Children's Parade - Saturday, July 2nd

The Franklin Lion's Club, in partnership with the 4th of July Coalition, will be sponsoring the Children's Parade held at the Franklin Town Common on Saturday July 2nd at 12:00. 

Registration will take place at The Men of Franklin Monument on High Street at 11:00 (look for Lions Balloons).

The top 3 winners for the most Patriotic Display can choose a prize valued at $25 to Kidz Plaster Zone, Flip Side Gymnastics and Spruce Pond Creamery, who donated the prizes.

Let's see those red, white and blue, bicycles, tricycles , carriages, scooters and costumes!!!

Civil War Monument - 'single soldier' The Men of Franklin

Read with Wally at the Library - Monday, 10:30 AM

Wally the Green Monster will be at the Franklin Public Library (25 Kenwood Circle) on Monday, June 27th at 10:30 Am to lead a reading session.

Wally will bring one of his favorite books and act out the story. Kids are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite storybook character.

This was shared from the Franklin Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/06/read-with-wally-green-monster-monday.html

In the News: 4th of July preparations, teens and screens a concern

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The annual Franklin 4th of July Celebration is gearing up to offer five days of fun on the town common. 

"Plans have been finalized for this year's 4th of July Celebration," says Warren Revell of the Franklin 4th of July Coalition, which has been hard at work for months planning the festival. 

The celebration begins on Thursday and continues through Monday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160626/franklin-gearing-up-for-annual-july-4-celebration

For additional information and to donate to the 4th of July effort (not funded by the Town of Franklin)  http://july4thfranklinma.com/

"This summer, many parents may recall their childhoods running around outside as they watch their own kids spend beautiful days inside with Playstations and Xboxes. While some children might think parents just don't understand, educators and doctors say the concern that kids and teens are too wired-in is very real. 

Last month, Hopkinton Middle School showed the documentary "Screenagers" to teachers, parents and the student body. The film, directed by primary care physician Delaney Ruston, explores the ways cell phones, computers and electronic media are consuming and shaping the lives of today's teens in unprecedented ways. The screening was followed by a Q&A discussion where students could raise their own concerns about their relationships with technology."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160626/schools-push-for-more-awareness-about-teens-and-their-screens

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - June 28, 2016

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."

The key to learning

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the June 14, 2016 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Signing of FEA Contract
b. Introduction of New Administrators

1. William Klements, Deputy Principal FHS 
2. Dr. Pamela Myette, Asst. Princ. Student Services. 
3. Tanya Lamoureux, Asst. Princ. Oak St. 
4. Amy Souls, Asst. Princ. Keller 
5. Colin Boisvert, Food Service Director

c. Presentation to Assistant Superintendent

3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Reading
o IL – Evaluation of Instructional Programs

4. Executive Session 
– Motion to enter into Executive Session and return to open session (requires roll call vote)
o Matters pertaining to contractual bargaining negotiations

5. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed
b. I recommend adoption of Policy IL – Evaluation of Instructional Programs as discussed
c. I recommend adoption of the MOU between the School Committee and the Van Drivers Union
d. I recommend adoption of the MOU between the School Committee and the Cafeteria Workers Union
e. I recommend adoption of the MOU between the School Committee and the Secretaries Union
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $296.58 from Ahold USA for in-house enrichment at FHS
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $238.70 from O’Connor Studios for Supplemental Supplies for Keller
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Vanguard for the Andrew Coppola Scholarship fund at FHS
i. I recommend acceptance of the following 2 checks totaling $4,171.20 for FHS in-house enrichment:

1. Music Theatre International: $271.202. Franklin Music Boosters: $3,900.00

6. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

7. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

8. Adjourn

Celebrate the Cultural Arts in Franklin - July 27 to 30

Join us to Celebrate the Cultural Arts

July 27, 28, 29, 30, 2016

Wednesday, July 27, Beginning at 5:00 PM

• Art Activities – Sidewalk Chalk, Face Painting, Plein air Painting, and Rich Guardabascio’s Block Painting at the Town Common

• Music Performances – Electric Youth at the Town Common and One-Acts at THE BLACK BOX

Thursday, July 28, Beginning at 5:00 PM

• Music Performances – The Fiddling Thomsons at the Historical Museum
• Laughter Yoga and Shakespeare on the Common at the Town Common

Friday, July 29, Varied times

• Music Performances – Student Music Concert at Franklin high school at 11 AM; Kevin Wolfe, Classical Soft Rock in the Sculpture Park, beginning at 6:30 PM
• Shakespeare on the Common at the Town Common, beginning at 8 PM

Saturday, July 30, afternoon and evening

THE BLACK BOX, Inside and outside, under the festival tent

• Music Performances – Featuring: Emma Newton, Voice and Harp; Brent Selby, Cello
• LiveARTS - Don Krishnaswami, viola and Ann Sears, piano; Heath Nisbett, Flamenco guitar
• Kaye Kelly, Guitar; One Acts; Stefilia's Stone; Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli; Jamie Barrett
• Jim Henry with Stephanie Marshall and Susan Cattaneo of The Boxcar Lilies; and Victims of Gravity
• Culinary Arts – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Taste of Franklin … enjoy the food!
• Visual Arts – Afternoon and evening – featuring Franklin Art Association and Robot Designs

Franklin Cultural Festival - July 27-30, 2016

For additional information, visit the Cultural Festival webpage

http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

In the News: locals talk with "Survivor", splash park opens at YMCA

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"It was a hot and sunny day in Franklin, but not nearly as sweltering as the Cambodian heat Jeremy Collins had to endure during his time competing on the TV reality show, "Survivor." 

About 100 families gathered at the Franklin YMCA Saturday to meet the "Survivor" champion and put themselves to physical challenges of their own.
Michelle Branche, senior member experience director at the Franklin YMCA, said that each year the YMCA holds an annual fundraiser for its organization “Reach Out for Youth and Families.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160625/locals-chat-with-survivor-winner

"The Hockomock Area YMCA hosted a dedication and celebration of the Rockland Trust Family Splash Park at the Bernon Family Branch YMCA on June 16. On a sun-soaked afternoon, representatives from Rockland Trust joined Hockomock Area YMCA leadership volunteers, staff and kids christening the park highlighted by a tumultuous wave of water dropped from a huge bucket suspended 15 feet from the ground drenching kids and adults alike. 

“This is a very exciting day,” said Brian Earley, chairman of the board of directors at the Hockomock Area YMCA. “We are so grateful for the partnership and friendship of Rockland Trust. This Splash Park will be a great addition to our YMCA, and another exciting touchpoint for the community, providing families with a place to spend quality time together.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160625/hockomock-area-ymca-celebrates-rockland-trust-family-splash-park

In the News: FEF awards grants, lack of rain forces water bans/restrictions

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Franklin Education Foundation awarded eight grants totaling about $18,970 for the 2016-17 school year to teachers in the Franklin Public School system. A committee composed of FEF representatives and FPS staff read all proposals through a blind review process and selected the recipients. 

“Consideration was given to need, innovation, impact and integration with other school programs when selecting applications for funding. These eight grants will provide needed funding for innovative programs at the elementary and middle school level," said Kit Brady, FEF president and chair of the Grant Review Committee."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160625/franklin-education-foundation-awards-grants

"Lack of rain in the state has area towns taking different approaches to deal with the shortage, ranging from bans to restrictions. 

Milford’s water ban has limited outside watering to hand-held hoses between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m for no more than one hour. Since June 1, the town's water conservation level has been at Stage 3, which forbids irrigating, car washing and pool filling. 

Last year, according to the National Weather Service, Worcester received 6.35 inches of precipitation during June. This year, the area has only received 1.38 inches in June so far."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160625/water-bans-deal-with-rain-shortage

the water restriction sign normally positioned at the triangle downtown