Saturday, February 27, 2021

Franklin Public Schools: School Committee Legislative Forum - March 2

School Committee Legislative Forum
Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda)
Tuesday, Mar 2, 2021 - 6:30 PM



Note: While the agenda doc says "Legislative Forum" (which is not very compelling or insightful), from the planning sessions that I did report on, I do recall that there would be some presentation outlining the issues the District faces, with an opportunity for questions and answers, along with time for the legislative delegation to make a statement and answer questions. 
School Committee Legislative Forum - March 2
School Committee Legislative Forum - March 2


FM #474 - Finance Committee Mtg - 02/24/21 (audio)

FM #474 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 474 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 24, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Finance Committee members and key guests were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

  • Quick overview of the ambulance rates and rationale behind them from Chief McLaughlin
  • Overview of the recent truck purchase process and the life cycle of trucks on the front line, in reserve and eventual disposition as surplus
  • Great overview of the debt and borrowing status for Franklin, heard previously at the Town Council meeting but great info on exclusions and non-excluded debt and how it is fiscally planned for and managed; the Town has a great credit rating which confirms the overall fiscal prudence shown by the Town
  • Discussion on future topics including adding two sessions to the budget hearing cycle (now four meetings instead of two)
Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 77 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting of Feb 24, 2021.  Audio file =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1c047bb0-59a6-44e3-8b50-b7dc814d1861


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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" 

FM #474 - Finance Committee Mtg - 02/24/21 (audio)
FM #474 - Finance Committee Mtg - 02/24/21 (audio)


Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - Feb 26, 2021

Hello Everyone!


Mars landing Feb. 18, 2021!


Staying Connected

Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

Link to the Senior Center Calendar https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day 

Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/ and www.franklin.news 

Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/

Link to Mass.Gov COVID - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information 


COMING IN MARCH!!

Introduction to Palette Knife Painting Classes  Put down the brush and pick up a palette knife! For 4, 1 1/2 hour sessions, we will focus on the techniques of using only a palette knife to paint oil paintings. Palette knife painting offers a unique look--thick texture, pure colors, and expressive style. No turpentine or other solvents needed. 4 week class on Tuesdays at 2pm (March 9, 16, 23, 30) Ann Gorbett is an award winning artist who paints exclusively with a palette knife. The thick, painterly, yet highly detailed strokes of color are trademarks of her style.  This will be held via zoom and space is limited.  You must register to attend.  Email adoggett@franklinma.gov or call the franklin senior center to register.  Art kits with all supplies will be available for pick up to registered participants.  A fee of $20 total for all 4 classes is being charged to defray the cost of materials. If you cannot afford this please ask about our available scholarship.  Space is limited so sign up today!


Tips

How to declutter your home.  12 decluttering tips

https://www.becomingminimalist.com/creative-ways-to-declutter/ 


Do you know all the pressure points in your hands?  You can release stress, stimulate circulation and even improve self esteem!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnuR-MPeG8s 


4 exercises to test how fast your brain is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiDFjSQ8Vqw 


Music

15 of the most rare and interesting musical instruments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i_8t6JwoWM 


The Revenge: Timo Boll vs. KUKA robot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv6op2HHIuM 


Life is a Dream - Grandmaster JinBodhi Healing Series Singing Bowls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey8gBk9xwCg 


Just for Fun

St. Paul's Church on Nantucket and the incredible Tiffany windows

Final St Paul's (mediazilla.com) 

 

The evolution of dance- from the 1950's through 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-rSdt0aFuw 


NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Mission - real time tracker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9zFaCNXTCY 


Humor

Art Linkletter - Kids say the darndest things

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UgLpRvX7Qk 


Carol Burnett Show bloopers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b5C6Xp3pwA&t=73s 


Jeanne Robertson - Sizzle Reel (slightly off color jokes from a clean humorist)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJZxmwzrg4A 



Kindness Matters

10 random acts of kindness caught on camera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vahi77oOsK4&t=15s 



Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Monday at 1pm - Tele-Bingo call in bingo game! Call the Senior Center to register to play.

*Monday at 11am - Page Turners Book Club via zoom call the senior center to register

*Tuesday at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour. Via zoom

*Tuesday at 1pm - Audio book Group- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Wednesday At 1pm - Fireside chat with the Staff of the Senior Center - hear about upcoming events at the Senior Center, new menu items, ask questions and provide your input. Via zoom

*Wednesday At 1pm - Writers Group - email shersteve@gmail.com to join

*Thursday at 10am - Discussion Group - email mattrovendro@yahoo.com to attend

*Thursday  at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Friday at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss - 1 hour of socialization,

 games and activities.

*Friday at 1pm - Tele-Bingo call the Senior Center to register to play.  Call in game.


Attached you will find: Donna's Fun Filled Activity Pages!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oP6MHfm803hmVsUlj1POxYLtG1dfU7Fx/view?usp=sharing


Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  Stay safe and keep the human connection alive!

Ariel


Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it.  If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it. 


REMEMBER:

When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution!  Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer.  Many look like real sites.  Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).   

https://www.cdc.gov/ 

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here



--
Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator
Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll
There is no act of kindness too small

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - March 2021


District Newsletter
Early Release dates:
March 3rd and 31st
Classroom - Based Pool Testing Information

Tuesday, March 2nd at 6:30 pm

The Franklin School Committee welcomes our State Legislators, Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Becca Rausch, and Representative Jeff Roy to update the community on a variety of topics relevant to education.
The Forum will be available via Zoom. Please click on the invitation to find out more and to access the meeting link. We hope you will join us!

After nearly a year and a half of study, the Franklin School Committee voted at its February 9, 2021 meeting to close the Davis Thayer Elementary School beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. This has been a very emotional decision as this involves the retirement of a beloved second home to so many families, students, and faculty and staff both during current times as well as historically. The school was built in 1924 and has served so many generations of Franklin students. The decision was made based on reduced enrollment, educational adequacy of an aging building, and financial efficiency. Notably, there has been a significant enrollment decline. This is not a result of students leaving Franklin for other choices. The decrease in enrollment is a trend that is happening in many regions, especially in the Northeast/Massachusetts. 

The main focus at this time is to plan and implement a transition for Davis Thayer students to the Keller Elementary School, being sure to attend to their social-emotional and academic needs. The Facilities Analysis Subcommittee recommended that the School Committee begin to examine space utilization across all of the district's schools as the architect's report highlighted some needs, particularly at our "stand-alone" schools (Kennedy and Parmenter) as well as some potential opportunities which include redistricting.  

More background information can be found on our website: https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis

FPS is now taking registration for incoming Kindergarten students. Although registration is ongoing, we are asking families to register their child(ren) by March 1st if possible. This will be helpful in determining class sections and staffing.

All information is available on our website via the links below:


If so, pop into the Digital Learning Integrationists Q & A session on Wednesday, March 3rd. They will be happy to answer your questions.
Hearts of Kindness Display

Many of our FPS students created beautiful Hearts of Kindness as part of the display on the Town Common. The hearts contain messages about the importance of being kind to others and share acts of kindness that the students have performed.
Thank you to our students and teachers for helping to create this uplifting display! If you have not yet seen it, take a drive or walk by the Franklin Town Common and enjoy the messages and scenery.
Franklin Public Schools

Town of Franklin | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

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