Thursday, June 28, 2018

MassBudget: Undercount of Massachusetts Children Could Affect Federally Funded Supports



  MASSBudget     

June 27, 2018




Undercount of Massachusetts Children Could Affect Federally Funded Supports

2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book shows how a 2020 census undercount could harm childhood health, education, economic well-being, and family stability.
As the nation heads toward the 2020 census, new estimates show that 104,000 (29 percent) of the state's youngest children live in neighborhoods where the census has historically had difficulty achieving an accurate count.
Counting all people in the state accurately plays an important role in determining federal funding for communities. While Massachusetts is ranked second in the nation on child well-being, according to the 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an undercount of Massachusetts children could adversely impact the programs and supports that have aided the state's progress and allowed children to thrive. MassBudget is the KIDS COUNT®  organization for Massachusetts.
An undercount could affect the services that help the families make ends meet. In Fiscal Year 2015, the federal government supported Massachusetts children in a variety of ways, such as through $280.9 million for special education services, $146.9 for the Head Start program, and $76.3 million for affordable child care.
The annual KIDS COUNT® Data Book uses 16 indicators to rank each state across four domains - health, education, economic well-being, and family and community - as an assessment of child well-being. Massachusetts ranks second overall. According to the Data Book, Massachusetts leads the nation in health measures, reading levels and mathematic achievement, but the share of children living in poverty is the same as it was in 2010 - 14 percent. Within each domain, Massachusetts ranks:
  • 11th in economic well-being. The share of Massachusetts children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment decreased by 10 percent since 2010.
  • Second in education. Massachusetts children remain first in mathematic achievement (with 50 percent of eighth-graders scoring at or above proficient level) and reading level (with 51 percent of fourth-graders scoring at or above proficient level). The number of 3- and 4-year olds attending school has stayed essentially the same since 2009-2011.
  • First in health. The state remains first in the nation in ensuring children have health insurance and has seen a slight decrease since 2010 in the percent of babies born with a low birthweight.
  • Ninth in family and community domain. The state has seen a 47 percent drop in teen birth rates since 2010, and has seen a slight decrease in the number of children living in high-poverty neighborhoods. In 2016, about 8 percent of children lived in high-poverty neighborhoods.
Massachusetts' rankings on economic well-being and in the family and community domain indicate that raising the incomes of low- to middle-income families and improving employment opportunities remain important challenges for the Commonwealth. Getting an accurate scope of the challenges, however, requires an accurate census count.
The 2018 KIDS COUNT® Data Book is available at www.aecf.org/databook, See also the Kids Count Data Center for national, state, and local data on hundreds of indicators of child well-being. Readers may also be interested in a discussion of policies affecting child well-being as well as state and local data in MassBudget's recent report Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward.
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
Constant Contact

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Franklin 4th of July - Schedule of Events - 2018

The schedule of the 4th of July celebration for Franklin begins Friday, June 29 and runs through Wednesday, July 4, 2018.

View the full schedule or download a copy (PDF) here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ruYRILk6bmkiq32hDsndMPOiQSA6vJbL/view?usp=sharing

Visit the 4th of July website for updates  https://www.franklin4th.com/




Magic Maze set up on Town Common in 2017
Magic Maze set up on Town Common in 2017

Highlight video of the 2018 FHS baseball season

Highlight video of the 2018 FHS baseball season on the road to the Super 8.





In the News: Union St ready for the 4th; gender neutral bill filled

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

"Decorating for the Fourth of July isn’t quite like putting up lights for the holidays, but to a row of Union Street houses across from the Franklin Common, it’s important to brandish their nation’s colors. 
Heidi Mahr and her husband bought their home at 17 Union St. from her mother-in-law in April, making this the first time they’re taking part in the decorative tradition. 
“My husband used to hang the decorations for my mother-in-law,” she said. “She also used to pay somebody to come and hang them up for her.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180627/franklins-union-street-festive-for-fourth



"When teenagers finally reach the age to apply for a driver’s permit and license, it represents their first step toward individual freedom. 
This milestone, however, stifles some of the excitement for teenagers and adults who are told they must identify as a gender on their license, although they do not identify with either option provided. 
This was the case for Ella, a young adult who was nearing the time to apply for their license. As a proud teenager who is nonbinary - someone who does not identify as either male or female - Ella did not understand why someone should have to choose between putting male or female on their permit and license. 
Ella wrote to state senator, Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, to find out if that could be changed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180626/constituent-of-state-sen-spilka-inspires-gender-x-bill

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Franklin's 4th of July Celebration road races - Saturday, June 30

5K Road Race
Saturday, June 30 2018 11:00 AM
Franklin Town Common


Adult Road Race: The race will kick off at 11:00 AM. Adult Road Race will start at the Town Common (200 Main Street). Mile splits will be given at 1st and 2nd miles. A water station will be available at the 2-mile mark. Make sure you look for the orange arrows along the route. Please be extra careful of cars along Maple Street.

Register online for the Adult Road Race at RaceWire  https://my.racewire.com/event/5719

Register online for the Adult Road Race at RaceWire
Register online for the Adult Road Race at RaceWire
5K Course Map  http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/files/5k-course-map


Children's Road Race
Saturday, June 30, 2018 11:45 AM
Franklin Town Common


The Children’s Road Race is a fun 1.2 mile road race designed to let boys and girls ages 6-12 years old participate in running. This road race has been a tradition for over 30 years, held on the Saturday that Franklin celebrates the 4th of July Celebration. For years the Franklin Recreation Department has coordinated this event free of charge to all runners.

This year the road race will take place on Saturday, June 30, 11 AM. Registration for the event 10:45 AM or online, and the race will kick off at 11:45 AM.

The participants will begin the race by meeting at the gazebo for a race orientation to review safety precautions, and race details. Racers will run, walk, or jog up Crescent, take a right onto Martin Ave., right onto School Street, right onto Main Street. At the St. Mary’s Church, participants will turn left and follow around the Common, take a left onto High Street, left at the corner of High Street and Main Street back down to the finish at the center of the Common.

Children's Fun Run Course Map  http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/files/childrens-fun-run-course-map

This was shared from the Town of Franklin Recreation page
http://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/news/4th-july-road-race

For the full schedule of Franklin 4th of July Celebration visit https://www.franklin4th.com/

Tri-County Regional Vocational Director Retires After 38 Years

Jean George, the Vocational Director at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, has been an icon at the school for the past 38 years. Jean first started teaching in Early Education at the school in 1980. She taught Early Education until 2006 when she became the school’s Vocational Director.

“Suddenly I was all my peers’ boss,” said Jean. “I had to motivate and manage the people I worked with every day.” Jean states, “Becoming the Vocational Director has allowed me the best of both worlds. Having been a vocational teacher myself, I could help the other teachers in supporting their growth and development while being able to grow the vocational programs for the school.” In fact, during her tenure Jean has created four new Chapter 74 Vocational Programs to serve the students and the community: Construction Craft Laborers, Dental Assisting, Engineering, and Legal and Protective Services.
Jean George
Jean George

Jean says her passion as both an educator and a Vocational Director has been supporting every student to help them gain the skills and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their future, whatever they decide to do, whether it’s college, post-secondary, working, or the military.

Jean believes throughout history, children haven’t changed. They still have the same attributes and qualities. She finds students to be authentic, honest, fun to work with and similar in nature in regards to their feelings and emotions. She says “Their issues may be different in today’s world with all the new technology, but underneath it all, students are basically the same and have the same core needs.”

Her philosophy in teaching has always been that each student has their own individual and unique qualities and attributes. Each student has his or her own story. Once we know their story, we can serve the student both academically and emotionally. Every student is a valuable asset to this school and contributes to the culture of this school.

“I’ve loved my years at Tri-County,” reflects Jean. “I had students that I’ve taught in preschool and was able to see them again in the high school and then as a parent of a preschooler. You could say I’ve seen the whole cycle of a preschooler.” She laughs and remembers fondly, “It’s been like a second home where children grow, leave, come back and tell me all about their lives.”

In addition to her experience as an Early Education teacher and a Vocational Director at Tri-County, Jean has also taught as an adjunct professor at Dean College in Franklin MA.

Now Jean is ready to leave behind the history of her professional life and delve into the unknown future. She looks forward to spending more time with her grandchildren, traveling, playing golf with friends, and of course, keeping abreast of education and trends.

Always an educator, Jean will continue to serve on the Advisory Committee for Early Education and Special Education students at Regis College and will remain in her role as a liaison to facilitate OSHA training for teachers at the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA).

Stephen Dockray, Superintendent, states “Jean has impacted thousands of lives through her work as an Early Education teacher and Vocational Director. Throughout her career, Jean has always put the students first. It is that approach, along with her compassionate and caring nature, that has enabled her to enjoy such a long and impactful career working with students in our community. She has demonstrated her unwavering leadership and commitment, and we thank her for her years of service here at Tri-County.”


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.

Franklin Library: Musical History through Popular Songs of the 50-60's

A History of the 1950's and 60's Through Popular Song, Wednesday, June 27, 6:30 PM

Franklin Library: Musical History through Popular Songs of the 50-60's
Franklin Library: Musical History through Popular Songs of the 50-60's
This was shared from the Franklin Library page
https://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-history-of-1950s-60s-through-popular.html


"Marc Black, recent inductee into the NY Chapter of the Blues Hall of Fame, has created an engaging and humorous program… and an opportunity for the audience to relive this colorful time in our history. Well received all across the Country in libraries, art centers and small theaters, folks cheerfully sing along beginning to end! 
In the presentation, Marc uses a wide range of popular songs including surprising favorites like Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, great rock tunes like Blue Suede Shoes and moving folk songs like Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind. The show also features a performance of his own group’s hit from 1967… Happy by the Blades of Grass. 
And beside being fun, boston.com listed it as one of the top ten area events that’ll “make you smarter!”
http://www.marcblack.com/history-of-the-1950s-60s-through-popular-song/


FTC Scam Alert: No prizes from the FTC



Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information
by Todd Kossow
Director, Midwest Region


Recently, someone showed up at the door of the FTC to ask about his prize. He had a mailing saying he'd won $5 million – and the FTC had "certified and verified" it. The letter told him to act immediately to get the money. Otherwise, his millions would be given to somebody else. He'd talked with the so-called officials, who wanted him to pay $500 in fees to claim his (ahem) prize.

Read more: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/06/no-prizes-ftc?utm_source=govdelivery

This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.


"eases the setback lines to allow for more folks to have chickens”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Two new bylaws could be good news for aspiring chicken owners, and possibly bad news for the solar crowd. 
One of the bylaws would put certain restrictions on the placement of ground-mounted solar panels, and the other would make owning chickens in town much easier. 
The bylaws are making their way through town government. Public hearings for the zoning board, planning board, and the town council have not yet been scheduled. Final decisions are predicted to be made by the end of the summer."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180625/proposed-franklin-bylaws-help-chickens-could-hurt-solar

The Town Council "Action Taken" document can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_june_20_2018.pdf

The proposed changes for poultry can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/zbl_18-816_poultry_legislation.pdf

The poultry bylaw change was referred to the Planning Board. They'll schedule public hearing and take action to recommend or change the bylaw and refer back to the Town Council. The Town Council is required to hold a public hearing and have at least two meetings on the item before voting on it. 

The changes for ground mounted solar were scheduled for discussion in the Economic Development Meeting on June 20 but are not yet drafted for review.

The new portable stage authorized for purchase last year has arrived and is set up for the 4th of July Celebration on the Town Common
The new portable stage authorized for purchase last year has arrived
and is set up for the 4th of July Celebration on the Town Common

Monday, June 25, 2018

Tri-County sends two to the National Skills USA Conference

Congratulations to the students who will compete at the National Skills USA Conference in Louisville, Kentucky from June 25 – 30, 2018.

These students received gold medals at the MA state competition in Additive Manufacturing:
Anne Seibel – grade 10 (Walpole) and Hannah Davis - grade 10 (Franklin)


Anne Seibel and Hannah Davis
Anne Seibel and Hannah Davis

Updated 6/25/18



Have you seen the new Franklin Cultural District Facebook page?

"As we shift to official Cultural District approval and a new group of committee members, so are our social media accounts. 
All the great things about Franklin and its forthcoming cultural district can still be found, now just at the Franklin Culture Facebook page - the new official home of the Franklin Cultural District!"

You can also follow Franklin Culture on
Twitter: @franklinculture  https://twitter.com/franklinculture
Instagram: @franklinculture   https://www.instagram.com/franklinculture/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/franklinculturema/


Franklin Culture Facebook page
Franklin Culture Facebook page

This was shared from the Franklin Culture post
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestivalret/posts/1111147659036269

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Celebrates its 225th Birthday


Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Registry Celebrates its 225th Birthday

It was an evening when "History Came Alive," all 225 years' worth, as several hundred people came to partake in the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds birthday celebration. The event, which was held on June 20th and free to the public, showcased the notable land records of many prominent people, along with changes to the Registry's operations throughout the past two and a quarter centuries.

"It was on June 20, 1793 that Norfolk County and the Registry of Deeds came into existence thanks to a bill signed into law by then Governor John Hancock," noted Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell. "As some residents of Norfolk County will proudly tell you, next to his being the lead signer of the Declaration of Independence, this was probably the second most important signature in John Hancock's life."

Hancock, his wife Dorothy Quincy, and his friend John Adams greeted those attending the event. The evening was filled with "pomp and parade" as President Adams would say with a stirring rendition of God Bless America sung by the Singing Trooper, Dan Clark among his several patriotic songs. There was also fife and drum music performed by the Colonial Boys and an honor guard from the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office which led the procession into the Registry's Great Hall.

People strolled throughout the 113 year old building to view the 45 notable land exhibits, which included the names of the 4 U.S. Presidents who were born in Norfolk County: John Adams, John Quincy Adams (Braintree, now part of Quincy), John F. Kennedy (Brookline) and George H.W. Bush (Milton). They also viewed land records of Norfolk County residents who won Nobel Prizes and others who were elected Governors of Massachusetts.

Additionally, there was a land record of an extraordinary individual from each one of the county's twenty-eight communities. "This is an eclectic group of Norfolk County people that have made significant contributions in the areas of science, the arts, politics, environment, law, military and medicine," noted Register O'Donnell. Some of those honored included revolutionary war hero Paul Revere (Canton), Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis (Dedham), astronaut Sunita Williams (Needham) and Helen Keller, advocate for the disabled (Wrentham).

There were also exhibits tracing the history of the Registry of Deeds throughout its 225 years. There were storyboards about the different Registry locations as well as past Registers of Deeds. "Much has obviously changed," noted Register O'Donnell. "The Registry operations have gone from the days of scriveners with quill pens to the modern era of computers and advanced document imaging. No longer do people ride by horseback to the Registry of Deeds, but today they can perform many of the same tasks from the comfort of their home computer."

Those who attended the event received a booklet which included all the exhibits as well as a pin commemorating the 225th anniversary. If you are interested in a free booklet, please email agardner@norfolkdeeds.org or call the Registry of Deeds at 781-461-6104.

Register O'Donnell concluded, "Norfolk County has an amazing history. It is one of the reasons that it is considered a destination place to live and to work. We are proud as a Registry to be the depository of more than 6 million land records and processor of hundreds of thousands of transactions on a yearly basis. But as proud as we are of the past and the present, we are just as excited and focused on what the future holds for the Registry."

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street, Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.


Register William P. O'Donnell
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org
phone: 781-234-3336
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831

Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Celebrates its 225th Birthday
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Celebrates its 225th Birthday

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - June 26, 2018

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.


A G E N D A
“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. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
b. Citizen’s Comments
i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment 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” – from Policy BEDH
c. FHS Student Representative Comments
d. Superintendent’s Report

2. Guests / Presentations
a. Personnel Presentation – Ms. Lisa O’Keefe Trainor, Director of HR

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Policy – Second Readings/Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:

  • JQA – Financial Assistance Policy
  • JQA-R – Financial Assistance Application & Procedures
  • EFD – Meal Charge Policy
  • EFD-R – Meal Charge Policy & Procedures
  • JFAA-R – School Admission/Residency


4. Discussion Only Items
a. Annual Report

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget; Community Relations;
Policy; Transportation; Public Schools Advocacy; Ad Hoc Superintendent’s
Evaluation)

b. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task
Force; School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]; School Start Times Advisory
Committee [SSTAC]; MASC)


6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the June 12, 2018 School Committee meeting.
b. Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the executive session minutes from the June 12, 2018 School Committee meeting for release.
c. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
d. FHS Scholarships
I recommend acceptance of 3 checks totaling $5,915.55 for FHS Scholarships as detailed:

  • $340.00 Paul Castelline Scholarship (various donors)
  • $5,000.00 Keiichi Katanosono Scholarship (Katanosono family)
  • $575.55 Keiichi Katanosono Scholarship (various donors)

e. Davis Thayer Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $218.37 from O’Connor Studios for supplemental supplies at Davis Thayer Elementary School.
f. Horace Mann Middle School – Surplus Lights
I recommend approval of the request of Rebecca Motte, Principal of Horace Mann Middle School to declare old lighting as surplus as detailed.

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence

11. Executive Session
a. Negotiations with non-union personnel
b. Strategy discussion with respect to pending litigation

12. Adjournment

The agenda document can be found online
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/k6-26-18%20SC%20Packet/SCAGENDA%206-26-18.pdf

The documents released for this agenda can also be found online
http://franklinschool.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinCom_Packets/k6-26-18%20SC%20Packet/

the key to learning
the key to learning

Franklin TV to broadcast the Super 8 final

Thanks to Jay Horrigan for posting that the FHS Super 8 baseball game will be broadcast by Franklin TV 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/2090745131195502/

"Franklin TV is thrilled to announce that starting Monday, Franklin residents will be able to see Franklin TV's broadcast of the Super 8 Championship game between Franklin High and Central Catholic, primarily on our Educational channel -

  • Channel 96 if you have Comcast 
  • Channel 28 if you have Verizon
Check out our program guide at franklin.tv for airtimes."

The TV schedule is found in this PDF file   http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf


Monday - 6/25 - 09:30 AM Baseball Super 8 Final
Tuesday - 6/26 - 07:00 PM Baseball Super 8 Final
Friday - 6/29 - 06:00 PM Baseball Super 8 Final
Saturday - 6/30 - 09:31 AM Baseball Super 8 Final


Franklin TV to broadcast the Super 8 final
Franklin TV to broadcast the Super 8 final

In the News: What are 'American cars'?; 4th of July celebrations mapped

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

"The most American-made cars may not be made by the most American car brands. 
Four out of the top 10 most American-made vehicles of 2018 are made by Japanese brand Honda, according to the annual report from Cars.com. 
“It’s part of the globalization of automotive manufacturing,” Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder said in a phone interview. “The brand on the vehicle isn’t the only part of the equation of what makes it American.” 
The Honda Odyssey, for instance, is built in Lincoln, Ala., and is made with 75 percent domestic parts. Compare it with Buick, which is considered to be as American as the red, white and blue in its badge: the Buick Envision crossover is manufactured in China with only 2 percent domestic parts, said Wiesenfelder."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180623/list-of-top-american-made-cars-drives-home-some-surprises


"Fourth of July celebrations begin at the end of June and carry on through Wednesday, July 4, with parades, barbecues, fairs and fireworks. 
Here is a map of activities from the North Shore to the Cape, whether you plan to stay close to home for the holiday weekend or will spend the weekend at the beach. Zoom in to take a look at what is happening in your area and click on each icon to learn more about the event."



Franklin's 4th of July schedule can be found online  https://www.franklin4th.com/

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180624/interactive-map-find-fourth-of-july-celebration-near-you