Franklin Matters

Ballerina with Alzheimers hears Swan Lake and begins to dance - the interview is not in English but the dance and reawakening with the music is incredible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT8AdwV0Vkw

Granny meets Alexa - Everyone should have family members who set this up for them!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEtdwwTg-cU

Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Monday at 1pm - Name That Tune! A daytime version of our popular game show! Whether you know music or just enjoy listening to it you are sure to have a blast on our zoom show!

*Monday at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the senior center to play 508-520-4945

*Tuesday at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.

*Tuesday at 1pm - Low Vision Group- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov

*Wednesday Wellness RN with Nurse Trish call to book an appointment

*Wednesday at 11am Mindful Movement call the senior center for information

*Wednesday at 1pm Writers Group - call for the zoom link to attend

*Thursday at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Thursday Painting and Creative Space Weekly on Thursdays in April (1,8,15,22, 29) 12:30-2 Come join us for socialization, friendship and art. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Thanks to their financial support, the Franklin Senior Center has been able to purchase multiple paint-by-number kits for interested members. You can either pick up one to do at home or sign up to attend one or all of our open "creative space" sessions with other artists. Space is limited to 10, socially distanced, artists. A mask must be worn over your mouth and nose. If you have your own self contained art project you may also bring that to do. Call the senior center or email adoggett@franklinma.gov to request a pain-by-number kit and/or sign up to attend in person. Registration required.

*Friday at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss - 1 hour of socialization,

games and activities.

Attached you will find: Donna's Fun filled Activity Pages April Fools https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mEnVrqsAeQi87AW5_2ir_SvtGF79Eviu/view?usp=sharing

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all! Things are looking up and starting to reopen! YAY!

Ariel & Donna

Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it. If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it.

REMEMBER:

When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution! Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer. Many look like real sites. Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).

https://www.cdc.gov/

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

MEMORY CAFE!

For those of you who attend our Memory Cafe events I invite you to learn more about attending a VIRTUAL Memory Cafe through Zoom! There are many options to choose from.

https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect/

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Tri-County Regional Scheduled

During the week of April 26, 2021 the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview a representative of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.

Parents and other individuals may call Henry Ndakalu, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338-3706 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide Tri-County with a report with information about areas in which it meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which it requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.

Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Tri-County Regional Scheduled

Boston.com: "Local breweries team up to brew ‘As One,’ which funds a scholarship for people of color"

"Four Massachusetts breweries have joined forces to launch a scholarship with the hopes of bringing more people of color into a majority white industry.

67 Degrees Brewing, Arcpoint Brewing, Crue Brew Brewery, and White Lion Brewing teamed up to brew “As One,” a New England IPA that will be available to the public on March 31. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the creation of a scholarship at Holyoke Community College, and will be available to students of color who are enrolled in the college’s beer, cider, and winemaking program.

“The fabric of the craft beer trade doesn’t mirror the fabric of the communities we work, play, and live in,” said Ray Berry, owner and founder at White Lion, in a press release. White Lion is one of just five Black-owned breweries in Massachusetts."

Continue reading the article online

https://www.boston.com/food/beer/2021/03/24/as-one-beer-scholarship-holyoke-community-college

https://67degreesbrewing.com/

Climate change legislation signed by Gov Baker

"IT TOOK BASICALLY all of the last legislative session and the first three months of the new one to get major climate policy signed into law, but the real work begins now that Gov. Charlie Baker has put his signature on the law.
After it took a long, winding and sometimes contentious road, the governor on Friday afternoon signed the long-discussed legislation designed to commit Massachusetts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, establish interim emissions goals between now and the middle of the century, adopt energy efficiency standards for appliances, authorize another 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind power and address needs in environmental justice communities."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/environment/baker-signs-climate-change-bill-into-law/

Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required) = https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/26/science/baker-signs-climate-bill/

The legislation = https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S9

Gov Baker press release = https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-climate-legislation-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions-protect-environmental-justice-communities

Press conference video = https://youtu.be/XAY2gmgoC2U

Boston Globe: "As climate change makes more droughts likely, state plans to issue controversial new policy that may increase water restrictions"

"By the end of last summer, the dark waters of the Ipswich River no longer made it to the sea.
With the region gripped in historic drought, and millions of gallons of water siphoned away without restriction, the river ran dry. Millions of fish, insects, and other creatures died, and water actually flowed backward in some tributaries, sucked up by municipal wells.
With climate change expected to increase the frequency of droughts, state officials are preparing sweeping new restrictions to prevent future shortages in what would be among the most significant changes to water management in Massachusetts in decades and result in many municipalities, big businesses, and other major water users no longer being exempt from water restrictions."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/18/metro/climate-change-makes-more-droughts-likely-state-plans-issue-controversial-new-policy-that-may-increase-water-restrictions/

Drought Management Plan

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hWlQUaZSVogHzausB8zZKMWIWhPFSb7_/view?usp=sharing

Water Management Act - Permit Renewal

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JhjzrEhq7LDIGi3DOJ1Ik3GUIPTXdB9K/view?usp=sharing

new policy that may increase water restrictions

MA State News: “The nature of the controversy could not be more public”

"A politically powerful Massachusetts couple is asking a judge to temporarily stop the state’s top campaign finance regulator from referring an investigation into them to state prosecutors, marking an extraordinary turn in what had been a private state probe.
The request from state Senator Ryan Fattman and Worcester County Register of Probate Stephanie Fattman, both Sutton Republicans, is an unusual one. The couple, as well as their family members and the Sutton Republican Town Committee, last week sued Michael Sullivan, the head of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, and sought an injunction against him. The move effectively pushed Sullivan’s probe — which would typically be kept under wraps at this stage — into public view."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/26/metro/state-officials-are-investigating-senator-wife-potential-campaign-finance-violations/

Commonwealth Magazine coverage https://commonwealthmagazine.org/courts/fattmans-challenge-ocpf-investigation-as-biased/

Visit with the Easter Bunny - Saturday, 1-3 PM at Expressions Enrichment

Expressions Enrichment is hosting the Easter Bunny at their Studio on Saturday, March 27 from 1-3pm. There is no admission cost.

Pictures will be available from Time is Precious Photography for a fee.

This will be a Covid-19 safe event with social distancing measures. Masks must be worn.

Visit with the Easter Bunny - Saturday, 1-3 PM at Expressions Enrichment

Friday, March 26, 2021

Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar 26 - Apr 2, 2021

Two more FHS one act plays on the schedule for Friday night. Winter Farmers Market this Saturday also features a hayride with the Easter Bunny. Talk a walk on the SNETT (rain or shine) Sunday morning. Check out the events for the week ahead for things to do or listen to on wfpr.fm.

Friday, March 26
7:00pm - FHS: 1 Act - "The Identity Play"
7:45pm - FHS: 1 Act - "Worse 9 Breakups"

Saturday, March 27
10:00am - Winter Farmers Market

Sunday, March 28

10:00am - FBRTC - Guided Walk

1:00pm - Historical Museum (open and free admission)
3:00pm - Virtual Grandparenting: An Afternoon with Happily Ever Laughter

Monday, March 29
1:30pm - Introduction to Social Media with Ilana Bornstein
7:00pm - Kickoff Session - Franklin Area Non-profit Network

Tuesday, March 30
9:00am - wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
12:00pm - wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
6:00pm - wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey

Wednesday, March 31
10:00am - wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/ Kim
10:30am - Barre Inspired Workout with Jessica Diaz
1:00pm - wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
2:00pm - Entertaining 101: Crafting the Perfect Charcuterie Board
7:00pm - FPS - All Town Showcase Concert
7:00pm - wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
7:30pm - Let’s Laugh Today is Free on ZOOM!

Thursday, April 1
10:00am - wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
11:00am - wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
1:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
2:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
7:00pm - 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
7:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
8:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Talkin' the Blues!" - Jim/Todd

Find the full calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

Franklin Music Department Presents - All Town Showcase Concert - Mar 31

All Town Showcase Concert

Featuring performances from the Band, Choir, and Orchestra of the Annie Sullivan, Horace Mann, Remington, and High School performing groups.

WEDNESDAY

March 31, 2021

7 P.M. Livestream

Join us at 7:00 P.M. for a livestream performance. Following the livestream, the recording of the concert will be published on our virtual performance website.

To view our livestream concert, go to the link below and you will then find the link to the livestream there. https://givebutter.com/dgYAGV

Download a copy of the flyer https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hf-7yovOdQghlaAB7lyCaLz1AJyI-Vvy/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Music Department Presents - All Town Showcase Concert - Mar 31

FM #498 - School Committee Meeting - 03/23/21 - P1 of 3 (audio) - school budget public hearing

FM #498 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 498 in the series.

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Mar 23, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee members, Central Office personnel, and key guests were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

*** First - covers the school budget public hearing (approx. 1 hour and 27 minutes)
Second - pick up the regular meeting and Jefferson presentation (approx. 43 mins)
Third - from the discussion action items through to the end of the public meeting (approx. 39 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the other documents released for the meeting.
Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting of Mar 23, 2021

Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8df159da-8c56-414c-8be5-f5acfa2dba65

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

Agenda doc https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-3-23-21

Budget presentation https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy22_public_budget_hearing_presentation_1.pdf

Budget information https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy2022-budget

Jefferson presentation doc https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/jefferson_presentation_to_the_school_committee_3-23-21.pdf

Meeting packet folder https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-23-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes from the meeting https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/recap-school-committee-meeting-mar-23.html

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/ or www.franklin.news/

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"

FM #498 - School Committee Meeting - 03/23/21 - P1 of 3 (audio)

FM #499 - School Committee Meeting - 03/23/21 - P2 of 3 (audio) - Jefferson presentation

FM #499 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 499 in the series.

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Mar 23, 2021.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

First - covers the school budget public hearing (approx. 1 hour and 27 minutes)
*** Second - picks up the regular meeting and Jefferson presentation (approx. 43 mins)
Third - from the discussion action items through to the end of the public meeting (approx. 39 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the other documents released for the meeting.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting of Mar 23, 2021

Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d9ac02b4-26f4-4d9d-8555-1d4d47df8d45

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

Agenda doc https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-3-23-21

Budget presentation https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy22_public_budget_hearing_presentation_1.pdf

Budget information https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy2022-budget

Jefferson presentation doc https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/jefferson_presentation_to_the_school_committee_3-23-21.pdf

Meeting packet folder https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-23-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes from the meeting https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/recap-school-committee-meeting-mar-23.html

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/ or www.franklin.news/

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

FM #499 - School Committee Meeting - 03/23/21 - P2 of 3 (audio) - Jefferson presentation

FM #500 - School Committee Meeting - 03/23/21 - P3 of 3 - Discussion action items to Closing

FM #500 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 500 in the series.

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Mar 23, 2021.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

First - covers the school budget public hearing (approx. 1 hour and 27 minutes)
Second - pick up the regular meeting and Jefferson presentation (approx. 43 mins)
*** Third - from the discussion action items through to the end of the public meeting (approx. 39 minutes)

Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d2c99e57-3641-47ac-a1a7-58ab749ad3a9

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

Agenda doc https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-3-23-21

Budget presentation https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy22_public_budget_hearing_presentation_1.pdf

Budget information https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy2022-budget

Jefferson presentation doc https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/jefferson_presentation_to_the_school_committee_3-23-21.pdf

Meeting packet folder https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-23-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes from the meeting https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/recap-school-committee-meeting-mar-23.html

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/ or www.franklin.news/

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

FM #500 - School Committee Meeting - 03/23/21 - P3 of 3 - Discussion action items to Closing

Franklin Matters

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Senior Center: Email Blast - March 26, 2021

Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Tri-County Regional Scheduled

Boston.com: "Local breweries team up to brew ‘As One,’ which funds a scholarship for people of color"

Climate change legislation signed by Gov Baker

Boston Globe: "As climate change makes more droughts likely, state plans to issue controversial new policy that may increase water restrictions"

MA State News: “The nature of the controversy could not be more public”

Visit with the Easter Bunny - Saturday, 1-3 PM at Expressions Enrichment

Friday, March 26, 2021

Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar 26 - Apr 2, 2021

Franklin Music Department Presents - All Town Showcase Concert - Mar 31

FM #498 - School Committee Meeting - 03/23/21 - P1 of 3 (audio) - school budget public hearing

FM #499 - School Committee Meeting - 03/23/21 - P2 of 3 (audio) - Jefferson presentation

FM #500 - School Committee Meeting - 03/23/21 - P3 of 3 - Discussion action items to Closing

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Creative Commons

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Contact Steve Sherlock

State House representation

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