"9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen"

While some folks are upset schools are closed for the remainder of this school year, let's think about what they should look like when they do re-open. Jessica Minahan shared this NPR article as "food for thought."


"9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen"

"Three-quarters of U.S. states have now officially closed their schools for the rest of the academic year. While remote learning continues, summer is a question mark, and attention is already starting to turn to next fall.

Recently, governors including California's Gavin Newsom and New York's Andrew Cuomo have started to talk about what school reopening might look like. And a federal government plan for reopening, according to The Washington Post, says that getting kids back in classrooms or other group care is the first priority for getting back to normal.

But there are still many more unknowns than guarantees. Among the biggest, says Lily Eskelsen Garcia, president of the National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers union, is this: "Is it safe and healthy for my kids to pack them into that classroom?"

Here are nine key ideas — drawn from interviews with public health experts, education officials and educators around the country — for what reopening might look like."

Continue reading about the 9 ideas online
https://www.npr.org/2020/04/24/842528906/what-it-might-look-like-to-safely-reopen-schools

Shared from Jessica Minahan via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jessica_minahan/status/1253702816583102464?s=03

"9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen"

In the News: community volunteers making roughly 350 gowns daily; Stop & Stop won’t refuse service to those without masks

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

"The registered nurse who works at Milford Regional Medical Center was worried about the dwindling supply of personal protective equipment, especially gowns that help reduce the spread of infection to medical center employees who are treating COVID-19 patients.

So Nadeau had an idea. What if there was a way to incorporate the plastic sheets that greenhouses use to protect plants and turn them into medical gowns?

Three weeks ago in the middle of the night, she searched the internet, and found instructions that showed it could be done. She made a prototype out of a trash bag and showed it to Nicole Thyne, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Milford Regional."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200424/this-is-life-saving-work-volunteers-crank-out-protective-gowns-for-milford-regional-medical-center

Stop & Shop won’t turn away customers who fail to cover their faces, a widely-suggested way to curb the spread of the coronavirus, according to a company spokesperson.

“Our associates will not deny entry to a customer who is not wearing a mask in an effort to prevent potential conflict and to help ensure the safety of our associates,” Stop & Shop External Communications and Community Relations Manager Maria Fruci told the Daily News in an email this week.

The policy applies even in communities where local health officials have issued orders requiring residents wear facial coverings, including as Bellingham, Milford, and Framingham.

“Stop & Shop associates are speaking directly with customers who are not wearing a face covering to remind them of the new mandate,” Fruci said. “Those who are not wearing a mask are asked to expedite their shopping trip and wear a mask next time.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200424/stop-amp-stop-wont-refuse-service-to-those-without-masks

Stop & Shop

Franklin Food Pantry: Thank you for showing us that we are all in this together

"The past few months have been challenging to say the least. In early March when we were faced with the start of the Covid-19 crisis we weren't sure what was going to happen. We didn't know how many new neighbors we'd need to welcome into our Pantry and we didn't know how we'd be able to serve them and all of our existing neighbors.

Almost overnight we were able to change our operations and serve our neighbors with a prepackaged bag of self stable foods, fresh produce and choice of protein via a drive up service. We were ready to help them and we will continue to be ready to serve throughout this pandemic and whenever this pandemic is over, we will be ready to serve all those who need this.

We couldn't do this without you. Through your generosity, you have helped us meet our neighbors' needs. Every donation coming in allows us to purchase fresh produce, shelf-stable food, proteins like frozen beef and chicken, and even bags to pack the food in. Your support also allows us to keep the lights on, fill the Pantry truck with gas, and keep our doors open for all who need us.

Our local businesses have also stepped up to help us. Thank you to:

• JH Pokory Associates
• CVS
• Target
• Thermo Fisher
• Wal-Mart

Again, thank you. This experience, while being so uncertain and sad, has also shown us such hope. Margaret Mead said it best, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Your generosity and thoughtfulness is making Franklin just a little bit brighter. You inspire us everyday. Thank you for showing us - and the community - that we are all in this together. "


https://youtu.be/zA_yhDFwWKE


To donate to the Franklin Food Pantry  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/
 

GoFundMe for FHS wrestling coach: Carmine Colace

"In a time of a tragic pandemic, small businesses are struggling to pay their bills. One of these businesses, New England Gold Wrestling Club, is owned by legendary Franklin High School wrestling coach, Carmine Colace. Carmine has transformed hundreds of lives not only in the town of Franklin but all over the New England region.

In these troubling times, we hope to help support Carmine pay for rent and prepare for when he re-opens. Carmine’s significant other Kathy has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Kathy has embraced the lifestyle of wrestling and has a smile on her face every time we see her.

Carmine has taught all of his wrestler’s life long lessons such as hard work, dedication and to just keep on wrestling. Carmine’s hard work and dedication has led to not only our success but his success as well. We know this time is difficult for everyone but please consider helping Carmine and New England Gold wrestling during a difficult financial time.

We want to see Carmine continue to change people’s lives. Just like Carmine supports us in following our dreams, we want to do the same."

GoFundMe link
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-legendary-franklin-coach-carmine-colace


Shared via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1253349939465334784?s=09

GoFundMe for FHS wrestling coach: Carmine Colace

FHS Unified Music presents "I want it that way"

"Hey everyone! Here is the final product of the video we have been working on for the last few weeks! Hope you enjoy!"

YouTube Link = https://youtu.be/ZSgg6RDHcd8




Shared via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FHSUnifiedMusic/status/1253445557659541505?s=09

In the News: Charles River Meadowlands study completed

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

"After nearly two years of effort, the Beta Group recently completed a draft study of the Charles River Meadowlands in Bellingham, Franklin and Medway.

“Joining three communities around a shared natural asset, the Charles River Meadowlands, is what this project is all about,” said Kelly R. Carr, senior associate at BETA Group, Inc., the consulting firm that conducted the study.

Dating to early meetings in 2016, the Meadowlands Initiative (www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org) has sought to bring focus and awareness to the hundreds of acres of public wetlands and borderlands controlled by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the three towns.

Originally acquired in the 1970s and 1980s for flood control, and incorporated in the Charles River Natural Valley Storage Area, the region has been gradually walled off from the public by roadways and rapid private development. However, each of the towns has land holdings for conservation and other purposes that abut the federal lands, effectively creating a large natural sanctuary similar in scale to the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord."

https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20200422/charles-river-meadowlands-study-completed

View a copy of the full report:
https://3c2eb8ef-bdd5-452c-ac1c-90b53ffa5b46.filesusr.com/ugd/2fc87e_2111508ad75f4b71a15471c7c14ec28f.pdf

In the News: Charles River Meadowlands study completed

FHS Keep Music Alive #4 (video)

Dear Franklin Community,

The news released this week by Governor Baker was expected, but sad for all of us at Franklin High School. We are especially sad for our seniors who have worked so hard over the past 4 years and were looking forward to a traditional senior, "end of the year". The Franklin music department is so proud of our seniors and we thank you for all the wonderful memories.

Today's FHS Music Alive post will feature FHS senior, CJ Dexter on Baritone Saxophone. He will be attending UCONN in the fall to major in communications and music.

I am also including a video of a selection from the FHS Musical Theatre Company's final rehearsal before remote learning began. I would like to thank Mrs. Marianne Lonati, Ms. Renee Hersee and the entire cast of Chicago. I am deeply saddened that we will not get to see the final production. This selection is "Razzle Dazzle" from "Chicago", featuring senior Danny Harrington and the entire cast. The show was supposed to run March 20 and 21.

Enjoy!

Diane M. Plouffe

Director of Music

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin High School

CJ Dexter - Baritone Saxophone
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19GEwZ9xf1XJxHUrNAZyG9r8yNoDCazAC/view?usp=sharing





Danny Harrington and the FHS Cast of "Chicago"
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FdaTDnboGhfYq5AsdO0wwwCRYM-fy4O9/view?usp=sharing