Norfolk & Wrentham November 2020

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Page 12 Norfolk & Wrentham Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com November 2020FPAC to Present The Nutcracker-Masked VirtuallyTh Franklin Performing ArtsCompany (FPAC) will presentThe Nutcracker - Masked livestreamed from THE BLACKBOX on December 12 and 13.The classic holiday ballet willbe presented with a small castof Ballet Conservatory dancersfrom the Franklin School for thePerforming Arts all in masks andsocially-distanced, with narration,live at THE BLACK BOXto a virtual audience at home.Under the direction of CherylMadeux, former dancer withAmerican Ballet Theatre andcurrent FSPA Ballet Director,the Franklin Performing ArtsCompany has found a safe wayto present this holiday traditionfor the region.The masked production willfeature Merrie Whitney’s stunningcostume design accompaniedby facial coverings. Theproduction will continue FPAC’scollaboration with Franklin TVwho will help bring the magicof the season to the audiences athome. Since first teaming up lastholiday season for the world premiereof Christopher Rice’s TheTappy Christmas Special: LIVE!,Franklin TV Executive DirectorPeter Fasciano has been “all in.”FPAC Director Raye LynnMercer comments, “We’re veryfortunate to have an ongoingcollaboration with Franklin TV.They are making it possible forus to continue this holiday traditioneven when our audiencescannot gather together as wetypically do.”For tickets and more information,visit www.FPAConline.comor call (508) 528-3370.Schools Increase Focus on Social-Emotional Learning,Student Well-Being Amid COVID-19Norfolk Public Schools hasincreased its emphasis on socialemotionallearning and studentwell-being within the district'scurriculum and programs.The district, prior to the startof the COVID-19 pandemic,had numerous social-emotionallearning (SEL) initiatives builtinto its curriculum. The districthas a comprehensive SEL curriculumat all grade levels focusedon teaching students importantskills in areas of self-awareness,social awareness, relationshipsand decision making. Since thestart of the pandemic, the districthas added numerous resourcesfor students and their families includinginformation about mentalhealth, food assistance andmindfulness."Our district remains committedto prioritizing our student'shealth and well-being throughour social-emotional learninginitiatives and techniques," saidIngrid Allardi, the Superintendentof Schools. "We recognizethat throughout the ongoingpandemic we must continue tobe proactive not reactive in ourresponse to ours students' emotionaland mental health needs.To ensure that all of our students'needs are being met, weFor those celebrating Festivus on December 23rd, the traditional“Airing of Grievances” may create some issues at home.As top-rated divorce and family mediators, the airing ofgrievances is our specialty. Contact one of our trustworthy,approachable, and darn good-looking mediators or collaborativeattorneys and air those grievances with our help, whetherremotely or in-person.Want to save some money? Use the Festivus discount phrase “Igot a lot of problems with you people!” and save $100.00 on yourinitial consultation, a 50% discount. You must have your meetingbefore December 1st, and our schedules fill up believe it or not,so don’t delay! Consider it our holiday gift, as we didn’t know whatelse to get you, and frankly, you’re hard to shop for.(508) 359-404365 Holbrook Street, Suite 270,Norfolk, MA 02056NextPhaseLegal.comhave prioritized social emotionalhealth in all aspects of teachingand learning. As a result, studentshave a wide variety of resourcesinside and outside the classroomavailable to them."As part of the district's SELcurriculum (Open Circle at H.Olive Day and Second Step atFreeman Kennedy), the districtenhanced the morning meetingsby implementing a daily wellnesscheck-in for all students.The adjustment counselors alsoenhanced the current SEL curriculumwith lessons that focuson community building, mindfulness,and managing challenges2020students deal with every day.The morning check-ins consistof all students completinga two question survey that asksthem about how they are feelingon that particular day. The surveyis based on a linear scale thatis adapted for the different agegroups within the district.The purpose of the check-inis to help students reflect on theirwell being and to give classroomteachers another tool to connectwith students, especially duringthe remote learning days. Allresults are privately shared withteachers, adjustment counselorsand mental health staff. Ifa student continuously reportsnegative feelings, adjustmentcounselors reach out to the parents,teachers and students to discusswhat further supports maybe needed.Following the morning checkinsurvey, students and theirteachers participate in morningmeetings. During the morningmeetings, teachers hold SELlessons that focus on a monthlytheme that is selected by thedistrict's adjustment counselors.During these lessons studentshave the opportunity to sharewhatever they would like, whileteachers have the opportunityto teach an array of social-emotionallearning skills.Newsletters are sent homeon a regular basis that cover thetopics discussed throughout theweeks and share strategies forhow families can continue theconversations.In the hybrid learning model,students log into the SEL sessionsfrom home on remote learningdays. This allows the district tobuild relationships between cohortsand for teachers to connectwith the entire class at once. OnWednesdays, when all studentsare participating in remote learning,the lesson is held virtually forall. Students who are participatingin remote-only classroomsstart each day with a virtual SELlesson."With the shift in how ourstudents are learning, we wantedto ensure that we addressed anyemotional aspects that may arisedue to the ongoing pandemicand the modified school year,"said Victoria Saldana, the Directorof Curriculum. "As a result,we have ensured that every classhas incorporated social-emotionallearning lessons into theircurriculum each day. These lessonsallow our educators and staffthe opportunity to check-in withtheir students to see how they aredoing. In doing so, our educatorshave been able to build strong relationshipswith their entire classeven when they aren't meetingface-to-face every day."Families in need of additionalsupport, such as internet needs,school supplies, nutrition andsocial-emotional needs, are encouragedto contact their schoolprincipal or their student’s counselor.
November 2020 Norfolk & Wrentham Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com Page 138 Estate Planning Mistakes to AvoidEstate planning can be complicated,and it’s not uncommonfor people to make mistakes withtheir plans. But financial advisorsmake errors, too, so here are themost common mistakes I haveencountered from other financialand estate planners.1. Improper beneficiarydesignationsI frequently see advisors improperlycompleting beneficiarydesignations. Examples: notchanging the beneficiary due todivorce or a death, or listing aspecial needs child or grandchilddirectly as a beneficiary, ratherthan a trust FBO (for benefit of),thereby affecting their eligibilityfor Social Security disability benefits.2. Not changing assettitles to trustsIncorporating revocable livingtrusts into a client’s estate planbut forgetting to update all theaccount titling to the name of thetrust. Not changing titles createsproblems that include having topay additional probate costs, losingthe private nature of settlingthe estate, etc.3. Incorrectly assumingclients’ goalsMany advisors assume a client’smain goal is to save estatetaxes, for example. However,when really connecting with aclient, we might find that taxesare only a small aspect of theirobjectives. Sometimes, in listeningto the client, we realize thattheir fears are more about theirheirs’ ability to manage the inheritanceas well as decisionssuch as trustees, etc.4. Naming minor childrenas account beneficiariesLetting clients name minorchildren outright as primary orcontingent beneficiaries of lifeinsurance or retirement plans.When minor children inherit, acourt must appoint a guardianwho must be bonded and mustfile a laborious annual accountingwith the local court.5. Wrong choice of executorsand trusteesNaming a financial institutionas successor executor/trusteeafter surviving spouse or insteadof surviving spouse. In somecases, this is to the detriment ofthe spouse and other beneficiariesbecause large institutionsusually follow their fiduciaryresponsibilities with a less personableapproach than anothertrustee could provide.6. Failure to addressmedical directivesMany attorneys will draft ahealth-care power of attorney(POA) and living will. If the twodocuments co-exist, they mayconflict since the POA allows anotherto make decisions while theliving will already states what isto be done. Absent statutory (ordocument) direction, health-careproviders may experience a conflictin what to do.7. Ignoring state estateand inheritance taxesMany states follow the federal$5 million-plus exemptionfor taxable estates, but the statesdo not always exempt this largeramount. For example, in Massachusetts,estates over $1,000,000that are not left to the survivingspouse are subject to a Massachusettsestate tax.8. Failure to address assetprotectionMost couples fear losing theirassets to nursing homes. For couplesnearing retirement, strategiesthat protect assets shouldbe explored. Strategies includelifetime credit shelter trusts, lifeestate deeds, gifting and othertechniques that make assets availablefor use but beyond the reachof creditors. We have a greatFREE guide entitled "PlanningYour Estate". Please feel free tocontact me and I will send youa copy right away. My number isbelow.Jeffrey N. Schweitzer, EPA, CEP,ATP, RTRP can be found at NortheastFinancial Strategies Inc (NFS) atWampum Corner in Wrentham. NFSworks with individuals and small businessesproviding financial and estateplanning, insurance, investments andalso offers full service accounting, bookkeeping,payroll, income tax preparation,and notary public services. Formore information, stop by the office,call Jeffrey at 800-560-4NFS or visitonline - www.nfsnet.comWrentham Cultural CouncilSeeks New MembersDo you love the arts and want to see morecreative programming in Wrentham? Join theWrentham Cultural Council! We are a funlovingand creative group looking to make thearts accessible to Wrentham and the greaterCommonwealth. No experience necessary!The main purpose of the Cultural Council,a local branch of the Mass CulturalCouncil, is to review grant applications forlocal arts and humanities programs. We fundmany arts-related events around town, includingat the library, the schools, senior center,and our annual sponsored event, Arts onthe Common. There are also many opportunitiesto volunteer for programs and exhibitsat the Old Fiske Museum as well.The Wrentham Cultural Council meetsvirtually on Zoom the second Tuesday ofeach month, September to June. When inpersonmeetings can once again take placepost-COVID, the Council will resume meetingat the Old Fiske Museum. Grant reviewstake place during November, and there aresome administrative duties shared amongstthe group during the grant review processfrom November to January. The time commitmentis not enormous, but the rewards ofworking to support the arts in our communityare many.For more information, visit http://wrentham.ma.us/about-wrentham-ma-town/volunteering or email questions to contact-WCC@wrentham.ma.us.To ADVERTISE in THIS PAPERCall Jen Schofield at 508-570-6544or emailjenschofield@localtownpages.com★Financial Planning★Estate Planning★Insurance★Investments★Accounting★Bookkeeping★Payroll★Income Tax PreparationFor Individuals & Small BusinessesUpdatedYourEstate PlanLately?667 South Street ★ Route 1A ★ Wampum CornerWrentham MA800-560-4NFS ★ www.nfsnet.comCall Jen Schofield at 508-570-6544jenschofield@localtownpages.comNew EnglandInc.Ballistic ServicesInstant cash paid foryour valuable firearms.Call today for a confidential consultation508-381-0230 • www.neballistic.com
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