Friday, April 29, 2011

Summer Art

This summer Franklin Public Schools is offering the Summer Art Institute, which will be directed by Michael Caple. The Institute will meet Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 8 (no class on July 4) at the high school from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 may choose from a variety of classes including:
Jewelry - Beginner and advanced students alike will enjoy this intensive introduction into all things jewelry making. Basic stringing and wire working will be covered to create unique, handmade earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Design will be a large focus. Materials used will include wire, chain, leather cord, clay, diamond glaze, and sheet metal. We will form, glaze, and fire our own beautiful ceramic beads, and pendants. We'll also learn metalworking techniques of texturizing and stamping using a variety of tools. Our final design will incorporate all techniques covered. Come create your jewelry collection.

Digital Photography - Students will learn how to use the camera as an art tool to create strong photographic compositions. Students will learn and use Adobe Photoshop to create and manipulate digital images. They will make high quality digital prints of their best work.

Drawing & Painting - Students will experiment with many different drawing strategies. They will review and learn about color different painting techniques, including watercolor and acrylic.

Ceramics - Students will learn basic ceramic hand-building techniques including pinch dot, slab, coil, score and slip through a variety of projects. Students will also be able to explore glaze and paint as a decorative finish for their artwork.

Graphic Design - This class focuses on the elements and principles of design that are used to create various artworks. Students will become familiar with Adobe Software including InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will create their own cartoon character, create a morphed and transformed self-image, and design their own insignia.

These five classes will be taught by FPS art faculty.

High school students entering grades 10, 11 and 12 may enroll in High School Portfolio Preparation/Open Studio. This class follows the same schedule as the middle school art classes and is designed to help students build both their skill level and their portfolio for possible entrance into a post-high school art program. This course will focus on drawing skills, but will also be individualized for each student. This is a great opportunity for students who think they may want to continue their education in the visual arts.

These classes have a variety of projects that meet the interests and needs of students who are new to art, as well as students who plan to make art part of their academic career. Come and be part of the fun!

For additional information and registration -
email: lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us
Telephone: 508-553-4814

Friday, April 15, 2011

Zumba & Solutions

Solutions students have been enjoying Zumba instruction this spring. Carol Bouchard has offered Zumba classes for Solutions students at the 6 elementary schools in Franklin. Students and staff like the music, the exercise and the fun of Zumba!!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Franklin Summer Program Enrollment Growing!

Enrollment in Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Summer Program 2011 continues to outpace last year's numbers. Over 800 registrations have been processed and new classes are still coming online. Classes with strong numbers include:
The High School Experience - for incoming Grade 9 students
Ready .. Set .. Kindergarten - for incoming kindergarten students
All classes involving: Legos, American Girl books, Art, Cooking, Science and Back Yard Sports.

A new initiative, the Summer Math Academy, is demonstrating strong numbers. This program uses math as a lens to study: Origami, Attribute Graphing, Pattern Art, Cryptology, Tangrams, Sudoku, Math Story Re-enactments, Gum Drop 3-D figures, and more!!

Registration continues through May and for some classes, into June. Visit the Lifelong Learning Summer Program website:
www.franklin.k12.ma.us select Summer Program from the center of the page.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

STAR Plus -- Just for Middle School Students

Middle school is the domain of students in grades 6, 7 & 8. STAR Plus, our middle school summer program, has been designed specifically for these students. Directed by Ms. Orfalea and Ms. Leazott, STAR Plus offers four, 1-week sessions with a variety of themes and activities focused on the interests of middle school students.

Each week students enroll in 2 early morning classes and 1 longer mid-morning class. Students choose 2 themes from the following:
Visual Arts, Cooking and Design - Potential activities include Cooking, Drawing & painting, recycled art, screen printing, T-shirt design.

Computer Lab, Games, Science & Technology - Potential activities include Photoshop. Internet games, Movie making, Experimental fun and games, games, games.

Music, Performing Arts - Potential activities include Creating music, Introduction to guitar, Music history, Play production, Musical production and Dance.

Sports, Recreation, and Fitness - Potential activities include Fall sports, Winter sports, Spring sports, Team and individual games, Fitness challenges, and Sports history.

For the longer, mid-morning class, the students select their favorite theme from among the following themes:
Performing Arts - Theatre- Students will write, rehearse & perform a musical or play or Dance Students will learn a variety of dance techniques.

Science & technology/Outdoor Fitness
Experimental Fun - Students will use their senses to experiment with a variety of materials.
Outdoor Fitness - Students will explore a variety of outdoor fitness activities.

Sports & Recreation
Sports - Students will play a variety of fall, winter & summer sports
Recreation - Students will play a variety of team and individual games; exercises & athletic activities will be explored.

Visual Art
Painting - Students will use watercolors or acrylics to paint still-life, landscapes and figures.
Recycled Art - Students will use a variety of recycled materials to form sculptures
Clay/Pottery - Students will use many types of materials: clay, model magic & modeling clay to sculpt pieces of art.

Register: www.franklin.k12.ma.us select Summer Program from middle of page, select STAR Plus
Questions: lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us or 508-553-4814

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Let Your Life Speak

Let Your Life Speak is a 3-day workshop that will be offered this summer for incoming high school seniors. Pamela McIntyre, Ph.D. and Janet Pergola, FHS Faculty, are collaborating on this class that is designed to help students communicate about themselves through college essays and interviews. The name of the class has its origins in an old Quaker saying that refers to having the ability to articulate your values, priorities, and interests. Throughout one's life and most particularly during senior year, seniors will be asked to communicate who they are to colleges, employers, and scholarship foundations. Furthermore, seniors will need to write college essays and interview with admission officers. Throughout these processes, they will need to share information about who they are and what is important to them. This class asks each incoming senior: Do you know what you want to say? Do you know how you're going to say it? In this class students will:

  • Explore and identify primary strengths, passions, and priorities

  • Learn how to write effective college essays

  • Enhance and refine your interviewing and public presentation skills

For more information:


Telephone: Lifelong Learning at 508-553-4814 0r email: lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us


To register: www.franklin.k12.ma.us select the Summer Program from the center of the page, select Let Your Life Speak.

Monday, April 4, 2011

High School Experience 2011

The High School Experience is scheduled for the week of August 15, 2011, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This week is for incoming grade 9 students and is co-directed by Ms. Cerce and Ms. Yankee, faculty members at FHS. The HSE introduces freshmen to the culture, beliefs and norms of FHS and provides strategies for success in academics, as well as in extra curricular activities. The students will meet other students from all 4 middle schools, meet faculty members from the Freshman Collaborative, as well as administrators and members of the FHS staff, and participate in a variety of project adventure games and activities. Registration is ongoing. If you would like to learn more about this initiative, please email us: lifelong@franklin.k12.ma.us

April 4, 2011

Adult Education and Community Learning presents Laura Spinella on Wednesday, April 6 at 7 PM at Franklin High School. Ms. Spinella is a Franklin resident and freelance writer for newspapers and magazines. She will present on the process of writing an book and then navigating the publishing process. This looks to be an exciting evening for Franklin writers-to-be. For more information on this opportunity contact Joan Borgatti, Coordinator of Adult Education: borgattij@franklin.k12.ma.us