"civics education is a rather limited offering for students"

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

"According to Michael Walsh, a history, government and politics teacher at Franklin High School, students often struggle with answering sample questions from the U.S. citizenship test. 

A general understanding of the material only goes so far. 

“They may know there are three branches (of government) but do they know they’re supposed to be equal branches?” Walsh asked in a recent interview."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170824/students-push-for-education-about-government

The full text of the US Constitution can be found online
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/constitution

The charter is the document that determines how Franklin governs itself
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/revised_2013.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building

Back to School! Encore's September/October Newsletter

Welcome to our newsletter.  There is always so much going on at Encore - read on to stay up-to-date! View this email in your browser Promoting excellence in the fields of music education, performance, and the recording arts September/October 2017 Newsletter   Welcome to a brand-new academic school year here at Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios! We hope you all had a fun-filled and relaxing summer, and we are really looking forward to the new year and all it promises. Fall registration is currently in progress and is on a first-come, first-served basis.  We encourage you to call or stop by as soon as possible to secure your preferred lesson time slot(s), as we are filling very quickly. We have a roster of brand-new classes we are offering this year including, but not limited to: a Songwriter's Workshop under the instruction of Brian Dollaway, our Wind Chamber Ensemble under the direction of Woodwind Specialist, Lea Botta, music theory classes in all levels, our boys' vocal ensemble known as The Encorrigibles, our Girls' Vocal Ensemble, and so, so many more.  Students are welcome to audit one complimentary class at any time. We are very proud to be able to say that we offer private instruction in every conventional instrument, and even a few lesser-known ones, as well.  In addition to all woodwind and brass instruments, we have instruction in ALL strings, including harp.  Percussion, voice, and piano round out our many offerings. For more information, please stop by either location, or call us! We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. In This Issue Welcome Back Announcements Encore Policies Location, Location and Encore Hours Fall 2017 Classes: A Complete List Important Dates Did You Know? Music For the Win! Raffle Tickets Student Spotlight Kudos Korner RCMDP Name Change Studio Stories Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba Available Harp Lessons Available Cello Lessons at Encore Double-Bass Now Offered Fundraising through Amazon Smile Stay Connected Click to Review our Policies - Including Inclement Weather Note the newsletter was shortened for publication here. To read the full contents View this email in your browser

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Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 8/25/17 - THU 8/31/17

FRIDAY 8/25/17
9-11am   StoryWalk® on the SNETT rail trail @ Center Street in Bellingham
12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market @ Town Common

SATURDAY 8/26/17
10-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
11am-3pm   Back2School Bash @ Russian School of Math in Franklin
7-10pm   #shopFranklin Movie Night @ The Town Common

SUNDAY 8/27/17
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open

MONDAY 8/28/17
7pm   Learn to Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

TUESDAY 8/29/17
Franklin Public Schools - First Day of School

WEDNESDAY 8/30/17
5:30-7:30pm   Art and Music @ Jane's Frames
6:30pm   SNETT Rail Trail: Ride of Discovery @ Center Street Trailhead in Bellingham, bike and helmet required.

THURSDAY 8/31/17
5-8pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For all other events and Franklin happenings click HERE.

*To submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this FORM

Franklin Rotary Club and Dean College will be hosting their first Annual Car Show - Sep 17.

The Franklin Rotary Club and Dean College will be hosting their first Annual Car Show for Charity and Community on Sunday, September 17th.

• $15.00 per car entry
• Show: 11:00 – 4:00 PM at Dean College Campus Center, located at 109 West Street, Franklin, MA
• Judging at 3:00 PM
• Trophies awarded for specified classes
• Dean College Dining Hall will be open for a Discounted Brunch
• Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, soda and water available for purchase
• Entertainment and DJ hosed by The DJ Car Guy

All the proceeds raised will go directly back to the community:

• The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Program. Rotary Clubs from the around the world, including the Franklin Rotary Club, participate in this leadership program geared towards developing young adults into leaders. Each year, thousands of young people participate in this program. Young people ages 13–30 are sponsored by Rotary Clubs to attend the event run by the club's district committee)
• Grants to High School Seniors
• Community Outreach Programs

Sponsorship Available through Business or Personal

• $1,000 (Exotic Car Level) - Your company branded area space for 2 cars; live promotion by DJ during Show; large company logo display; Trophy Sponsorship – “Best In Show”; Coupons for handout
• $500 (Luxury Care Level) - Trophy Sponsorship; company logo display; coupons for handout
• $250 (Classic Care Level) - Trophy Sponsorship; company logo display; coupons for handout
• $100 (Friends of Rotary Level) – Business Card on Flyer

Franklin Rotary Club and Dean College
will be hosting their first Annual Car Show - Sep 17.

DEADLINE FOR SPONSORSHIP – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

Sponsorship Levels include all Print and Social Media Promotions

Hope to see you all at the Franklin Rotary/Dean College Car Show!


Contact Information:
Gary Convertino – Dean College – gconvertino@dean.edu (508-541-1681)
Terry Katsaros – Franklin Rotary – theodosios.Katsaros@rocklandtrust.com

FHS student sketch gathers attention

Another FHS student, Emma Trianese, gained attention this week with realistic artwork. Via Twitter, we find that the wonderful portrait of Tom Brady sketched by @trinanesemma has over 340 retweets and approx 1900 likes only a few days after being shared by OnlyInBoston.

Taking 7 hours to complete, 17 year old @TrinanesEmma of Franklin High sketched an incredible photo of Tom Brady. pic.twitter.com/zKcvqxjsGI

— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) August 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/OnlyInBOS/status/899723530216013824

Enrollment underway at Elemen-Tree House

Openings available for Before and After school care. Transportation to all Franklin schools included.

For more information, please visit the webpage  https://www.elementreehouse.com/

Enrollment underway at Elemen-Tree House

"The point was really kind of just to contribute to a cause and hopefully make an impact"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin, in this case ICYMI:

"There’s a new billboard in town - and a local student is its designer. 

The work by Franklin native and college student Kyle Pandiscio can be seen on highways and interstates across the nation, spreading the message not to text and drive. 

Pandiscio is a marketing student at UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management who entered a nationwide billboard design competition sponsored by Project Yellow Light foundation. Out of 1,100 submissions nationwide, Pandiscio and his partner Julia Keefe, of Westfield, took the top prize. 

Project Yellow Light was founded by Julie and Lowell Garner who lost their 16-year-old son, Hunter, in a car crash in 2007. The organization hosts video, billboard, and radio competitions for high school and college students. Winners receive scholarships and they’ll get to see their content aired or posted around the country."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170824/billboard-design-by-franklin-college-student-goes-national

Student Team Wins National Advertising Competition (UMass immge)

StoryWalk® on the SNETT - Aug 25 - 9 AM

"Come read and walk on the local rail trail. Book(s) are suitable for ages 3 and up, but all are welcome! Participants will be entered into a drawing for a free book. 

This is a pop up StoryWalk® that will only be available on Aug 25th between 9-11am. 

There is a parking area near the kiosk on Center Street, the StoryWalk® will be across the street from parking.

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. 

Thank you to the Bellingham Public Library for help with the book selections."

StoryWalk® on the SNETT - Aug 25

For updates, follow the Facebook event from the Rail Trail Committee

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

MassBudget: MA becomes first state with majority college-educated workforce

MassBudget Information. Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center Democracy. MA becomes first state with majority college educated workforce Massachusetts has added another chapter to its history as the nation's leader in education, becoming the first state ever with 50 percent of its workforce holding a bachelor's degree, according to MassBudget's new report, "Education and State Economic Strength: A Snapshot of Current Data." The study highlights the ever-strengthening link between educational attainment and strong state economies. Massachusetts and New Jersey have the two best-educated workforces and the two highest median wage levels in the United States. Nationwide, 35.5 percent of the labor force holds a college degree, compared to 50.2 percent in Massachusetts. The U.S. median wage in 2016 was $17.80; in Massachusetts it was $21.22. The report also finds a strong connection between educational attainment and earnings within Massachusetts. Among the state's 25 largest cities and towns, those with the highest rates of college-degree attainment have the highest household incomes while those with the lowest prevalence of college degrees have the lowest household incomes. Expanding educational opportunity can help a lot of young people and strengthen our economy, but it won't by itself ensure that economic growth leads to rising wages for working people. The report's findings demonstrate that since 1979, inflation-adjusted wage growth overall has been flat or weak for most Massachusetts workers, including those with a college education. But over nearly four decades there has been growth in the "college wage premium" - the additional amount earned by workers with a college degree compared to those who have not attended college. By 2016, the median wage for Massachusetts workers with a college degree was twice that of workers with no more than a high school diploma. The link to the MassBudget report is 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 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

New Franklin Rotary President - Scott Martin

New Franklin Rotary President Scott Martin (center) was inducted by fellow Rotarian Dan Gentile (left). Mr Martin's sons attended to share their dad's experience. Scott is the Executive Director for the Hockomock YMCA in Franklin.

(l - r) Dan Gentile, Scott Martin and sons (Rotary photo)

Rotary is an international service organization of over one million members, dedicated to building friendship and improving the lives of people locally and worldwide. One of Rotary's most noted programs is Polio Plus, which has virtually eliminated polio from the earth through a massive vaccination program that only an organization as big as Rotary International could undertake successfully.

Franklin Rotary membership is open to anyone who works or resides in the towns of Franklin, Wrentham, and Medway. The club meets Thursday nights at 6 PM at 3's Restaurant in Franklin and guests or potential members are always welcome.

For more about the Franklin Rotary, visit them on the web  http://portal.clubrunner.ca/3689

Jane's Frames: Music and Art on Thursday's in August

Join us and bring a friend or two!

You're invited! Join us for Music with Kai Olsson Art Demo with Jane  Select Thursday's in August  8/24 and 8/30 from 5:30-7:30 Guest artists, appetizers and more!  Plus, we'll be offering specials on all Art in stock Don't miss the fun and festivities.  Jane's Frames, 11 E. Central Street, 508-528-3256, janesframes.com

Jane's Frames | 11 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by janesframes60@gmail.com in collaboration with Try it free today

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