Franklin (MA) Senior Center: Email Blast - Sep 4, 2020

Hello Everyone!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!

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/

September Events

September 10th 1:30-2:45: Tips for Dementia Caregiving at home. Due to COVID-19, there are fewer supports outside the home for loved ones with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. Many caregivers had to quickly change their daily routines and take on longer hours of hands-on care. In this free online session, we will  provide tips, resources, and strategies from Community VNA's Alzheimer's Assistance Program  invite caregivers to share their experiences  recommend activities for loved ones living with dementia Register Now: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eh7s2ji92db928ac&llr=dcpna67ab Or call 774.203.1307 (see attached flyer as well)

Tuesday Sept 22nd at 10am - TALK FRANKLIN MATTERS with our favorite Franklinite, Steve Sherlock. Via zoom, email adoggett@franklinma.gov for the link to attend. 

Metrowest Memory Cafe schedule 

We are excited to be able to bring you a Memory Cafe EVERY MONDAY starting Sept. 14th! What better way to start off your week then with friendship and music!

Monday Sept. 14th at 2pm - "Time Out Cafe" hosted by Better Day - email adoggett@franklinma.gov for the link to attend. 

Monday Sept. 21st at 2pm - "Grateful Moments Cafe" hosted by Right At Home - email adoggett@franklinma.gov for the link to attend. Sing along to your favorite 70s songs!

Musician Pam Steinfeld recreates the age of the singer/songwriter.  She brings the songs of James Taylor, Carole King, Carly Simon, Eagles, etc. to life - on guitar, piano, and vocals.  An award-winning singer/songwriter herself, Pam peppers the show with anecdotes about the artists, songwriters, and often lyrical meaning behind the songs.  Come join the party!

Wednesday Sept. 30th at 11am - Memory Cafe hosted by Franklin Senior Center.  Featuring the engaging, toe tapping, get up and dance, sing along with us music of Howie Newman.  Email adoggett@franklinma.gov for the link to attend ALL memory cafes if you aren't already on the list. (date changed for Yom Kippur)

Tips

7 minute easy yoga routine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDLad2vOHkU&t=296s

Low Impact cardio workout - use a chair if necessary - 15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aViIzXtqi8c

Stayin Alive, chair disco yoga dance.  We haven't done this one in a long time!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKm9lmZO0ik&t=81s

Music

Lets mix things up a bit - Classic Rock, the greatest hits of the 60's, 70's and 80's! Over an hour and a half of music that's sure to bring back memories and get your moving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Bu3M4r4K4

22 musicals in 12 minutes!  This is FANTASTIC!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_TvKH-qEJk

Just for Fun

Cows love music - bet you didn't know this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RWee_tFbgg

 

Colorado viewed by drone - BEAUTIFUL!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z6hP1_uSVk

 

BREATHTAKING drone footage of 3 canyons in Utah.  Shot in 4k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pbZIfA_IlY

 

Everyone knows that a dog is man's best friend, so what better way to show your canine some love then with a cold brew?  Busch has created and just launched the first ever Dog Brew.  Who knew this was a necessary thing!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/busch-beer-just-released-a-new-brew-made-specifically-for-dogs/ar-BB18wRAM?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=U452DHP

Humor

Jeanne Robertson - You don't know Garth Brooks?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvu5AquDno8&feature=emb_rel_end

Mary Maxwell - Funny prayer about getting old  …..wait for it!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPFCn3itBFE

Funny animal videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IODoAbgaV5U&t=35s

Kindness Matters

A little motivational reminder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tghjgOv4mKc

5 acts of kindness that changed history (article not video)

https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/acts-kindness-history-examples-jane-austen-harriet-tubman-elizabeth-fry-jesse-owens-berlin-olympics-miep-gies-anne-frank/ 

Kindness boomerang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwAYpLVyeFU 

Attached you will find:

1. Donna's Fun filled activity sheets https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PTEynUBsHFxrWtTmzIeDvp_ccr5B6cpZ/view?usp=sharing

2. Flyer for the upcoming "Tips for Dementia Caregiving at Home" https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xIg7LxFYrBYK4ef7UwAZE76MwGuh9wmg/view?usp=sharing

3. Paint/color by number mushrooms https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wIAO2DoCJGq5alQkMOO_s40BTlBWLCjQ/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.cdc.gov/ 

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

MEMORY CAFE!

For those of you who attend our Memory Cafe events I invite you to learn more about attending a VIRTUAL Memory Cafe through Zoom!  There are many options to choose from.

https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect/

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Franklin (MA) Senior Center: Email Blast - Sep 4, 2020

“I thought I had them all. .... It was human error”

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

"The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office will work closely with Franklin in the weeks leading up to the November presidential election, after about 3,000 ballots went uncounted on election night Tuesday.

“We will certainly be heavily involved in the office leading up to November,” said Debra O’Malley, a spokeswoman with William Galvin’s office.

Franklin was one of three communities, along with Newton and Wellesley, to have uncounted ballots as of Wednesday morning. About 750 ballots that were dropped into Newton’s secure ballot drop boxes in the last three hours of the election went uncounted, while Wellesley was unable to get to about 100 ballots, between late drop box submissions and absentee ballots.

But in Franklin, officials said, the Town Clerk’s Office missed about 3,000 mailed ballots that were processed in advance but not yet tallied, which is allowed by state law. The ballots had been processed (checking which residents voted), then locked into the town clerk’s vault, with the expectation that they would be counted on election day.

“They were in the vault and I forgot them,” Franklin Town Clerk Teresa Burr said. “I thought I had them all. .... It was human error.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200904/franklin-town-clerk-human-error-led-to-3000-ballots-counted-late?rssfeed=true

Via Twitter on Friday, and shared to Facebook:

Q - When will the town election results be published?

A = That is a good question. I would guess not until the results are final and official. In case you missed it, the State took over the count process.

Seconded by Town of Franklin:

"Steve is correct. The complete results are being entered by the town staff along with the Secretary of State. They are due by tomorrow but should be done today. We will post immediately when available and when the final results are certified. There will be no preliminary numbers."

(https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1301913940247695360?s=03)

“I thought I had them all. .... It was human error”

November 3 and Special Election (Dec 5) Schedule

With the Primary behind us, and a record voter participation, the run up to the November election will not end the season for Franklin. There is a special election on Dec 5, (yes, a Saturday) to select the replacement for Town Councilor Eamon McCarthy Earls, who resigned effective Sep 6 to go to law school.

The Town Charter requires a replacement election within 90 days, hence Dec 5.

2-8-2 Vacancies shall be filled by special election to be called within ninety (90) days of said vacancy unless a regular or special Town election shall occur within one hundred twenty (120) days.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/revised_2013_1.pdf

**STATE ELECTION – Tuesday, November 3rd, 7 am – 8 pm FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL GYM**

• Early Voting:  FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL  (2 weeks) starting   Saturday, Oct. 17th through Friday, Oct. 30th

• Saturday, Oct. 17th and Sunday, Oct. 18TH (5 hours per day) TBD
• Monday, Oct 19th  TBD
• Tuesday, Oct. 20th TBD
• Wednesday, Oct. 21st TBD
• Thursday, Oct. 22nd TBD
• Friday, Oct. 23rd TBD
• Saturday, Oct. 24th and Sunday, Oct. 25th   (5 hours per day) TBD
• Monday, Oct 26th  TBD
• Tuesday, Oct. 27th TBD
• Wednesday, Oct. 28th TBD
• Thursday, Oct. 29th TBD
• Friday, Oct. 30th TBD

** SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION – Saturday, DEC. 5th  ( Hours TBD)

• Monday, September 21st -   Nomination Papers Available
• Wednesday, October 14th   -   Last day to obtain nomination papers
• Friday, October 16th   –        Last day to file nomination papers
• Tuesday, October 20th    –      Last day to withdraw
• Monday, November 23rd    -    Post Warrant
• Wednesday, November 25th   –   Last day to register to vote/change party
• Saturday, December 5th –    Election Day

November 3 and Special Election (Dec 5) Schedule

"Objectively, the nation’s economic conditions are still dire"

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

On the campaign trail with President Donald Trump, the pandemic is largely over, the economy is roaring back, and murderous mobs are infiltrating America’s suburbs.

With Democrat Joe Biden, the pandemic is raging, the economy isn’t lifting the working class, and systemic racism threatens Black lives across America.

The first week of the fall sprint to Election Day crystallized dizzyingly different versions of reality as the Republican incumbent and his Democratic challenger trekked from Washington and Delaware to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and back, each man on an urgent mission to sell his particular message to anxious voters.

All the conflicting messages carry at least a sliver of truth, some much more than others, as the candidates fight to navigate one of the most turbulent election seasons in modern history. And beyond legitimate crises threatening public health, the economy and public safety, a new divide erupted Friday over the military.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200904/dueling-versions-of-reality-define-1st-week-of-fall-campaign/1?rssfeed=true

Commonwealth Magazine: "Voting reforms reinvigorated democracy"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share two articles of interest for Franklin: 

"When the Legislature passed an unprecedented expansion of mail-in voting, they did it for this year only, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that makes crowding into polling places unsafe.

But now, amid record-breaking turnout in this week’s primary, some are calling for mail-in voting to become a permanent feature of Massachusetts elections.

“Voter turnout in the September 1 primary makes one thing abundantly clear– vote by mail should be here to stay,” said Cheryl Clyburn Crawford, executive director of MassVOTE, a coalition that aims to expand voting access, in a statement.

The last time turnout in a state primary election topped 1 million was in 1990, when 1.5 million people voted. This year, Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin says that turnout will be more than 1.5 million, although he still did not have a final number. "

Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/is-mail-in-voting-here-to-stay-2/

"AT THE START of July, the Legislature passed a landmark bill to expand early voting, implement a secure vote-by-mail system, and strengthen safety measures for in-person voting. Tuesday’s primary was the first major test of these important reforms. They worked.

More people voted in this year’s state primary than ever before. According to preliminary data, over 1.6 million voters cast ballots, totaling more than a third of all registered voters. In recent state primaries, fewer than 1 million voters have showed up at the polls, with voter participation rates mired in the teens and low twenties. This year, several competitive races for Congress helped increase voter participation, but the high turnout was also a product of Massachusetts’ new election laws. In the face of an ongoing  pandemic, Massachusetts did not simply protect voting rights—we reinvigorated our democracy.

The Legislature’s voting reforms gave voters several different ways to cast their ballot. For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth, voters had the choice to vote by mail, to vote in person during a week-long early voting window, or to vote in person on the day of the election. The intent was to empower voters to vote in a way that worked best for them, and it is clear that people availed themselves of the opportunity. Over 1 million people requested mail-in ballots, 180,000 people voted during early voting, and hundreds of thousands more went to the polls on election day. While the vast majority of people who requested a mail-in ballot were able to return it successfully, voters still had the ability to vote in person if they encountered difficulties in the vote-by-mail process."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/voting-reforms-reinvigorated-democracy/

Commonwealth Magazine:  "Voting reforms reinvigorated democracy"

Commonwealth Magazine: "Despite pandemic, state tax revenues hold steady"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin: 

"DESPITE A PANDEMIC and record unemployment, Massachusetts tax revenues in August continued to hold fairly steady compared to last year.

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue reported on Friday that an apples-to-apples comparison shows tax revenues in August 2020 were down only $7 million, or .4 percent, compared to the same month a year ago.

For July and August, the first two months of fiscal 2021, revenues were actually up by $124 million, or 3.1 percent, compared to the same period a year ago.

The apples-to-apples approach is required because the state’s tax filing date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15 this year because of COVID-19. That delay meant a lot of revenue that normally would have come into state coffers in fiscal 2020 actually arrived in fiscal 2021. The Revenue Department separated out what it considered fiscal 2020 money from fiscal 2021 money, yielding the apples-to-apples comparison."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/despite-pandemic-state-tax-revenues-hold-steady/

The golden dome of the State House. (Photo by Andy Metzger)

FTC Consumer Alert: How can you spot a tech support scam

How can you spot a tech support scam by Traci Armani, Consumer Education Specialist, Division of Consumer & Business Education Are you getting pop-up warning messages on your computer screen? Or maybe a phone call that your computer has a virus?  That may well be a tech support scam. But how do you know? And what do you do? Read more > https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/09/how-can-you-spot-tech-support-scam?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

---

FM #341 Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - 9/02/20 (audio)

FM #341 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 341 in the series. 

This session shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The Chair, Melanie Hamblen, opens the meeting. New member Brian Chandler joins the group to replace Eamon McCarthy Earls who is leaving the Council to go to Law School.  

Brief update on re-opening provided at beginning of meeting. Grant application being readied for distribution, possible next week.

Conversation shifts to the market study and picking up on prior meeting discussion of advertising placements at restaurants, adding QR codes to help with finding things, also mention of a “Franklin First” campaign in the works to help foster buying local.

Complete streets and the details around it are reviewed, some of the impact was seen with the work on the Main St and downtown project that was completed a couple of years ago. This would be a policy (not a bylaw) to help address planning for the street to consider all modes of transit (rather than just the auto which is prevalent today).

The recording runs just about 50 minutes, so let’s listen to the discussion from the meeting of the Economic Development Subcommittee.

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

-----
The agenda for the meeting can be found here
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/08-20-2020_edc_agenda.pdf

The Market Study
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/franklin-ma-economic-development.html 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/edc-meeting-recap-franklin-first-qr.html 

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

FM #341 Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting - 9/02/20 (audio)

FM #340 Board of Health Mtg - 9/02/20 (audio)

FM #340 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 340 in the series.

This session shares the Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Sep 2, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Vice-Chair Tim Cochrane opened the meeting and reviewed the usual protocol for conduct of such remote meetings. Chair Bridget Sweet did join the call as it started and also left at 5:30 PM (about 30 minutes in).

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda, the Board of Health page, and my notes from the meeting. 

The meeting runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting.

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

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

Meeting agenda

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/franklin-ma-board-of-health-agenda-sep.html 

My meeting notes

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/board-of-health-recap-sep-2-2020.html 

Board of Health page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department 

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

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!

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

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

 

M #340 Board of Health Mtg - 9/02/20 (audio)

Micro-Enterprise Grant Opportunity

Micro-Enterprise Grant Opportunity

The Town of Franklin was awarded funding to create a local micro-enterprise grant program. Micro-enterprises are businesses with 5 or fewer employees, one of which is the owner. Eligible businesses can receive grant funding for their business Please fill out the pre-screen form below to be notified when we have more details on the eligibility requirements and when applications open - applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. 

Please contact Chrissy Whelton at cwhelton@franklinma.gov for more info. 

Find details and pre-screening form here
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/micro_enterprise_grants_3.pdf

Micro-Enterprise Grant Opportunity

Franklin Public Schools: Re-opening Update Sep 3, 2020

September 3, 2020

Dear Franklin Elementary Families,

It does not go unnoticed by us in the Franklin Public Schools that the first day of school for most of our students (grades 1 through high school) would have been yesterday and today we would have welcomed Kindergarten. There is a measure of sadness, as we so wish to welcome our students back to school in our traditional ways. We are thinking of our families, as well, and recognize that there is likely some grief and worry for parents/guardians and children alike.

We also recognize that you are eager for information. We are working around the clock to bring this to you and your children so that you know what to expect as we start the school year. Please note, the school year will begin in a predominantly remote environment on September 16, 2020.

While we had hoped to get you more specific class cohorting and placement information this week, the planning and preparation for the year is complicated and complex. While elementary cohort information was originally intended to be shared today, it will be sent on Tuesday, September 8. As bus information is dependent on cohort scheduling, transportation will follow after that. Assignments of teachers can be expected at the end of next week.

Cohort information, when shared, will include to which hybrid cohort your child has been assigned OR it will include a virtual-only designation for students whose families indicated in the family inventory that their child would learn in the entirely remote setting. As noted in the August 25, 2020 Reopening Update letter, children from across the district will be grouped together in classroom sections for virtual instruction in a “Virtual Learning Academy”. We are aware that there were conversations in the community that this plan had been changed. The District has carefully reviewed parent/guardian requests, instructional design, hybrid cohorts, and available personnel and is confirming that we are moving forward with the Virtual Learning Academy, which is described here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CyUp967M4IJvPR7xnSa98onyD9mhToqdavwKer9xPpE/edit?usp=sharing).

The plans we are putting in place depend heavily on commitments from families and we ask that you honor the selections you have made. Additionally, because of the planning required, we are asking that students learning in the virtual environment, who wish to switch to hybrid, remain in the virtual setting through the first trimester.

If you have questions about virtual only learning, please reach out to the building principal.

Late last week, some new information was released related to childcare. Remote Learning Parent Cooperatives were among the options described by the Department of Early Education and Care and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued guidance related to care options for hybrid and remote learning models. Helpful guidance about parent cooperatives, including legal limitations, can be found at this link: https://eeclead.force.com/resource/1598716186000/CareOptions

Additionally, we are aware that several childcare options are emerging within the community and we are communicating closely with them. Please check out our News You Can Use web page where we post helpful community based information like this. https://www.franklinps.net/district/news-you-can-use

We recently updated our FAQs (reopening website below) to include information related to:

• Space constraints for children of MA educators attending school full-time
• HVAC information
• Influenza Vaccination documentation deadline
• Chromebook information/optional insurance

We appreciate your patience and kindness as we work through multiple details as we implement our reopening plan. We are actively taking steps to keep you informed during this very fluid environment.

Sincerely,
Franklin Public Schools

Please e-mail reopening@franklinps.net with questions.
https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/returntoschoolplan/home

Re-opening Update Sep 3, 2020

Hockomock Area YMCA Out of School Time (OST) Support Programs Pre-Registration Opens

With local schools in Franklin, Bellingham and Milford operating hybrid or remote, the Bernon Family Branch YMCA in Franklin will fill the gaps to ensure kids have safe places to learn during the school day while parents are managing their own work and schedule commitments. Out of School Time (OST) provides full day in-person learning assistance and additional enrichment programming for grades K-6. OST full day programs will take place in both Franklin and Milford. We offer 3 or 5 day options running from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm (until 5:00 pm in Milford), with optional extended care available in Franklin.

YMCA staff will assist students in their school assignments using their own Chromebook and headset, assist with questions during remote learning, and help to keep them on track as they connect with their teachers online. During class breaks and after school work is completed, the Y team will engage students with enrichment and physical activities.

Safety is our top priority, and the COVID safety protocols we'll use are based on procedures developed for our successful Summer Camp and Emergency Child Care programs that allowed our Hockomock Area YMCA branches to safely provide care for over 700 kids during the past six months.

OST PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

FRANKLIN (available for Franklin, Bellingham and Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School students):

• OST runs 7:00 am – 4:00 pm 5 DAYS (cost $300 per week)
• OST runs 7:00 am – 4:00 pm 3 DAYS (cost $180 per week)

MILFORD (at Milford Youth Center, 24 Pearl Street, Milford):

• OST runs 7:00 am – 4:00 pm 5 DAYS (cost $250 per week)
• OST runs 7:00 am – 5:00 pm 3 DAYS (cost $150 per week)

EXTENDED CARE AVAILABLE IN FRANKLIN:

• Runs 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm 5 DAYS (cost $50 per week or free to Hockomock Area YMCA members)
• Runs 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm 3 DAYS (cost $30 per week or free to Hockomock Area YMCA members)

Note: use promo code BEFOREANDAFTER to avoid paying our registration fee twice – for any child you have already enrolled in OST.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Our Y offers programs and services to all regardless of ability to pay. Our financial assistance program is available to those who need support and for those that qualify. Download our financial assistance brochure pdf here (https://www.hockymca.org/shared/docs/financial-assistance-application.pdf).

Use promo code VOUCHER$50 during registration if you are using a state voucher

Use promo code ROFY$25 during registration if you currently receive a Hockomock Area YMCA scholarship

HOW TO REGISTER

Currently, we are accepting $50 deposits. We offe

Hockomock Area YMCA Out of School Time (OST)

r a 5% discount for siblings, and will be applied automatically upon the start of the billing cycle. Following enrollment at the link below, please keep an eye out for our email with required next steps. An email will be sent within three business days. Included will be forms that you must complete and return to your local Hockomock Area YMCA or via scanned email. Though they may have been responded to in the online pre-registration, the forms must be completed in their entirety. Once we review your forms, only then can we contact you to confirm your student's enrollment.

** CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW FOR OUT OF SCHOOL TIME **: Franklin | Milford

For questions or more information, please contact us at 508-643-5243 or schoolsout2@hockymca.org, or visit us at https://www.hockymca.org/out-of-school-time-support/. 

Commonwealth Magazine: "Baker targets 5 hotspots with ed campaign"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin: 

"THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION is launching a new, fairly basic COVID-19 education campaign targeting the five communities hardest hit by the virus.

Gov. Charlie Baker said the campaign will promote the use of masks, social distancing, and the avoidance of larger gatherings. The campaign will run in multiple languages, on billboards and social media, in Chelsea, Everett, Lawrence, Lynn, and Revere – communities where the rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people puts them in the high-risk category. (For a story on the latest town-by-town rankings, click here.)

Special teams will also be dispatched to the five communities – at 15 locations over the Labor Day weekend – reminding people of what they need to do to reduce the spread of the disease.

The five communities have struggled with COVID-19 since the beginning. Analysts have suggested the communities have been hard hit because residents tend to live in crowded apartments; to work essential jobs that require them to physically go to an office or a shop, often on public transit; and to cope with underlying health conditions that are exacerbated by pollution and other environmental factors. The five communities also have a high percentage of immigrants, who may not speak English."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/baker-targets-5-hotspots-with-ed-campaign/

This week's local community COVID-19 status report

https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-september-2-2020/download

Gov Baker's press conf link = https://youtu.be/waE3cvazQRo

 

In the News: Franklin vote completes after midnight Thursday (Friday morning)

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

"On Thursday afternoon, Debra O’Malley, a spokesperson with Secretary of State William Galvin’s office, said 3,000 full ballots had been misplaced in Franklin and went uncounted on election night. The same thing happened with about 750 ballots in Newton and 100 ballots in Wellesley.

Because ballots must be counted in view of the public, and on election night, tabulating the missing ballots after that day required a Suffolk Superior Court order, which the Secretary’s office says was granted at about 5 p.m. Wednesday night.

Previous reports put the number of uncounted ballots in Franklin at about 600."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200903/updated-it-has-been-determined-more-than-3000-ballots-have-not-been-counted-in-franklin-after-more-boxes-of-ballots-are-found?rssfeed=true 

Boston Globe article

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/04/metro/ap-declares-jake-auchincloss-winner-fourth-district-democratic-primary/

Commonwealth Magazine article

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/glitches-mar-tuesdays-election/

Why did it take so long? The manual process of counting is not efficient