In the News: Story walk, Exelon money

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

"There’s a new way for kids and families to read stories together that involves actually walking from one page to the next rather than snuggling in among comfy pillows and turning them by hand or swiping fingers across the display of an electronic reader. 

It’s all about being outdoors together, taking in nature and literature at the same time, and the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is introducing the concept -- known as StoryWalks -- at the section of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) in Bellingham. 

The committee on Friday is hosting a pop-up StoryWalk, weather permitting, from 9-11 a.m. Parking for that section of the rail trail is across the way from the trailhead, on Center Street near Fox Run Road, in Bellingham. 

As a pop-up StoryWalk, the walking story will be available just for the day."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170824/rail-trail-group-plans-walking-story-event

https://www.facebook.com/events/461541297550902/

"The town (Medway) will consider how best to spend the about $3.8 million brought in as a result of the Exelon power plant expansion. 

The topic arose at the Monday night selectmen’s meeting, with Town Administrator Michael Boynton saying construction on the project - a 200-megawatt expansion - has begun. He suggested a September session to consider options for the money - an increase to the plant’s payment in lieu of taxes to Medway. 

“There’s $3.8 million - there might be 3.8 million ideas for what to do with it,” he said. 

Boynton said among the options are providing tax relief to residents, or getting ahead of needed roadwork projects. He recommended that the town avoid using the money to fund new positions since there would not be similar increases in future years."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170823/medway-to-decide-on-options-for-exelon-money

#shopFranklin Family Movie Night on the Town Common - Aug 26

The 2nd annual #shopFranklin Family Movie Night on the Town Common, Saturday, August 26th. With a rain date: Sunday August 27.

The sequel to the movie show last year is queued for viewing this time!

#shopFranklin Family Movie Night on the Town Common - Aug 26

"fight the epidemic at every level and save more lives"

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

"The number of opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts has increased each year since 2010, but new figures from the first half of this year offer some signs of motion in the opposite direction. 

Fifty-three fewer people died of opioid overdoses in the first six months of 2017 than over the same time period last year, according to state data released Tuesday. 

The latest quarterly report on opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts tracked 978 confirmed and estimated opioid deaths from January through June, a 5 percent decrease from the 1,031 in the first half of 2016. 

A year ago, the Department of Public Health reported that the opioid death rate was higher for the first six months of 2016 than in the first half of the previous year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170822/mass-opioid-overdose-deaths-trending-downward-in-2017

Deaths made be trending down but the problem itself is not resolved yet. The work of the SAFE Coalition (and others) is still quite important. The decline in deaths may be due to the increased availability and awareness of NARCAN which was coordinated by the SAFE Coalition in Franklin.

For more about the SAFE Coalition and what they are doing to help the substance abuse problem we have visit their webpage  http://safecoalitionma.com/

http://safecoalitionma.com/

GATRA Update: Suspension of service on Franklin Line begins Friday, Aug 25

The MBTA published two alerts on Tuesday that contradict each other. I think they mean to say due to a weekend event at Gillette, the GATRA bus service will stop on Friday and resume on Monday.

You can find the full text of the two alerts on the MBTA webpage here
http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/?ttype=cr&advistory=true&route=Franklin+Line#details

Franklin Area Bus

What is GATRA? The Franklin Area Bus
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/09/have-you-taken-ride-on-franklin-area-bus.html

Crackerbarrel Classic 5K Road Race - Sep 16

Hello to all past participants in the Crackerbarrel Classic 5K Road Race at Wrentham Developmental Center. 

Your support was greatly appreciated! I hope to see you again for the 37th Annual Crackerbarrel Classic Race on September 16, 2017. 

You can preregister on line through Runreg.com 

Thanks in advance, 
Rich Katno, Race Director

37th Annual Crackerbarrel Classic - Sep 16

Live reporting: Information matters to closing, Executive Session

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
leadership retreat held last week over 3 days
core values discussed
theme for work all year as team and district wide culture is built
unified approach for welcoming the families and students to a respectful learning environment
district improvement plan also discussed will be worked on individually within the buildings during he year

50 new educators welcomed today for orientation
laptops, bus tour of Franklin to visit all schools and highlights
meet in buildings on Thursday

C - approx 10% of staff replaced

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
a. Policy Sub Committee – Ms. Scofield
meeting Aug 30, 7:00 PM, 3rd floor training room
policy topics

Community relations, coffee schedule coming together
one of the booths at the Farmers Market in Sep
also a booth at the Harvest Festival, Sat Oct 14
newsletter goes out after the schools open

budget subcommittee, workshop of sorts as budget remains a priority
open to the public

School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
o Public Schools Advocacy Sub Committee
share legislative updates, foundation budget, increase opportunities for increased resources

o Ad Hoc Superintendent Evaluation Sub Committee

7. Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session and not return to Open Session – (Roll Call Vote) Dr. O’Malley

8. Executive Session
a. Strategy with respect to potential litigation
7-0 via roll call


This was shared from the School Committee webpage
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/pages/FranklinCom_Agendas/r20172018/SCAgenda%208-22-17Revised.pdf

Live reporting: Action items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of the ECDC Student/Parent Handbook as presented.
b. I recommend adoption of the Davis Thayer Student/Parent Handbook as presented.
c. I recommend adoption of the Jefferson Student/Parent Handbook as presented.
d. I recommend adoption of the Kennedy Student/Parent Handbook as presented.
e. I recommend adoption of the Keller Student/Parent Handbook as presented.
f. I recommend adoption of the Oak Street Student/Parent Handbook as presented.
g. I recommend adoption of the Parmenter Student/Parent Handbook as presented.
h. I recommend adoption of the Horace Mann Student/Parent Handbook as presented.
i. I recommend adoption of the Remington Student/Parent Handbook as presented.
j. I recommend adoption of the Annie Sullivan Student/Parent Handbook as presented.
k. I recommend adoption of the Franklin HighStudent/Parent Handbook as presented.
l. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1012.89 from the Davis Thayer PCC for supplemental supplies as detailed.
m. I recommend approval of Unified Basketball proposal as discussed.
n. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the Oak Street 5th Grade Class for in-house enrichment.
o. I recommend approval of the 2017-2018 District Improvement Plan as discussed.
p. I recommend moving policy BEDB – Order of Business to a second reading.

Sara read the listing of approval requests
no questions were raised, motion made to accept all items, seconded, passed 7-0