Come meet & greet some of the Franklin School Committee - March 19 from 11 AM to 1 PM

"Saturday March 19, 11 AM - 1 PM at the Franklin Public Library! 

Come meet and greet a few of the Franklin School Committee Members! 

We will be located in the "Friends Room"

https://t.co/do1kb2mW9o

 

Come meet & greet some of the Franklin School Committee - March 19 from 11 AM to 1 PM

FM #475 Working Moms Social Club - 02/08/21 (audio)

FM #475 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 475 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Kristi Morin of the Working Moms Social Club based in Franklin. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Kristi’s Franklin story
• the purpose of the group
• meeting/gathering adjustments made during COVID
• Open for new members with a nominal annual membership fee ($25)

Links to the Working Moms Social Club web and Facebook pages are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 16 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Kristi.  Audio file =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ea6273a6-982c-4bc3-b198-bf9110c38989

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Working Moms Social Club web page = https://www.workingmomsocialclub.org/

Facebook page = https://www.facebook.com/workingmomsocialclub 

Email for questions, etc. = admin@workingmomsocialclub.org 

Article by Warren Reynolds at 02038.com = https://02038.com/2021/02/local-moms-help-working-mothers/ 

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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 #475 Working Moms Social Club - 02/08/21 (audio)

October 2020 VIRTUAL Coffee Social - Oct 7

October 2020 VIRTUAL Coffee Social

Join us Wednesday, October 7 at 10:00 a.m.

HELLO VETERANS!

We hope you all had a wonderful summer despite restrictions caused by the pandemic. It's hard to believe autumn officially begins tomorrow, September 22!

We hope you and your families are remaining healthy and safe by wearing face coverings and observing social distancing guidelines when out in public.

Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after going to the store or appointments. Keeping hand sanitizer in your car is a good idea too!

 

We will be hosting our monthly coffee social via Zoom on Wednesday, October 7 at 10:00 AM.

 

We hope you can join us for veterans' updates and conversation with fellow veterans! Feel free to extend the invitation to other veterans who may not be on our contact list.

 

If you have not participated in a Zoom call yet, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your device before joining us.

 

Here is the log-in information for the October meeting only:

Join Zoom via URL:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87590054730

 

Call in number: 1-929-205-6099

Enter Meeting ID: 875 9005 4730 and press #

 

For more information, contact the Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315.

We look forward to chatting with you at the October Coffee Social!

 

 

October 2020 VIRTUAL Coffee Social - Oct 7

Hold the date: June VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON Veterans Coffee Social - June 3

June VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON Coffee Social

Join us Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Our May VIRTUAL Coffee Social was a success! There were 18 guests in attendance via Zoom, a free video-conferencing tool.

It was great to see so many of our veterans on-screen and know that they are staying healthy and safe. We were also joined by our friend Courtney, a dedicated Starbucks Associate who assists us at our monthly Coffee Socials. Starbucks continues to be such a generous community partner and we can't thank Courtney and the rest of the Route 140 Starbucks team enough!

We are not sure when the Senior Center will re-open but we plan to host the June Coffee Social either in-person or virtually via Zoom. 

Stay tuned for updates on this web site!

Hold the date: June VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON Veterans Coffee Social - June 3

Veteran's Coffee Social - Weds - May 6

The Veterans Service Department is holding a Virtual Coffee Social. 

Find all the details on how to attend via Zoom here https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/tof_may_veterans_news_0.pdf

Veteran's Virtual Coffee Social - Weds - May 6

This was shared from the Town of Franklin tweet
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1257294642648887297?s=09

Veterans Virtual Coffee Social - May 6

We look forward to having our monthly Veterans Coffee Social on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:00 AM.

Details for the meeting are below. You may join via the internet or call in from any phone.

Link to Join Meeting -https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84657160506

Call-in Phone Number:
Call 1-312-626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID: 846 5716 0506 then press # 

Veterans Virtual Coffee Social - May 6

Live reporting: Housing and Transitional Assistance

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Housing Authority - Lisa Audette, Executive Director, Franklin Housing Authority

MA GL 121 B
regulated and partially funded by the State

elderly and disabled housing
4 units of congregate housing
2 and 3 bedroom, 33 units
2 dept of developmental services, 16 units of housing
3 other properties obtained to bring in 3 more units of affordable housing

State owns the application waiting list, local can view but State owns the listing
application time stamped once entered into system

applications available at Housing Authority or online at the State

eligibility requirements for elderly and handicapped housing

HUD low income standards change every two years
many fall below the listing due to Boston market rates

current waiting list over 3500 for Franklin
1075 for 1 bedroom, 100+ emergency status

172 on waiting listing for congregate housing

2500 (468 emergency) for family applications

there is not enough housing in Franklin, in MA or in our country

Q - can you explain more about the financing
A - surplus agency, covered by rents taken in
modernization money comes from the State
Affordable Housing Trust provided a grant to leverage other funding
to completely renovate the units at Central Park Terrace

Q - can we expand housing?
A - we are always looking for additional housing but the State has no money
encouraging comments from the Governor
can not afford to build a complex on our own

Q - can't you stay on the Franklin listing?
A - the code says no, once housed, no longer on the listing - they are better off than someone without

Q - Do they remain on the listing?
A - when housed, loose the emergency priority, they remain on the listing but not with emergency status

Q - could the St Mary's school be used?
A - we did re-purpose the Metcalf School for housing

Q - thanks for all the work you do, victims of domestic violence get a priority, that is good
A - a lot of people need help

Central Park Terrace, first built in 1960
expanded in 1965; up on the hill expanded, in 1975 with wheelchair units

Metcalf School, Winter St
Family units - 28 north, west, and east Park St opened in 1948

family development on Walnut Ave

Eaton Place not part of the Housing Authority

"Everyone needs to be reminded of the work you do"
housing is not affordable

turnover about 20/units/year

do have a service coordinator, one day/week to help residents
loophole with categorization on disability counting once reaching 60, they become a 'senior' but likely haven't lost their disability

Q - do you cover Sec 8?
A - Sec 8 wasn't accepted in Franklin when it was authorized

a quick plug that the CPA proposal can provide some help, our issue won't be solved with one project, or one check
we are over the 10% on 40B, it is not enough we do need to do more
March 4, EDC meeting will begin review of some bylaw changes to help with affordable housing


b. Transitional Assistance Discussion - Franklin Senior Center

https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/transitional-assistance

Transitional Assistance from Franklin Matters

Karen Alves, Erin Rogers
14 households assisted in past year for homeless, declined somewhat

landlord issues

Dept of Transition Assistance (DTA)

each shelter takes applications directly, (no central routing/fulfillment agency)
shelters won't take folks who are taking substances, alcohol or other

3 churches are collaborating in Milford for weather related shelters
most folks don't want to go to a shelter

Section 8 is also a lengthy waiting list

Q - is there a mechanism for landlords? to take someone on a voucher, the education required
A - yes, we would like to help coordinate that

Q - where do they go for something like fuel assistance?
A - come to the Senior Center, we have the listing of what they need
often by coming in, for one, they find out what else we can do for them

St Vincent DePaul
186 families served in 2019, clothing, resources
(copy of doc handed out to be added later)

categories of 

1. transient
2. known homeless
3. soon to be homeless

Lynn Calling, Exec Dir, Franklin Food Pantry
6000 visits to the pantry in 2019, an increase over 2018
no funding from town or State
March 2 tour at the Pantry, if you can't make it, call so we can set up a time

Kim, New England Chapel
services available in Milford area, "Pathway to a better life"
3 churches open on a rotating basis
open at 30 degrees, Northbridge does same thing
could do the same thing here in Franklin, could get grants for assistance
Milford Police will bring the folks to the shelter when open

not a town sanctioned group, but could not have been done without their coordination

social services stake holder meeting?
we did it a year ago, have attended interfaith council meeting

Veterans Coffee Social - Dec 4

Veterans Coffee Social will be held Wednesday, Dec 4 at 10:00 AM at the
Franklin Senior Center Café

• Holiday Music Provided by the Franklin Silvertones
  

Come And Chat With Other Vets
Coffee And Pastry Will Be Provided
All Vets Are Invited!

For More Information, Contact the Veteran Services Office At: (508) 613-1315

Veterans Coffee Social - Dec 4

This was shared from the Franklin Veterans Services page
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/december-coffee-social

Reminder: Veterans Coffee Social - Sep 4

Veterans Coffee Social

Wednesday ▪ Sep 4 ▪ 10:00 AM

Franklin Senior Center Café

Come And Chat With Other Vets
Coffee And Pastry Will Be Provided
All Vets Are Invited!

For More Information, Contact the Veteran Services Office At: (508) 613-1315

Veterans Coffee Social - Sep 4

Veterans Coffee Social - Sep 4

Veterans Coffee Social

Wednesday ▪ Sep 4 ▪ 10:00 AM

Franklin Senior Center Café

Come And Chat With Other Vets
Coffee And Pastry Will Be Provided
All Vets Are Invited!

For More Information, Contact the Veteran Services Office At: (508) 613-1315

Veterans Coffee Social - Sep 4

July Veterans Coffee Social - July 3

Veterans Coffee Social

Wednesday ▪ July 3 ▪ 10:00 AM

Franklin Senior Center Café

Come And Chat With Other Vets
Coffee And Pastry Will Be Provided 

All Vets Are Invited!
For More Information, Contact The Veteran Services Office At: (508) 613-1315


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczQlRaV1ZDejFtcTdsd0VpTG9sLW1felF1QjFV/view?usp=sharing

Veterans July Coffee Social - July 3

The next Veterans Coffee Social will be held on Wednesday, July 3 at 10:00 AM at the Senior Center.

Veterans July Coffee Social - July 3

We the People - May 10 - 7:00 PM

"Hear Ye Hear Ye" skit and multi media presentation

You might be surprised to learn that over time the Supreme Court has given constitutional protection to "non-people". 

Sponsored by Corruption of our democracy-UU Social Justice


When: Wednesday, May 10, 7:00 PM
Where: First Universalist Society, 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA

We the People - May 10 - 7:00 PM

“I think Franklin’s really ahead of the curve”

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

"The town’s schools will be partnering with William James College to further their “social-emotional” learning efforts. 

Assistant Superintendent Peter Light said the partnership - which will offer graduate-level instruction to the Oak Street Elementary School’s faculty and administration through a pilot program - will take place over the course of the 2017-2018 school year. 

In recent years, the local district has adopted social-emotional learning practices, which take a “whole-child” approach to education. 

“What we see more and more is that we have to have high-quality, standards-based instruction, but equally important is the kids’ readiness to receive that instruction,” Light said.'

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170402/franklin-schools-exploring-social-emotional-learning-partnership

Oak Street Elementary School to take part in pilot program for social emotional learning

Superintendent search dates and social emotional learning

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 28 had two major takeaways:

1. the updates schedule for the Superintendent search (see below)
2. the presentation, discussion (and video) on the work around social emotional learning being done in the district

Superintendent Search

• Consultants HYA have been receiving applications
• At the next School Committee meeting, the committee reviews the final set of candidates (7:00 PM on March 14)
• Interviews by the School Committee with the candidates are set for March 17
• Public forum meeting with the candidates Monday night March 20
• Leading to the School Committee meeting March 28 where they should make the selection of  the "preferred candidate"

Social emotional learning

The presentation document used Tuesday night

Social Emotional Learning - Presentation to Franklin (MA) School Committee from Franklin Matters

The first documentary produced by Franklin Public Schools shared on Tuesday night




Additional information can be found in the notes taken live during the meeting

• Live Reporting: Action Items through Closing
• Live Reporting: NEASC visit
• Social Emotional Learning - Presentation to Frankl...
• Live reporting: School Committee - Feb 28, 2017

view from the seats at the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening

The Franklin TV video of the meeting is available for replay
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=437