Women’s Faith Formation Ministry - meets Saturday, Nov 7

The Women’s Faith Formation Ministry at St. Mary Parish has begun. This meeting is open to ALL women.

We meet on the first Saturday of each month from 9:30-10:15am.The video/speaker presentations will last approximately 15-20 minutes and will be followed by 15-20 minutes of discussions and/or questions. No homework or preparation is involved.

If you are interested in attending our monthly meeting, please email Deacon Guy (deaconguy@stmarysfranklin.org) to receive information and the Zoom link to attend. 

 

Women’s Faith Formation Ministry - meets Saturday, Nov 7

Commonwealth Magazine: MCAS coming in spring; Gov Baker calls ranked choice too complicated

From CommonWealth Magazine we share two articles of interest for Franklin:

"MCAS exams coming in spring, education officials say" 

"TOP MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATION officials on Tuesday insisted MCAS exams will be held next spring and urged districts to conduct in-person learning even if they are located in communities at high risk for COVID-19 – as long as there is no evidence the transmission is occurring in schools.

Testifying virtually before the Legislature’s Education Committee, state Education Secretary Jim Peyser and education Commissioner Jeff Riley said their guidance to school districts has been updated to reflect that districts are encouraged to remain open even if their community is red on the Baker administration’s color-coded map.

School districts had been asked to review at least three weeks of community COVID-19 data before adjusting learning models. Now the Baker administration officials say three weeks in red is not enough to move to remote learning.

“We are not seeing the spread take place, clustering take place in the schools as initially feared,” said Riley."

Continue reading article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/mcas-exams-coming-in-spring-education-officials-say/

"Baker calls ranked-choice voting too complicated"

GOV. CHARLIE BAKER said on Tuesday that he opposes ranked-choice voting because it’s too complicated for both voters and election officials to carry out.

The governor said voting is already complicated enough. “From our point of view, this thing [ranked-choice voting] is too complicated to have on top of that,” he said at a State House press conference. “The counting process alone could get unbelievably difficult.”

Jesse Mermell, an honorary co-chair and senior advisor to the ranked choice campaign, said ranked choice was implemented in Maine with no problems and has been in use in Cambridge since 1941.

“I think that’s insulting to Massachusetts voters,” she said of the governor’s comments.

Continue reading article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/baker-calls-ranked-choice-voting-too-complicated/

“We have new procedures and protocols in place”

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

"For election security, four police officers will be staffed at Franklin High School, the town’s only polling location for all eight precincts. Two will be stationed inside, and another two will keep watch outside.

Even in a normal election cycle, this would be among the busiest times of the year for city and town clerks and other election workers. But the upcoming presidential election is unlike any other.

A variety of factors — the coronavirus pandemic, caustic political rhetoric and worries about election integrity — are forcing clerks in MetroWest and Greater Milford to take measures they’ve never before taken, and implement new policies and standards to account for what is shaping up to be the busiest election cycle for these workers.

Clerks have been so busy putting in place health and security precautions while processing mail-in ballots and early voting that it was difficult for these public servants to find time for an interview with the Daily News."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201027/metrowest-milford-area-election-workers-buckle-down-for-their-most-challenging-election-cycle-ever?rssfeed=true 

 

 

early voting was underway when I stopped by to observe the ballot opening processing on Sunday

"New York state now 'highly discourages' any non-essential travel to and from MA"

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

"Public health officials confirmed more than 1,000 new COVID-19 infections for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday and the latest report shows all four of the state’s primary COVID-19 metrics trending in the wrong direction. The Department of Public Health reported 1,025 new coronavirus infections Tuesday and announced the recent COVID-19 deaths of seven individuals.

The seven-day average of the positive test rate is now 1.7 percent -- more than double its low-point value of 0.8 percent from just more than a month ago. Despite the steady climb in the percentage of tests that come back positive, DPH said Tuesday that it still sees a “positive trend” in that metric.

There were 567 people with COVID-19 hospitalized in Massachusetts as of midday Tuesday, up by 17 patients from midday Monday. The three-day average number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is 552, up about 83 percent from its low point of 302 patients, DPH said. As with the positive test rate, DPH said that it sees a “positive trend” in the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201027/despite-coronavirus-numbers-dph-sees-positive-trend?rssfeed=true

From CommonWealth Magazine:

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER urged Massachusetts residents to celebrate Thanksgiving differently this year, limiting any gatherings to people you live with or with whom you are regularly in contact.

Any bigger gathering, the governor’s top COVID advisor said, should be done remotely. “You could actually Zoom Thanksgiving with your family and friends across the country,” said Marylou Sudders, the secretary of health and human services.

Baker and Sudders said the science is clear that a traditional Thanksgiving, with people gathering indoors for most of the day to eat, watch football, and eat some more, is not appropriate during COVID. Sudders called it “the worst possible scenario for spreading the virus.”

Pass the stuffing on Zoom this year

Gov Baker's press conference on Tuesday https://youtu.be/jHUqjwtX9Qs 

Voices of Franklin: Raymond Milici -"Have You Noticed, l Have"

"Have You Noticed, l Have"

A recent letter to the editor published in the Milford Daily News accusing Matt Kelly of using misleading campaign tactics,  specifically, "a violation of copyright and campaign integrity," got me thinking about what's happening here in Franklin. It seems to be much of the same.

In Kelly's campaign mailings circulating throughout the district, you would get the impression that Jeffrey Roy. a Democrat. is endorsing Kelly. Representative Roy was asked and his answer was no. However photos of Kelly and Roy are prominently displayed on campaign mailings. This is an obvious attempt to attract Democrats to Kelly's campaign. This is not the person I would want representing me in the State Senate.

 

Link to article mentioned: www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/20201015/opinionletter-violation-of-copyright-and-campaign-integrity


Raymond D Milici 

Franklin

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

 

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis - step by step process

From the Davis Thayer Facility Analysis page:

The Davis Thayer Elementary School was authorized for further analysis through a study as prescribed by the School Committee Policy FCB - Retirement of Facilities. The rationale for the facilities analysis includes:

1. the age and design of the facility;
2. decreased enrollment across the district; and
3. economic efficiency.

Although preliminary enrollment projections are available, the District will be obtaining more detailed and thoroughly analyzed demographic details and enrollment projections. Additionally, the District will be examining the Davis Thayer facility and space utilization/availability across the district. You can find detailed information as is becomes available on the lefthand links.

Updates related to this study will be shared at regular intervals at School Committee meetings, online and directly with the DT community, at least on a monthly basis. We recognize this process can be emotional; the District is committed to engaging in this study with the greatest of care towards students, families, and staff.

https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis

 

There is no specific "time" line, there is a defined process flow and the process is still in Phase 1 as shown in this flow (below). There is no timeline in that the process will cover step by step as needed but NOT by a specific date. 

 

The discussion on the report Tuesday night gets to focus on the specifics in the report but will not reach a conclusion yet as indicated by the process there is more analysis to be done.

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis

Comprehensive Facilities Assessment 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/school-committee-comprehensive.html

 

School Committee Meeting Agenda

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-oct.html 

 

You are invited to celebrate with FPAC - Nov 14

Join us for a unique evening of entertainment, food, fun, and fundraising for FPAC and THE BLACK BOX!!

HOSTED BY BROADWAY'S BUDDY BEN CAMERON
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 8 p.m.

Enjoy at home a delicious DINNER prepared and packaged by "3"!  Your dinner can be delivered to you by one of our celebrity guests or you can drive-through at THE BLACK BOX to pick it up.
 
Dress up (OR NOT)!  Send us a picture of Your 2020 GALA LOOK and be entered to win a prize!
 
After your pre-show cocktail hour and dinner at home, get ready for our virtual event!  The fun begins when you join our LIVESTREAM at 8:00 p.m.
 
Dive into your GALA SWAG BAG and see what gifts and surprises are yours!  Dessert is included in your treasure trove!
 
Enjoy FPAC's GALA HOST and Your Broadway Buddy – Ben Cameron!!
 
Participate in our ONLINE AUCTION before and during the Gala!  The ONLINE AUCTION goes live on November 1st – start bidding!!
 
Bid on our featured "LIVE" AUCTION ITEMS!
 
Call in to our GALA TELETHON!  Make a donation and chat it up with one of our Celebrity Guests Jim Hogan, Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Emily Koch, Christopher Rice or Clay Thomson!

Celebrity Guests Jim Hogan, Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Emily Koch, Christopher Rice or Clay Thomson

And, of course, enjoy top-notch FPAC Gala ENTERTAINMENT featuring our Broadway Friends and FPAC Favorites!

During GALA TECH WEEK watch for daily fun including the Gala cocktail recipe and celebrity promo fun!

A special Gala pre-show production number will be premiered featuring FPAC youth, alumni, and special guests.  Students whose parents have purchased two VIP or Premium tickets are welcome to participate in the GALA VIDEO, choreographed and produced by Christopher Rice and Clay Thomson!

Gala proceeds benefit initiatives of
THE BLACK BOX and FRANKLIN PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY

 Purchase Tickets Today!