Emergency Preparedness Training for Persons with Disabilities - May 10

A special event for Emergency Preparedness Training Event for Persons with Disabilities has been scheduled for May 10 from 2:00 - 3:30 PM at the Franklin TV Studios.

RSVP by May 8 to confirm attendance by calling 508-298-4023.

** The Disability Commission would like to also note that each participant will receive a backpack from the Massachusetts Office on Disability with a great amount of emergency supplies

Additional details in the flyer on the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/event_for_the_disabled.pdf

or here

Emergency Preparedness Training Event for Persons with Disabilities - May 10

MassBudget: Analyzing the House Budget Amendments for Fiscal Year 2019

Read our latest Budget Monitor

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. May 3, 2018 Analyzing the House Budget Amendments for FY 2019 During four days in which it considered amendments on education, health care, local aid, and each of the other major areas in which our state budget provides funding for services in our communities, the House made only very modest changes to the budget proposal from its Ways and Means Committee. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's new Budget Monitor describes the major amendments in each area of the budget. The amendments increased funding overall by $79.6 million dollars, which is two tenths of one percent of the total state budget. The chart below provides an overview of the amounts added in each major category of the budget. Read the full Budget Monitor 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

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

#FRANKLIN PS NEWS - May 2018

Welcome to #FRANKLINPSNEWS! Please click on the article title to bring you to the entire article. 

If you would like to view other editions, click our archives here: 

http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_Superintendent/edumedia

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_Superintendent/articlesMay2018/franklinpsnews-May2018.pdf

Parmenter School sign

UNITE's Arrive Alive Tour® Visits Tri-County Regional to Inform Students About Impaired Driving

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School hosted UNITE's Arrive Alive Tour®, a program that simulates the dangers when texting and driving or driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Vincent Polito, a senior in the Engineering program at Tri-County, attempted to maneuver a virtual road course on a program designed to simulate driving under the influence of alcohol. "It felt like I had no control over what I was doing and that there was input delay but with my brain," said Polito. "The good news is, I didn't kill anyone. Even better news is that it wasn't real."

UNITE's Arrive Alive Tour® program uses a high-tech simulator, impact video, and a number of other resources to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving and intoxicated driving. The simulator allows participants to experience the potential consequences of distracted and impaired driving in a controlled environment.

Nearly one-third of all traffic deaths involve alcohol-impaired drivers. Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash. On average, two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. In 2014, the highest percentage of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes were in the age range of 21 to 24. Every day, people drive drunk more than 300,000 times. However, only about 3,200 of those people are arrested.

One of the most commonly recognized driving distractions is cell phone use. About 89 percent of all Americans have a cell phone, according to CTIA – The Wireless Association. Drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Their lack of driving experience can contribute to critical misjudgments if they become distracted. Not surprisingly, they text more than any other age group, and the number of young drivers who text is only increasing.

"We are pleased to have UNITE's Arrive Alive Tour® program to come to Tri-County in order to educate our students on the impact of distractions like texting while driving as well as driving under the influence of alcohol, which can be detrimental to themselves and others," said Principal Michael Procaccini. "Engaging students in real-life scenarios teaches them to be alert and better-equipped to handle dangerous situations and behaviors which will be safer for our community."

UNITE brings health and wellness programs to high schools, colleges, and communities across the nation. Its programs are designed to heighten awareness to the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. These events have a powerful impact on students to reinforce the subjects that schools and parents teach them daily.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

UNITE's Arrive Alive Tour® Visits Tri-County Regional to Inform Students About Impaired Driving

In the News: Y opens farm in Bellingham; Change your Twitter password

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

"Organic, community-harvested tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and other vegetables will be ripe for picking come fall, thanks to the Hockomock Area YMCA’s newest volunteer farm in Bellingham. 

Officials held their ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the developing garden at 200 Center St. on Thursday afternoon, where a crowd gathered to witness the event and tour the new garden area. 

Marykate Bergen, a member of the Health Innovation Team at the YMCA, said the focus is the provide healthier options for children and families. 

“It’s a great way to get people access to healthy, locally-grown food in their own community,” she said. “Also, the volunteer opportunities allow people to get out and be more connected to the future of eating.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180503/bellingham-hockomock-area-ymca-unveils-garden

"Twitter is advising all users to change their passwords. 

The company said Thursday that it recently discovered a bug that stored passwords in an internal log in an unprotected form. 

Twitter says there’s no indication that there was a breach or that any of the passwords were misused. But as a precaution, Twitter recommends users consider changing the passwords they use to log onto Twitter. They should also change that password if they used it for any other services."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180503/twitter-finds-security-bug-advises-changing-passwords

Follow Franklin Matters on Twitter @franklinmatters

MassBudget: A Credit to Health

The Health Effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. May 3, 2018 A Credit to Health:  The Health Effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) The opportunity to live a healthy life begins long before a person shows up at the doctor's office or hospital; health begins where people live, learn, work, and play. State policy can improve health outcomes by enhancing the conditions in local communities and the economic security of families. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for lower-income working families. Research has found that, in addition to helping families to make ends meet in the short term, the EITC can improve health outcomes for children, adults, and neighborhoods in the long term. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's new report, A Credit to Health: The Health Effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit examines some of the key ways the EITC affects people's health. Studies find the EITC is associated with improved prenatal and infant health. A $1,000 increase in the maximum EITC, for instance, reduced instances of low birthweight by 5.6 percent. EITC-eligible households are also found to spend relatively more on healthy foods like fruits and vegetables during months when most EITC benefits are paid. The report looks at the EITC's effects on low birthweights, gestation time, educational outcomes, and the health of mothers and other adults. Read the full report 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

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Growing Herbs Inside All Year Round - May 10

May 10 Workshop - Register Today

Lifelong Community Learning presents Growing Herbs Inside All Year Round Download Flyer REGISTER $40 Thursday, May 10 6:30 to 8:30 pm Grateful Farm 49 Prospect Street, Franklin Let's grow herbs! Even if you don't have outdoor gardening space, there are plenty of herbs that you can grow indoors successfully on a sunny windowsill. Fresh herbs invigorate every meal and just make everything taste good.  www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com LCL@franklinps.net     508-613-1480

FPS- Lifelong Community Learning, 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try it free today