"no evidence that mastering these standards in kindergarten rather than in first grade brings lasting gains"

One key concept being lost in the educational discussion is "developmentally appropriate." This article from the Washington Post highlights a report showing no studies supporting the Common Core and reading requirements for kindergarten level students.

The Common Core State Standards call for kindergartners to learn how to read, but a new report by early childhood experts says that forcing some kids to read before they are ready could be harmful. 

Two organizations that advocate for early childhood education — Defending the Early Years and Alliance for Childhood — issued the report titled “Reading in Kindergarten: Little to Gain and Much to Lose.” It says there is no evidence to support a widespread belief in the United States that children must read in prekindergarten or kindergarten to become strong readers and achieve academic success.

Brian Peyes-Mendez participates in a test with Kendra Sarris as kindergarten teachers assess students with new tests, on Oct. 30 in Accokeek, Md. (Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post)

The report summary outlines the following:

• Many children are not developmentally ready to read in kindergarten, yet the Common Core State Standards require them to do just that. This is leading to inappropriate classroom practices.
• No research documents long-term gains from learning to read in kindergarten. 
• Research shows greater gains from playbased programs than from preschools and kindergartens with a more academic focus.
• Children learn through playful, handson experiences with materials, the natural world, and engaging, caring adults.
• Active, play-based experiences in language rich environments help children develop their
• ideas about symbols, oral language and the printed word — all vital components of reading.
• We are setting unrealistic reading goals and frequently using inappropriate methods to accomplish them.
• In play-based kindergartens and preschools, teachers intentionally design language and literacy experiences which help prepare children to become fluent readers.
• The adoption of the Common Core State Standards falsely implies that having children achieve these standards will overcome the impact of poverty on development and learning, and will create equal educational opportunity for all children.

You can find the full report here

https://deyproject.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/readinginkindergarten_online-1.pdf

FHS Basketball: Coaches vs. Cancer

The Franklin Boys Basketball teams and Cheerleaders will be running a Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser on Friday, January 23rd. 

There will may be a dress down day for teachers and staff (for a small donation) and There will be events and activities at all three basketball games later that day. 

The freshman play at 3:30, JV at 5:00, Varsity at 6:30.

FHS Panthers

Senior Center: A new edition of The Franklin Connection is available

A new edition of The Franklin Connection has been published on the Town of Franklin web site. 

Click the link below to read the latest edition
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/Feb15connection.pdf

Franklin Senior Center

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In the News: Franklin's birthday party, Scouts help seniors

The memorable man on the town's seal turns 309 today (Saturday - 1/17/15). 

And as it has for the last few years, the Historical Commission will celebrate Benjamin Franklin's birthday on Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the 80 West Central St. museum.

Franklin Historical Museum

Continue reading the article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150117/NEWS/150116998/1995/NEWS#sthash.ppNuNwV1.dpuf

With his troop by his side, Boy Scout Mike Hurley read a short story to senior citizens at the Franklin Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

For the seniors, it was all about spending quality time with Troop 126, who devoted their afternoon to the seniors Saturday. 

At the community service event, the Scouts and seniors took part in knot tying, played bingo and made origami cranes. 

“It’s wonderful. We look forward to it,” said Donald Adiletto, adding the seniors have days the Boy Scouts visit marked on a calendar in the main office.

Continue reading the article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150117/NEWS/150116848/1994/NEWS#sthash.rpy2BDup.dpuf

"This land must be preserved in perpetuity"

The 'radar' found this well written letter on the Pond St issue:

Thanks for your coverage of the recent Pond Street (Franklin) zoning hearing. As a former member of the town’s industrial development commission, open space committee, public land use committee, and historic commission I am baffled that the town is still attempting to sell this land. 

Pond St lot - Mine Brook and Charles River seen along left of photo

Anyone who looks at a map, and one would like to hope that the town’s administrative officials and elected officials would have done so, can see that the town’s Pond Street parcel is the only good access to hundreds of acres of the Army Corps of Engineers conservation land along Mine Brook and the Charles River. This land must be preserved in perpetuity as part of a flood control system, but it is available for many kinds of “passive” recreation such as walking, jogging, cross country skiing, canoeing, etc. However, because it is almost entirely “land locked” by privately owned parcels, this beautiful meadowland that attracted settlers here in the 1600s, is unknown to most residents. 

In the past, both as an individual and through my position with the Open Space Committee, I have advocated for any development of this land to include parking for residents to use if they wish to reach the Army Corps land. Despite verbal assurances, it is my understanding that little if any requirement to this effect has survived into RFPs. 

It is past time for the town to put aside the idea of squandering this keystone property in a short-sighted effort to pad town coffers. Instead, the town should invest. Set aside this land for conservation and recreation, provide the modest improvements needed to make it safe for the public, and work with the very willing officials of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (with whom I met recently) to open up this treasure in our midst.

ALAN EARLS

- See more at: http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/article/20150114/OPINION/150117987/12457/OPINION#sthash.8dcKYch6.dpuf

Another small business goes

Heard from the Lanni's on Friday evening that regretably they closed Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace as of Thursday, Jan 15th.  The 'goodbye' message posted to their website reads:

It is with great sadness that we are forced to close Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace, effective, Thursday January 15, 2015. Though we have had realized our dream of opening and operating Tastebuds, the reality was that we could not garner the customer base over the last ten months to assure its continued success. 

We wish to thank our loyal customers who have given us continual support and encouragement over these past months. We truly hope that you have enjoyed the foods and services we provided. They came, genuinely, from the heart. 

Going forward, please always try to support your local "mom and pop" stores. They are the backbone of your community and deliver heart felt value. Shop and Support Local, you'll never be sorry.

Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace

What message is there for us from the recent closures of small business (Artistry Kitchen, Rick's and now Tastebuds)? 

Business gets a tally everyday on how well they do. How many dollars come in the door versus what it costs them to provide the goods/services they offer to us. We need to remember that we vote for a business by spending our money there. It is a collaborative effort. The business also needs to deliver goods/services for a price that we are willing to pay. Our vote (via the dollars we spend) either tells them they will stay or go. 



From the archives regarding Tastebuds:

Now open - Mar 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/tastebuds-fresh-marketplace-now-open.html

Grand Opening - Apr 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/tastebuds-fresh-marketplace-grand.html

Opening on Sunday - Jun 2014

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/tastebuds-fresh-marketplace-now-open-on.html

"a highlight of defense both ways"

From Hockomock Sports we find that Mansfield High beat the FHS girls basketball team on Friday night.

It was tight, physical, defensive, and at times pretty ugly for both teams, but in the end Mansfield kept its hopes of catching North Attleboro for the division title alive with a 43-30 victory over Franklin on Friday night at the James Albertini Gym. 

The win keeps the Hornets at two losses in the league, which is tied with the Panthers for second behind unbeaten (in the Hockomock) North. 

“I think it’s been three, four years since we’ve beaten them,” said Mansfield coach Mike Redding. “They’ve sort of had our number… I think this is a big win for our team to get them at home.”

Mansfield freshman Meg Hill (31) scored 13 points and pulled in 11 rebounds to help the Hornets overcome division rival Franklin and stay in the league title hunt. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

You can read the full article here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hill-double-double-powers-hornets-in-must-win-game

The good, the bad and the inspiring- The Climate Minute Podcast

New post on Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) The good, the bad and the inspiring- The Climate Minute Podcast by massclimateaction * Some media is not displayed in this email and must be viewed on the website. The news this week ranged from good to depressing, from new methane rules (good) to 400pm in the air (depressing.) We try to put it all in perspective. The administration proposes methane emissions regulations. Global CO2 levels are over 400ppm. US India climate talks are proceeding. Worcester will try time-based electical rates. Baker appoints an energy team. But is it a team of rivals? It has a gas-tax advocate (see here) and the Senate wants to work on the climate issues (see here .) Should we build and then tear down an Olympic Stadium? A report on future gas demand was released at the very end of the Patrick Administration. But the origin and use of fracking sand is very informative. Bernie Sanders proposed an amendment to the KXL approval bill. The move Selma should give Climate Hawks something to think about. A couple of years ago, joe Romm posted a blog think about Martin Luther King and climate activism. Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon. Thanks for listening. …Ted McIntyre massclimateaction | January 16, 2015 at 8:05 am | Tags: Boston Olympics, Climate Change, global warming, KXL, methane emissions, Selma | Categories: Climate Action | URL: http://wp.me/p14L3C-12q Comment    See all comments    Like Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser:  https://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2015/01/16/the-good-the-bad-and-the-inspiring-the-climate-minute-podcast/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

Mass Climate Action Network

News from Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	O'Donnell Looks Back on Norfolk County Real Estate Activity in 2014 Looking forward to an ambitious agenda for 2015, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell took a look back at Norfolk County real estate activity in 2014. Register O'Donnell noted, "We saw both promising and some sobering indicators when it came to the Norfolk County real estate market in 2014. The total dollar volume of residential and commercial property sales grew this year by 13%. Furthermore, the average sale price based on the volume of residential and commercial property sold - which was pegged at 7.4 billion - rose from $618,581 to $706,786, an increase of 14%. In my opinion, these healthy increases were driven by reduced property inventories." There was mixed news on the financial market front. Calendar year 2014 witnessed a greater financial commitment by lending institutions as mortgage indebtedness for real estate increased by 27% in Norfolk County to 20.3 billion. However, the mortgage refinancing market remains a challenge due to continued historically low interest rates as well as stringent credit requirements. Other indicators the Register noted that struck a note of caution was the flatness in overall real estate activity in 2014. "There were 10,507 real estate deeds recorded at the Registry as compared to 10,613 in 2013. Additionally, the total number of mortgages recorded against Norfolk County property fell by 31%," noted O'Donnell. A continuing factor facing homeowners and the real estate industry is the number of deed foreclosures filed in Norfolk County, which were up by 5.2% from 195 to 205 from the previous year. "The Registry continues to work in partnership with South Shore Consortium and Neighbor Works Southern Mass to help Norfolk County homeowners who have received a notice of foreclosure from a lender. This is a top priority of my administration," noted Register O'Donnell. Homestead recordings, which provides for limited protection against the forced sale of an individual's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt of up to $500,000, were down by 11%. The decrease could be attributed to a 2011 law which does not automatically require a homeowner to refile for a homestead after refinancing their property, according to the Register. Register O'Donnell concluded by saying, "2014 was a somewhat promising and challenging year for the Norfolk County real estate market. However, a small but encouraging thaw in the mortgage market coupled with an improving economic outlook should bode well for the industry and consumers in 2015." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter @NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk Country Registry of Deeds

Forward email Norfolk County Registry of Deeds | 649 High Street | Dedham, | MA | 02026-1831

HMEA: Benefit Beatles Concert - You're invited!

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YOU ARE INVITED! Greetings, January is always a tough month. The holidays are past and Spring is no where in sight. If you are experiencing cabin fever or just looking for a fun night out, we welcome you to join us for a special evening filled with good food and great music - all to benefit individuals supported by HMEA. WHO: "STUDIO TWO" Beatles Tribute Band WHAT: Concert to benefit HMEA WHEN: Saturday, January 24th, 2015 | 8 pm - 11 pm WHERE: Finnegan's Wake Restaurant, Walpole MA Presented by: Lippolis Plumbing REFRESHMENTS - DOOR PRIZES - RAFFLE PRIZES All proceeds will benefit HMEA (Horace Mann Educational Associates) HMEA is a non-profit agency providing supports and services for children and adults with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities.  $15/Per person - available in advance or at the door For ticket information call Phil @ 781-218-4170 or contact Marie Maloney at mspeedymarie@aol.com  RSVP to the Facebook event View the concert song list Official concert poster See you there! The HMEA Team

HMEA Inc. Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved Forward this email STAY CONNECTED

Forward this email HMEA | 8 Forge Park East | Franklin | MA | 02038

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 1/16/15 - THU 1/22/15

FRI 1/16   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
FRI 1/16   8pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena, Franklin

SAT 1/17   9am-4pm   Franklin Public Library Book Sale

SUN 1/18   9am-12pm   Franklin Public Library Bag Sale
SUN 1/18   1pm-4pm   Ben Franklin’s Birthday Celebration at Franklin Historical Museum, special glass harmonica performance at 1:30pm

TUE 1/20   5:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk Halls at Franklin High School

WED 1/21   12pm-6pm   Workshop Wednesday at The Cake Bar: Cute Bugs Cupcakes
WED 1/21   5:30-7:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk Track at Franklin High School
WED 1/21   6:30pm   Doggie Tales at Franklin Public Library: Read to a therapy dog. Registration required.
WED 1/21   7pm   Franklin SEPAC workshop: ADHD and Executive Functioning - free and open to all, Municipal Building
WED 1/21   7pm   Lions Heart Teen Service Organization - Parent Info Session at Adirondack Club

THU 1/22   5:30-7:30pm   Community Walking: FREE Walk Track at Franklin High School
THU 1/22   6:30-8:30pm   Franklin Newcomers Club Outing at Pour Richard’s
 
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

Town Council - Jan 7th video available for viewing

The video from the Town Council meeting on January 7th with the public hearing on the Pond St zoning bylaw change is now available for viewing on the Franklin website.

Thanks to Franklin TV for providing this important video.

You can follow this link
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=635569843478071250&indexSessionSKU=PRUmFH8FY5oVqMDv/lesqA%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D


You can also go to the Franklin webpage, from the left column find the "Live Videos and Archive" link and then select the year and month of the video you wish to view.

Franklin webpage for live video and video archives

Also worthy of note, a new sticker has been placed on the bottom of the microphones to indicate the "Mute" buttons more clearly.

sticker added to microphones to make it more obvious that there is a mute button

"Also, need to mention that the sticker is wrong. By default, the mics are always on and you have to push the button to mute it, meaning, if you want it muted, you'd have to sit there holding the button down the whole time."