Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - February 2022

Most Recent Updates, District Highlights and more!

Franklin Public Schools District Newsletter February 2021 Food Services District Calendar School Committee Transportation 21-22 School Calendar Last day of school is now June 22nd due to the snow day on 1/7 & 2/4. February Break runs 2/21 - 2/25. Hearts of Kindness Our students from Kennedy, Parmenter, Jefferson, Remington and FHS all participated in this year's Hearts on the Common project. Take stroll and read their messages of kindness to the community! Special thanks to our FHS Community Service and Peer Mentor Club for assisting with set up! Lifelong Learning Institute - Summer Registration Lifelong Learning is the community education branch of Franklin Public Schools, providing high-quality extended day child care, music lessons, and enrichment programs in an affordable and safe environment. There are a variety of offerings for students of all ages. Notable programming includes... Solutions Extended Day Summer Adventure - a 5 week program with various activity themes running from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. Families of students entering K-5 can choose one or more weeks of this camp, with options for early drop-off and/or late pickup. STAR Enrichment - morning classes in July for students entering grades K-5. Example classes include Silly Science, Minecraft Break Battle and Build, Coping with Crafts, Author's Workshop, etc. Preparing for College for high school seniors - classes for rising high school seniors such as Common App Bootcamp and Writing Your College Essay. There's something for everyone! Access full course details and register here. FPS Masking Update During the Special School Committee meeting on February 16th, the Franklin School Committee voted to amend the policy on Masks and Face Coverings (Policy EBCFA) so that masks will not be universally required as of Monday, February 28th, 2022. There are certain instances in which masking is required as outlined below... Masks will still be required on buses/school transportation (per federal order). Masks will still be required in health offices (per DPH for health facilities). Masks will still be required for individuals testing as COVID-positive and returning to school from isolation on day 6 or later through day 10 (per DPH and CDC protocols). For MIAA athletic events and some other activities, mask rules are up to host-school or venue-specific rules. Therefore, depending on the venue, a mask may be required. It is strongly recommended that unvaccinated or otherwise immunocompromised individuals wear masks in school buildings, and on school grounds, even when social distancing is observed. Access the full update here Kindergarten registration is open as of February 1st! Get a head start on your little one's first day and register now. Our online registration portal makes it easy. Assistant Coach of the Year Congratulations to Jeff Ambrosini on being named the Assistant Coach of the Year by the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association. Coach Ambrosini began working with the FHS Baseball team in 2014 and has been an incredible asset to our baseball program and student athletes ever since! From the School Committee During the February 8th School Committee meeting, Central Office and several school administrators provided a presentation on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The presentation is available to view via this link. The Superintendent's Recommended FY23 Budget will be presented at the following School Committee meeting. Please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, March 8th at 7pm. Have a great February Break FPS Families, Faculty, Staff and Franklin Community! Franklin Public Schools www.franklinps.net

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

Recap: Town Council views 4 police new hires, discusses Dean neighborhood parking issue; hears about diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the schools

Quick recap:

• Four new hires for the Police Dept. were introduced to the community when they were sworn in publicly at the Town Council meeting Wednesday night. They were pinned by family members
• Chief TJ Lynch provided a recap of the Dean College & West St neighborhood parking issues and Lt Riley provided an update on the recent efforts to quantify the problems. Ultimately, this was referred to the Economic Development Subcommittee for further evaluation on a possible increase of parking fees
• Supt Sara Ahern and Asst Supt Lucas Giguere provided a summary of the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts underway across the Franklin Public Schools. A slightly longer version of the presentation was held at the School Committee meeting on Feb 8
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen was reviewed and provided feedback as "exemplary" during the prior two year period, primarily during the pandemic
• The fiscal policies were modified slightly, one with the inclusion of the debt stabilization policy developed during 2021, and two with some adjustments on where the funds would be applied (operational budget vs. stabilization fund in the case of the hotel receipts)

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mpct8CqasejeCXmb9

The meeting agenda ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-02-16_town_council_mtg_agenda.pdf

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion presentation -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/dei_presentation_february_8_2022_5.pdf

My notes taken via Twitter ca be found in this ThreadReader PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BUPP_QA4NIPHPYYXADRbh3x0pAKn8RiB/view?usp=sharing

 

Town Council views 4 police new hires being sworn in

Town of Franklin, MA: Get your rain barrel order in now for delivery in May!

"Franklin DPW partners with the Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer residents rain barrels at a discounted price.  

Residents can order rain barrels now until May 9th. Barrel pick up will be at Franklin DPW on May 18th! 

Order your rain barrel today: https://t.co/Rn4kKmVtQ6"

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/f3ACrXfWAf

Town of Franklin, MA: Get your rain barrel order in now for delivery in May!

67 Degrees celebrates Second Anniversary - Feb 26, 2022

"SAVE THE DATE, SAVE THE DATE. 

Whose bringing the confetti 🎊!?!? 

Another revolution around the 🌞 and we are happy to invite you to celebrate our second year in existence on Saturday 2/26  from 12 - 10 PM @67degrees.brew

We have a day full of food with 

@fresh_start.market for lunch 12 - 4 PM, 

@thecaribbeanpress for dinner 4 - 8 PM, 

tasty treats by @leonasbakingco, 

and music with @damgaardscott @ 5 PM, 

of course tasty brews and other goodies. 

SAVE THE DATE. See you then. Cheers!"

Shared from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaD8839LwMP/

67 Degrees celebrates Second Anniversary - Feb 26, 2022 

Franklin Public Library Closed Monday, February 21 for Presidents' Day

Franklin Public Library Closed Monday, February 21 for Presidents' Day

The Franklin Public Library will be closed Monday, February 21 for Presidents' Day.

50+ Job Seekers: Event - LinkedIn Job Search - Feb 22

50+ Job Seekers in MA Statewide Networking Groups

This free program is available through a grant from the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs

LinkedIn Part 2: The Job-Search

Tuesday February 22: 10 AM – 12 PM

In this 2nd of two sessions on LinkedIn, we discuss how to effectively use LinkedIn to find and apply for jobs, including:

·        How to learn who is hiring

·        How to find even more companies to target

·        How to find connectors at your targets

·        How to use LinkedIn filters

·        And much more!

 

Why you need to know about this:  LinkedIn is the world's number 1 recruiter/networking/job site. Mastering LinkedIn greatly enhances your chance of being found and landing a job.

 

Start your journey towards self-realization, reinvention and transformation with these virtual sessions

New to the program? Registration is Required: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

For more information contact  Denise Magnett: 50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com

The mission of our program is to provide job seekers in the 50+ demographic with robust materials, strategies, content, and guidance to network and navigate their way through a successful job search or encore career search campaign.  Over the course of our Interactive Workshop Series, you'll learn how to execute your job search campaign with confidence and success. This preparation will Equip, Enable and Empower you in all aspects of the job search process.

--

Thank you,

Ed Lawrence

Authorized DISC Administrator

Member, CPRW Certification Committee; NCOPE

_._,_.

50+ Job Seekers: Event - LinkedIn Job Search - Feb 22

Boston Magazine releases top 150 high schools; FHS sits at #65

Boston Magazine (@BostonMagazine) tweeted Sat, Feb 19, 2022:
Our annual guide to the top-performing schools in the region. 

https://t.co/xrlGd7qS6A  or here ->   https://www.bostonmagazine.com/education/best-public-high-schools-boston-2021-chart/

Franklin ranks 65 in this listing 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/BostonMagazine/status/1495136105708109825

Boston Magazine releases top 150 high schools; FHS sits at #65

Walk the SNETT Monday morning - Feb 21 - 9 AM

Please join us for our monthly group walk on the SNETT. This month we will be walking on Monday, February 21 at 9 AM starting at the Center St trailhead in Bellingham. Leashed dogs are welcome.

Meet in the parking lot, wear good boots (ice grips are sometimes handy depending on the weather at this time of the year).

Please watch this post and our social media for further announcements should the date, time or location change due to weather or trail conditions.

Shared from the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail page ->
https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/event/february-2022-group-walk-on-snett/
 

Walk the SNETT Monday morning - Feb 21 - 9 AM

School Committee - Special Meeting - Mar 1, 2022 - 6 PM

Special School Committee Meeting

Agenda

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 - 6:00 PM

Municipal Building – 3rd Floor Training Room

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

Call to Order - Ms. Spencer

I. To consider the hiring of the next superintendent of the Franklin Public Schools, including the consideration of internal candidates

Adjournment

Shared from FPS page ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_3-1-22_special_mtg.pdf

School Committee - Special Meeting - Mar 1, 2022 - 6 PM

Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - 02/17/22 (audio)

 FM #733 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 733 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of February 16, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

5. APPOINTMENTS

b. New Hire: Police Department - Tyler Brabham

c. New Hire: Police Department - Joseph Burchill

d. New Hire: Police Department - Michael Demers

e. New Hire: Police Department - Conor Desmond

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

a. Discussion: West Street Neighborhood Parking - Thomas J. Lynch, Chief of Police

Lt Jason Riley

b. Presentation: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Sara Ahern, Superintendent of Schools

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/dei_presentation_february_8_2022_5.pdf

d. Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-13: Adoption of Fiscal Policies (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-13 - Majority Vote)

The recording runs about 38 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking Feb 16, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-733-town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom-mercer-02-17-22

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Town Council Agenda document -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_2-2-22_2.pdf  

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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"

Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - 02/17/22 (audio)

Both FHS girls and boys basketball teams top KP on Friday

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Friday:

 
Boys Basketball = Franklin, 75 @ King Philip, 50 – Final 

– Franklin’s offense roared to life in the opening half, putting up 21 points in the opening quarter and then 25 more in the second on its way to a big win over King Philip. Sophomore Andrew O’Neil hit five three-pointers, three in the first half, to spark the Panthers’ offense. O’Neill finished with a team-high 21 points while senior Sean Vinson scored all 19 of his points in the first half. King Philip cut into the deficit by winning the third quarter (16-9) with senior Braeden Sottile dropping half of his team-high 20 points in the quarter. But Franklin’s offense got back on track with 22 points in the fourth, with O’Neill adding two more threes and both Evan DaSilva and Caden Sullivan connecting from downtown.

Girls Basketball = King Philip, 24 @ Franklin, 49 – Final 

– KP led 10-8 after the first quarter but Franklin held the Warriors to only 14 points over the final 24 minutes to finish the league campaign unbeaten for the third straight season. The Panthers took the second quarter 11-2 and outscored KP 30-12 in the second half for their 42nd straight league win. Olivia Quinn led the way for the Panthers with 13 points, including nine in the second quarter, and went 6-for-6 from the line. Stefany Padula hit a pair of threes and scored eight points, Brigid Earley had seven, and Katie Peterson added six points for Franklin. Liv Lafond was KP’s leading scorer with eight points, Leah Santoro had six, and Emily Sawyer and Jordan Bennett each scored four points in the loss.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-02-18-22/

FHS Panthers

FHS National Art Honor Society - Night of Arts Around the World - April 29, 2022

FHS National Honor Society announces Night of Arts Around the World - April 29, 2022 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM

Shared from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaF2Kxhve-z/

Arts Around the World - April 29, 2022