FHS restores Community Services Hours as a grad requirement; Let's be ready to take advantage of this!

At a recent Franklin School Committee meeting, Josh Hanna, the Principal of FHS, provided an update on the program of studies at the high school. The update is scheduled annually and gives the community a preview on significant course changes, adds, etc. before the students start registering for the next school year.

One key aspect that was announced can benefit the Franklin area nonprofits; the restoration of Community Services Hours as a graduation requirement at FHS. This becomes effective with the graduating class of 2028.

“Beginning with the class of 2028 Franklin High School students are required to complete 20 hours of community service as part of the requirement for graduation”  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/2024-2025_fhs_program_of_studies_.pdf 

As you have community service hour opportunities, please let Josh know. Please also give advance notice. He plans to be the central contact for now. He also plans to add a section to the FHS newsletter which goes out every 2 weeks to spread the word. Josh’s email is -> hannaj@franklinps.net 

Sample of a recent school newsletter -> https://t.co/Dv0lAS1YAz

If you want to listen to the meeting to hear the update the audio is available ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/school-committee-hears-about-oak-st-fhs.html

(due to some technical difficulties that night, the broadcast video is not yet available)

FHS restores Community Services Hours as a grad requirement; Let's be ready to take advantage of this!

FANN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Recall that the Franklin Area Nonprofit Network (FANN) - is a Fanntastic group!!!

Q - Why start this group?

A - We started because 

• The business community has the Franklin Downtown Partnership or the United Regional Chamber of Commerce/Milford Chamber of Commerce to provide a ‘circle of friends’ for networking, sharing, etc.

• The cultural organizations also have their new ‘circle of friends’ with the Franklin Cultural District designation and the coordination lead by the Franklin Cultural District Committee

• The nonprofits based in Franklin did not (yet) have a similar ‘circle of friends’ to coordinate with, and yet of the groups/organizations or small businesses in the area, they could very well be the group most in need of one.

• Hence, the desire to facilitate this gathering of the approx. 100 nonprofits based in Franklin. Ultimately the scope was decided to expand to include those 'serving' Franklin, not just those 'based' here.

Q - What are the Objectives for the group?

A - There are some initial objectives (so far) and we anticipate more to come as we go. Thus far we have

1. Confirm listing of nonprofits and key contacts

2. Facilitate a series of meetings to bring these folks to the table  

1. Help them understand who is around the table (introductions)

2. Record the intros for reuse by each group and by Franklin TV, wfpr.fr radio as promos for the nonprofits 

3. Determine what the group wants to do going forward

4. Minor but important detail take-aways

1. Update the social services listing kept by the Town of Franklin

2. Reinforce use of the Community calendar for event communications/awareness and importantly, planning future events 

3. Leverage Franklin.TV, wfpr.fm and Franklin Matters to "amplify the public good"

4. other items to be determined by the group

Q - How do we find out who is included in this group?

A - The working list can be found on the web page. If you don't find an org that you think should be on the listing, use the form to add it. Or notify someone within that group so they can provide the accurate information for the listing.

• Working Directory -> https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/p/area-non-profits.html
• Form to Add/Change information -> https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/p/directory-addchange.html

Q - Our group is not a service-oriented group, should we still participate?

A - Yes, while we have the near term goal of updating the service directory, all nonprofits serving Franklin would benefit from the work we anticipate this group to do. There are a number of problems all nonprofits face, and the power of the group to help each other is what we look to tap into.

Q - Is there a membership fee?

A - No. We anticipate this being an informal group powered by volunteers with some infrastructure support provided by Franklin.TV. We anticipate the the time and effort of individuals representing the nonprofits should be able to provide enough for the group to succeed. The group may decide to become more formal (i.e. 501(c)3, etc.) at which point it may be appropriate to discuss membership. 

FANN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)