Monday, May 7, 2012

"applying it to a real work site"


Eighty-three high school seniors are participating in the senior shadow project this spring — heading out to experience the working world for about a month. 
“I would definitely think this project is extremely helpful,” Smith said. “I’m so happy I did it.”
Some of the dozens of sites include the Attleboro Arts Museum, medical manufacturer Zeptometrix Corp., Lakeview Pavilion, Hampton Inn and Dean College. 
“I think it provides (students) with real-life world experience,” Franklin-based Byrne Financial Freedom marketing director Carol Donnelly said of the students with whom the company has worked. “We’re not giving them copies to make.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/multimedia/photos/x2069499049/Franklin-High-program-imparts-shadow-wisdom#ixzz1uB1PmkVY

Stamp Out Hunger - Sat - May 12


The letter carriers of the Franklin Post Office will pick up your contribution this Saturday as they make their rounds with the mail.



Food and non-food items are welcome. You can check out the current needs listing for suggestions

Note: At this time the Franklin Food Pantry has lined up more than enough volunteers to help process the receipts on Saturday. Thank you!



Saving the American Chestnut tree


For more than a century, a relentless blight has decimated the American chestnut tree, driving the nation’s once grandest hardwood to the edge of extinction. 
First identified in 1904 in chestnut trees near the Brooklyn Zoo, the blight is thought to have arrived on imported Japanese chestnuts. It spread by airborne spores across the Eastern seaboard, eventually killing an estimated four billion trees, said Paul Franklin, communications director of The American Chestnut Foundation. 
“The American chestnut has gone from being a dominant tree to a shrub. If we do not intercede, it will eventually become extinct,” he said from the Foundation’s headquarters in Asheville, N.C.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1266595025/Saving-the-American-chestnut-tree#ixzz1uAydZqOl

The American Chestnut Foundation website can be found here  http://www.acf.org/

While we are talking about trees, I have noticed that the maple tree is suffering from blight here in Franklin.

Franklin, MA: maple blight again this year appears quickly

More about maple blight  http://www.savatree.com/maple-tree.html

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Share your wedding gown with Franklin Historical Museum


The Franklin Historical Museum is preparing for the return of their very popular Wedding Dress Exhibit. It will include dresses representing each decade of the last century and back to the late 1800's. The exhibit will run in June and July, dresses should be received before May 19.

FHM_weddinggown

If you would like to loan your wedding gown, or your Mom's or grandmother's gown to the museum for this beautiful exhibit, you can contact Debbie Pellegri at Franklin Town Hall, 508-520-4900 or drop off your dress with your name and as much information as you would like to share during Museum hours: Saturday 10:00am - 1:00pm; Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00pm and Thursdays 5:00pm-8:00pm.

FHM_bodicedetail

If you don't have the gown but still have some pictures of the wedding, please share those with the story of the wedding. 

For more information visit the Historical Museum Facebook page.

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 8, 2012

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 April 24, 2012 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Davis Thayer Update
b. Common Core – Joyce Edwards

3. Discussion Only Items
Draft 2012-2013 School Committee Meeting Calendar

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of the Proposed FY 13 School Budget for $52,710,000.00 as presented at the Budget Hearing on April 24, 2012.
b. I recommend adoption of the draft School Committee Calendar for 2012-2013 as discussed.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check in the amount of $4,200 from the Parmenter PCC for document cameras.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check in the amount of $239.19 from Funding Factory for supplies at Remington Middle School.
e. I recommend acceptance of a donation in the amount of $885 from TPC Boston for a field trip for 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students from Davis Thayer.
f. I recommend acceptance of a donation in the amount of $1,449.95 from Mr. Robert Salzbert of Resh, Inc. to be used for supplies at Davis Thayer.
g. I recommend acceptance of a donation in the amount of $500 from Peter Baglioni for the Fernando P. Baglioni Scholarship fund.
h. I recommend acceptance of a donation in the amount of $250 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check in the amount of $125 from the JFKennedy PCC for Nurses fee for a field trip.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check in the amount of $175 from the JFKennedy PCC for a bus for a field trip.
k. I recommend acceptance of check in the amount of $89.69 from PGB for the athletic gift account.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check in the amount of $50 from All American Publishing for the athletic gift account.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

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

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Franklin, MA: Curriculum

Part of the agenda for the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 8 will be an update on curriculum from Joyce Edwards. Part of the presentation will reveal the plans for the MCAS replacement with PARCC.
The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is a consortium of states working together to develop a common set of K-12 assessments in English and math anchored in what it takes to be ready for college and careers.
More about PARCC can be found on their website http://parcconline.org/

Her presentation document can be viewed here:

In the News: Jordan Hall, field trip



Franklin teens to perform at Jordan Hall Sunday, May 6

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Things to do - many choices

Sunrise Montessori Spring Fair
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/reminder-sunrise-montessori-school.html

The Cake Bar grand opening
Franklin Art Center One Year Anniversary
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/exciting-saturday-downtown-franklin-may.html

Horace Mann Destination Imagination Fund raiser - Panera Bread
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/franklin-destination-imagination-group.html

Cub Scouts shoe recycling
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/05/cub-scouts-to-franklin-residents-if.html



Franklin's 'Master Plan' public hearings scheduled

FRANKLIN - Franklin's Master Plan Committee will hold its first two public hearings this month to hear from residents about what they want for the future of Franklin.  The first hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9 at 7 p.m. in the training room on the 3rd floor of the Franklin Municipal Building.  For those unable to attend a weeknight meeting, a second hearing has been scheduled on Saturday, May 19 at 10:00 in the conference room at Franklin Public Library.


"These hearings will afford Franklin residents an opportunity to provide input on the planning process, and get involved early in developing the Franklin's Master Plan," noted Committee Chairman and Town Councilor Jeffrey Roy.  "We have been meeting for several months formulating a structure for our work, and we want to hear from the Franklin community about priorities and concerns.  We have scheduled the two hearings to afford citizens a good opportunity to participate in the process."

In December 2011, following the election of a new Town Council, the Master Plan Committee was formed to develop documents, review research and data, and obtain public input to outline and compose a Master Plan for the community.  In addition, the Committee will incorporate a strategic plan into this effort that will invite residents to visit the questions of who we are and what we want for our community.

"Attending a public hearing will provide Franklin's residents and organizations a great opportunity to provide the Town's Master Plan Committee with input as the Committee works toward development of a vision for the Town's future," said Bryan Taberner, the Director of Franklin's Planning & Community Development Department.  "The public process is an extremely important component of any comprehensive planning process, as the resulting goals and objectives will help to focus the decision making of Town officials well into the future."

By law, a Master Plan is a statement through text, maps, illustrations or other forms of communication that is designed to provide a basis for decision making regarding the long-term physical development of the municipality.  In that context, the committee is looking at the following elements:  Land Use, Housing, Economic Development, Circulation, Open Space and Recreation, Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources, Community Services, and Facilities. The Committee will establish recommendations for goals and policies in these areas and develop an implementation plan.  The report is expected to be delivered to the Town Council by June 2013.

Beth Dahlstrom, Franklin's Town Planner is hoping to learn how the residents of Franklin view the community in which they live.  She is interested in learning about what the residents see as the most important aspects of the community and what can the Town can do to enhance areas within the community to make it a better place to live. "I then hope the Master Plan Committee will be able to then use the information obtained at the Public Hearing to help formulate goals and objectives for use in the Master Plan," noted Dahlstrom..

The Master Plan Committee members are Jeffrey Roy, Chairman, Matt Kelly, Vice Chairman, Andy Bissanti, Secretary, Christi Apicella, Nathan Carlucci, John Carroll, David F. Dobrzynski, Jay Duncan, James Esterbrook , Gene Grella, Jeff Livingstone, Greg Rondeau, Timothy C. Twardowski, and Chris Vericker. 

The Committee has a website on the Franklin Town page at http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/Masterplan.  

It also has a presence on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FranklinMasterPlan.  

In addition to the public hearings, residents can offer input online at either site.

PMC Franklin Kids Ride - Jun 10

I received the following letter from Lisa with information to share on the PMC Franklin Kids Ride

Hi Steve, 
My name is Lisa Marchioni and I have been running the PMC Franklin Kids Ride for the past 5 years. I was hoping that we could get some information out to the community about our upcoming ride. 
This is a bike ride where kids in the community raise money to help fight cancer. All proceeds go to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. It's a great way for the kids to get involved in this battle against cancer. We all have been touched in some way who has fought this terrible disease and this ride empowers kids to raise money and ride their bikes for a great cause. 
The ride is Sunday, June 10th from 8am-12noon. It is held at Jefferson Elementary School. 
Everyone needs to register online to sign up for this event. We have a DJ and lots of fun things for the kids. The ride is for kids aged 3-14, and they can choose their miles: 3, 6 or 10 miles. We also have a tikes and trikes course for those under 6 and/or on training wheels. 
You can check out our website at http://kids.pmc.org/franklin for more information. I would love to try to get this information out to as many people in the Franklin area as possible. If you could post this as well as put it on facebook and twitter to all of your followers that would be great. 
If you have any questions or need more information, please let me know.Thanks so much for your support.
Lisa

In the News - mock crash, fundraiser, bottles/cans


Franklin students see mock crash scene



British Beer Co. hosting fundraiser for Franklin fire victims



All Night Party bottle, can drive slated, May 12

DLS offers new do-it-yourself Community Comparison spreadsheet that draws on...

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 5/3/12

The Division of Local Services has come up with a brand new tool that makes searching the Municipal Data Bank much quicker and more focused.

The new Community Comparison Report is up and running, drawing on 65 data elements currently found in the Municipal Data Bank.

The beauty of this application is that users can customize their search using a dozen search criteria.

Let's say you are interested in the average property tax paid in communities of between 5,000 and 10,000 people.

The Community Comparison Report almost instantly will deliver the data which you can then export into an Excel Spreadsheet.

The application is an easy-to-use means of extracting comparative municipal finance and demographic data for multiple communities, which eliminates the often frustrating exercise of opening numerous spreadsheets and sorting, cutting and pasting data from each into a single spreadsheet.

The latest edition of City and Town has more information on the new application and why it will make data searching easier.

Things you can do from here:

Friday, May 4, 2012

Franklin Destination Imagination Group This Saturday

Hi all-

This is an exciting honor for the team from Horace Mann Middle school, they placed 2nd in the Destination Imagination State tournament and qualified to go to the Finals in Tennessee!!  Please consider participating in the Panera fundraiser tomorrow from 11 to 8 to help them earn the money to be able to travel  to the Global Tournament.  Attached flyer must be presented.

The team will also have a bake table set up at the Horace Mann Community Yard sale from 8-1.
Thanks!
Terri Attinello

From: Carla DrakeUnderkoffler [mailto:carla@lovebeingamom.com]
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 2:13 PM
To: Spencer DrakeUnderkoffler
Subject: Franklin Destination Imagination Group This Saturday

Please pass this on to anyone you know in Franklin or associated with the Franklin Public Schools !!!!!!!   THANK YOU !


As many of you may have seen in the paper the Horace Mann Middle School Destination Imagination Team  made it to the Global Finals in Tennessee!  They have less than 20 days left to raise the $8500 needed to represent our town and our state!  

 Please help us spread the word about their bake sale this Saturday at Horace Mann from 8-1 and please print and use the flyer below for Panera from 11 - 8 pm tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Panera fundraiser THIS SATURDAY May 5th from 11- 8 ! 

Please print and bring the flyer below.There are two so feel free to share one.    Lunch and/or dinner !

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!

Link to the DI group website for more information:  franklindiglobals2012.webs.com




Franklin Library: Away From Her

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 5/3/12


May 9, 2012  7 - 9 PM              

Franklin Public Library Meeting Room
             

Away from Her - a movie about a couple who is forced to face the fact that the wife 
has Alzheimer's and must go to a nursing home. 


Things you can do from here:

Local Author To Discuss Making “Little Changes” for More Healthy Living At Franklin YMCA


Easton resident and author Kristi Marsh will discuss her book "Little Changes: Tales of a Reluctant Home Eco-momics Pioneer" on May 23rd at 7:30 pm in the Community Room at the Franklin YMCA. This free author meet and greet event is organized by the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club.

Marsh, a breast cancer survivor, started trying to make better choices as she was recovering from treatment in 2007. Now a proponent for environmental health, Kristi is passionate about sharing her knowledge and journey with others. Her book discusses how to reduce the chemicals and toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis, from the foods we eat, the products we use on our bodies and the products we use to clean our homes. Marsh has a website, www.choosewiser.com, where she posts a weekly blog, and a Facebook page with relevant news links and highlights of natural and locally produced products.

On May 23rd, Marsh will speak about herself, her book and how she came about writing it. There will be time for questions, answers and discussion. She will also sell copies of her book and sign them for anyone interested. Admission is free. Complimentary snacks and beverages will be available. This is expected to be a popular program and space is limited. To reserve your spot, please register by sending an email to franklinnewcomers@hotmail.com.

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club is a social and charitable club for new and long-time Franklin residents. The Club’s Annual Craft Fair held every November is a town tradition, and the club annually donates thousands of dollars to local charitable organizations. For more information about Franklin Newcomers and Friends, visit www.franklinnewcomers.com.


The video trailer for Kristi's book:



Reminder: Sunrise Montessori School Spring Fair - May 5

Sunrise Montessori School Spring Fair
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Noon to 2PM
Rain or Shine
31 Hayward Street, Franklin


Please join us as we host our 5th Annual Spring Fair at Sunrise Montessori School, 31 Hawyard Street, Franklin. This event is open to the general public.

Kids of all ages enjoy riding in the train and jumping in the bounce house.How about getting your face painted or designing a bracelet? Plenty of fun, games and crafts for the kids. Adults will definitely
want to take a chance on our raffle baskets or perhaps, bid in our silent auction.

All proceeds to benefit the Sunrise Montessori School, Inc., a non-profit 501c3 organization, which offers preschool and kindergarten programs to children in Franklin and the surrounding communities.

In the News: World Laughter Day, Spring Fair



Laugh it up in Franklin at World Laughter Day Celebration on May 6



Sunrise Montessori School plans annual Spring Fair

Budget Monitor: Analyzing the House Budget for FY 2013




Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
MASSBudget Facebook
twitter
BUDGET MONITOR:
The House Budget for FY 2013
On April 26--after three days of expedited debate--the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its final budget proposal.

Our Budget Monitor  shows:
  • How the House Final budget affects each major area of state government, from health care and education to public safety and the environment--including information on tax revenues.
  • How it compares to the House Ways & Means budget--and also to the Governor's budget.
To fill the $1.3 billion budget deficit, the House relies heavily on temporary revenue--including $140 million more in temporary revenue than the Governor used.

For further details and analysis, read our BUDGET MONITOR

MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies--with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.


This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by nberger@massbudget.org |  
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108