How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online

How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online By BCP Staff Talking with your kids about your family's rules and expectations is key to helping them establish good online habits. Some parents use parental controls to reinforce those good habits — and create safer online spaces for their kids to learn and play. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/04/how-use-parental-controls-keep-your-kid-safer-online?utm_source=govdelivery

    

How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online

I can’t go everywhere my daughter goes – and it’s heartbreaking | Well actually | The Guardian

"We met K when she was a week old. We were foster parents and not expecting a call about a newborn. Despite becoming her mom with just 12 hours’ notice – we adopted her the next year – my early months with her felt so natural.

I had been disabled for six years. While on a hike, I developed dysautonomia, which is secondary to a genetic connective tissue disorder called hEDS [hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome]. I experience a great deal of daily pain and can’t stand for more than a minute or sit upright unsupported for more than five.

As a result, I spend most of my day reclined. Her high need for physical contact in infancy fit my need to rest all day. She didn’t need a mom who could pace. She needed a mom who didn’t get bored lying on the sofa. We were a perfect match.

After a few months with K, we started to make plans. The first was a trip to a small island called Lummi off the coast of Washington state. We flew out of Oakland; a friend drove us to the airport and helped us check the bags. David pushed me in my wheelchair, and I carried K on my lap. Once in the air, we learned the hard way that air pressure changes can contribute to diaper blowouts, but the flight was, generally, fine."

For some disabled or chronically ill people, leaving the house isn’t possible at all. But for others, the barriers are structural. Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading the article online -> https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/apr/15/parenting-disability-wheelchair 

Parents Night Out Hosted by the Class of 2028

Parents Night Out Hosted by the Class of 2028

Looking for a fun night for your kids while you enjoy some time off?

Register for Parents Night Out on March 28, 2025, from 5-8 PM at Franklin High School!

Crafts & entertainment

Pizza

Paired with responsible high school mentors

Supervised by Franklin HS staff

For grades K-5 (limited to 100 kids)

Drop-off at the Community Entrance (by the gym). Pick-up by 8 PM. Only listed individuals can pick up your child.

Register & pay online by March 24, 2025 ($20 for 1 child, $10 for additional siblings (up to 2 siblings!)). No payments at the door. Signed release form required at drop-off (provided at drop-off).

Don’t miss out on this exciting event!

Link to Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOZuPK6PjMex5AD6AuT2qc9geYBSwyduHYFcoP3KdBKkh5Yw/viewform

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/FranklinParents/posts/3025953800888249/

Franklin SEPAC hosts "Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Workshop" Dec 5 (virtual, registration req'd)

The Franklin Special Ed Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) will hold the annual Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Workshop via Zoom on December 5, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

This workshop provides an introduction to the complex special education laws and procedures.

Please register for the workshop using this link: https://fcsn.org/event/franklin-evaluation-and-eligibility/

If you have any questions, you can contact Franklin SEPAC at franklinsepac@gmail.com.

Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility December 5 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Host: Franklin Public Schools This presentation is a comprehensive introduction into special education laws and procedures. We will delve into the purpose of the law, referrals, evaluations, and the team meeting process including determining eligibility. Further discussion will focus on services, placement, and what to do when you receive a proposed IEP. You will also learn what to do if the student is not eligible and parent’s procedural due process rights for resolving disputes. Zoom will confirm your registration by email which will include your meeting link to join. All handouts will be sent to attendees from our workshop coordinator, Kristin LaRose, within 24 hours of the presentation.

https://fcsn.org/event/franklin-evaluation-and-eligibility/

Franklin SEPAC hosts "Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Workshop"  Dec 5

Are you a parent with kids spending time online? Safety training webinar could be for you!

via Officer Frankie: 

"The US Attorney’s Office is hosting a virtual internet safety presentation for parents. 

The presentation will educate parents on the dangers children face on the internet and how to keep them safe online. 

*Registration is required. Space is limited."

Are you a parent with kids spending time online? Safety training webinar could be for you!

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Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents

Nauset Regional High School

September 10, 2024

The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be hosting a statewide, virtual presentation for parents on Wednesday, October 9th @ 6:30 pm.  Please feel free to share this flyer with your local police departments, school administrators and community partners.  Let me know if you have any questions.

What:   Webex Webinar – Keeping Children Safe and Secure Online:  A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents

When:  Wednesday, October 9th @ 6:30 pm (log in begins at 6:00 pm)

Registration link:  https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r3c6f24c5e409d764c38ac82d069f700e

 *Registration is required. Space is limited. The Webex platform has a maximum capacity of 1000 attendees.  If you have any questions or if we have reached registration capacity, please email USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov  to be put on a waitlist for the next presentation.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C_6Rnx4voyd/

Franklin & Medway SEPACs announce 2 workshops

Happy New Year!

We are excited to announce 2 upcoming workshops.

These are free and open to all extended community members. Your child does not have to be receiving Special Education for you to attend.

• Managing Behavior Challenges

Strategies for Preventing & Managing Challenging Behaviors in Young Children = Jan 11, 2024 at 7 PM

• Neuropsychological Evaluations 101

What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation & What Can I Expect from it? = February 8, 2024 at 7 PM

Register here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-vnN5mTP3X--bOVw2ITOxWP-p9rhI_9A/view

Franklin & Medway SEPACs announce 2 workshops

Shared from -> https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0u5beSW91CJmXaHhoFAehkyAfhyA7a5Joa9N74kcrsMfvJ7MhEQEVeXqyhNx6eFHzl&id=100071960748317&mibextid=Nif5oz

Childhood 2.0: The Living Experiment - A movie screening for parents Weds, July 26 at 5:30 PM

Denise Spencer (@DSpencerFSC) tweeted on Sun, Jul 23, 2023:

"THIS Wednesday night attend the viewing of a documentary on children & internet safety. 

It's certainly a heavy topic, but critically important. Professionals will offer a comforting space for viewing and guide the discussion in an inclusive and solution-focused way."

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

"Parents: Join us for an important film screening of Childhood 2.0, followed by a discussion with Local Parents.

Childhood 2.0 is required viewing for anyone who wants to better understand the world their children are navigating as they grow up in the digital age. Featuring actual parents and kids as well as industry-leading experts in child safety and development, this documentary dives into the real-life issues facing kids today — including cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more." 

Childhood 2.0: The Living Experiment - A movie screening for parents Weds, July 26 at 5:30 PM

Shared from _ https://twitter.com/DSpencerFSC/status/1683240361420894208

Franklin TV: MIAA on Officiating

The Challenges and Rewards of Refereeing Sports. 

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/12/2023

If there is one venue where parental passions tend to run hot, it’s school sports. The folks who officiate games often take the brunt of many an overwrought complaint.

Franklin TV: MIAA on Officiating

However, they know that feelings can run deep, and they try to take it all in stride.

The discussion was upbeat, and focused on how all involved; coaches, officials and parents – how everyone can help to make the student experience positive while promoting good sportsmanship. Jay, Pete, our guest officials and MIAA’s Rich Pearson covered it all in an informed conversation worth watching.

Watch for this and other episodes about all the ins-and-outs of school sports on, ‘Winning Ways with MIAA’.

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 

And – as always – thanks for watching

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

MassLive: "Federal judge rules in favor of Ludlow schools in lawsuit over treatment of transgender students"

“Since July 1, 2012, Massachusetts law has provided that ‘no person shall be excluded from or discriminated against . . . in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of [a] public school on account of . . . gender identity,’” his ruling quoted.

His order also noted that while parents have the option to send their children to public schools, they do not have constitutional rights to dictate how those schools educate children. An attorney for the school system, David S. Lawless, applauded the judge’s decision in an area of law that continues to be challenged across the country.

“Given the novelty in particular, he addressed both the legal issues in the complaint that was in front (of him) and that it’s an evolving area of the law,” Lawless said Thursday after the ruling came down. “School districts are put in a very difficult position; this is one more guidepost for them along the way.”

Continue reading the article online at MASSLive

https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/12/federal-judge-rules-in-favor-of-ludlow-schools-in-lawsuit-over-treatment-of-transgender-students.html

Found via Twitter -> https://twitter.com/TracyNovick/status/1603720917921800195

U.S. District Court, Springfield, Mass

Superintendent Letter to Families - 09/16/22

Sep 16, 2022

Dear Franklin Families,

I hope this letter finds you well. It has been a busy few weeks as we opened Franklin Public Schools for our 2022-23 academic year. We welcomed back 4,695 students and over 800 faculty and staff members! The preparation and effort put forward by our staff to ensure a successful opening required a dedication that necessitated hard work, stamina, and a commitment to our students that I recognize and value. I wanted to express my deep gratitude to all of our leaders and staff members. Schools are the heartbeat of a community. I am beyond proud to be leading this district.

Instead of sending multiple individual messages, I wanted to share five key updates, which you can find below. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Respectfully,

Lucas Giguere

Superintendent of Schools

Superintendent Letter to Families - 09/16/22

Yes, this is a week old and after meeting with Lucas this week, plans are underway to improve communications from the School District on multiple fronts.

"Parents Do Not Have A Right To Deny History"

"Parents certainly have rights, but they do not have the right to stand in the way of justice, truth, or democracy. 

In the wake of Glenn Youngkin's victory in the Virginia governor's race, many savvy political analysts are pointing to his gameplan of talking up schools and "parents' rights." They see this as a way to stoke backlash to Democratic overreach. Sure enough, many journalists have swung behind this narrative, interviewing parents who say they are swayed by the Republican arguments - those parents invariably happen to be, as far as I have seen, almost exclusively white. 

Nevermind that the specifics of Youngkin's supposedly pro-school agenda are about as thin as a sheet of tissue paper. More funding? Better teacher pay? Innovative classrooms? A focus on science and technology? Better college counseling? Pre-K opportunities? He wasn't talking about that kind of school stuff. Instead, his "appeals" to voters on education amounted to a dog whistle - the all-out protection against the teaching of so-called "critical race theory," which he never really defined and of course isn't taught in Virginia's schools. 

You don't have to be an educator or historian to understand what's really at play. This is about stoking the fears of parents. Now to be fair, some of the current parental concern and dissatisfaction around schools is deserved and widespread, particularly around closings and COVID. But Youngkin was also tapping into something much deeper, and darker - racism and the fear from some white parents that their children will be presented with a history of America that they don't want them to learn. "

Continue reading the Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner post on Steady (subscription maybe required)  https://steady.substack.com/p/parents-do-not-have-a-right-to-deny?

"Parents Do Not Have A Right To Deny History"

"These groups weaponize the very openness of government to undermine government"

 

“The backlash” begins an opinion piece in Newsweek by Parents Defending Education outreach director Erika Sanzi, and these may be the most accurate two words published by those who are attacking “wokeness,” gender studies, and Critical Race Theory. The sad fact is that white backlash has a proven record of effectiveness in American politics and it is once again being employed in the service of right wing corporate interests. The end product desired has less to do with CRT than with spreading disruption, fear, and chaos across America’s most important democratic public institution, schools.

According to the Washington Post, as of June 24 CRT (a theory developed in law schools and not well known among most Americans) has exploded on Fox News. The term was heard on Fox only 132 times in 2020 but has been mentioned 1,860 times this year, escalating month by month. The narrative is that grassroots parents groups have discovered the threat CRT poses to their children in schools and have arisen organically across the country to form local parent groups, a movement noticed and captured by websites and the powerful Fox News. The truth is that of an oligarch-funded and coordinated campaign using time tested techniques.

Follow the Money

Over the past five years I’ve been following “education reform” groups created by billionaire investors with names like Families for Excellent Schools, Massachusetts Parents United, and National Parents Union which have presented diversity as their public face while attacking teachers. So when I saw the launch of Parents Defending Education on March 30 I took note because it follows a different path: white backlash aimed more at school boards, superintendents, and principals. The first thing to do when evaluating these groups is always, follow the money. "

Continue reading the article online ->
https://www.masspoliticsprofs.org/2021/09/03/the-corporate-critical-race-theory-attack-chaos-is-the-product/

"Are masks effective for kids? Here’s what to know before school starts" & DESE mask order detailed

"What do we know about masks and their effectiveness in schools?

The American Academy of Pediatrics — as well as many doctors and scientists — support universal masking policies as the best chance to keep schools safely open. A properly fitted mask that covers the nose and mouth reduces the amount of viral droplets in the air exchanged by people breathing or talking near each other, said Dr. Ibukun Kalu, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Duke University Medical Center.

Several studies have shown the effectiveness of masks. One of the largest, conducted by the ABC Collaborative with Duke University, analyzed data from North Carolina public schools where masks were required. Researchers found that from March to June, 7,000 children and adults attended school while infectious with COVID, leading to 40,000 “close contacts” being quarantined. Of those, only 363 contracted the virus.

That low rate of in-school transmission was due in large part to masks, Kalu said, as most schools didn’t upgrade ventilation or socially distance students."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/25/metro/are-masks-effective-kids-heres-what-know-before-school-starts/

Arianna Licona, 6, led a class of first graders into the Hill School for Revere's first day of classes on Wednesday. For the first time since early March 2020, all 11 Revere Public Schools opened at full capacity for the 2021 school year.CRAIG F. WALKER/GLOBE STAFF/THE BOSTON GLOBE

"The new guidance from @MASchoolsK12 in line with the Commissioner's conferred authority is now online: https://t.co/C84yY6vSMF "  #MAEdu

Shared from Twitter:   https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1430668117538222080?s=03

DESE link ->  https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/2021-0825mask-requirement.pdf

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 023 - Mother's Influence

"In this special Mother's Day episode, the group discuss the influence their mother's and mother figures have had in their lives, sharing stories and lessons from their upbringing."

Direct Link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3493a8ab-4808-43f8-9101-5c9f1d3b2dfc

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 023 - Mother's Influence

FM #586 - Breaking 'radio silence' on "Men & Miscarriage" - 07/21/21 (audio)

FM #586 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 586 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin residents Aaron and MJ Gouveia. You may recall that Aaron and I talked about his first book outdoors on the Town Common in May of 2020. 

We had this conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St.  MJ joined us for this session as she is co-author of their new book Men and Miscarriage. A key quote from the intro to the new book: “When it comes to men and how they are impacted by these issues, it’s almost complete radio silence.”

We had a great conversation to help break the ‘radio silence’ (yes, pun intended) on this topic of miscarriage and how it affects both members of the relationship. My kudos to both of them for starting the conversation on this tough topic. The statistics show that one in four women do experience a miscarriage.  “Half the battle is knowing you are not alone.”

In some of my conversations after our recording session, it has been enlightening to find out how many folks I talk with who reveal that they have had one or more miscarriages in their immediate or extended family. One key take away you’ll hear about is to ask someone; “How are you doing?”

The show notes include links to the Amazon book page, Aaron’s Daddy Files book web page. MJ tends to avoid social media and occasionally writes on Aaron’s page.

The recording runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with MJ and Aaron.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/382fc625-e1ac-4f3a-90b0-cfb4c0d9d256

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Men and Miscarriage: A Dad's Guide to Grief, Relationships, and Healing After Loss – published July 6, 2021  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510763600/

Link to the CNN article mentioned  https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/15/health/miscarriage-men-grief-loss-wellness/index.html

A discussion at the Franklin Public Library scheduled for Sep 1.

MJ's post as discussed during the conversation: https://www.daddyfiles.com/mj-speaks-out-2/

First book links: 

• The DaddyFiles page  https://www.daddyfiles.com/

• The Amazon link   https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510749411?tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

• Aaron’s Amazon author link  https://www.amazon.com/Aaron-Gouveia/e/B08127Z6JN

• Follow Aaron on Twitter  https://twitter.com/daddyfiles

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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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #586 - Breaking 'radio silence' on  "Men & Miscarriage" - 07/21/21 (audio)

Sharing good advice for parents (video)

Maria Popova (@brainpicker) tweeted on Wed, Jul 07, 2021:

Multiple readers sent me this Sweet Honey in the Rock adaptation of the Gibran poem, feeding my ecstatic love of poems set to music (when done right): https://t.co/p7lNqdlHhA

For more goodness from Maria visit her page to subscribe in one (or more) way to her "brain pickings"  https://www.brainpickings.org/

"the arts are an incredible motivator to increase engagement"

 

"A NEW STUDY says an effort to increase arts programming in the Boston Public Schools has helped boost student attendance and promote student and parent engagement with schools, outcomes that arts supporters say provide added rationale for maintaining or enhancing the role of arts in the schools. 

For students receiving arts programming, the study found that school attendance increased by roughly one-third of a day over the course of the school year compared with students not in art courses. The gains were greater for students with individualized education plans (IEPs) and those who had previously been chronically absent, defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days. For students with IEPs, arts programming was linked with increased attendance of 0.7 days, while for those with a history of chronic absenteeism the gain was about 1.1 days per year. 

The study, which was released Monday morning, also found that teachers observed greater student and parent engagement at schools with arts programming."

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/arts-and-culture/arts-programming-in-boston-schools-linked-to-attendance-engagement-gains/

 

Direct link to the study -> https://www.edvestors.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/The-Arts-Advantage-Impacts-of-Arts-Education-on-Boston-Students.pdf

Background on Edvestors, the publishers of this study -> https://www.edvestors.org/about/approach/

https://www.edvestors.org/about/approach/

"they need to get their own minds out of crisis mode"

"They’re calling it a “lost year.”

On and offline, parents are trading stories — poignant and painful — about all of the ways that they fear their middle schoolers are losing ground.

“It’s really hard to put my finger on what happened exactly,” said Jorge Gallegos, whose son, Eyan, is in the seventh grade in Washington, D.C.

When Eyan was in fifth grade, he had a lot of friends, Mr. Gallegos said. He was home schooled for sixth grade, and he seemed to thrive.

But spending this year at home because of the pandemic has just been too much."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/11/health/pandemic-middle-school-mental-health.html

Hockomock League: Hockomock League Fall II Update on Away Spectators

"Effective immediately, the Hockomock League will allow 2 AWAY family members of SENIOR student-athletes to attend all varsity games. This policy will include all league sports offered during the Fall II season: Cheerleading, Football, Volleyball, Track and Field, and Unified Basketball. 

Going forward, the Athletic Directors will continue to monitor information as it is made available from the EEA, DESE, and our local Boards of Health. Each district has the ability to make this policy more restrictive based on its own facility limitations and/or local Board of Health restrictions. It is our goal to focus on the health and safety of our communities while safely permitting family members the opportunity to watch high school sports in person. "

Shared from the Hockomock League page:

https://hockomockleague.blogspot.com/2021/03/hockomock-league-fall-ii-update-on-away.html

Hockomock League Fall II Update on Away Spectators

Hockomock League: "Fall 2 Wedge Season Spectators Protocols"

"The Hockomock League is proud to continue to fully support the return to play of all athletes to their respective sports programs this unusual COVID school year. We applaud all of the hard work and dedication that has gone into the development of sports modifications to best ensure the health and safety of all of our athletes, coaches, and officials. We are excited to offer Football, Cheer, Winter Track, Unified Basketball, and Volleyball.

At the same time, our Governor and the Massachusetts State Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) have worked hard to provide regulations and guidelines for spectators of these sporting events. The Hockomock League is doing its part in following these rules and regulations as it pertains to our spectator policy for this Fall II season. Volleyball and Unified Basketball will be run similar to winter basketball with its indoor capacity restrictions.

It is important to understand why it continues to be necessary for us to restrict attendance to immediate family members of HOME participants only. Unlike soccer, volleyball and basketball rosters, the roster sizes permitted at a track meet or football game include 45 home football players and 20 home cheerleaders. The EEA regulations of 2 adult immediate family members and siblings, per HOME participant, places our expected attendance at a minimum of 200 people. The EEA regulations also mandate “in the facility” that these family pods be socially distanced at 6 feet of separation per pod. Our outdoor stadium bleachers are at capacity under these mandates with just HOME family spectators.

We implore our families to remain patient and respectful. Please work with us during these early weeks of March as the season gets underway. We have put broadcast and livestreaming of Varsity games as a priority and will keep doing so through this season. We also remain hopeful and eager that the EEA will loosen their spectator restrictions as the warmer weather approaches. If and when that does occur, the League will revisit its HOME family spectator policy.

As we begin our Fall II game schedule we ask that you please be respectful of the Home Family spectator policy for the health and safety of all players, coaches, and officials. Visitor families please do not travel to your opponent’s facility. "

Shared from https://hockomockleague.blogspot.com/2021/03/updated-statement-on-fall-2-wedge.html

Hockomock League: "Fall 2 Wedge Season Spectators Protocols"