Franklin Matters

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

snow art

As the snow piles recede, some folks are happy to see it go. Some folks are sad. Don't get me wrong, I am ready for spring! In the meantime, let's enjoy what we do have.

snow pile - King St

There are some interesting arrangements as the snow melts. Nature sculpts all on its own.

stone wall on King St

And they say art is in the eye of the beholder. Do you see art around Franklin in your snow piles?

Monday, March 4, 2013

For the runners and walkers in Franklin, there are a bunch of 5K events coming up.

May 11
The Elks will hold their first event in what is expected to be an annual series. This event will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and the Wounded Warrior Project. For additional information and to register visit the website http://www.franklinelks5k.com/index.html

May 11
The 3rd Annual 5K for the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will be held to raise money for the further development of the trail. http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/3rd-annual-road-race

May 19
The 12th Annual Independence Day 5K and Walk, Roll, Stroll will benefit the Horace Mann Education Association. More info and to register visit their webpage http://www.hmea.org/events.html

If you hear of other events in May, please let me know so I can add them to the calendar

"unpredictable twists and turns"

From the Milford Daily News we read about Michael Tougias and his latest book:

Tougias has just published his 20th book, "A Storm Too Soon,’’ a gripping account of three men who barely knew each other trapped in a flimsy raft amid 70-foot waves in a 2007 tropical storm in the Gulf Stream.

"It’s funny how fate works. I was a business major in college. I didn’t write a word until I was 30,’’ Tougias said recently. "But I’ve always been interested in anything to do with the sea.’’

Subtitled "A True Story of Disaster, Survival And An Incredible Rescue,’’ his new book chronicles the struggles of Captain JP de Lutz and his two crewmen after their 47-foot sailboat capsized in raging seas.

"expects the town to embrace Today's Special"

The idea is alive and work remains to be be done according to this article in the Milford Daily News:

In fact, Carlucci has already picked a name: Today’s Special. The restaurant, she hopes, will provide crucial job opportunities for young adults with special needs amid an engaging, vital social environment.

"It’s important for a lot of reasons," she said. "I feel like young adults with special needs really live a separate life from other young people, and I would really like to blur the lines between them."

She added, "Once they leave school … the opportunities really go away — social opportunities and employment opportunities. We are looking to give them a place to go and work. Not everybody is going to want that social type of job, but some do..."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x898141789/Restaurant-to-give-youths-with-disabilities-chance-to-succeed#ixzz2MZ6KZd6g

The Horace Mann Educational Association holds their major fund raiser in May. The 12th Annual Independence Day 5K Run and the Independence Day Walk, Roll and stroll are scheduled for May 19th. For more information on this event please visit http://www.hmea.org/events.html

FHS Winter Carnival

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

FHS Students Hosting Winter Carnival For All Children

Sunday March 10
12 to 4 pm
FHS field house

Cotton candy, popcorn, games,"Bouncy House"

Proceeds will go to the Sandy Hook School support fund

$5 admission - includes all games etc.
ages 3 and under free

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.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 6, 2013

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 6, 2013

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Chief of Police, Stephan Semerjian
2. Financing the New High School

H. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

I. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 13-08: Swahn Lane, A Private Way Acceptance of Covenant with Owner
2. Resolution 13-09: Transfer of Tax Title Possession Parcels to Different Municipal Purposes
3. Resolution 13-10: Town of Franklin Net Metering Power Purchase Agreement Authorization
4. Resolution 13-11:Authorization to Expend Funds in Excess of Available Appropriations
5. Bylaw Amendment 13-700: Amendment to Chapter 82, Appendix A, List of Service Fee Rates – 1st Reading

J. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

K. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

Note the full set of documents as published for this meeting can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2013/030613.pdf

Keller Sullivan School Tour - Mar 7, 6:00 PM

The next stop on the tour of the school facilities here is Franklin is the Keller Sullivan complex on Lincoln St.

Join the principals, members of the School Committee and Central Office on the tour. This is a good opportunity to see inside the building, visit classrooms, and have questions answered along the way.

The Helen Keller Elementary School entrance

The Keller school webpage can be found here http://kellerelementary.vt-s.net/Pages/index

The Annie Sullivan Middle School entrance

The Sullivan school webpage can be found here http://sullivanmiddle.vt-s.net/Pages/index

Respond to the event invite on Facebook here
http://www.facebook.com/events/468882659832077/

"as challenging as it is rewarding"

Joyce Edwards, Director of Instructional Services for the Franklin Public Schools, is quoted in the Milford Daily News article on the new PARCC test that will replace the MCAS test.

What is PARCC? PARCC is Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.

What is the difference between the MCAS and PARCC?

The MCAS —influenced by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, whose creation followed the passing of the Education Reform Act of 1993 — has consistently tested for a collection of skills that educators expect students to learn during their elementary and secondary schooling.

However, PARCC’s goal has been to use benchmarks that will accurately predict students’ chances of excelling beyond high school, should they choose to attend a four-year institution or dive into the workforce.

"The MCAS was not developed to look ahead and signal whether or not students are ready for success after high school," said Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester. "This assessment is very deliberately asking that question . . ."

While the current MCAS science test will remain, the other subject areas will move to the new PARCC test.

Bolduc added, "They are taking the MCAS and putting it on steroids."

With two versions of the test given in one school year — though districts will have the option to administer up to four versions in a year — teachers will get initial feedback from a late year test before the comprehensive final exam, providing them with, as Edwards put it, "just in time intervention."

To prepare for PARCC testing, districts have to make sure they have the infrastructure to administer the test (for those that do not, the state will offer a pencil and pen version) and continue fusing their curriculum with the Common Core.

When you read "the infrastructure required" what they really mean to say is the computer systems the student will used to take the test.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x898141577/New-tests-for-Massachusetts-students-on-the-horizon#ixzz2MTYqd24v

For more information on the collaboration of the 24 states visit http://www.achieve.org/parcc/

For information from the MA Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/parcc/

High School Experience - 2013 - Register now!

Franklin High School is pleased to offer its sixth summer of the High School Experience. This course is designed to welcome incoming grade 9 students to Franklin High School.

Who: Entering grade 9 students
Dates: August 12 - 16, Monday - Friday
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where: Franklin High School
Cost: $125.00, includes lunch each day
Scholarships available on the web site

Hockomock Sports: Franklin High results (video)

In the playoffs, the Franklin High School boys basketball took Mansfield to overtime before falling 57-48. Watch the Hockomock Sports.com video with Ryan Lanigan as he recaps the game with Canton's Coach Ryan Gordy.

On the hockey front, the FHS hockey team defeated Martha's Vineyard 4-3

For all the Hockomock playoff results for Saturday Mar 2 see here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/03/hockomock-playoff-schedule-scoreboard-3213.html

Franklin Library: Krafty Mondays - Get Framed!

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Krafty Mondays - Get Framed!

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 3/2/13

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Saturday, March 2, 2013

From the office of Rep Roy

The schedule of office hours for March:

A press release and photo from the FHS Girls Soccer Team visit to the State House in February

FHS Girls Soccer Team visits the State House

Hockomock playoffs: FHS girls win

Panthers Dominate Early to Blow by Marshfield

FRANKLIN, Mass -- The Lady Panthers made it pretty clear early on what kind of game it was going to be. Franklin opened up the game up 13-0 and finished the first quarter up 20-6, on their way to a 63-40 win over Marshfield.

Read the full game report by following the link above

Hockomock Playoff Schedule & Scoreboard - 3/2/13

Here are Saturday's Hockomock playoff games.

Game of the Week - Boy's Basketball
#1 Mansfield vs. #9 Franklin, 1:00

Boys Basketball
#12 Sharon vs. #13 Quincy, 2:00
#7 Taunton @ #2 Newton North, 4:00

Game of the Week - Hockey
#1 Canton vs. #8 North Attleboro (@ Asiaf), 6:00

Hockey
#4 Oliver Ames vs. #5 Coyle & Cassidy (@ Asiaf), 2:00
#6 Mansfield vs. #14 North Quincy (@ Asiaf), 8:00
#7 Franklin vs. #2 Martha's Vineyard (@ Asiaf), 4:00

In the News: Dean College

Trial date set in Dean College sneaker assault case

by Matt Tota/Daily News staff

A trial date has been set in the case of a former Dean College student accused of pummeling a fellow student during a 2011 campus attack, leaving the victim bloodied, shoeless, and staggering.

Friday, March 1, 2013

"It would be tremendously positive"

The funding to help the development of the SNETT trail maybe in the current budget proposal working its way through the MA budget cycle according to this from the Milford Daily News:

A pillar of Patrick’s transportation overhaul is promoting greener commuting. MassDOT, in its travel plan, suggests adding or expanding trails in several communities, though does not specifically mention the Trunkline Trail.

"These projects were included in this transportation piece because there is a growing recognition that it is no longer just about vehicular transportation," Lambert said.

He added that a fully developed Trunkline Trail would improve the value of the six communities it wends through.

"Particularly in Franklin," he said, "(because) Franklin is a community that’s growing. Investments like these are a choice for growth. And employers and families looking to settle in Massachusetts are looking for some of these quality-of-life enhancements that aren’t easily replicated anywhere else."

SNETT entrance on Grove St, Franklin, MA

Related posts on the Rail Trail effort:

The Governor's budget proposal and maps as shared here on Thursday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/governor-patrick-new-online-map-shows.html

The recent Franklin Junction presentation at the Historical Museum
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/02/franklin-junction-photo-essay.html