If you missed Panther News in homeroom today, here's the link to this week's show! @FHSPantherbook @FranklinHS @FranklinPSNews
Video link = https://t.co/HRik5Ncv1L
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Panther TV: Panther News for Oct 16, 2020 (video)
School Committee: Policy Sub Committee Meeting - Oct 20, 2020
Policy Sub Committee Meeting
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 - 6:00pm
AGENDA
"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."
I. Electronic Distribution of Approved Policies
1.EEAEC - Student Conduct on School Buses
2.EEAJ - Motor Vehicles Idling on School Grounds
3.Policy Distribution Folder
II.Discussion of Policies sent to School Committee
1.None
III.Policy Revisions & New Policies - New Discussion Item
1.Continued Review of Policies
Virtual Meeting (Links in agenda)
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| School Committee: Policy Sub Committee Meeting - Oct 20, 2020 |
MetroWest Daily News Sports: “It’s definitely a different senior year”
From the MetroWest Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:
"Franklin High cross country coach Nick Bailey first met Nick Calitri when he was a freshman in Bailey’s video production class.
That is when Bailey first saw Calitri’s potential.
“I discovered him when he was running in one of the videos,” Bailey said. “I said, ‘Hey you got to do cross country or track.’ But it was too late for him to do cross country at the time.
“He ran track as a freshman and he ended up having a pretty good season.”
FM #365 - Community Preservation Act Webinar - 10/15/20 (audio)
FM #365 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 365 in the series.
This shares the Community Preservation Act Webinar hosted by the CPAForFranklin group on Thursday, October 15, 2020. The webinar was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
This
is the audio recording of the webinar. Links the presentation document
and the webinar agenda doc are shared in the show notes.
The
webinar runs about 66 minutes so let’s listen to the information shared
in the webinar about the Community Preservation Act which is ballot
question 3 for the Franklin, MA November election.
More about the CPAForFranklin group and the Community Preservation Act can be found at https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/
Audio link = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyV0fqFK
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The webinar agenda doc
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13SXYzw2QJidTitdOKVgrB8Le6I9kdC4x/view?usp=sharing
The main presentation doc
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_qVhDBTTr3FzfPL6AeftTNiVbAczGJXS/view?usp=sharing
--------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
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/
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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Community Preservation Act Webinar - 10/15/20 (audio) |
In the News: by the numbers, there are highs and lows
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 702 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the statewide total to 139,353.
There were 14,962 new molecular tests conducted, with an approximately 4.69% daily positive rate. That is the highest rate since June 6."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
"The state’s unemployment rate dropped into single digits in September after spending five months above 10%, as employers reported adding 36,900 jobs and Massachusetts continued its economic recovery from the sudden COVID-inflicted recession.
State labor officials announced Friday that the unemployment rate declined to 9.6% in September, 1.8 percentage points below the revised August rate of 11.4%.
The state unemployment rate is now the lowest it has been since March, the last month of data that did not fully reflect the massive layoffs prompted by government-mandated shutdowns and large-scale shifts in consumer behavior to avoid public health risks."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
“The weather is just getting more and more extreme,” she said, noting that while droughts are happening in this part of the world, other areas are seeing record rainfall and hurricanes.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Earlier this month, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides declared a Level 3 Critical Drought in the southeast region of the state. When such a declaration is made, it means “many sectors, community functions and environmental resources are facing critical strain” due to the drought, according to the state’s drought management plan.
In September, Theoharides declared all seven regions of the state at a Level 2 Critical Drought Level, which called for more restrictions on water use and greater collaboration between the state and municipalities."
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| Town Common walkway as the fallen leaves are gathered |
"80 percent of those leaving the workforce during the pandemic are women"
From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:
"LAUREN SONALKAR was working as a part-time science teacher in the Lincoln Public Schools before the pandemic. A week before school started this year, the district offered Sonalkar a job working full time, teaching a small class of fourth graders in person.
Sonalkar lives in Arlington, where her first-grade daughter was given the opportunity of hybrid or remote schooling, and the family felt remote learning would be a more consistent option. Sonalkar also has a 3-year-old in a part-time nanny share and needs to be available to help her mother, who has a disability.
“When they told me I’d have to be full time, I was like I can’t do that,” Sonalkar said.
Sonalkar’s husband works in finance, and the family relies on his income more than hers. She felt her only choice was to take a year-long leave of absence from her teaching job.
While Sonalkar knows she is privileged to be able to forgo the income and have a job waiting for her, she said, “It felt like losing a piece of my identity a little bit.”
Continue reading the article online
Franklin Line notice: Commuter Rail shuttle bus on weekends through Nov 22
"On weekends through Nov 22, buses replace service on the Franklin Line at Forge Park through Walpole to allow for double-track extension work. They will operate on a weekend train schedule. However, trains will operate between Walpole and South Station.
The shuttle buses will operate on the normal weekend train schedule and will be ADA accessible, though bikes will not be allowed on board. Trains may experience delays of up to 20 minutes due to the shuttle busing, please allow for additional travel time."
Visit mbta.com/FRKwork and mbta.com/FRKdoubletrack for more details.
For more information: https://mbta.com/FRKwork
Last Updated: Oct 16 2020 04:28 PM
Franklin Line notice: Commuter Rail shuttle bus weekend through Nov 22
Friday, October 16, 2020
Franklin's Weekend - Oct 17-18, 2020
From the newly rejuvenated Community Calendar, we share the following events scheduled for this weekend:
Friday, October 16
October StoryWalk® on the SNETT
12:00pm - Farmers Market
5:00pm - Pumpkin Patch @ St John's
Saturday, October 17
October StoryWalk® on the SNETT
10:00am - Early voting
12:00pm - Pumpkin Patch @ St John's
4:00pm - Community Unity Art
7:30pm - FPAC: "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"
Sunday, October 18
October StoryWalk® on the SNETT
10:00am - Early voting
12:00pm - Pumpkin Patch @ St John's
2:00pm - FPAC: "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"
3:00pm - LiveARTS: Victor Rosenbaum, Piano
If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication, please use this form: https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
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| Community Calendar |
Franklin Historical Museum: November's News - getting ready to re-open
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| new Holiday ornaments |
Due to the ongoing Covid epidemic, everyone visiting the museum will be required to wear a mask. Guests will provide their name and contact information upon entering to allow for contact tracing if needed. There is an building occupancy capacity, so we ask that people are patient in the event we reach our capacity. Patrons will be able to look, read and observe, but will not be allowed to touch items in the museum for safety, and will be required to maintain social distancing. Please be aware that our research library will be temporarily closed to the public and we are putting a hold on physical donations to our collections for the time being. We thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.
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| also in the gift shop |
Our limited schedule and COVID-19 protocols are a necessary yet temporary arrangement. As conditions change and improve, we will most certainly move to a more regular schedule. Our ever popular Second Sunday Speaker Series will hopefully return at some point early next year. Finally, workers have been measuring, cutting and hammering behind the scenes at the museum on the installation of a very intriguing and historically unique Franklin exhibit. More details to follow with an opening date for the exhibit to be announced. Check back here for more exciting details coming soon.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Look for our Trivia Tuesdays the second Tuesday of each month on Instagram. Visit us at 80 West Central Street, Franklin MA. The museum is ADA compliant and admission is always Free. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Franklin early voting opens Saturday, Oct 17
Early Voting: FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL (2 weeks) starting Saturday, Oct. 17th through Friday, Oct. 30th
- Saturday, Oct. 17th and Sunday, Oct. 18TH 10 AM - 3 PM
- Monday, Oct 19th 9 AM - 3 PM
- Tuesday, Oct. 20th 9 AM - 3 PM
- Wednesday, Oct. 21st 9 AM - 5 PM
- Thursday, Oct. 22nd 9 AM - 3 PM
- Friday, Oct. 23rd 9 AM - noon
- Saturday, Oct. 24th and Sunday, Oct. 25th 10 AM - 3 PM
- Monday, Oct 26th 9 AM - 3 PM
- Tuesday, Oct. 27th 9 AM - 3 PM
- Wednesday, Oct. 28th 9 AM - 5 PM
- Thursday, Oct. 29th 9 AM - 3 PM
- Friday, Oct. 30th 9 AM - noon
**STATE ELECTION – Tuesday, November 3rd, 7 am – 8 pm FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL GYM**
Franklin early voting opens Saturday, Oct 17
The FHS boys and girls cross country, field hockey, and golf teams top KP on Thursday
Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Thursday, Oct 15.
Field Hockey = King Philip, 0 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
– Franklin scored twice inside a four-minute space in the opening quarter and held off King Philip the rest of the way to get a key win. Amanda Lewandowski scored both for the Panthers, opening the scoring at 7:07 on an assist from Stephanie Bell and then doubling the lead just over three minutes later. Neilee Hess made five saves in the win for the Panthers. Head coach Michelle Hess praised the defensive play of Kendall Jones and Kate O’Rourke, and added that Sara Carney had a stellar outing in the midfield. KP senior goalie Makenzie Manning kept the Warriors in it with 18 saves and head coach Lisa Cropper said both senior Ali Beltramini and freshman Kelly Holmes played well.
Golf = Franklin, 158 @ King Philip, 166 – Final
– Franklin picked up its sixth straight win to open the season, earning its second straight close win over division foe King Philip. Jack Paterson and Brian Sandham led the way for the Panthers at Wentworth Hill Country Club, both shooting a team-low round of 38. Pat Dolan and Nolan Norton each added a 41 in the win. Mike Matheson was the match medalist, leading KP with a low-round of 37 while Jared Curran chipped in with a 40 for the Warriors.
Boys Cross Country = King Philip, 41 @ Franklin, 18 – Final
– Nicholas Calitri broke his own course record, setting a new time of 15:56 as he crossed first in Franklin’s win over King Philip. Griffin Sieczkiewicz (16:19) took second overall on the 3.05 mile course and Josh Anderson (16:21) rounded out the top three for the Panthers. Declan Walmsley (fifth, 16:52) and Clancy Golden (seventh, 17:21) also scored in the Panthers’ win.
Girls Cross Country = King Philip, 48 @ Franklin, 15 – Final
"The Panthers had a great team effort against KP. FHS won 15-48. The Panthers placed 17 runners in the top 20 places. Franklin was led by Senior Angelina Perez. Captain Sydney was second followed by Freshman Alexandra Batla. Other scorers included Charlene Peng & Caitlin Casey "
Via Twitter and Coach Bailey https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1316912457655455745
For other results around the Hockomock League
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| The FHS boys and girls cross country, field hockey, and golf teams top KP on Thursday |
Town of Franklin, MA: Errant Reverse 911 notifications
October 15,2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Franklin, Massachusetts): On Sunday October 11, 2020 the Franklin Police Department had an incident in which a Reverse 911 telephone call from the Franklin system was sent. The message asked residents to shelter in place.
As resources arrived on the scene it became clear that many people had not received the message. This could be because the Franklin Reverse 911 system is a an "opt in" system. This means you must sign up to receive notifications.
Given the seriousness of the situation, a man shooting a gun in the open, the risk to innocent people was greatly heightened. Because of this, a second resource from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) was called upon. This system utilizes "Geo Fencing", which attempts to send wireless messages to mobile devices inside a defined area.
For an unknown technical reason, some of these messages were delivered to communities outside of Franklin. This problem is being investigated in the hope of avoiding problems in the future. Safety for the public and officers is at the center of every decision made.
As with all incidents lessons are learned. In the future when utilizing resources from outside agencies, such as MEMA, we will be more specific in identifying the Town, and area effected in the message itself.
We apologize for any worry that was created, and the disruptions to the Police Departments in those communities.
As a reminder to Franklin residents, you may sign up for our alert system here: franklintown.regroup.com/signup
Town of Franklin, MA: Errant Reverse 911 notifications
Town of Franklin, MA: FY21 Annual License Renewal Applications
FY21 Annual License Renewal Applications are due December 1st. If you have not received yours or if you have any ?s, please contact Chrissy Whelton at cwhelton@franklinma.gov
License Renewal Applications can be found here:
https://t.co/d546cJ9Bki
Shared via Twitter: https://t.co/Fapf6nLcWc
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| Town of Franklin, MA: FY21 Annual License Renewal Applications |
In the News: Library closed due to exposure; MEMA did send an alert - researching continues
From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:
"Staff at the Franklin Public Library will return to work on Saturday after being sent home Wednesday morning due to a possible exposure of COVID-19, town officials said in a press release Wednesday night.
In consultation with the Board of Health, the library decided to send staff members home on Wednesday morning out of an abundance of caution, town officials said. In the meantime, crews were expected to be on-site to disinfect the entire library building and, if necessary, staff will be encouraged to take a COVID-19 test and quarantine.
“Since the library has not yet been open to the public, we are confident that Franklin residents have not been exposed to the virus and the town continues to remain confident we can reopen the library on Nov. 9 as we are planning,” town officials said.
The library plans to reopen for curbside pickup and other services on Monday. The library has been closed to the public since March due to the coronavirus and has been offering curbside pickup since May. Curbside pickup is offered Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the vestibule of the entrance at the top of the parking lot ramp."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
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| reopen for curbside pickup and other services on Monday |
"There is increasing clarity as to who sent a shelter-in-place alert on Sunday that was sent to many communities around Franklin.
The alert was sent to several communities using a geo fencing process by Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Franklin police said they sent the alert to those who signed up for Reverse 911. However, because its system only sends alerts to those who sign up for it, a second “resource” sent out a similar message.
MEMA sent out the second alert, which went to several communities, including non-neighboring towns Mendon and Milford, which weren’t part of the shelter-in-place order, that was similar to the message Franklin
The MEMA system uses something called “geofencing,” which sends wireless messages to mobile devices in a defined area."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Virtual Memory Cafe features "Kalifornia Karl " - Oct 16, 2020
Hello All,
The Shrewsbury Public Library is offering a virtual memory cafe tomorrow at 2pm. Kalifornia Karl will be entertaining attendees with his singing, guitar and impressions.
Please see the attached flyer for information. Email cbudge@cwmars.org for the link to attend.
ENJOY!
Ariel
--
Ariel Doggett
Virtual Program Coordinator
Respite Coordinator
Franklin, MA Senior Center
"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll
There is no act of kindness too small
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| Virtual Memory Cafe features "Kalifornia Karl " - Oct 16, 2020 |
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