Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School First Lego League to Attend States Championship

The BFCCPS Robotics has been hard at work since this summer. Over the weekend, the Gearminds Team competed at the First Lego League Regional competitions at WPI and was selected for the upcoming States Championship on December 16.

Gearminds was one of the 11 teams among 40 to receive the Golden ticket to the States. The team was selected based on their consistent show in Robotic matches, excellent Project presentation and teamwork during the Instant Challenge. They competed against some of the best teams in New England and placed 4th overall in Robot matches, and won a special jury award for Core Values which reflects the Character Education built here at BFCCPS.

The BFCCPS First Lego League Middle School team GEARMINDS is comprised of 7th and 8th grade students and is mentored by BFCCPS Alumni and one current Grade 8 student. The Elementary school training team attended the regional competition and have been inspired with the good ring side view of the matches and the team's achievement.

Many thanks to the parent volunteers Mr. Ramesh Balan and Mrs. Upasana Pendkar who have coordinated team practices to make this competition possible for our students!
About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

special jury award for Core Values

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School First Lego League to Attend States Championship

selected for the upcoming States Championship on December 16

Franklin Historical Museum: Spirits of Fashion - Sunday Dec 10

Karen Antonowicz will discuss the influences of wartime on fashion. From the Civil War to World War II. What does rationing and limited resources do to influence fashion. 

A presentation, discussion, and fashion samples are all part of Karen's one hour talk. Join us for this compelling look back at fabric and fashion by this noted fashion expert. Sunday, December 10 at 1:15 PM. This is a rescheduled event from a cancellation in November.


Starting Thursday December 14 through April the museum will not be open Thursday evenings. 

In addition, the museum will be closed Sunday December 24 for Christmas Eve and Sunday December 31 for New Year's Eve.

Fashions of The WW II Era

Find out more about the Franklin Historical Museum on the web at
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/

In the News: new generation for Town Council; trees cut down on Maple St; Snappy Dogs fund raising

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

"Town government has a reputation for being filled with older residents and homeowners that have been in town for decades. The most recent town election changed that by introducing a new generation to Town Council. 

For the first time, two millennials sit in the Council Chambers to weigh in on the future of the town they grew up in. Patrick Casey, 28, and a digital account services coordinator at International Data Group, and Eamon McCarthy Earls, 23, editor at TechTarget, were sworn in after winning the November election. 

Casey and Earls agreed that the millennial generation has a number of negative stereotypes, but believe many of them are misplaced. 

“It’s important to keep all perspectives in play,” said Casey. “But it’s nice to have this breath of fresh air from myself and Eamon to have a new look at things.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171205/franklin-town-councils-younger-generation

"Residents are angry about dozens of trees that have been cut down in a new development in the Maple Street area. And it’s likely more will come down in the future. 

Two large pieces of property equaling about 80 acres are being developed in that area. The owners of the property are working to create residential space on both sides of Maple Street. 

In late November, workers on the property that abuts Franklin Springs Road and Maple Street legally cut down the trees to make way for a new cul-de-sac and multiple houses."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171205/franklin-residents-unhappy-with-tree-clearing

"The owners of Snappy Dogs hope to bring their popular hot dog stand back home. 

To make it possible, owners Teresa Boyce and Lisa Volpe Hachey launched an online campaign to raise $10,000 to build a second trailer, to be called “Snappy 2.” The new trailer will be parked at CVS pharmacy, where the business spent its first six seasons before Colella’s Supermarket closed. 

The campaign on Kickstarter.com is called, Bring Snappy Dogs Home. As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, the business has received $7,185 with 18 days left. The campaign ends on Christmas day and is only funded if the full amount is raised."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171205/hopkinton-snappy-dogs-hopes-to-raise-10k-for-another-hot-dog-stand

The Kickstarter link can be found here
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/snappydogs/bring-snappy-dogs-home

More about Snappy Dogs can be found on their webpage  http://www.snappydogs.com/

the original trailer for Snappy Dogs (photo via Snappy Dogs webpage)

"app also gives parents the ability to control a child’s contact list"

At the Joint PCC meeting on Monday, they was a discussion on the use of mobile devices by children and how parents could or should handle these situations. I came home to find this article in my radar. It is share worthy.

"Facebook today (12/4/17) announced a new version of its Messenger chat app designed for children ages six to 12. Called Messenger Kids, the new app does not require a Facebook account — due to federal law, users under the age of 13 cannot legally sign up for Facebook. Rather, parents are able to manage a child’s Messenger Kids app from their Facebook account, controlling which friends and family members the child is able to contact. Facebook is launching the app today in preview with a limited rollout on iOS. 

Facebook says it’s going to great lengths to make sure the app does not come off as exploitative. “There are no ads in Messenger Kids and your child's information isn't used for ads. It is free to download and there are no in-app purchases,” the company writes in a blog post. Facebook says Messenger Kids is also designed to be compliant with the Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act, or COPPA. That’s the federal law that protects underage children from exploitation online, and it’s the reason so many online services require children be 13 years of age or older in order to sign up. Facebook says the new app is only available in the US, with plans to expand its availability beyond iOS to the Amazon App Store and Google Play Store in the coming months."

You can continue reading the full article on The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/4/16725494/facebook-messenger-kids-app-launch-ios-iphone-preview

A messaging app for kids ages 6 to 12 to chat with friends and family (image from The Verge article)

 Just because they can doesn't mean they should.

"opportunity to have a lower cost energy option"

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

"The town (Medway) has entered into a municipal aggregation agreement with an energy supplier, saving residents an estimated $215,500 over the first half of 2018. 

The town entered into the six-month contract - its first under the new Medway Community Choice Power Supply program - with Constellation NewEnergy of Texas late last week. The state’s Department of Public Utilities approved the local aggregation program in October. 

The town worked with energy consultant Colonial Power Group throughout the approval and bidding process. Mark Cappadona, Colonial’s president, said the agreement charges Medway customers about 11.8 cents per kilowatt hour, beginning in January. This represents a savings over the default rate of 13.2 cents per kilowatt hour that Eversource will begin charging in January."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171205/medway-signs-energy-agreement


Update: Franklin also has a municipal aggregation program. The Town has gone to bid three times and have yet to get an acceptable rate to start. Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen wants to get a good differential rate for the first time out as the rate will change over time (as shown in the Medway article).

The Municipal Aggregation program documents can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/municipal-aggregation-program.html

• From the Town Council meeting where this was approved

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/03/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

cover page of presentation to Town Council on Aggregation Program

We Did It For You! - Women's Journey Through History - Dec 10

"We Did It For You! Women's Journey Through History tells the story of how women got their rights in the United States. With catchy musical numbers and a dash of comic relief, this highly entertaining and educational musical is a must see for teens and adults. 

In a time when our rights are being questioned, We Did It For You! shines light on how we got to where we are. Q&A with playwright and cast. Reception to follow sponsored by Starbucks. $10 tickets ($5 students). 

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Natick Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency."

"This heartwarming play takes audiences on a profound emotional journey that results in a deepened awareness of, and appreciation for, women in history upon whose shoulders we stand today. I urge you to run, don't walk, to see this magnificent performance!” - Women's Information Network

We Did It For You! Women's Journey Through History - Dec 10

Common Street Spiritual Center

13 Common St, Natick, Massachusetts 01760

Additional info can be found on the Facebook event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/126967471329405/

Recognition of Significant Accomplishment

Dec 4, 2017 

To: Franklin Cultural District Committee, Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator

CC: Bryan Taberner, Director, Planning and Community Development, Representative Jeffrey Roy

From: Franklin Cultural Steering Committee

RE: Recognition of Significant Accomplishment

We want to take a moment to recognize the significant accomplishment that has occurred over the past several years. What started as an idea for a cultural district was nurtured, tended to, and brought to reality through hours of dedicated service by numerous individuals. It began on November 21, 2013 when several of us, joined town and school officials, Ms. Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, and Jeff Roy, State Representative, on a tour of the high school (which was under construction) and the downtown area, including THE BLACK BOX (also under construction). During this tour, the seeds of the proposed cultural district were planted.

We set out to create a Cultural District, conduct a Cultural Festival to showcase the wealth of cultural assets in Franklin, and prepare an application for Cultural District status for the town. We did this work over the past four years. The Franklin Cultural Festival began in July 2015, highlighting the visual, culinary, performing arts, music, dance, and the talents of the many individuals and organizations within Franklin. The Festivals continued in 2016 and 2017 demonstrating the importance of cultural events and encouraged the inclusion of the arts within other town events. By way of example, the Franklin Downtown Partnership has consistently elevated its inclusion of the fine and performing arts within its community events.

The seven member Franklin Cultural District Committee was formally approved by the Town Council on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2017 by unanimous vote. The formal application for Cultural District status can now be submitted.

The Cultural District Steering Committee, which brought this to fruition, has achieved this through much hard work, many hours of planning, collaborating, and executing. We want to thank the Town leadership, Franklin businesses, and institutions, and the numerous individuals and organizations that helped to advance Franklin along the pathway to Cultural District status.

Our work as a Cultural District Steering Committee and as the coordinator of the Cultural Festival is complete.

Sincerely,

Pandora Carlucci
Alan Mercer
Jim Schultz
Susan Sheridan
Steve Sherlock
Roberta Trahan


PDF version of this letter can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v1DvlJpoHOXSb_jGm9fad92R66v1Gnlo/view?usp=sharing