FM #230 - Lynn Calling, Franklin Food Pantry - 3/25/20 (audio)

FM #230 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 230 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Lynn Calling, the Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. We did a conference all to adhere to the ‘social distance’ requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lynn discusses how we can help the Pantry and how the Pantry has been changing their operations due to the precautions of the pandemic and ‘social distancing’.

The conversation runs 15 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Lynn.
Audio file - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-265-franklin-food-pantry-new-bldg-plus-5-04-20

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Food Pantry home page  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org

Donate directly  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/give-help/donate-funds/

The current needs listing  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/give-help/donate-food/current-needs-list/

For the record, I had an active relationship with the Pantry from 2010 to 2015 during which time I also lead the Board of Directors. I continue to support the Pantry with financial donations and by sharing what they do via the Franklin Matters social channels.

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!

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FM #230 - Lynn Calling, Franklin Food Pantry - 3/25/20 (audio)

Franklin, MA: A COVID-19 night (photo walk)

I had no trouble keeping 'social distance' walking around downtown Franklin on Friday night (3/27/20). It was great weather, a clear half moon sky, and quiet. 

Eerily quiet. A couple of boys on bikes were riding around. A car passed every once in a while. As you'll see, no cars were parked along Main St. Teddie Gallagher's and Acapulcos are usually busy but not tonight.

Enjoy the photos. Be safe, be social (at a distance!)

The Flickr album can be found online:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/albums/72157713655767201

Franklin, MA: A COVID-19 night (photo walk)

Franklin Public Schools: Update to families on closure extension to May 4

March 28, 2020

"Dear Franklin Families,

Remote Learning Update

Many families in the community have reached out inquiring about a more comprehensive Remote Learning Plan for Franklin students. Our approach has been to connect early with our students, focusing on relationships and children’s social-emotional well-being. Following initial guidance from DESE, we asked educators to reach out to students to connect as well as to provide enrichment opportunities that would keep students engaged.

As you know, Governor Baker extended school closure to May 4. DESE was charged with developing additional guidance around districts’ Remote Learning Plans. This guidance was developed with input from the MTA and AFT-MA (statewide educators’ union associations), MASS (Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents), MASC (Massachusetts Association of School Committees), and MPTA (Massachusetts Parent Teacher’s Association) and was released on Thursday. The Commissioner of Education held conference calls with Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents yesterday (Friday 3/27/2020).

This guidance provides both new and additional recommendations around which to deliver remote learning experiences to students, and, while leaving room for local decision making, aims to bring some consistency state-wide. Suggested implementation is early April. We want to be sure that you are aware that guidance has been issued and that the administration and FEA are working together to develop a framework that will build on the SEL connections and enrichment educators are currently providing.

The guidance can be found on the MA DESE COVID-19 Resource Page: http://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/emergencyplan/covid19.html

A letter from the Commissioner will also be sent to families early next week.

Chromebook Borrowing
We are preparing to provide another opportunity during the week of March 30 for K-8 students who need a device to access remote learning opportunities to borrow a Chromebook. We ask that you complete the linked form only if your child needs access to a device because you do not have an alternative for them to access during the day at home. Please complete this form by NOON on Monday, March 30 so that we can prepare a device. Pickup time will be communicated next week. Form: https://forms.gle/XHUCgcczad6uEaNy5

Medication Pickup
We are aware that families may need to come to school to pick up medications now that school closure has been extended. We are making arrangements to open our building for this purpose and will communicate a date and time next week. If you need more immediate assistance, please contact your child’s principal.

Remote Tech Support
Our team of IT technicians are doing a great job in developing and supporting our new, virtual work and learning environment. They are available to assist with remote technical support. If you need technical assistance for a device, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/3vZKj3gNo5L8i5Ey8

If your child needs assistance with software or account support, we ask that you contact your child’s teacher.

XFINITY Free Wifi Details
The following link provides details on how you can access open XFinity WiFi, should you need Internet access. https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/open-xfinity-wifi-hotspots

With Gratitude
We appreciate your patience as we continue to adapt to an evolving situation. We will continue to keep the community informed as we continue to navigate these unprecedented circumstances. We sincerely hope that you are feeling well and that your families are staying safe."

Kind regards, 

Sara Ahern
Superintendent of Schools


Download a copy of this
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cm3fXGFBlFSsOQ-OOxeN9swpFzLdu5z6/view?usp=sharing

Multiple translations of this file will be made available on the FPS schools page soon  https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/pages/messages-superintendent-regarding-coronavirus

 

Franklin Public Schools: Update to families on closure extension to May 4

Panther News Special Edition: March 27, 2020 (YouTube)

Some of the FHS students got creative in producing this edition of Panther News during this COVID-19 pandemic period.

https://youtu.be/W2nSyNNkSrA




Visit Pantherbook for additional news from FHS  https://franklinpanthers.us/

Keeping Calm during this COVID-19 pandemic

A share worthy reminder from the Franklin (MA) Police Dept.

Shared from Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1243933502321590273

Keeping Calm during this COVID-19 pandemic

In the News: Candidates for Joe Kennedy’s House seat get creative in wake of corinavirus

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

Ihssane Leckey’s makeshift studio greets visitors as soon as they enter her apartment.

A lighting device is mounted to a step ladder, aimed at her desk. Her laptop is perched on top of a WiFi booster box. On a recent afternoon, she untangled any problems that might arise during her virtual town hall, which was scheduled to begin in about 30 minutes. A campaign worker beamed in on her screen to assist in the troubleshooting, as her dog, Benji, stretched by her feet.

“This is the fun part: the problem-solving,” said Leckey, a social justice activist vying to fill the 4th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, who is running for the Senate.

Just weeks ago, candidates - from presidential to local school board - were shaking hands, knocking on doors, and holding crowded campaign rallies. That’s all been halted, as health experts urge the public to practice social distancing to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200328/candidates-for-joe-kennedys-house-seat-get-creative-in-wake-of-corinavirus

Web pages for the 9 candidate who are in the running for Kennedy's seat

• Ihssane Leckey  https://ihssane.org/
• Jesse Mermell  https://jessemermell.com/
• Herb Robinson  http://www.herbrobinson.us/
• Ben Sigel  https://bensigelforcongress.com/
• Becky Grossman  https://beckygrossman.com/
• Alan Khazei  https://alankhazei.com/
• Dave Cavell  https://www.davecavell.com/
• Jake Auchincloss  https://www.jakeforma.com/
• Thomas Stack  https://www.shackforcongress.com/

 

In the News: A week of orders from Gov. Baker

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Since Gov. Charlie Baker declared a coronavirus state of emergency on March 10, the executive branch has been busy spelling out in orders, advisories and guidance documents exactly what should and what should not happen as the state deals with the pandemic.

Some of the governor’s order and directives have widespread and sweeping consequences - the closure of all non-essential businesses and an urging to stay at home as much as possible - while others are more narrow and are meant to address fairly specific issues, like pharmacy operations.

But during the state of emergency, the orders handed down by the governor function essentially as temporary laws and the steady rollout of new executive actions sheds some light on the various fronts on which state government and public health officials are fighting the new coronavirus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200329/week-of-orders-from-gov-baker

The listing of press releases on the Executive Orders released can be found online
https://www.mass.gov/lists/press-releases-related-to-covid-19

In the News: A week of orders from Gov. Baker