Magic Show for children of first responders and military families, Sunday, March 15

Magic Show for children of first responders
and military families, Sunday, March 15

Did you miss Tyler Lawton’s interview with Mike Shain from Thanks To Yanks?

No worries — listen to the full conversation here:

https://soundcloud.com/myfm1013/the-weekend-wind-down-thanks

Tyler talked with Mike about their upcoming Magic Show for children of first responders and military families, what families can expect at the event, and how the organization continues to give back in meaningful ways.

Read the full Good News article here:

https://www.myfmtoday.com/good-news/thanks-to-yanks-hosting-free-magic-show-for-children-of-first-responders-and-military-families/

Tri-County Children’s Center: Registration is OPEN for 2026–2027 !!

Tri-County Children’s Center: Registration is OPEN for 2026–2027!! 

Tri-County Children’s Center: Registration
 is OPEN for 2026–2027 !! 

We’re excited to announce that registration for the Tri-County Children’s Center preschool program for the 2026–2027 school year is officially open!.

Families can access applications on the preschool’s website at www.TCChildrensCenter.com or through the Tri-County webpage: https://www.tri-county.us/page/tri-county-childrens-center.  

Apply today and join us for another amazing year of learning, exploration, and fun at the Tri‑County Children’s Center!

#WorkHardTodayCounts

Shared from -   https://www.facebook.com/share/1CECqkeFBn/

Tri-County Children’s Center: Registration & Open House for 2026–2027

We’re excited to announce that registration and Open House for the Tri-County Children’s Center preschool program for the 2026–2027 school year will begin on Monday, February 2, 2026.

Appointments to view the preschool will be available by pre-registration at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A45A8A92CA3FFCF8-61848005-open#/. 

Open House will be held on Monday, February 2 from 9:15-9:45 or from 10:15-10:45 a.m. at the Tri-County Regional High School in Franklin at 147 Pond Street. 

Families can access applications on the preschool’s website at  www.TCChildrensCenter.com  

or through the Tri-County webpage: https://www.tri-county.us/page/tri-county-childrens-center.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DT3YGj7jQ_-/

Franklin Children's School schedules Open House Saturday, Jan 10 for prospective parents/students

Franklin Children's School schedules Open House
Saturday, Jan 10 for prospective parents/students

Franklin Children's School is currently accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year!

All those interested in applying must complete an application and program selection form by Friday, January 30, 2026.

Applications may be mailed to the school with a $60 registration fee or dropped off in the white mailbox at the front door.

**** Applications can be found ->  https://www.fcskids.com/enrollment

Is your child turning 3 soon?

Is your child turning 3 soon?

See the flyer for pre-school placement with the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) on Oak St.

Download the flyer ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yhqdyhaTWwznqrze-UrLi1Jd3fvVUAer/view?usp=drive_link

Town of Franklin, MA: flu clinic scheduled for children Oct 8, 2025; sign up today !!!

Town of Franklin, MA: flu clinic scheduled
for children Oct 8, 2025; sign up today !!!

The Franklin Health Department will be hosting a flu vaccine clinic for children 18 and under on October 8th from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the Franklin Senior Center. 

All flu shots are free! (no insurance required).


Sign Up Here: https://t.co/AI8AGZgsND 

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qP5FVAT0W83CPtzb3XQvfCZJdx5M0YV8/view?usp=drive_link

Disney settles charges that it violated children’s online privacy protection law

Disney settles charges that it violated children's online privacy protection law By BCP Staff The Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule) gives parents control over the online collection of their children's personal information. Before a website or app collects personal information from a child under the age of 13, it must notify the parents and get their approval.  Under a settlement with the FTC, Disney has agreed to pay a $10 million penalty for violating the COPPA Rule. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/09/disney-settles-charges-it-violated-childrens-online-privacy-protection-law?utm_source=govdelivery

    

Disney settles charges that it violated children’s online privacy protection law

July 2025 Franklin Library News & Events for Franklin, MA - Children

**LIBRARY NEWS**

Library Hours

The library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm.  The library is closed on Sundays. The library will be closed on Friday, July 4th in recognition of Independence Day.

Summer Reading is HERE

2025 Reading Challenge

Join in the adventure and Level Up this summer at the library! Be sure to sign up on the library website (or by clicking the button above). Grab your ‘gear’ and ‘quests’ from library staff, and make this summer the ‘Quest for More Fun!’ by checking out the daily events planned on the Calendar of Events.

Franklin Public Library’s 2025 Reading Challenge

July: Take a stand

For complete details and to sign-up, visit our website! Grand prizes made possible by the Friends of the Franklin Library.

Franklin Library ESL & Adult Literacy Program

Volunteer tutors needed! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly.  No prior teaching experience needed!   Volunteer tutors and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the registration form on the library’s website.

Museum Passes

Now is a great time to reserve passes to the area’s most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.

Franklin Library Book Sale

• Friday, July 18: 1 - 5pm
• Saturday, July 19: 9am - 12pm

All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale - $5 per Bag

• Saturday, July 19: 1 - 4pm

Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

  **LIBRARY EVENTS**

Weekly/Monthly for Children

Move Along, Mondays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)

This thirty-minute program features music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.

Cool Cruisers, Tuesdays @ 9:30am

Babies who have graduated from tummy time and are scooting all over the place are welcome to this playgroup just for them! We recognize that this fun age of exploring is very different from their first few months, so join us for a special playgroup just for this exciting time. No registration required.

Pre-K Bootcamp, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 10:30am (Ages 3-5)

This 30-minute program for kids ages 3-5 is a perfect jumpstart for kiddos that are approaching school-age! Stories, music, movement, and engaging activities designed to prepare kids for a school environment. No registration required.

Summer Skill Up, Tuesdays @ 4pm

All ages are welcome to level up their knowledge by trying a new skill! Every week we will be providing a new small project to practice, learn, and grow! All Supplies are provided. Young children may need an adult to help. No registration required.

Wiggle Worms! Tuesdays @4PM (Ages 0-5)

Beat the afternoon witching hour craziness with a dynamic program for littles! Enjoy music, movement, and some fun surprises. No registration required.

Bookworm Bounce, Wednesdays @ 4pm (Ages 0-5)

Join us for an afternoon story time full of music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.

Summer Concert Series, Wednesdays @ 6pm

Join us Wednesday evenings on the library patio all summer long for live music for all ages!

July 2: Jamie Barrett

July 9: Kat Chapman

July 16: DJ Sam & Andy

July 23: Jeff Roy

July 30: The Oh Mys Band

Tummy Time, Thursdays @ 9:30am

Babies and caregivers: join us each Thursday morning for Tummy Time! Nurture your baby’s development with gentle music, movement, and sensory play at the library. Please bring a small blanket or towel for your baby’s comfort. No registration required.

Bubble Buddies, Fridays @10:30AM

Enjoy a Friday bubble dance party with music, movement, and fun surprises! No registration required.

Weekend Wiggles, Alternating Saturdays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)

A weekend storytime for littles and their grown-ups. Let’s play some music and dance! Laughter and giggles are definitely expected during this energetic, interactive and creative movement based class. No registration required.

Franklin Library News & Events for June 2025 (part 2 of 5)

Weekly/Monthly for Children

Move Along, Mondays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)

This thirty-minute program features music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! No registration required.

Dungeons and Dragons Club for Kids & Teens, Mondays, 4 – 6pm (Ages 9+)

Registration Required

Kids are invited to join us for a weekly Dungeons and Dragons Club! The library will supply dice, rule books, and blank character sheets. (Dungeon Masters must be ages 12 and up.) This program will be on summer break after Monday, June 16.

Cool Cruisers, Tuesdays @ 9:30am

Babies who have graduated from tummy time and are scooting all over the place are welcome to this playgroup just for them! We recognize that this fun age of exploring is very different from their first few months, so join us for a special playgroup just for this exciting time. No registration required.

Pre-K Pals/Bootcamp, Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 10:30am (Ages 3-5)

This thirty-minute program for kids ages 3-5 is a perfect jumpstart for kiddos that are approaching school-age! Stories, music, movement, and engaging activities designed to prepare kids for a school environment. No registration required.

Toe-Tapping Tots, Tuesdays @ 4pm (Ages 2-5)

Let’s play some music and get those toes tapping! Join us for a 30-minute energetic, interactive, and creative movement based storytime. From tip toeing, twirling, and skipping to jumping and tapping, we will have fun learning to move to the music while building coordination and confidence. No registration required.

StoryTots, Wednesdays @ 10:30am (Ages 18 mos. – 3yrs)

Enjoy thirty minutes of interactive stories, songs, and fun! No registration required. This program ends Wednesday, June 18 for the summer.

https://www.franklinma.gov/399/Library-Services

Bookworm Bounce, Wednesdays @ 4pm

Join us for an afternoon story time full of music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy! Ideal for ages 0-5. No registration required.

Tummy Time, Thursdays @ 9:30am

Babies and caregivers: join us each Thursday morning for Tummy Time! Nurture your baby’s development with gentle music, movement, and sensory play at the library. Please bring a small blanket or towel for your baby’s comfort. No registration required.

Rockin’ Rhythms, Thursdays @ 4pm (Ages 0-5)

Put on your dancing shoes and join Miss Bree for 30 minutes of dancing fun for the whole family! This upbeat, high-energy and interactive program will help kids develop coordination, rhythm and flexibility in a fun and engaging way. No registration required.

Barefoot Ballet, Thursdays @ 5pm (Ages 6-8)

Registration Required

Calling all aspiring ballet dancers! Join Miss Bree for this special 6-week introductory Ballet class. Ballet shoes and attire are not required, but please wear comfortable clothes. Registration is for all 6 dates. Dates for this session are: May 1, 8, 15, 29 and June 5, 12.

Happy Feet, Alternating Fridays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)

Let’s play some music and dance! Join us for a 30-minute energetic, interactive, and creative movement based storytime. Laughter and giggles are definitely expected! No registration required.

Move Along, Alternating Fridays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)

This thirty-minute program features music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities for littles! Parents and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to participate. No registration required.

Weekend Wiggles, Alternating Saturdays @ 10:30am (Ages 0-5)

A weekend storytime for littles and their grown-ups. Let’s play some music and dance! Laughter and giggles are definitely expected during this energetic, interactive and creative movement based class. No registration required. 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=60

April highlights for Library events include a typewriter orchestra, yup typewriter orchestra (audio)

FM #1414 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1414 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion on Monday, March 24, 2025 in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio.

 

We talk about 

• Reviewed the regular open hours, book sale and holiday scheduling for the month

• Open on Sundays 

• Book sale weekend April 11 & 12

• Closed Sunday & Monday, April 20, April 21 

• Library events for April 2025

• Family events

• Kiddos, or “littles”

• Teens

• Adults

The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.

The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1414-franklin-public-library-april-2025-highlights-03-24-25/

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

Mitzi Gousie’s email -> mgousie@minlib.net 

Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 

New event calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events 

April Library newsletter -> https://www.franklinma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=48 

April press release -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/whats-happening-at-library-in-april-2025.html 

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

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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

April highlights for Library events include a typewriter orchestra, yup typewriter orchestra (audio)

Hail, hail, the gang's all here; this "gang" cares about the Library and what they offer (audio)

FM #1378 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1378 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Felicia Oti, Director of the Franklin Public Library. We were joined by many of her staff, see the list of names below. We had our discussion virtually on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

I opened the conversation with my recitation of “Hail, hail, the gang's all here… what the heck do we care now?”  We all care about the Franklin Public Library which is why we are here now, and are about to find out some of the breadth of services they cover.

• Felicia Oti, Library Director

• Allison Smith, Deputy Director

• Kara Naff, Circulation Supervisor

• Vicki Earls, Head of Reference 

• Mitzi Gousie, Public Services Librarian

• Caleigh Keating, Youth Services Librarian

Among the many services the Library offer are:

• Digitization of Franklin History

• US Citizenship test prep

• Subscription to Khan Academy

• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) both a opportunity that provides training for those that volunteer , as well as a service for those with income less than 65K to file their taxes

• Decodable books for beginning readers now in the library

• Citizen science kits co-sponsored by Conservation Commission

• From Mass Cultural Council, Franklin Cultural Council & Franklin  Cultural District come grant funded programs, including a typewriter orchestra concert coming in April

The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended.

The recording runs about 58 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1378-franklin-public-library-group-shares-highlights-02-05-25/

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

Franklin Public Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 

Event calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events 

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

https://franklinma.gov/313/English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages-

Prior recording April 2020 #248

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-248-franklin-public-library-staff.html 

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

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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

Hail, hail, the gang's all here; this "gang" cares about the Library and what they offer (audio)