Tri-County Regional Student Receives 34th Annual the Outstanding Vocational Student Award

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School senior, Hannah Davis, has been selected as the recipient of the 34th annual Outstanding Vocational Student Award.

The Outstanding Vocational Student Award is presented each year by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) and the Massachusetts Vocational Association (MVA) to one student from each vocational technical high school in Massachusetts. The award recognizes students who have made significant contributions to their local school district and to the statewide vocational education system. Recipients must have excellent attendance, a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and vocational-related work experience. The students must demonstrate leadership qualities, technical competence, involvement in the community and extracurricular activities.

Hannah Davis, daughter of Jason and Tracy Davis of Franklin, is an outstanding student in the Engineering Technology Program at Tri-County. She is Valedictorian for the class of 2020 carrying a weighted grade point average of 4.49.

Tri-County superintendent-director Stephen Dockray and Hannah Davis

During her time at Tri-County, Hannah has participated in a rigorous course of study that included both Honors and Advanced Placement Courses. She is the Vice President of the National Honor Society, and was awarded the Cougar Culture Award for her exemplary achievement in the areas of scholarship, leadership, character and service. She is Scout Leader for the FIRST Robotics Team and is one of Tri-County’s Student Ambassadors. She was also selected as the DAR Good Citizen for demonstrating dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

As part of the co-operative education program, Hannah has worked at TE Connectivity in Norwood as an Engineer. She was a member of Smith College’s Summer Science and Engineering Program and has already completed two courses at Bristol Community College. Hannah was accepted at many competitive colleges and is leaning towards attending UMass Amherst Commonwealth Honors College.

A competitor in Skills USA, Hannah took a Gold Medal in Leadership District and State Competition: Additive Manufacturing and a Bronze Medal in: Exploratory Demonstration. Hannah also participated in a NASA sponsored project called HUNCH where she worked as a project manager.

In addition to her academic achievement, Hannah is an accomplished athlete. She serves as the Captain of the Varsity Cross Country Team, Varsity Basketball, Track and Field and Volleyball teams.

New Resources to Help Massachusetts Residents Cope During COVID-19

Senate President Karen Spilka and Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders today announced the launch of an awareness effort to help people cope with social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and May’s Mental Health Awareness month.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, nearly 1 in 2 Americans say they are now dealing with anxiety and depression, double the normal rate from a year ago, according to Kantar’s National Health & Wellness study.

Massachusetts’ new awareness campaign centers around “What If?,” a new video promoting the power of reaching out and connecting with those who might be struggling to cope, and includes practical tips and resources on the enhanced mass.gov/covid19 site.

“May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is particularly important this year to address one of the common, but less talked about, challenges brought on by the pandemic – the feeling of being alone during uncertain times,” said Senate President Karen Spilka. “One of the most fundamental things anyone can do to help those struggling to cope is simple: reach out to your friends or loved ones to see how they are doing. This campaign also seeks to connect those who may need additional resources to the supports we have available as a state. I’m proud to partner with Secretary Sudders and her team on this timely and necessary effort.”

“We know that COVID-19 is impacting people’s mental health in very different, but very profound ways,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “Social distancing and staying at home, while necessary and effective during this public health crisis, can create challenges for everyone, and especially for those with behavioral health conditions. In partnership with Senate President Spilka, the effort launched today will raise awareness that there are many ways to cope.”

The 30 second video, which will be promoted across social and digital media channels over the coming weeks, was produced in coordination with the Massachusetts State Senate, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health using funding provided by the Behavioral Health Outreach, Access and Support Trust Fund created in the Fiscal Year 2020 state budget.

The video asks people to take four simple steps: Ask, Listen, Encourage, and Check-in. It also directs viewers to online resources at mass.gov/CopingDuringCovid that offer information and suggestions on how to stay connected to loved ones and creative ways to cope, as well as the importance of using the free and confidential 2-1-1 system to talk to someone.

The “What if?” video is the first part of a larger public information campaign on mental health stigma, sponsored by Senate President Spilka and Secretary Sudders, scheduled to launch later this summer.

More information on how you can get help is available by visiting Mass.gov/CopingDuringCovid or calling 2-1-1 to speak to someone anonymously

https://youtu.be/_-yigNjsnQY

FHS "Keeping Music Alive" #8

This week, we will feature the Loukota Family String Quartet! Ms. Carla Loukota, Franklin's middle school orchestra director, will perform selections from "Brave" with her three children:

Warren Loukota - FHS Senior who will be going to UMASS Amherst and will be studying History on the pre law track.

Vivienne Loukota - 8th Grade at Horace Mann MS

Claire Loukota - 7th Grade at Horace Mann MS

ALSO! Miles Reed will perform a solo piece that he recently composed for the cello. Miles is a senior at FHS and will be attending the Oberlin Conservatory in the fall to study cello performance.

Enjoy!

• THE LOUKOTAS

The Loukota Family String Quartet   https://youtu.be/wML1LH_gpdQ

• MILES REED CELLO COMPOSITION

Miles Reed Cello Solo
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gBZjNolLZSLjKMwR9Tim7KfSBN15St55/view



--

Diane M. Plouffe
Director of Music
Franklin Public Schools
Franklin High School

CDC releases edited coronavirus reopening guidance

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"U.S. health officials on Thursday released some of their long-delayed guidance that schools, businesses and other organizations can use as states reopen from coronavirus shutdowns.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted six one-page “decision tool” documents that use traffic signs and other graphics to tell organizations what they should consider before reopening.

The tools are for schools, workplaces, camps, childcare centers, mass transit systems, and bars and restaurants. The CDC originally also authored a document for churches and other religious facilities, but that wasn’t posted Thursday. The agency declined to say why.

Early versions of the documents included detailed information for churches wanting to restart in-person services, with suggestions including maintaining distance between parishioners and limiting the size of gatherings. The faith-related guidance was taken out after the White House raised concerns about the recommended restrictions, according to government emails obtained by the AP and a person inside the agency who didn’t have permission to talk with reporters and spoke on condition of anonymity."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200514/officials-release-edited-coronavirus-reopening-guidance/1

Restaurants  https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EJO4CY1czWcXshNxxjGbfxbZpdiSSzKx

Workplaces  https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pO3A2iyJTXo2ERxL-B6sTdijtiE0NMok

Mass transit  https://drive.google.com/open?id=17v9IzGHx8X5KCDG49oeBWotQje2dxJSW

Schools  https://drive.google.com/open?id=131ML-PTTw2QqjJPpLKrVLR84yZFcc24i

Camps  https://drive.google.com/open?id=1K7tfCnoO1wRvGrA4FGEPcM30X6QHNYLb

Child care  https://drive.google.com/open?id=1L28t20hUUdoDuT4cKo1WZkhvbDUp4RPF

https://www.cdc.gov/

FSPA to Hold a Series of Virtual Open Houses

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold a series of Virtual Open Houses for prospective students and families live on their Facebook page. The community is invited to join FSPA director Raye Lynn Mercer to tour the facilities, ask questions, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance, and drama, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study. 

The Virtual Open Houses will be held on Wednesday, May 27, Monday, June 8, and Wednesday June 24 at 4:00 pm. Raye Lynn Mercer will lead viewers on a tour of the school’s 38 Main Street facility, discuss class offerings, and answer previously submitted questions as well as questions asked in the comments in real time.

Serving more than 500 students annually from 45 communities in Massachusetts’ Metro West region, FSPA is committed to quality education in the arts with exceptional curriculum, outstanding professional faculty, and unwavering dedication to each and every student enrolled. Founded in 1985, FSPA is a unique place where students of all ages and levels of ability participate in an array of music, dance, and drama programs with professional instruction and extraordinary performing opportunities. 

FSPA’s faculty boasts outstanding professional artists, performers, and teachers. Their impressive credentials are indicative of the excellent instruction available in all programs. FSPA instructors strive to meet the individual needs of each student, working to develop each student’s abilities to his or her own potential.

Performance is an integral part of an FSPA education and the school offers unrivaled performing opportunities for students throughout the year. On the calendar annually are student recitals, concerts by faculty and guest artists, master classes, student showcases, holiday shows, the school’s signature Spring Concert, and summer camps and intensives. In addition, for students whose level of interest is more focused, there are special performing ensemble opportunities available by audition.

The Virtual Open Houses will be held live on the Franklin School for the Performing Arts Facebook page. Visit www.FSPAonline.com for more information. Follow FSPA on Facebook, Instagram (@FSPAonline), and Twitter (@FSPAonline).

 

FSPA to Hold a Series of Virtual Open Houses

Senate Passes Legislation Authorizing Short-Term Borrowing During Historic Remote Session

The Massachusetts State Senate convened Thursday for the first-ever remote session in the history of the body to pass legislation to allow short-term borrowing to meet the Commonwealth’s financial obligations.

“I am proud of the Senate’s ability to meet the challenges of this public health pandemic and humbled by the historic nature through which today’s vote was taken.” Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The legislation that advanced today will help the Commonwealth responsibly meet near-term budget challenges as we continue to address the impacts of COVID-19. I’d like to thank Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues as well my colleagues for their bipartisan support of this legislation.”

“In order to protect the Commonwealth’s taxpayers and maintain fiscal discipline during this public health crisis, the bi-partisan legislation passed by the Senate today authorizes the Commonwealth to finance the recent extension of the 2019 state individual income tax filing deadline and provides a necessary bridge to help us get through the next few months until the next fiscal year,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thanks to the steady leadership of Senate President Spilka, the continued hard work of my colleagues in the Senate, and the continued collaboration with our partners in the House and Administration, the passage of this bill will allow the Commonwealth to meets its fiscal obligations and pay its bills without negatively affecting our residents in the midst of this pandemic.”

"This borrowing bill, passed with bipartisan collaboration, will allow state government to deliver on its commitments without disruption. That, in turn, will translate into the actions we need to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and support important spending items like local aid and school funding," said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester)

The legislation, An Act to Facilitate the Delay of the Income Tax Filing Deadline, complements legislative action taken in early April to extend the income tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020, which provided flexibility to residents and families across the state amid the COVID-19 State of Emergency. The extension mirrors actions taken on the federal level.

To ensure budgetary stability, the bill allows the treasurer to borrow during Fiscal Year 2020 to meet financial obligations that would normally be fulfilled through income tax filings.

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.

Hold the date: June VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON Veterans Coffee Social - June 3

June VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON Coffee Social

Join us Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Our May VIRTUAL Coffee Social was a success! There were 18 guests in attendance via Zoom, a free video-conferencing tool.

It was great to see so many of our veterans on-screen and know that they are staying healthy and safe. We were also joined by our friend Courtney, a dedicated Starbucks Associate who assists us at our monthly Coffee Socials. Starbucks continues to be such a generous community partner and we can't thank Courtney and the rest of the Route 140 Starbucks team enough!

We are not sure when the Senior Center will re-open but we plan to host the June Coffee Social either in-person or virtually via Zoom. 

Stay tuned for updates on this web site!

Hold the date: June VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON Veterans Coffee Social - June 3