Watch "Panther News: Friday, Feb. 18, 2022" on YouTube

Direct video link = https://youtu.be/-bBjCWbHxLs

or video embedded here

Hearts of Kindness update

"The hearts on the common project is back for Random Acts of Kindness Day. Each heart was decorated by one of our students as a reminder to keep kindness in mind. Shout out the FHS Community Service & Peer Mentor Club for assisting with set up 💗 https://t.co/0MEfukJPo8"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1494366552136765442

 

Hearts of Kindness update

 

The SAFE Coalition Hotline answered 94 calls for help in January 2022

Thinking about calling?

WE ARE HERE = 508-488-8105

For more info reach out to -> Info@safecoalitionma.org

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CaFxFRGFWig/

The SAFE Coalition Hotline answered 94 calls for help in January 2022

Franklin Athletics: FHS participation at Rising Stars Meet

FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) tweeted  Wed, Feb 16, 2022:

"Girls Track participated in the Rising Champions Meet held at Reggie in Boston. 

Caitlin Roberge won the high jump. 

Other scorers: 

Cara DiDomenico(300), 

Emma Pruitt (1000), 

Audria Hawkins (Mile), 

Kaitlyn Yelle (HJ) 

and 4x200 Relay: Maddie Damon, Maddie Pond, Cars DiDomenico & Caitlin Yelle"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1493929897156395010

Also medaling at Rising Stars were: 

Tyler Apicella (5th Mile), 

Clancy Golden (5th 2Mile), 

Aidan Orr (5th 1000M), 

Fraser Baird (6th 400M),  

Audria Hawkins (6th Mile), 

Jared Schmidt (7th 55H), 

Harry Gurney (8th 55H)

Shared from https://twitter.com/FranklinXCTrack/status/1493988969440112643

Complete results from the Rising Stars meeting can be found -> 

https://dl.airtable.com/.attachments/a107c392969773f498582428611fe900/5fa8a6eb/risingstars.pdf

FHS Panthers

Franklin Fire announces receipt of grant of $9K

The Franklin Fire Department is excited to announce the receipt of this SAFE & Senior SAFE grant in the amount of $9,530 through @MassDFS. https://t.co/dgQGBvd03V

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinMAfire/status/1494412543367991304

 

Franklin Fire announces receipt of grant of $9K

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Feb 18, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: L. E. A. P.
8:29:00 am Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19
9:00:00 am Frank Presents: State House Pt. 2
10:00 am Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records
11:00 am Senior Connection: Sleep
11:30 am Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: L. E. A. P.
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles
12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts
1:00:00 pm Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19
1:30:00 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Show 3
3:00 pm Franklin Art Association: Joyce McJilton Dwyer
7:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman
8:00 pm Senior Connection: Sleep
8:30 pm ArtWeek: Airmen of Note. 

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 1 01-28-19

8:30 am It Takes A Village: Dementia

9:30 am FHS Varsity Wrestling: v King Philip 12-22-21

11:30 am FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v St. Paul 02-07-22

1:30 pm Public School Event: FHS Winter Jazz Night '22

3:30 pm Public School Event: Jazz Cafe 02-07-20

5:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v Attleboro 02-10-22

8:30 pm Public School Concert: FHS Winter Music 2018

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 01-27-22

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 01-27-22

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Recap: School Committee meeting - responds to open meeting law complaint; amends mask policy

Quick recap:

• (1) Statement in response to the Open Meeting complaint argues that there is no violation. References to the current Open Meeting Law, consultation with FPS attorney and Attorney General's office confirms position
• (2) Superintendent Ahern went through a presentation to summarize "Mask Considerations" copy provided below
• Questions and comments from the committee following the presentation, lead to a motion to amend the recommendation changing the date to March 14, it was not seconded so it died. Another motion was proposed to amend the date to March 7, it was seconded but failed by a 4-3 vote
• The recommendation ultimately passes by 7-0

Statement in response to OPML complaint

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/franklin-school-committee-statement-in.html

Copy of "Mask Considerations" doc 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QG_vSyGZmiJ_UCGIVHVtVd4C4IHBz_ag/view?usp=sharing

Superintendent memo summarizes the new policy

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/school-committee-amends-policy-so-that.html

Photo album from the meeting (mostly screen grabs of the presentation doc)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ujrUrvLuDaJV6YdK8

ThreadReader provides a PDF of my Twitter thread including the photos inline with the tweets (my notes - taken as the meeting progresses) copy here with link or embedded below:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_itSCMzPvtXrUcqaaKuCetpbHH8YhFxM/view?usp=sharing

Recap: School Committee meeting - 2/16/22

Electric Youth 2022 - debuts with 2 shows on Feb 26, 2022

Electric Youth 2022 debuts at THE BLACK BOX with two shows on Saturday, February 26th at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm, offering high-powered family entertainment with music for all ages! Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, EY delivers high-energy music, including contemporary pop, classic rock and country hits. 

Electric Youth 2022, trained here at FSPA, includes Hayley Driscoll, Tatiana McAlpine, Sami Goldman, Abby Settle, Audrey Miningham, Devin DeAngelis, Finley Doherty, John Fitzhenry, Madigan Wirkus, Abby Trombert, Anya Fox, Ashley Pepin, Erin Belger, and Tzintli Cerda. 

The EY singer-dancers are backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Van Morrison.

Don’t miss this exciting evening of timeless hits and non-stop entertainment!

Get your tickets for in person of remote participation ->

https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1532

Electric Youth 2022 - debuts with 2 shows on Feb 26, 2022

Senior Center Schedule Updates - Closed Mon (2/21) - Common Grounds Cafe open Tue/Thurs

Schedule updates for the Senior Center to be aware of:

• Common Grounds Cafe Open Tuesday & Thursday For Breakfast 8:30A- 10:00A!
• Senior Center will be closed Monday, Feb 21 for President's Day

Check out the February newsletter for other events and activities

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/feb_2022_newsletter.pdf

Senior Center Schedule Updates - Closed Mon (2/21) - Common Grounds Cafe open Tue/Thurs

FHS boys hockey fall to St John's Prep 4-3 on Wednesday

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

Franklin, 3 vs. St. John’s Prep, 4 – Final 

– Christian Shabbick scored a pair of goals and goalie Cole Pouliot-Porter made 38 saves, as Franklin pushed the top team in the state down the wire. The Panthers took the lead midway through the first period when Dylan Marchand finished off a two-on-one with a snipe from the right wing circle. The lead lasted two minutes before Prep answered back. A nifty pass from Pierce Blaeser teed up Tommy Sarni, who picked the top corner. 

Pouliot-Porter made 16 saves in the first and kept the score level while the visitors took control of the play. The Eagles capitalized on a power play opportunity early in the second, Sarni blasting a one-timer. Two minutes later, Prep threatened to put the game out of reach when Jeff Melanson’s wrister through a crowd beat Pouliot-Porter. 

Franklin turned things around when Logan Marchand kept the puck in the zone and the loose puck was collected by Shabbick inside the right face-off dot. He ripped a shot past the blocker to make it 3-2. Pouliot-Porter again made a point-blank save to keep Franklin within one and the Panthers started to wrest control from the visitors. 

The Panthers came out flying to start the third and Shabbick stepped up again, firing a quick-release shot from a tight angle that snuck in the near post. With just under five minutes remaining, Ben McGilvray got the winner with Prep’s second power play goal of the night.

For a Photo Gallery from this game ->

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2021-2022/Winter-2021-2022/Franklin-St-Johns-Prep-Boys-Hockey-2-16-22/

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-16-22/

FHS goalie Cole Pouliot-Porter

"measure ensures all drivers in Massachusetts are licensed and trained to operate"

"THE HOUSE PASSED legislation Wednesday that opens a pathway for some undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses in Massachusetts, a move advocates say would make roads safer for all motorists and opponents argue rewards people for entering the country illegally.

On a 120-36 vote, the House advanced the bill to the Senate after hours of debate that divided representatives on whether the legislation promotes safe driving in Massachusetts or undermines legal immigration.

Rep. William Straus, co-chair of the Transportation Committee, said the “narrowly drawn bill” would protect public safety and addresses Gov. Charlie Baker’s concerns with the policy. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/immigrant-license-bill-clears-house-by-veto-proof-margin/

"measure ensures all drivers in Massachusetts are licensed and trained to operate"

Health Department update: National Health Observance - heart disease

"February's National Health Observance is Heart Disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women. Learn how to reduce your risk at: https://www.heart.org/"

You received this message because you are subscribed to the [Town of Franklin-Health Department] group.

Replies to this email will go to the Town of Franklin-Health Department group. To reply only to Alisha Deptula, email adeptula@franklinma.gov.

Visit this topic here: https://franklintown.regroup.com/networks/franklintown/groups/health-department/topics/health-department

Sign up for alerts for Health (in this case) or for others from the Town here ->

https://franklintown.regroup.com/signup

Health Department update: National Health Observance - heart disease

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Feb 17, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents 

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:30 am Cooking Thyme: Candy Apples

8:00 am Veterans' Call: Robert Pierson

9:00 am Arts Advocacy: Fundraising

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles

12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts

1:00 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Show 3

3:00 pm The Only Cure Is Education

3:30 pm Cooking Thyme: Candy Apples

4:00 pm Once Upon A Town: Gas Stations

4:30 pm Frank Presents: State House Pt. 2

5:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History Pt. 6

6:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 11 - Kemp Harris

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = Thursday

7:00 am Public School Event: FHS Winter Jazz Night '22

8:30 am FHS PCC: Vaping Panel

11:00 am FHS Varsity Wrestling: v King Philip 12-22-21

1:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Taunton 02-08-22

3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v Attleboro 02-10-22

5:00 pm Public School Event: Jazz Cafe 02-07-20

9:30 pm Hockomock League Swim Championship: Day 1

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 02-03-22

11:00 am Finance Committee: 02-09-22

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 02-03-22

7:00 pm Conservation Commission: LIVE, Chambers

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

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

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