Sunday, August 25, 2019

50+ Job Seekers Networking Group starts Oct 11

Franklin is offering a 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group. The group is scheduled to meet for the first time on Friday, Oct 11 and then on the 2nd and 4th Friday's of each month.


"NETWORKING WORKS!! Your AGE really is your EDGE!!

16 LOCATIONS! NETWORKING WORKS!! Your AGE really is your EDGE!!

Funded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, managed by Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) and supported by AARP, we offer a unique Job Seekers Networking & Training Group program to support and assist people in the 50+ demographic who are looking for a new job, a totally new career direction, re-entry into the workforce or a Second Act career.

Can you check off one or more of these boxes? We Want to Help YOU!:
  • Stuck in your Job Search?
  • Not Sure What to Do Next?
  • Feeling Challenged by Ageism?
  • Need Help with your Resume?
  • Don’t Know How to Use LinkedIn?
  • Uncomfortable with Networking?
  • Perplexed by how to use Social Media?"

More info on the MCOA page
https://mcoaonline.com/employment/50-plus-job-seeker-networking-groups/

50+ Job Seekers Networking Group starts Oct 11
50+ Job Seekers Networking Group starts Oct 11

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Aug 26, 2019

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. Introduce New Administrators
b. New Faculty and Staff

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. Strategy for District Improvement – Annual Goals 2019-2020
I recommend approval of the District Improvement Goals for 2019-2020 as discussed.

4. Discussion Only Items
a. Draft Presentation Schedule for School Committee Meetings 2019-2020

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]; MASC)

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

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes - I recommend approval of the minutes from your August 13, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.
b. JFK Gift - I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,339.00 from the JFK PCC for supplemental supplies as detailed.
c. Music Gift - I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,785.05 from Music Parents for in- house enrichment as detailed.
d. 2019 Student Activity Account Approval - I recommend approval of the 2019 Student Activity Accounts as detailed.


8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen
9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas
10. Correspondence
11. Executive Session
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA Cafeteria unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.
12. Adjournment

Documents released for this meeting
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-27-2019-school-committee-packet

 
Remington - Jefferson sign during the summer
Remington - Jefferson sign during the summer

 

Franklin Public Schools: 2019-2020 School Year Information


Handy links:
 
Welcome Back to School Letter from Superintendent Ahern
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/parents_guardians_and_students_back_to_school_letter_2019_revised.pdf

School bus route info
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/2019-20_bus_routes.pdf

Other busing info (pay to ride, etc.)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/transportation

School lunch menus
https://franklindistrict.nutrislice.com/menus-eula

School handbooks for 2019-2020
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-handbooks

2019-2020 school calendar
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/19-20_school_calendar_-final.pdf

School hours (5 minutes added to the length of day)
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/school_hours_0.pdf

For anything else, you should be able to find it on the school district page
https://www.franklinps.net/



"All School Offices, Including Central Offices will be Closed Monday, August 26, 2019 from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM."
https://www.franklinps.net/district/urgent-alerts/all-school-offices-including-central-offices-will-be-closed-monday-august-26

This will allow the school district to hold a meeting for all the personnel in the district.

Parmenter School on a summer day
Parmenter School on a summer day

FSPA Continues Renowned “Little Music School” Program

Now in its 35th year, the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will continue to offer its renowned “Little Music School” program. Unique to FSPA, Little Music School (LMS) teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano, engaging them from the earliest age in the joys of music-making and exploration of the arts.

Under the direction of Kim Rezendes, Little Music School is a dynamic and inspiring music program that teaches children to play the piano and explore the musical world around them. Built on the Three Cs – Color, Creativity, and Core – the LMS program welcomes children into a creative world where music making and enjoyment is fostered, through group play, while singing, playing the piano, imagining, and creating.
“Little Music School” program
“Little Music School” program

The program uses color to make written music more accessible to young children by drawing relationships between notations and different hues. Creative activities encourage children to take ownership of the music-making process and to interpret and express music in their own way. 

Little Music School students build a solid musical foundation and benefit greatly from early music instruction. Children develop musical understanding and skills in numerous areas including ear training, sight singing, sight reading, tonal recognition, rhythm, and note reading. 

LMS students also become familiar with important musical terminology, concepts, and history beginning with their first class. A Little Music School mom from Norfolk remarked, "In the short time since our son has been enrolled, we have seen his confidence in social settings, willingness to follow instructions, and ability to interact with others grow remarkably."

With a maximum student-teacher ratio of 7:1, children enjoy individualized attention and not a “one-size-fits-all” curriculum. LMS students learn how to read, understand, and appreciate music while playing the piano in weekly classes and peer recitals throughout the year. At the same time, they gain confidence, independence, and self-esteem; improve gross and fine motor skills; enhance coordination, creativity, comprehension, and memory retention; and develop social, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and communication skills.

For more information on Little Music School at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, visit www.FSPAonline.com, call 508-528-8668, or stop by the facility at 38 Main Street in Franklin, MA. 

In the News: Hopedale votes on an override Weds; DOR has Prop 2 1/2 video series

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Renee Polechronis walked away from her desk in the Assessor’s Office Friday morning with some paperwork.

When she returned moments later, fresh forms had been dropped off. Soon afterward, the phone rang. Before any of that, she had answered a resident’s question on senior citizen tax exemptions.

“I’m usually pretty busy on Fridays,” Polechronis, the office administrative clerk, said with a smile.

If Hopedale voters fail to pass the $430,000 tax override on Wednesday’s election ballot, residents might not have access to Polechronis’ cheerful attitude on Fridays.

Officials are asking for the money to bolster Hopedale’s operating budget, and have categorized the $430,000 as the amount needed just to keep basic services running. They aren’t yet sure where they’ll cut if voters don’t approve the override, but closing Town Hall the final day of the work week has made the list of possible partial solutions.
...
Residents overwhelmingly approved the override at Town Meeting this spring, but a majority vote in the townwide election is also required before the tax can be levied."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190824/final-vote-on-hopedale-tax-override-is-wednesday

The MA Dept of Revenue has a video series on Proposition 2 1/2 explaining overrides, debt exclusions, and other accurate info on this matter

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfBnwDVE7DgFBJePuMrBUMjVLGv8xp34S







In the News: "Selectmen agreed the bylaw needed to change"; third case of EEE found

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
A third human case of Eastern equine encephalitis has been diagnosed in the state, and horses in Mendon and Uxbridge have been euthanized after testing positive for the virus, the state Department of Public Health said Friday.

The patient is a man over the age of 60 who was exposed to the virus in northern Franklin County, health officials said. The risk level in two communities in Franklin County - Heath and Colrain - has been raised to critical as a result.

Uxbridge interim Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that the horse, which was on a farm in South Uxbridge near the Rhode Island border, had been sick and couldn’t successfully be treated for the infection, which is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190823/horses-in-uxbridge-mendon-euthanized-after-found-with-eee-virus


This article falls into the category of "Really?"
Selectmen are looking to update a policy that prevents nonunion employees from taking a vacation for as much as a year after their start dates.

“Probably my biggest challenge in soliciting folks to come in and work for the town is when I explain our vacation policy,” Milford Human Resources Director Maureen Gifford said.

Town employees – regardless of their prior experience or past benefit package – must accrue the available two weeks’ time off during their first year before being able to use it in their second year.

After five years, employees can earn a third week. The deal is written into the bylaws and is non-negotiable.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190823/milford-municipal-vacation-policy-gets-closer-look




FTC Summer Film Series: Unwanted calls to your mobile phone




FTC Summer Film Series: Unwanted calls to your mobile phone
by Megan Gordon, Intern, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

Ring, ring! The film series is back, this time with help to stop unwanted calls to your mobile phone.

Unwanted calls are annoying. They interrupt your day, and many are meant to scam you. But what can you do about these calls? Today's video gives you some ways to stop unwanted calls on your mobile phone, so take a look.

Read more
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/08/summer-film-series-unwanted-calls-your-mobile-phone?utm_campaign=unwanted-calls&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery 

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


https://youtu.be/NzYdsDb-_cY