5 Things: Planning Board Public Hearing for Foxfield Plaza, Mass Cruisers Night, Live Music & More

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1. Cloudy with a High of 71 in Foxborough Thursday

Today’s weather in Foxborough, according to the National Weather Service based in Taunton, calls for increasing clouds, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Thursday night: Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 40. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

2. Foxborough Planning Board to Hold Public Hearing Thursday for Foxfield Plaza

Foxborough’s Planning Board will be holding a public hearing Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room to review a site plan review applicadtion from WP Foxborough Associates, LP for a proposal to perform improvements to the parking lot of the Foxboro Plaza. The plaza is located at 30 Commercial St. in the highway business zoning district. The site is shown on plans dated April 24, 2013 drawn by RJ O’Connell Associates, Stoneham.

A copy of the application is on file with the Town Clerk and Planning Board and may be inspected during regular business hours.

3. Hockomock YMCA’s Franklin 5K Set for Saturday

On Saturday, May 4, make a difference not only in yourself, but in the community, at The Franklin 5K (formerly called Run for Bob).  All ages and abilities are encouraged to participate.  What began as a way to honor the life and spirit of Bob Biagiotti, a member of the Hockomock Area YMCA who passed away unexpectedly, has evolved into an event celebrating children of all abilities – through this amazing 5K race.

Since she started the event nine years ago, Kris Biagiotti has afforded local children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in programs and activities that would not have been offered otherwise. In a fashion similar to Dick and Rick Hoyt, who were honored at the 2012 Hockomock Area YMCA Legends Ball, Kris has participated in road races pushing her daughter Kayla in a stroller modified for her disabilities. Kayla enjoys it, and Kris can give back to local charities whose events they attend, including The Franklin 5K.

Since 2005, this 5K event has raised $75,000 for the Hockomock Area YMCA Reach Out for Youth and Families financial assistance program and the YMCA’s Integration Initiative. This Initiative at the Y began in 2004 to allow children with special needs to participate alongside their typically developing peers in social and recreational programs and activities. 

“Since its inception, the integration program has become a fabric of the Y culture,” said Ed Hurley, president of the Hockomock Area YMCA. “Anyone who walks through our doors is welcomed, no matter their ability or financial circumstance, in all of our programs and activities.”

Over 500 families have been positively impacted.  In 2012, the Y hired its first full time Association Director of Integration.  As summer approaches, more children than ever will enroll in New Horizons, the Y’s fully inclusive camp setting offered in Franklin, Foxboro and North Attleboro.

Kris and Kayla, “The K Girls,” have a story which parallels Dick and Rick Hoyt, the father son team known for their enduring spirit, teamwork and commitment to individuals with special needs and disabilities. At a Hockomock Area YMCA event this past July at the TPC Boston, Dick Hoyt spoke to the youth of the Initiative. 

“Through efforts such as the Integration Initiative, disabled children will be afforded access to participate in athletic programs and activities.”

Hoyt added, “The Hockomock Area YMCA is to be commended for creating such a wonderful program for the youth in the communities it serves.” 

When you come out on Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m., you will help to improve social sills, build self-esteem, increase physical activity and independence and enhance mutual respect among people of all abilities.

 Location for the event is Marsh & McLellan Companies, 431 Washington St., Franklin. The event will include kids’ activities, touch-a-truck, refreshments, silent auction, raffle, music, and more.  Day of registration begins at 9 a.m.

Register today by visiting www.hockymca.org.  

 Medals will be awarded to the top three men’s and women’s finishers from several age categories and all participants will receive a finisher medal. 

The event is presented by Iron Mountain.  To find out more about the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Reach Out for Youth and Families program, Integration Initiative, or THE FRANKLIN 5K RUN • WALK • ROLL, contact Michael Bordonaro at (508) 643-5225 or michaelb@hockymca.org.

4. Patriot Place Events

Here’s a look at what’s happening at Patriot Place today:

Baby Pictures at Showcase Cinema de Lux: Enjoy the latest movies in a convenient baby friendly setting at a discounted price of only $6.

Mass Cruisers Auto Club - FREE Cruise Night: The Mass Cruisers Auto Club, Bass Pro Shops and Patriot Place want you to once again enjoy your evening of cruising nostalgia and fun.

Trivia at Red Robin: Come try your luck during trivia at Red Robin every Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. sponsored by Sam Adams.

11 a.m. - Bounce Houses: Jump around all afternoon in inflatable bounce houses. Located in the North Marketplace outside of Red Robin, enjoy the afternoon as the kids bounce the day away.

9:30 p.m. - Shotgun Still performs at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill: New England’s newest country cover band Shotgun Still are taking the party to the local country scene, playing country hits from artist Big & Rich, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, and many more. 

5. April National Poetry Month – Foxborough Regional Charter School Grade 3 Declamation Contest Results

In April, Foxborough Regional Charter School students in Grade 3 worked on a poetry unit to celebrate National Poetry Month. Throughout the month, they experimented with writing different forms of poetry as well as reading to understand poems. They concluded the unit with a Declamation Contest.

First, students chose a poem that they found interesting out of books by famous children’s poets. Most of these poems are silly but promote good use of reading fluency skills and strategies. Then, the students were responsible for memorizing the poem. Finally, students worked on fluency, dictation, and actions to accompany their poem.

On Tuesday, April 23rd, all students had the opportunity to share and be “Poetry Tellers” as part of the second annual FRCS World Book Night.

This was a great opportunity for students to practice presenting their poems before the preliminary round of the competition. The following day was the preliminary round in each Grade 3 classroom. Students recited their poems to the class, showcasing their accuracy, pace, and expression, the fundamentals of reading fluency.

Students were judged based on a rubric. The top six to seven students from each Grade 3 class moved onto the semifinals. The top 10 moved onto the finals ending with the top two poets being awarded poetry books autographed by Ken Nesbitt, who visited the school earlier this month.

Semi Finalist Names 

• Alexandra McCourt
• Liana Bien-Aime
• Katerina Trieb
• Maia Ciszkowski
• Anetka Nowakowski
• Erin McCusker
• Lauren Kaplan
  
• Bailey Palmieri
• Kayla Silva
• Blake Garzaro
• Nathan Parker
• Maya Daniel
• Brendan Robinson
• Nicholas Heydecker
• Sean Bubencik
• Zoe Duran
• Ailee Martin
• Elise O’Brien
• Trista Sicard
• Franchesca Vilmenary
• John O’Reilly
• Sophia Plante
• Emily Fandel
• Ella Lynch- Bartek
• Layla Silva
• Tayla Alfred

Finalists

• Nathan Parker
• Bailey Palmieri
• Ella Lynch-Bartek
• Layla Silva*
• Franchesca Vilmenary
• Trista Sicard*
• Sean Bubencik
• Brendan Robinson
• Maia Ciszkowski
• Zoe Duran