The area's two vocational high schools performed well above state averages in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests, the results of which were released late last month.
Bellingham and Franklin's senior centers now share an in-home respite care service, providing relief to caregivers aiding family members with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
There is an old-fashioned turf war going on at the Franklin Public Library, which was founded in 1790 with a gift of three books by the town’s namesake, Benjamin Franklin.
And at the root of the infighting, to the surprise of few, are power and money.
On one side is the library’s board of directors, whose members — appointed by the town administrator — say they have the sole responsibility for setting library policy. On the other is the Friends of the Franklin Library, a volunteer group of supporters who want a say in how the $6,000 to $7,000 they raise at book fairs each fall and spring is spent.
The tug of war was being waged behind the scenes for months, but spilled into the open when the directors abruptly canceled the Friends’ fall book sale. In its place, the library is selling old books through an ongoing process that officials say is “extremely successful,” and there are plans to hold monthly, themed sales at the library.
“It’s the library’s books being sold, it’s our money,” Cynthia Dobrzynski, chairwoman of the board of directors, said about the proceeds from the Friends’ annual sales. “There is no reason for that money not to be turned over directly to us.”
The president of the Friends of the Franklin Library, Maria Lucier, sees things a little differently.
“I agree that money is at the root of this, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for a request for FoFL funds that describes how the money is planned to be spent.” she wrote in an e-mail to the Globe.
Lucier said all her group wants is specific requests for funds, such as a certain amount for museum passes, videos, books, or programs.Read the full article in the Sunday Boston Globe here
Naming a school is an important matter that deserves thoughtful attention. Personal prejudice or favoritism, political pressure, or temporary popularity should not be an influence in choosing a school name. Generally, school buildings are named for distinguished, deceased individuals who have made extraordinary contributions of an educational, professional or public service nature related to the district’s mission. Should the School Committee choose to name a school after an individual, the naming will not occur until 3 years after the individual has been deceased. It is critically important that the integrity, history, behavior and reputation of the named individual be consistent with the academic mission and values of the district. It may be appropriate to name schools for physical locations; geographical areas; distinguished local, state and national leaders whose names will lend dignity and stature to the school.
Effective with the adoption of this policy, specific spaces or areas within school buildings or school grounds will not be named after individuals, living or deceased. However, if a building or specific space had previously been named for an individual, the district will continue to use the name so long as the building or area remains in use and serves its original function. When the use has changed such that it must be demolished, substantially renovated or rebuilt, the district shall refer the name for some other recognition.
The School Committee has the sole authority to name, rename or revoke the naming of buildings or other school spaces.
Haberman said parents "are very aware of the difficult financial times districts are under," but also want to ensure students are receiving services outlined in an IEP or are needed.
She said the litigious nature of special education disputes can lead to a breakdown of trust between both sides.
Haberman emphasized disputes are almost always with school administration rather than teachers and staff actually providing the services.
Beth Fitzmaurice, Franklin’s special education director, said staff encourage parents to sit and talk with them multiple times before rejecting an IEP and often, both parties are able to come to a resolution without a rejection.
When Ron Shaich, the founder, CEO and chairman of Panera Bread, opened the first "Panera Cares" cafe in St. Louis three years ago, with a plan to let customers decide what they wanted to pay, people thought he was crazy.
The menu featured suggested donations for each item and a donation box replaced the cash register. Shaich believed people in a community who could afford to pay more would do that, supporting those who couldn't afford to pay full price - or who would pay nothing at all. His goal was simple: Make sure people had enough to eat, whether they could afford it or not.
Three years later, with Panera Cares in St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago, Portland, Ore., and Boston, the experiment has been a success, Shaich told several hundred people attending the Community Leadership Breakfast of the Foundation for MetroWest Friday.
The Panera Cares cafes pay their own way now, he said, adding, "Of those five cafes, the people of Boston are the most generous. We may not be able to drive, but we have heart."
On Sunday, some 5,000 people are expected to flock to the center of town for the Downtown Partnership’s 11th annual Harvest Festival.
A fire that originated in a second-floor bedroom of a multi-family Alpine Place home temporarily displaced 16 residents. It also "gutted" a bedroom where a 2-year-old boy had been sleeping in a crib and caused an estimated $20,000 in damage.
The FHS Varsity Girls Ice Hockey Team Booster Club is partnering with Franklin Cafe & Grill at 418 W. Central St. in Franklin on Oct. 7,8, and 9 to raise money for their first new uniforms in the history of the team through its Dine Out for a Cause event.(Note, the MDN story has a typo in the link to the Girls Hockey website. This link works
