Thursday, May 28, 2015

Swim Programs Offer a Mix of Fun, Physical Activity and Safety


As swim season approaches, the YMCAs across Massachusetts encourage children and parents to explore the many benefits of swimming, while also keeping safety top of mind. In the Y's swim programs, participants can enjoy water sports, enhance or learn new techniques, meet new friends and develop confidence, while also learning safety skills that can save lives. 

Swimming is a fun and enjoyable activity for children and adults alike, and it's an easy way to stay physically active and improve strength, flexibility and stamina. YMCAs across the state are committed to providing as many opportunities as possible for everyone to swim and learn water safety practices.
 
Hockomock YMCA
Hockomock YMCA

As part of National Water Safety Month in May, Massachusetts YMCAs encourage parents to take an active role in their child's safety.  The following are safety tips to practice when in and around the water:

·         Only swim when and where there is a lifeguard on duty; never swim alone.
  • Adults should constantly and actively watch their children.
  • Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.  
  • Parents or guardians of young children should be within an arm's reach.
  • Children and adults should not engage in breath holding activities.

In addition to learning lifesaving water safety skills, children can increase their physical activity by swimming. Swimming also motivates children to strive for self-improvement, teaches goal orientation, and cultivates a positive mental attitude and high self-esteem. It also teaches life lessons of sport and sportsmanship, so that children can learn how to work well with teammates and coaches and how to deal with winning and losing.

As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, the Y has been a leader in providing swim lessons and water safety for more than 100 years.  The Y continues to help youth and adults experience the joy and benefits of swimming, so they can be healthy, confident and secure in the water. There are a variety of programs to choose, including swim lessons for all ages, water fitness classes, competitive swimming, and family swim times. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, financial assistance is available to those in need to help cover the costs.

To learn more about the swim programs in your community, please visit http://www.hockymca.org/


About the Y
The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across Massachusetts, 377 locations engage 1 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.

MassBudget : Conference Preview: Differences Between the House & Senate Budgets for FY 2016

For those following the State budget, this is the next step in the analysis prepared by MassBudget. The Governor proposed his budget, the House proposed their version, then the Senate recently proposed their version. All three come together in the conference committee to work out the differences and get one budget ready for the Governor to sign by June  30th. 

Franklin depends upon the State for about 30% of its revenue so how the conference works out the differences could ripple down to our budget. The Town Council will be doing their budget hearings June 10th and 11th. With a little luck, the conference differences will have mostly been resolved so the Franklin budget can include the latest and best numbers before the Council vote.

One small item to watch for is the $50,000 for the Horace Mann status. It was in the House budget, doesn't seem to be in the Senate budget, so how it will finally shake out remains to be seen.


MassBudget  Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.


Conference Preview:
Differences Between the House & Senate Budgets for FY 2016

The House and Senate have now completed crafting and debating their state budget proposals for the year that begins July 1 (for our full analysis, click HERE). The state budget is the way we as a Commonwealth make decisions about funding for a wide range of things including our local schools, roads and bridges, subways and buses, environmental protection, maintenance of beaches and parks, and supports for working families, like child care, health care, and job training programs.

Both budgets propose small increases in funding for local aid, education, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and other targeted investments.

During floor debate the Senate adopted an amendment that would increase the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and expand the personal exemption in lieu of a scheduled decrease in the income tax rate. This would have the effect of directing tax reductions more towards lower and middle income families and less towards our highest income residents. The House did not include this proposal.

Both the House and the Senate budgets would change the structure of the board of directors for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, providing a larger role for the Secretary of Transportation. Both also authorize a Fiscal Management Control Board for the MBTA, although with different powers. The House proposes suspending at the MBTA the state law that regulates privatization (for more detail, click HERE). The Senate leaves that law in place.

Making meaningful progress towards fixing our transportation systems, making higher education more affordable, or addressing other major issues facing working families would likely require reforming our state tax system in a way that was not considered by either the House or Senate. Currently our state's highest income residents pay substantially less of their income in state and local taxes than other taxpayers. This costs the state approximately $2 billion a year and makes it difficult for the state to address many of the big challenges facing families across the state (for more detail, click HERE).

This Monitor describes major differences between the House and Senate final budgets that will need to be reconciled by the conference committee now meeting. For our full analysis, click HERE.
The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER
15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

How does this amazing mind reader do it?

How does this amazing mind reader do it?





A nice lesson here. What are you revealing online?

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

A couple of related links on privacy. Well worth spending some time reading!

"Why I make my kids read privacy policies"
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Passcode/Passcode-Voices/2015/0513/Why-I-make-my-kids-read-privacy-policies

"Is student privacy erased as classrooms turn digital?"
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Passcode/Passcode-Voices/2015/0513/Is-student-privacy-erased-as-classrooms-turn-digital


FHS sports: baseball tops Oliver Ames, boys tennis tops Taunton

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of FHS spring sports action on Tuesday

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Baseball
Franklin, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 2 - Final 
- Ant Chaiton picked up the winning, going 6.1 innings without giving up an earned run, striking out three. Kyle Wardrop got,the save pitching the final two outs. Tyler Gomes went 1-3 with a run scored, Kyle Skidmore was 1-2 with a double and a run scored, Ben Chaffee had an RBI and scored a run, Andrew Parent went 1-2 with an RBI, a double and a run scored and Alex Bissanti was 1-2 and knocked in a pair of runs.

Softball
Franklin, 2 vs. Cumberland, 4 - Final


Boys Tennis
Franklin, 4 @ Taunton, 1 - Final

Girls Tennis
Franklin, 0 @ Sharon, 5 - Final 
- Sharon's Lulu Yuan won 6-4, 6-1 at first singles, Pooja Puttigampala won 6-0, 6-0 at second singles, Emily Wen won 6-0, 6-0 at third singles, Michal Kondratiev and Katie Merport won 6-4, 6-3 at first doubles and Sydney Gordon and Rithica Neti won 6-4, 6-4 at second doubles.


For all the Hockomock League results on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-052615

Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - Jun 13

Franklin Residential Rain Garden Project
Learn to design, build and maintain a home rain garden to treat polluted rainwater from your driveway and roof while adding beauty and visual interest to your property.
Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - Jun 13
Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - Jun 13
When:
Saturday, June 13, 2015 
10:30 am - 2:30 pm 
Lunch Provided

Where:
Remington/Jefferson School 
628 Washington Street, Franklin

Register at www.soakitupfranklinma.org



Questions? 
Contact Alexandra Ash aash@crwa.org or 781-788-0007 x 200


This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020C5211-000F8513

Franklin Library: Geneology Club - May 28 - 6:30 PM

Interested in Geneology? 

The next Geneology Club meeting is scheduled for the Franklin Library on Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 PM


Geneology Club - May 28 - 6:30pm
Geneology Club - May 28 - 6:30pm

This was shared from the Franklin Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/05/genealogy-club.html

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Live reporting: Closing

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
task force starting to address the opiate addiction problem
not a lot of social services in Franklin, closest either RI or Taunton
it could make a difference to get some services in the district

PSA being developed with Police on needle awareness
what to do when you find one, what to do when you do get stuck

congratulation Ann Butler, MA STEM teacher of the Year finalist, should hear in a couple of weeks

FHS - invited to be part of 
FHS Academic award Thursday at 6:30
graduation next week

GLEE cast member to visit with Best Buddies program at Keller

PARCC updates
the assessment of the future, PARCC is the best way to assess the use of technology
we have gotten really good feedback from the staff, students on the implementation
Board of Ed doing a 'road trip' School Admin to present some findings with good feedback and growth opportunities

PARCC has been scaled back, reduced to 90 minutes
sessions reduced from 2 to 1, extended window to minimize instructional window


School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
policy subcommittee, working on school use, possible policy for next meeting

School Committee Liaison Reports
none

6. New Business

reminder - Harlem Wizards coming Nov 13th, fund raiser for the FEF


8. Adjourn
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 7-0