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Franklin Public Schools, MA: Jordan Sonnenblick - Nov 19 |
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Franklin Public Schools, MA: Jordan Sonnenblick - Nov 19
FM #390 Talk Franklin - 11/13/20 (audio)
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
We talk about:
- Friday, Nov 13, 2020 being a special day for someone (yes, Anne Marie’s birthday)
- Economic Development
Listening session 11/16#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards
Dec 5 to fill open Town Council seatVote by mail ballot, no ‘early voting’ only day of at FHS
Fincom 11/9 (‘minor’ adjustments to expense; add $1M back to revenue side i.e. new growth)FinCom 11/17 (Beaver St interceptor)Budget Subcomm 11/18 (6:00 PM)Town Council 11/18 (7:00 PM)Senior Center Coffee Hour 11/19Tax rate hearing 12/2
Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/cb1d8ba4-af70-45f6-8a7e-31c1da93d63a
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Town Clerk page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk
Business listening session 11/16 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/business_listening_flyer_-_final_2_1_1.pdf
Finance Committee agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/finance_commitee_agenda_11-17-20.pdf
Budget Subcommittee agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/budget-subcommittee/events/307721
Town Council agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/events/246273
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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
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!
Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - Nov 13, 2020
Staying Connected
Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc
Link to the Senior Center Calendar -https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day/2020-07-07
Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/
Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/
Tips
Chair Yoga - Joint Freeing Movements
https://w ww.youtube.com/watch?v=w3V7F3gPNDI
Healing songs of dolphins and whales
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOsfvjwwe2E
6 Steps to Improve Brain Vitality with Dr. Majid Fotuhi
https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/brain-vitality-webinar-dr-majid-fotuhi
Paul Eugene - Low Impact Chair Aerobics - a half hour of FUN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBhneGcs9BA&t=74s
Music
A Song is Born - Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVmkCfrhqns
One Show More - A musical extravaganza
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzOtv1fAFoE
Top 200 songs from the 70's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDtKiuikznY
Relaxing music in beautiful nature
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFcSrYw-ARY
Just for Fun
Earth Cam - This site is loaded with live webcam links! You can check in on a city skyline, coral
reef, animals, landscapes, nature, tropical islands, stadiums. Something for everyone!!!
Benjamin Zander - the transformative power of Classical Music TED talk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LCwI5iErE
Milestone Cranberry Bogs: A discussion with Nantucket Conservation Ranger Allen Reinhard - Incase you couldn't make it to our zoom event. There are 4 videos linked together totaling just over 30 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_ixIqCBtNg&list=PLeQpHw40w0bcuXQ_bh81-2LsRRXaC2DRV
Humor
Eating Healthy - Comedian Larry Weaver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF_fMXHQqZ0&list=TLPQMDMxMTIwMjAuTGQ_LYqnmA&index=3
The Lucy Show - Lucy and Her Electric Mattress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qn0vPtYj3c
Kindness Matters
A powerful true story of determination and love. - This one got me right in the heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE
Make an Impact - An Inspirational Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb7_YJp9bVA
Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.
*Monday Nov. 16th at 11am - Alive Inside - Movie and discussion via zoom
*Monday Nov. 16th at 1pm Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945
*Monday Nov. 16th at 2pm - Memory Cafe
*Tuesday Nov. 17th at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.
*Tuesday Nov. 17th at 1pm - Audio book discussion - email mgunderson@franklinma.gov
*Wednesday Nov. 18th - Stampin' Up! Craft event IN PERSON at the Senior Center - You
MUST register for this event- Strict safety protocols in place to stay safe.
*Wednesday Nov. 18th at 4pm - Alzheimer's Support Group email elaineowens@verizon.net
*Thursday Nov. 19th at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945
*Thursday Nov. 19th at 1pm - Talk Franklin Matters with Steve Sherlock
*Thursday Nov. 19th at 6:30pm - Name That Tune! Virtual gameshow
*Friday Nov. 13th at 1pm Tele Trivia call the Senior Center for instructions 508-520-4945
Plus Exercise, Yoga, Discussion Groups and more. Check out our newsletter or online calendar for a full list of all activities available https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/connection-newsletter
*Curbside Cafe Special of the Week is Chili with Cornbread!
Attached you will find:
Donna's Fun Filled Activity Pages - Board Games! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v3ya4xdosLnSNxe_ZLKNhkmawgZIv7cN/view?usp=sharing
Pathwork word puzzle https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XHUrM0aRNdEsLxsReMCXOD0u3MxdEAlt/view?usp=sharing
Beautiful Bridges word search https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f7lbcZHJOi32Qbk-xEUU-mIbB778yORJ/view?usp=sharing
Mixed up words jumble https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kx5JUjzsV4FpADYGo5Dngym-ybskDUeq/view?usp=sharing
Senior Health And Wellness Fair Flyer https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SaVTMEI0tROjHesvUejQFDUnCvumLkXm/view?usp=sharing
Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all! We are still here for you! Please feel free to email Donna and I with questions, concerns or just to check in!
Ariel & Donna
Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it. If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it.
REMEMBER:
When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution! Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer. Many look like real sites. Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here
BFCCPS to continue their "phased-in to hybrid learning plan"
Dear BFCCPS Community,
This week BFCCPS started to welcome back our Sixth Grade students who are participating in hybrid learning. Our Seventh and Eighth Grade students who are participating in hybrid learning will phase-in starting on December 3.
You may have recently read that the Governor and the DESE have encouraged schools to consider full-in person education. However, we have determined that at this time, BFCCPS can not maintain the outlined safety protocols and procedures for health and safety in a traditional full class size. The BFCCPS Administration has recommended, and the Board has agreed, that we will continue with our phased-in to hybrid learning plan. We will continue to monitor the local and state COVID trends as significant increases may lead us to consider full remote learning for all students. We are incredibly proud of the work that the BFCCPS Community has done to implement our phased in return, and believe that this plan is our best opportunity to provide an in person educational model while maintaining safety protocols and procedures. This plan is designed to keep our faculty, staff, students and families as safe as possible during this unprecedented pandemic.
We will plan to keep students in their current homeroom and hybrid/Remote Academy placements. If you are the parent or guardian of a student in Kindergarten through Grade Five and would like to request a change of instructional model starting in January through the end of the school year, please fill out this form. The deadline to place this request is Friday, December 4th. Please note that a change of instructional model may result in your child being assigned to a different homeroom teacher. We can not accept requests for specific in-person days for students moving from the Remote Academy into hybrid learning. Please also note that a transfer may take several weeks as any movement may have significant implications for staffing and transportation.
New Student Travel Policy & Upcoming Holidays: The Board of Trustees has voted at the November meeting to approve a new policy titled Student Travel Under Mass Travel Order 45 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The holiday season is rapidly approaching and we have been discussing implications with respect to the Massachusetts Travel Order. We recognize that it is likely that staff and families may be travelling out of state, or entertaining out of state guests.
It is important to recognize that in accordance with the Massachusetts Travel Order, and the BFCCPS Daily Attestation, any students, faculty or staff who are travelling outside of the U.S or to a state deemed high risk must quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to in-person education. Please note that if a student is enrolled in hybrid instruction and is required to quarantine as a result of travel, BFCCPS will not be able to accommodate requests for full remote learning during their self-quarantine. Students will be eligible to participate in their regularly scheduled remote learning and can complete available asynchronous learning opportunities.
Full Remote Learning Days Scheduled: In order to create an opportunity for staff, faculty and families to celebrate the holidays with their families; the Board of Trustees has voted to move November 30th, December 1st, January 4 and January 5th to full remote days. This adjustment to the calendar is designed to provide families and staff the opportunity to safely celebrate the holidays (if they so choose), travel home and secure a negative test result before returning to school.
We thank the entire BFCCPS Community for your continued cooperation and support.
Be kind and safe Ben Franklin,
BFCCPS
Executive Director
"The expectation is that the Legislature will enact a final budget bill by Thanksgiving"
From the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)
"Late yesterday (Friday, Nov 13), the House approved a $46 billion state budget plan for fiscal 2021 that is slightly higher than the revised recommendation filed by Gov. Charlie Baker last month.
Over two days of debate, the House approved four consolidated amendments that added less than $30 million to the recommendation released by the House Ways and Means Committee last week (H. 5150). House members added $250,000 for reimbursements for the cost of student transportation to out-of-district vocational education programs, but did not add to the major municipal and school aid programs.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee yesterday released a $46 billion state revenue and spending plan (S. 4) that is scheduled to be taken up next week, beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
The Senate bill would fund the main municipal and school aid accounts largely in line with the House-approved bill and the governor’s revised recommendation, but with some differences in funding for special education circuit breaker reimbursements and charter school mitigation payments, which would have to be reconciled before a final bill can be sent to the governor."
https://www.mma.org/house-oks-fy21-budget-senate-to-debate-its-bill-next-week/
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https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/House |
I Leave You Now - The Silent Sleep of Trees
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I Leave You Now - The Silent Sleep of Trees |
Saturday, November 14, 2020
Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Agenda - Nov 17, 2020 - 6:30 PM
Finance Committee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
November 17th, 2020
6:30 PM
Agenda
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes - None
4. Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Update - DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi
5. Future Agenda Items
6. Adjourn
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Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Update |
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Budget Sub Committee Meeting/Workshop - Nov 17
Virtual Meeting (Links in agenda)
1. Budget Development Process and Timelines
b. Timeline https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pv4YhUoNoOUzPk-sNEQwQmcaiOgT0GkS/view
3. Per Pupil Expenses https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qegibWEASNACal1hmpFV_ciRZXHkEjGFJXXQqrwpRs8/edit#gid=164888986
ii. What additional enrichment services would be funded?
b. Special Education Process and the budgetary impact
c. Budget drivers
d. Student teacher ratios
Adjournment
Town of Franklin, MA: Think Franklin First gift cards coming Nov 25
"BIG NEWS ALERT! We are excited to announce the upcoming launch of Think Franklin First gift cards!
With the incredible support of Dean Bank & the Random Smile Project, these Franklin-only gift cards will be available for purchase beginning on Wednesday, November 25th.
See more... https://t.co/XQ3RcLIvwj"
"They will be redeemable at a wide variety of local businesses! This economic development initiative is intended to help support our local businesses by directing spending away from competition/online retailers into our local economy, where it makes an important impact"
"especially in these difficult times. Stay tuned for more information as we move towards our official launch date!http://franklingiftcard.com #shoplocal #shoplocalma #ThinkFranklinFirst"
Think Franklin First gift cards |
Think Franklin First gift cards coming Nov 25 |
FHS Chamber Concert November 5, 2020 (Video)
FHS Chamber Concert November 5, 2020 => https://youtu.be/Z1psRmPU-WY
Statement from Hockomock on Girls Soccer Post-Season
The Fall 2020 sports season has almost reached its conclusion. Special thanks to everyone’s flexibility and tremendous support through all of the COVID protocols. The Hockomock League is proud to stand by its athletes, coaches, school administrations, and parents to conduct this unique season.
Our Divisional Champions earned their title through traditional hard-fought dual meets and games. We then constructed a postseason tournament, the Hockomock Cup, for our team sports in Field Hockey and Soccer, to provide additional games for our athletes in a postseason competition in lieu of the cancelled MIAA tournaments. Golf concluded, and Cross Country will conclude, their seasons with their traditional team and individual championships.
Throughout this season, we have followed closely the COVID mandates of our local Boards of Health and must respect their professional decisions on the rules of quarantine. Consequently, the Girls Varsity Soccer Hockomock Cup was impacted by those BOH decisions forcing Foxboro and Canton Girls to forfeit opening round games due to quarantine.
Once again, working together, the League has come up with a flexible solution to keep our athletes engaged in competition. As Canton and Foxboro honor their quarantine, the Girls Varsity Soccer Hockomock Cup will continue with its scheduled games into next week to determine the Hock Cup champion. A Challenge Cup bracket has been added in Girls Varsity Soccer to allow Canton and Foxboro to play against each other on November 19. The winner of that game will then face the Hockomock Cup champion on November 20 for the Challenge Cup title.
Sincerely,
The Hockomock League ADs
Mark Houle, Attleboro Danny Erickson, Canton
Joe Cusack, Foxboro Tom Angelo, Franklin
Gary Brown, King Philip Mike Redding, Mansfield
Peter Boucher, Milford Kurt Kummer, North Attleboro
Bill Matthews, Oliver Ames Nick Schlierf, Sharon
Ryan Donahue, Stoughton Mark Ottavianelli, Taunton
“People need to change their behavior and get serious”
From CommonWealth Magazine we share two articles of interest for Franklin:
"THE NUMBER of communities at high risk for COVID-19 nearly doubled on Thursday even with a new set of metrics sharply raising the threshold for attaining that designation.
The new metrics were implemented last week and caused the number of high-risk, or red, communities to drop from 121 to 16. But the number rebounded this week to 30 as rising case counts began to overwhelm some communities.
Norfolk, which reported 48 cases per 100,000 people last week, saw the number increase to 145.8 this week, largely because of an outbreak at a state prison there. Its positive test rate (positive tests divided by total tests) rose to 11.6 percent."
"SOUNDING MORE and more like a coach trying to rally his team against a superior opponent, Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday implored Massachusetts residents to take COVID-19 seriously.Continue reading the article online
He said infections have been headed in the wrong direction since Labor Day and are rising faster and faster. He insisted the problem for the most part is not at workplaces, schools, or restaurants, but in situations where people let their guard down while engaging in familiar activities in casual settings with people they know.
“It’s the innocent acts of small gatherings where COVID is finding its greatest opportunity to spread,” Baker said at a State House press conference. “People need to change their behavior and get serious.”
FHS field hockey tops Attleboro, heads to Hockomock Cup Final
Via HockomockSports.com, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Friday, Nov 13