Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

During the week of November 29, 2021, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School. The Office of Public School Monitoring reviews each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students. 

Parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child's special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district's Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records. 

Parents and other individuals may call Corey Steinman, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338-3742 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the review, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School
The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

 

The Benjamin Franklin Classical 
Charter Public School
500 Financial Park
Franklin, MA 02038
www.bfccps.org

For reference: 

• Tri-County had their review announced in March 2021   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/tiered-focused-monitoring-review-of-tri.html
• Franklin Public Schools had their review conducted in 2019   https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/2019/01010000.docx

BFCCPS school sign at the entrance (taken day of ribbon cutting)

Franklin Goes Pink October 24 - 30, 2021

Help Fight Breast Cancer

THINK PINK Franklin Goes Pink for Ellie Fund - Oct. 24 to Oct. 30!  In partnership with the Franklin Downtown Partnership, Franklin businesses will band together in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in support of the Ellie Fund. The Ellie Fund supports breast cancer patients and their families while in treatment in Massachusetts. Local businesses can participate by decorating their storefronts pink, hosting an event, donating a percentage of sales or collecting contributions in support of the Ellie Fund. Proceeds from the campaign will benefit Ellie fund patients by providing essential support services. Learn more about the Do Good Campaign here. To register your business to participate, please email kristen@elliefund.org. These Franklin businesses have already confirmed their participation to raise awareness for breast cancer and also raise money for the Ellie Fund! Please visit them: 67 Degrees Brewing Dress Code Franklin Nutrition Greco Designs La Cantina Winery Safford Insurance  The Ellie Fund provides assistance to breast cancer patients residing in and/or receiving treatment in Massachusetts. Through its Healing Together Patient and Family Care Program and Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Program, the Ellie Fund provides critical support services free of charge to help relieve a breast cancer patient's burden while in treatment. Services include:  Grocery Assistance Transportation Housekeeping Childcare Reimbursement Nutritious & Prepared Meals Integrative therapy services including acupuncture and oncology massage for metastatic patients If you know of someone with breast cancer, tell them about Ellie Fund. Learn more at www.elliefund.org or reach out directly to info@elliefund.org.  www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Both FHS girls and boys soccer teams post wins on Wednesday

Via @HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Wednesday, Oct 20, 2021  

Boys Soccer = Franklin, 1 @ Xaverian, 0 – Final 

– A pair of seniors linked up for the game-winning goal as Franklin swept the season series with Xaverian, pushing their win streak to four straight. Senior Jacob Crisileo set up classmate Jack Moran for the lone goal in the 59th minute.

Girls Soccer = Franklin, 3 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final 

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

"Sometimes everything just clicks on the pitch. The game plan, the formation, the passes, the runs, the marking, the energy, everything comes together over 80 minutes and makes it hard for the opposition to keep pace.

In Wednesday night’s Kelley-Rex title showdown at Alumni Field, Franklin had one of those rare nights. The Panthers hardly put a foot wrong from the opening whistle, scored twice in the opening 18 minutes, and walked away with a 3-1 victory over Mansfield.

“That was the best 80 minutes of soccer we’ve played all season,” said Franklin coach Jodi Klein. “That is what we’ve been working for all season long. We knew how we needed to play to beat this team and they did it.”

Franklin’s win ended a run of four straight defeats to the Hornets, including a 1-0 loss almost exactly a month ago, opened up a four-point gap on Mansfield in the title race, and kept Franklin two points in front of King Philip with two matches to play. It was the first time in the last seven meetings that either team scored more than one goal."

Continue reading the game recap ->

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-girls-soccer-puts-it-all-together-to-win-at-mansfield/

For a Photo Gallery from this game ->

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2021-2022/Fall-2021/Mansfield-Franklin-Girls-Soccer-10-20-21/

For other results around the league ->
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-20-21/

Sophomore Anya Zub (5) drives at the Mansfield defense during Franklin’s 3-1 win at Alumni Field. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

4th Annual Thanksgiving Day Pie Sale - orders accepted through Nov 14, 2021

Why bake when the Knights can do it for you?

The Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847 St. Mary Parish Franklin MA is running their 4th Annual Thanksgiving Pie Sale. Our famous bakery (same as last year) is the family owned Mann’s Orchards and Bakery. The flavors will remain the same as last year - Apple, Pecan, Pumpkin and Blueberry. 

These Pies are fantastic.... outstanding flavor, aroma, and taste. We held the price so we will still have the magnificent $15.00 price per Pie. As was last year you will be able to DONATE a pie. All donations will be donated to the Franklin Senior Center for distribution at Thanksgiving time.

We will be taking Pie orders in person on just one weekend this year November 13-14, after all the Masses at St Mary Franklin. We will be set up in the back of the Church to take your Pie orders. Cash, Check or Credit Card will be accepted. 

The order form is provided below. You can download, fill out and either mail or bring to the Church on the weekend of Nov 13-14.

You will be able to Pick Up your order of Thanksgiving Pies on Tuesday, November 23, from 3 PM – 8 PM at the CCD Offices at the old St. Mary's Franklin Parish Hall Center (previously the Charter School) on the 1st floor. You will see our Signs.

We are excited again this year to bring this quality product to St Mary Parish community and all our Franklin neighbors.

Please support this most worthy cause, help a senior and make your Thanksgiving Day special with a Pie (or2) from Mann’s Orchard on your dinner table this year.

Any questions, please call Jim Campbell at 508-848-8681 or Jim Lane at 774-571-9804 or Mike Swan 508-404-4792.

Thank You for your generosity and “giving back”...

Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847 Franklin, MA 02038 

Order form -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZdkjDtunKkAqpNpfoP7RrQ8F1CZ-MH9q/view?usp=sharing

4th Annual Thanksgiving Day Pie Sale - orders accepted through Nov 14, 2021

Franklin Matters Q&A - Oct 21 at 1:00 PM (hybrid meeting)

 Get your Franklin MA questions answered on Thursday, October 21 at 1:00 PM. 

This is a hybrid event coordinated with the Senior Center = "Franklin Matters Q&A with Steve Sherlock"

• Held at the Franklin Senior Center for those who want to meet in person
• A Zoom session is also available for remote participation

Zoom info

Stephen Sherlock is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Franklin Matters Q&A

Time: Oct 21, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87319833170?pwd=QkxKbE94d0llOFhFK0s5MDNHeHN3QT09

Meeting ID: 873 1983 3170

Passcode: wfpr1029

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,87319833170#,,,,*62622783# US (Chicago)

+16465588656,,87319833170#,,,,*62622783# US (New York)

*While we do use Zoom to help with the meeting facilitation, only the audio portion of the meeting is recorded for playback via podcast and/or wfpr.fm radio

Franklin Matters Q&A - Oct 21 at 1:00 PM (hybrid meeting)

Coaches Corner! Taunton Win, Bye Week (video)

Kevin papa (@kevinjpapa) tweeted  Wed, Oct 20, 2021:

Coaches Corner! Taunton Win, Bye Week! 

@Coach_Bain @Coach_Angelo @FHSSports @fhs_gridiron @RattleCity @tommycassell44 @Coach_Angelo @danorlovsky7 @BostonHeraldHS @HockomockSports 

YouTube Video link ->  https://youtu.be/DSfRoZW_K1g

Shared from Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/kevinjpapa/status/1450974074776211459

Radio Margaritaville features Franklin's Pete Scaccia

Pete Scaccia (Franklin resident and longtime youth sports coach) is going to be the featured “Fruitcake on the Radio” on Radio Margaritaville this week.   His segment will air on SiriusXM channel 24 on the following dates:

10/21 @ 10:00am
10/24 @ 4:00pm
10/25 @ 8:00pm

10/22 @ 12:00am

Attached is a picture of the recent Facebook post from Radio Margaritaville.   Here is the content from the SiriusXM post for context (quoted content written by Pete):

https://www.facebook.com/radiomargaritaville/photos/a.401021882693/10158369169197694

Tune in Thursday morning at 10 AM EST to hear our new Fruitcake on the Radio/Guest DJ!!

“Hi my name is Pete Scaccia and I am your Fruitcake on the Radio. I live in Franklin, Massachusetts with my wife of 19 years and fellow concert goer Jacqui along with our two sons Nick and Ben. When not running a courier company I enjoy coaching my kid’s sports teams, driving with the top down on the jeep, fishing, scuba diving, clamming and just about anything else you can do on or around the water! I also enjoy collecting different types of maps and am a Civil War buff. Some of my favorite memories with my family have been around the water. Whether it was growing up spending summers on Cape Cod, living in Annapolis, MD, taking a Caribbean cruise or driving onto the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Jimmy’s music can always be heard playing in the background.”

Radio Margaritaville features Franklin's Pete Scaccia

 

Safe Medication Disposal Day - Saturday, Oct 23, 2021

Norfolk,MA Police AND SAFE COALITION

MEDICATION DISPOSAL DAY... SATURDAY!

#safedisposal #medication #drive-through #safe

Shared from Facebook: https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=239266864909764&id=100064793556083

Safe Medication Disposal Day - Saturday, Oct 23, 2021

New York Times: "The Economic Rebound Is Still Waiting for Workers"

"Fall was meant to mark the beginning of the end of the labor shortage that has held back the nation’s economic recovery. Expanded unemployment benefits were ending. Schools were reopening, freeing up many caregivers. Surely, economists and business owners reasoned, a flood of workers would follow.

Instead, the labor force shrank in September. There are five million fewer people working than before the pandemic began, and three million fewer even looking for work.

The slow return of workers is causing headaches for the Biden administration, which was counting on a strong economic rebound to give momentum to its political agenda. Forecasters were largely blindsided by the problem and don’t know how long it will last."

Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/business/economy/us-economy.html

Danielle Miess lost her job at a travel agency in the Philadelphia area. Her unemployment benefits have run out, but she isn’t looking for another office job. Instead, she is cobbling together a living from a variety of gigs.Credit...Kriston Jae Bethel for The New York Times

Candidate Forum - Oct 21, 2021 - Forum outline details

There is a Candidate Forum scheduled for Thursday, Oct 21, 2021 at 6:30 PM. The Forum will be broadcast live from the Senior Center. The following information was sent to the candidates and is shared here to let you know what to expect.

Due to time constraints, only candidates in competitive races were invited to participate: Town Clerk (2), Planning Board (4), Town Council (12), and School Committee(12).

The format will ensure that each candidate gets to speak on each of the questions asked.

• A lottery will determine the order of candidate response by role

• The first candidate will get 2 minutes to answer the question

• Each other candidate will get 1 minute to add to or differentiate from the prior answer(s)

• Note given the number of candidates overall, each candidate will not be guaranteed a chance to lead the response to a question. The order of response will be based upon a drawing as the candidates arrive for the evening. 

• We ask all candidates to be considerate of the other candidates (and the audience) and keep within their time allotment. A timer will be used to track, signs will alert candidates of time running out.

The Town Clerk candidates are scheduled to begin, followed by Planning Board candidates, then Town Council candidates, and last but not least, the School Committee candidates.

The event will be held at the Franklin Senior Center. Franklin TV will broadcast the event live. They will also record for rebroadcast. Franklin Matters will share the audio output via podcast.

The questions asked of each will attempt to be specific to the topics appropriate for the role and will not be released in advance. 

The audience can respectfully and quietly observe (recall this is being broadcast live) and should have time to follow up with individual candidates at the end of the evening.

Note: the schedule assumes ALL the candidates invited do appear. If a candidate can't appear, and does send a statement, it can be read into the record for each role segment. Such statements should only be 1 minute in length.

If not all candidates do appear, and/or not all non-participants send statements, then the schedule would adjust accordingly. The organizers are also mindful of a School Committee Policy subcommittee meeting scheduled for the same evening from 6 - 7:30 PM (hence the order of candidate roles).

Program Schedule

Event Start time 6:30 PM 

Welcome, etc. 5 minutes

Town Clerk candidates (15 mins) start at ~6:35

Planning Board (20 mins) start at ~6:55

Town Council (50 mins) start at ~7:15

School Committee (50 mins) start at ~8:05

Scheduled finish broadcast time ~8:55 PM

Broadcast Info:

Watch the Franklin TV All-Access channel, Comcast 8 or Verizon 26 on Thursday evening at 6:30 PM. 

For those without cable, you can also find the live stream at  https://franklintv.vod.castus.tv/vod/  Select LIVE, then ALL ACCESS, and PLAY

Note: The Conservation Commission’s meeting will be on the Town Hall channel, Comcast 11 or Verizon 29 at 7 PM as usual.

Candidate Forum - Oct 21, 2021 - Forum outline details

Closing Weekend of FPAC’s Mary Poppins at THE BLACK BOX

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC)’s production of Disney & Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins runs through October 24 at THE BLACK BOX. The production is choreographed by and stars Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson. Everyone's favorite practically perfect nanny takes flight in THE BLACK BOX for this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure. 

The production stars NYC’s Kaley Were as the title character. Were has performed regionally and across America with The Wizard of Oz National as well as at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma (Bernice Bobs Her Hair, Mary Poppins, Oklahoma!, Big Fish), and Disney Cruise Line (Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream). She has most recently been sailing the seven seas with Disney Cruise Line, performing on the Disney Dream in the IAAPA award-winning production of Beauty and the Beast. Were graduated from Oklahoma City University's Bass School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre. This will be her first production with FPAC.

Choreographing the production and starring as the loveable chimney sweep Bert, is Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson. Rice-Thomson has performed on Broadway in KING KONG (King’s Company), Newsies (Spot Colon), Matilda (Michael Wormwood), and the Broadway National Tours of WICKED (Chistery), Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story (A-rab), and Cameron Macintosh’s Oliver. His TV credits include Saturday Night Live, The TONY Awards, MACYS Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Tonight Show, GMA, The Late Show, The View, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and more. With FPAC, Rice-Thomson choreographed Matilda, starred in Christopher Rice's The Tappy Christmas Special: LIVE!, and most recently played Aaron Schultz in summer 2021’s Legally Blonde.  

Audience member Jen from Medfield comments, “It was a Broadway show in a small arena.” She continues, “It’s just so great to be out again in a theater.” 

FPAC’s production, directed by Raye Lynn Mercer, is presented with a live professional orchestra and the spectacular aerial effects of Flying By Foy. Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers, and astonishing stagecraft.

Closing weekend of Mary Poppins runs October 22-24 at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Tickets are on sale at www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. Patrons are invited to follow the Franklin Performing Arts Company on Facebook and Instagram (@franklin.performing.arts.co) for season updates, behind the scenes looks at their productions, and more.

 Kaley Were as Mary Poppins and Clay Rice-Thomson as Bert (Photo credited Paul Vicario)

School Committee candidate MJ Scofield - 10/15/21 (audio)

FM #641 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 641 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with candidate for School Committee MJ Scofield  

This is one of a series of conversations with candidates for the Franklin Election on Nov 2, 2021. I do this to provide Franklin, MA voters with accurate and timely information that they can use to cast an informed vote.  Publication of the answers or interview responses does not constitute an endorsement of this or any candidate.

We cover the candidate questions as previously developed in conjunction with the community and shared with the candidates in advance. Five of the questions are ‘general’ in nature, the sixth is specific to the role of the candidate. In this case, for the School Committee

Our conversation runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen to my interview with MJ Scofield.  Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4a6066f9-6ea4-468c-8d6c-0aff3b4655c3

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

Candidate questions -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/election-2021-candidate-interview.html 

Candidate Facebook page  ->   https://www.facebook.com/groups/460474210785489/user/100000133698596/ 

Election Collection 2021 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We 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 something here, please let me know

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

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

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!

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

School Committee candidate MJ Scofield - 10/15/21 (audio)

FHS field hockey and Volleyball teams post wins on Tuesday

Via @HockomockSports we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Tuesday, Oct 19, 2021 

Field hockey = Franklin, 7 @ Taunton, 0 – Final 
– Franklin’s Kaitlyn Carney scored a first quarter hat trick and the Panthers never looked back in a win over Taunton. Haley Wernig opened the scoring less than a minute in and Carney followed with three straight before the first 15 minutes expired. That score held over the next two quarters before Ella Mahoney scored in the fourth and Shaw Downing (who also had three assists) scored back-to-back goals to get to 7-0. Payten Crandall had an assist for the Panthers.

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Taunton, 0 – Final 
– Franklin made it three straight wins by taking down Taunton, winning all three in straight sets, this time a 25-16, 25-13, 25-23 victory over the Tigers. Sophomore Taylor Lacerda had a strong all-around game with nine kills, nine digs, and three aces for the Panthers. For Taunton, Mikayla Cleary had a strong game with nine kills and a pair of blocks while Dani Lofgren (nine digs), Emily Machado (six digs), and Jess Foley (six digs) anchored the defense.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-19-21/

FHS field hockey and Volleyball teams post wins on Tuesday