Franklin Public Schools: Message in response to event in Parkland, FL

Dear Franklin Families and Colleagues,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to convey deep sadness for the tragic loss of life at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We are heartbroken for the students, their families, and our colleagues.

I am sure many in our school community are asking: How safe are the Franklin schools? and How can we support students as more details emerge?

The safety and well-being of Franklin students and staff are our highest priority. Our buildings remain locked and well-supervised when school is in session; all visitors must check in at reception upon arrival and present identification. Security cameras provide coverage around all of our buildings. We have open communication with the Franklin Fire and Police Departments, and our response teams regularly review and practice safety protocols and procedures through training with staff and students. Additionally, we continue to refine our practices through continuing education on best practices within the field of school safety. Parents or staff members with concerns about safety should contact the building principal with specific questions.

We also stress climate and culture in each of our schools, centering our work around core values and relationships. It is important that each student feels connected to an adult and we strive to ensure we have supports in place to help students in crisis. We emphasize the importance of speaking up when there is a concern, and we have examples when students, parents/guardians, and staff have come forward to bring a concern about a friend or classmate to an administrator's attention.

You may be looking for resources to ensure that our students are supported as they learn more about the tragic event in Florida. This resource, from the American Psychological Association, may be of assistance to you: http://www.apa.org/topics/violence/school-shooting.aspx

Counselors, teachers, and administrators are available to help any student who may be experiencing difficulty as a result of the news. Please reach out to any member of the administration if we can be of help in any way.

With respect,

Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Oak St/Horace Mann schools

Franklin Downtown Partnership Announces 2018 Event, Meeting Dates

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has set the dates for its 2018 events and meetings, and a few of those events have new dates and times thanks to input from members and Franklin residents.

The annual Strawberry Stroll, which traditionally had been held on Thursday afternoons, will be Friday, June 8, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Residents told us that holding the Strawberry Stroll on a Friday evening would make it easier for them to come downtown and enjoy the event,” says Executive Director Lisa Piana. “The feedback told us more families could spend time together downtown without the Stroll competing with after-school activities and sports. We think it will be a very positive change for families and for our downtown businesses and restaurants.”

2018 Event, Meeting Dates

Thanks to a member’s suggestion, the Partnership’s networking events are now monthly breakfast meetings (instead of lunch) held in the Dean College dining center. The first breakfast meeting in January drew 15 members who shared ideas and enjoyed a meal for less than $6.

Future networking breakfasts are scheduled for March 16 and April 20. Everyone is invited to drop in between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. and join the discussion over a cup of coffee or a delicious meal.

The general public is invited to the FDP general meetings to hear the latest news about events, downtown projects, town updates and member announcements. General meetings are scheduled for the following Thursdays: April 5, June 14, September 6 and November 1. Meetings begin at 8:30 a.m., last one hour, and are usually held in the Campanella Board Room in the Dean College Campus Center.

Downtown Franklin’s annual Beautification Day will be Saturday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to Noon. Groups are encouraged to volunteer and community service hours are available.
Eileen Mason coordinates the effort for the FDP along with the Franklin Garden Club.

The Harvest Festival will happen Saturday, October 13, with a rain date of Sunday, October 14. The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown.

Winter Decorating Day will be Sunday, November 18, from 9 a.m. to Noon. Organizer Eileen Mason will need volunteers for Sunday and also on Saturday the 17th to help sort greens.

The Holiday Stroll date is still under consideration by the FDP Board and will be announced in a timely manner.

More information and a handy downloadable event list can be found at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, and on the FDP’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Follow the Partnership for updates and notifications about sponsorship and participation opportunities.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of more than 240 business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. Go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/ for more information.

Introducing the Tri-County Education Foundation

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School (RVTHS) educators pride themselves in providing innovative ideas and technologies which maximizes every student's potential and their future. Keeping up with this fast-paced growth is challenging because the investment reaches far beyond the financial means of the school district.

Superintendent Stephen F. Dockray together with Christopher Ward, President of the Tri-County Education Foundation are pleased to announce the new Tri-County Education Foundation (The Foundation). The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization administered by a 10-member Board of Directors comprised of area business, finance, and education leaders with a vested interest in sustaining quality vocational-technical education programs and growing a capable workforce.

The Foundation is a separate entity from Tri-County RVTHS, but shares the vision of providing and supporting both academic and vocational opportunities to benefit every student.

"The Foundation was created by members of the community in an effort to support the common goal of academic and vocational excellence for more than 1,000 students from eleven towns within the district," said Christopher Ward, President of the Tri-County Education Foundation. "We hope to financially support academic and vocational projects and to provide student scholarships that Tri-County RVTHS cannot financially back due of limited funding or state law."

The monetary funds the Foundation receives to support these academic and vocational projects will come solely from donations, memorial gifts, and various fundraising activities that will take place within the community. All donations are tax deductible.

The Foundation is currently seeking sponsorships within the community for financial support and commitment to the Tri-County community. Those organizations who would like to inquire about becoming a Tri-County Education Foundation sponsor, please go to the website at: https://tcedfoundation.wordpress.com.

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.

Introducing the Tri-County Education Foundation

Saturday Ski Trip to Bretton Woods, NH - March 3

Great Family Getaway

Saturday Ski Trip to Bretton Woods NH REGISTER HERE A Great Getaway for the Family Enjoy a day on the slopes      OR other winter activities SATURDAY,  MARCH 3, 2018    Depart FHS Parking Lot - 5:30 AM    Depart Bretton Woods -   4:30 PM      Special Ticket Price: $109*  *Includes Transportation and Lift Tickets        *Individuals under 18 years of age  must be accompanied by a parent or guardian Ski rental available separately at Bretton Woods About Us Lifelong Community Learning is a program of the Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing quality learning experiences for residents in the Town of Franklin and surrounding communities. Diverse and enriched education and experiences are the goals of Lifelong Community Learning....a resource for all ages.                      www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com               508-613-1480

FPS- Lifelong Learning, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try it free today

"It has come a long way since 50 years ago”

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

"Fifty years ago today, the first 9-1-1 call was made, and the emergency system became the foundation for first-responders. 

Since that first call made on Feb. 16, 1968 in Haleyville, Alabama, the 9-1-1 system has evolved and has become much more than just a centralized number for emergency calls. 

“Telecommunicators, 9-1-1 dispatchers, are essentially the first first-responders,” said Chris Campbell, president of the Massachusetts Communications Supervisors Association and director of communications in Seekonk. 

“They handle the calls from the inception until first responders arrive, and in some instances they stay on the line throughout the whole incident,” he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180216/who-do-you-call-9-1-1-emergency-number-turns-50


The Metacomet Emergency Communications Center is the regional dispatch operations serving the towns of Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham. They will dispatch police, fire and EMS. Construction is underway with plans to be operational in the Fall of 2018.

https://www.facebook.com/meccdispatch/

Metacomet Emergency Communications Center

Hearts of Kindness on the Town Common

I walk around Franklin a lot and spotted some hearts all over the Town Common Tuesday morning. Via the grapevine, I heard that the Franklin Cultural Council had helped to sponsor the work of several schools to produce the hearts. Town Administrator Jeff Nutting mentioned it during the Town Council meeting on Wednesday.

Apparently so many hearts were made they ran out of rope to hang them on Monday and were to return on Thursday to finish.

From the Hearts of Kindness page on Facebook, I share their post.
https://www.facebook.com/heartsofkindnessuxbridgemass/posts/285650395298511




Additional photos that I took on my walks this week.

Hearts of Kindness on the Town Common

Hearts of Kindness on the Town Common 1

Hearts of Kindness on the Town Common 2

Hearts of Kindness on the Town Common 3

Franklin Library: Book Sale, Arts and Crafts on Saturday - Feb 17

In addition to the monthly book sale on Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Join the arts and crafts event at 2 PM where Dean College students will assist with your craft.

Franklin Library: Book Sale, Arts and Crafts on Saturday - Feb 17

Note that the Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday for President's Day

Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday for President's Day

These were shared from the Town of Franklin Library page
http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/arts-and-crafts-event
and here

http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/presidents-day