Have you heard about the 3rd Annual Pen to Picture event at the Library May 10 featuring Raul the 3rd? (audio)

FM #1424 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1424 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation about the 3rd Annual Pen to Picture event scheduled for the Franklin Public Library May 10, 2025. We talk with Bree Comeau, Erin O’Leary and Pam Allard about this event with graphic novelist and illustrator Raul the Third. We recorded this conversation virtually on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. 

• Bree Comeau, Assistant Youth Services Librarian

• Erin O’Leary, Reading Specialist at Horace Mann Middle School

• Pam Allard, Reading Specialist at Remington Middle School

We cover the following in our conversation

• Details of the event May 10

• Graphic novels an entry point for some readers

• Collaboration between Library and the schools

• Event is funded via grant from Mass Cultural Council

The recording runs about 29 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1424-3rd-annual-pen-2-picture-03-26-25/

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

Pen 2 Picture info -> https://franklinma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/pen-to-picture/ 

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder or to share -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xhxb-vsN1yyqijCm34Rjwyvd_Tq67YIj/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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 out. 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"

Have you heard about the 3rd Annual Pen to Picture event at the Library May 10 featuring Raul the 3rd? (audio)

Mental Health - Crisis in our Time: Joanne Spillane on reading literacy (video)

Dr Anne Bergen: 

"Welcome to Mental Health, the crisis of our time. 

My name is Anne Bergen. I am the host of this series of programs brought to you by Franklin TV whose mission is really to bring important topics relevant to the community out so we can inform the residents aware of issues that are very very important. 

The issue we have to address is mental health."

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ32qDwIu3E

Mental Health - Crisis in our Time: Joanne Spillane (video)

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 ???

Wednesday, January 22

• No Trash/Recycling Delay scheduled due to MLK Jr Holiday Monday
• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

5:30pm Family Literacy Night (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm String School of Franklin Winter Concert (Horace Mann School)

6:00pm Dean College Student History Reception (Franklin historical Museum)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Cultural Council

Event Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - 7:00pm

agenda not available on new Town of Franklin page

Town Council Meeting (Council Chambers & TV broadcast)

January 22, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01222025-1475

School Committee - Budget Workshop  (wfpr.fm recording for broadcast later)

Event Date:  Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - 7:00pm

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5190798/1-22-25_AGENDA-Budget_Workshop.pdf

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Volunteer Tutors are needed for the Franklin Public Library ESL & Adult Literacy Program!

If you have the time and interest to help adult learners improve their English reading, writing, speaking and listening, we have a volunteer opportunity for you!

To volunteer, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, have patience, and be able to speak English clearly. Prior teaching experience is not required. Volunteer Tutors will be trained and all supporting materials will be provided. 

The time commitment is one orientation session, 18 hours of tutor training, and to meet with your student 2 hours per week for one year. 

If interested, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at kshipala@minlib.net, or use this form ->  https://forms.gle/CnuoFsu7kgmCf7Z57

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CkRIvCXJ0uT/

Volunteer Tutors are needed for the Franklin Public Library ESL & Adult Literacy Program!

How to Spot Misinformation Online - 2 sessions at Franklin Senior Center - Jul 18 & 25

Join Steve Sherlock to walk through an online course from the Poynter Institute and MediaWise on how to spot misinformation online. 

Sign up at the Senior Center to participate for these session whether in person or via Zoom. 

When: 

Monday, July 18 - 1 PM (part 1)

Monday, July 25 - 1 PM (part 2)

“This free short course from MediaWise for Seniors will teach you how to tell what’s true and false on the internet. By looking at examples of political, health, travel and climate misinformation, you will learn techniques for identifying false information and how to seek out trustworthy sources. 

Christiane Amanpour, Joan Lunden, Lester Holt, Hari Sreenivasan and Dave Jorgenson — MediaWise Ambassadors — will also pop in to share their advice as experienced journalists to help you navigate information on platforms like Google, Facebook and more.”

The online course is listed as taking 1-2 hours. We have scheduled 2 one hour sessions to allow for discussion and following links to research current examples along the way.  

How to Spot Misinformation Online - 2 sessions at Franklin Senior Center

You can register with Poynter Institute and take the course on your own 

https://www.poynter.org/shop/fact-checking/how-to-spot-misinformation-online-july-2021/

News Literacy Project --> a concise one-pager to better understand and avoid misinformation

"New from @NewsLitProject -- a concise one-pager with key insights, takeaways and reminders to help you and your loved ones better understand and avoid misinformation:

More about misinformation -> https://t.co/8UTBmli8NO 

One pager ->  https://t.co/3FyPn4Wg4a"

News Literacy Project --> a concise one-pager  to better understand and avoid misinformation

News Literacy in Cedar Falls: Ande McMorris (video)

"When I'm on social media I see a lot of misinformation. Sometimes I think [it's] true. It really mixes up my train of thought." - Ande McMorris, a Sr & 🏈 captain at Cedar Falls HS, IA

But using @NewsLitProject's #Checkology has made a big diff 4 Ande ⤵️ Video link -> https://t.co/X3Fc7rewpc or https://youtu.be/im-xg0zK8mk

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jakelam2116/status/1473075132155318272

Find the NewsLitProject -> https://newslit.org/

News literacy requires work on everyone's part, and that includes you

Via the News Literacy Project:

"2021 marked another year of rapidly spreading misinformation following breaking news events, from the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol to the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to the Biden presidency. Get ready for 2022 by reviewing our news literacy takeaways from the past 12 months. You’ll be prepared to recognize and debunk falsehoods, conspiracy theories and hoaxes in 2022, and know what information to trust, share and act on.

Science misinformation

No, vaccines don’t magnetize you, increase the risk of infertility, contain tracking devices, or cause cancer and HIV. But misinformation surrounding vaccines — along with other science-based topics like climate change — continued to deluge social media feeds throughout the year.

News literacy takeaway: Turn to credible, authoritative sources to confirm or debunk science-related content, such as NLP’s COVID-19 resources page or reputable institutions like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And know that bad actors will even resort to cute cat videos as “engagement bait” to draw you to their sites and spread falsehoods."

Continue reading the article online

https://newslit.org/updates/2021-the-year-in-misinformation-news-literacy-takeaways/

Checkology is one of the resources available for news literacy awareness   https://get.checkology.org/

News literacy requires work on everyone's part

Remdawg Gazette - Literary Edition 2021

Remdawg Gazette - Literary Edition 2021

Remdawg Gazette - Literary Edition 2021 = https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/remdawg-gazette-literaryed2021/home

Remdawg Gazette - Literary Edition 2021

Did you know that MA State Seal of Biliteracy program is at FHS?

📣 Attention FHS Students! @FranklinHS is participating in the MA State Seal of Biliteracy!  Show off your language skills by earning this certification.

Join our Google Classroom page for more information.

@MrHanna_FHS @FHSGuid @FranklinPSNews @FHSPantherbook @fhspanthertv

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/LevansFHS/status/1364924220086640643

Did you know that MA State Seal of Biliteracy program is at FHS?

FM #439 Norfolk County RSVP - 01/13/21 (audio)

FM #439 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 439 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Norfolk County RSVP Program Director Robert Pierson. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording runs about 22 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Robert about Cyber Seniors and the free training available

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HsG215jS

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

Contact information
Robert Pierson, Director
Norfolk County RSVP Volunteer Program     
Phone: 781-234-3445
Fax: 781-326-6480
 
Norfolk County Commissioners' Office
614 High Street
Dedham, MA  02026

PLEASE VISIT US ON FACEBOOK:  www.facebook.com/NorfolkCountyRSVP

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:   @NorfolkRSVP   https://twitter.com/NorfolkRSVP 

Recent RSVP Newsletter:  https://t.co/BoBNAv2v39?amp=1

CyberSeniors: https://cyberseniors.org/

Info Sheet on Literacy Program
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fAB7FpFomUsJcgy-xTqMLi7L5Y_j8WsQ/view?usp=sharing

Info sheet on Cyber Seniors
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dKo2-A6zOWtLxr5cyacnoks66oxG17Eo/view?usp=sharing

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

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/ 

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" 

FM #439 Norfolk County RSVP - 01/13/21 (audio)

Mass Cultural Council: virtual reading series featuring MA literary artists

Via @masscultural

We've assembled a virtual reading series featuring MA literary artists @simoneivory, @grnethercott, @annavqross, @wvstrautmann, and @Shilpits. 

Listen now: https://t.co/DHaP8MzyAa

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/masscultural/status/1344645025905463298?s=03

Literary artists who’ve shared a reading of their work (clockwise from top left): Alexis Ivy, Simone John, GennaRose Nethercott, Shilpi Suneja, Jacob Strautmann, and Anna VQ Ross.] Photo from @masscultural

Need to Read? Try a Little Free Library? or Start a new one

"Welcome to the world’s largest book-sharing movement! Join us in:

• Building Community
• Sparking Creativity
• Inspiring Readers"

https://littlefreelibrary.org/

Little Free Library locations in Franklin, MA

https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/

On map:

• 26 Lawrence Dr
• Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main St
• 109 Union St
• 131 Hillside Road

Not on map:

• 366 Lincoln St
• 28 East Park St
• Davis Thayer
• Hockomock YMCA (Forge Hill) (added via feedback)
• ??

If you know of one not on this listing, please let me know

Little Free Library locations in Franklin, MA (as of 3/14/20 noon)

Need to Read? Try a Little Free Library

FM #198 - Jeff StGermain On "How I Read" - The Word Experiences Tour (audio)

FM #198

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 198 in the series, we are now collaborating on with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

Jeff St Germain, author and resident of Franklin sat with me recently at the Franklin studio. He talks about his new children’s book “How I Read” and the background research driving him to develop ‘word experiences’ for young children.

Listen to our conversation, approximately 24 minutes


https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrD7VxrX





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

Visit https://howtoreadbooks.com/about-talsd.html to learn why the focus of each event is "word experiences" for the participants.

Follow Jeff on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/howtoreadbook/

“The Early Catastrophe” by Hart-Risley https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/periodicals/TheEarlyCatastrophe.pdf

Related link to the Hart-Risley study mentioned
http://www.wvearlychildhood.org/resources/C-13_Handout_1.pdf

Link to NPR audio report updating the study with new info
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/06/01/615188051/lets-stop-talking-about-the-30-million-word-gap

Betty Hart’s wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Hart
Todd Risley interview on YouTube https://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/experts/todd-risley


For the inquiring minds: the book that had my attention so deeply that I almost missed getting off the train, not once but twice with the same book: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman  http://philip-pullman.com/hdm

Jeff and Klondike at the Franklin Public Library

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

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I 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 this, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"

MA Senate Ends 2017-2018 Session

Senate passes initiatives to increase financial literacy, shore up pipeline safety, and provide increased funding for line of duty benefits

The Massachusetts State Senate closed out the 2017–2018 legislative session today with action on a number of bills, spanning issues such as public safety, education, and consumer data protection, among other things. The Senate also passed a supplemental budget designed to address time-sensitive funding needs.

"I am proud of the work the Senate has done this session, and its commitment to working on important issues up to very last day," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "I would like to thank each and everyone in the Senate for their insight, willingness to collaborate, and dedication to the people of the Commonwealth as we continue to move Massachusetts forward."

In response to public safety concerns raised by the Merrimack Valley gas fires, the Senate enacted legislation that requires all utilities to engage a professional engineer to review utility work plans. This follows a bill, signed by the Governor yesterday, that extends unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for workers locked out by National Grid for 26 weeks, or until the lockout ends, whichever comes first.

The Senate approved final passage of a consumer data protection bill, known as the 'Equifax' bill, that helps consumers protect their private information through free security freezes, free credit monitoring when a credit reporting agency is breached, and requiring prior consent from an agency to access a consumer's report, as well an explanation for the disclosure.

To better serve the needs of our students, the Senate passed a bill that allows for the establishment of standards for students in kindergarten through grade 12 on personal financial literacy. The bill also permits educational institutions to incorporate personal financial literacy standards into existing mathematics, social science, technology, business, or other curricula. The Senate also passed an initiative that improves governance and oversight of educational collaboratives and allows them to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities over the age of 22 in certain circumstances.

The Senate acted to end gender discrimination in disability insurance, bringing it into line with insurance provided by employers and subject to federal nondiscrimination law. It also passed a supplemental budget to provide sufficient funding to cover line of duty benefits for the year.

The end-of-session activity follows the recent passage of a new law designed to regulate and tax short-term rentals, while creating a framework in which this innovative industry segment can grow.

Bills passed by both the House and Senate will be sent to the Governor, who has ten days to sign them into law. The next legislative session begins tomorrow, January 2, 2018


The MA Senate End of Session Report
https://malegislature.gov/cc/Reports/senate-session-2017-2018.pdf

For more information on the MA Senate
https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Senate

For more information on the MA House of Representatives
https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/House

MA Senate Ends 2017-2018 Session

In the News: Sunshine Week articles and links to be aware of

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"We’ve become so accustomed to frequently and easily accessing information on demand — from more sources and in more forms than at any other time in history — that it’s easy to forget how quickly our information landscape has evolved and what that evolution means for us as individuals, as news consumers and as participants in a democracy. 

It can also be easy to forget how much the information we choose to read, watch and hear really matters. It’s the basis for many of the decisions we make — for ourselves, for our families and for our civic society. It helps us determine the kind of lives we lead, the social and political structures we want to change or preserve and the kind of world we inhabit. It is the very foundation of both personal empowerment and a robust democracy. 

To be meaningfully engaged with the world around us, we must be informed. But what does that mean in an age of information overload in which so much “content” isn’t what it appears to be? How, in other words, can we know what to believe?"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/20180320/sunshine-week-importance-of-recognizing-fighting-against-fake

“All politics is local.” This famous quote by Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and proud son of Massachusetts, is used so often that it often seems cliché. But its frequent usage underscores the profound truth that drives decisions made by those in government, whether it be at city or town hall, the state house or the U.S. Capitol, and even the White House. 

In this regard it is critical that citizens feel empowered, and in fact encouraged, to communicate with their elected and appointed officials utilizing both traditional and new, innovative means of communication. 

The advent of social media has impacted every sector of society, with both positive and negative consequences. The internet and the explosive expansion of the use of handheld devices and tablets have facilitated new means of communication and commerce. People now email and text much more frequently, reducing the utilization of landline telephones at home or work. This technology has lowered the cost of entry into sectors of the economy and created new, disruptive businesses such as Lyft, Uber, Airbnb and Venmo, a mobile payment service."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/20180320/sunshine-week-new-amp-traditional-ways-to-approach-your-elected-officials

"Want to be a more informed and engaged citizen? Here are suggested websites: 

U.S. Congress: Members of Congress and tracking legislation, congress.gov. 

Watch live and video of the Senate, senate.gov/floor/index.htm and the House, at houselive.gov. 

Federal Election Commission: Campaign financing in federal elections, including how much campaigns are raising and spending, and who’s contributing, fec.gov. 

Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance: Campaign financing in state and local elections, how much campaigns are raising and spending, and who’s contributing, ocpf.us."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/20180320/tools-to-becoming-more-engaged-citizen

screen grab of  The News Literacy Project

This website is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors.
If you don't like this, please let me know.

If you would like to be more involved, write an article or two, please reach out and let me know.

Transliteracy - a new opportunity

Interesting points made on how the library should consider changing its mission are raised this brief video.




Read the full posting here.

What do you think? Should the library charter change from literacy to transliteracy?

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to view the video on Franklin Matters.


Franklin, MA

Live reporting - Literacy update

c. Literacy Update – Michele Kingsland-Smith

The presentation used:

Literacy Update Oct-13-09

View more presentations from Steve Sherlock.

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to view the presentation.

The amount of time kids are spending reading has increased 100%. I have no doubt about it.

There is always a connection between the reading and what they learned. The consultants are working on building a collegial learning environment so that the entire building feels comfortable.

Last year all teachers reached the "launch" training.
This year 4 and 5th will be working on learning how to do the "Group Reading Assessment and Evaluation (GRADE)" process.

"Key Three" strategies are being implemented throughout the middle school classrooms.

Grade 6 teachers will also pilot GRADE (as outlined above).

The "managing complex change" slide is most interesting. It can be used to understand other changes.

Some technical difficulty in trying to present a movie from a DVD. Choice Literacy, a national program, made a DVD using the Franklin program and personnel.