MIAA statement on indoor mask wearing mandate

MIAA (@MIAA033) tweeted on Thu, Aug 26, 2021:

Read #MIAA statement from Executive Director Bob Baldwin regarding the recent indoor mask wearing mandate by @MASchoolsK12  

#OneTeamOneMIAA   

#maskupMIAA

😷 https://t.co/lB5Wr5onmp

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MIAA033/status/1430876874213924866?s=03

MIAA statement on indoor mask wearing mandate

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FHS strength & condo: Summer training recap (video)

FHS strength & condo (@FHSStrength) tweeted Thu, Aug 19, 2021:

Thank you all for a great summer! https://t.co/6DNkRDWJxW

video link ->  https://youtu.be/vJcgK2HL8bU 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSStrength/status/1428461789596028933?s=03

State Rep Roy: What's happening in the district - June 2021 newsletter

View this email in your browser Offshore wind announcement Last month, we celebrated the approval of Vineyard Wind, the first large-scale offshore wind project in the United States. Rep. Roy was honored to join with state officials and the Vineyard Wind team for the announcement at the Wind Technology Test Center in Charlestown. The is the first step in a major effort to fight climate change and create jobs in the process. Speaker Ron Mariano has made offshore wind a priority for Massachusetts, part of the goal to make Massachusetts a regional hub of the industry. This project enables Massachusetts to realize the ambitious offshore wind energy goals the Legislature set in 2016 and 2021 and brings us closer to our vision of a thriving offshore wind sector here in Massachusetts. It will power hundreds of thousands of homes while helping us attain our emissions reduction goals. It will also boost our economy, reduce electricity rates, and create thousands of local clean energy jobs that will be here to stay. Copyright (C) 2021 State Rep Jeff Roy. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House. State Rep Jeff Roy State House Room 43 Boston, MA 02133

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents  Follow this link ->

https://mailchi.mp/61034bfeed2d/march-2021-newsletter-5081538?e=6ead984465

Waltham is looking for donated Prom Dresses

Via Lisa Buccella <lisabill5@comcast.net>

Sharing this post from a friend who is a teacher in Waltham:

************************************************************

Prom is happening in Waltham this year, but because it was so uncertain, all of the school's usual donation events didn't happen this year so it's a bit of a scramble. But as always there are some awesome teachers looking to make things happen!

So if you have a recently worn prom dress (under 5 years old and no bridesmaid dresses) that you could donate to Waltham High we definitely have some girls who could use them.

**********************************************************

She told me the "boutique" will be set up at school on Tuesday so the girls can "shop". They are looking for floor length dresses only -

If you have any dresses, let me know and I can make sure they get to her by Tuesday morning so they can set it all up.

My heart to all the students and especially the ones from the Class of 2020 and 2021! They can all add perseverance to their resumes!

Franklin Public Schools: Handbook addendums for COVID-19 and Return to In person schooling

From the School Handbook section, there are addendums that have been added for COVID-19 and the return to school   https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-handbooks

Links shared here by grade/school level

Covid-19 Addendums by Level

Elementary Covid-19 Addendum

Elementary Virtual Learning Academy Covid-19 Addendum

Annie Sullivan Middle Schools Covid-19 Addendum

Horace Mann Middle School Covid-19 Addendum

Remington Middle School Covid-19 Addendum

High School Covid-19 Addendum

April 2021 Return to School Handbook Updates by level

Elementary

Middle Schools

High School

Franklin Public Schools: Handbook addendums for COVID-19 and Return to In person schooling

Reminder: Two $1000 Scholarships Offered by Knights of Columbus - applications due Apr 16, 2021

Knights of Columbus 1847 in Franklin, MA is accepting applications for 2- $1000 Scholarships. The applicants must be a registered member of St. Mary's Parish in Franklin, and must be graduating from High School in the Spring 2021 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/ university. Please submit a complete our Scholarship Application postmarked on or before the Application Deadline of Friday April 16, 2021.

The application form is available from the banner on the St. Mary's Parish, Franklin website or on the Knights of Columbus 1847 website https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847, St. Mary's Parish c/o Mike Swan, 38 Madison Ave., Franklin, MA 02038.

The award will be given to the recipients upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

Please contact Mike Swan for more information at 508-404-4792. 

https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program

 

Franklin Music Dept 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 

7:00 PM 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

 FPS All Town Concert

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

Next year juniors/seniors in high school - check out the CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

"Do you know a rising high school junior or senior interested in public health? @CDCgov Disease Detective Camp is an incredible experience, and this year it is offering a new, web-based Public Health Academy for remote learners!"

"All students to who will be high-school juniors or seniors during the 2021-2022 school year and at least 16 years old on the first day of the camp session to which they are accepted.

As the CDC Museum remains closed due to COVID-19 precautions, we are not able to predict yet if in-person programming will be available the summer of 2021. If the museum is not reopened for in-person programming, the CDC Museum will offer only online courses. A final decision on in-person programming will be made May 3, 2021; all applicants will be notified of the decision by email."

Details and reg links:  https://t.co/z1Fk2qnM9a

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmaccannell/status/1376196094632267778

Next year juniors/seniors in high school - check out the CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

Town of Franklin, MA shared @wbz video clip on air filter system

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Sat, Mar 27, 2021:

Thank you to @wbz and @AnnaMeiler for visiting Franklin and showcasing this groundbreaking solution to keep our teachers, children, staff and general public safe now and well into the future! A great story. 

Check out the video clip 👇

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1375779090872078340

This was presented at the School Committee meeting Feb 23,2021. You can listen to the presentation here  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/fm-473-school-committee-meeting-022321.html

Photos from the meeting including slides from the presentation on the UVGI system  https://photos.app.goo.gl/nbQRysFGMgEF4owE7

Town of Franklin, MA shared @wbz video clip on air filter system

Two $1000 Scholarships Offered by Knights of Columbus - Applications due Apr 16, 2021

Knights of Columbus 1847 in Franklin, MA is accepting applications for 2- $1000 Scholarships. The applicants must be a registered member of St. Mary's Parish in Franklin, and must be graduating from High School in the Spring 2021 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/ university. Please submit a complete our Scholarship Application postmarked on or before the Application Deadline of Friday April 16, 2021.

The application form is available from the banner on the St. Mary's Parish, Franklin website or on the Knights of Columbus 1847 website https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847, St. Mary's Parish c/o Mike Swan, 38 Madison Ave., Franklin, MA 02038.

The award will be given to the recipients upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

Please contact Mike Swan for more information at 508-404-4792. 

https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program

 

"I think our spring students do deserve that"

 

"After the cancellation of the entire 2020 spring season because of the coronavirus pandemic, high school sports teams and athletes across Massachusetts will have the opportunity to participate in MIAA-sponsored postseason tournaments this year.

During a virtual meeting Friday afternoon, the MIAA’s board of directors voted, 18-0, to approve sectional tournaments this spring. The board also left open the possibility that the postseason could be expanded to include traditional state semifinals and finals for sectional champions.

The board agreed to survey member schools over the next few days, gauging interest in expanding the postseason to include state tournaments and their willingness to participate. The board will meet again Wednesday afternoon to vote on that piece of the plan."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/12/sports/miaa-approves-sectional-tournaments-spring-high-school-sports/

 

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Reopening Update - March 12, 2021

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) tweeted on Fri, Mar 12, 2021:

Please find the latest update from Superintendent Dr. Sara Ahern here https://t.co/WBbXxufDNr

Dear Franklin Families,

This week marks the year anniversary of our school closure and pandemic response and it is not lost on me. I want to begin this very important informational e-mail acknowledging the collective efforts across Franklin. First, I am incredibly proud of the efforts of each administrator and educator in the Franklin school system and all of our staff. Our employees are serving students in ways we never could have imagined; we’ve learned along the way and there has been much adaptation and growth. I also want to recognize your efforts and resilience as Franklin families. Without a doubt, school closure, remote learning, and hybrid instruction has been very difficult on family life. Community organizations deserve our acknowledgment as they have mobilized to support families including the YMCA, Adirondack Club, and the Franklin Food Pantry, among others. Throughout the entire pandemic, there has been strong collaboration between my office and that of the Town Administrator. I feel so fortunate to be the Superintendent in a town with excellent collaboration and I am grateful for the support from the Health, Technology, Facilities, DPW, Fire, Police, and other town departments. I hope everyone in the Franklin community takes a moment to reflect on the year and pat yourselves on the back for the collective effort. We are not out of the woods yet, and continued diligence is important. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I outlined a framework for a return to in-person school for grades K-5 (date: Monday, April 5) and grades 6-12 (target date: Monday, April 12) at the recent School Committee meeting. The presentation can be found on our reopening site: https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/returntoschoolplan/next-steps

In summary:
○ Hybrid instruction is being phased out in Districts across the state.
○ Students in grades K-5 will begin full and in-person instruction five days a week on April 5.
○ Our target date for students in grades 6-12 to begin full and in-person instruction five days a week is April 12.
○ The Wednesday schedule is still being worked out but will no longer be fully remote.
○ Parents/guardians will continue to have a remote learning option (see below for level-based information).
○ Students will be in school at distances between 3-6 feet, which will depend on classroom square footage and class size. There will be distancing of 6 feet for faculty and staff whenever possible.
○ Distancing during lunch will be 6 feet. 
○ All health and safety practices will be in place: mask-wearing, hand hygiene, symptom screening, ventilation strategies, and daily disinfecting/cleaning. We are also continuing our pool testing pilot; new participants are still welcome to sign up. Please inquire with school buildings on how to do this.
○ Physical distancing restrictions have been lifted on buses, expanding bus ridership capacity. All riders must be masked, hand sanitization will be in place, and windows will be open at least two inches.
○ Attendance requirements will be strengthened and students will be required to be in school for in-person learning. More information will be coming soon.
○ Instruction will be provided for students needing to quarantine. We anticipate larger numbers of close contacts being identified as the standard for close contacts will continue to be based on 6 feet of distance. Cases within the community are trending downwards, however.

K-5 Families

We are not going to survey K-5 families. If your child is in the hybrid learning model and you would like to request Virtual Learning Academy for remote-only instruction, please submit a request in writing to your child’s school principal. If your child is in the Virtual Learning Academy and you would like to request a seat for in school learning, please submit your request in writing to the VLA administrator (kaufmane@franklinps.net). Seats in both our current classes and the VLA are limited. Large numbers of requests in either direction may be difficult to accommodate and may require an adjustment of teachers. The deadline to submit a request is 5 PM on Monday, March 15.

Grades 6-12 Families

The middle schools principals are currently collaborating on a survey and will send it to families next week. This survey will ask for a commitment to in-person instruction or remote-only instruction for the remainder of the school year.

High School Families

At this time, the high school is surveying families (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGVRAUw-MavKZUlHbilSsNYmFrsPb0MuZGnmNUpAMlbjcMPQ/viewform?usp=sf_link)  about commitments to in-person instruction or remote only instruction for the remainder of the school year.  Returning full and in person with our current schedule is dependent on a percentage of FHS students remaining remote. We appreciate you taking another survey under a new model. Please complete this survey by Wednesday, March 17 by 5 PM. Mr. Hanna will be holding a Q and A session on Monday, March 15 at the PCC meeting 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm. 

At this time, we are holding our plans to collapse the 3 cohorts to 2 so that we can focus on a full and in-person return in April.

________________________________________________________________

If you have questions about District policies/practices about reopening, please email our reopening email account:  reopening@franklinps.net  There will be a virtual “coffee” with the Superintendent at 6 PM on Wednesday, March 17 to answer questions about the overall framework. A link will be sent next week.
Building-based specifics are best addressed by the school administration. They will continue to communicate with you through their regular avenues such as their newsletters and personal communications with you.

To sign up for busing, please visit our website: https://www.franklinps.net/district/transportation

More information will be forthcoming about options for childcare through our Solutions program.

Sincerely,  

Sara Ahern, 

Superintendent of Schools
Franklin Public Schools

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1370410232321556481

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Reopening Update - March 12, 2021

Angelina Perez, co-emcee for International Women's Day event (video)

Angelina Perez, FHS Senior, and Teen Advisor for “Girl Up” a International program sponsored by the United Nations Foundation, was a Co-Emcee and a Panelist for #EqualEverywhere: Champions for Change - International Women’s day event.

Video link to #EqualEverywhere =  https://youtu.be/fGbrq5PHAmU 

FPS - Message about in person learning

March 5, 2021

Revised

Dear Franklin Families,

We hope you are doing well this afternoon.

As you know, we have been exploring full and in-person learning at the various levels throughout the district and thank you for your contributions to our efforts in completing several surveys recently. There is much support among FPS families for in-person learning. Please be assured that we are always taking all health and safety aspects of COVID-19 mitigation into great consideration.

As mentioned in last Sunday's letter, I will be presenting a framework for full and in­ person learning to the School Committee at their March 9 Regular School Committee meeting. This will also be a meeting about the recommended budget for FY 22. We encourage you to attend the meeting (limit of 500 via Zoom) or watch it live on TV.

Working collaboratively with the FEA, we want to let you know that right now the plan would be to have K-5 return Monday, April 5, and Middle and High School return Monday, April 12. Details will be presented Tuesday at the School Committee meeting as a "Discussion Only" agenda item. Please note that remote learning will remain for the remainder of the school year.

We know there will be questions and concerns. The School Committee meeting is a regularly scheduled business meeting and will not be an open forum for families' Q and A. We will be sure to provide opportunities for families to learn more at a future date.

Have a nice weekend, 

Sara Ahern
Superintendent of Schools

FPS - Message about in person learning

St Mary's Women's Club: Scholarship for High School Seniors

SCHOLARSHIP Application Requirements: Open to both male and female students. Applicant must be a registered member of St. Mary's Parish in Franklin. Preference is given to candidates who have a relative in the Catholic Women's Club. Applicant must be a graduating from High School in the Spring, 2021 and progressing on to his/her 1st year of study at a 2 or 4-year college/university. Applicant must submit a completed scholarship application, with required attachments as indicated below, postmarked on or before the application deadline of Friday, April 16, 2021 The Scholarship will be awarded based on the following input: An essay of why the student is applying for this scholarship. What are the applicants interests and activities and involvement in the church and their faith? Two letters of recommendation from a non-family member who can attest to the applicants service in school, the parish, or the community. Up to 2 Scholarships will be awarded and will be paid to each recipient as 2 installments of $500 each. These payments will be given to the recipient at the start of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof on enrollment in the 2nd semester.   $1000 Scholarship Application   Contact info: St Mary's Catholic Women's Club Scholarship Committee 407 Oak Street Franklin, MA 02038 Applicant must be a registered member of St Mary's Parish. Preference given to relatives of Catholic Women's Club members.

Two $1000 Scholarships Offered by Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847, Franklin, MA

Knights of Columbus 1847 in Franklin, MA is accepting applications for 2- $1000 Scholarships. The applicants must be a registered member of St. Mary's Parish in Franklin, and must be graduating from High School in the Spring 2021 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/ university. Please submit a complete our Scholarship Application postmarked on or before the Application Deadline of Friday April 16, 2021.

The application form is available from the banner on the St. Mary's Parish, Franklin website or on the Knights of Columbus 1847 website https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847, St. Mary's Parish c/o Mike Swan, 38 Madison Ave., Franklin, MA 02038.

The award will be given to the recipients upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

Please contact Mike Swan for more information at 508-404-4792. 

https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program

Encore Music Education Foundation: 2021 Senior Scholarship Application Open

The Encore Music Education Foundation, Inc.'s 2021 Senior Scholarship Application is now OPEN! 

 

* Applications are due before March 31, 2021 

 

*To be an eligible applicant you must be a graduating high school senior or high school graduate studying a musical instrument or voice, with the intention to pursue an undergraduate degree in music performance, music education, sound recording and engineering, music business administration, or musical theatre at a two or four-year accredited institution of higher learning. 

 

* To learn more, and to download and print it out, click here: https://www.wesupportmusic.org/scholarship-opportunities/

 

Encore Music Education Foundation: 2021 Senior Scholarship Application Open

 

MIAA indoor track modifications for Fall II in process of approval

"In a virtual meeting Tuesday, the MIAA’s Cross Country & Track Committee unanimously approved modifications for the upcoming Fall II indoor season, scheduled to begin on Feb. 22.

The modifications must be approved by the MIAA’s Sports Medicine Committee, the COVID-19 Task Force, and the Board of Directors. Committee chair Pete Rittenburg, the athletic director at Brookline High, expects all three groups to approve the modifications by Friday, but the committee noted that finding facilities to host indoor track events would be difficult."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/19/sports/miaa-track-committee-approves-modifications-fall-ii-season/

The MIAA Track and Cross Country Committee unanimously agreed Tuesday to modifications for the Fall 2 and Spring seasons to send to the Sports Medicine Committee for approval.

Where some of those Fall 2 indoor track modifications will be implemented remains to be seen.

The Reggie Lewis Center expects to be closed for the duration of the academic year due to the pandemic. Boston University also said its facilities would not be available, as is the case with several other venues in the state.

Wheaton College scheduled four events this month for the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association, but told the MIAA that once students were back on campus next month, their facility would shut down.

Continue reading the article online 

https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/01/19/miaa-track-committee-meeting/

FHS Gymnastics: Meet your Captains!

FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) tweeted on Wed, Jan 06, 2021:
 

Meet your Captains! @FHSSports @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters @R_Lanigan @BostonHeraldHS @MetroWestSports @HockomockSports @_sarahbernstein https://t.co/lTtQ62tcoW

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1346955312822013953?s=03

 

 

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics

Meet your Captains! @FHSSports @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters @R_Lanigan @BostonHeraldHS @MetroWestSports @HockomockSports @_sarahbernstein pic.twitter.com/lTtQ62tcoW

— FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) January 6, 2021

FPS Voice: Get the Facts from the Franklin Public School Nurses (audio)

A group of our Franklin Public School nurses share important information related to Health Office procedures, guidelines, and COVID-19 testing. 

 
Topics covered include: 

• FPS Dismissal Procedures 
• Reporting of Absences  
• COVID-19 Testing and Timelines 
• Travel Information 
• Over the Counter Medicine 
• Where to find information!

Thank you to Franklin TV & Radio for their assistance in creating this podcast! 

Audio file => https://anchor.fm/fpsvoice/episodes/Get-the-Facts-from-the-Franklin-Public-School-Nurses-enpre1

FPS Voice: Get the Facts from the Franklin Public School Nurses (audio)