Tuesday, October 20, 2020

You are invited to celebrate with FPAC - Nov 14


You are invited to celebrate with FPAC
You are invited to celebrate with FPAC


THE BLACK BOX web page https://www.theblackboxonline.com/FPAC web page  https://www.fpaconline.com/

FHS girls soccer post win, boys soccer post a tie vs Taunton

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Monday, Oct 19.

Boys Soccer = Franklin, 1 @ Taunton, 1 – Final 
– Franklin’s Ethan Cain scored for the second straight game as the Panthers earned a draw on the road at Taunton. Will Fox had the assist on Cain’s goal. 

Girls Soccer = Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 7 – Final
Stella Regan and Tori Carmignani both scored twice, as Franklin rolled to its fifth win in five games this season. The Kelley-Rex leaders also got goals from Anya Zub, Sydney St. Marie, and Clare Bowen, while Zub, Riley Fitzpatrick, Bridgette Ginley, and Anna Grasson (two) had assists. 
 
For other results around the Hockomock League
 
FHS girls soccer post win, boys soccer post a tie vs Taunton
FHS girls soccer post win, boys soccer post a tie vs Taunton

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - October 2020

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - October 2020
WELCOME
BACK TO SCHOOL!
What is a Digital Learning Integrationist?
Laptop
The role of Digital Learning Integrationist (DLI) is a new position which was created this year in order to support the ever changing technology needs of our staff, students and families. Our three district DLIs, Marianne Zogby, Kate Merten and Jim d'Entremont, have over 70 years of combined teaching experience and are using their vast knowledge and tech savvy skills to support the use of technology in classrooms across the entire district.

The DLIs facilitated the PD sessions that led up to the start of the school year and have provided support with the Google Suite and its functionality for staff and families alike.They have been curating digital resources, creating support videos and offering assistance to staff on the best digital tools to use to meet their classroom objectives. The DLI team is also developing the FPS Digital Learning Center, which will serve as a unified source of all district supported learning apps and tools for students, families and staff.
The DLIs will be holding office hours for each school, including the Virtual Learning Academy, to offer face-to face planning time and support. Their role will evolve over the course of the year, as learning models change and new needs are identified.

Find helpful information on their their monthly TIPs Newsletter (Tech Integration Practices)
New 8th Grade Civics Curriculum

The 8th grade students in Franklin are learning a new curriculum beginning in the 20-21 school year: US and Massachusetts Government & Civic Life. This new state-mandated course is designed to give students the opportunity to study the foundations of U.S. democracy, how and why it has developed over time, and the role of individuals - including young people - in maintaining a healthy democracy.

Students have been exploring civic rights and responsibilities and what it means to be an informed citizen.They are learning to engage in conversations about controversial issues, how to disagree and debate in a respectful manner, media literacy, and the role of propaganda. The 8th graders are also reflecting and considering their own civic priorities and learning where American values fall on the political spectrum. These topics have been especially interesting as we approach the November 3rd election and have led to interesting and enlightening conversations!

After focusing on the current civic climate, the students will explore our history, learning about important documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. They will touch on topics and historical events that have shaped the growth of our nation and the development of our laws, making connections to current events along the way.

Throughout the year, the 8th graders will also we working towards a civic action project that will allow them to engage with local issues of their choice. This year long process is intended to educate students on how they can engage and try to make an impact as citizens of their community, state and nation.
Want to hear more? Listen on FPS Voice to Jonathan Mello and Jeff Anthony, 8th grade social studies teachers at Annie Sullivan Middle School, share more information about how this curriculum is being introduced in their classrooms, how the 2020 election is aligning and sparking conversations and their plans for the school year.
JFK Named National Blue Ribbon School
John F. Kennedy Elementary school was recently named a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education! JFK was one of only 367 schools nationwide (and one of 6 in MA) to receive this award! Congratulations!

FHS Math Department adopts new grading system for
the 20-21 School Year.
The FHS Math Department has implemented Standards-Based Grading across many of their courses including Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus and Calculus. The grading system was piloted last year, earning positive feedback and showing improved retention results. It is now being incorporated across the the majority of math courses offered at FHS.

"Research suggests that retention is a big challenge for many students when learning math," shared Ron Taylor, Math Department Head at FHS. "The new grading system assesses and grades student work in a manner than demonstrates growth over time, which is key to building on mathematical concepts." The research compiled showed that students frequently cram for tests, an ineffective way of learning concepts and retaining them at a deeper level. The research also revealed that teachers feel they spend too much time reviewing and/or reteaching content lost over the summer months or at the beginning of the year. The solution to alter both the frequency and type of assessments has proven to be helpful.

"We will move away from simply averaging grades collected during a term, and instead, for each standard, we will collect multiple pieces of evidence of student work to determine an overall grade that reflects the student's overall understanding of the standards covered,' explained Taylor.

This new grading system is explained in the following videos and covers the reasoning, issues and solutions in greater detail.


The FPS Middle Schools are excited to "virtually" welcome visiting author Jordan Sonnenblick! There are plenty of fun events planed over the coming weeks for our students and their families to engage in!

Stay tuned for more information including Stop, Drop & Read events, a Virtual Book fair and ways to learn more about Jordan Sonnenblick and his books!

On October 13th, the School Committee approved the strategic initiatives of the 20-21 District Improvement Plan. The plan details plans for the following objectives:
  • Social-Emotional Well-being of Students and Staff 
  • Engaging and Rigorous Curriculum
  • High-Quality Instruction to Meet the Academic and SEL Needs of Each Learner
  • Effective Two-Way Communication to Support Student Learning
Are you looking for information related to the facilities analysis? There is a dedicated page on our website which houses all of the pertinent information including timelines, presentations, research and reports.
Franklin Public Schools | www.franklinps.net

Town of Franklin | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038
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Franklin Senior Center: Outdoor Concert - Tuesday, 1:00 and 2:15 PM

Free 45 minute concert in the Senior Center parking lot. Sponsored by the Franklin Cultural Council
 
Enjoy the concert from your vehicle or bring a lawn chair to sit out.
 
Please call 508-520-4945 to sign up! 
 
When: Tuesday, October 20, 2020 - 2:15 PM
 
Franklin Senior Center: Outdoor Concert - Tuesday, 2:15 PM
Franklin Senior Center: Outdoor Concert - Tuesday, 2:15 PM


Senator Becca Rausch: "Continuing to stay safe during COVID-19"

October 16, 2020 
 
Dear friends, 

The White House Outbreak of COVID-19 is a stark reminder that even though we are all tired of pandemic-related restrictions, COVID-19 is still here, still very much our reality. In Massachusetts, in fact, case levels are rising. The most recent data report from the Department of Public Health indicates that 9 of the 12 municipalities in our district experienced notably increased levels of COVID-19 infection (reflected as green, yellow, or red on the map below). You can find more information in the weekly and daily reports available at the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard

Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard
Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard

I strongly encourage everyone to wear a mask whenever you are in a public space, practice physical distancing, and limit your social engagements to small groups, held outdoors. We should all take advantage of the last few weeks of Fall in New England, before the freezing temperatures arrive.

While COVID-19 has exposed holes in our public health infrastructure and serious gaps in social equity, this pandemic has also shined a light on the people and businesses that do the work, every day, to protect our collective health. I recently had the pleasure of visiting two businesses in our district that are aiding in the fight against COVID-19. I nominated Cold Chain Technologies, located in Franklin, for the Massachusetts Manufacturing “Making it in Massachusetts” award and had the great privilege of taking a socially distant tour of the factory. Cold Chain is a leader in thermal packaging to make sure vitally needed biomaterials, like life saving medicines and organs for transplant surgeries, arrive safely at their destinations. In a global pandemic, this work is perhaps more critical than ever before and I applaud them not only for their products and innovation, but also for preserving and creating jobs in our district through domestic manufacturing and continuing to make their products and processes safer for our environment.

In Needham, I had the pleasure of visiting Rafi Nova, a company that demonstrates outstanding innovation and adaptation in the wake of economic downturn and a public health crisis. Run by my constituents Marissa and Adam Goldstein, the business shifted its operations in the early stages of the pandemic to accommodate the growing need for personal protective equipment. They're keeping us safe and stylish with their beautiful selection of masks. Two of my favorites: their mask encouraging folks to VOTE, and a transparent mask (called the “smile mask”) enabling lip reading for folks who are deaf or hard of hearing and easing nerves for students and teachers.

As always, if you or any of your loved ones in my district have fallen on hard times during this pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. My office line is 617-722-1555 and my email is becca.rausch@masenate.gov. We are here to help. You can also find robust resources to help you navigate through COVID-19 on my website.
 
Wishing you and your families strength, health, and resilience.   
 

Yours in service, 

Senator Becca Rausch

 

The newsletter was shortened for publication here, to view the full content please visit
 

“This year, more than ever, we have seen the importance of the Food Pantry to our Franklin Community"

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

"The Franklin Food Pantry recently announced that the annual Franklin Turkey Trot will still happen in 2020, but will occur with a few changes to keep runners safe and provide help to pantry neighbors.

While the turkey trot will still officially run on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, each runner can run or walk their own personal 5-kilometer course when it is most convenient and can map out their favorite course anywhere throughout town. Once runners have finished the race, they can post a picture on social media sharing that they completed their run and their time while tagging the Franklin Food Pantry and using the hashtag #turkeytrot2020.

The registration fee of $25 goes directly to the Franklin Food Pantry, keeping donations local to help feed those in need, and participants can register at franklinturkeytrot.org.

The Franklin Food Pantry will not be able to accept food donations in lieu of the fee. The first 100 registrants will receive a commemorative T-shirt. Runners can also purchase a T-shirt directly from the registration page."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
2019 Turkey Trot Runners
2019 Turkey Trot Runners

 
 

In the News: "Secretary Galvin expects historical turnout to exceed 2016"

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

"Voter turnout for the Nov. 3 election is projected to be double the record-setting number of ballots cast in the Sept. 1 state primaries, and even exceed the historical 75% voter turnout in the 2016 election.

Secretary of State William F. Galvin said more will be known about the expected high turnout in the next week as early voting began Saturday and will continue through Oct. 30.

“I’m hopeful. It seems the level of interest is there,” Galvin said in a telephone interview last week. “We had 3.3 million votes in 2016. It seems we will exceed that. We’ve seen a continuing rising number of people registering to vote.”

The historical voter turnout — expected as well in some other parts of the country and driven by the hotly contested presidential race — is also the result of a massive expansion of mail-in voting due to concerns about crowded polling places during the coronavirus pandemic."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
When I talked with Town Clerk Nancy Danello at FHS on Monday, over 1,400 had already been to early vote on Sat-Sun and mid-day Monday. Over 12,000 mail ballots were sent out to registered Franklin voters.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 24.  Visit the Town Clerk page for office hours to register in person  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk  or register online  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm

 

the early voting schedule for Franklin
the early voting schedule for Franklin

Franklin Matters - Questions and Answers via Zoom - Oct 21

On Wednesday, October 21, 2020 - 10:00 AM via Zoom. This is an opportunity to get information and your questions answered.
 
Talk Franklin Matters With Steve Sherlock 
 
To join us, email: adoggett@franklinma.gov.
 
Franklin Matters - Questions and Answers via Zoom - Oct 21
Franklin Matters - Questions and Answers via Zoom - Oct 21

 
 


Town of Franklin, MA: Reason #3 - #ThinkFranklinFirst

Everyone loves a great customer service experience! Local businesses enjoy getting to know you, love sharing their passion for their business & want to do everything possible to make you feel good about choosing to visit their establishment! #ThinkFranklinFirst #KeepItLocal  
 
Town of Franklin, MA:  Reason #3 - #ThinkFranklinFirst
Town of Franklin, MA:  Reason #3 - #ThinkFranklinFirst

 
Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/GxZ6C3U7NE


Monday, October 19, 2020

Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee

Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee are in need of donations. We are a 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax deductible. 

Our tax # is: 82-3353876. With the fundraisers we had in the past we were able to purchase 

  • doggie poop bags (24,000 bags a year. cost is $678.56)  
  • hand sanitizer (12 bags a year cost $233.44) 
  • dog toys and tennis balls( cost $180.00)
  • and last year we purchase two park benches for the park (cost $783.00).  

Our next project coming up soon is a weather shed for the dog park so people can stay out of the rain and winter weather. We have set up a checking account with Dean Bank and your donation will go directly into our account. Please make your check payable to: Furry Friends of Franklin, Inc 

You can either stop in at any Dean Bank location or mail your donation to: Dean Bank, 21 Main St. Franklin ,Ma. 02038.

Thank you for your support.
Sincerely, 

Gennarino D'Onofrio    
President of Furry Friends Franklin Dog Park 

 

Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee
Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee