Franklin Public Schools: student art works featured in digital "Youth Art Month"

"Youth Art Month at Worcester Art Museum goes digital! FPS has over 15 pieces in this show. Enjoy the video linked below."

Shared from the Tweet:
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSart/status/1241083575342153734

Video link:   https://youtu.be/gcIaPTKL2c0

"The Worcester Art Museum is pleased to present the 2020 Central MA Regional Youth Art Month Exhibit. Youth Art Month is a national celebration endorsed by Council for Art Education, the National Art Education Association, and the Massachusetts Art Education Association, and is proudly hosted by the Worcester Art Museum.

This annual celebration emphasizes the value of art education for all children and encourages support for quality art programs in public and private schools. This special digital video of the exhibit features each of the 461 artworks from Massachusetts students in grades K-12 that were put on display in the Higgins Education Wing of the Worcester Art Museum .

We would like to recognize the efforts of the wonderful young artists and the dedication that their teachers show in annually volunteering their time to coordinate this exhibition. The theme for 2020 was Take a Journey through Art, and I invite you to do just that through this video. The Museum’s Pick Winners, normally announced at the Exhibition Celebration, will be announced via the Worcester Art Museum’s Facebook page on March 22nd."

Please enjoy. https://www.worcesterart.org/

MA Small Business Development Center Network: Prepare For Recovery

While focused on the small business owner, the advice can apply more broadly


PREPARE FOR RECOVERY
By Cliff Robbins, MSBDC Senior Business Advisor

"NOW what do I do?" This is the question on every small business persons' mind. Well, this is the time to prepare yourself for a post-coronavirus world: Especially because you have probably been forced to shutter or otherwise change your business approach.

1) CFIMITYM - Cash Flow Is More Important Than Your Mother.
Conserve your cash. Act like you're in a turnaround crisis because you probably are [too]. If you haven't done so already, project your cash needs out for the next twelve months. (We can help with that.) Go to MSBDC.org/SEMass and contact an advisor.

2) COMMUNICATE
Talk to your customers; communicate with your bank; invest in your social media; let them know that you're still around; keep them engaged. Try selling gift certificates. This is a great time to try that for future business. Send them emails to let them know you're still here and OKAY!

3) CREATE
Most small business people don't continually create content because they say they just don't have the time. Well, now your schedule is a little more open today, so create some content. Create educational content about your products and services; create instructional videos; create stories that you can share in the near future to tell the world how great your business has been and still is!

4) ADVERTISE YOUR LOCAL SERVICES
If you work at people's homes, particularly for services like landscaping, or other home improvement services that are low-touch, get the word out that you're available. If people aren't ready today, the nicer weather will catch up with them quickly once this all starts to sort itself out.

5) PREPARE AND INVEST - Now's the time to get a leg up on the competition:

• Get that new website started, it's going to take a little time to get going, and this downtime will help you modernize.
• Optimize your business for local search, it takes a few weeks for optimizations to happen, so get the leg up once people are ready to leave the house again.
• Sort out the back-end of your business: Your CRM, your customer databases, your online store. Make sure these are all up and running so that you are prepared for the future.

"This too shall pass."

Look at this period as an opportunity to get ahead, and stay focused on growth.

The region sure needs it!

Shared from the Southeast Regional Office MSBDC
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101853174121&ca=27eb69bc-325e-4f7e-beee-d0a98b2711f6

MA Small Business Development Center Network: Prepare For Recovery

Franklin Public Schools Update from the Superintendent 3/20/2020

Please see this video update from Superintendent Sara Ahern - 3/20/2020

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9TgNtOaHbw




And the referenced video she mentions: https://vimeo.com/398230086?fbclid=IwAR3cvK731SQDtKZLL9KOtocJZS9K69sq-fl2atDuFRVEWwDEXqVaqB9FQAY



Thank you,
Franklin Public Schools

Superintendent Sara Ahern at the demographic study info session at HMMS March 5

Franklin Public Library Closure Updates

Franklin Public Library Closure Updates

Dear Franklin Community,

Thank you for your enthusiastic response to curbside pickups! Unfortunately, that service has come to an end. Thankfully, the Library still has much more to offer! 

Here are updates and information regarding the Library's services during this closure:

• The Franklin Library will be closed until April 7th.
• Our digital library is still open! Explore our collection of audiobooks, ebooks, and more at https://minuteman.overdrive.com/ . On your phone or tablet, download the Libby and Minuteman Library Network apps!
• Try out Kanopy, hoopla, Creativebug, and Universal Class on the Featured Databases page https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/featured-databases (exclusively available to Franklin residents).
• Learn something new, read newspapers from across the globe, or pick up a new skill using the links on our Databases & Research Resources page. https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/databases-research-resources
• Tune in to our Facebook page for streaming storytimes, book discussions, and other live programs.
• Email reference service will remain available. Send questions to frkill@minlib.net . Questions will be answered within 24 hours.
• Please hold on to your checked out items! Due dates have been extended to April 30.
• No donations will be accepted at this time.
• The ability to place holds on physical items has been suspended.

Updates through email, our website, and social media will be provided as they become available.

Library 
Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPublicLibrary/
Twitter account  https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib

Shared from the Library update notification
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/franklin-public-library-closure-updates

No book or bag sale this weekend due to the pandemic closure

Franklin Residents: NOTICE - Town &; Public Schools grounds closed

URGENT NOTICE!

All Town &; Public Schools grounds, playgrounds, turf fields, grass fields, and the track are closed until further notice. 

Trails are still open. 

Please practice social distancing and avoid groups.


Note: This adds the school playgrounds and fields to the Town closure notice shared earlier
Town: https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/all-municipal-recreation-facilities-are-closed-until-further-notice
Schools: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1241012389996265480
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1241012389996265480?s=20

Franklin Residents: NOTICE - Town &; Public Schools grounds closed

MBTA Commuter Rail: Reminder - Franklin line shuttle bus for weekend schedule

"We’ve made system-wide service changes to accommodate for decreased ridership and to protect our frontline employees while still enabling travel for essential workers, like hospital staff and emergency responders. 

During the week, all subway lines and most bus routes are running on a Saturday schedule, and all Commuter Rail lines are on reduced service. Regular schedules for these modes are still in effect on weekends. Ferry service has been suspended entirely. 

We value your feedback and are monitoring the effects of these service reductions closely. We will adjust service accordingly as the situation changes.
For the most up-to-date information, and to learn more about our response to COVID-19, visit mbta.com/coronavirus 

During reduced service, our crews will continue to work on infrastructure repairs and upgrades throughout the system. This weekend, shuttles will replace trains on the Red and Green lines, and on the Green and Mattapan lines on weeknights.

Work will continue on the Commuter Rail as well. Starting Saturday morning, there will be shuttles on the Framingham/Worcester, Franklin, and Lowell lines, and the Fitchburg Line will start and end at Porter. 

This work supports a number of projects as part of our $8 billion, 5-year capital investment program. 

See how we are making the MBTA better for you  https://www.mbta.com/projects?utm_source=email_digest"

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

South Station – Forge Park/495
Weekends through April 2020

Shuttle buses will replace Franklin Line service between Forge Park/495 and Readville Stations while we upgrade the signal system as part of Positive Train Control (PTC) work. Also during this work, connecting train service between Readville and South Station will be on the Fairmount Line. There will be no Franklin Line service at Ruggles or Back Bay.

Learn about Positive Train Control  https://www.mbta.com/projects/commuter-rail-positive-train-control-ptc
See all Franklin Line service changes  https://www.mbta.com/diversions/franklin-line

MBTA Commuter Rail: Reminder - Franklin line shuttle bus for weekend schedule

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #5

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #5                      Friday, March 20, 2020


"Friends,

What a week! Below you'll find further developments on the COVID-19 situation. Going forward, I plan to issue these updates on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please continue to contact my office if you need assistance or guidance in finding state resources. In addition, please remember my staff and I are publishing the latest information on the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19 on my website.

Many of the towns I represent have upcoming elections. Yesterday, the Senate President announced that we will take up a local option bill to allow towns to delay their elections. I believe we'll be doing that on Monday, and I will be at the Senate session personally. Voting access is one of my top issues. I filed a bill at the beginning of this legislative session to provide no-fault absentee voting, which would be a solution to the current problem, as would vote-by-mail. I've been having many conversations about how to hold safe and accessible elections during the pandemic period and will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to get it done, even if it happens in multiple legislative efforts.

On a positive note, we got some excellent news regarding our testing capacity. Starting on Saturday, Marlborough's Quest Diagnostics will be able to test 20,000 people per day across the country. Looking forward, the facility hopes to be able to test 2,000 to 3,000 samples per day from Massachusetts patients, which will significantly increase our capacity.

Another positive -- people have been deeply engaged in the legislative process for the municipalities bill! Thank you to everyone who provided testimony on H.4572, An Act to address challenges in town governance resulting from COVID-19. My co-chair, Representative Jim O'Day, and I received roughly 150 comments from across the Commonwealth. With the help of our tremendous staffs, we reviewed the testimony and are hard at work to get the best possible bill out of committee and to the floors of the House and Senate. Keeping our town governments functioning is vital to our democracy, so we've "fast-tracked" this bill; stay tuned for movement on that early next week.

Please remember that while my office is working remotely, we are here to help you! Please call (617) 722-1555 or email me at Becca.Rausch@masenate.gov if you have questions, comments or concerns.

Yours in service,"


This newsletter was shortened for publication here
https://mailchi.mp/5852da3f396b/covid19-update-12269366?e=0c2c9810fe

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #5

Franklin, MA: School Committee - March 24 - FY 21 budget hearing postponed; meeting canceled

The Franklin School Committee's FY 21 Budget Hearing, originally scheduled for March 24, will be postponed to a later date.

The Franklin School Committee's Regular School Committee meeting, scheduled for March 24, is canceled.

 

Franklin, MA: School Committee - March 24 - FY 21 budget hearing postponed; meeting canceled

Friendly Reminder from the SUBWAY on East Central St

A friendly reminder from the SUBWAY on East Central St.

"We are open for take out and delivery for all Franklin and surrounding community from 10 AM to 7 PM everyday until further notice"

Address: 252 East Central St, Franklin, MA 02038 - (508) 520-3400

Friendly Reminder from SUBWAY

https://www.subway.com/en-US/FindAStore

FIORI: We now sell eGift Cards!

Give the gift of FIORI with a special eGift Card!

Place your order online  https://squareup.com/gift/QE9A48RJBYEZ5/order?

FIORI: We now sell eGift Cards!

FIORI
305 Union Street, Franklin, MA, 02038

In the News: funeral masses suspended by Archdiocese of Boston; some stores close, others remain open

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Funeral Masses and other forms of church funeral services will be suspended starting on Monday, the Archdiocese of Boston announced on its website Thursday.

The archdiocese’s Office of Risk Management recommends that “the bereaved be offered the opportunity for a graveside committal service during this time and a memorial Mass when we are able again to offer the celebration of Mass and religious services at our parishes and churches.”

This is the latest in a series of steps local Roman Catholic officials have taken in an effort to to halt the spread of the coronavirus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200320/boston-archdiocese-to-halt-funerals-starting-monday-because-of-coronavirus

"As normal everyday life grinds to a halt amid the coronavirus pandemic, some of the nation’s biggest retailers have temporarily closed thousands of stores to help stem the spread of the virus.

Simon Property Group, the largest owner of shopping malls in the nation, closed all of its properties on Wednesday. Westfield and Taubman malls followed with U.S. closures on Thursday.

Not everyone is deserting their posts. Grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies are keeping their doors open to help people stay stocked with essentials, though many are shortening store hours to clean and restock. Walmart, the world’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer, shortened hours beginning Thursday, for the second time in less than a week.

Those stores are joined by office supply and home improvement chains which say they, too, provide essentials. Among the justifications: they provide products people – including first responders – need in a natural disaster. Others say they sell supplies that people need to work and school their children from home."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200320/coronavirus-has-led-many-stores-to-close-why-gamestop-bed-bath-amp-beyond-lowes-cvs-others-are-still-open

"to better enable customers to practice social distancing"

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Hours and days for early shopping vary depending on the individual store. Shaw’s, Big Y and Price Chopper are providing them every day of the week from 6-7 a.m., while Market Basket is offering them from 5:30-7 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Hannaford offers them from 6-7 a.m. on those three days.

Grocery chains throughout the region, including Market Basket, Price Chopper, Hannaford, Shaw’s and Big Y, have begun to offer early shopping hours for seniors to help protect them from both coronavirus exposure and the increasing difficulty of securing high-demand products.

Customers aged 60 and over will have first access to food and supplies in the store, with younger patrons asked to come later.

Older people are most at risk of health complications and death from coronavirus, and are encouraged to minimize contact with potential carriers of the virus, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200320/area-grocery-chains-carve-out-morning-hours-for-shoppers-60-and-older

Big Y - Franklin, MA

Winter Farmers Market - Mar 21 - Cancelled

"Unfortunately due to the current circumstances, this Saturday’s (March 21) winter market is cancelled

Hope to see everyone in April!"

Fairmount Fruit Farm is open for business. Check out their Facebook page for specific updates  https://www.facebook.com/fairmountfruitfarm/

Winter Farmers Market - Mar 21 - Cancelled

FHS' LaPuma, Titmuss, Wu, Eck, Gurge recognized by Hockomock League for Boys Swimming All Stars

Below are the FHS selections from the official the official 2020 Hockomock League Boys Swimming All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league and published by HockomockSports.com.


Hockomock League MVP
Timothy Luc, Taunton

Hockomock League All Stars
Brendan LaPuma, Franklin
Bleddyn Titmuss, Franklin
James Wu, Franklin
Connor Eck, Franklin

Honorable Mentions
Daniel Gurge, Franklin


You can read the full listing of Boys Swimming All Stars
https://hockomocksports.com/2020-hockomock-league-boys-swimming-all-stars/

FHS' LaPuma, Titmuss, Wu, Eck, Gurge recognized by Hockomock League for Boys Swimming All Stars

FHS' Tang, LaPluma, Chew, McGuire, Wainwright recognized by Hockomock League for Girls Swimming All Stars

Below are the FHS selections from the official 2020 Hockomock League Girls Swimming All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league and published by HockomockSports.com.

Hockomock League MVP
Morgan Foltz, Oliver Ames

Hockomock League All Stars
Elizabeth Tang, Franklin
Alyssa LaPluma, Franklin
Katherine Chew, Franklin
Kathryn McGuire, Franklin

Honorable Mentions
Maia Wainwright, Franklin

You can read the full listing of Girls Swimming All Stars
https://hockomocksports.com/2020-hockomock-league-girls-swimming-all-stars/

FHS' Tang, LaPluma, Chew, McGuire, Wainwright recognized by Hockomock League for Girls Swimming All Stars