Showing posts with label update. Show all posts
Showing posts with label update. Show all posts

Sunday, June 28, 2020

"we’ve got to realize that we are part of the process"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"As the COVID-19 pandemic reaches new levels driven largely by surges of cases in southern and southwestern states that had resumed economic and social activities, Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday that Massachusetts can avoid a similar fate if people continue to wear face coverings, remain socially distant and stay home when sick.

“It’s been working. It’s worked well for the people in Massachusetts and we all need to keep it up. COVID-19 will not be taking a summer vacation,” he said. “As many people have seen, other states have suffered massive spikes in new cases and hospitalizations, and we urge every resident in Massachusetts to continue to be vigilant and mindful during their daily activities that we can contain this insidious virus, but it’s critically important for everybody to do their part.”

Florida reported a record high of more than 8,900 new coronavirus cases Friday and the governor suspended alcohol sales at the state’s bars. On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he did not plan on moving to the next phase of the Sunshine State’s reopening as initially scheduled. In early June, Florida had allowed bars to reopen at 50% capacity indoors and at full capacity outside, and also allowed movie theaters to reopen."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200627/baker-urges-vigilance-against-insidious-virus

Gov Baker's video update Friday, June 26: https://youtu.be/f8lY8dUUdds


Monday, March 23, 2020

Senate President Karen Spilka: Coronavirus Update as of March 21, 2020

Greetings,

Below are the latest updates on federal, state and local efforts on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Please contact my office if you need assistance in any way during this time. You can always reach out by calling 617-722-1500 or emailing Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov.

I have added a section to my website, MetroWest Resources for COVID-19, for those in my district. https://karenspilka.com/updates/2020/3/13/metrowest-covid-19-resources

If you have resources to share that would be of interest to the general public please email Susan Nicholl in my office at Susan.Nicholl@masenate.gov with the subject line "District Resource."

Please continue to check the Coronavirus Updates page on my website for the latest information (https://karenspilka.com/updates/2020/3/13/covid-19-updates)

Senate President Karen Spilka

Senate President Karen Spilka: Coronavirus Update as of March 21, 2020
Senate President Karen Spilka: Coronavirus Update as of March 21, 2020


Saturday, March 21, 2020

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

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

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




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



Thank you,
Franklin Public Schools

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

Friday, March 20, 2020

A COVID-19 Update from SSA Commissioner

A COVID-19 Update from the 
Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner

03/19/2020 11:22 AM EDT


I want you to hear directly from me how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our services. The first thing you should know is that we continue to pay benefits. Be aware that scammers may try to trick you into thinking the pandemic is stopping your Social Security payments but that is not true. Don’t be fooled.

To protect you and help stop the spread of this coronavirus, we cannot accept visitors in our offices at this time. There are several other ways you can get help. Many services are available online. If you have a critical need that you cannot address online, we can help you over the phone.

Please visit our Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) page to find out what services we are continuing and which ones we are suspending, how to contact us, and important information about deadlines we are extending to ease the burden on you and medical providers during this pandemic.
Continue reading the update
https://blog.ssa.gov/a-covid-19-update-from-our-commissioner/#more-4658

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update page  https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/


Andrew Saul, SSA Commissioner (SSA Photo)
Andrew Saul, SSA Commissioner  (SSA Photo)

Thursday, March 19, 2020

GATRA Service Update and Dial-a-Ride Information

Press read the attached press release from GATRA regarding service updates and a Dial-A-Ride option for emergency transportation. (Note: FAB = Franklin Area Bus)

"TO THE RESIDENTS OF FOXBOROUGH, FRANKLIN, NORFOLK AND WRENTHAM. 
The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) Will Be Suspending All Fixed Route Bus Service In Your Towns. The FAB And Tri Town Connector Will No Longer Be In Service As Of Monday March 23,2020 For An Unknown Period Of Time.

However Due To The Serious Situation We Are Facing GATRA Will Be Offering Our Dial-A-Ride Service To All Residents Of Foxborough, Franklin, Norfolk And Wrentham For Critical Transportation Needs Within These Communities.

If Anyone Needs This Reservation Service The Hours And Telephone Numbers Are As Follows:

Monday -Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

800-698-7676. Ext 1


A 24 – 48 Hours Advance Notice Would Be Appreciated. All Vehicles Are Wheelchair Accessible.

GATRA Will Waive All Fares.
Please Be Safe And Follow All Guidelines Set By The CDC And Mass Dept. Of Public Health."

Download or read the full press release PDF
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/press_releasetri_town_and_fab.pdf

Franklin Area Bus
Franklin Area Bus

Representative Jeff Roy: COVID-19 update #3


"I share your concerns about the spread of the Corona virus (COVID-19) and, as you know, new information is coming out regularly. So, I am updating you on the latest news. You can also check the special state website for latest updates at https://www.mass.gov/covid19.

Current cases. In Massachusetts, there are a total of 256 cases of COVID-19, out of the 2,271 individuals that have been tested. For complete details, click here. The state's capacity to test has been expanded so we expect that number to rise as more people get tested.

Unemployment Insurance. Today, the House of Representatives and the Senate voted to pass, and the Governor signed, legislation that grants certain workers a waiver from the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits. DUA may now pay unemployment benefits if a worker is quarantined due to an order by civil authority or medical professional; or leaves employment due to reasonable risk of exposure or infection, or to care for a family member and does not intend, or is not allowed, to return to work. The worker need not provide medical documentation and need only be available for work when and as able.
 
Emergency regulations are being filed to allow workers to collect unemployment if a workplace is shut down and expects to reopen in four or fewer weeks; and also to waive the one (1) week waiting period for unemployment benefits. For more information and to file a claim, click here. 
Virtual Office hours. My in-person office hours scheduled for this Thursday and Friday this week were cancelled due to the closure of the Franklin Senior Center and the ban on restaurant service. However, we will be conducting virtual office hours on Friday morning (March 20) using zoom.com. To participate, go to https://zoom.us/j/7345161755 and type in this meeting ID: 734 516 1755. I'll be there to answer questions and provide information. If you do not have access to a computer, you can dial in at 1-646-558-8656 and punch in this access code: 7345161755#."

Continue reading Rep Roy's update
https://mailchi.mp/eefb12f4c1b0/ux2l17im8a-2479485

Representative Jeff Roy: COVID-19 update #3
Representative Jeff Roy: COVID-19 update #3

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Senator Becca Rausch: CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #4

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #4
Wednesday, March 18, 2020


Friends,

COVID-19 Update #4 of what I’m sure will be many more updates about COVID-19. This update contains: the latest COVID-19 updates from Beacon Hill, the legislative work I’m leading to support all of our towns and cities during the pandemic period, today’s push from me and more than 30 of my legislative colleagues for Governor Baker to take more robust action to protect public health, and suggestions for how you can be part of the solution by helping your community.

In an effort to make all the news and accurate information on the coronavirus a little easier to follow, my staff and I are compiling a page with the latest COVID-19 updates from Beacon Hill on my website. Please bookmark the page - we will update this list of actions taken by the state government two or three times each week, with a date stamp and links to official sources.

Keeping our town governments functioning and planning for elections in a time of necessary social distancing is vital to safeguarding our democracy. As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, I am at the heart of this legislative work, which is happening almost around the clock. Here’s what you can do to help: review H.4572, An Act to address challenges in town governance resulting from COVID-19. Send any comments or input you have to me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov and my House counterpart, Chair Jim O'Day, at James.ODay@mahouse.gov. Due to COVID-19, the State House is closed to the public so we are accepting written testimony only. All testimony is due by 12PM tomorrow, Thursday, March 19. This deadline will be strictly enforced.

Continue reading Update #4
https://mailchi.mp/ae40a9ec176c/covid19-update-12267110

Senator Becca Rausch: CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #4
Senator Becca Rausch: CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #4

Monday, January 20, 2020

Franklin Police: Media Release, Missing Person Update - 1/20/20 PM

Media Release, Missing Person Update

January 20, 2020

4:05 PM

Franklin, Massachusetts: The investigation into the missing person Kayla QUAGAN's well being remains active at this time. Franklin Police detectives are following up on information being received from public contacts, and other law enforcement agencies. At this time the investigation indicates that QUAGAN remains in the area, and has been seen on video. 

The Franklin Police remain committed to ensuring QUAGAN's well being, however at this time there is no indication that she remains out of contact other than by her own choice.

Franklin Police: Media Release, Missing Person
Franklin Police: Media Release, Missing Person Update - 1/20/20 PM
 
Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/media-release-missing-person-update

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Live reporting: FHS Update

Principal Peter Light





  • FHS Math

FHS Math team was first in the division and then qualified to the State meet
compete in five different categories of math topics
team members compete in different categories to work on their strengths
also work in groups to solve problems
goal setting session at beginning of year was to 'win this thing'


  • Robotics Club

The "Rattle City Robotics" team
new robot required for each school year, needs to be designed and programmed to compete
looking for sponsors
Froyo Party, May 23 20% of sales from 3:00 - 9:00 PM
coupon needed to present to get funding


  • Computer Science

only in second year
this year less often but have more impactful time
entered code days in Boston
competed twice already this year
24 hours, noon Sat to noon on Sun, no sleep but lots of fun
pitch ideas, form team and then start building a project

1st time, a cowboy game
award for good teamwork
award for creativity

2nd time, a robot revolution game
award for best game



  • Poetry Out Loud

over 1,000 students read poems in the competition this year
24 past FHS students came in to be judges
once whittled down to 45, semi-final round
final round 12 read

chose poem from the poetryoutloud.org site

Blackberry Picking, Seamus Heaney (read outloud)
http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poem/181384

Mingus at the Showplace (read outloud)
http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poem/27402



  • Panther TV Club




The video was posted earlier
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/04/student-produced-video-on-autism.html




  • Science National Honor Society 

successful science night Mar 30, over 300 students came with parents
included additional programing, opened to grades from K up

robotics game was to drive the robot to pop a balloon
the kids loved popping the balloons

video summary of the night



Environmental Club, Recycling Club, Communications Group


  • Empty Bowls

The empty bowls dinner raised over $6,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry
long history with the empty bowls club, maybe 15 years ago
approx. 50 students participating weekly
engaged with the arts and giving back to the community
about 650 families are served by the Food Pantry





all roads in Franklin lead to the high school so it makes it easy for the collaboration among the schools


"This is a small sample of what is happening at the high school"

"I love hearing the students thank their teachers, it reflects on your parents and family"


(4 and half minute break to let the high school students and faculty_



  • NEASC - New England Association of Schools and Colleges

accreditation body for the New England area

David Soulard, guidance counselor, co-leader of the team
for the 10-year cycle
(presentation doc pages 23 to the end)

year long effort to evaluate against 7 standards
visitors next March 2017 will come to do an onsite portion of the report evaluation

recommendations lead to a 3-5 year study and remediations where required

teaching and learning standard

  • core values, beliefs and learning expectations
  • curriculum
  • instruction
  • assessment of and for student learning

multiple surveys to gather information/data from students, faculty and family members

107 faculty members involved with the seven standard areas

over 2100 Endicott Survey responses to be analyzed

Q - What can we do to help you?
nothing at the moment, other than perhaps adding more hours to the day
it will be hard work but we are underway

Q - What have you seen thus far in the gaps?
things are in process, the standards are evolving, the curriculum is also evolving
the primary focus is the framework and the standards, NEASC can be prescriptive in their language, we want to be careful how we approach this

funding down the road, when we look at funding, that is a discussion will be something we have had hear, will we have the funding to replace the chromebooks when they need to be?

it is hard to see what the needs are when everything is new and shiny



Thursday, July 23, 2015

Senator Spilka: It's Time for Action on Women's Health, Equality and Opportunity



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Dear Friend,

Massachusetts is a beacon of equality and justice. It's time that we live up to those values by taking action on equal pay, women in leadership and women's health.


Yesterday, I testified before the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development in strong support of my Women on Boards Resolution and the Equal Pay Bill, bills to encourage equitable and diverse gender representation on boards of directors in Massachusetts and to help bridge the gender wage gap.  

I also testified before the Joint Committee on Financial Services on my bill to protect access to confidential health care, the PATCH Act.
Women on Boards
The Women on Boards Resolution is a non-binding resolution to encourage companies to increase the number of women on their boards of directors and in their senior management ranks. California and Illinois have passed similar resolutions to improve gender diversity on boards in those states.

We need to help create a pipeline for female leaders and open doors for more women. We need to empower all women to make their voices heard. This is not a women's issue. This is a business issue and an economic development issue. The future of the Massachusetts economy depends on bringing the best talent to the table.

The positive effects of greater diversity on boards are well-documented, yet the representation of women in leadership remains low. Women hold 14.9% of board seats and 11.8% of executive officer positions in the 100 largest public companies in Massachusetts. 24 of these companies have no women on their boards, 46 have no women executive officers and 19 have no women on their boards of directors or in their executive suites.

Thank you to 2020 Women on Boards, the Alliance for Business Leadership and other advocates for your work on this important issue. Thank you especially to local business leaders who joined me at the hearing to share firsthand how their companies have embraced diversity on their boards: Bennie Wiley, President of The Wiley Group; Bob Rivers, President and Chief Operating Officer at Eastern Bank; Javier Barrientos, Senior Director, Global Diversity and Inclusion at Biogen; and Kevin Maggiacomo, President and CEO of Sperry Van Ness.

Immediately following the hearing, the Committee reported favorably on the Women on Boards Resolution, moving the bill along in the legislative process.
Equal Pay
Equal pay for equal work should be a no brainer. Women working hard to support their families deserve fair pay. It is time for action to bridge the gender wage gap and ensure equal pay. It is time for equality and opportunity for all women.

In Massachusetts, women who work full time earn approximately 80.8% of men's earnings. A report by the Institute for Women's Policy Research projects that the gender wage gap will not close on its own until 2058.

In the mid-1980s, one of my first jobs was in the state's Office of Employee Relations working on the issues of comparable worth and pay equity. It's very disappointing that almost thirty years later, we still have work to do on these issues. If we do nothing, a girl born today would be 43 years old when the pay gap finally closes. That is nearly 70 years of inequality and injustice.

The Equal Pay Bill seeks to bridge the wage gap in three main ways: ensure equal pay for comparable work, establish pay transparency and require fairness in hiring practices.

In advance of the hearing, I joined Attorney General Maura Healey, State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, legislators, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators and the Equal Pay Coalition at a rally to highlight the importance of the Equal Pay Bill.  

Click here to watch a video from the rally. My remarks are at the 14:45 mark. 
PATCH Act
The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a variety of bills related to women's health, including my  PATCH Act, which aims to protect patient confidentiality by requiring personal health information on Explanation of Benefits forms to be sent directly to patients, safeguarding the privacy of people who are dependents on another person's health plan.

Patient confidentiality is a foundational element of the patient-provider relationship. Unfortunately, victims of abuse or minors are often reluctant to seek certain types of treatment, fearing that their abuser or parent will learn these details. This bill would ensure that all patients have confidential access to the health care they need.  

Click here to listen to my testimony at the hearing.

Thank you to my colleagues in the legislature and all advocates and constituents for making your voices heard on these important issues for women, families and the Commonwealth.

It's time for equality, justice and opportunity for all women!

As always, if you would like additional information or have any concerns or comments, please call my office at (617) 722-1640 or email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov.

Warm Regards,
Senator Karen E. Spilka
2nd Middlesex and Norfolk



Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka
Room 212, State House
Boston, Massachusetts  02133
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Thursday, April 16, 2015

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Franklin Schools: Weather Update

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 
Hello 
We have been following weather forecasts and here is the latest report for your review.  Based on current predictions we will be having school. DPW will be treating roads so that should mitigate some of the icy conditions.  We advise parents of HS students who drive to consider dropping students off at school. Please be mindful that roads/ parking lots will be slick. 
FYI   If conditions change overnight there may be a need for a school delay. Thank you and apologies for having to continue to bother you with weather communications when it is almost Spring. Think Rain ! 
Regards,Maureen
 
Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building


From Accuweather:WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EDT THURSDAY...* LOCATIONS...MOST OF MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND EXCEPT FOR THE IMMEDIATE SOUTH COAST. THIS ADVISORY ALSO INCLUDES NORTHERN CONNECTICUT.* HAZARD TYPES...RAIN TRANSITIONS TO SNOW TONIGHT. A BRIEF PERIOD OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE.* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF UP TO 1 INCH...ALONG WITH AROUND A TRACE OF ICE.* TIMING...STEADY RAIN WILL OVERSPREAD THE REGION FROM WEST TO EAST THIS AFTERNOON. THE RAIN WILL CHANGE TO SNOW FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST BETWEEN 10 PM AND 4 AM. A BRIEF PERIOD OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN IS POSSIBLE DURING THIS TRANSITION. SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE THURSDAY MORNING BEFORE TAPERING OFF DURING THE AFTERNOON.* IMPACTS...THE MAIN CONCERN IS FOR A FLASH FREEZE AS TEMPERATURES PLUMMET INTO THE TEENS AND LOWER 20S. UNTREATED SURFACES MAY QUICKLY FREEZE OVER AS MUCH COLDER AIR ARRIVES. A SMALL SNOW ACCUMULATION MAY HIDE SOME OF THE ICE. THE THURSDAY MORNING COMMUTE MAY BE ICY.

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Franklin Public Schools: Summer Update


A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello

As summer vacation is winding down we wanted to send out an update as we prepare for the opening of the 2013-2014 academic year.

Student Schedules and Class Placements
All FHS, MS schedules and elementary class placement letters will go out in the afternoon mail on August 15.  At FHS the guidance staff will be back on  August  20 to handle scheduling conflicts. The HS Guidance Office has been staffed all summer and some counseling  staff will be available on August 1,6,7 and 8. A number of families have been contacted about scheduling conflicts and have not responded to calls and letters from guidance. If you have been contacted about a conflict please call the HS as soon as possible to set up a time to resolve the conflicts.


New FHS
The construction project is on time and we anticipate the official opening on the first day of the 2014-2015 academic year.  Franklin Public Schools summer programming that has been traditionally scheduled at the HS will be moved to the HMMS/Oak complex. Other recreational programs will also need to be relocated. We will be collaborating with all stakeholders  to schedule all summer 2014 events.


Facilities Work
Projects at Remington/Jefferson, Parmenter and Kennedy are progressing. We have been assured all work will be completed by the start of the school year.


This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

What happened Friday?

There were no updates here on Friday due to an outage by Google's Blogger platform. Items were queued to post but they were not posted. I did not have access to make any updates.

The Blogger system managed to keep the site up and available so any visitors here were able to read the posts and follow the links but wouldn't have been able to comment.

For those who also subscribe to the Facebook group, I was able to provide an update there. If you are not yet subscribed on Facebook, you may want to consider joining the group. There tends to be less posts than those shown daily here. There also tends to be more conversation around some of the posts.

If you follow me on Twitter, you would have seen the update:
Blogger will be in read-only mode while we resolve some maintenance issues. Sorry for the inconvenience.http://j.mp/jGNkkr
As I re-read the update, would you have known that Blogger meant Franklin Matters? Probably not. I'll need to do better next time.

The official word from Blogger on what happened can be found here:
http://buzz.blogger.com/2011/05/blogger-is-back.html




Franklin, MA

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Live reporting - transportation update

Asst Supt. Maureen Sabolinski, Miriam Goodman

(chart to be made available later)
The chart is an update from one posted in August

Cafasso - If pay-to-ride were to be fee funded it would be approx $670/student