This “game” is a chain letter scam

This "game" is a chain letter scam by Seena Gressin, Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC Are you tempted to play "The Circle Game," join a "Blessing Loom," or jump on a "Money Board"? These are some of the names for an online scam that's making the rounds at a time when millions of people are out of work and scraping for cash.  It promises a big return for a modest investment. Don't fall for it. You're virtually guaranteed to lose your money, or pull in friends and family who will lose theirs. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/05/game-chain-letter-scam  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FM #272 Senior Center Updates 5/15/20 (audio)

FM #272 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 272 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with Director Karen Alves and soon to be Director Erin Rogers of the Franklin Senior Center. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Meetings going virtual

• 50+ job seekers
• Caregiver support group
• 1-800-QuitNow
• Daily diversions available on SeniorCenter page
• Nurse Trish to start Balance Sessions via Zoom

Meals for breakfast or lunch coming in June = “Curbside Cafe”

The recording runs about 25 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Karen and Erin    Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HVtQtsP7




If you are not on the Senior Center newsletter and updates listing, please call 508-520-4945
If you would like a ‘wellness’ check in call, please call 508-520-4945

Additional info about the Senior Center can be found https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc


-------------- 
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 #272 Senior Center Updates 5/15/20 (audio)

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #20

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #20

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Hi friends,

Wow - this is our 20th COVID-19 update email. I remember wondering, when we sent the first one back in March, just how many we would issue. Here we are at 20, and I suspect there will be many more. This is perhaps several marathons all in a row, and even with the summer months nearly here and all of us getting antsy, we must remain vigilant in our physical distancing, hand-washing, and other personal and public health measures.

There's been a lot of news this week about Massachusetts moving toward reopening. As your State Senator, my top priority is protecting your health and safety, and I do that by working to ensure any reopening strategy is governed by a data-driven approach that prioritizes public health. I am still reviewing the details of Governor Baker's initial reopening sketch. I remain concerned that we need more information and better guidelines for small businesses, workers, and childcare. 

I am also concerned that the outline released earlier this week does not do enough to ensure compliance with public health best practices. While the emergency power to make these reopening decisions rests with the Governor, I am working with my colleagues to fully assess the Governor's sketch and offer improvements, particularly in the childcare space. 

As a parent of youngsters myself, the lack of focus on ensuring adequate childcare for working families keeps me up at night. If you are a childcare provider, a parent of younger children, or otherwise have expertise in the area, please email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov with your thoughts and ideas.

...

As always, my team and I are here for you. Call us at 617-722-1555 or email me directly at becca.rausch@masenate.gov and one of us will get back to you as quickly as we can. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.

Wishing you and your families strength, health, and resilience.

Yours in service,


Senator Becca Rausch


The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents visit
https://mailchi.mp/51a8fc33682f/covid19-update-12441474?e=0c2c9810fe

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #20

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - May 21

Franklin Board Of Health Agenda

Thursday, May 21, 2020

5:00 PM

Due to the growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, we will be conducting a remote/virtual Board of Health Meeting. In an effort to ensure citizen engagement and comply with open meeting law regulations, citizens will be able to dial into the meeting using the provided phone number (Cell phone or Landline Required) OR citizens can participate by clicking on the attached link (Phone, Computer, or Tablet required). The attached link and phone number will be active for the duration of the meeting for citizens to ask questions/voice concerns.

Link: Join with Google Meet   meet.google.com/rxf-kpti-gfd

Join by phone  - - #


1) OLD BUSINESS

• A. None
• Chairman opens the floor for any other old business

2) NEW BUSINESS

• Discussion of Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards
• Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

3) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

4) ADJOURNMENT

Agenda doc in PDF format
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/agenda-5-21-20_revised.pdf 

 

Franklin, MA:  Board of Health - Agenda - May 21

FHS Oskey 2020 - Friday, May 22 - 7 PM

"Comedy is subjective. Memories are forever. This is OSKEY"

https://youtu.be/V5vBlJXISFQ




Shared via Twitter: https://twitter.com/FalangaAndrew/status/1263105140942180352?s=09

Did you subscribe to the Town of Franklin Newsletter?

"Do you receive the Town of Franklin monthly e-newsletters? Our next edition is coming soon! Sign up today to stay informed."

Sign up here:  https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/zVaN7el/News

Did you subscribe to the Town of Franklin Newsletter?

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1263214789846880259?s=09

Fletcher Field basketball/street hockey courts under construction

"New basketball/street hockey courts at Fletcher Field are coming along nicely. Concrete is curing and within 2 weeks, we'll have it painted and hoops hung. Hockey boards should be installed in July."

https://t.co/dg2fltWr8f

New basketball/street hockey courts at Fletcher Field

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinRec/status/1263123113077878784?s=03

telephoto view from the Wachusett St side of Fletcher Field

MBTA: Commuter Rail notice for Monday - Memorial Day

The Commuter Rail will operate on a normal Sunday schedule on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day. There will be no disruption on the Lowell, Fitchburg, Worcester, and Greenbush lines. The diversion between W Gloucester and Rockport will still be in effect.

Affected routes:

• Newburyport/Rockport Line
• Haverhill Line
• Lowell Line
• Fitchburg Line
• Framingham/Worcester Line
• Needham Line
• Franklin Line
• Fairmount Line
• Providence/Stoughton Line
• Middleborough/Lakeville Line
• Kingston/Plymouth Line
• Greenbush Line

Last Updated: May 20 2020 03:47 PM 

Franklin Line schedule  https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable

Franklin/Forge Park Station

School Committee: Budget SubCommittee Meeting - May 22 - 1 PM

Franklin Public Schools 
Franklin School Committee
Budget Sub Committee Meeting

Virtual Meeting (Links in agenda)

Friday, May 22, 2020

1:00 PM

Per Governor Baker’s order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A sec. 20, the public will not be allowed to physically access this School Committee Subcommittee meeting. Members of the Public can access the meeting via remote conference. The School Committee reserves the right to implement additional remote participation procedures and will notify the public of these procedures as soon as practicable.

Location: Remote Participation Link   Meeting ID meet.google.com/daz-evdq-aus

Phone Numbers (US)+1 336-790-2784; PIN: 674 594 168#


A G E N D A

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

• FY21 Budget Development

Franklin Public Schools agenda doc  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/agendas/agenda-bsc_5-22-20.pdf

FY 2021 Budget page    https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

School Committee: Budget SubCommittee Meeting - May 22 - 1 PM

“It is not enough to simply ask passengers to comply -- it must be enforced,”

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

"Capping ridership on buses and trains is not on the table as the MBTA prepares for a monthslong, gradual resumption of public activity, nor is denying service to system users who do not cover their faces despite an executive order urging mask usage, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said Wednesday.

During a wide-ranging interview with WBUR’s “Radio Boston,” Poftak said leaders at the agency are exploring ways to manage demand but hinted that designating maskless-only vehicles, strictly enforcing face-covering or distancing, and significantly increasing capacity -- at least in the next few weeks -- are not within reach.

Under Gov. Charlie Baker’s executive order requiring face coverings when social distancing is impossible, commuters are required to wear a mask or similar garment on public transit. However, the order exempts individuals who have a medical condition preventing them from covering their faces, and Poftak said that language precludes a mandate to riders even though he agrees the practice is “really important.”

“No one is allowed to ask them to verify that they have this medical condition, so we’re in a position where we really can’t enforce it in a police action kind of way,” he told WBUR."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200520/mask-mandate-may-be-tough-to-enforce-on-t

“It is not enough to simply ask passengers to comply -- it must be enforced,”

FSPA Senior accepted to prestigious Carnegie Mellon Music Theater Program

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) is excited to announce that FSPA Senior Susana Wickstrom of Wrentham has been accepted to the prestigious School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University to obtain her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theater. The Music Theater program at Carnegie Mellon only accepts six female and six male students every year.

For her high school education, Wickstrom attended FSPA Academy, a collaboration with TEC Connections Academy (TECCA), and the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. The FSPA Academy model combines the flexibility of a virtual education while providing warm, welcoming classrooms, supportive learning coaches, and a creative, community-minded school environment. For career-bound students of the arts like Wickstrom, FSPA Academy accommodates professional opportunities, rehearsal, and performance schedules. Partnering with TECCA, a virtual Massachusetts Public School, the curriculum is taught by licensed, certified teachers through a combination of live lessons and individual assignments.

Additionally, Wickstrom trained rigorously in the performing arts at FSPA, taking classes six days a week in singing, acting, and all disciplines of dance. On top of her academic and arts course loads, Wickstrom was cast frequently in productions with the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), appearing in productions at THE BLACK BOX alongside Broadway stars and working with Broadway choreographers. This past October, she got the chance to star as Miss Honey in FPAC’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical choreographed by original Broadway cast member Clay Thomson.

Wickstrom spent her last 4 summers touring Europe with the international touring ensemble Electric Youth. With this select group of young performers, she sang and danced her way across the U.K., France, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria performing all genres of music backed by the Boston Show Band, eight of Boston’s most in-demand musicians.

Of her training at FSPA Wickstrom notes, “FSPA has taught me absolutely everything that I know. I owe the world to it. My teachers there taught me why I love the arts, and why I want to pursue it for the rest of my life.”

Susana in the FPAC production of Tartuffe at THE BLACK BOX

Franklin Public Schools: Important Dates and Information

Important Dates and Information

---

May-June 2020

All Franklin Public School buildings are closed for the rest of the school year. Remote learning is in session.

---------------------------------------------------------
Wed May 20th- SENIOR Drop off day for books, and non-technology materials only  
Chromebooks will NOT be collected on this day

• Seniors should pull up in the bus drop-off loop; leave all materials you are returning in your trunk. Stay in your vehicle.  Someone will assist you
• Each item you are dropping off must be clearly labeled with your name and ID number. Any non-labeled items will not be taken from your trunk. 
• The two drop off times are between 8:15AM-9:45 AM and then again between 12:30PM and 2:00PM Do not attempt any drop off between 10 AM and 12:30 PM. Nobody will be there to assist you.

Senior Chromebook Return and the time to pick up your senior box of graduation materials will be the week of May 26-28. 

More information will be emailed home and posted on Grad info page

The Last Day of online learning for SENIORS ONLY is May 22nd.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Last Day of online learning is Thursday, June 18th for 9th, 10th, 11th grade. If this changes, this page will be updated with new information.
Having troubles with your Chromebook? Complete this tech work order form and someone will contact you to help

Click HERE to view the Remote Learning Schedule for FHS Students 

Click HERE to order an Oskey 2020 Yearbook.

FHS 2020-2021 Mock Trial team online information session meeting June 11th 7-8 pm. If interested, please email Mr. Mike Walsh at: walshm@franklinps.net with your email information and he will send you an invite.

Class of 2021 Prom to be held in the Fall; more information to come
___________________________________________
New FPS Learning Resources website (https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/fpscommunitylearningresource/home) - created by the Superintendent's office to support and guidance for our students, families, and teachers as we navigate these unprecedented circumstances together as a community. We will continue to curate resources throughout our closure period. We recommend frequently revisiting for the latest updates and information.
_____________________________________________________
Contact Information Changes-If you need to change an email address or phone number in your student's Aspen contact information, click here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeY4jBgHKcpcfI5bKqPmeCQ7HD800zKcdlQps9XmVDudDTuYw/viewform) to send us those changes

Date	Event
5/25/2020	No School - Memorial Day
6/18/2020	Last day of School for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade -COVID calendar

Shared from the Town of Franklin Public Schools page

https://www.franklinps.net/fhs/news/important-dates-and-information

Franklin Public Schools: Important Dates and Information

HockomockSports.com: Teams of the Decade #8: 2015 Franklin Boys Hockey

Team: Franklin Boys Hockey
Year: 2014-2015
Record: 17-4-3
2015 Kelley-Rex Division Champions
First Ever Hockomock Super 8 Selection

"Following three straight appearances in the Div. 2 state title game at the TD Garden, Franklin hockey found itself bumped up to Div. 1. It was a new challenge for the program, but one that it met head on. After in the South quarterfinal in year one, the Panthers brought back a team loaded with experience and that group not only made Franklin history but broke new ground for the league as well.

In just its second season as a Div. 1 team, the 2014-15 Franklin hockey team became the first Hock team to get an invite to the prestigious Super 8 tournament.

“At that time, it was our second year in Div. 1, so we had a lot of doubters,” said Ryan Spillane, a senior center on the 2014-15 team. “It felt great to put Franklin hockey on the map and to prove people wrong. I remember the entire school was behind us, so it was definitely a special time to be wearing a Franklin hockey jersey.”

Even for a program accustomed to success, there were high expectations for that year’s team, largely because the Panthers were returning 21 seniors who had grown up through the town’s youth hockey program and had been playing together for the better part of a decade."

Continue reading the article
https://hockomocksports.com/teams-of-the-decade-8-2015-franklin-boys-hockey/

HockomockSports.com: Teams of the Decade #8: 2015 Franklin Boys Hockey

FHS "Keeping MUSIC ALIVE" #9

Good Morning!  I hope that you are all doing well! 

Today, FHS Music Alive will be featuring Will Olbrys performing in a very different setting. In addition to FHS, Will is a member of the RI Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble. RIPYWE asked their students to "take to their front yards to simultaneously play their individual parts of four pieces." They asked the communities to watch for these performances and to report back to them if they are spotted. This is Will's participation in that event performing "El Capitan", written by the "March King", John Philip Sousa.

• WILL OLBRYS is a sophomore at Franklin High School and plays the trombone in the FHS Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band.

El Capitan - Trombone 3
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SLF40j7BMig_wOyZnhZJcG4p3JzOOQWG/view

• JAMIE BARRETT - His latest release of himself performing "Baby Blue (Badfinger). In this performance, Jamie reconnected with his friend Chris Totten. Living in Virginia, Chris worked at the Pentagon and has recently retired from the Air Force. Mr. Barrett has pulled him back into drumming!

Thank you Jamie and Chris!

https://youtu.be/9aQ9SIlhTiU





Diane M. Plouffe
Director of Music
Franklin Public Schools
Franklin High School

Town of Franklin parks and fields opening May 25; playgrounds remain closed

In accordance with the Governor's plan, we will be opening all fields & parks, & their associated parking lots, Mon. May 25th.

Playgrounds will remain closed due to the high frequency of surface touching on equipment.

Please follow all social distancing requirements to stay safe! https://t.co/G78vx00lOM

In accordance with the Governor's plan, we will be opening all fields & parks, & their associated parking lots, Mon. May 25th. Playgrounds will remain closed due to the high frequency of surface touching on equipment. Please follow all social distancing requirements to stay safe! pic.twitter.com/G78vx00lOM

— Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) May 19, 2020

arial view of FHS athletic fields