Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Live reporting: School Committee - June 11, 2019

Present: Scofield, Bergen, Schultz, Zub
Absent: Feeley, Linden, Douglas

1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments

none
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any  comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH
c. FHS Student Representative Comments
graduated last week

d. Superintendent’s Report
graduation on Fri, Jun 7 424 diplomas
musical department did wonderful
link in Superintendent's report to be shared

JF Kennedy was recognized at State House for MCAS achievements
certificates to be framed and displayed in school lobby

Annie Sullivan student won JF Kennedy award
recognized at JF Kennedy Library and Museum

schools are busy with end of year celebrations, weather has been challenging

thanks to PCC's for supporting the students and at this point in time it is quite noticeable


11. Executive Session


a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

motion to go to Executive Session, to return to open meeting
motion made, seconded, passed 5-0


Franklin Residents: Gas service disruption - Schofield Drive/Richard Lane

"Attention residents of Schofield Drive and Richard Lane. Due to a problem encountered during construction by Columbia Gas, gas service to these areas will be shut down for the evening. Crews are working around the clock to restore service.

Crews from Columbia Gas will be going door to door with a Franklin Police Officer, representative from Columbia Gas, and a locksmith as they need to enter each residence because they need to shut down service at the meter.

If service is restored sooner, we will advise."


To Improve the Back to School Season, the Hockomock Area YMCA Is Inviting All Our Neighbors to Support the Y’s 4th Annual Backpack Drive

Operation Backpack is now underway and needs support from businesses as well as individuals in order to secure 1,000 fully stuffed backpacks, which is the goal that the YMCA aims for—so that area families who cannot afford supplies can send their children confidently back to school this fall.

A dedicated association of staff, volunteers, donors, partners and community members, the Hockomock Area YMCA commits itself to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families, and communities. Convening donors and volunteers to improve the back to school season for local families reflects what the Hockomock Area YMCA stands for. 

“The Backpack Drive is a collaborative effort made possible by the YMCA staff, program participants, partners and neighbors to provide kids the confidence that comes when boys and girls are able to go to school prepared,” says Mary Clermont, Chair of the Board of Directors.

From June 1 through July 31, 2019, supplies and backpacks are requested. Our goal this year is to provide 1,000 fully stocked backpacks to families within each of the 15 towns served by the Hockomock Area YMCA. Community members who would like to sponsor the Backpack Drive are asked to please contact Katie Moore, Director of Philanthropy for the Hockomock Area YMCA, at 508-643-5265 or katiem@hockymca.org
Operation Backpack is now underway
Operation Backpack is
now underway

Sponsorship levels range from $1,000 – which will provide 20 fully stocked backpacks to students in need – through Presenting Sponsor, which is a $25,000 sponsorship level significant in that it allows Operation Backpack to provide 200 fully stocked backpacks to students in need. There are three intermediate sponsorship levels, as well, and each offers recognition in promotional materials and more.

YMCA members and community participants will have the chance to celebrate Christmas in July, which will run in our lobbies July 1-July 31. Trees will be decorated with ornaments specifying supplies that are needed and how to make donations right at the Y.

“At the Y, we believe everyone deserves opportunities, and I cannot think of a greater initiative at this time of year. The return on your investment is unquestionably great,” says Clermont. In addition to backpacks and monetary donations, supplies that you can donate include: colored pencils, crayons, folders, glue sticks, highlighters, loose leaf paper, pencils, pens, rulers, scissors, spiral notebooks, and washable markers. There is an Amazon wish list in place as an option (hhttps://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/24XPQ0V0PTU30?ref=cm_sw_em_r_wl_dp_2toGKelysPE9Y). 

Questions, please contact your local YMCA: Invensys Foxboro Branch, 67 Mechanic Street, Foxborough 508-543-2523; Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin 508-528-8708; North Attleboro Branch, 300 Elmwood Street, North Attleboro 508-695-7001 or email Brandi Jacobs at brandij@hockymca.org.

Do you need a backpack, or does somebody you know need one? Please contact Brandi Jacobs at 774-235-2753 or brandij@hockymca.org to request one using the form available at hockymca.org/backpack-drive/.


About Hockomock Area YMCA:
Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information, visit hockymca.org.

Reminder: LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin - June 12

Bring more laughter into your life by attending Let’s Laugh Today on Wednesday, June 12th from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

Laughter Yoga is a body/mind practice for well-being that involves deep breathing and a few stretches, playful laughter exercises (no jokes or comedy), clapping and deep relaxation. It has many benefits besides the joy of laughter. It can strengthen the immune system, combat the negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. 

Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! They do not meet in Franklin in July and August, so get your laughs in this month! 

$5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing is dehydrating. Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Master Trainers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. See www.letslaughtoday.com for opportunities to laugh in other towns. 

If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.


LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, June 12
LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin
is on Wednesday, June 12

FHS baseball, softball, and boys lacrosse playoff runs end in close games

Via HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS sports playoff action on Monday, June 10, 2019.


Boys Lacrosse = D1 South = #6 Duxbury, 8 vs. #2 Franklin, 7 – Final
– Franklin held the Dragons without a goal for nearly the entire fourth quarter but Duxbury scored its lone tally of the frame with 16.9 seconds left, finishing off a lengthy offensive possession for the game-winner. Franklin trailed 7-5 after three quarters but Jake Davis (three goals) scored twice in a two-minute span to knot the score 7-7 with three minutes to play. Duxbury scored on a close shot with 16.9 left for the winner. Ben Greco also had three goals for Franklin while Nitin Chaudhury scored once.

Softball = D1 South = #11 Franklin, 0 @ #3 Bishop Feehan, 1 – Final
– A strong pitching performance from Jackie Cherry and an outstanding defensive effort behind her kept the Panthers in contention for the entire game but the Shamrocks earned a walk-off win with a pair of hits in the bottom of the seventh inning. Tara Hartnett had the lone hit of the game for the Panthers.

Baseball = Super 8 = #2 St. John’s Prep, 4 vs. #1 Franklin, 1 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-06-10-19/

















FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Kristi Kirshe is up for the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series Rookie of the Year 2019

Via @FranklinRec



"a real organic change toward making sure that our language is reflecting our human experiences"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"For a few Massachusetts communities, equality has nothing to do with why there is no gender in top board titles. In Franklin, the name “Town Council” was chosen in 1978 for the type of government that came with the term. 
“It was entirely about the type of government,” said Franklin author James Johnston Jr., whose Franklin history “Odyssey in the Wilderness” won a national award. “I don’t think that anybody thought about (gender).” 
While select boards, city councils and town councils have ruled a few communities, like Franklin, for decades, recent years have seen a purposeful switch in language to be more inclusive. At least 10 towns since 2017 have voted to have select boards, and Somerville’s top elected officials became city councilors last year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190610/more-municipal-boards-switching-to-gender-neutral-designations