Saturday, January 14, 2017

Teacher Cross-Fit starts Jan 24, enroll today

"My way of giving back to ALL THE TEACHERS who have helped and continue to help my boys and so many students in such positive ways! 
Session begins next week, Enrollment is OPEN! 
Thank you!!" MC

Teacher Cross-Fit starts Jan 24, enroll today
Teacher Cross-Fit starts Jan 24, enroll today

Friday, January 13, 2017

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 1/13/17 - THU 1/19/17

FRIDAY 1/13/17 
10:30am   Knitting Circle for Adults @ Franklin Public Library
8pm   John Funkhouser Trio @ The Black Box

SATURDAY 1/14/17
10:30am   Winnie the Pooh Party @ Franklin Public Library

SUNDAY 1/15/17
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast @ Franklin Rod and Gun Club

MONDAY 1/16/17
7-8:30pm   Learn To Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

WEDNESDAY 1/18/17
6:30pm   Doggie Tales (read to a service dog, grades 2 and up, registration required) @ Franklin Public Library

THURSDAY 1/19/17
3pm   Memory Cafe for Caregivers and Their Loved Ones @ Franklin Senior Center (free event, registration required)
4pm   Family Coloring Book Club @ Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Beyond the Paranormal - book discussion with authors @ Franklin Public Library
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA

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 and/or shersteve@gmail.com

Franklin Veterans Municipal Assistance Fund: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Did you receive a slip in your recent tax bill looking for donations to a Veteran’s Fund? This flyer looks to address any questions you may have on this fund.

the Franklin Veterans Municipal Fund call for donations
the Franklin Veterans Municipal Fund call for donations

What is this Fund?
On October 19, 2016, the Franklin Town Council accepted the provisions of a new state law that allows the Town of Franklin to establish a Municipal Veterans Assistance Fund.

What costs qualify for assistance?
The funds raised will go toward three approved uses outlined in the state law – food, transportation, fuel assistance (heat and oil) – to assist Veteran’s in need within the Town of Franklin.

What about assistance with housing costs or rent?
Unfortunately, housing costs are not allowed under the law and the Town of Franklin cannot pay direct costs toward housing. If you need housing assistance, we encourage you to still contact the Veterans Officer to discuss other possible assistance.

Do all donations actually go to Veterans?
Yes. It is important to note that 100% of the funds received goes directly into Franklin Veterans’ pockets. The overhead and administration of this fund are done through the Franklin Veterans Officer, which is in the Town’s annual operating budget.

How can I contribute?
There are three ways to make a donation:
1. Online: http://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/online-payments
2. Check/Money Order, please send payments to:

  • Franklin Municipal Veteran’s Assistance Fund
  • 10 Daniel McCahill St
  • Franklin, MA 02038

All checks and money orders payable to: Franklin Municipal Veteran’s Assistance Fund

3. In-person: Please visit the Veteran’s Services Department at the Franklin Senior Center to make a donation in person

Who administers the funds?
This fund is managed by the Franklin Veterans Officer with oversight and authority by the Town Administrator.

How are funds distributed?
Funds are distributed to qualifying Franklin Veterans through the Town’s Veterans Services Officer.

I’m a Veteran and could use some assistance or I know a Veteran who needs assistance. Who do I call?
Call the Veterans Department at 508-613-1315 for details and an application.




Franklin Senior Center
Franklin Senior Center

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page (PDF)
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/2017-01-09_franklin_veterans_fund_public_notification_faq_2.pdf

FHS girls tops Attleboro, boys lose very close meet

Via Hockomock Sports we can share the results of the FHS Indoor track meeting on Thursday



Boys - Indoor Track (@ Reggie Lewis Center) = Attleboro, 51 vs. Franklin, 48 – Final


– For the second straight week, Isaiah Rodriguez and David Seybert each won a pair of events as Attleboro edged Franklin. Rodriguez was first in the 55M dash and the long jump while Seybert won the 600M and the 1 Mile races. Brett Szlachciuk won the 1000M and Otoniel Llanos finished first in the shot put. Franklin got first place finish from Paul Kroushl (300M), freshman Dylan Pare (2 Mile) and William Jacobs (55M hurdles and high jump).


Girls - Indoor Track (@ Reggie Lewis Center) = Attleboro, 10 vs. Franklin, 90 – Final


– Franklin swept both relays and took first and second in nine of the 10 individual events to get the big win. Franklin got wins from Jess Kroushl (55M dash and long jump), Meghan Doherty (300M), Nicole Clermont (600M), Katherine Hartnett (1000M), Ella Gutkowski (1 Mile), Molly Houlihan (2 Mile), Danielle Pierre (55M hurdles) and Sarah Goodermuth (shot put). Attleboro took first and second in the high jump with Victoria Pike coming in first and Allison Wall placing second.

For the rest of the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-011217/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers


The complete set of results via CoolRUnning can be found here for the boys
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/17/ma/Jan12_Hockom_set2.shtml

and for the girls results
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/17/ma/Jan12_Hockom_set3.shtml






Franklin Public Library: closed Sunday and Monday, Jan 15 and 16, 2017

The Franklin Public Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, Jan 15 and 16 for Martin Luther King Day.


This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2017/01/library-closed-sunday-january-15-and.html

"how to support students through homework"

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

"The town's schools have made strides in communicating to parents and the community at large, district officials reported in a mid-year review. 
The officials spoke at Tuesday's School Committee meeting about progress made thus far on the District Improvement Plan and School Improvement Plans over the 2016-2017 school year. Goals in those plans included improving communication, implementing social/emotional learning in the classroom, promoting a culture of responsibility and aligning curriculum to meet student needs. 
Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said there had been an emphasis on improved communication. 
"We've been pushing community engagement a lot," she said. "The (Annie) Sullivan (Middle) School has been amazing at using Twitter this year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170112/franklin-schools-present-improvement-plan-progress


A current example of the use of Twitter

Keller School Best Buddies at the Celtics game
Keller School Best Buddies at the Celtics game



Additional information on the District Improvement Plan update can be found in the live reported notes from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday (The full summary should be available this weekend)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/live-reporting-district-and-school.html

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Kindergarten Registration 2017 scheduled for March 27 and 28

Kindergarten Registration will be held on two evenings


  • March 27th 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • March 28th 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM


Horace Mann Middle School – Cafeteria
224 Oak Street, Franklin, MA



There are 3 ways to access the FORMS you will need to register a child for kindergarten. These forms will NOT be available at the registration.

To access FORMS:

  1. Download from our web site: http://franklinecdc.vt-s.net
  2. Pick up forms at the ECDC, located at 224 Oak Street (behind Horace Mann)
  3. Pick up forms at the Office of the Superintendent, located at 355 East Central St.




Or access the forms directly from these links:


Residency form

from the Oak St Kindergarten twitter account
from the Oak St Kindergarten twitter account



*****      *****

Kindergarten registration overview

Information night

Kindergarten Registration Age

Vision Screening Guidelines

MA Dept of Public Health Requirements

KIndergarten Bus Information




Franklin Children's School Registration and Open House

Franklin Children's School Announces Registration for the 2017-2018 School Year!!

Registration will take place beginning January 23, 2017 and run through February 8, 2017.

Franklin Children's School will be hosting an Open House on January 19th 4:00-6:00 for families interested in learning more about the school. FCS is located at 900 Chestnut Street in Franklin. 

If you are interested in setting up a tour, would like a fall 2017 registration application or have any questions, please contact Executive Director- Kim Barrett at 508-528-9378 or e-mail fcskids@verizon.net.


Franklin Children's School will be hosting an Open House on January 19th 4:00-6:00
Franklin Children's School will be hosting an Open House on January 19th 4:00-6:00


FHS boys hockey and wrestling teams post wins on Wednesday


Boys Hockey = North Attleboro, 3 @ Franklin, 7 – Final

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 0 vs. Medway/Ashland, 3 – Final

Wrestling = Franklin, 48 @ Taunton, 11 – Final
– Taunton picked up wins from Alex Simon (170), Nuno Camara (182) and Woudanly Danger (220).

Joe Clark, Hockomock Sports .com Student Reporter, provides a complete write up on the FHS boys hockey game:

"Franklin’s offense came ready to play on Wednesday night at Pirelli Veterans Arena, rolling to a 7-3 win over North Attleboro to pick up two points in league play. 
Coming off back-to-back five-goal games, Franklin’s offense continued to roll, scoring just over two minutes into the contest. On the power play, Franklin freshman defenseman Colin Oppelt found Joey Blasie for a slapshot that found the back of the net to put Franklin up 1-0. 
A few minutes later around the nine minute mark, North Attleboro had a chance when Jason McNeany found space but a great save from Franklin goalie Cam Benham kept the Franklin lead at 1-0. A minute later, Franklin almost scored again on a slapshot by junior defenseman Jack McGrath from the blue line, but a nice save from goalie Ryan Warren kept the North deficit at one."
Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/strong-special-teams-play-leads-franklin-past-north-attleboro/


From the Twitterverse


Franklin 7 NA 3, hat to Magazu 2gs
Franklin 7 NA 3, hat to Magazu 2gs












Ellis Paul's "25 Years On The Road" tour is coming to Milford

Ellis Paul will be performing at Memorial Hall in celebration of 25 years of touring!

"The World Ain't Slowin' Down"

Ellis Paul Celebrates 25 Years On The Road



Memorial Hall
30 School Street
Milford, MA 01757

Show time: 7:00pm
Some artists document their lives through their music. Others chronicle their times. It's a rare artist who can do both, telling their own story through songs that also encapsulate the essence of people and places who have helped define their era overall. Woody Guthrie comes to mind, and so does Bob Dylan. Bruce Springsteen certainly as well. 

Yet few others, for whatever genius they may possess, can relate their own history to the history experienced by those who find that common bond, be it in a coming of age, living through the same realities or sharing similar experiences.

Ellis Paul is one of those gifted singer/songwriters. Though some may refer to him as a folksinger, he is more, for lack of a better word, a singular storyteller, a musician whose words reach out from inside and yet also express the feelings, thoughts and sensibilities that most people can relate to in one way or another, regardless of age or upbringing. 


The exhilaration of the open road. A ​celebration of heroes.​ ​The hope for redemption. Descriptions of those things that are both near and dear. The sharing of love... intimate, passionate and enduring.


Ellis Paul's "25 Years On The Road" tour is coming to Milford 2/11/17
Ellis Paul's "25 Years On The Road" tour is coming to Milford 2/11/17

In the News: School Committee faces budget issues, meadowlands goals set

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

"Members of the School Committee this week urged State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, to review the way schools are funded in Massachusetts. 
Roy, a former member of the committee, attended the group's Tuesday night meeting to provide a summary of his priorities for the coming legislative session. 
Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley noted that the effort to reform the formula by which a district's foundation budget - or the minimum that it can spend - is determined began in the early 1990s, and asked Roy why there had not been more progress since then. 
"Everything is now changing, and not to the inexpensive side," O'Malley said. "How do we get the urgency of our voice to the state house?"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170111/franklin-schools-seek-budget-help

site of the Horace Mann statue to be unveiled on May 7
site of the Horace Mann statue to be unveiled on May 7


"A local volunteer group is seeking help from several towns in its efforts to help protect and promote the Charles River Meadowlands. 
The group decided at a meeting this week to adopt a plan that includes goals for the land, which is spread out over several pieces of property owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The meadowlands - located in, among other towns, Bellingham, Franklin and Medway - were purchased as a buffer to absorb river flooding. 
Alan Earls, who is leading the local effort, said the plan was developed over the course of many meetings. 
"It's based on feedback we got from people, including town committees, town planners, the people who attended our meetings and abutters," he said. "We want to see the land preserved, managed and made more accessible."


Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170111/franklin-group-creates-plan-for-charles-river-land

Affordable Condominium Home for Sale - 9 Leanne Way





https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/818827544011087872
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/818827544011087872



Wednesday, January 11, 2017

What is the Franklin TV Community Bulletin Board (CBB)?


"Our Community Bulletin Board helps local nonprofit groups, schools and civic organizations to spread the word about their mission and their meetings and events deemed of interest to Franklin cable subscribers and the community. Generally, we update our Bulletin Board weekly."


View additional info on the Community Bulletin Board





Or download a copy from here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZVFhajgyeC1EcEJpMHlMOWFvU1JkWW5GOXFN/view?usp=sharing


Franklin TV studio on Hutchinson St
Franklin TV studio on Hutchinson St

Superintendent Search narrows to 4 Candidates

The Franklin School Committee is progressing as they continue the process of seeking to replace Superintendent, Dr. Maureen Sabolinski who is retiring in June 2017.

The Committee hired the national consulting firm of Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates to assist them in the search. HYA was able to generate 57 applicants for the position.

From this number, they recommended 4 semifinalists to be interviewed by the search committee. The 4 semifinalists chosen are:

  • Linda Hirsch, Ed.D.
  • David Thompson, Ed.D.
  • Kimberly Shaver-Hood, Ed.D.
  • Susan Kustka


Joining the search committee for these interviews will be 4 representatives of the Franklin Community:

  • Sarah Mulcahy, Parent
  • Tom Mercer, Town Council
  • Paul Peri, Franklin High School Principal
  • Donna Grady, Franklin Teachers Association


The Search committee will interview the semi-finalists on January 19 at 9:30 AM. At the Franklin Municipal Building in the Council Chamber (2nd Floor). 

The public is invited to observe these interviews. Next steps in the superintendent search will be developed after these interviews are complete.


sunrise over Spruce Pond
sunrise over Spruce Pond

Dean College Presents: A Midsummer Night's Dream, February 22-26, 2017

The School of the Arts at Dean College will perform A Midsummer Night's Dream, beginning Wednesday, February 22, 2017 through Sunday, February 26, 2017.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is perhaps the best loved of Shakespeare's plays. It brings together the realms of the mortal and immortal, colliding in a wood outside Athens, and from there the enchantment begins. Simple and engaging on the surface, it is none the less a highly original and sophisticated work, where love is capricious as the wind, and where a mischievous imp named Puck plays with fate as merrily as a baby with a toy.

You won't want to miss our talented students perform in this well-loved play!

The Dean College production of A Midsummer Night's Dream will take place in the Main Stage in the Campus Center at Dean College, 99 Main Street, Franklin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday and 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

General admission is $22, Seniors $12 and Children $7.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.dean.edu/boxoffice.


Dean College, Main St Franklin
Dean College, Main St Franklin

Both FHS basketball teams top Taunton on Tuesday

From HockomockSports we share the results of Tuesday's FHS winter sports action


Boys Basketball = Franklin, 55 @ Taunton, 42 – Final
– Taunton turned a second half deficit (25-17) into a third quarter lead (27-25) but Franklin rattled off a 10-4 run to close the quarter and never looked back. Junior Connor Peterson led the way for the Panthers with 21 points while Paul Mahon added 12 points and Jalen Samuels chipped in with 11 points.

Girls Basketball = Taunton, 21 @ Franklin, 63 – Final
– Ali Brigham was the top scorer for the Panthers with 13 points. Franklin also got 11 points from Kate Morse and nine points from Bea Bondhus.

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-011017/

FHS girls basketball vs. Taunton
FHS girls basketball vs. Taunton

Via the Twitterverse
















Franklin Art Association Meeting - Feb 1

Adam O’Day
Adam O’Day
The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 from 6:30 to 9:00PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street in Franklin. 

Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 followed by a short business meeting and a demonstration by Adam O’Day, a contemporary multimedia artist working from studios in Abington and Medford.

Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information log on to www.franklinart.org.

Multimedia Painting, Hadley Street by Adam O'Day
Multimedia Painting, Hadley Street by Adam O'Day


MassBudget: A preview of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget challenges



MassBudget  Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.

Our state budget is how our Commonwealth funds the things we do together to strengthen our communities, make life better for our people, and build a vibrant economy. The budget process works best when the choices are clear to everyone and made in as deliberate of a manner as possible, considering long-term issues as well as immediate challenges.

As budget writers prepare for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, it appears that the Commonwealth again faces a significant gap between ongoing revenue sources and the cost of maintaining current services. This has been the case for many years in Massachusetts, with a series of budgets balanced using temporary revenue sources and savings initiatives that may prove to be temporary in nature (such as early retirement strategies that can lose their fiscal effectiveness if it turns out that the people who retired need to be replaced). Because the Commonwealth has been using temporary revenue to balance the budget during this period of economic expansion, we have not been able to build up the level of reserves to be prepared for the next recession.

We have also seen a pattern of instability, with mid-year budget cuts and, this year, major changes to the budget very late in the budget process. This pattern is caused partly by a lack of adequate transparency in the budget process.

Two steps by state government would allow for a significantly more transparent process and, likely, fewer unwanted budget surprises in the future.



Continue reading the entire Budget Preview 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
TwitterFacebook


Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

A Preview of the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Challenges - Table 1
A Preview of the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Challenges - Table 1


Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Live reporting: Action items through to closing

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of the ACCEPT Annual Report for 2015-16.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0

b. I recommend acceptance of the BICO Annual Report for 2015-16.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0

c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,100.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in-house enrichment for the district.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0

d. I recommend acceptance of the following checks totaling $8,470.90 for FHS as follows:

  1. $1,800.00 Music Boosters for in-house enrichment
  2. $789.90 All American Publishing for in-house enrichment
  3. $50.00 Jesse Southwick for Mr. Kitanosono scholarship
  4. $50.00 Lueders Environmental Inc. for Mr. Kitanosono scholarship
  5. $330.00 Franklin Music Parents for in-house enrichment
  6. $250.00 from various donors for the J Schaeffer Scholarship
  7. $1,500.00 from Walmart for in-house enrichment.
  8. $3,701.00 from Vicario Studios for in-house enrichment
motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0


5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
really great news, FHS was cited for the AP honor roll
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/franklin-high-school-placed-on-college.html
2 AP classes added this year

2nd Annual Leaping Into Kindergarten Feb 28th

CASEL seminar coming Jan 17

Parmenter principal site visits scheduled for Weds

facilities did some light fixtures at Davis Thayer and elsewhere

Poetry Outloud 7:35 Am at FHS in the morning

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

  • Budget Sub Committee – Dr. O’Malley
  • in the budget season, capital requests reviewed
  • Jan 31 budget meeting (new meeting) to review budget prioritization and planning in 3rd Fl Training Room

Superintendent Search - 4 candidates to be interviewed Jan 19th 9:30 AM


School Committee Liaison Reports
Community Relations meeting Jan 12 at 7
Newsletter coming after the long weekend


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

7. Motion to Adjourn 
– Dr. O’Malley

motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 7-0

Live Reporting: District and School Improvement Plans



c. DIP/SIP Program Reports – Joyce Edwards

DIP = District Improvement Plan
SIP = School Improvement Plans







social emotional learning one of four objectives
Peter LIght presenting
working towards a 3X a month lesson on zones of regulation at elementary level
working on a documentary type video to share onw hat is being done in the Social Emotional Learning arena

Bilello - this format is very useful, easy to understand, consistency of the program is a challenge for a district this size; this is a good structure

Joyce Edwards picks up with this section
curriculum is the second objective
all schools working on science

FHS preparing for the NEASC visit on certification in March
K12 curriculum review on physical and health education
state guidelines date back to the 1990's so our work is more advanced than is required

homework policy under review with school committee policy subcommittee

FEA has some interest to work with the District on

climate and culture is the 3rd objective
update provided by Maureen
looking to enhance the feedback so it doesn't come from the principal to the teacher but would mostly come from peer to peer
interest based bargaining underway with the teachers union (FEA)

4th objective is around engagement with the community
Oak St is an example, parents did not understand the programs
the School Council planned for parent workshops to take place before the open house
very active Twitter accounts
can still grow the communication, teachers can be overwhelmed with the introduction of the various tools that are available; looking to go to an all Google platform which also includes a parent portal

Peter Light - I have never meet a harder working staff than what we have here in Franklin. There is a saturation point. we are looking to streamline the platform abudance by getting to Google

Bilello - another budget item where we don't have a full time technology leader or integration specialist to help us navigate through this