Legislative trio joins School Committee for school funding discussion - Feb 13

"Rep. Roy will join the Franklin School Committee and his colleagues Senator Karen Spilka and Senator Richard Ross for a public discussion on current and future education funding issues. The event will take place on Tuesday, February 13 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Franklin High School Lecture Hall. 

The School Committee aims to keep Franklin as a a shining star among both private and public schools across the state. But concerns over per pupil spending, together with rising costs in health insurance, transportation and special education tuition have created pressures on the school budget.

The forum is an opportunity for State officials to provide updates and insights on legislative initiatives directly impacting public schools in general and Franklin in particular. The focus will be on funding and other school issues in the current legislative session."

For more on the February 13 forum
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180102/franklin-2018-brings-budget-trouble

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/franklin-school-committee-legislative.html

Left to right: Sen Ross, Rep Roy, Sen Spilka and Delegate Ladybug (from the FM archives 2015)

From Representative Roy's recent newsletter

http://mailchi.mp/a42a07f42d43/wods53wesj?e=fe0f7dd5f3

Tri-County Wrestling Team Wins Mayflower League Title

The Tri-County Regional Cougars wrestling team captured the Mayflower League Title with a 48-27 victory over the Bristol-Plymouth Regional Craftsman last night. 

Earning pins for the Cougars were Cole Guertin, a sophomore of North Attleboro; Patrick Griffin, a sophomore of Franklin; Phil Hulbig a senior from North Attleboro; Drew Hansen, a junior from Plainville; Bobby Fryar, a senior from Plainville; Hashim Lopez, a junior from Walpole; and Dominic Parrella, a junior from Medway. 

The Cougars are now 12-1 for the season. The team will wrestle again this Saturday, January 20th, at the Cape Cod Invitational at Sandwich High School, Sandwich, MA.

(photo taken by Amgela Anderson, a junior from Medway)

For more about Tri-County athletics, visit them online  http://www.tri-county.us/athletics

"October 2020, you will be asked for a passport or REAL ID"

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

"People who want to travel on planes throughout the United States will soon need a passport or what is being called a Real ID. 

Beginning on March 26, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will offer Real IDs, although they will not be required for travel until October 2020. 

The Real ID is a security standard created by the federal government in 2005 as part of measures after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. 

Everyone who is eligible for a Massachusetts driver’s license can obtain them, but there will be more stringent requirements, RMV spokeswoman Judith Reardon Riley said. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180117/with-nod-toward-greater-security-registry-to-begin-issuing-real-ids

https://www.mass.gov/guides/real-id

For additional info check out the Mass.gov site for Real ID
https://www.mass.gov/guides/real-id

Franklin High School Jazz Night - Jan 24

Franklin High School is pleased to invite you to our annual Jazz Concert. Come hear our very own award winning FHS Jazz Band under the direction of Mrs. Leighanne Rudsit. Also performing will be three jazz combos under the direction of Mrs. Rudsit. 

Music will include swing, bebop, ballads and funk. Some big band titles will include “Lindy Hopper’s Delight”, "Oop Bop Sh’Bam”, as well as Louis Prima’s “Sing, Sing, Sing” and James Peterik’s “Vehicle”. Featured soloists include Matthew Padula on Tenor Saxophone, Bobby Castro and Myles Polioto on Drums, Zachary Cullins on Trombone, and Mitchell Taylor on Bass. 

The event will take place at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 24 at the Franklin High School auditorium. A $5 donation is requested at the door, but is not required.

In the News: students sent kindness letters; Hopkinton opens outdoor ice rink ; Marlboro business opens brewing coffee and beer

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

"A simple reading assignment turned into a one-hundred-fold act of kindness for a local group of young students. 

Fifth-grade students at Oak Street Elementary School decided last fall to send words of encouragement to lawmakers who work at the Statehouse. 

Each of the 100 “kindness letters” contains an inspiring quote hand-written by a student. 

“In this political climate, so many adults could benefit from these messages about listening, understanding, and accepting,” said teacher Heather Adams. “The impact it had on our state representatives is much bigger than what I imagined it would be.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180118/franklin-students-send-kindness-letters-to-statehouse

"Just before sunset Thursday, Mark Rhodes helped his 10-year-old son, Neil, lace up his skates at the town’s outdoor skating rink at Carrigan Park. 

“As soon as I get home from work he says, “Dad let’s go,’” Rhodes said. Word of the rink opening is spreading around town. 

Neil brought a hockey stick that he got about a year ago. 

“It’s really good ice and the rink is nice and big,” the fourth-grader at Hopkins school said. “You can play hockey on it.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180118/hopkintons-outdoor-skating-rink-now-open

"J.P. and Melynda Gallagher are brewing up something special for downtown.
Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting Company is expected to open this summer in the former Speakers nightclub at 19 Weed St., J.P. Gallagher said on Thursday. 

“We always wanted to be in Marlborough, both my wife and I were born and raised in Marlborough,” said Gallagher. 

Lost Shoe will be more than a brewery. It will also be a coffee roaster and coffee shop. J.P. Gallagher has been a long time homebrewer and recently graduated from the American Brewers Guild in Vermont. His wife Melynda recently completed a coffee roasting course at the Coffee Lab International School of Coffee, also in Vermont. 

The idea is to be an all-day business – Lost Shoe will open at 8 a.m. to serve coffee and the brewery will begin serving beer later in the day."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180118/lost-shoe-to-brew-beer-roast-coffee-in-marlborough

Marlboro business opens brewing coffee and beer

Volunteers needed for the Franklin High School All Night Party

Sign ups are open for chaperoning the Franklin High School All Night Party June 1-2 following Graduation. We need over 350 volunteers! It's a big deal to be part of this important community event. 

We have shifts from 11-3 AM and 1-5 AM for cleanup. Please share!

Thank you for understanding how important this event is to keep Franklin safe after high school graduation.

Sign up by clicking the link http://www.fhsallnightparty.com/sign-up-to-volunteer.html

Volunteers needed for the Franklin High School All Night Party

Tri-County Children's Center to Host Registration & Open House for 2018-2019 Preschool Programs

Registration and Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center preschool program for 2018 – 2019 will be held on Thursday, February 8th, from 12:15-1:45 and Friday, February 9th, from 9 AM to 10:30 AM at the Tri-County Regional High School in Franklin at 147 Pond Street. Parents will be able to view the preschool while children can engage in developmentally appropriate activities. For more information, please visit www.tcchildrenscenter.com.

Placement is limited to residents of the 11 towns within the Tri-County District, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole and Wrentham. Admission is decided through a lottery system. Registration will be made open to other towns if spaces are not filled by residents within the district.

The number of children registered has traditionally far exceeded the number of spaces available so a random drawing was established. The random drawing for enrollment will take place on Friday, March 2, 2018. Those names not selected in the drawing will be placed on a waiting list.

Birth certificates for children being registered must accompany all registration forms. Registration is limited to those children who are at least age 3 years by September 15, 2018 for the three day program, and 4 years by September 15, 2018 for the four day program. A $25.00 non-refundable registration fee is due at registration time. Enrollment is limited to two years or part of two years for the preschool program, as long as the child is age eligible.

Preschool sessions are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:50 to 11:20 a.m. for the three day program and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the four day program. Tuition is $36.00* per week for the three day program and $48.00* per week for the four day program. Class size is limited to 30 children. *Subject to change

Three teachers in the Tri-County Early Education Program supervise the programs, and are assisted by students in the Early Education Major.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

Registration and Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center preschool program

FHS boys and girls hockey, and wrestling teams all post wins on Wednesday

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS sports action on Wednesday


Boys Hockey = Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 8 – Final
– Taunton limited Franklin to just one goal through two periods, but the Panthers exploded for seven goals in the final 15 minutes. Joey Lizotte, Cam Trask, and Luke Downie each scored a pair of goals to lead Franklin.


Girls Hockey = Franklin, 8 vs. Dedham, 0 – Final
– Senior Jackie Connelly had a hat trick and freshman Natalie Stott recorded another shutout for the Panthers in a big non-league win. Regan Paterson chipped in with a pair of goals, while Amanda Lewandowski, Jordan Dwyer, and Victoria Quinn each scored once.


Wrestling = Franklin, 46 @ Oliver Ames, 12 – Final
– Oliver Ames’ Anthony Berksza and Dean Pacini each earned wins for the Tigers in the loss.

For the other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-17-18/

FHS Panthers

Via the Twitterverse

Franklin 8 Taunton 0. Sheehan with the shutout. Hard hat to Trask. Goals by Lizzotte (2), Trask (2), Downie (2), McCaffrey and Norton. Shots 56-13@FHSSports @HockomockSports @MassHSHockey @MyHockeyLive @In_The_Slot @MetroWestSports @BGlobeSports

— Coach Spillane (@FHS_PuckCoach) January 18, 2018

The boys avenge last years embarrassment with a 8-0 win over Taunton. Hardhat to Trask for his 2 highlight reel goals. pic.twitter.com/H1sP7oykRO

— Franklin Hockey (@FHS_Puck) January 18, 2018

46-12 win at Oliver Ames. Pins from Jake Carlucci, Remillard, Cogavin, MacLean, Smith, Polito, and Coughlin.

— Franklin Wrestling (@FHSWrestle) January 18, 2018

Huge 8-0 win vs Dedham 🏒👏🏻 goals scored by Connelly (3), Paterson (2), Lewandowski, Dwyer, and Quinn. Shutout for Stott 🥅

— FHS Girls Hockey (@fhsvgockey) January 18, 2018

FHS Girl's Basketball Pix posted! https://t.co/m1ZO1dFZ3q @FHSSports @Coach_Angelo @coachleighto @fhsgvbasketball pic.twitter.com/uk4PtGKmQV

— Stu Solomon Photo (@StuSolomonPhoto) January 17, 2018

Need some Franklin gear?

The FHS webpage has a online store to purchase Franklin clothing

https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/panthers-28

The FHS webpage has a online store to purchase Franklin clothing

From the FHS School page, select Parents and scroll down the listing to select "School Store (online)"

"a great thing considering the town’s history"

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

"The words of the town’s namesake filled the air. And more than three centuries later, many of them still apply. 

To celebrate the 312th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, the town held an inaugural public readathon of his autobiography at the library on Wednesday. 

The daylong event included guest readers spanning from Franklin State Rep. Jeff Roy to local engineer and inventor John Berg. 

Spectators came and went throughout the day, leaving with the words of the founding father jingling around in their heads."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180117/town-celebrates-ben-franklins-birthday-with-readathon

I had the unexpected pleasure of reading the last segment to close out the day. It was fun and so much of what Ben wrote is still applicable today.

The status of Benjamin Franklin outside the Library in the light dusting
of snow that came through Wednesday evening

Kids, Clay and Community - Grades 3-5 - an Empty Bowls Project

Kids, Clay and Community — Grades 3-5 

an Empty Bowls Project

Check the flyer for the schedule. Sessions for each elementary school are set for Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 PM at Franklin High School.

About Empty Bowls: Empty Bowls is charity project, which works towards fighting hunger in local communities. The Empty Bowls Club at Franklin High School will spend the year making 400 ceramic bowls teaching students how art can make a difference. At the conclusion of this project, The Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry will co-host a fund-raiser at the high school on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. 

About Kids Corner: Kids’ Corner, a program of Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute and Lifelong Community Learning, is a unique collection of after school activities for children with the goal of making learning fun. Classes are small, relaxed and designed to encourage children’s creativity …… a place where fun and learning meet.

Kids, Clay and Community - Grades 3-5 - an Empty Bowls Project

The TC Insider

January 17, 2018 To the Tri-County Community, It's mid-term time at TC and students are completing their midterm exams. We will be ending the second semester on Friday, January 19th. Halfway through the year with two snow days in the books, our new last day is June 20th. The year is half over and it's time for us to begin planning for the end of the school year activities; MCAS, Senior Awards, and Graduation. Please look to this Newsletter for further information on these events and others as the end of the year begins to take shape. This week at TC we will be the taking time before the School Committee meeting to honor those that have had long careers at TC, 20 plus years, 25 plus years, and 30 plus years. Leading the pack is our Vocational Director Jean George with 37 years. Others with over 30 years include; Domenic Auciello, Timothy Carroll, Laurie Gildea, and Steven Richard.  With over 25 years; Andrew Giampietro, Nancy Haney, John Kowalczyk, Peter Sabourin, and Christopher Senior. Lastly, those with over 20 years include; Melissa Beckmann, Joseph DeCotis, Luci-Anne Jones, Peter Kubiak, Tara Lane, and Mark LeBlanc. Congratulations to all and thank you for your many years of service to the students and community. This is also the time of year where freshmen make their shop selections. Last week we had about 75% of the freshmen parents in with their students to go over the process and take a look at the programs again. The freshmen are currently in their last exploratory. This is always a busy time filled with anxious excitement for the students, teachers, and administration. It completes a process that started over a year ago when these students visited and applied to the school. Times have changed. Some of the programs have changed as well, but our mission remains the same; to provide real-life skills and a future for those students that choose to attend our school.   Thanks for your support, Mr. Procaccini Upcoming Events Admissions - Open Enrollment Going on Now End of 2nd Quarter January 19 Early Release Day February 2 Winter Vacation February 19-23 40 Year Celebration Dinner April 7 Golf Tourmament June 8 About The TC Insider The TC Insider is a biweekly newsletter for the families of Tri-County students. View Email In Browser Tri-County RVTHS 147 Pond Street Franklin, MA 02038 www.tri-county.us 508-528-5400

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District · 147 Pond Street · Franklin, Ma 02038 · USA

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the full set of content, follow this link

Franklin Newcomers and Friends: Game Night - Feb 7

Come join your Franklin friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends monthly meeting. Meet us upstairs at "3" Restaurant on Wednesday, February 7 at 7:30. Take a break from the cold and warm up at our Game Night. It’s one of our favorite and more social events.

We invite any resident of Franklin, or a surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, to join us at "3" Restaurant, 461 West Central Street, Franklin. Complimentary appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available. We meet upstairs at 7:30 PM on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (occasionally we switch Wednesdays to accommodate holidays or speakers). We run our meetings September through May. Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year.

For more information, please visit our website www.franklinnewcomers.com or our Facebook page, Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club.

Franklin Newcomers and Friends: Game Night - Feb 7

Annual Report 2017: Insurance Advisory Committee

The Annual Report is compiled and published each year to be ready for voters to obtain at the November election. A PDF copy is also posted online and available for viewing our downloading. 

The following is a text representation of the printed pages 94-95 (actually 101-102 of 264)

INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Each of the municipal and school unions, as well as retired employees has a seat on the Town of Franklin Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC). It provides recommendations to the Town Administrator on health and dental plans. Meetings are an opportunity for employees from the unions to learn about insurance products, industry trends, and to help identify ways to meet employee needs within the framework of the Affordable Care Act, Massachusetts General Law, a changing health care environment, and available financial resources.

With the Affordable Care Act continuing to evolve or be replaced, we anticipate changes, administrative challenges, and premium increases in the coming years. After several meetings to discuss claims trend and customer service questions, the various plans were modified modestly and renewed with Tufts with less than a 1% increase to HMO premium, the plan that covers 95% of our non-Medicare eligible employees. This saved employees and the Town significantly. We will monitor claims and medical trends to share with the IAC in the coming year and continue to work to provide the best benefit possible at the best rate available.

The Town continued a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help offset hospital in patient costs. We are happy to report that few of our employees required an overnight stay in the hospital.

The Town provides dental benefits on an employee paid basis. The Committee again selected Guardian Life Insurance as the provider for its dental plan with no increase to premiums. Approximately 300 employees have elected this benefit.

The Flexible Spending Account vendor was retained. This vendor provides debit cards for employees to use for immediately payment. Employees can avoid an additional out of pocket expense by using the cards. The plan runs on a September 1 through August 31 calendar to more closely coordinate with the Health Insurance Plan and with the school year. We hope the participation in this plan will grow as employees recognize the tax savings available to them, and become more experienced in planning for medical and dependent care costs. Since this program exists on a pre-tax basis, changes at the federal level may cause plan changes. We will monitor any activity about Sec. 125 of the Tax Code to ensure we remain in compliance.

Participants on the IAC consistently brought good questions to the process and have been very effective in exploring alternatives, and making recommendations. We appreciate their willingness to do what it takes to manage the benefits and costs. The insurance environment continues to evolve and it seems inevitable that costs will continue to rise. In the coming year we hope we will be able to reach out through the IAC committee to other employees so that there is wider understanding of benefit plans.

Respectfully submitted

Stephanie Lutz
Human Resource Director

Annual Report 2017: Insurance Advisory Committee

You can find the online copy at the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

and specifically for 2017
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-annual-report-2017-revised

FHS boys and girls basketball teams top Attleboro

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS sports action on Tuesday

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 76 @ Attleboro, 72 – Final (OT)
– Franklin erased a five-point deficit over the final 90 seconds to send the game into overtime and then outscored the Bombardiers 8-4 in the final period to earn the win. Paul Mahon hit the tying three with less than a minute to play and then hit another triple early in overtime to put Franklin up 73-68. Jalen Samuels poured in a career-high 28 points along with 15 rebounds to lead the Panthers. Samuels scored eight of his points between the fourth and overtime. Sophomore Chris Edgehill added 20 points for Franklin. For Attleboro, sophomore Bryant Ciccio had a career-high 19 points, including 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Bombardiers build a lead. Kevin Velazquez added a career-best 17 points while sophomore Qualeem Charles had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

For the other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-16-18/


Girls Basketball = Attleboro, 51 @ Franklin, 63 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor for HockomockSports provides the game recap

"During the first half, the Bombardiers had little answer for the dynamic inside-outside combination of Franklin sophomore center Ali Brigham and junior guard Bea Bondhus. The duo combined for 30 points before the break to push the Panthers to a 21-point halftime lead. 

Although Attleboro turned up the energy in the second half, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, the lead proved too great to overcome and Franklin stayed within one game of the Kelley-Rex division leaders with a 63-51 victory. 

Bondhus opened the paint by knocking down a pair of threes in the opening half and spreading the Attleboro defense out with 14 of her 18 points coming before the break. With the outside threat giving Brigham a little space with which to work, the sophomore showed off an array of offensive moves on the post and stepping away to face the basket. 

She scored 16 of her 22 points in the first half and also added 12 of her game-high 20 rebounds. Brigham was also a force on the defensive side with four blocks."

Continue reading the game recap:
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-girls-basketball-pull-away-in-first-half-to-beat-bombardiers/

For the HockomockSports photo gallery
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Winter-2017-2018/Franklin-Attleboro-Girls-Basketball-1-16-18/

Franklin sophomore center Ali Brigham scored 22 points (16 in the first half) and pulled down 20 rebounds to lift the Panthers to a 63-51 victory over Attleboro. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Exciting night in Attleboro. 2 games ended with buzzer beaters, JV on top 66-65 & Freshmen lost 55-53. Varsity... https://t.co/PiW5I5AK9Y

— FHS Boys Basketball (@fhsboysbball) January 17, 2018

Great team effort over a well coached Attleboro team tonight 62-51. Game ball goes to @ali_brigham with 22pts and 10+ rebs. #Banja

— Franklin Girls Bball (@fhsgvbasketball) January 17, 2018

Great win!! @fhsgvbasketball https://t.co/RrHmaqa8oj

— FranklinHighSchool (@FranklinHS) January 17, 2018

Stop by Chipotle Sunday January 21st between 4 and 8 pm and show the cashier this flyer to make sure 50% of the proceeds are donated to best buddies!! Great opportunity to go out with your buddy group! pic.twitter.com/xRaKBSy8KC

— FHS Best Buddies (@BestFHSBuddies) January 16, 2018

Representative Roy: What's happening in the district - January 2018

View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website A new year and still work to be done Yesterday (Monday), as we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I thought back to the time when the civil rights leader took center stage in the Massachusetts State House and spoke to Beacon Hill lawmakers. I wished I could have been there, but it took place on April 22, 1965, a little over a month after the 1965 Bloody Sunday march from Selma to Montgomery. It was King's first ever speech before a legislative body and his words were certainly prescient. He warned us about what could happen when so many Americans are "constantly fighting a nagging sense of "nobodyness." Still, he concluded his speech saying he had faith in America and believed the nation would solve the problem of racial injustice. I share his optimism, but understand that there is still work to be done. I am happy to join you on the continuous path towards social justice. You can view the text of the speech, along with a prayer offered by Reverend Michael E. Haynes of Boston, and the address of the Honorable John F. X. Davoren of Milford, Speaker of the House of Representatives, by clicking here. Please accept my best wishes for a Happy New Year and for continued success. Copyright © 2018 State Rep Jeff Roy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House. Our mailing address is: State Rep Jeff Roy State House Room 236 Boston, MA 02133

The newsletter was shortened for publication here, to view the full contents View this link in your browser