Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Dec 13, 2011 - Agenda


Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement
The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.


"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."


1. Routine Business
• Citizen’s Comments
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 25, 2011 November 9, 2011 and November 15, 2011 School Committee Meetings.
• Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
• Payroll Mrs. Douglas
• Correspondence:

  1. Budget to Actual
  2. Revolving Account Memo


2. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Field Trip to The Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI for Parmenter 5th graders on April 10, 2012 as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for Annie Sullivan Middle School.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $600.00 from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for Annie Sullivan Middle School.
d. I recommend acceptance of two checks ($282.66 & 262.00) totaling $534.66 from the Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign from Mr. Douglas Lee for the Franklin High School.
e. I recommend acceptance of an anonymous donation of $5,000.00 for the Jefferson Elementary School.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $270.00 for the Franklin School District.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from the ASMS PCC for a 6th grade field trip.
h. I recommend approval of the request of the FHS for the MA DECA State Competition in Boston, MA on 3/8 – 10/12 as detailed.
i. I recommend approval of the request of the FHS for the International DECA Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah on 4/28 – 5/1/12 as detailed.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Integrated Classroom Technology which was a MobiView prize from drawing at Mass cue conference for Oak Street Elementary School.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for 202.36 from consignment materials from Follett for Jefferson Elementary School.
l. I recommend acceptance of the donation of PE Equipment from Infinite Kids for the Davis Thayer Elementary School.
m. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 36 Bose multimedia speaker systems valued at $99.95 each from Bose Corporation for the district.


3. Superintendent’s Report

4. New Business

5. Open Meeting Law Training – Michelle McNulty

6. Adjourn

In the News - refinance, ECDC, Dean, MSBA


Franklin refinances bonds


Frankllin's ECDC accepts applications



State sending early payments for some school-building projects



Cops: Three men had knives at Dean College in Franklin

Monday, December 12, 2011

Holiday Open House 2011



Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
 
URCC logo white background 
The United Regional
Chamber of Commerce's
Holiday Open House 
Dear Stephen,

You're cordially invited to attend the Chamber's Holiday Open House! Come to The United Regional Chamber of Commerce's Franklin office, 4 West St., on Wed., Dec. 14 or the Attleboro office, 42 Union St., on Thurs., Dec. 15. Both open houses run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. We'd love to celebrate the holidays with you! Please bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to the Santa Foundation.


This email was sent to sgsherlock@gmail.com by jack@unitedregionalchamber.com |  
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Jazz mistakes for Monday (video)

Monday morning. New week. New beginnings.

Music can be a metaphor for so much.

Orchestra, band = a form of organization

Conductor, band leader = leader

What is a mistake? By talking through examples with his improvisational Jazz quartet, Stefon Harris walks us to a profound truth: many actions are perceived as mistakes only because we don't react to them appropriately.


Spend about 13 minutes with this video from TEDSalon




Enjoy!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Franklin, MA: Town Council Work Session


The Town Council will hold a work session on Wednesday, Dec 14. The work session will take place in the 3rd Floor Training Room at the Municipal Bldg. The session will begin at 7:00 PM.

The session is open to all Franklin residents. You can have direct access to the councilors to talk about your issues and concerns.

This is a great idea! The newly formed Council is attempting to foster more direct access to Franklin residents and we need to take advantage of this opportunity.

During the current Town Council meetings, you only 3 minutes to say something during Citizens Comments and then you have to wait until the end of the meeting agenda where either the Town Administrator or one (or more) of the Council will have an opportunity to respond to whatever was raised. While it works to have issues raised, this 'Citizens Comment" process does not foster a conversation.

How long the session will go will depend upon how many show up to get involved in the discussion.

Recall the listing of items up for discussion at future Town Council meetings and published as part of the workshop held in November. If you are looking for a topic, this would be one place to start.



"raising money to buy gifts for families and children who would otherwise go without"


It’s all part of the school’s Light Up a Life project that works with a local charity, The Santa Foundation, for which students shop and then wrap and deliver gifts. This year, the gifts will be distributed to 26 families as well as 24 children from a home for abused children. 
“It feels really special to give back to the community. After doing this the past two years, it feels like a Christmas tradition,” said junior Rob Ward, one of the peer leaders helping with the drive. 
Light Up a Life peer leaders, who serve as school ambassadors, collect money from fellow classmates and teachers. They are then given a family for whom to buy gifts which come from a wish list made by the family.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x1270566676/Franklin-students-give-presents-to-families-in-need#ixzz1gEAz7WIo

To make a contribution, visit their website and donate using PayPal
http://lightupalife.blogspot.com/

Only 2 Days to Go

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 12/10/11

The Partnership and the Food Elves still need a few more donations to meet our goal of 1,200 pounds of food so the Food Pantry will receive $1,200 in matching funds!


Please drop off your donations by Monday, December 12.


If the Food Elves reach their goal and collect 1,200 pounds of food, participating businesses pledge an additional $1,200 in matching funds! 1,200 pounds of food can provide 923 meals to those in need. The $1,200 can provide an additional 6,000 meals.


Look for food donation bins at these locations:

  • Franklin Downtown Partnership office
  • Jane's Frames
  • Printsmart Office Supplies
  • Berry Insurance
  • Dean Bank
  • Dean College
  • YMCA
  • Allied Chiropractic
  • Food Pantry -- with a note indicating that you want it to go toward the Food Elves/FDP food drive campaign



Thanks to everyone who has supported the Food Pantry and the Food Elves' "12 Days of Donating" campaign!

Things you can do from here:

"education must be a priority"


Looking to the future, Biocchi said she foresees economic growth in MetroWest expanding toward I-495, the way businesses filled in the Rte. 128 corridor 10 years ago. 
Dunne said MetroWest cities and towns are learning how to show love to the businesses with roots in MetroWest and also find ways to bring new ones. 
Natick’s Economic Development Committee will soon launch a website aimed at attracting new industries and their employees. 
“Over time I think MetroWest will be sort of a known region,” Joseph said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/business/x536735116/How-the-local-economy-survived-the-death-of-manufacturing#ixzz1gE94ZuFs


Related posts on Franklin's economic development efforts







Reward for lost cat (photo)

When you go looking for a lost cat, wouldn't it be nice to have a photo? We do, now happy hunting for Sal.

Hi Steve,
I was wondering if you would consider posting about my lost cat? I understand if it's not the right forum, but I am out of my mind with worry and I am reaching out to anyone in Franklin (Freecycle has graciously posted my message):

LOST CAT
Black with greenish/yellow eyes
No collar
Answers to "Sal"
Last seen around 248 Pleasant St., Franklin, on December 8.



He is exclusively an indoor cat - he has no idea what to do outside. If you see him, please call me at 508-541-4431 or email me at: Kelly@alphalab.com. If you can take him in and keep him safe, I would be eternally grateful.

REWARD

Thank you,
Kelly Stenstrom

kelly@alphalab.com

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Attention: Reward for lost cat

Hi Steve,
I was wondering if you would consider posting about my lost cat? I understand if it's not the right forum, but I am out of my mind with worry and I am reaching out to anyone in Franklin (Freecycle has graciously posted my message):

LOST CAT
Black with greenish/yellow eyes
No collar
Answers to "Sal"
Last seen around 248 Pleasant St., Franklin, on December 8.

He is exclusively an indoor cat - he has no idea what to do outside. If you see him, please call me at 508-541-4431 or email me at: Kelly@alphalab.com. If you can take him in and keep him safe, I would be eternally grateful.

REWARD

Thank you,
Kelly Stenstrom

kelly@alphalab.com

In the News - Big Y, break-ins, zoning



Cops: Teens steal steel from Franklin’s Big Y site





Five charged in Bellingham break-ins


 - will this help to resolve the Franklin break-ins?



Casino towns face zoning obstacles


 - zoning bylaws are critical to a community. Franklin is gearing up to revise their 'Master Plan' and you have the opportunity to participate. Contact the Town Administrator to express your interest.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Blinking - Sat Dec 10, 7:30 PM



Dean College School of Dance presents its first annual Guest Artist Series -- BLINKING features a multi-media contemporary choreographed dance exploration of tiny movement and light created by Providence resident Jamie Jewett and his company LOSTWAX – recently voted Rhode Island’s best dance company.

“We are thrilled to have Jamie here at Dean, not only as part of our faculty but also as part of our Guest Artists Series,” says Deb Nunes, Dance Program Director. “The dramatic relationship between the performers in BLINKING and the digital cinematography come together for a truly imaginative experience. We encourage students and local residents to take advantage of the opportunity to witness amazing artistry in their own back yard.”


Dean College - show time!

Tickets are available online via the Dean College website or at the door.

Franklin Police: Chief Semerjian

The Franklin Police Dept published their own notification on Chief Semerjian's swearing in ceremony on Wednesday. As there were many folks in the room, the photos show a different angle.

Chief Semerjian

The notification also includes the historical listing of the 10 police chiefs for Franklin, MA:

History of Chiefs of Police
1. Anthony Connor, 1904-1907
2. John W Nickerson, 1907-1908
3. W H Ballard, 1908-1914
4. Feeman G Knowlton, 1914-1936
5. Walter Burke, 1936-1939
6. Joseph W Cataldo, 1940-1951
7. Arthur C Pellegri, 1951-1980
8. Lawrence P Benedetto, 1980-2003
9. Stephen T Williams, 2003-2011
10. Stephan H Semerjian, 2011


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

Note: to subscribe to receive your own alert or news from the Franklin Police, you can do so on the Franklin website here http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/subscriber-news

ECDC - Application Information



The Francis X. O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) is an integrated preschool program operated by the Franklin Public Schools and is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. The program is designed for children who are three to five years old. Parents and community involvement is an integral part of our preschool program. Additional information on the application process and lottery can be found in the attached document:


ECDC_ApplicationInfo_20111207



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