Monday, November 9, 2020

Read the sources cited and make your decision

Tracy Novick spent time with the sources cited by Gov Baker and DESE in their encouragement for students to be in schools. While I also agree educationally, kids do belong in the school learning environment, under the pandemic circumstances, only when it is healthy to do so. 

Here are the sources cited with Tracy's summary so you can read along and decide for yourself.

"On Friday, after the latest round of the Governor/Secretary/Commissioner's pounding their fists on tables (metaphorically) about getting students back into buildings, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued updated guidance. As the Governor and Commissioner continue to cite what is known from other countries, I was interested to see what they cited as their sources in urging all students, even those in communities where the virus is surging, to go back into buildings for school.

The Department has four footnotes on their recommendations:

Obviously, I am not a doctor, but I am able to read research and review conclusions, and so I did to the pieces here cited, as the argument here is that these are indicating that students even as the virus surges, should be going back into buildings.

The short answer is that none of these pieces say that."

Continue reading Tracy's article online
 
Read the sources cited and make your decision
Read the sources cited and make your decision

 

Senior Center: Email Blast - Nov 6, 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

Paul Eugene Low impact standing aerobics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u35SwITpax0 


Chair Yoga - 29 minutes

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


Top 10 balance exercises.  STOP falls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atMJ2opvCvo 


8 hours of underwater whale songs.  This is so relaxing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDqP7kcr-sc 


Music

Songs that got us through WWII

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRtiTwOrif4&list=PLA86C2DA5F0C1DB7E&index=4 


50 countries affected by COVID sing Amazing Grace together

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA7pdABvpnc 


US Military acapella group on America's got Talent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_rXaDN7gkg 


Just for Fun

Virtual Whale Watch - drone footage of Whales and dolphins.  Beautiful and relaxing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTvRm9CdDVE 


Ingenious Home Design Solutions - Ok these are cool!  The bunk beds are a great idea!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBY5bEreKVM&t=24s 


Harry Gardner sings a son about his Nan - MUST watch this and have a tissue or 2 ready. 

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/FMfcgxwKjKppztrVJjhpKKwBRWdtVVrL?projector=1 


Humor

Lucy teaches Ethel Merman to sing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu1vAQiYoEU 


Scaredy Cats a short compilation of cats being scared

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UTd98iMBok 


What's My Line - best contestant ever. June 1, 1958

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQdZyi6fozY 


Kindness Matters

The Boy On The Beach - A young boy's tribute to the brave men who fought at Normandy.

https://pinearts.smugmug.com/The-Boy-on-the-Beach-Omaha-Beach-2014/i-vPVMh5F/A 


Airport comes to a standstill

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


Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Monday Nov. 9th at 11am - The History and growing of the Milestone Cranberry Bogs with Conservation Ranger Allen Reinhard.

*Monday Nov. 9th at 1pm Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Monday Nov. 9th at 2pm - Memory Cafe 

*Tuesday Nov. 10th at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.

*Wednesday Nov. 11th - Happy Veterans Day special programming on franklin TV

*Thursday Nov. 12th at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Friday Nov. 13th at 11am - "Covid-19 Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers" Learn strategies for managing the day to day challenges that are unique to Alzheimer's caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics will include managing a day at home, caregiving from a distance during visitation restrictions, and preparing for an emergency. Open to anyone.  Call 1-800-272-3900 to register for this zoom event.

*Friday Nov. 13th at 1pm Tele Trivia call the Senior Center to play 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 


Attached you will find:


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
 
Senior Center: Email Blast - Nov 6, 2020
Senior Center: Email Blast - Nov 6, 2020

 

Navigating a Mess of Unending Challenges Five Questions to Get Us Unstuck And Make Things Better

Now that we can back to our lives... Really looking forward to this free webinar with former IDEO designer and current Olin College prof @ElaBenUr next Monday: https://t.co/gXITrezKzy Some practical strategies to get unstuck and move forward. Register now!
Navigating a Mess of Unending Challenges
Five Questions to Get Us Unstuck And Make Things Better 
– Especially During the Pandemic

With Ela Ben-Ur of Olin College, Formerly of IDEO

Two sessions: November 16, 2020 at 12 PM or 7 PM US ET
 
 
Navigating a Mess of Unending Challenges
Navigating a Mess of Unending Challenges

 

Sunday, November 8, 2020

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Nov 10, 2020

Call to Order    Dr. Ahern
Pledge of Allegiance 
Moment of Silence 
 
Organizational Meeting:
  • Election of Chair
  • Election of Vice Chair
 
I.    Routine Business
A.    Review of Agenda
B.    Citizen’s Comments
In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH
C.    FHS Student Representative Comments
D.    Superintendent’s Report
 
II.    Guests/Presentations
A.    Portrait of a Graduate
1.    Process, Indicators, and Descriptors -- Sara Ahern, Joyce Edwards, Lucas Giguere, Paula Marano, Josh Hanna, Paul Duprey, Lizzie Morrison, Beckie Motte
2.    Graphic Design - Anne Marie Tracey
 
III.    Discussion/Action Items
A.    Policy - 2nd Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:
●    AC - Nondiscrimination
●    ACAB - Harassment
●    ACAB-R1 - Grievance Procedure for Complaints of Harassment and Discrimination
●    ACAB-R2 - Grievance Procedure for Complaints of Sexual Harassment Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
●    JQA - Financial Assistance
 
IV.    Discussion Only Items
A.    Reopening of Schools - Status Update 11/6/2020
 
V.    Information Matters
A.    School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
 
B.    School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)
 
VI.    New Business
A.    To discuss any future agenda items
 
VII.    Consent Agenda
A.    Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 27, 2020 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B.    Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the executive session minutes from the October 27, 2020 School Committee meeting as detailed to be released.
C.    Solutions Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $300.00 from the Franklin Cultural Council for supplemental curriculum materials for the Solutions Program as detailed.
D.    Athletics Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $61.85 from Campus Box Media, LLC for supplemental supplies for FHS Athletics as detailed.
 
VIII.    Payment of Bills    TBD
 
IX.    Payroll    TBD
 
X.    Executive Session
 
XI.    Adjournment

 

The documents for this meeting can be found in the online folder

 

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Nov 10, 2020
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Nov 10, 2020


Franklin Public Library: Curbside Pickup

How it works:
  • Place a hold in the Minuteman Library Network catalog https://find.minlib.net
  • Wait for a notification (email, text, phone call)
  • Pick up your items at the Library Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the glass vestibule entrance at the top of the ramp.
  • Items are filed by your last name on book carts
  • Your items are already checked out to you, just bring them home!
  • Prefer to make a request by phone? Give us a call between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 508-520-4941. We can place up to five holds per phone call.
Returns:
  • Please return items in the return slots at the top of the ramp, to the left of the glass doors.
  • To return an oversized item, call the Circulation Desk during Curbside Pickup hours and a staff person will meet you at the door to accept the item.
  • Please call the Circulation Desk with any questions, or if you have mobility issues: 508-520-4941. 
 
Download a copy of this for reference
 
Franklin Public Library: Curbside Pickup
Franklin Public Library: Curbside Pickup


FM #384 "A Minister, a Priest and a Rabbi walk into a Radio Station" - LIVE - 11/04/20 (audio)

FM #384 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 384 in the series.

This special edition shares the audio of the live Franklin Public Radio show that was broadcast on Wednesday morning, November 4, 2020:  “A Minister, a Priest and a Rabbi walk into a Radio Station”

This program features an interview format with Rabbi Tom Alpert (Temple Etz Chaim), Rev. Kathy McAdams (St. John's Episcopal Church) and Rev Eric Cherry (First Universalist Society of Franklin).  Jay Horrigan and Pandora Carlucci co-facilitate the discussion. Pete Fasciano and Keith Palmieri handle the technical details. I was honored to be a guest for this episode and share the stats from the unofficial election results Nov 3.

Anytime Listen Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDf00XDS



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

All episodes of this show can be found on  https://temple-etzchaim.org/community/listen-watch/
 
You can also catch this program repeated  on wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the local dial on Thursday's at 9:00 AM / 12:00 PM / 6:00 PM or Sunday's at 9:00 AM.

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

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"

 

"A Priest, a Rabbi and a Minister walk into a Radio Station…"
"A Priest, a Rabbi and a Minister walk into a Radio Station…"

 

 

“The kids are ecstatic. The kids are absolutely thrilled”

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

"Izzy Arnold received her first COVID-19 test Saturday morning.

“It was kind of uncomfortable,” the Franklin High junior soccer player said. “But nothing I can’t handle.”

And that sentiment accurately sums up the past week for Franklin High students and administrators.

A party on Oct. 31 at a home in Franklin, where up to 50 high school students failed to practice social distancing or wear masks, forced Franklin High School to shut down until Nov. 16."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
The Nov 1 letter shutting sports down with delay to hybrid until Nov 16
 
The Nov 5 letter with the test plan for athletes

“The kids are ecstatic. The kids are absolutely thrilled”
“The kids are ecstatic. The kids are absolutely thrilled”