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| Winter Farmers Market: Saturday - Jan 9, 2021 = 10 AM - 2 PM |
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| Board of Health Meeting - Jan 6, 2021 - recap |
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| The local cable operations for the Hockomock League teams are collaborating to broadcast the home games for each team |
Enabling access to information for all is key.
"Saamanta Serna describes herself as a Coda – the child of a Deaf adult. She grew up up with a Deaf mother and a father who is hearing and an American sign language (ASL) interpreter, and later decided to pursue interpreting herself after high school.
Now a certified ASL interpreter, Serna has done frequent in-person interpreting for medical appointments during Covid. She has also noticed a change in the world’s perception of sign language since the beginning of the pandemic: more people are paying attention.
Conveying updated information to everyone in the time of Covid is a matter of life or death, as the Trump administration learned recently after losing a groundbreaking federal lawsuit to the National Association for the Deaf, which ensured that a sign language interpreter must be present in Covid briefings and visible on the live feed from the White House. The Trump White House did not include its first sign language interpreter on a Covid briefing until 11 November, a full nine months after the pandemic reached America."
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| ASL interpreters (like Rupert Dubler) are present for Gov Baker's press conferences |
"Governor Charlie Baker said Thursday that the state is extending by two weeks the capacity restrictions on various industries to combat the spread of COVID-19, as Connecticut announced that two cases of the new, highly contagious coronavirus variant have been identified in that state.
Baker, speaking during a State House news conference, said the restrictions will now be extended until at least Jan. 24 as part of efforts to tap down the virus and help hospitals deal with growing concerns about patient capacity. Acute care beds in Massachusetts hospitals have gone from about 67 percent occupied before Thanksgiving to 83 percent occupied by Dec. 15.
For most businesses, he said, capacity limits will remain at 25 percent. Indoor and outdoor gathering limits will remain 25 people outside and 10 people inside, including for events. “And over the next two weeks we’ll continue to look at and evaluate the data to make further decisions,” he added."
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"There was one story Neil Sheehan chose not to tell. It was the story of how he had obtained the Pentagon Papers, the blockbuster scoop that led to a 1971 showdown between the Nixon administration and the press, and to a Supreme Court ruling that is still seen as a milepost in government-press relations.
From the moment he secured the 7,000 pages of classified government documents on the Vietnam War for The New York Times, until his death on Thursday, Mr. Sheehan, a former Vietnam War correspondent and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, declined nearly every invitation to explain precisely how he had pulled it off.
In 2015, however, at a reporter’s request, he agreed to tell his story on the condition that it not be published while he was alive. Beset by scoliosis and Parkinson’s disease, he recounted, in a four-hour interview at his home in Washington, a tale as suspenseful and cinematic as anyone in Hollywood might concoct."
Hello everyone,
On January 8th at 2 PM the Shrewsbury Public Library, Good Day Memory Cafe will be showing a recorded performance from the talented Luanne Crosby. We will have time to visit too!
Looking forward to seeing all of you. Click on the link below to join.
Shrewsbury Public Library is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99469981115?pwd=bElqb3VmVHNEZDlEakthdW0wc1F5dz09
Meeting ID: 994 6998 1115
Passcode: 354632
--
Ariel Doggett
Virtual Program Coordinator
Respite Coordinator
"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll
There is no act of kindness too small
Good Day memory Cafe - Friday, Jan 8 at 2 PM
From the Boston Globe:
"Given the hierarchical and largely one-party political control of both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the churn of executive positions is slow. And the behind-the-scenes jockeying for those posts can last years among those angling to hold the job next.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
But on Thursday afternoon the news came quick, bringing with it a major shake-up in New England politics. First, the word that Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo was President-elect Joe Biden’s choice to serve as commerce secretary. Then 26 minutes later, the scoop from Politico that Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was Biden’s pick for labor secretary.
With this week’s pair of Democratic wins in Senate races in Georgia giving them control of the US Senate, confirmation for both Raimondo and Walsh should be assured. The real story, however, will be what their vacancies mean for politics in their home states."
Starting on Saturday, January 23, and until further notice, there will be no weekend train service on the Franklin Line
Winter Schedule will take effect on Saturday, January 23. Weekend service will only operate on the Middleborough, Fairmount, Providence, Worcester and Newburyport/Rockport Lines.
On January 23rd, the 2021 Winter Service Schedule will go into effect. This Schedule will introduce:
- Additional early trains on the Middleborough, Fairmount and Newburyport Lines.
- A revised weekend service with trains only operating on the Fairmount, Worcester, Providence, Middleborough, and Newburyport/Rockport lines.
The new Winter Schedule will be available on MBTA.com/schedules on Friday, January 15th. Paper Schedules will be available in South Station, North Station and Back Bay starting the week of January 18th.
Last Updated: Jan 07 2021 12:12 PM
January 6, 2021
Dear Franklin Families,
I am writing this evening from a place of strong emotions -- fear, anger, sadness -- over the violent events that erupted in Washington, D.C. earlier today. I know that I am joined by fellow educators and by Franklin families with these feelings.
The videos of rioters breaking into the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the 2020 Presidential election is contrary to the very foundation of our government and the tradition of a peaceful transfer of power. And as I write, I am listening to members of Congress reconvene with what I truly hope is a turning point on the divisive rhetoric of recent years as they denounce the violent actions and seek to affirm confidence in the election process. Just as it is important for our elected officials to make these statements to the American people, it is important that we, both educators and parents/guardians, as trusted adults provide the children in Franklin with the reassurance of safety and education about our civic processes.
Our faculty and staff will, first and foremost, work to reaffirm safety and reestablish a sense of normalcy. This year, more than any other year, our faculty and staff have created safe spaces that foster opportunities for children to speak about their feelings in developmentally appropriate ways. We are providing families with the following two resources, which have been shared with our faculty/staff, as they may be helpful to you in processing the violent actions with your children.
NASP Online https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers
When Bad Things Happen https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/summer-2013/when-bad-things-happen
Please know that our staff will be observant of student social-emotional needs and will connect them to resources for SEL support (e.g. counselors, administrators, and trusted adults). Please do not hesitate to reach out as well if you have concerns about your child.
In addition to processing the crisis and violence of the day’s events, the events that transpired represent a regrettably historic moment for our country. As educators, we take very seriously our responsibility to educate students about the history and current events in the United States and about the importance of civic engagement to our democracy. Doing so connects directly with the Franklin Public Schools Portrait of A Graduate, the community’s consensus set of essential skills that each child in FPS will practice and develop during their PreK-12 education. We are committed to the development of “Empathetic and Productive Citizens”: citizens who demonstrate social awareness through inclusivity and consideration of various perspectives, and citizens who develop an understanding of civics and democratic principles.
I am encouraging educators to be talking to our children (as developmentally appropriate) about these events.
Our approach is not to tell students what to think about issues, but rather, how to gather and examine information, think critically, engage with their peers, and draw informed conclusions. Our faculty and staff do not approach or teach from one political perspective, but rather remain neutral, while creating a constructive forum for students to explore and discuss the issues. FPS educators will, however, take a firm stance that violence is never a constructive way to problem-solve.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school if there is anything we can do to further support your child.
Sincerely,
Sara Ahern
Superintendent of Schools
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| Franklin Public Schools: Message from Superintendent Sara Ahern re: Wwashington Election Certification |
As an alternative to the disturbing news feed from Washington, DC, we share this NY Times article with links for several musical performances of flute.
"5 Minutes That Will Make You Love the Flute
It’s an instrument based on the most fundamental sign of life: breath. Listen to the best music ever written for it."
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| "The flute is one of humanity’s oldest ways of producing a beautiful sound" |
Lots of bills land on Baker’s desk
"IN THE EARLY HOURS of Wednesday morning, the Massachusetts Legislature wrapped up its two-year session with a flurry of last-minute lawmaking that didn’t end until 4:41 a.m.
Major compromise bills on transportation and economic development emerged from conference committees after midnight and were swiftly passed. The transportation bill included new state fees on rides provided by ride-hailing apps. Some bills that had been stalled for months were also passed, while others were left on the drawing room floor."
"MASSACHUSETTS TAX REVENUES continued to be remarkably resilient in December, as collections were up 8.8 percent over the same pre-COVID month a year ago and up 2.7 percent in the first six months of the fiscal year.
Total collections in December were $2.8 billion, up $230 million over December 2019. December is typically the fifth largest revenue month of the year, bringing in 9.5 percent of the state’s annual revenues on average.
Collections for June through December 2020 were $14.3 billion, up 2.7 percent compared to the same six-month period a year ago when COVID-19 was not ravaging the economy. The $14.3 billion represents just over 50 percent of the $28.4 billion the state is forecasting to take in during fiscal 2021, which ends June 30."
REP. RONALD MARIANO of Quincy was sworn in as House speaker on Wednesday promising honesty and straight talk, a leadership team that reflects the chamber’s diversity, and strong oversight of the state’s vaccine plan and COVID-19 recovery.Continue reading the article online
The latter pledge was notable only because Mariano earlier in the week was asked how he thought the state’s vaccine rollout was going. “I have no idea,” he said, adding that he had just assumed the speaker’s position.
Mariano was elected speaker with 127 votes. House Minority Leader Bradley Jones Jr. received 30 votes from his fellow Republicans and two Democrats – Reps. Tami Gouveia of Acton and Erika Uyterhoeven of Somerville – voted present. Mariano won the speaker’s job by a similar margin last week – 126 votes in support, 31 for Jones (there is one less Republican this session), and three Democrats (Gouveia and two retiring lawmakers) who didn’t vote or voted present.
When Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine? See the following website for updated information throughout the Winter and Spring. https://t.co/4dS2GR8J81
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| Town of Franklin, MA: "When Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?" |
Meet your Captains! @FHSSports @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters @R_Lanigan @BostonHeraldHS @MetroWestSports @HockomockSports @_sarahbernstein https://t.co/lTtQ62tcoW
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| 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
From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:
"So much about this season is unfamiliar and out of place, but with its return to the new and improved Metropolis Rink (aka Ponky) Canton found something recognizable. It was a lot brighter (and considerably warmer) than its previous incarnation but the Bulldogs looked right at home in Wednesday night’s season opener.Continue reading the game recap by Josh Perry, the Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com
Audrey Koen scored twice and Carolyn Durand made 12 saves to record a shutout, as defending Div. 2 state co-champ Canton beat rival Franklin 4-0 to kick off its league title defense.
Franklin started quicker. The Panthers tested Durand early, forcing her into three saves in the opening minutes. Lindsay Atkinson had the best chance for the visitors after a shot from the point bounced to her on the edge of the crease but Durand stayed with it to make the stop.
“Our big thing was making sure we had a good start and I think we did that but as the game went on we may have gotten a little away from our position,” said Franklin assistant Mike Lubin, who was in charge in the absence of head coach Margie Burke. “For us having a few girls out and it being the first game, I thought we played excellent. I think we’ll definitely build on it.”
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| Canton sophomore Audrey Koen (17) scored a pair of goals to lead the Bulldogs to a season-opening win against Franklin. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) |
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| How to Watch FHS Panther Varsity games http://www.franklin.tv/ |
"Need tech support? Join the Coffee Q & A next week at 7 PM and getting help from our Digital Learning Integrationists (DLI) Team!" https://meet.google.com/gva-ueqt-gvn
@FranklinHS
@sullythehusky
@rms
@HMMSLightning
@KellerSchool
@parmenterschool
@jfkladybugs
@DT_Bobcats
@OakStElementary
@JeffersonLabs
@FranklinECDC
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| Digital Learning Integrationists (DLI) Team - Coffee Q & A - Jan 13, 2021 |
