virtual Senior Health & Wellness Fair = Nov 20

Senate President Karen E. Spilka is excited to announce a one-hour VIRTUAL Senior Health & Wellness Fair that will be broadcast on Facebook and karenspilka.com on November 20, 2020, at 10 am. EST. 

 

Designed to help seniors maintain their mental and physical health during the Pandemic, it will feature expertise and resources from local and state experts, including: strategies to beat social isolation with AARP Massachusetts President Sandra Harris; short workshops on at-home fitness, fraud prevention, and finding the right care; and overviews of community organizations and services that can help with transportation, fighting scams, and lifelong learning, as well as helplines and other resources-by-phone. There will be fun and entertainment too! 

 

Learn more: https://fb.me/e/31IiyU7w0

 

virtual Senior Health & Wellness Fair = Nov 20

 

DLS Alert: Commonwealth Employees Targeted by Phishing Campaign

The following is a notification from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS). Commonwealth Employees Targeted by Phishing Campaign Curtis M. Wood - EOTSS Secretary and Chief Information Officer As many of us in state and municipal government are increasingly conducting our work remotely, the cybersecurity risks of data breaches, disclosures of sensitive data, and targeted cybersecurity threats have increased. As you will see below, we are seeing a rise in malicious cyber attacks, specifically aggressive phishing campaigns over e-mail and texts. The Commonwealth continues to be in contact with our federal partners at the Department of Homeland Security to stay vigilant of emerging cyberthreats and remains on high alert to protect Commonwealth systems and ensure continuity of government operations. The Commonwealth has recently been the target of an aggressive phishing and smishing campaign. The malicious actors are using free e-mail services, such as g-mail, to create fake e-mail accounts designed to impersonate Commonwealth Leadership and are using social engineering tactics to elicit a sense of urgency. In addition to e-mail, the scammers have started using text messages as another way to phish our community. This technique, often referred to as smishing or SMS phishing, is a text-message based variation of traditional phishing scams, and a growing cyber threat. This particular campaign does not contain any links or malicious documents, but rather requests that the user purchase a gift card on behalf of the executive. If you receive an e-mail or a text message requesting you to purchase a gift card, to pay by gift card, or to wire money – for any reason – that's a sure sign of scam. Any correspondence, whether e-mail or SMS-based, imploring (or even threatening) the need for an immediate response, should be treated with healthy skepticism. Remember to pay attention to key warning signs: False sense of urgency External e-mail address as either the sender or the reply-to address Misspellings and Typos Consider the purpose; is this someone you'd typically correspond with? Be wary of suspicious attachments and links

read the red outlines for details on what to look for

  

read the red outlines for details on what to look for 1

Job Search Workshop: "Simplicity and Personal Brand for Job Seekers"

Stephen Melanson, the corporate branding specialist, has announced a two-session workshop for job-seekers.

Dec 10 and 17 - 1-2:00 PM ET

If you're looking for your next professional role, you have to break away from the pack and be clear about your value. And if it's not simple enough, it won't work as well as you need.

Why would an employer be crazy to not hire you? Do you know? Can you verbalize it in about 5 seconds, or describe it in a few words?

In this two-session package, we'll cover:

• The rules for 'Simplicity' as a business tool
• What 'Verbal Branding' is, and how to use it
• How to differentiate and not commoditize yourself
• Building a strategy for job seeking that works
• Viewing the effort to sell yourself
• How to be more effective in less time
• The scary, critical truth about being memorable
• Confidence and a little courage

Register via Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/simplicity-and-personal-brand-for-job-seekers-tickets-128648026711

TESTIMONIAL QUOTE: Conference Speaker for Top 5 Asset Management firm worldwide: Annual Summit, 2019 "Yours was the only session to get a perfect score from the audience."

NOTE: There are no refunds for this package. Please be sure you can attend before signing up.

To learn more about Stephen Melanson:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmelansonconsulting/

 

Job Search Workshop: "Simplicity and Personal Brand for Job Seekers"

 

FM_#389 School Committee Meeting - 11/10/20 Part 3 of 3 (audio)

FM #389 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 389 in the series.

This session shares one of three segments for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the two hour and thirty-five minutes meeting (2:35) into three logical segments:

First - covers the opening through the Superintendent's Report, covering the re-opening status; including testing for FHS athletes and theater students to enable their return this week (about 48 minutes)

Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Portrait of a Graduate (about 47 mins)

Third - covers the Discussion Actions Items, and the remainder of the meeting. (about 60 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the Superintendent’s Report and Portrait of a Graduate presentation copy. Those are usually posted to the folder the day after the meeting.

Let’s listen to this third segment of the School Committee meeting of Nov 10, 2020   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HVjvV5tS

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

Agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-11-10-20

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-10-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/school-committee-meeting-oct-27-2020.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"

newly elected vice-chair of the School Committee Denise Spencer

Superintendent Sara Ahern answers a question

FM #388 School Committee Meeting - 11/10/20 Part 2 of 3 (audio)

FM #388 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 388 in the series. 

This session shares one of three segments for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the two hour and thirty-five minutes meeting (2:35) into three logical segments:

First - covers the opening through the Superintendent's Report, covering the re-opening status; including testing for FHS athletes and theater students to enable their return this week (about 48 minutes)

Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Portrait of a Graduate (about 47 mins)

Third - covers the Discussion Actions Items, and the remainder of the meeting. (about 60 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the Superintendent’s Report and Portrait of a Graduate presentation copy. Those are usually posted to the folder the day after the meeting.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting of Nov 10, 2020. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HskT5mtS

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

Agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-11-10-20 

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-10-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/school-committee-meeting-oct-27-2020.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"

cover page for presentation deck

Marketing and Communication Specialist Anne Marie Tracy explains the design elements

FM #387 School Committee Meeting - 11/10/20 - Part 1 of 3 (audio)

FM #387 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 387 in the series. 

This session shares one of three segments for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the two hour and thirty-five minutes meeting (2:35) into three logical segments:

First - covers the opening through the Superintendent's Report, covering the re-opening status; including testing for FHS athletes and theater students to enable their return this week (about 48 minutes)

Second - covers the presentation/discussion on the Portrait of a Graduate (about 47 mins)

Third - covers the Discussion Actions Items, and the remainder of the meeting. (about 60 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the Superintendent’s Report and Portrait of a Graduate presentation copy. Those are usually posted to the folder the day after the meeting.

Let’s listen to this first segment of the School Committee meeting of Nov 10, 2020. Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H1Ykmf3S

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

Agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-11-10-20 

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-10-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/school-committee-meeting-oct-27-2020.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"

four designs for Portrait of a Graduate

designs icons for the skill areas for the Portrait of a Graduate

Franklin Food Elves Launch Holiday Drive: “12 Days of Donating” Campaign Celebrates 15 Years

This year the Franklin Food Elves “12 Days of Donating” Campaign marks 15 years of helping neighbors in need during the holiday season and beyond. Starting on December 1 and running through December 12, the neighborhood collection by local middle and high school student serves as the largest fundraiser for The Franklin Food Pantry. Be on the lookout in your neighborhood for purple envelopes to support your local Food Elf or donate here.

This year especially, The Pantry needs monetary donations to help feed its neighbors. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Pantry has had to change how it serves its neighbors. Neighbors are able to visit The Pantry once a week and they all receive a bag filled with the same shelf-stable items. Neighbors all get a choice of proteins and a bag of fresh produce. The money raised by the Food Elves will help to purchase the items needed by our neighbors to help meet their needs.

“So many people in our community have reached out to ask how they can help us during the Pandemic. Becoming a Food Elf is a great way that some of our younger community members can support The Pantry,” said Lynn Calling, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. “Food Elves is our largest fundraiser of the year and helps us purchase what we need when we need it to provide for the more than 1400 individuals who count on us.”

The Food Elves will notify people in their neighborhood about how they can support the Pantry. They will distribute flyers in their neighborhoods about the Food Elves Drive. Neighbors can make donations in two ways” through a check donation that the elves will pick up personally; or through each Elf’s own online personal campaign page. Each Elf will be able to keep track of how much they personally raise.

The Franklin Food Pantry thanks our middle and high school students who serve as our Food Elves and our district parents who are helping to lead. 

Any student interested in becoming a Food Elf can visit: https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/franklin-food-elves/

Past Food Elves gather at the Pantry for an orientation and tour