The Dean Difference to be delivered remotely for Fall 2020

Read the below message from Dean College President Dr. Paula M. Rooney regarding the Fall 2020 semester at Dean College:

"Thank you to the Dean Community for your patience during these past few months as we have navigated our way through this unprecedented time and meticulously prepared plans for the Fall 2020 semester. Throughout this process, the health and well-being of our entire Community has been and will continue to be our primary concern. 

In reviewing our COVID-19 Fall opening plans, current health data, the worsening conditions across the country, and the guidance of medical and public health officials, we have grown increasingly concerned in recent weeks by the resurgence of the virus. Given this reality and the likelihood of a second wave in late summer and into the Fall, we have doubts about our ability to deliver an on campus/residential experience without disruption. 

Our careful and thorough planning process has led us to the difficult decision that all classes and activities will be online for the Fall 2020 semester. This decision was made with our firm belief that the safety of our entire community cannot and will not be compromised. Though we are confident this decision is the right one, we profoundly share in everyone’s disappointment as we were all looking forward to the return of our students to campus this Fall.

Let me share how together we will achieve our goal of an authentic Dean experience during our Fall 2020 semester. As always, our objective is for every Dean student to share in the extraordinary personal experience we have come to know as The Dean Difference.

Continue reading the message online at Dean
https://www.dean.edu/about-dean/fall-2020-semester/

given the weather, let's get a winter photo of Dean

Starting July 30, census takers will be visiting Franklin

The U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will begin following up with households in select areas that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census.

Starting July 30, census takers will begin interviewing households in areas managed by the following 35 area census offices across 14 states and Puerto Rico:

• Aurora, Colorado North and Denver, Colorado
• Danbury, Connecticut
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Chicago Central, Chicago Far Southwest, Chicago South, Cook County Northwest, Cook County South, Dekalb, Oswego, Peoria and Skokie, Illinois
• Indianapolis and Lake County, Indiana
• Quincy, Waltham and Worcester, Massachusetts

Per the 2020 Census map, Franklin is covered by the Quincy office

2020 Census map, Franklin is covered by the Quincy office

Franklin's response rate hasn't changed much since last reported here. We are at 77.2 percent (only .2 percent more in the last two weeks).

Franklin's response rate for 2020 Census

Households can still respond now by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire they received, by responding online at 2020census.gov, or by phone at 844-330-2020. Households can also respond online or by phone in one of 13 languages and find assistance in many more. Those that respond will not need to be visited to obtain their census response.

What Households Can Expect

The Census Bureau will provide face masks to census takers and requires that census takers wear a mask while conducting their work. They will follow CDC and local public health guidelines when they visit. Census takers must complete a virtual COVID-19 training on social distancing protocols and other health and safety guidance before beginning their work in neighborhoods.

Census takers are hired from local communities. All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If a census taker does not speak the householder’s language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does. Census takers will also have materials on hand to help identify the household’s language.

If no one is home when the census taker visits, the census taker will leave a notice of their visit with information about how to respond online, by phone or by mail. People are encouraged to cooperate with census takers and ensure that everyone who was living in their household as of April 1, 2020, is counted.

How to Identify Census Takers

Census takers can be easily identified (https://2020census.gov/en/census-takers.html) by a valid government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date on the badge. To confirm a census taker’s identity, the public may contact their regional census center (https://2020census.gov/en/contact-us/rcc.html) to speak with a Census Bureau representative.

How are these Offices Selected for the Early Start to Deploying Census Takers?

Career Census Bureau operational leadership makes the decision on when and where area census offices will begin following up with households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. As part of the selection criteria, we ensured these offices offered a variety of situations to help roll out the systems. We also followed a thorough review of the operating status of a state, locality or tribal area; the key data that support that operating status as identified by federal, state and local guidance; and the ability of Census Bureau staff to safely resume operations, including the procurement of personal protective equipment.

About the 2020 Census

The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The goal of the 2020 Census is to count everyone who lives in the United States on April 1, 2020 (Census Day). Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years.

For more information, visit 2020census.gov.

In the News: "much of the evidence is inconclusive"

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

"What role children play in the coronavirus pandemic is the hot-button question of the summer as kids relish their free time while schools labor over how to resume classes. 

The Trump administration says the science “is very clear,” but many doctors who specialize in pediatrics and infectious diseases say much of the evidence is inconclusive. 

“There are still a lot of unanswered questions. That is the biggest challenge,” said Dr. Sonja Rasmussen, a pediatrics professor at the University of Florida and former scientist at the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. 

Several studies suggest, but don’t prove, that children are less likely to become infected than adults and more likely to have only mild symptoms."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200717/how-does-covid-19-affect-kids-science-has-answers-and-gaps/1?rssfeed=true


The NY Times article on a related report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/health/coronavirus-schools-reopening.html

Go directly to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report

"Weighing the health risks of reopening K-12 schools in fall 2020 against the educational risks of providing no in-person instruction, school districts should prioritize reopening schools full time, especially for grades K-5 and students with special needs, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Opening schools will benefit families beyond providing education, including by supplying child care, school services, meals, and other family supports. Without in-person instruction, schools risk children falling behind academically and exacerbating educational inequities."

Continue reading the report online:
https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2020/07/schools-should-prioritize-reopening-in-fall-2020-especially-for-grades-k-5-while-weighing-risks-and-benefits

In the News: "Policing reform push amplified at Statehouse rally"

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

"Faith and labor leaders on Friday urged lawmakers to continue the policing reform work begun this week in the Senate, as the wait continues for a House bill that, if approved, would need to be reconciled quickly with a sweeping Senate proposal. 

As reverends and union representatives gathered outside the Statehouse, the House on Friday at 11 a.m. closed its window for public testimony on the Senate plan (S 2820), after announcing Wednesday night that it was inviting anyone to submit feedback by email. 

“To our representatives who have received undue pressure to succumb to mediocrity, to lay down and allow the status quo to exist, who are wavering, struggling about what to do, our message is courage,” Harvard University’s Muslim Chaplain Shaykh Khalil Abdur-Rashid said. “If you do not have courage now, when will you have courage? Our message is character. If you do not have character now, when will you have character?” 

Formal legislative sessions are scheduled to end for the year in two weeks so a House plan is expected any day now, although top Democrats have not announced any definitive plans."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200717/policing-reform-push-amplified-at-statehouse-rally?rssfeed=true

Frank's Music with Frank Falvey: "Women Of The Grand Ol Opry #1" (audio)

Frank Falvey has a radio show called "Frank's Music". Self described as 'eclectic' you hear some good music and info about the songs and the performers. Frank records with Jim Derick as they "search for the meaning in music." 

These shows are part of the Franklin Public Radio playlist and also available on SoundCloud.  Franklin Public Radio is 102.9 on the local FM radio dial or anywhere in your browser at wfpr.fm

Thursday = 10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey
Frank explores a range of music genres and artists

The show repeats on Saturday at 10:00 AM

This session covers "Women Of The Grand Ol Opry". This is part one of two. You'll need to have patience and wait for the second episode to be shared on the radio and then via SoundCloud.

Audio link = https://soundcloud.com/user-653308056/woman-of-the-grand-ol-opry-1

Frank's Music with Frank Falvey · Woman Of The Grand Ol Opry #1

Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities with DPW, Fire Dept, and Police Dept

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  

• Police Patrol Officer 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/academy-trained-patrol-officer-posting-july2020.pdf

• Firefighter/Paramedic - 2 vacancies 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/ff-paramedic-job-posting-july132020_0.pdf

• Stormwater and Environmental Affairs Superintendent - Department of Public Works 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/storm-water-and-environmental-affairs-superintendent-jobposting-july2020_0.pdf
 
If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/application_for_employment_-_town_of_franklin.pdf

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here  http://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities with DPW, Fire Dept, and Police Dept

Families Continue to Pay Tribute to Veterans

The fourth installation of engraved bricks on the Veterans Memorial Walkway took place recently on the Franklin Town Common. The next installation is planned for November 2020 to coincide with Veterans Day. Bricks must be purchased by September 14 for this installation.

Veterans being honored do not have to be Franklin residents. For more information or to purchase an engraved brick, contact the Franklin Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315 or go to: www.franklinveteransbricks.com for online orders. Engraved bricks are $100 each.

Pictured left to right: Dale Kurtz, Franklin VSO, and members of the Franklin Veterans Council, Sue Theriot, Ernest Carruthers and Bob Gardner with Bill Fredrick of C & A Masonry, Inc. of Franklin.