is plan for PD PD Plan for August 30, 2011 (as of 1:10PM-8/29) Elementary Writer's Workshop for Grades 3-5 as planned at Jefferson (no change) Fundations for Grades 1-2 as planned at Keller (no change) Fundations for Kindergarten NOW AT DAVIS THAYER NOT PARMENTER AS PLANNED Middle School X2 for Remington and Annie Sullivan as planned X2 for Horace Mann now at FHS- Putnam Lab Bullying Prevention as per original schedule NOW AT FHS LECTURE HALL NOT HORACE MANN Building /team time as originally planned by building-HORACE MANN CAN USE SPACE AT FHS FOR meetings FHS X2 and It's Learning as planned-no changes School Psychologists/Adjustment Counselors/Team Chairs: Annie Sullivan/Keller Conference Room 8:00 AM Nurses: Remington/Jefferson Early Childhood: Davis Thayer Due to the power outages in the schools and throughout the town, there will be no "sneak peaks" or previews of classrooms at the elementary schools tomorrow evening. To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer. This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

Powerless and lucky

We're powerless but lucky to have escaped with little tree damage from what was left of Hurricane Irene. The power went out about 1:00. We were prepared with batteries, candles and the Coleman camping lantern provides a great deal of light.

When the rain stopped we picked up most of the small branches and twigs dropped by the wind from the trees. It didn't take long to cut up the one large branch that fell into the street. We'll have some good fire wood for the winter!

The cell phone batteries were the first to die away. Depending upon when the power returns (today?), we may need to run the car to re-charge them a bit. I have sparingly used my netbook and broadband card so I have several hours of connection remaining.

We did take a walk around the neighborhood last night. It was a rare event to see no lights anywhere. If there was a light (from a passing car, or a candle in a house) the little light was very noticeable in the darkness.

I hope you all survived with a story or two to pass along.