Franklin School: Get Ready for 2014-2015

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello

I hope you are all enjoying a restful and fun summer.  I wanted to check in as we are one month away from the opening of the new school year.  Time to get out and purchase the new notebooks, pencils and backpacks!

Some pertinent dates/information:

• Administrative Offices: All Principals and clerical staff will officially be back full- time on August 11. Class schedules and placement letters will go out in the mail on August 18.

• Medication Drop Off: We are unable to accept student medication until our school nurse are back on September 3. If your child is required to take medication during  the school day, please see the school nurse on September 3 with the medication and medical orders. 

• FHS is on schedule to open and our Class of 2018 will be visiting the HS as part of the FHS Experience the week of August 11. Students attending will be issued their Chromebook, Class Schedule, Bus Pass and School ID.

• Transportation- Bus Passes will be issued at your child's school the week of August 24-28 between 7:30 and 4:00.

• Bus routes will be online and in the local paper on August 14.

• FHS parking- There is limited student parking and student spaces were assigned in the lottery last spring. Students who did not receive a parking space will need to  arrange for transportation , sign up for Pay to Ride or may purchase a Shuttle Bus Pass (reduced fee).

Other Town Information:

If you interested in going green, the Town of Franklin is seeking families to be part of the Solar Challenge. Using solar panels lowers your carbon footprint and can save energy costs. 

The Franklin Department of Planning and Community Development is hosting a meeting on August 20 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall to look at how to engage the community to invest in solar energy. By group purchasing community the cost can be lower. 

The Parmenter School has had solar panels for several years and  the energy savings has been tremendously impactful. We hope that our other schools will look to be a partner in this initiative.

the new Franklin High School under construction earlier this 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 either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

Franklin Schools: Phone Problems

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello 

There is a problem with the school district phone system and all school phones are being routed to the Town Hall (508-553-4800). We hope this will be repaired by Monday morning.  

For calls placed beginning Monday 8/4/14 please know you will be re-routed to 553-4800 and if you know the extension you will get the school you are seeking. 

If you do not know the  extension you can call the Office of the Superintendent at 553-4819  or 553-4824 and we ill help you get access to the school. 

Thank you

the new Franklin High School earlier this 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 either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

Franklin School For The Performing Arts To Hold August Open Houses

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold Open Houses for prospective students and families on Tuesday, August 12 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and on Wednesday, August 27 from 4-8 p.m. at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin. The community is invited to tour the facilities, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs for all ages and abilities in music, dance, and drama. Prospective students are also encouraged to try a complimentary class. 

FSPA

Since 1985, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. Founded by Director Raye Lynn Mercer and built upon the notion that arts experiences are an integral part of a well-rounded education, FSPA offers an extensive roster of classes for recreational enjoyment or serious study in all dance disciplines, acting, musical theater, voice, and instrumental instruction. The music program provides private lessons and group classes with ensemble performing opportunities. 

Little Music School®, an innovative program developed exclusively at FSPA, teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano. Dance instruction is offered in ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, dance for musical theater, acro and Horton Technique, with specialized classes for boys, adults and beginner teens. Drama department classes, beginning with kindergarten children, explore storytelling, theater games, improvisation, scenes and monologues, character development, and audition preparation. 

FSPA online

An unparalleled calendar of performing opportunities features studio voice and instrumental recitals, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses, musical theater showcases, Glee Club, performing troupes, dance companies, ballet variations ensemble, ballet repertoire series, chamber music, and jazz and percussion ensembles. Many FSPA students also participate, through audition, in the affiliated Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual season of shows.
FSPA’s fall session begins on September 8 and summer programming runs through August 23. 

In addition to weekly classes in music and dance, the summer’s remaining one-week performing arts camps include Choreography Camp (August 11-15), Jazz and Tap Camp (August 11-15), and Acting Camp (August 18-22). Summer workshops include Vocal Styles (August 18-20), with critically acclaimed R&B singer April Hall, introducing students to jazz phrasing, scatting, and improvisation, as well as microphone and performance techniques. A performance skills workshop, Up Your Game (August 11-13), focuses on audition techniques, presentation skills, and developing or improving an audition binder, headshot/resume, and audition wardrobe. For musical theater and jazz dancers, Stepping Up (August 11-13) explores technique, choreography and audition skills.

Registration is ongoing for summer and fall programs. For more information, including summer session brochure and 2014-2015 class schedule, call (508) 528-8668 or visit online at www.fspaonline.com.

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 8/1/14 - THU 8/7/14

FRI 8/1  12-6pm   Farmers Market at Franklin Common
FRI 8/1   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center

SAT 8/2   10:30am   Tanglewood Marionetts: The Fairy Circus, Franklin Public Library

SUN 8/3   8am   Yoga on the beach - free event at Beaver Pond, Franklin

MON 8/4   10:30am   FSPA presents: Once Upon a Time, Franklin Public Library
MON 8/4   3-7pm   Farmer’s Market at Whole Foods Plaza in Bellingham
MON 8/4   6:30pm   Family PJ Storytime at Franklin Public Library.

TUE 8/5   4pm   Beach Box Craft for ages 11 and up, Franklin Public Library

WED 8/6   3pm   Scott Kepnes: Electric Zany Rock and Roll Science Show at Franklin Public Library

THU 8/7   6-10pm   Feast of St. Rocco, Franklin. All rides open, limited food booths.
THU 8/7   6:30-8:30pm   Ladies Night Out at Pour Richard's in Franklin
THU 8/7   7:30pm   FSPA SummerStage presents Legally Blond: The Musical at Medway High School


For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Mobile food pantries hit the road

As announced earlier, the Boston Globe gets to talking about the mobile pantry that the Franklin Food Pantry has started.

In a move to serve residents who otherwise have difficulty accessing its services, the Franklin Food Pantry has launched a delivery service to provide assistance where its clients live and gather. 

Last month, the private, nonprofit operation began a series of weekly deliveries to three rotating locations — two at the town’s Housing Authority properties and one at the Franklin Senior Center. 

“One of the reasons we looked into doing a mobile pantry is that hunger can be very isolating,” said Erin Lynch, the pantry’s executive director and lone employee. “As much as possible, we want to make sure we’re reaching neighborhoods and connecting them to the resources they need.”

You can continue reading the full article in the Globe West section of the Boston Globe edition on Thursday or online here   http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2014/07/30/mobile-food-pantries-hit-road-area-communities/t16S85DPe8NLxg61FBioOJ/story.html

the Franklin Food Pantry's mobile pantry

Related posts on the mobile pantry
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/06/franklin-food-pantry-announces-summer.html

Volunteers for the mobile pantry can sign up here
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/06/looking-for-volunteer-opportunities.html

PanMass Challenge rides through on Saturday

Be aware there will be hundreds of bicyclists on the roads early Saturday morning as the riders for the PanMass Challenge make a stop at Remington-Jefferson School. The water stop is a favorite spot full of energy and fun. If you haven't been, I would suggest making a visit sometime.


Photos from last year:

the riders arrive at Remington-Jefferson

refreshments, gears checks, and lots of conversations

Franklin Town Administrator Jeff Nutting

A map of the PMC Course
http://www.pmc.org/routes/sturbridge-provincetown

You can donate to the PMC by rider or in general
http://www2.pmc.org/donation.asp


Post on the PMC form 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/the-pan-mass-challenge-riders-through.html

Post on the PMC from 2009
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/08/pmc-franklin-water-stop.html

KidsCount: FAQ - Earned Paid Sick Time

EARNED PAID SICK TIME: Frequently Asked Questions A state economy works best for everyone when working people can balance work, family, and life's challenges. Over the past several years a number of cities, and one state, have enacted laws that allow workers to take time off if they are ill or need to care for a sick family member. Without these laws, workers can generally be fired if they miss work because they are sick. Earned Paid Sick Time - Frequently Asked Questions describes how many workers currently have no access to earned paid sick time, what kinds of jobs these workers have, and how these laws work.        The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108