Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Franklin School Committee statement in regards to OPML complaint

 

https://www.mass.gov/advisory/state-ethics-commission-advisory-11-1-public-employee-political-activity


Based on the foregoing, there has been no violation of any law as alleged by your Complaint and the Committee does not intend to take further action in response to your requests. In accordance with the Open Meeting Law, a copy of your complaint and this response are being sent to the Attorney General's Office. Thank you.



Sincerely,


Denise Spencer, Chair 

Franklin School Committee

 


cc:     Franklin School Committee

Office of the Attorney General, Division of Open Government



Franklin School Committee statement in regards to OPML complaint
Franklin School Committee statement in regards to OPML complaint


School Committee amends policy so "that masks will not be universally required" effective 2/28/22

2/16/2022

Dear Franklin Public Schools Community Members,


Earlier this evening, the Franklin School Committee voted to amend the policy on Masks and Face Coverings (Policy EBCFA) so that masks will not be universally required as follows:

  • It is strongly recommended that unvaccinated or otherwise immunocompromised individuals wear masks in school buildings, and on school grounds, even when social distancing is observed.
  • Individuals who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a mask, but may do so if desired.

This language will be in effect on Monday, February 28, 2022 for all schools in Franklin, as the current DESE mask mandate will not be extended beyond that time. 


Principals will be working with their staff on communicating this change to students so that children are prepared for school on February 28, 2022. We will emphasize the importance of being kind and respecting the choices that others make. We ask that families reinforce this with children over February break and in advance of their children's return to school. Counselors are available for students who may be experiencing anxiety with this change. Please contact your child’s school.


Please Note: Masks will still be required under certain circumstances as follows:

  • Masks will still be required on buses/school transportation (per federal order)
  • Masks will still be required in health offices (per DPH for health facilities)
  • Masks will still be required for individuals testing as COVID-positive and returning to school from isolation on day 6 or later through day 10 (per DPH and CDC protocols)
  • For MIAA athletic events and some other activities, mask rules are up to host-school or venue-specific rules. Therefore, depending on the venue, a mask may be required.

The decision for moving to a mask optional approach involved the examination of numerous data points, as noted on the attached slide show.

With COVID case counts dropping, we will be moving towards a weekly summary, rather than daily communications of COVID cases affecting our schools. This will begin Wednesday, March 2. This may be unsettling for community members, especially with masks becoming optional on February 28, but the premise of our response remains the same: we have many layered mitigation strategies in our schools including ventilation. Individuals may want to consider opting to mask, may want to consider vaccinations or boosters (if unvaccinated), may sign up for rapid antigen testing, should monitor for symptoms, and may wish to sign up for symptomatic testing.

For families or faculty/staff who wish to opt-in for rapid antigen testing and/or symptomatic testing, please visit our website and click on the links to sign up. https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/back-to-school-plan-21-22/testing-quarantine-response

A community vaccine clinic for children ages 5-11 is being held at the Franklin Senior Center on February 23 from 9-10 AM or 3-5 PM. Sign ups can occur here:  https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/franklin

Each change that we’ve experienced through the pandemic has come with mixed feelings among students, staff, and families. We have navigated each change, with new tools and successively fewer restrictions, successfully, minimizing the impact of COVID in our school community. 

I implore everyone to treat each other respectfully as we move into this next phase of our management of COVID. We will certainly be communicating this message to our students prior to and upon their return from February vacation.


Respectfully,

Sara Ahern
Superintendent of Schools

School Committee amends policy so "that masks will not be universally required" effective 2/28/22
School Committee amends policy so "that masks will not be universally required" effective 2/28/22


"Hearts Of Kindness" return to the Town Common

The "Hearts of Kindness" have returned to the Town Common. On my walk 
Monday morning, I had seen the cloths lines strung between some of the trees. The radar picked up that the hearts were going to be hung Monday afternoon.

I captured several photos during my walk on Tuesday. One shown here, the link to the album provided below.

masked or not,

life on the edge

or not, let’s find 

within ourselves

hearts of kindness


some of the "Hearts of Kindness" hung around the Town Common
some of the "Hearts of Kindness" hung around the Town Common


Ash Wednesday and Ash Sunday at St John’s

Join us for the traditional Ash Wednesday service on March 2 at 7 PM for imposition of ashes and the beginning of a holy Lent. Or, for a family-friendly version the following Sunday, March 6 at 10 AM.

St John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin

For more information:

Ash Wednesday and Ash Sunday at St John’s
Ash Wednesday and Ash Sunday at St John’s

Special School Committee Meeting - February 16, 2022 at 5 PM

*SPECIAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING 
FEBRUARY 16, 2022 AT 5 PM*

Topic: Face Coverings

Last week Governor Baker and Commissioner Riley held a press conference announcing that the Massachusetts Department of Secondary and Elementary Education will not be extending the mask mandate in school buildings past February 28th, 2022. This decision comes after consulting with medical experts and state health officials. The memorandum cites "the Commonwealth's high vaccination rates and widespread availability of COVID-19 testing for school personal and students" to support this decision. You can view the full memo here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/2022-0209mask-requirement-update.pdf

Without a state order, the decision on masking falls to local decision making. The Franklin School Committee is holding a special meeting on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 5:00 PM to discuss masking. The agenda and links can be accessed here: https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/events/scagenda_2-16-22_special_mtg.pdf

As for Franklin High School, FHS received a waiver from the state in November because over 80% of the population at Franklin High School had been vaccinated. The School Committee amended their policy in November to allow for masks to be optional at FHS for vaccinated individuals if the 14-day % positivity rate is below 4% (the current rate is above 4%). Therefore, masks are still required at FHS currently. Optional masking at FHS will also be discussed at Wednesday's meeting.

Masking will continue to be required on all school buses, per federal order. Masking is also required, per DPH, in school health offices.

Shared from FPS page -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/events/scagenda_2-16-22_special_mtg.pdf

Special School Committee Meeting - February 16, 2022 at 5 PM
Special School Committee Meeting - February 16, 2022 at 5 PM

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, February 17, 7:00 PM

Our next 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting will be this Thursday, February 17, 7:00-9:00 pm. (We schedule two hours to leave time for discussion and conversation, but feel free to leave early if necessary.)  

Join on Zoom

Meeting ID: 544 734 092
Password: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923
 
During the meeting, we will address climate bills being considered by the state legislature, actions to promote national changes, and local developments.

We will also continue to discuss the 350 Mass campaign, Building the Green New Deal, that promotes energy efficiency in houses and buildings, retrofitting and electrification of homes, updated building codes, and other actions by individuals, communities, and the Commonwealth. We'll consider opportunities we can pursue in our region.

We hope you can join us Thursday at 7:00. We'll send a reminder Thursday afternoon. 

Thank you for your commitment to the struggle for a transition to a just, equitable, and clean energy economy.

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017 (c) 

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, February 17, 7:00 PM
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, February 17, 7:00 PM

Reminder: subscribe to stay in the know as we 'follow the money'

Since 2007, Franklin Matters provides a daily digital newsletter for Franklin residents and taxpayers to find out what is happening.  

How do we do that?

We 'follow the money' reporting on the Finance Committee, School Committee and Town Council meetings. Given the pandemic circumstances and with a consideration for the schedule, we are either in-person or reporting in real time on the meetings.

In addition to following the money, we look at the quality of life that this brings to Franklin. We report on the Board of Health, Community Preservation Committee, and as many others as possible.

What does this reporting provide for you?

Accurate and timely info, rich with details, and links to valid source materials including (in many cases) the recordings of the meetings of themselves. 

Thanks to the collaboration with our Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, we conduct and share a twice monthly series of conversations as we "Talk Franklin" and do some "Town Council Quarterbacking."

Since October 2019, producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This daily newsletter 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 reading, sharing, sending information along, and (of course) asking questions.


Subscribe here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Reminder: subscribe to stay in the know as we 'follow the money'
Reminder: subscribe to stay in the know as we 'follow the money'

Franklin School Committee: Community Relations Subcommittee - Meeting agenda - Feb 17 - 6:00 PM

Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting

Municipal Building - Training Room (Virtual Link in Agenda)

Thursday February 17, 2022 - 6:00 PM


A G E N D A

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

  • Call to Order
  • Review Community Relations Subcommittee goals
  • Legislative Forum - Date, Questions
  • Coffee Chat
  • Confirm schedule for upcoming meetings


Community Relations Subcommittee - Meeting agenda - Feb 17 - 6:00 PM
Community Relations Subcommittee - Meeting agenda - Feb 17 - 6:00 PM

Both FHS girls and boys basketball teams posts wins vs. Milford on Tuesday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Tuesday:

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 73 @ Milford, 53 – Final 
– Franklin connected on seven three pointers in the second quarter alone, blowing the game wide open in a win on the road at Milford, which was the 200th career win for FHS head coach CJ Neely. The Panthers jumped out to a 17-10 lead after eight minutes but junior Geino Scaringello and freshman Caden Sullivan each hit a pair of second quarter threes while Evan DaSilva, Will Tracey, and Sean O’Leary each had one as Franklin’s lead ballooned to 43-22 by halftime. Franklin finished with 13 three-pointers in the win and had 10 players find the score sheet, let by O’Leary’s 19 points and Sean Vinson’s 10 points.

Girls Basketball = Milford, 19 @ Franklin, 80 – Final 
– All 14 players scored for the Panthers, as they continued their unbeaten run. Milford stayed within seven after the first, but Franklin scored 24 points in each of the second and third quarters to take complete control. The Panthers held Milford to six points in the second half. Olivia Quinn was Franklin’s top scorer with 13 points (11 in the first half). Stefany Padula added 11, knocking down three from beyond the arc, and Katie Peterson and Sasha Tracey each finished with 10 points. Brooke Ferreira scored all of her team-high eight points in the first half and the Hawks also got three points from Erin Michelson.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-15-22/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Franklin School Committee - Budget Subcommittee - February 17, 2022 - 5:00 PM

Franklin Public Schools
Franklin School Committee
Budget Subcommittee

February 17, 2022 - 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Municipal Building 3rd Floor Training Room

A G E N D A
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at
the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be
brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

● Call to order
● Approval of minutes
● FY23 Budget Development discussion
● Adjournment 



Franklin School Committee - Budget Subcommittee - February 17, 2022 - 5:00 PM
Franklin School Committee - Budget Subcommittee - February 17, 2022 - 5:00 PM