Franklin Residents: Recreation COVID-19 News

Recreation COVID-19 News

All Town and Public Schools grounds, playgrounds, turf fields, grass fields, and the track are closed until further notice. 

Trails are still open, click here to learn more
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/431c30cda1e24123b5fe9795b5bae17c

Please practice social distancing and avoid groups.

For Recreation activities with arts and sports contests visit
https://sites.google.com/view/recdeptcovid-19contests/home?authuser=1

Franklin Residents: Recreation COVID-19 News

FM_#240 Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - Town business during the pandemic 4/06/20 (audio)

FM #240 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 240 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Jamie Hellen, Franklin Town Administrator and Anne Marie Tracey, Marketing and Communication Specialist. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about the revised budget schedule and how the economic planning is fluid given the pandemic, how business is continuing although remotely, and highlight activities by the Library and Recreation Dept. We talk about remote meetings for the Planning Board, Board of Health, and others that are on the schedule.

The show notes include links to the web pages Anne Marie references. The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.

https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Town-of-Franklin-Updates-4720-ecgdoi/a-a1sh2dm




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

The Franklin Town budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/

The Town and School social media accounts https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/social-media-center

The current News and Alerts is where to find the daily MEMA update mentioned
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/current-news-and-alerts


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_#240 Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - Town business during the pandemic 4/06/20 (audio)

FM #238 Kristin Letendre - Mindfulness in a pandemic 4/03/20 (audio)

FM #238 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 238 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Kristin Letendre, Health and PE Director for the Franklin Public School district as well as a teacher at FHS. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about her work on the School Wellness Advisory Council (SWAC), on the Social Emotional Learning Committee, and importantly about keeping learning alive with her approach to mindfulness and a daily practice shared via Twitter.

This recording runs about 20 minutes, so listen to my conversation with Kristin and hear how a mindful approach can really provide help for us to be present during these challenging days.   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HZB9N9D7




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

The Twitter account for FPS Health PE = https://twitter.com/FPSHealthPE

The Social Emotional Learning Committee has created this SEL page with resources and a monthly focus  https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/sel/home

Kristin is an adjunct professor at Bridgewater State
 https://www.bridgew.edu/department/movement-arts-health-promotion-leisure-studies/kristin-letendre 

Resources shared by Kristin as mentioned during our conversation:

Mindfulness

• Calm.com - Website including daily calms, body scans, and other mindful practices
• Headspace - App for incorporating mindfulness into your daily life
• Breathe - App designed to help people stop, breathe, think
• Insight Timer - App for sleep, anxiety and stress
• Stop Stress in its Tracks - American Heart Association
• Loving Kindness Meditation - American Heart Association
• Mindful Eating Article 
• Drawing Your Breath Activity
• Mindfulness Based Art Activities and Resources for Children and Parents
• Mindful Online Learning

Mindfulness Book Recommendations

• Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration  by Meera Lee Patel
• Made Out of Stars: A Journal for Self-Realization by Meera Lee Patel
• The Little Book of Mindfulness by Dr. Patrizia Collard
• Mindfulness for Teens in 10 Minutes a Day by Jennie Marie Battistin
• Present, Not Perfect: A Journal for Slowing Down, Letting Go, and Loving Who You Are by Aimee Chase
• Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in Everyday by Matthew Sockolov
• Choose The Life You Want: The Mindful Way to Happiness by Tal Ben-Shahar, PHD

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 #238 Kristin Letendre - Mindfulness in a pandemic 4/03/20 (audio)

Franklin Public Schools: Closure Update and Vacation Survey Response Requested

April 7, 2020

 
Dear Franklin Families,

We are thinking of you and your children as we adjust to a new phase of Remote Learning this week. We all recognize there is a big learning curve here (including your Central Office team who had a bit of a fumble Sunday night with live streaming). We are all learning!

Survey about April Vacation
There have been many questions about April vacation. DESE Commissioner Jeff Riley issued a statement on Friday, deferring to local decision making for potential changes to April vacation/the school calendar. Some districts have already made decisions to either stay with April vacation or to eliminate it in favor of shortening the end of the school year.

Right now, in Franklin, we are expected to end on Wednesday, June 24, or our 185th day. We are surveying both faculty/staff and families to learn more about your preferences. 

Please complete this form by noon on Thursday, April 9.

https://forms.gle/rnq9LEwh6bZj9Jo38


Breakfast, Lunch, and Weekend Backpacks Over Long Weekend
Friday, April 10 is a non-school day, as it is Good Friday and typically a day off of school in our school year calendar. As a result, the breakfast and lunch program from FHS will not be operating. We will, however, issue Thursday and Friday lunches and breakfasts on Thursday, April 9. Additionally, weekend backpacks will be available for pick up on Thursday, April 9, instead of Friday, April 10, this week.

Sincerely,

Franklin Public Schools


Closure Update was shared from
https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/pages/messages-superintendent-regarding-coronavirus

Franklin Public Schools: Closure Update and Vacation Survey Response Requested

Franklin Residents: Recycling Center Hours This Week

Recycling Center Hours This Week

Hours This Week:

• Friday, April 10 ~ 8 AM to 3 PM
• Saturday, April 11 ~ 8 AM to 3 PM
• Sunday, April 12 (Easter) ~ Closed

Reminder, the Recycling Center is only accepting yard waste and brush at this time. 

A pass is required and can be purchased in advance by calling the DPW Admin office at 508-553-5500.

More info
https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/urgent-alerts/beaver-st-recycling-center-re-open-following-guidelines
 

Franklin Residents: Recycling Center Hours This Week

Franklin Board Of Health - Agenda - April 8, 2020 - 5:00 PM

VIRTUAL MEETING: Connection link ->

https://zoom.us/j/741337294?pwd=T01TQ3dQZkVuWEp2ejk2VndJVXU2Zz09


Franklin Board Of Health 
Duly Scheduled Meeting
Wednesday, APRIL 8, 2020, 5:00 PM, Virtual Call 

AGENDA

This meeting is being recorded. 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.

1) Reading and acceptance of February 5, 2020 minutes 

2) Old Business

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

3) New Business

• A. Discussion of COVID-19
• B. Title V procedures
• C. Application to the Regional Collaboration and Community Planning for funding

4) Health Director’s Report

Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

5) Citizens Commentary

6) Adjournment


Next Board of Health meeting will be Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 5:00 PM in Room 106

 

Franklin Board Of Health - Agenda - April 8, 2020 - 5:00 PM

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #10

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #10

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Hi friends,

I hope you all are staying safe during these trying times. My team and I are still working around the clock to respond to this pandemic and support constituents and communities throughout the Commonwealth. My commitment to intersectional equity and justice has always been a top priority, and this commitment is stronger than ever. 

There is no doubt that black and brown communities, low-income families, and undocumented individuals are disproportionately impacted by the significant economic downturn spawned by COVID-19 and are over-represented in coronavirus cases nationwide. I pledge to continue centering equity and justice as we continue to devise and implement solutions to this unprecedented challenge.

Quick update on my personal work: I was asked to serve on the Senate’s COVID-19 public safety subcommittee. I accepted immediately, and was honored to be asked by leadership. I also continue to serve in my capacity as the Senate Chair of the Municipalities Committee. I am deeply focused on crafting legislative solutions that constituents and communities so desperately need, and getting those solutions across the legislative finish line.

A note about face masks: on Friday, April 3, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a recommendation encouraging cloth face coverings in public settings, since individuals who contract COVID-19 can carry the virus without symptoms and transmit the virus to others. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in places such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and anywhere else where community-based transmission may be high. 

This recommendation does not replace social distancing, stay-at-home measures, and hand washing recommendations that remain in effect. Also, this does not mean people need N95 or medical grade masks; the clinicians and first responders need those. If you have access to N95 masks, please contribute those resources to the statewide COVID-19 response efforts.

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #10

The newsletter was shortened for publication here, to review the full contents
https://mailchi.mp/1e0cb164d333/covid19-update-12306901