Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter for January 2023

Panther Pride Night, Superintendent Entry Update, District highlights, School Committee Updates and more!

Franklin Public Schools District Newsletter January 2023 Food Services District Calendar School Committee Transportation 22-23 School Calendar Feb. 1 - Early Release Day Feb. 20 - 24 - February Break (No School) Access the 22-23 School Calendar  This newsletter has been revised to reflect Panther Pride Night event details. Panther Pride Night will be held on Thursday, February 2nd  from 6 PM - 7:30 PM Crazy for Composting! Keller Hawks and Sullivan Huskies Big impact can start with a small change. At the Helen Keller/ Annie Sullivan complex, students have adopted a composting program! A change in their lunch time routine encourages students to sort their discarded food scraps and containers into designated bins to be composted. This collaboration with the Town of Franklin Department of Public Works aims to reduce the amount of waste, while creating opportunities for connected learning and community building. Following such a successful pilot, we aim to expand the program to more schools in the district! The program was highlighted on NBC10 Boston's Climate 2022 Report, be sure to check out the segment if you missed it! Mr. Walsh's AP Government class had the opportunity to chat over zoom with White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Franklin High School Alumni Jennifer O'Malley Dillon! Students heard first hand about the many responsibilities for the Deputy Chief of Staff and how O'Mally Dillon's career path brought her to this role. The Franklin High School Pantherbook news club covered the story. Read all about it as told from an FHS student here. Panther Pride Night Calling all 8th grade students and families! Looking to learn more about what it means to be a Franklin High School Panther? You're in luck! Franklin High School will host its annual Panther Pride Night on Thursday, February 2nd from 6PM-7:30 PM! We invite you to come visit the school to learn about all of the fantastic extracurricular, athletic, and academic opportunities available to our prospective students. Learn more via our event page. Superintendent Entry Plan Update Building Based Listen & Learn As part of the Superintendent Entry Plan, Mr. Giguere has been holding listening sessions throughout the district to connect directly with various faculty, staff and advisory group. These building based meetings allow Mr. Giguere the ability to engage with each group to learn more about their experiences and provide greater insight into the district's strengths and opportunities for growth. Mr. Giguere continues to learn and grow in his new role through this process along with attending The New Superintendent Induction Program (NSIP). "My goal is to understand further the strengths/positives and the challenges/areas of improvement so that I can make recommendations and share my findings with the community at a later date." - Mr. Giguere Redistricting Analysis Update The Redistricting Advisory Committee has continued meeting to preview, refine and prepare draft scenarios to be presented to the Franklin Public School Community in March. Keep an eye out for community forums dates and other opportunities to provide feedback on the draft scenarios produced from the redistricting analysis process. Once the School Committee votes on a scenario, boundary adjustment or other recommendation, next steps will be outlined with the community. The Redistricting Advisory Committee has established guiding principles to outline the considerations during the redistricting analysis process. You may review the guiding principles here. To better outline the redistricting analysis process, we have created a webpage to update the community on our efforts. Learn more via our Redistricting Analysis page. New Student Application for ECDC The new student application is available for the 2023-2024 academic year at the Early Childhood Education Center Access the application here. Learn more about ECDC in this welcome presentation.  All other grades can register via Aspen at any time. MCAS Testing Dates High School MCAS Dates English Language Arts Grade 10: March 28 & 29 Math Grade 10: May 16 & 17 STE Grade 9: June 6 & 7 Middle MCAS Dates English Language Arts Grade 6: April 4 & 5 Grade 7/8: March 29 & 30 Math Grade 6: May 9 & 10 Grade 7/8: May 2 & 3 Science Grade 8: May 9 & 10 Elementary MCAS Dates English Language Arts Grade 3: April 25 & 26 Grade 4: April 11 & 12 Grade 5: April 4 & 5 Math Grade 3: May 10 & 11 Grade 4: May 17 & 18 Grade 5: May 15 & 16 Science Grade 5: May 8 & 9 High School MCAS Retest Dates | English Language Arts: November 9 & 10, March 8 & 9 Math: November 15 & 16, March 14 & 15 | Science: February 1 & 2 From the School Committee Supporting Students with Specialized Instruction On January 10th, 2023 the Franklin Public Schools delivered a presentation on Special Education to the School Committee You can access the slideshow presentation here.   Please join us for our next School Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 at 7pm. Happy New Year to our 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 Sent by communications@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Inclusionary zoning moved to Town Council by unanimous Economic Development Steering Cmte vote (audio)

FM #926 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 926 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development SubCmte Plus meeting held in hybrid format on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. 

• Chair: M Hamblen, C Frongillo, G Jones, P Sheridan, B Wierling, G Rondeau, B Hunchard
• Town Administration: J Hellen, M Cerel, B Taberner, A Love (remote)

Discussion on the Inclusionary Zoning proposal and in particular items on the Use Regulations Schedule. After multiple votes to narrow down the choices around a couple of items in the table, agreement was reached and the full inclusionary zoning referral was made unanimously.

The recording runs two hours and thirty-five minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development SubCmte Plus discussion on January 25, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-926-economic-development-subcmte-plus-mtg-01-25-23

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The agenda doc for the meeting can be found here ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_jan_25_2023.pdf

The Franklin TV replay for this session is available ->   https://youtu.be/HukEWlkid6Q

My notes via Twitter can be found in one PDF here ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/19389zqBsU2LEnQMp64-WnpJKMFJHB5W8/view?usp=share_link

 

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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"

calculator put together by Planning Dept for discussion at meeting

Ad-hoc Town Administrator Review Cmte meets briefly to move formal review to Council (audio)

FM #925 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 925 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Ad Hoc committee for the Town Administrators Review. The meeting was held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in the 3rd floor training room. I recorded this audio in the room. 

Subcommittee Chair Tom Mercer opens the meeting. Councilors Robert Dellorco and Glenn Jones participate. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and HR Director Karen Bratt are also in the room.

• Live reporting from the TA Ad-hoc Review Cmte meeting starting now, Chair Mercer, Councilors Dellorco Jones present along with TA Jamie Hellen and HR Director K Bratt

#tareview0125

• Summary draft provided to subcmte related to the Council goals discussed earlier this year (1/4/23) meeting. Credit to the staff recruited and operating under Jamie and to the work accomplished, Jamie happy to be here with these circumstances #tareview0125

• Nothing to add to the goals, other than the new committees, #tareview0125

• Per Jamie, looks great as drafted, we have a great team. Going to full committee for formal approval at the Feb 1 meeting, motion to move to Council, approved by 3-0; motion to adjourn, 3-0

The meeting runs about 8 minutes, so let’s listen to the Ad Hoc committee for the Town Administrators review meeting. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-925-tof-town-administrators-review-ad-hoc-cmte-mtg-01-25-2

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Agenda doc (no remote participation info) ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2023-01-25_ta_evaluation_agenda.pdf

My notes from the meeting

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xdviRoGYvAeeKXjBEeq6iRkbip9eI79_/view?usp=share_link 

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

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!

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

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

Ad-hoc Town Administrator Review Cmte meets briefly to move formal review to Council (audio) 

Franklin Health Department: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

It is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. It is a common cancer in women and is prevented with vaccinations and screening.  

Learn more: www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

UN Report: "Our world is in a state of fracture – the social contract is broken"

Local Return (@LocalReturnRI) tweeted Thu, Jan 26, 2023:

"There is perhaps no stronger evidence of the pressing need to redesign our global system than the fact that a global health crisis doubled the wealth of the 10 richest men in the world while sending upwards of 120 million people into extreme poverty."

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/LocalReturnRI/status/1618665173698629632

Direct link to the full or overview of the report ->

https://www.unrisd.org/en/library/publications/crises-of-inequality

UN Report: "Our world is in a state of fracture – the social contract is broken"

  

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Jan 27, 2023

•  wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:30 am    Madalene Village Environmental Review

9:00 am    Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo

11:00 am    Senior Connection: Sleep

12:00 pm    Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad

12:30 pm    Sandya: Pasta

1:00 pm    Physician Focus: Alzheimer's

1:30 pm    Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta

2:00 pm    New England Candlepins: Show 3

3:00 pm    Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 7

4:00 pm    Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies

5:00 pm    Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture

8:30 pm    The Black Box: Wicked

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am    Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022

8:30 am    It Takes A Village: Danny Lagarce

9:30 am    Franklin Rec Basketball: 3x3 Tournament Game 5

11:00 am    FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Medway 01-13-23

1:30 pm    Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 1 12-11-18

3:00 pm    SAFE Coalition: Critical Conversations

7:00 pm    FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Canton 01-17-23

9:00 pm    FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v King Philip 01-21-23

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am    Zoning Board of Appeals: 01-19-23

2:00 pm    Zoning Board of Appeals: 01-19-23

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Get your Soul, Blues, & R&B fix with Diane Blue this Saturday, Jan 28 (8 PM) at THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX welcomes back Diane Blue with Joe Bargar and the Soul Providers! Ms. Blue is a soul-stirring vocalist and skillful harmonica player whose powerful delivery of Soul, Blues, & R&B is captivating. Her performances are charismatic and heartfelt, whether fronting her own world-class band, or singing alongside master Bluesman Ronnie Earl. Ms. Blue is the first female member of Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. She is prominently featured on the band's five most recent celebrated records (including co-writing credits).

Diane's reputation as a stunning entertainer has led her all over the United States and tours of Europe where audiences enjoy her traditional and original songs alike. A multi-nominated and award-winning artist, she performed at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tennessee in 2019, and competed at the 2011 International Blues Challenge.

Diane has shared the stage with many greats including Muddy Waters' guitarist Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson, Irma Thomas (the Soul Queen of New Orleans), and the late Big Jack Johnson (Mississippi) who called Diane a "monster on the harp." Ms. Blue tours in the U.S. and abroad as a featured performer, in addition to her duties with the Broadcasters. 

Tickets available online or by calling the box office ->  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1652

Get your Soul, Blues, & R&B fix with Diane Blue this Saturday, Jan 28 (8 PM) at THE BLACK BOX