Franklin Library: Native American culture

Eagle Bear from the Southwest Dancers will do a presentation about Native American culture through stories, songs and demonstrations. Scheduled for 4:00 PM on Wednesday, May 13th at the Franklin Public Library.

Native American Culture

This was shared from the Library page 
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/05/native-american-culture.html

THE BLACK BOX To Feature Jazz, Cabaret And Local Artist Series In May

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin’s new theater, music, and event venue, presents a dynamic lineup of live music entertainment in May. Events are slated to feature the Ben Whiting Quintet, BLACK BOX Cabaret, and a Local Artist Series inaugural performance. THE BLACK BOX, the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street.

The Ben Whiting Quintet

BLACK BOX Jazz presents the Ben Whiting Quintet on Friday, May 15 at 8 p.m. Known for his sweet, robust sound, communicative phrasing and stylistic versatility, baritone sax player Ben Whiting is quickly making a name for himself on the Boston music scene, where he can be heard at premiere venues including Ryles, Scullers, Berklee Performance Center, The Beat Hotel, The Beehive, Top of the Hub, and Hard Rock Cafe. Ben regularly performs with the renowned Greg Hopkins' Big Band and Nonet, Omar Thomas Large Ensemble, Alex Lee-Clark 8tet, Kenny Hadley Big Band, Beantown Swing Orchestra, Eguie Castrillo and his Orchestra, and many more. The Berklee trained Whiting has also traveled internationally with The Artie Shaw Big Band. Presenting a swinging evening of original compositions and jazz standards, Ben will be joined at THE BLACK BOX by guitarist Carl Eisman, pianist Brian Friedland, bassist Rob Taylor and drummer Oscar Suchanek.

THE BLACK BOX launches a Local Artist Series on Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m., shining a spotlight on this region's bright musical talent. Local singers and songwriters share the stage and tell the stories behind their music for this special evening hosted by WMRC's Ray Auger. The inaugural performance will feature acoustic sets by Ken Barney, Gay Barboza, Chris Ross and Kate Russo, all 2015 WMRC Local Music Award nominees honored among the best area musicians and recognized for their creativity and contribution to the Greater Milford music scene.

On Friday, May 29 at 8 p.m., BLACK BOX Cabaret spotlights the vocal stylings of talented FPAC alumni performers. Accompanied by the Acme Rhythm Section, entertainment is presented in an intimate night-club atmosphere. BLACK BOX Cabaret is sponsored by The Milford National Bank and Trust. 

Ticket prices are $18 (adult) and $15 (student/senior) for the Ben Whiting Quintet, $15 for the Local Artist Series, and $15 (adult) and $12 (student/senior) for BLACK BOX Cabaret. A cash bar is available for all music series events. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

Franklin tops Attleboro in the tennis and track

From Hockomock Sports we find that Franklin topped Attleboro in the tennis and track matches on Tuesday.

FHS Panthers

Girls Tennis

Franklin, 5 @ Attleboro, 0 - Final

Boys Tennis

Franklin, 5 @ Attleboro, 0 - Final

Boys Track

Franklin, 65 @ Attleboro, 71 - Final

Girls Track

Franklin, 91 @ Attleboro, 44 - Final


For all the Hockomock Sports results from Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-051215

Senate Ways and Means Releases FY 2016 Budget Recommendations

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means today announced a $38.01 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2016. The budget makes strategic, targeted investments in a variety of areas to create new opportunities, strengthen networks of support and encourage overall economic growth for individuals, families and communities across the Commonwealth.

"These budget line items are more than just numbers," said Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Karen Spilka. "They reflect shared Senate values and our commitment to foster upward economic mobility and greater equality for all residents. Our goal is to lift all families and lay the foundation for shared prosperity."

"This year's budget makes strategic targeted investments in education and economic development that will undoubtedly strengthen the Commonwealth's economy, while also providing critical aid to our most vulnerable populations," said Senator Sal DiDomenico, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "It has been a pleasure working alongside Chairwoman Spilka, and I am proud of the important investments that we have made to keep the Commonwealth moving forward."

"Congratulations to Senator Spilka and the members of the Committee on Ways and Means for producing a budget that is fiscally responsible while making targeted investments in education, workforce training and economic development to help working families across Massachusetts," said Senate President Stan Rosenberg. "This budget will continue our position as leader in these areas and also takes care of our most vulnerable residents. I look forward to a spirited debate."

The FY 2016 budget includes $38.01B in total spending, an increase of 3.1% over FY 2015 spending, and invests in key areas of local aid, education, economic development and services for vulnerable and under-served populations.

The budget reflects the Senate's continued commitment to local aid for cities and towns.

·         $4.51B for Chapter 70 education aid, allowing for a minimum increase of $25 per pupil and bringing school districts closer to their target spending through 50% effort reduction.
·         $979.8M for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) for community investments in education, public safety, roads and bridges and health care.
·         $271.6M to fully fund the Special Education Circuit Breaker for the 4^th straight year.
·         $7.5M for the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and $5M for Local Tourist Councils.
·         $12M for the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

In addition to Chapter 70 education aid and the Special Education Circuit Breaker, the budget invests in education at all levels: from early education to college to workforce development.

·         $17.9M total increase for Department of Early Education and Care accounts, including $12M to reduce the waitlist for childcare services and $14.8M for the Children's Trust Fund Healthy Families program.
·         $1.5M for the STEM Pipeline Fund.
·         $1.5M for the Massachusetts Computing Attainment Network (MassCAN) initiative.
·         $2.8M for the Connecting Activities public-private partnership that links high school students with hands-on learning opportunities, mentoring and job placement.
·         $12.5M increase for State Universities and Community Colleges and $19.3M increase for the University of Massachusetts.

The budget targets economic development and workforce training initiatives to create opportunities and connect people of all income levels with the skills they need to join the workforce and secure good, well-paying jobs. The budget makes investments and establishes new initiatives to help low-income families become self-sufficient, get the unemployed and long-term unemployed back to work and support sectors of the economy that drive economic growth.

Investments and initiatives to promote self-sufficiency among low-income individuals and families and recipients of Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) support include:

• $12.1M for the Employment Services Program to help individuals find jobs and resolve barriers to employment, including skills training and job search assistance.
• $5M for the Pathways to Self-Sufficiency Program.
• An increase to the clothing allowance for needy families to $200 per child, the highest in the history of this stipend.
• A new $1M Family Well-Being Plan pilot program to promote educational and employment opportunities for participants exempt from the DTA work requirement.

Efforts to help the unemployed and underemployed update their skills and find jobs include:

• $2M for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to train unemployed and low-wage workers for high demand industries.
• $1.2M for a new Training Resources and Internship Networks (TRAIN) grant program to specifically target the long-term unemployed through partnerships with community colleges to provide training and internship opportunities.
• $11.5M for the Youth-At-Risk Summer Jobs program.

The budget supports the sectors of the Massachusetts economy that drive economic growth, targeting investments in the innovation and knowledge-based economy.

• $15M for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center out of the consolidated net surplus.
• $3M for the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
• $1.5M for the Big Data Innovation and Workforce Fund.

• $1.5M for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership and $945K for a Precision Manufacturing Program.

• $750K for Regional Economic Development Grants.

In addition, the budget invests in populations that are often under-served, funding services for the homeless, individuals struggling with substance abuse and the disabled.

The budget invests in the full spectrum of homelessness prevention and housing support services to strengthen links to permanent housing solutions, including:

·         $154.9M for Emergency Assistance Family Shelters.
·         $85.4M for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program to fund between 600 and 750 new rental assistance vouchers.
·         $44.7M for Homeless Individuals Assistance.
·         $4.5M for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program, the rental assistance program for people with disabilities.
·         $2M for housing and supportive services for unaccompanied homeless youth.
·         A new $7M reserve to fund flexible short-term assistance to divert homeless families, or families at risk of becoming homeless, from shelters to stable housing.

This budget continues the Senate's mission to break the cycle of addiction through investments in substance abuse prevention, recovery and treatment, including:

• $10M for the Substance Abuse Trust Fund to fund a range of treatment services, including detoxification, clinical stabilization, transitional support, residential services and outpatient treatment.
• $5M for more than 150 new clinical stabilization beds.
• $1.5M for grants to school districts to hire mental health and substance abuse counselors.
• $3.1M for Recovery High Schools, including $1M to establish two new schools.
• A new Municipal Naloxone Bulk Purchase Program to allow municipalities to purchase the lifesaving overdose reversal drug commonly referred to as Narcan at discounted rates.

The budget also invests in tools and resources to help individuals with disabilities to be as self-sufficient, independent and productive as possible in their communities, including skills and job training, housing and support services. In a new Senate initiative, the budget provides $250K for the Department of Developmental Disabilities to identify best practices, provide training for direct care staff and collect data to meet the needs of aging individuals with disabilities.

The budget also invests in services for at-risk youth, seniors and veterans, public health and mental health programs and innovative ways to improve access to justice and reduce recidivism.

screen grab of  Senate Ways and Means web page

Senators can file amendments to the Senate Ways and Means recommendations until Thursday at 5 p.m. The full Senate will then debate the Fiscal Year 2016 budget in formal session beginning Tuesday, May 19^th. The full FY 2016 Senate Ways and Means Budget Recommendations are available on the Massachusetts legislature's website: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2016/Senate.

"we need to properly safeguard the citizens’ investment"

The Milford Daily News gets around to reporting on the Finance Committee's approval of the FY 2016 budget.

The Finance Committee has passed the town’s $113.4 million budget for next fiscal year, submitting its recommendations to the Town Council for final review. 

In a memo to councilors, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the budget “will be balanced without a requirement to reduce staff, request an override or use other one-time funds.” 

Nutting cautioned of looming fiscal challenges, including an $89 million liability for benefits for retired town employees and a $50 million backlog of critical road and infrastructure repairs.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150513/NEWS/150518833/1994/NEWS

Franklin Municipal Building

Franklin Matter's notes from the budget hearings can be found here

• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #4
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #3
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #2
• Finance Committee - Budget hearing #1

The official budget documents can be found on the Franklin web page here

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/budgets/FY%2016%20Budget/

Voice of Franklin Toastmasters Open House - May 19

The Voice of Franklin Toastmasters invite residents and the local community to its Open House taking place during its May 19, 2015 meeting, 7:30 PM, at the Benchmark Senior Living at Forge Hill, Four Forge Hill Road, Franklin, MA. 

“Voice of Franklin Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills,” says Fred Elliott, Club President for Toastmasters Voice of Franklin. 

Toastmasters International

Members and guests will enjoy a regular Toastmasters meeting that will include prepared speeches, Table Topics™ (impromptu speeches) and evaluations. 

Club VP of Education, Brian Hilfrank, who has served in various club positions, will be the Table Topics master. “Table Topics are one of my favorite parts of the meeting,” says Hilfrank. “This is where guests and members are randomly selected to speak for one to two minutes. It helps you think and speak clearly on your feet.” 

The Open House is open to guests, new members, past members, current members, and anyone curious about how Toastmasters can benefit them.

Voice of Franklin Toastmasters Open House 

Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 

Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Location: Benchmark Senior Living at
Forge Hill, Four Forge Hill Road, Franklin, MA

For more information, visit website http://voiceoffranklin.toastmastersclubs.org/ 

Voice of Franklin Toastmasters meets the first and third Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Benchmark Senior Living at Forge Hill in Franklin. For more information about this event and the club, please visit website at http://voiceoffranklin.toastmastersclubs.org/

About Toastmasters InternationalToastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the organization’s membership exceeds 313,000 in more than 14,650 clubs in 126 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.

Note: this is not to be confused with the "Voices of Franklin" series that runs periodically here on Franklin Matters.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Franklin softball comes back for win against Mansfield

After dropping a game to Franklin earlier this season, Mansfield looked to avenge that loss on Monday afternoon. After scoring four runs in the bottom of the first the Hornets looked poised and ready to gain revenge against the Panthers. However, Franklin starting pitcher Sabrina LoMonaco settled in and the Panther bats came through with timely hits on way to a 6-5 victory to move two games above Mansfield.

Down 5-3 going into the top of the sixth, Franklin’s bats were held to just four hits but they doubled that in the inning as they came through with three runs on four hits to take a one run lead going into the bottom of the sixth, which eventually turned out to be the difference of the Kelley Rex showdown. Olivia DaGiacomo collected the first hit of the sixth on a single to right and Alyssa DaSilva followed with an infield single. Alicia Donovan then loaded the bases on a single to center. With two outs, Erin Hanley, who was hitless in the game, cleared the bases on a three run triple to right.

“Olivia DiGiacomo got us going there with the two RBI triple that she had and then Maddie Connelly had another RBI that knocked Alicia Donovan in,” Franklin head coach Kate Fallon-Comeau said. “We just never quit and just kind of scratched and crawled our way back into the game and Erin Hanley knocking those three huge runs in with that triple – she was huge for us.”

Continue reading the article here:
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/-franklin-overcomes-mansfields-fast-start-in-win


In other action on Monday, the FHS results were

FHS Panthers

Baseball

Mansfield, 9 @ Franklin, 0 - Final

- Sophomore Nolan Dousa tossed a complete game shutout, scattering five hits, two walks and struck out five. At the plate, Jared Collins had two RBI and two runs scored, Charlie DeMassi scored three runs, Will Kelleher had two RBI and one run scored, Brandon Nevius scored two runs and Mike Arnold had a sacrifice fly.

Boys lacrosse

Oliver Ames, 2 @ Franklin, 14 - Final - Franklin had 12 different players factor into the scoring led by senior Jack Vail and freshman Eric Civetti, who each netted a pair of goals and had a pair of assists.

Girls lacrosse

Franklin, 19 @ Oliver Ames, 3 - Final

- Franklin's Kenzie Pleshaw led a balanced attack with a team-high four goals, Julia Jette scored twice and had three assists, Emily Spath scored three goals and had one assist and Sam Jones and Kayla Marshall each netted their first goals of the season. For Oliver Ames, Erin Fitzgerald had one goal and one assists and Meg Bosse and Kendall Clifford each scored once.

Boys tennis

Franklin, 4 @ Mansfield, 1 - Final

Girls tennis

Franklin, 4 @ Mansfield, 1 - Final

All the results of Hockomock League action on Monday can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-051115

FSPA 30th Anniversary Spring Concert - Complimentary Tickets Available For Prospective Students

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) invites prospective students and families to learn more about programs in music, dance and drama via the school’s All Access Pass, which includes complimentary tickets to any of the FSPA 30th Anniversary Spring Concert performances on Saturday, May 16 at 4 and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, May 17 at 1 and 4 p.m. Featuring FSPA students in all levels and disciplines of dance and musical theater, including performing troupes, dance companies and the international touring ensemble Electric Youth, Spring Concert is presented in an audience-friendly, 90-minute format.

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, FSPA offers an extensive roster of classes in music, dance and drama and an unparalleled calendar of performing opportunities. Programs are available for recreational enjoyment or serious study, with classes for all ages and ability levels. 

FSPA’s Spring Concert will be presented at Franklin’s Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak Street. Tickets are $18 and $20 for general admission. Prospective students and families should call FSPA at 508-528-8668 to reserve their complimentary tickets and to schedule a trial class or tour of the facilities. Classes continue at FSPA through June 22 and registration for summer and fall sessions is ongoing. Visit www.FSPAonline.com for more information.

MassBudget: Implications of Privatization and the Pacheco Law

Building an Economy that Works for Everyone:  Implications of Privatization and the Pacheco Law  For too many families, economic conditions have not been improving in recent years. While wages grew in lock step with productivity growth in the thirty years after World War II, we have seen a troubling change since the 1970s: economic growth is no longer leading to wage growth for most workers. That's a problem for all of us because it is hard to sustain a strong economy, or a strong community, on low wage jobs. State governments can push back against this trend by setting wage standards, like a decent minimum wage, and also by being good employers and requiring the same of those they do business with. In our newest fact sheet, Building an Economy that Works for Everyone: Implications of Privatization and the Pacheco Law, we examine the core elements of that law - the requirement that privatization efforts lead to savings based on improved efficiency and that they do not drive down the wages of working people - and describe the processes and steps the law requires. To read the fact sheet, please click HERE.  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

Dean College - Children's Center- Open House Tours - May 19

There are Open House Tours scheduled for the Dean College Children's Center on Tuesday, May 19th from 10:00 to noon.

photo of mailer from Dean's Children's Center

From the website we find the Children's Center Mission:

• To provide children 2 years 9 months old to 6 years old an initial school experience that reflects current research in child development and early childhood education.
• To provide a practicum site for Dean students preparing for careers in child care, education and other fields.
• To provide demonstration teaching, resources and support for families and area child care providers.

For more info on the Children's Center at Dean  http://www.dean.edu/pre_school.aspx

"We will continue to watch enrollment"

The School Committee tonight will vote to pass the district’s $56.95 million budget, which includes a balance of job cuts and new hires. 

Next fiscal year’s budget, up 2.43 percent over this year, accounts for larger high school and middle school class sizes and declining elementary school enrollment. 

The district is expected to hire five teachers — four at two of its middle schools and one at the high school — to improve class sizes. On the other hand, it will cut five teacher positions from its elementary schools in response to a decrease in enrollment.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150512/NEWS/150519355/1994/NEWS

The agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-may.html


Note: there is one inaccurate statement in the MDN article. The meeting is scheduled for the 3rd floor training room. There are no training rooms on the 2rd Floor of the Municipal Building.

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 12, 2015

Note: the meeting is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm and be held in the 3rd Floor Training Room on Tuesday, May 12

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which

may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed

and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent

permitted by law."

Franklin Public Schools
- the key to learning

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 28, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman


Discussion: FY16 Budget Adoption


Action Items:
a. I recommend adoption of the FY16 Budget in the amount of $56,950,000.00 as discussed.
b. I recommend approval of budget transfers as detailed.
c. I recommend adoption of a new position for FHS Theater Technician.

Adjourn open session for Training Session.


The agenda for this meeting can be found on School Committee webpage here
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Agendas/V20142015/SCAgenda%205-12-15.pdf

Franklin Cultural Festival - Kick-off Evening - May 16

Franklin Cultural District Festival Kick-off Evening Come join us on May 16th as we kick-off the first annual Franklin Cultural  Festival.  Relax with friends of the arts, enjoy desserts, and listen to music from FPAC's Acme Jazz Trio.  The night will highlight some snippets of several of the performances and demonstrations that will be featured during the festival in July. Your $18 ticket will help offset the costs associated with the Cultural Festival and will give you a great evening.  Your support of this effort is appreciated. We hope to see you on May 16th. Where:  The BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, Franklin, MA When: Saturday, May 16, 2015, 8:00 PM Cost: $18 per ticket.  To purchase a ticket, select the link below. Cultural Festival Kick-off Tickets

Forward this email FPS- Life Long Learning | 355 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Share with others: Know someone else who would like to attend the May 16th kick-off event or know more about the Cultural Festival? Forward this to someone else.


To find out more about the Franklin Cultural Festival, visit the event webpage and subscribe to receive updates via email
http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

Should there be High Stakes Testing for Kindergarteners???

Reminder: there is a forum for parents with current kindergarteners or those with children coming into kindergarten in September. 

This meeting will happen at the Alumni Restaurant (Function Room) 391 East Central Street Franklin MA from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Childcare will be provided. 

You can sign up for childcare with the information here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/should-there-be-high-stakes-testing-for.html


Related to this meeting, John Oliver does his thing on standardized testing! 

Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - June 13

Franklin Residential Rain Garden Project

Learn to design, build and maintain a home rain garden to treat polluted rainwater from your driveway and roof while adding beauty and visual interest to your property.

Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - Jun 13

When:

Saturday, June 13, 201510:30 am - 2:30 pmLunch Provided

Where:

Remington/Jefferson School628 Washington Street, Franklin

Register at www.soakitupfranklinma.org



Questions? 
Contact Alexandra Ash aash@crwa.org or 781-788-0007 x 200


This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020C5211-000F8513