“Data shows that high stakes testing doesn’t measure outcomes that matter"

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

"Educators and advocates on Monday urged lawmakers to press the pause button on the use of the state’s standardized test program as a graduation requirement and a component of school accountability measures. 

Bills filed by Rep. Marjorie Decker and Sen. Michael Rush would impose a three-year moratorium on what critics describe as the “high-stakes” nature of the MCAS exam, temporarily halting consideration of the results for graduation, accountability rankings, and teacher evaluations. 

Supporters of the bills told the Education Committee that the MCAS tests are not working as intended, and a break would give state education officials a chance to come up with new methods of measuring student and school performance. 

Jack Schneider, research director for the Massachusetts Consortium for Innovative Education Assessment, said standardized tests can act as a gauge of family income, race, and parents’ educational attainment, while not always capturing “many facets of a good school.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190617/moratorium-sought-for-mcas-exam

“Data shows that high stakes testing doesn’t measure outcomes that matter"

A good place to start with MCAS on the MA.gov site is
https://www.mass.gov/parents-guide-to-the-mcas

Monthly Morning Prayer at St. John’s - Jun 19

St. John’s Episcopal Church offers Morning Prayer on the third Wednesday of each month at 11 AM. Everyone is welcome to this small informal worship service in the church library, with lively reflection on the day's readings. Discussions and prayer are led by Rev. Kathy McAdams.

For this summer, it includes: June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18.

St. John’s Church is dementia-friendly. They welcome all people of all abilities from the community. There is plenty of parking in front and at the side of the church building. Come and enjoy camaraderie and meditation with your neighbors.


For more info or directions: 

• Call 508-528-2387
• Visit us on Facebook at St John’s Episcopal Church: 
• https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsfranklinma/
• See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org

Monthly Morning Prayer at St. John’s - Jun 19

FTC Alert: Put the brakes on phony online car sales

Put the brakes on phony online car sales by Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC You can buy practically anything online, including used cars. But before you shell out any hard-earned cash, here's a warning about scammers trying to sell cars they don't have or own. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/06/put-brakes-phony-online-car-sales?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Folks love Quini Wine Tastings - Sign up now for the Tue Jan 25 session

Are you a wine explorer?

Join The Franklin Wine Club

FREE BLIND Wine Tasting | FOR CHARDONNAY DRINKERS

Tuesday, June 25 - 7  PM

A Sit down wine event in the Franklin Liquors wine room

Description:

IMPORTANT: RSVP ONLY IF YOU ARE A CHARDONNAY LOVER AND IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED OR OREDERED CHARDONNAY12 TIMES OR MORE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS.

Prepare to taste and rate up to ten different Chardonnays and TAKE A FREE BOTTLE OF WINE home with you at the end too!

We are looking for members of our meetup and wine tasting communities online to pick up a free bottle of wine and taste different wines using Quini on your smartphone or tablet, while you visit, to get your true opinion about the wines.

Please be there by 6:45 so we can make sure your device is prepped, that you know how things work, and that we can start on time out of respect to everyone else.

The event starts to wind down at 8:30 and shuts at 9:00. Your free wine bottle will be waiting to go home with you too!

Note that you will need at least 45 minutes to go through the ten wine tastings on Quini and socialize, so please plan accordingly.

Criteria: You MUST be a wine consumer who considers yourself as a Chardonnay Lover. By signing up, you DECLARE that YOU and YOUR GUESTS fulfill the criteria stated in this special invitation

Please RSVP quickly with your name and we'll set your FREE take-home wine bottle aside for you. Folks love Quini Wine Tastings. Every event has been full and often oversubscribed by a large margin. So, sign up ASAP.

NOTE: As space is limited, kindly be sure to RSVP only when you know you will be attending, so as to keep spots available for your peers who can surely attend.

. If you have a friend or family member who fits the criteria and they are not part of this Meetup group, ask them to join and RSVP.

• What to bring and do

A big smile and a WELL CHARGED smartphone or tablet.

• If you haven't yet, sign up in advance at MAG.quiniwine.com, and please COMPLETE your user profile before the event with your city of residence, age and wine experience level.

Expect to have fun, meet great people and expand your experience with wine at the same time.

https://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Wine-Club/events/262235412/

Folks love Quini Wine Tastings - Sign up now for the Tue Jan 25 session

Mark C. Lenzi

CSW, CSS, CWAS, FWS, IWS
Franklin Liquors
363 East Central St
Franklin MA 02038
508-528-7338
franklinliquors.com

Franklin Democrats organized protest

If you drove through the center of Franklin on Saturday morning (June 15), the day after Trumps birthday, you likely noticed more than 40 participants with signs that ranged from "IMPEACH TRUMP" to "STOP THE COVER-UP". 

The Franklin Democratic Town Committee organized the event, and participated in a nation wide protest with MOVEON.org, along with a number of cities and towns across the nation calling for the impeachment of Trump now. 

Organizers said, there was so much enthusiasm for the event, they may plan another in the near future.

Franklin Democrats organized protest

“The reality is: a professional person needs a professional portrait”

Via Pantherbook we find about a talent agency opening a branch office in Franklin

"A talent agency, Dynasty Models and Talent, is opening soon in downtown Franklin. If you have always wanted to pursue acting or modeling, now is your chance. 

First of all, what is an agency? For those serious about the entertainment industry, having an agent is essential. An agency is a company, usually with multiple agents, that represents actors. Agents receive casting information from casting directors and submit the actors that best match the breakdown of the character. Then, casting directors choose which of the submitted actors should be brought in for an audition. 

Kristen Reidt, mother of two child actresses, states, “Having an agent is almost a requirement, particularly if you are interested in on-camera work. You will get the opportunity to audition for things that you didn’t even realize were out there. Of course, the hardest part of entering the acting business is finding an agent who is willing to invest their time by signing you.”

Continue reading the article including a video interview with Paul Vicario
https://franklinpanthers.us/ae/2019/06/14/audition-for-a-new-talent-agency-opening-in-franklin/

Franklin-based photographer Paul Vicario sits down in his
studio for an interview. (Pantherbook photo)

Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today reiterated the importance he places on the Registry's use of social media platforms to communicate directly with the citizens of Norfolk County. O'Donnell noted, "At the Registry of Deeds, we put a high priority on communicating with Registry users on a 24/7 basis. After all, just because our doors close at the end of the business day doesn't mean the Registry has to stop working for you. For example, our website www.norfolkdeeds.org lets people view scanned images of over 8.5 million land documents dating back to 1793, as well as learning about our latest consumer protection programs. I also want people to note that Registry information is available not just from using their workstations or laptops, but also from their smartphones or tablets." The Register also noted that you can print out an application of the popular Homestead Act. A Homestead provides a homeowner with limited protection against the forced sale of their primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. Norfolk County residents can also sign-up on-line for its free Consumer Notification Service. This program will alert a person anytime a land document has been recorded against their name in Norfolk County. Additionally, there is valuable county real estate information that can be researched and tracked based on the monthly and quarterly real estate statistical reports, such as the number of residential and commercial properties sold, average prices of property sold, and much, much more. Besides the Registry website, other forms of social media utilized by the Registry of Deeds include Facebook, facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds, Twitter, twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds, and Instagram. "The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds," noted O'Donnell, "has utilized Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to provide information to the general public. We are optimistic that county homeowners, and in particular first-time home buyers, will use these social media platforms. They can learn more about home ownership and other consumer initiatives like protecting themselves against Deed Scam rip-offs, along with other outreach services, including learning about Registry office hours in the local community." The Registry has also filmed multiple public service announcements (PSA's) which are available on the Registry's website and YouTube. These PSA's have touched on a variety of issues such as assistance for residents who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender. Videos highlighting the Registry's various philanthropic initiatives, such as its Annual Holiday Food Drive, Toys for Tots campaign, and its Suits for Success program, which helps people who are attempting to re-enter the workforce, can also be viewed. Concluding, Register O'Donnell stated, "My office recognizes the value of using social media platforms to forward important information to Norfolk County residents. If you have questions related to real property, I urge you to take a look at our social media offerings." 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/or Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in 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 www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone 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 web: https://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry's Social Media