THE BLACK BOX: Zajac Brothers - June 25

Brothers Matt and Tyler have been playing music for years but only recently began collaborating and performing together when Tyler moved back east from California after attending Musician’s Institute. Matt graduated Berklee College of Music in 2018 and has since been performing, recording and teaching.

The band is comprised of a revolving cast of session players with the core members being the brothers and longtime bass player friend Ryan Philipps. “Changing guitar players and having different personnel in and out of the group really keeps things fresh and interesting by allowing different tones and colors and tendencies to shine through on different nights” says Matt.

On 6/25/21 you can expect the amazing Luke Okerlund on guitar with the band. Luke is a local musician hailing from Worcester, MA. He owns his own business as a luthier at Okerlund Guitarworks.

The set will be comprised of new and old songs with an emphasis on classic rock cuts of the 60’s & 70’s.

Join us outdoors at THE BLACK BOX , Friday, June 25 at 8 PM, for an amazing night of music and fun!!

Get your tickets online = https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1471

THE BLACK BOX: Zajac Brothers - June 25

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - June 2021

Keep up with what is happening in Franklin Public Schools!

Franklin Public Schools District Newsletter June 2021 Food Services District Calendar School Committee Transportation 20-21 School Calendar Updated Last Day of School: June 22 2021-2022 School Calendar Franklin Public Schools Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee The DEI Committee is proud to share our newly minted website outlining a clear focused commitment to an ongoing process of Listening, Learning, Acting and Reflecting as we move to ensure an anti-biased and socially just school community. This site and the work are fluid and will be updated and revised regularly. This work began here in Franklin several years ago when, in 2017, FPS adopted strong core values with a promise to ensure a safe and inclusive school community for each and every child. Those core values inspired and informed Franklin's Portrait of a Graduate.  In January of this year, a dedicated team of nearly 60 students, faculty/staff, administrators, and school committee representatives came together as the DEI Committee to acknowledge the challenges we have ensuring equity and inclusion in our own school district. This broadly diverse group, spanning from PreK-12, worked openly and honestly over the past 6 months to identify and develop a shared vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion and action steps for the future. We invite you to visit our website, to reflect on our vision and to join us in ensuring that FPS is able to keep our promise of a safe and inclusive school community for each and every child. Follow Link to website Thank you to our PCC's, the Franklin Education Foundation, and our Booster groups! FPS would like to extend our thanks to the Parent Communication Councils, the Franklin Education Foundation, and the many Booster groups who support our school district! These volunteers organizations provide an enormous amount of financial support to the district through the dedication and many, many hours of effort on the part of our paent. In 2019, these groups provided hundreds of thousands of dollars towards programming, materials, and events across our district. We are incredibly grateful for this support and to the volunteers who make it possible! Happy Summer to our FPS Families, Faculty, Staff and the entire Franklin Community! We hope our FPS families have a wonderful, safe, and happy summer break! We will be pausing our newsletter in the summer months! Franklin Public Schools www.franklinps.net

Franklin Public Schools | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 www.franklinps.net Sent by communications@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

FHS baseball, girls lacrosse, and boys lacrosse teams all win to reach playoff finals

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS spring sports playoff results: 

** Baseball - D1 South = #8 Norwood, 7 @ #1 Franklin, 11 – Final 

– Franklin’s offense stayed hot in the postseason as the Panthers pushed across double-digit runs for the second straight game (and sixth time this season) in an 11-7 win over upset-minded Norwood, the #8 seed in the bracket. Franklin built a four-run lead (6-2) through the first four innings but the Mustangs rallied to tie the game with a four-run fifth inning. 

Franklin responded with five runs in the bottom half and never looked back to book its spot in the D1 South semifinals. Franklin received contributions from up and down the lineup with Nate Cooke (run, RBI) and Jack Marino (run, two RBI) each recording a pair of hits in the win. Chris Goode added two runs on two walks, a hit, and an RBI, Ryan Gerety and Luc Boudreau each scored a pair of runs, Jake Fitzgibbons smacked an RBI double, and Ben Jarosz had an a hit, a walk, and an RBI. 

James Kuczmiec earned the win in relief, tossing 1.1 innings with one run allowed on one hit and two walks, striking out one. Sophomore Alfred Mucciarone was had a strong start, allowing two runs on four hits over four innings without issuing a walk. Franklin will play #13 seed BC High on Friday at 4:00.

** Boys Lacrosse - D1 South = #9 Wellesley, 5 @ #1 Franklin, 10 – Final

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"After missing out on the experience of a freshman season on varsity, Franklin sophomore attackers Luke Davis and Aaron Wentling have been thrown right into the fire this spring. Both have shown more than capable of not only contributing, but excelling at this level. 

In Wednesday night’s Div. 1 South quarterfinal against Wellesley at Pisini Stadium, the sophomores were back at it, scoring all but one of Franklin’s goals in a 10-5 victory that sends the Panthers to the sectional semifinal for the second straight year and third time overall. 

“Jayden had a big game and Luke did too,” said Franklin coach Lou Verrochi about his attacking crew of Consigli, Davis, and senior playmaker Matt Lazzaro. “All three of those kids are excellent. That’s an excellent attack unit and they’re very unselfish. It was just a good win.”

Continue reading the game recap

https://hockomocksports.com/young-attackers-fire-franklin-boys-lacrosse-into-south-semifinals/

For a photo gallery from this game https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2020-2021/Spring-2021/Franklin-Wellesley-Boys-Lacrosse-06-23-21

** Girls Lacrosse - D1 East = #5 Lincoln-Sudbury, 7 @ #1 Franklin, 10 – Final 

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"After outscoring opponents 279-44 during the regular season, Franklin was used to running away with games, scoring early and often, and being largely untroubled as the clock was rapidly winding down. Things are a little tougher when the playoffs roll around. 

The Panthers were reminded of how hard it is to close out a state tournament game when Acton-Boxboro made things interesting with a fourth quarter comeback in the first round. 

It was a lesson well learned, as Franklin showed much better control of the ball throughout Wednesday afternoon’s Div. 1 East semifinal with rival Lincoln-Sudbury at Pisini Stadium, pulling out a 10-7 win and booking a spot in the sectional final."

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-girls-lacrosse-shows-patience-to-beat-l-s-and-reach-final/

For a photo gallery from this game = https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2020-2021/Spring-2021/Franklin-Lincoln-Sudbury-Girls-Lacrosse-06-23-21

For other spring sports playoff results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-06-23-21/

Franklin celebrates a first half goal in the D1 East semifinal against Lincoln-Sudbury. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Franklin To Elect Delegates To Democratic State Convention - July 17, 2021

Registered Democrats in Franklin will hold a caucus on July 17, 2021 at 2 PM to elect Delegates and Alternates to the 2021 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention.  The caucus will take place virtually on zoom. Democrats who wish to participate virtually may register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMocOurqjguHNWRtmkRlT4FNs6GohTkSuJx

This year’s state convention will be held on September 25th at the Tsongas Center, Lowell, MA, where Democrats from across the state will come together to adopt a Party platform, discuss Party business and celebrate our successes as we prepare for upcoming elections. The event will take place in-line with all federal, state and local health guidelines and will include a virtual option for participation.

The caucus is open to all registered and pre-registered Democrats in Franklin. Pre-registered Democrats who will be 16 by June 15, 2021 will be allowed to participate and run as a Delegate or Alternate.  Franklin can elect 14 Delegates and 4 Alternates to the Convention.  

Youth, minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals who are not elected as a Delegate or Alternate may apply to be an Add-on Delegate at the caucus or at www.massdems.org by August 6, 2021.  

Those interested in getting involved with the Franklin Democratic Town Committee should contact chair@franklindemocrats.org.  

Franklin Democrat Town Committee

Project envoy continues its work - "Survey finds significant food insecurity among Massachusetts families"

Project Envoy will be at the community table for the next 5 weeks sharing information about food insecurity and bringing awareness to the Franklin Food Pantry.  

Be sure to stop by and visit them.

#buyfrankfresh #farmersmarket #franklinma

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/533086900084632/posts/4332672013459416/

Coincidentally, the Boston Globe has an article on a recent study by MassINC:

"Nearly half of Massachusetts parents in a recent survey said their families experienced food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic, but many who were eligible for federal assistance didn’t seek it because they weren’t fully informed about the program, according to The MassINC Polling Group.

About 47 percent of those surveyed reported experiencing food insecurity over the past year, but only about 40 percent of that group received benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, according to a statement from MassINC.

Fewer than half of those making $25,000 a year or less, an income that would most likely allow them to qualify for SNAP, actually received benefits, according to the survey."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/24/metro/survey-finds-significant-food-insecurity-among-massachusetts-families/
 

The MassINC survey results:  https://www.massincpolling.com/the-topline/survey-p-ebt-helped-thousands-of-families-access-food-but-as-food-insecurity-remains-high-other-assistance-programs-are-underutilized

Produce at the South Street Congregational Church food pantry in Pittsfield, Mass.BEN GARVER/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Franklin Cultural Festival opens registration for artisan vendors

ARTISAN VENDORS WANTED. Franklin Cultural Festival

Sunday, September 12, 12-6 PM

The Juried Craft Fair will be one element of the Franklin Cultural Festival, an event that also includes food trucks, a beer garden, and live performances. The Craft Fair will be made up of adult work by professional and semi-professional artisans, as well as a youth section of booths for crafters 18 and under. The Franklin Cultural Festival is hosted by the Franklin Cultural Council.

Link to request a spot as vendor: http://bit.ly/craft_fair_entry

In case the short link doesn't work for you try this:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdB7ClNOwlMqzCZ1huDBJbMu_2ky4pKhjfzZla5CNT7BfANTQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3ThJup7yP1fs8eeEFkg_raK0-FQTgVhkCQNxRSZJua50zC-o6iaDiuksg&pli=1

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/399575860396247/posts/1455577048129451/

Franklin Cultural Festival opens registration for artisan vendors

Recap - School Committee - good work and progress highlighted room for opportunity on communications remains as school year closes

Quick Recap:

• Update on the Virtual learning academy (VLA) provided. This 'virtual school' served the remote students for all the elementary schools and without explicitly saying so found disparity among the different schools by grade level and brought the students to a good place for this challenging year. Interesting stat - 270 students started the year, 220 finished (50 went into school with return of in person learning).
• Update on the District Improvement Plan for their diversity, inclusion and equity work highlights the need for additional communications as many in the community were unaware of this work being done with a cross section of stakeholder representation. For a recent example, the FHS incident report was shared only with the direct FHS community and not the broader Franklin community
• Davis Thayer transition moves to next phase as building materials, etc. get determined to move or whatever. Decision to turn building over to Town is still a future item, timeline TBD.
• Workshop planned for July session in place of regular meeting, discussion of an outside audit a possible topic to find out what we have, where we could be and plan accordingly. The 3rd party view would augment the info provided to the Committee

----

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/F9uRGSN6ejSb3GkR8

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #schcom0608

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcom0608&src=typeahead_click 

 

Agenda document - https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-6-22-21

 

Meeting packet folder - https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/june-22-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

 

• Real time reporting underway for the School Committee meeting, last one of this school year #schcom0622

Virtual Learning Academy update

• Presentation on the virtual learning academy https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/vla #schcom0622
• VLA started with 270 students and when in person returned they only dropped to about 220. #schcom0622
• Digital learning integrationists were invaluable to the academy. #schcom0622
• Overview of the VLA a testament to creativity, collaboration of the teachers, etc. #schcom0622
• More slides from presentation deck #schcom0622
• The VLA principal also did a guest role sharing experience from a prior role as a park ranger at the Badlands Natl Pk. #schcom0622
• What was a favorite part of school? A sample of the results #schcom0622
• 4th grade one word response to the school year #schcom0622

District Improvement Plan - goals update

• Next up district improvement goals update on SEL and related topics #schcom0622 (a cool practice to take a few collective breaths)
• Presentation deck for this update so you can follow along https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sel.
•  #schcom0622#schcom0622 SEL site reference with monthly focus points https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net
• Counseling is a growing need #schcom0622
• Staff support via professional Development #schcom0622
• Monitoring to ensure effective delivery, along with check-in #schcom0622
• Diversity update #schcom0622
• Diversity next steps #schcom0622
• SEL and school safety, some of the protocol will remain, #schcom0622
• Feedback from students received to enhance the handbook with relatable language and examples of what some of the violations would be. #schcom0622 make it in more of kid friendly language

Discussion action items

• Discussion action items, https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/d1-policy #schcom0622 motion to move to second reading, passes 7-0

Reopening status

• Next up, reopening status https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/status-update-6-18-21 #schcom0622 COVID pool testing ends with the closure of school. DESE updated requirements for summer school in regards to masks, encouraged for unvaccinated; clinic last week for middle schools, 120 first vaccines

Information matters

• Information matters, reminder in budget brochure to be shared; policy meeting July 28; workshop at July 27 meeting in lieu of regular meeting #schcom0622 Next meeting July 13, mostly routine things; raising possible outside audit for workshop discussion
• Dr Bergen comments on last day of school year. #schcom0622

Consent agenda

• Consent agenda motion to approve, seconded, desire to split them as D'Angelo was not part of the two meetings, she abstains from both of those separate votes; other three combined passes 6-0 (Spencer left) via roll call #schcom0622
• Motion to adjourn, passes 6-0 via roll call That's all for tonight, catch you next time!

  

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

good work and progress highlighted room for opportunity on communications remains as school year closes