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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
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Hi- I wanted to followup with Kristen Cerce/Director K-12 Health and PE about curriculum in Franklin Public Schools - Kristen had been out of town - here is the summary- pretty comprehensive.
Maureen:
As far as our curriculum goes, we talk about substance abuse at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Our primary focus is on alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco, but we do educate students about other drugs in both middle and high school. The lessons that we teach are dependent on the needs of our students, as identified in the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey.
At the elementary level, students primarily learn about alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription/non-prescription drugs, as well as refusal skills. They learn strategies to avoid using substances including drugs and alcohol.
K-2 teachers discuss prescription and over the counter drugs, instructing students on how to take medicine safely and cautioning them that they should only take medicine if a trusted adult gives it to them.
The curriculum for grades 3-5 focuses on how drugs affect the body, the dangers of drugs, drug and alcohol refusal skills, and how to make good choices. Teachers typically do not name harder drugs, such as opiates, but if a student brings up the name of a specific drug, they will answer the student's question.
The DARE program goes into other drugs in more depth than our program. Students participate in the DARE program in grade 5.
Throughout middle school, teachers focus on a spectrum of drugs in greater depth than elementary school. These drugs include alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, bath salts, cocaine, steroids, prescription/non-prescription drugs, and opioids. Lessons focus on refusal skills, the dangers and risks associated with drug use/abuse.
Wellness students (grades 9 and 10) study drug abuse in greater detail. Again, lessons are designed based on the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey. Survey results indicate that these are the ages at which students are inclined to experiment with alcohol and marijuana more than other drugs.
Wellness 9 specifically focuses on alcohol and marijuana, because they are common “gateway drugs.” Lessons address legal issues associated with theses drugs, as well as impaired driving, sexual assault, addiction, social host laws, related diseases, and other resulting injuries.
Wellness 10 reviews topics covered in Wellness 9 and serves as a general overview of drug abuse classifications. These drug classifications include: stimulants (cocaine, crack, caffeine, amphetamines), depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, cannabis), hallucinogens (ecstasy, LSD, mushrooms, “date rape drugs”), narcotics (prescription/non-prescription drugs, opioids, heroin, morphine), inhalants, and tobacco (smoking and smokeless). Students typically participate in drug research projects and presentations.
I hope this information is what you are looking for. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Thank you,Kristin----------
S.A.F.E. Community Coalition Meeting featuring Dr. John Kelly |
The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold Back-to-School Open Houses for prospective students and families on
- August 26 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- August 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- September 1 and 3 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- September 12 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- September 16 from 10 a.m. to 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 in music, dance, and drama. Prospective students are also encouraged to try a complimentary class.
Franklin School for the Performing Arts
Celebrating a milestone 30th anniversary season, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA offers an extensive roster of classes in all dance disciplines, acting, musical theater, voice, and instrumental instruction.
FSPA is also home to the Little Music School, an innovative program that teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano. An unparalleled calendar of performing opportunities features all-student musicals, plays, voice and instrumental recitals, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses, musical theater showcases, performing troupes, dance companies, a classical ballet variations ensemble, and instrumental ensembles. Many FSPA students also participate, by audition, in the affiliated Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual season of shows.
Fall registration is ongoing. For more information, including class schedule and catalogue, call (508) 528-8668 or visit online at www.FSPAonline.com.
This summer, the state Department of Housing and Economic Development awarded $894,082 in total to the towns of Franklin, Bellingham and Hopedale for housing rehabilitation and fuel assistance.
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the money will allow needy families to complete necessary home repairs.
"It's to provide housing rehabilitation on an emergency basis," he said.
He said, as an example, that a homeowner in need of $10,000 to repair a roof could apply through the program, and would not need to pay the money back, as long as they continue to own the house for a set length of time.
Nutting said this is not Franklin's first experience with a housing rehabilitation program.Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription may be required)
corner of Emmons St and West Central street under construction for the downtown improvement project |
The Spectra Access Northeast project is back - and planning to build a pipeline right through Franklin and neighboring towns. If you'd like to get more information to stop this pipeline (or if you are a concerned potential abutter - if so, you've probably been contacted by Spectra already) there's a meeting on Thursday 8/20 from 7-9p at the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut St. (Also, I'm wondering what any of the town council candidates think about this, and how they might help those of us who might be directly affected!)
The project is in the early planning stages and hasn’t yet entered the federal permitting process, according to Spectra spokesman Arthur Diestel.
The project aims to bring about 5,000 megawatts of power to 70 percent of New England’s gas-fired power plants. In the works for 2017, Spectra bills the new infrastructure as a way to lower electricity rates as early as winter 2018.
Local activists say that’s false advertising. Citing environmental concerns, worry the rate payers will foot part of the $3 billion project through their utility bills, and the fear rates may increase as Spectra uses the pipeline to export gas to Canada, the consumers’ interest may not be so dear to the company’s heart, according to a flyer circulated by the group, which has yet to take an official name.
“They’re in it to make a buck on our backs and I don't trust it's going to lower costs,” said Gail Chirdon, a Franklin resident active in fighting the Atlantic Bridge Pipeline proposal, abandoned by Spectra in late May.Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription may be required)
"The beauty of the Access Northeast project is that very little “greenfield” or pipeline construction through areas where pipelines don’t exist is required. The stiff resistance to the Kinder Morgan TGP NED project largely comes from communities that don’t want new pipeline cutting through the area. Can New England support two new massive pipeline projects–both Access Northeast and NED? From a purely economic standpoint–would both projects make their respective investors/companies money and be profitable–we suspect the answer is yes. But from a political viewpoint–can you sell both projects to liberal, fossil fuel-hating New Englanders? Probably not. We suspect only one of these projects will survive. With an alliance of different partners, locking up much of the electrical generating customers in the region, and very little greenfield construction required–Access Northeast increasingly looks promising to be the winner."http://marcellusdrilling.com/2015/02/access-northeast-pipeline-pulling-ahead-of-kinders-ned-project/
Access Northeast |
MassDOT |
Pisini Field! #pantherriver pic.twitter.com/67gro9dcSN
— Coach P (@Coachpasquarosa) August 18, 2015
"Some members of the Franklin Police staff came about as close as anyone can come to being struck by lightning late Tuesday afternoon, without actually getting hit.
Police Chief Stephan Semerjian said police headquarters on Panther Way may have taken a direct hit – if not, it was close by – during the severe thunderstorm that swept over the area starting about 3:30 p.m.
“We took a good hit. There were a number of us in here. I’ve got to tell you, it was unbelievable,” he said."Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News
Franklin Police Station - 911 Panther Way |
Bring your whole family and enjoy watching Toy Story on the big screen in a classic Franklin setting - Beaver Pond!
Woody and Buzz in the original Toy Story
The movie itself will start at dusk, but WOODY AND BUZZ ARRIVE AT 7:00!
Kids will get an opportunity to meet and play games with both characters.
In addition to the characters arriving early, a whole host of local small businesses will be represented at booths offering treats, fun toys, and other retail offerings! The marketplace opens at 6:30.
the marketplace opens at 6:30, Woody and Buzz arrive at 7:00 PM |
POSITION | NAME |
Assessor | Donna Greenwood |
W.Kenneth Norman | |
Bd. Of Health | Donald G. Ranieri, Jr. |
Gail P. Chirdon | |
Philip M. Brunelli | |
Tara E. Gurge | |
Constable | John S. Power |
Philip M. Brunelli | |
Planning Bd | Gregory Giardino |
John F. Carroll | |
Mikel G. DeFrancesco | |
William D. David | |
School Com. | Anne K. Bergen |
Cynthia J. Douglas | |
Denise L. Schultz | |
Kenneth B. Hiscoe, III | |
Kevin P. O'Malley | |
Mary Jane Scofield | |
Rita M. Graci | |
Trevor A. Clement | |
Vanessa A. Bilello | |
Town Clerk | Diane M. Padula-O'Neill |
Elizabeth F. Simon | |
Paul J. Cheli | |
Teresa M. Burr | |
Town Council | Brett S. Feldman |
Deborah L. Pellegri | |
Glenn F. Jones | |
James D. Schultz, Jr. | |
Judith Pond Pfeffer | |
Matthew T. Kelly | |
Peter E. Padula | |
Richard W. Power, Sr. | |
Robert D. Dellorco | |
Sean P. Slater | |
Thomas D. Mercer | |
Franklin Town Common |
Woodstock Building Associates |
WBA, a design-build company, has thirty-six successful years as a leader in custom home building and remodeling. Our team of experienced professionals includes accomplished Architects, Estimators, Carpenters, and Plumbers who ensure your project, whether small or large, is well planned and expertly executed. The WBA approach is individualized – team members work with our clients from the designing and budgeting process through project completion and beyond. WBA’s reference list spans over three decades serves as a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship and customer commitment which has defined WBA since it’s 1978 founding.