IR-2020-256: Get Ready for Taxes: Get ready now to file 2020 federal income tax returns

The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to take necessary actions this fall to help them file their federal tax returns timely and accurately in 2021, including special steps related to Economic Impact Payments.

This is the first in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. A special page (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes), updated and available on IRS.gov, outlines steps taxpayers can take now to prepare for the 2021 tax return filing season ahead.

Steps taxpayers can take now to make tax filing easier in 2021

Taxpayers should gather Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, Forms 1099-Misc, Miscellaneous Income, and other income documents to help determine if they’re eligible for deductions or credits. They’ll also need their Notice 1444, Your Economic Impact Payment, to calculate any Recovery Rebate Credit they may be eligible for on their 2020 Federal income tax return.

Most income is taxable, including unemployment compensation, refund interest and income from the gig economy and virtual currencies.

Taxpayers with an Individual Tax Identification Number should ensure it hasn’t expired before they file their 2020 federal tax return. If it has, IRS recommends they submit a Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, now to renew their ITIN. Taxpayers who fail to renew an ITIN before filing a tax return next year could face a delayed refund and may be ineligible for certain tax credits.

Taxpayers can use the Tax Withholding Estimator on IRS.gov to help determine the right amount of tax to have withheld from their paychecks. If they need to adjust their withholding for the rest of the year time is running out, they should submit a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, to their employer as soon as possible.

Taxpayers who received non-wage income like self-employment income, investment income, taxable Social Security benefits and in some instances, pension and annuity income, may have to make estimated tax payments. Payment options can be found at IRS.gov/payments.

New in 2021: Those who didn’t receive an EIP may be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit

Taxpayers may be able to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit if they met the eligibility criteria in 2020 and:

 -   They didn’t receive an Economic Impact Payment this year, or
 -  Their Economic Impact Payment was less than $1,200 ($2,400 if married filing jointly for 2019 or 2018) plus $500 for each qualifying child.
 -  For additional information about the Economic Impact Payment, taxpayers can visit the Economic Impact Payment Information Center.

Received interest on a federal tax refund? Remember these are taxable; include when filing

Taxpayers who received a federal tax refund in 2020 may have been paid interest. The IRS sent interest payments to individual taxpayers who timely filed their 2019 federal income tax returns and received refunds. Most interest payments were received separately from tax refunds. Interest payments are taxable and must be reported on 2020 federal income tax returns. In January 2021, the IRS will send a Form 1099-INT, Interest Income, to anyone who received interest totaling at least $10.

Although the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, the IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a 2020 federal tax refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills. Some returns may require additional review and may take longer.

EITC/ACTC-related refunds should be available by first week of March

By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds for people claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit before mid-February. The law requires the IRS to hold the entire refund − even the portion not associated with EITC or ACTC. The IRS expects most EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by the first week of March, if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return. Taxpayers should “Where’s My Refund?” for their personalized refund date.

With social distancing continuing, taxpayers can stay home and stay safe with IRS online tools

Taxpayers can find online tools and resources to help get the information they need. These IRS.gov tools are easy-to-use and available 24 hours a day. Millions of people use them to find information about their accounts, get answers to tax questions or file and pay their taxes.  

Almost everyone can file electronically for free.The IRS Free File program, available only through IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app, offers brand-name tax preparation software packages at no cost. The software does all the work of finding deductions, credits and exemptions for you. It‘s free for those who earned $72,000 or less in 2020. Some of the Free File packages also offer free state tax return preparation.

If you’re comfortable filling out  your own tax forms electronically, you can use Free File Fillable Forms, regardless of your income, to file your tax returns either by mail or online.

Taxpayers have several options to find a tax preparer. One resource is Choosing a Tax Professional, which offers a wealth of information for selecting a tax professional.

The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications can help taxpayers find preparers in their area who currently hold professional credentials recognized by the IRS, or who hold an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion.

Taxpayers can use the Interactive Tax Assistant beginning in January 2021 to get answers to a number of tax law questions. The ITA can help determine if a type of income is taxable, if someone is eligible to claim certain credits, or if they can deduct expenses on their tax return.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refund using "Where's My Refund?". The status is available within 24 hours after the IRS receives their e-filed tax return or up to four weeks if they after they mailed a paper return. The “Where’s My Refund?” tool updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so taxpayers only need to check once a day.

The best and fastest way for taxpayers to get their tax refund is to have it direct deposited into their financial account. Taxpayers who don’t have a financial account can visit the FDIC website for information to help open an account online.

Taxpayers are invited to join the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs. VITA/TCE volunteers receive training to provide free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers. There’s never been a better time to get ready to help others file and the IRS is rolling out new ways to make volunteering easier. Visit IRS.gov/volunteers to learn more.  

Visit IRS page for the deep links to all the tips for preparing to file

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/get-ready-for-taxes-get-ready-now-to-file-2020-federal-income-tax-returns

 

Residents Invited to Light Up Franklin and Beyond

November 21 to March 1

Light Up Begins This Weekend View as Webpage Light Up Downtown Franklin and Beyond Starts This Weekend! We invite residents to join with businesses to decorate for the winter season! Let's roll out the welcome mat to our businesses and town by lighting it up!

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

FM #392 SNETT Timeline - 11/12/20 (audio)

How do the Franklin Odd Fellows and a flat tire play a part in the story of the SNETT tunnel? Listen to find out.

FM #392 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 392 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the group conversation to talk through the timeline for the SNETT trail development in particular the work to make the tunnel a reality. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Participants in the timeline discussion are

• Alan Earls
• Marc Kaplan
• Dave Labonte
• Representative Jeff Roy

While the discussion was recorded with these folks, they all acknowledged the work of a host of others who at some point played a key role along the timeline.

The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to the discussion on the timeline of the SNETT trail and in particular the work to bring the tunnel to reality.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hry5JRCS

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

The Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee page  https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/ 

SNETT archive documents (Courtesy of Alan Earls)

• STL_1999 open space supplement sent to whole town with SNETT event  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_xs4niKYIWbHU7_JF9_E8ezrc0IExKFs/view?usp=sharing
• STL_SNETT mini poster, circa 2000  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JR1HjvfCdjgrsh1i5ElcXpji-oRzMk2I/view?usp=sharing 
• STL_2001 draft SNETT correspondence to Nat guard and response  https://drive.google.com/file/d/14n18PnFCsvRubIXfwwELl9vQXtPqVRjd/view?usp=sharing 
• STL_Invite to regional meeting for SNETT etc. probably 2001  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qvKMYuxSgRPtM6FqxkPQpRNlVs0T8ntQ/view?usp=sharing 
• STL_SNETT ADVOCATE   Volume 1  https://drive.google.com/file/d/13ba-M0K7wugmOzEDs8qEA_y63C9HF19p/view?usp=sharing  

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

the new tunnel under Prospect St improves the SNETT experience

Franklin, MA: Budget Subcommittee - Agenda - Nov 18 (overall budget FY 21 status)

Town Council Budget Subcommittee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
November 18, 2020 - 6:00 PM

 

Agenda

1.    FY21 Budget Update & Discussion

a.    Recommendation on Recreation Department & Town Clerk Department
b.    Recommendation on Budget Stabilization deposit

 

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

 

November 13, 2020

To:    Town Council Budget Subcommittee, Town Council
From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

RE:    FY21 Budget Update & Close out

As many recall, when the FY21 town budget was considered and approved in the Spring, there was great uncertainty to the town's budget position.  Staff lowered local revenues by about 15% and expected a further state aid cut.  I decided to wait to make reductions in the Town budget until we knew exactly what that state aid cut would be. For details of the budget approved in June please visit the Town’s budget page at: https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

I am pleased to report that the Town will not need to adjust any portions of the FY21 town budget with two exceptions: the Town Clerk’s Department and the Recreation Department. The Town has revised its revenue projections and will see additional revenues now that we have a commitment from the state on local aid numbers. I have attached a new Budget Control sheet to this memo.

I am recommending to the Finance Committee support two revised budget expenditures of $75,000 to the Town Clerk Department and $75,000 to the Recreation Department. I have included more details below.

I am also recommending to the Finance Committee to appropriate all excess revenues to the Town’s Budget Stabilization Fund (assuming support for the two above appropriation recommendations of the combined $150,000). After all of the revisions to the budget, the Town has an additional $853,842 in revenue. These funds will help offset any budget deficiencies later in FY21 if the state's economy takes a downturn, the Governor makes any 9C cuts or other unforeseen operating budget challenges arise. The funds in the Budget Stabilization fund also could be applied to FY22 or FY23 as a one-time revenue source to continue to address budget shortfalls

Overall Budget Update Highlights

●    State Budget Update. The Legislature and Governor have committed to FY20 local aid revenue CH70 and Unrestricted Aid numbers, which are reflected in Governor Baker’s H.2 Budget proposal filed in October. I have attached the updated cherry sheet. While the Legislature has not formally finalized its budget, we have been assured these numbers will be a part of the final FY21 state budget through our legislative delegation. Make no mistake, this policy by the legislature is the reason the Town is anticipating no further cuts to its revenue sources for the year. The Superintendent and I wrote them a letter on this in June and they have concerns.

●    Local Receipts. Town local receipts revenues have stayed consistent and on par with predictions through the end of October. I have attached an updated revenue sheet. Please note that the largest category of local receipts is the vehicle excise tax, which is mostly due in the Spring. Fees then licenses and permits are the next largest categories and the Town is currently near 50% of anticipated collections. We do expect a drop in some revenues due to the winter months, but we will monitor it closely.

●    Federal COVID-19 Assistance. The Town has received or applied approximately $4.5 million in federal assistance from a variety of sources. I have attached an updated sheet on the federal monies. None of these monies impact the town budget directly. These funds are required to be in special revenue accounts.

●    Congressional Update. The prospect of additional federal stimulus to the state for local cities and towns appears unknown at this time. The Superintendent of Schools and I sent Massachusetts’ elected representatives a letter regarding this issue in June. The Superintendent and I also wrote a letter recently encouraging our Congressional delegation to extend the deadline for CARES Act funding.

Revenues Summary

Please reference the “Increase/Decrease” column on the attached control sheet. Revenues are as follows relative to the approved FY21 budget in June:

●    New Growth. The Town estimated a very conservative New Growth projection in June at $650,000. The Assessors are now confident the revenue projection will be $1,650,000, or $1 million more than anticipated. Why? Despite the pandemic, actively financed or planned projects continued. This relates to personal residential home improvements, commercial/industrial and residential development. Like the Town’s own infrastructure projects, we did not see any major slow down of development projects in town. This includes home improvements.

A big shout out to the Board of Assessors and the Assessors Department for their commitment and bravery during this pandemic. It is easy to overlook this or take it for granted, but our inspectors picked back up in June and have not looked back. The Town is in the fiscal position it is in due to our Assessors continuing inspections and working diligently to capture revenue.

●    Hotel/Motel tax. The Town did see a large decrease in hotel motel tax as expected. We expect this fiscal year to be even lower. Our final number is $285,558, almost half of what has traditionally been received in recent years. This number is reflected in an increase in local receipts.

●    Local Receipts. As described above, we increased the assumption made in June to reflect the hotel/motel tax revenue. As described above, steady as we go. The big concern is January through March.

●    State Aid. To date, the town will see a decrease in state aid. But this pales in comparison to the expected 10% (+/-) cut of local aid we expected in June. State aid numbers will continue to fluctuate based on the final legislative approval over the coming month.

●    After all considerations, the Town $853,842 in unanticipated revenue projections.

Challenges ahead

Outside of the overall uncertainty in America over the pandemic and the economy, these are some of the concerns I have as we move into the winter relative to our local budget:
 
●    Unemployment Insurance. The Town has already overspent its unemployment insurance line item for the year due to the personnel redundancies at the town and school level at the beginning of the pandemic. We believe these cost overruns will be absorbed by other line items in the benefits budget, notably a partial reduction in health insurance premiums for the Town and employees. Our Human Resources Department was successful in working with Harvard Pilgrim to see a 15% rate reduction for April due to the pandemic. We also believe (hope!) that we can withstand any more personnel redundancies for the remainder of the fiscal year, which will ensure this line item does not increase any further. That said, this is an account we will monitor closely.

●    PPE & other COVID-19 mandates. CARES Act funding deadlines are December 30th, 2020. The federal government has paid for all of the Town’s PPE and resources to get us to this point. The future is uncertain. If this deadline is not extended, the Town will be on the hook for all costs relative to PPE, disinfectant, personnel costs and so forth.

●    Free Cash. The Town recently had its FY20 Free Cash certified by the Department of Revenue. The Town has certified at 2,730,757, which is nearly $1 million less than last year. I am recommending to put the FY20 Capital program on hold to reserve these funds for unintended expenses in the winter and spring. This will put a large strain on our departments who rely on our annual capital program to maintain vehicles, equipment and so forth. I will outline in a deeper memo to the Town and staff how FY20 capital will be recommended at a later date.

Town Clerk Department

I am recommending adding an additional $75,000 to the Town Clerk’s budget to pay for the federal election cycle and local town election on December 5th. This will not be an exact figure as the situation is fluid and ongoing. But the reality is that after the incident on the September 1st primary, our staff did what was needed in order to rebuild the confidence in the community’s election process.

Recreation Department

As has been discussed for years, the Recreation Department is mostly self-sustainable. The fees pay for the majority of the expenses and costs for programs. In June, the FY21 budget approved anticipated a 25% reduction in fees, thus, we reduced the expense budget by 25% as well. We anticipated a very weak summer schedule and even cut Concerts on the Common. By the 4th of July, the plan completely changed.

One positive story during this pandemic has been the successful Recreation programs families have been able to rely on. Beginning almost immediately after the budget was approved in June, the Governor’s Executive Orders offered the Town more latitude to conduct programs. Ryan Jette and his staff set out some exceptionally safe programs for kids and families in need of supervised, safe and structured sports. We also were able to have some concerts on the common this summer, too. We anticipated none of this in June.

I am recommending an additional $75,000 to be added to the Recreation budget to compensate for the expenses we did not anticipate in June for many of the Summer and Falls programs. Recreation’s expenses are over 50% expended so far and we will need to add money in personnel and expenses in order for us to get through the year.

Five Year Forecast
 
It will continue to be difficult for me to draft any relevant or meaningful “five-year fiscal forecast” that is valuable for any longer than a week. The global geopolitical and economic climate is still simply too uncertain to predict. I remain steadfast, however, that in order for certainty and stability in our economy to appear, the public health crisis must continue to be contained, if not solved.

As for FY22, I am hopeful that once we reach the holidays, the staff can get back on a regular budget schedule. I am hopeful we can begin the FY22 budget process after the tax rate is set on December 2nd. I am optimistic as the new year begins, the Town can pivot to the FY22 budget in January and get back on a regular budget cycle.
--------------

 

The full agenda and released documents for this meeting, including connection info, can be found:https://www.franklinma.gov/budget-subcommittee/agenda/budget-subcommittee-meeting-agenda-2

The drive through window is a great service feature of the Municipal Building

FHS field hockey tops King Philip 1-0 to win Hockomock Cup

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap for the FHS field hockey win over KP in the Hockomock Cup on Tuesday.

"With its second straight Kelley-Rex division title already in-hand, the Franklin field hockey team had their sights set on proving they were the best team in the league through the Hockomock Cup.

But just before the final week of the regular season, the Panthers’ season came to an abrupt halt when the high school went completely remote, forcing a two-week hiatus for athletics.

Not only did that mean Franklin’s final two games were canceled, it looked like the Panthers wouldn’t be able to compete in the league’s postseason tournament.

But the Franklin school committee and administrators from FHS came together, organized COVID testing for varsity athletes, and — after all the tests came back negative — athletics was back on.

The Panthers took advantage of their so-called second chance, capping their postseason run with a 1-0 win over King Philip in the Hockomock Cup final on their home turf field at Beaver Street. "

Continue reading the game recap online

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-field-hockey-edges-king-philip-win-hockomock-cup/

 

Click here for a photo gallery from this game

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2020-2021/Fall-2020/Franklin-King-Philip-Field-Hockey-11-16-20/

 

The Franklin field hockey team poses with the Hockomock Cup after beating King Philip in the final. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

 

"served at the district court level before climbing the ranks"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"SERGE GEORGES JR.’S nomination to the Supreme Judicial Court is poised to make history in more ways than one.

Georges, announced Tuesday as the latest pick from Gov. Charlie Baker to fill existing or impending vacancies, would join only a handful of district court judges in Massachusetts ever elevated to the state’s highest court in its lengthy history.

Depending on the confirmation timeline, his ascension to the SJC could make him the seventh and final sitting member of the court appointed by Baker, giving the governor a potentially unprecedented clean sweep of the entire panel.

Georges would also recast the balance of representation on the SJC. As the son of Haitian immigrants, he could become the court’s third non-white justice alongside Justice Kimberly Budd, whose confirmation as chief justice is expected Wednesday, and another Baker nominee, Appeals Court Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt"

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/uncategorized/baker-nominating-georges-for-sjc/

 

Please respond to the Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Survey - closed Dec 2, 2020

The Franklin School Committee's Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Subcommittee is interested in gathering the thoughts and perspectives about the possible closing of Davis Thayer.  

They are collecting survey responses from current and former Davis Thayer families, Franklin Public School families, Davis Thayer and Franklin Public Schools faculty and staff, and town community members.  

If you would like to share your thoughts, please use the link below. This survey will be open until December 2 and can be found at the link below.

https://forms.gle/Y9qtAU1uMN14VmyY7

Print-based copies will also be made available at locations throughout town. More information will follow. This form was built in Google and translations are available. If you need assistance, please contact the Superintendent's Office at 508-553-4819. 

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Survey - open now; closes Dec 2, 2020

 

If you have a question about Franklin, I may have the answer

You get an opportunity to join a ZOOM session on Thursday, November 19 to ask your question and talk "Franklin Matters" with me. 

• To join, email: adoggett@franklinma.gov

Event Date: Thursday, November 19, 2020 - 1:00 PM

 

 

talk "Franklin Matters"

 

Needed: Volunteers for Winter Decorating in downtown Franklin - Nov 21

This Weekend

WINTER DECORATING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Winter Decorating Day has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 AM to noon with a rain date of Sunday, Nov. 22. Please email Eileen Mason if you are able to volunteer to dress up the downtown for the holidays!

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

New York Times: "Recession With a Difference: Women Face Special Burden"

From the New York Times, an article of interest for Franklin:

"For millions of working women, the coronavirus pandemic has delivered a rare and ruinous one-two-three punch.

First, the parts of the economy that were smacked hardest and earliest by job losses were ones where women dominate — restaurants, retail businesses and health care.

Then a second wave began taking out local and state government jobs, another area where women outnumber men.

The third blow has, for many, been the knockout: the closing of child care centers and the shift to remote schooling. That has saddled working mothers, much more than fathers, with overwhelming household responsibilities."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/business/economy/women-jobs-economy-recession.html

PFAS from a new angle

From The Guardian, an article of interest for us in Franklin:

"The successful uptake of any vaccine for Covid-19, a crucial step in returning a sense of normalcy after a year ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, could be hindered by widespread contamination from a range of chemicals used in everyday products.

Small amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (or PFAS) chemicals are commonly found in the bodies of people in the US, as well as several other countries. These man-made chemicals, used in everything from non-stick pans to waterproof clothes to pizza boxes, have been linked to an elevated risk of liver damage, decreased fertility and even cancer.

But scientists warn some of these chemicals can also cause another little-known but potentially significant defect by reducing the effectiveness of certain administered vaccines. This impediment could cast a shadow over efforts to roll out a Covid-19 vaccine to enough people that restrictions on day-to-day life are eased.

“At this stage we don’t know if it will impact a corona vaccination, but it’s a risk,” said Philippe Grandjean, an adjunct professor of environmental health at the Harvard School of Public Health. “We would have to cross our fingers and hope for the best.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/17/chemicals-found-in-everyday-products-could-hinder-covid-19-vaccine

Millis drinking water tested positive for PFAS

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/in-news-millis-drinking-water-source.html

In October 2020, a Talk Franklin episode discussed new DEP guidelines for testing PFAS

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/talk-franklin-discussion-on-phishing.html

Earlier in October, the MMA noted the new testing standard required for PFAS

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/ma-sets-pfas-limits-for-drinking-water.html

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - November 2020

Keep up with what is happening in Franklin Public Schools!

Franklin Public Schools District Newsletter - November 2020 Reopening Website Food Services District Calendar School Committee Transportation 20-21 School Calendar Student Wellness Advisory Council (SWAC) The SWAC Committee includes representation from FPS students, parents, staff, School Committee members, community members and administrators from across our district who are working to develop programs that actively promote wellness in our schools. SWAC's focus areas fall under the following categories: Nutrition Mental Health/Self Care Physical Activity The committee meets monthly to discuss and plan initiatives to support wellness not only for our FPS students, but for faculty and families as well. SWAC actively partners with organizations, businesses and community groups to facilitate programming and other wellness initiatives. The Nutrition Subcommittee is currently working on creating a family communication series related to Nutritional Education, which will include cooking demonstrations, recipe sharing and other related activities. They are seeking feedback from the FPS community regarding how best to access this information. Please fill out the Nutritional Education Survey below. Thank you in advance and stay tuned for more news from SWAC! Family Nutrition Education Survey Early Childhood Development Center The children at ECDC (Early Childhood Development Center) have been very busy with fall-themed fun! Students have engaged in plenty of hands-on activities such as jack-o-lantern painting, making oobleck, examining fall leaves under a magnifying glass and reading seasonal books together. Recently, the children enjoyed performing a favorite science experiment: Sink or Float. Students made predictions prior to dropping objects into water and then observed what happened. (Always a big hit!) The students are also being introduced to letters and the sounds they make, while practicing letter formations using a variety of materials. As a group they are practicing important social-emotional skills such as sharing, and caring about others feelings. Enjoy some photos of our littlest learners! Franklin High School Virtual Club Fair FHS offers a wide variety of clubs to appeal to our diverse student population and their interests. In lieu of our traditional in-person Club Fair, students can browse the options on the FHS Virtual Club Fair website. Clubs fall in many categories, such as Awareness & Charities, Academic, Visual & Performing Arts, Government & Politics, Honor Societies and more! Visit the Club Fair website and find out more! FHS Virtual Club Fair Virtual Visiting Author Events Middle School Virtual Visiting Author! This week, all three FPS Middle Schools will be welcoming Virtual Visiting Author, Jordan Sonnenblick! Students will be able to engage with the author in a variety of ways, including writers workshop activities and small group question and answer sessions. A virtual evening event is also planned to allow families to connect with author along with their children. Students and families are encouraged to submit questions prior via the link attached. The schedule of Mr. Sonnenblick's virtual visit is as follows: November 18th - Horace Mann Middle School Visit November 19th - Annie Sullivan Middle School Visit November 19th - Virtual Evening Event November 20th- Remington Middle School Visit Thank you to the Franklin Education Foundation and the Middle School PCC's for making these events possible! Upcoming FHS Theater Performances Enjoy a Live Stream Performance of A Cabaret! Thursday 11/19 at 5:30pm Friday November 20th at 6pm. Purchase a live stream ticket here FHS Theater Company presents CLUE: On Stage Thursday December 3rd at 7pm Friday December 4th at 7pm This will be a LIVE STREAMED ONLY event. To purchase tickets for the performance, and view it from home, click HERE Franklin Public Schools | www.franklinps.net   ‌  ‌  ‌

Town of Franklin | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by traceya@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!