THE BLACK BOX Classical Series Continues on Feb 9

Irina Fainkichen and pianist Irina Kotlyar return to THE BLACK BOX on February 9th at 4:00 p.m. as part of the THE BLACK BOX Classical Series. The concert program features music by titan composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Igor Stravinsky, and Maurice Ravel. Audiences will experience music through beautiful dances and emotions.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Irina Fainkichen is member of Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra and has performed with New Hampshire Symphony, Lexington Symphony, Pro-Arte Chamber Orchestra, and recently with Broadway on Tour’s Phantom of the Opera at Boston Opera House.

Born in Ukraine, Irina Kotlyar received degrees from the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, Israel. With Gregory Shifrin, the Kotlyar-Shifrin Piano Duo has won several international prizes and awards and has performed throughout Israel, Europe, and America.

Tea service by Intermission Cafe will be available in the lobby. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin.

THE BLACK BOX Classical Series Continues on Feb 9

Superintendent’s Report to School Committee - Jan 28, 2020

Professional Development Day Recap
In the afternoon of Friday, January 17, FPS hosted professional development for faculty across the district. This day was building-directed professional learning, under the direction of building principals. The following are some highlights:
● ECDC -- ECDC teaching teams analyzed the first round of the new “Developmental Summary” (report card/progress report), considering what worked well, what was challenging, and feedback from families.
● FHS -- Franklin High School staff continued to engage in our ongoing work with SEL and Teaching and Learning. They also included Cultural Proficiency as part of this work.
● Remington -- Remington staff reviewed the draft skills of the Portrait of a Graduate (POG) and provided feedback. Then educators collaborated on inclusive practices related to inclusion of students with special needs.
● Annie Sullivan -- Annie Sullivan staff explored the current discipline practices in place, reviewed data to analyze trends, and identified ways to support student needs in the classroom. Teachers met as teams/grade levels to apply their learning in discussions about specific students and share strategies, review/update behavior plans, etc.
● Horace Mann -- HMMS staff focused on developing Keys to Literacy Comprehension, Vocabulary and Writing strategies across content areas. Sessions were facilitated by coaches and administration, based on feedback from staff provided in a recent survey.
● Davis Thayer -- Davis Thayer Staff engaged in a recommitment to Core Values, redefining how those Core Values look and feel across settings, and examined the interrelation between our Core Values and the five core competencies for SEL.
● Parmenter -- Parmenter staff engaged in PD focused on mathematics and planning using the Understanding by Design framework.
● Kennedy -- Kennedy teachers participated in the following workshops: Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices, Analyzing Literacy Assessments, and Developing Math Fluency Instructional Materials.
● Keller -- Keller School staff engaged to learn more about the Understanding by Design framework for curriculum development.
● Jefferson -- The Jefferson staff continued their learning about cultural proficiency; they reviewed books and other curriculum materials for bias within the content.
● Oak Street -- Oak School staff continued to engaged to learn more about the Understanding by Design framework for curriculum development.
● District Nursing Staff -- The district’s nurses worked together to share (compare & contrast) current office practices and assess specific school needs in order to provide better consistency for nurses covering the health offices.

Franklin Educators Provide PD Regionally
We are very excited to share that several FPS educators are presenting at this year’s Local Staff Development Opportunities workshop/dinner Series, running regionally January through March. We are fortunate to have such talented educators within our system, as evidenced by regional interest in them sharing through professional learning.

● Kate Merten and Anne Williams 4th grade teachers at Kennedy Elementary School) will lead a workshop on “I Do Readers’ Workshop -- Now What?”. Participants will take a deeper dive into the aspects of the Readers’ Workshop instructional strategy, which is a means of differentiating to meet individual student’s needs and provide a more personalized learning approach in the elementary classroom.
● Jaime Hulbig, Jennifer Violet, and Jennifer Young (Math Specialists at Jefferson, Davis Thayer, and Keller elementary schools) will lead a workshop titled “Beyond Pizza and Pies: Teaching Fractions and Decimals for True Understanding” -- This two-part session will help educators build conceptual understanding, number sense,problem solving and procedural fluency with fractions, a foundation for future math learning.

Report from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents’ (MASS) Mid-Winter Meeting
MASS holds two meetings during the school year to provide professional development to its members. The mid-winter meeting was held last week on January 23, 2020 and Mr. Giguere, Assistant Superintendent, and I attended.

We started the morning with a breakfast discussion as part of our partnership with MAPLE, the Massachusetts Personalized Learning Edtech consortium. We learned about various districts personalized learning initiatives and joined a conversation about personalizing professional development. Philosophically, we seek to progress towards more personalization in our professional development program, in order to model for staff the types of personalized experiences we wish to see within classrooms. Central to this idea is the notion of choice and voice in the process as well as matching learning to skill development. We shared our initial strategies in personalizing professional development for staff through Edcamp-style PD, which is occurring in many of our buildings. We also learned from two districts about their progressive approaches. We look forward to applying our new learning in FPS.

The formal MASS program then began and we heard from Jeff Lawrence, Managing Director of Organizational Agility Advisors. He presented a keynote speech on “Thinking Systemically -- Acting Relationally”. The focus of this session was on the complexity of leadership in education today. He urged Superintendents to engage in self-care strategies and thinking, engaging, and acting differently in order to develop more leadership agility. Mr. Giguere and I are looking forward to bringing these concepts to the leadership team, likely during our summer retreat.

Jeff Riley, Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, then shared the developing details of the DESE required implementation plans that are part of the Student Opportunities Act. These plans are designed to hold districts accountable to using additional funding provided by SOA for their intended results: closing achievement gaps among student groups, including English learners, students with disabilities, and students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. Details are still emerging. The School Committee can expect that the FPS plan will be shared at a meeting in March, where a vote to approve will be requested.

Dr. Edwards and I will attend the spring meeting of MASS in May.

A Word about Grant Funding
I am aware that some conversation has been percolating in the community about grant opportunities. I wish to convey that the district pursues grant funding that seems reasonable and appropriate when they arise. Some of our grant funding comes in the form of government entitlement grants, but we do also pursue competitive grants. Due to our student population and demographics, these opportunities are not as widespread as they may be for other communities. However, when appropriate we seek additional resources. For example, we secured a state-offered competitive school safety grant last year to support school safety upgrades. Our ECDC secured a local grant from Big Y to develop a “Chill Zone” to assist students with the SEL skill of self-management.

Many grants come with expectations and additional management that may be inconsistent with our improvement plan, potentially siphoning resources away from our current priorities. Therefore, we critically evaluate the benefit of the grant application/award.

We appreciate the public’s interest in this area. Also, we always welcome outreach and ideas from the community, even if we can not support each one.

FHS Chorus Highlight with Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Choral Director
I had the pleasure to attend a special Chorus workshop today, at the invitation of Director Olivia Goliger. She hosted Mr. James Burton, the Choral Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Conductor of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. Mr. Burton spent the hours of 10:30-3:30 PM today at FHS workshopping pieces for festival and recording, including his own large work, The Lost Words. He worked with students on musicianship and musicality, vocal, and choral technique with the singers, while simultaneously working with Ms. Goliger on conducting and rehearsal technique. The instruction was inspiring and motivating. The students were phenomenal but one could also hear how his coaching techniques developed their sound.

Additionally, I was so moved with the connection to social-emotional learning as he drew out their emotions through voice. It was a very powerful and unique experience and a real highlight for our students.

Download a copy of the Report (PDF file)
 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xtGiLiBEnWKbrGVZTe2M0ls0j_gNL7DO/view?usp=sharing

For more about Superintendent Sara E Ahern, visit the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent 
 

Really big day for the FHS Treble Chorus! We welcomed BSO Choral Director, James Burton, to an all day clinic. The centerpiece of the day was James’ piece “The Lost Words” along with Kregler favorites. My heart is brimming with gratitude for this moment in time! #fhsmusic

“Taming Technology for Community Members” - March 18

Presenter: Kevin Martin of “Nerds to Go” of Franklin

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 18, 2020. 6:30 pm

Location: Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., Franklin, MA

Talk Content:
At a time when our community might reap the benefits of the Internet and technology to keep in touch with grandchildren, classmates and long-time friends, they are often leery of the new electronic landscape. From computers to smart phones to smart speakers - people can get overwhelmed!

The Franklin Odd Fellows are hosting an informal presentation on “Taming Technology for Community Members”. Kevin Martin will explore how to stay safe on the Internet and enjoy some of the key components and resources.

Martin has more than two decades of experience working in technology – from advanced electronics in submarines in the U.S. Navy to IT executive positions in the private sector.

The Internet offers a boundless amount of useful and interesting information and access to the world. Unfortunately, technology is also a daunting new landscape to many people. This presentation is intended to outline both the security and scope of technology.

For more about Nerds to Go  -  www.nerdstogo.com
For more about the OddFellows  -  www.franklinmassoddfellows.org

“Taming Technology for Community Members” - March 18

FHS girls and boys basketball teams top Sharon

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Tuesday.


Boys Basketball = Sharon, 50 @ Franklin, 64 – Final
– Franklin got off to a strong start in the opening quarter and built on that lead throughout the game to knock off visiting Sharon. Seniors Brayden Sullivan (21 points), Jack Rudolph, and Steven Karayan each hit a three in the opening frame to help the Panthers race out to a 17-9 lead. Sullivan added eight more in the second and senior Chris Edgehill (15 points) connected from three as the Panthers pushed the lead to double-digits, 33-22, at half. Sharon kept pace in the third, down 46-35, but Franklin put the game away with an 18-point fourth quarter. Declan Walmsey added 10 points for Franklin. Andrew Burton led Sharon with 14 points while Aidan Kane added 10 points.

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 53 @ Sharon, 20 – Final
– Franklin put in another full-team effort to get the win on the road. Ten Panthers scored in the game, led by Ali Brigham’s 12. Nicole Teven and Trinity Payne each scored five to lead the Eagles.

Other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-28-20/

And via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

Unified music singing the national anthem #PantherPride ⁦@FHSUnifiedMusic⁩ ⁦@FranklinUnified⁩ ⁦@FHSSports⁩ pic.twitter.com/fFn9qVTAMn

— FranklinHighSchool (@FranklinHS) January 29, 2020

Unifiedmusic#nationalanthem🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cIL7sgdFUm

— taylor padula (@padula_rose) January 29, 2020

Unified music singing the national anthem #PantherPride ⁦

@FHSUnifiedMusic @FranklinUnified @FHSSports

⁩

Tri-County shares honor roll and State Senator Rebecca Rausch's recent visit

State Senator Rebecca Rausch, who represents parts of the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex counties, met students and faculty on a tour of Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School. Senator Rausch also spoke with students in the Practical Nursing Programs, part of Tri-County’s Adult Education program, and discussed their coursework, the skills they acquire in the program and how their education propels them forward into the nursing profession.

Senator Rausch also spoke with students in the Practical Nursing Programs

State Senator Rausch met with both students and faculty to learn more about the career programs, academics and extracurricular activities available.

State Senator Rausch met with both students and faculty to learn more about the career programs

Tri-County shared the listing of student with High Honors and Honors for the first trimester of the school year. (Listing in PDF below)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OYiqFQPVRPmJuhTU7dpBrEKSer45q89Z/view?usp=sharing

Collaborative Cultural Grants in Franklin

The Franklin Cultural District Committee (FCDC) was honored to receive a $5,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Franklin Cultural District (FCD) Partners were invited to submit their ideas for use of the MCC funds that would support and enhance collaborative events highlighting culture and the arts. The result of this call for proposals was well met with several Partners sharing ideas for collaborative events.

Importantly, the FCDC would like to thank all who attended the FCDC meeting and shared their ideas. It was an inspiring meeting that resulted in events proposed that are collaborative, invoke culture and the arts, and are reflective of Franklin’s community spirit

The FCDC is pleased to announce that the following Partners have been awarded grant funding for projects and events, which will help to enhance culture and the arts in the Town of Franklin.

Grants were awarded to:
• Franklin Art Association, for an interactive, visual arts project to take place during the Strawberry Stroll
• Dave Burnham, on behalf of LiveARTS, for a teaching/learning music performance at Franklin High School
• Anne Marie Tracey, Town of Franklin Marketing and Communication Specialist, in support of the Recreation Department’s Community Art Initiative, a visual art experience
• Caleigh Keating, Children’s Librarian at Franklin Public Library, for a “Mini Franklin” event to take place on the Franklin Town Common
• Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) for THE BLACK BOX Broadway Series presents Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massey In Concert on Saturday, March 7 at 8:00 PM and a Sunday morning Master Class with the Broadway stars on March 8, 2020
• Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) at THE BLACK BOX, to host a Kickoff Event for ArtWeek on Friday, May 1st, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
• Franklin Downtown Partnership, to support musicians performing during the Strawberry Stroll

The FCDC and its Partners are grateful to the MCC for the grant funding to be able to support and promote culture and the arts in Franklin

Collaborative Cultural Grants in Franklin

"It’s that time again" - IRS has started processing tax returns

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

"The IRS began accepting and processing tax returns for individuals on Monday.

Last year’s filing season was an adjustment for taxpayers and industry professionals alike as it was the first under a massive overhaul of federal tax law. While this year’s season is expected to be more sedate, there are a few tweaks to be aware of.

Standard deduction

The standard deduction doubled under the new tax law that took effect in 2018. In turn, the number of taxpayers who took that instead of itemizing on their taxes jumped sharply. An estimated 90% of taxpayers are expected to take the deduction this year.

While the standard deduction usually increases each year for inflation, it’s worth keeping the figure in mind as taxpayers adjust to the new system. Some people may still want to run through the exercise of deciding whether to itemize or not. The decision comes down to whether your deductible expenses are greater than the standard deduction. Tax preparation software or a tax professional can walk you through this with ease."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200128/what-to-know-for-year-two-of-trump-tax-plan

"The Internal Revenue Service today reminded active duty military personnel that IRS Free File offers them multiple options for free federal tax preparation.

Free File is for individuals or families whose adjusted gross income was $69,000 or less last year. Free File is a private-public partnership between the IRS and the Free File Inc."

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/irs-free-file-offers-free-tax-prep.html

To make sure you are using the IRS Free File system, go to IRS.gov/freefile to review your choices

Live reporting: Information Matters to Closing/Executive Session

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports 

Budget, 

Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy
met last week, prepared for Feb Forum

Policy
next Feb 12, Mar 19

Facility analysis
meeting Weds night

B. School Committee Liaison Reports

Joint PCC
2 meetings, portrait of the graduate
involvement of the PCCs from the schools
reviewed schedule for Feb 4
student opportunity act
only Thayer 2nd grade tours the Library, all should have the opportunity

Substance Abuse Task Force
did share the Ride At Home booklet
kids starting to see that vaping is stupid

School Wellness Advisory Council
Feb 11, next meeting
to be featured by the FPS Voice in future episode


VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items
update on improvement goal on SEL, students from Jefferson
DECA invite out
Technology presentation coming


VII. Consent Agenda
A. Minutes
a. I recommend approval of the minutes from the December 10, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.
b. I recommend approval of the revised minutes from the November 26, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B. FHS Scholarship
I recommend acceptance of three checks totaling $250.00 for the Jacqueline Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship as follows:

• Shanna Culloty Jobin $100.00 
• Sean S. Jobin $100.00 
• Maura C. Schaeffer $ 50.00

C. Davis Thayer Gift
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $375.00 as detailed:

• $75.00 Leuders Environmental, Inc. for in-house enrichment
• $300.00 Anonymous donation to pay off lunch balances

D. FHS Gifts
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $3,798.15 as detailed:

• $2,798.15 from Lifetouch National School Studio for in-house enrichment
• $1,000.00 from Patriot’s Foundation for Athletic supplies

E. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,500.00 from music parents for in- house enrichment as detailed.

F. Remington Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,535.00 from Lifetouch for in-house enrichment at Remington Middle School as detailed.

G. JFK Gifts
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $2,574.00 from the JFK PCC as follows:

• $775.00 – Field Trips
• $1,799.00 – Supplemental Supplies

H. Parmenter Donations
I recommend acceptance of the following donations totaling $6,902.34 for Parmenter Elementary School:

• $3,000.00 worth of Furniture from Cardi’s
• $992.34 from PCC for In-house enrichment
• $1,800.00 Anonymous donation to pay off lunch balances
• $1,110.00 from Hockomock Area YMCA for in-house enrichment

I. UNH Jazz Festival Recurring Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Leighanne Rudsit and Matthew Geisinger to take 2 jazz bands and 2 jazz combos to the University of New Hampshire on Saturday, March 14, 2020 for the annual Jazz Festival as detailed.

J. Jefferson Donation
I recommend acceptance of the donation of a Keurig Coffee Machine from Brody Nunley for the Jefferson teacher’s dining room as detailed.

Motion to accept consent agenda, seconded, passed 7-0


VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Executive Session

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA 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 enter executive session, seconded, passed 7-0 via roll call



Agenda shared from the Town of Franklin School Committee page
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_1-28-20.pdf

 Other documents released before the meeting can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/january-28-2020-school-committee-packet

Additional documents will be posted after the meeting.

Live reporting: Discussion/Action Items - Discussion Only Items

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. 2020-2021 School Calendar
I recommend adoption of the proposed 2020-2021 School Calendar as discussed with adjustment of parent teach conferences of Oct 22-23 not Nov 5-6.
 https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-action-calendar

discussion on half days in early November, i.e. choppy schedule
problem with teacher goals/PD at end of October

7 more teaching day with original proposal but not necessarily 'more' info

motion made, seconded, passed 7-0


B. Policy - First Reading
I recommend moving Policy EEAE – School Bus Safety to a second reading as discussed.
 https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-b-policy

intro of new policy
leads to the general safety policy for the district
may be additional policies for review in future

highlights procedures and practices already in place

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 7-0


IV. Discussion Only Items
A. ACCEPT Annual Report
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/accept-annual-report-2019

B. BICO Annual Report
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/bico-annual-rpt-2019

Live reporting: Guests/Presentations

II. Guests/Presentations
A. FHS Program of Study Update
Paul Peri, Bill Klements

FHS doc to be added later, not posted yet to the 'packet folder'

AP 2-D design course, more design focused
Illustration and Murals, conscious decision to not run Art II
Multi-Cultural Art, responding to needs and wants of students

Life in Literature, for second half of senior year
Health/PE courses, in calendar but not necessarily run due to staffing availability

Math, element of stats also building upon wants and needs

Economics - open honors course

Latin 5 - taught with Latin 4

adding AP level course also

Q - how do you determine a course when quantity may be small?
A - carefully, student, need and ability but also based upon enrollment, if not meeting minimum needs, it won't run

B. Homework Update

Dr Edwards

inconsistent homework practices across the district never mind within a building
policy revision completed, recognizing the value of family and whole child
developed study group to help implement "homework guidelines"
to get to consistency of practices, still have meet student needs 
consistency of expectation set

monitoring and revising as needed

survey results had good representation, 349 responses
when homework is done vs assigned; i.e. middle school has a period available
what is homework vs. prep for the next day of class?
addressing inconsistencies

Parent Ed night on homework scheduled for 3/18 (snow date 3/25) 6:30 PM -8:00 PM at FHS Media Center

did get request from elementary parents for no homework, under consideration

survey again in April (last for this year)

Pfeffer disagrees with trend towards no homework, "I find it absurd"

There is a place for homework, family life and support structures for homework have changed over the changes, esp. more recently
trying to find the balance to prepare for the life skills needed to be successful in the world
some AP class loads may require multiple hours of homework which can affect the required number of hours of sleep

Keenan - is there really a need for homework? 
research for young children show need for developing study skills and reading time
MCAS scores have been stable, in many cases students weren't doing homework
there is rampant sharing of homework, if it is being assigned it needs to be personalized and executed; you can't share an essay, needs to be personalized, meaningful and relevant

look for CNN article on homework for young kids just came to one of the SchComm members as he was coming to the meeting

parents should be encouraged to talk with the teacher first, check out what should be happening vs what they see and start there

parent raising issue with 3-4 hours of home work for 7th grade
in middle schools should be able to calibrate across the teams
the principal is the next step

Live reporting: School Committee - Jan 28, 2020

Present: D'Angelo, Keenen, Pfeffer, Scofield, Bergen, Spencer, Stokes
Absent: none


I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters 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…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
FHS #1 in winning percentage across winter sports for Hockomock League
rehearsal for Chicago underway, performances in March
Drama production also scheduled for Feb 28
students thanking the FHS admin for time to heal and the resources available after the inappropriate video was shared


D. Superintendent’s Report

professional development, half day, under direction of building principals

FHS -SEL
middle schools -draft portrait of a graduate/feedback
elementary level - SEL, cultural proficiency, math and literacy assessments, currciulum planning

next half day, Fri Feb 7

professional development within district
Merton/Williams reading workshop
Helbig, Violet, Young -math specialists - 2 part session on math learning

MASC mid-winter meeting
Giguere and Ahern attended last week
learning about modeling personalized learning experiences
Jeff Lawrence - key note speaker, complexity of leadership today

grant funding, pursue when it makes sense, some are entitlement grants, some are competitive, always aggressive in searching for opportunities

chorus workshop at FHS, James Burton, choral director of Boston Symphony and Tanglewood
he worked with students in small groups during the day
explicitly drawing upon the student emotions through voice

concert coming up in March

FM #196 - Cathleen Liberty, Franklin’s Health Director

FM #196 =This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 196 in the series, that we are now collaborating on with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

Cathleen Liberty, Franklin’s new Health Director, sat with me recently at the Franklin TV studio on 23 Hutchinson St to record. We believe this will be an introductory session, one of a series on health issues and how Franklin can be healthy.

We get a little background on the Health Dept operations, a quick recap of the EEE situation, and some teasers on future topics like mold, backyard poultry, and other tick borne diseases.

Listen to our conversation, approximately 13 minutes


Audio link ->  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hctmm2fX



-------------


She mentions the CHNA 6 network. The community members she works with represent the following:

CHNA 6 - Community Partners for Health

Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, and Uxbridge

Find out more about the CHNA 6 group on the MA government
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/community-health-network-areas-chna-configuration

The Town of Franklin Health Dept page https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

------------

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
• If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #196 - Cathleen Liberty, Franklin’s Health Director

LiveARTS Concert Series Continues With Concerts Celebrating Beethoven's 250th

Continuing its 17th classical music series season, LiveARTS presents three more classical music concerts, two at First Universalist Society, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, Mass., and the final concert at Milford Town Hall. 

All Franklin 3:00 PM concerts feature special pre-concert talks at 2:30 p.m. by Wheaton Professor of Music Ann Sears and are located at The Meetinghouse, First Universalist Society, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, Mass. Doors open at 2:15 p.m. for the pre-concert talk, with the concert to follow.

In this year-long celebration of Beethoven's 250th birthday, each LiveARTS concert this season will feature his music. The next three concerts are:

· Sunday, February 16, 2020, 3 PM at First Universalist Society: Violin/Cello Virtuosi Ilana Zaks, 20, and her 18-year-old brother Eric Zaks of Needham with Dina Vainshtein, piano, performing music of Beethoven, Ginastera, among others.

· Sunday, April 19, 2020, 3 PM at First Universalist Society: Internationally acclaimed concert pianist Michael Lewin performing music of Beethoven, Brahms, Liszt and Schumann.

· Saturday, April 25, 2020, 7:30 PM, Milford Town Hall (52 Main Street): Special Collaborative Concert Between LiveARTS and the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra featuring Irina Muresanu, violin, and Donald Krishnaswami, viola, at this unique concert at Milford Town Hall. Ms. Muresanu and Mr. Krishnaswami will perform as soloists in Mozart's gorgeous and beloved Sinfonia Concertante in E-Flat Major, K. 364. Tickets are available on Claflin Hill's website at www.claflinhill.com.

According to LiveARTS artistic director Don Krishnaswami, "This season's lineup is going to be outstanding, starting with our first February concert. Twenty-year-old Ilana Zaks and her 18-year-old brother Eric Zaks have been wowing audiences with their young yet utterly mature virtuosity for a number of years, and LiveARTS is excited to be welcoming them onto our series."

Tickets for the first two concerts are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors ages 65+ and are available on the LiveARTS website at liveartsma.org. Tickets are by donation for students 18 and younger.

Founded in 2002, LiveARTS is a nonprofit, non-sectarian affiliate of the First Universalist Society in Franklin with a mission to enrich the cultural life of New England with classical music performances. The organization is supported in part by grants from the Franklin, Norfolk, and Wrentham Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. 

For more information, visit www.liveartsma.org or visit the organization's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/liveartsfranklin/

LiveARTS Concert Series Continues With 2020 Concerts Celebrating  Beethoven's 250th