Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Future Sculpture Park (video)

Saturday afternoon was such a gorgeous day, I had to be out and about to capture some photos and in this case a brief 5 minute video. I took a walk to highlight the development efforts for the sculpture park to be opened this fall on Panther Way. The park will be located on the ground of the old town pool next to the Police Station.

If you haven't been out there yet, do plan on going when the sculptures are in place. In the meantime, join me for this walk.




Additional information on the Sculpture Park can be found on the Franklin Art Center webpage.
http://franklinartcenter.com/park.html


In the News: Garden Club, schools open, youth leagues

Franklin Garden Club to meet

The Franklin Garden Club will resume their monthly meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Pleasant St. Franklin, at 7 p.m.

Franklin schools open Aug. 27, welcome back message from superintendent

Bells will be ringing in Franklin's public schools tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 27. Here is a link to the 2013-2014 bus routes.

Hockomock YMCA youth leagues enrolling

The Hockomock Area YMCA is accepting registrations for fall sports leagues that support healthy lifestyles and instill a positive self-image in kids. Through programs including Friday night flag football and cheerleading, Saturday soccer and t-ball, and Sunday soccer, the Hockomock Y fields and gyms will be active with families that connect over a shared interest in athletics.



let's note that this is all about an 'allegation'

 What is an allegation?
An allegation (also called adduction) is a claim of a fact by a party in a pleading, which the party claims to be able to prove. Allegations remain assertions without proof, until they can be proved.[1]
The text on allegation is from wikipedia.


In the Milford Daily News:
Police are investigating a serious allegation of misconduct against a Franklin High School teacher, who has been placed on paid administrative leave, the school district announced Monday. 
In a statement posted to the district’s website, the school department said it immediately reported the allegation to the police and sent a report to the state Department of Children and Families. The announcement came a day before students were set to start the new school year.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1655330060/Disturbing-allegation-brought-against-Franklin-High-teacher#ixzz2dA0ZfZV3



The link to the News at 6:00 segement as broadcast on Monday
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston


The School Dept statement from Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-public-schools.html



Monday, August 26, 2013

Franklin Public Schools: important message 8/26/13

If anyone happened to see the News at 6:00 PM today, this is the official schools statement from Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski


A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Franklin Public Schools
Office of the Superintendent

PRESS RELEASE

August 26, 2013

A serious allegation of misconduct by a Franklin High School teacher was brought to the attention of the administration within the Franklin Public Schools.  The administration was devastated by hearing of this allegation and we acted immediately. Upon learning of this allegation, a report was made to the Franklin Police Department and the Franklin Public Schools is cooperating with the Police in this regard.  Also a report was made to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).  Additionally, the Franklin Public Schools administration immediately initiated its own comprehensive internal investigation.  Our School Counsel initiated the investigation last week. We are committing our full resources to investigating and responding to these allegations. 

The alleged incident is disturbing and does not reflect the expectations we espouse as a school district or as a community. We are committed to ensuring all of our students are safe, both physically and emotionally.  These allegations demean the professionalism of all educators and are inconsistent with School Committee policies and community norms.  Franklin Public Schools is fully committed to supporting students and families who have been impacted by this incident.

Due to the confidentiality rights of all involved, we are unable to comment further on the particulars of the alleged incident or our resulting investigation. The individual involved in this allegation is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.  Be assured that the safety and security of all students in the Franklin Public Schools always remains our highest priority.  We will continue to work closely with relevant agencies and to take any appropriate actions in response.  We will ensure that this investigation is conducted thoroughly and with complete understanding of our obligation to uphold our public duty to our students. Our focus and mission at this time is to protect the confidentiality of our students as we open school for the 2013-2014 school year.


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.

Offer to candidates for election - November 5, 2013

To the citizens and potential candidates for Franklin's election this November 5

I extend an offer to conduct and post an interview with you here. The interview can be either text or audio.

You are running to conduct business on behalf of Franklin. Together, we can share your views, your objectives, and help to spread the word to create an informed voter.

Send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com) and we can arrange a mutually convenient time.

Be aware that this is my public service effort conducted solely to create an informed electorate here in Franklin.

I do this for fun and education. If it stops being that way, I will stop.
This is not an advertising site. This is an information sharing site.

My disclosure statement can be found here.
My comment/editorial policy can be found here.

A similar offer was made for the Franklin, MA elections in 2011, 2009 and 2007.




The interviews for the candidates in the prior elections can be found in the archives

2011http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html

2009http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/10/2009-election-collection.html

2007http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/11/franklin-election-2007.html


Getting ready to slow down on King St

The meetings around the safety of the school crossing on King St at Wachusett St for the students going to the Parmenter Elementary School made promises that are about to be delivered.

Construction on the past couple of days have resulted in some tree branches trimmed back

Franklin_KingSt_2
note: tree branches trimmed

one tree removed

Franklin_KingSt_4
note: stump and sawdust remains where tree was

poles installed for better marking of the crossing

Franklin_KingSt_1
new sign pole on corner

speed warning signs have been installed. This one shown is on King St heading to i495. There is a similar one on King St heading towards Wachusett St.

Franklin_KingSt_3
new speed sign

With school opening on Tuesday, the work to finish the installation seems like it can be completed on Monday.


From the archives
the meeting at Parmenter with Franklin officials was mentioned during the January Town Council meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/live-reporting-closing.html

the plan to prepare for this installation was voted on and approved by the Finance Committee in March and then by the Town Council
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/delcarte-recreation-proposal.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-mar-27.html


new Franklin High School parking arrangements

With construction of the new building underway, part of the main parking lot has been returned to Franklin for use when school opens on Tuesday.

The fences previously restricting the parking lot to the construction work zone have been relocated.

Franklin_FHS_Parking2
the fences have been removed


Access to the high school parking lot from the Horace Mann bus loop entrance has been restored.

Franklin_FHS_Parking5
the access road from Horace Mann/Oak St is re-opened

There are eleven parking spots marked for energy efficient vehicles

Franklin_FHS_Parking3
priority spots for energy efficient vehicles

There are eleven parking spots for car pools

Franklin_FHS_Parking4
priority spots for car pools

A view of the new lot as you come in from the Horace Mann/Oak st access

Franklin_FHS_Parking6
a view of the lot