Video link for the news this Friday, Nov 6 => https://youtu.be/jjL2GC7V8Y0
Friday, November 6, 2020
CommonWealth Magazine: "Enrollment declines crop up in public schools"
From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:
"Two months into the new school year, some communities are beginning to report enrollment declines, presumably an offshoot of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Worcester school district lost 1,046 students, about 4.2 percent of last year’s total of 25,049, according to the Telegram & Gazette. It was the second year in a row that enrollment declined, and a large chunk of the decrease was at the prekindergarten and kindergarten levels.
Brian Allen, Worcester’s chief financial and operations officer, said more families have elected to keep younger students out of school during the coronavirus pandemic.
The drop could significantly impact the amount of state aid Worcester’s schools can expect, with a $10 million decrease in chapter 70 school aid possible next fiscal year under the state’s foundation formula."
Continue reading article online
Editor's Note: While the headline "Enrollment declines crop up in public schools" is true, the reasons behind it are not fully explained in this article which seems to focus on the COVID-19/pandemic factors and not on the overall demographics. Taking Franklin as an example, there is a "small" change due to families turning to pods or moving students to private schools, but the major decline has been seen over the years and will continue to be seen through 2027.
The October 27, 2020 School Committee meeting reviewed the October 1 enrollment numbers which can be found here https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/october_enrollment_report.pdf
The audio portion of the meeting where the enrollment report is reviewed can be found here
Town of Franklin, MA: holiday health and safety guidance
"Sharing an informational flyer on upcoming holiday health and safety guidance. "
Visit https://t.co/JrbsE0KEX6 for more information.
Shared via https://t.co/i1d2aKF3y4
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| Town of Franklin, MA: holiday health and safety guidance |
House Ways and Means releases budget as FY 2021 process resumes
From the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)
With first quarter revenue numbers in hand and a new forecast for the year, the House and Senate Ways and Means committees on Oct. 21 held a joint hearing on the revised fiscal 2021 budget submitted by the governor earlier in the month.
Legislative leaders have not announced a schedule for taking up a budget bill for the year that started on July 1. Gov. Charlie Baker asked that a final spending plan be sent to him by Thanksgiving.
So far this fiscal year, the state has been operating under a series of interim budgets approved by the Legislature, with the most recent providing funding through the end of November.
Continue reading the article online https://www.mma.org/legislature-restarts-fy21-budget-process/
From CommonWealth Magazine we share:
"MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE budget writers on Thursday released a $46 billion spending proposal for the rest of the fiscal year, which includes no sweeping changes to tax or fiscal policy and adopts some increased protections for tenants applying for rental assistance.
The budget, which adopts part of Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposal to accelerate the collection of sales taxes from large businesses, seems designed to avoid controversy with an eye toward achieving relatively quick consensus with the Senate and governor. The full House will debate and vote on the budget next week, after which it will go to the Senate.
House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, a Boston Democrat, said he has been working closely with Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, a Westport Democrat, on the framework for the budget – although the budget was not pre-negotiated or released jointly. “I think we’re both under the understanding…that time is of the essence relative to the need to get this done in a relatively quick manner, just because of the circumstances that were put on us this year,” Michlewitz said."
Continue reading the article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/house-budget-no-new-taxes-more-eviction-protections/
In the News: "1,761 new COVID-19 cases confirmed"
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,761 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 160,698.
An estimated 18,279 cases are active across the state, the daily report shows.
State health officials also confirmed 23 new COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,859."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Community Level data map https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-level-covid-19-data-reporting
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| COVID-19 Community-Level Data Map - 11/04/20 |
Thursday, November 5, 2020
FHS Path To Return To Play/Perform
FHS Varsity Student Athletes / Performers, Parents / Guardians, and Staff,
We know that these past few days have been frustrating with the disruptions to the anticipation of both hybrid school as well as games / performances.
Understanding that out of doors events have been determined as safe by our health and safety officials, we are writing with a solution to allow for games / performances to begin on November 9, 2020.
FHS is in the process of looking to team up with a local healthcare provider to allow for large scale Covid-19 tests to be administered on site at Franklin High School. We are aiming to hold this on Saturday, November 7, 2020. Plans are still developing with the idea that students will be given the opportunity to take the test and upon receiving a negative test result would then be cleared to play / perform in upcoming scheduled events.
Because we are still working on the feasibility of this, the workaround (in order to get testing accomplished in a timely fashion -- Rapid Test results are back within 1-2 days and PCR tests take 4-5 days), student athletes/performers may obtain Covid-19 tests independently. Upon proof of testing negative, they would be cleared to play/perform in next week’s scheduled events.
We will also ask that players/performers complete one additional step of filling out a survey each day of play to assure ourselves and others that everyone is safe. This survey screens players/performers about Covid-19 symptoms and exposure to the virus, as well as asks participants to attest that they did not attend any large gatherings over the 10/30 - 11/1 weekend that did not practice social distancing or wearing of masks including the Halloween party that resulted in the 2 week cancellation of events.
All school handbook rules regarding participation in extracurriculars still apply.
Here is a link to COVID testing sites in MA (if unable to attend 11/7/20 or if we are unable to host a testing site on the FHS campus) https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13
We wish we could offer testing to all of our students in order to return to school in hybrid instruction. At this time, it is not feasible to test approximately 600 students each week. Additionally, the outdoor nature of these activities is being considered as compared to the indoor nature of school and other clubs and activities. We sincerely hope that more robust testing is available in the future in order to facilitate as much in person teaching and learning as possible.
We wish to extend our regret that the golf tournament was held on Monday and that the timing of the event did not facilitate participation of those players. Many aspects of managing through this pandemic are out of our control and require additional time for us to develop novel responses.
We wish to extend our sincere condolences to the students who had been scheduled to play and acknowledge this loss of experience for you and your families.
Sincerely,
Joshua Hanna
FHS Principal
Tom Angelo
FHS Athletic Director
Sara Ahern
Tom Angelo
FHS Athletic Director
Sara Ahern
Superintendent of Schools
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| FHS Path to Return to Play/Perform |
Davis Thayer Facility Analysis - Community Info Session - Recap - 11/4/20
Quick Recap:
- With info gathered, they can update their five step process, they are currently in Phase 2
- Overview of the highlights of the facility analysis report and presentation as covered in the prior School Committee meeting 10/27/20
- Discussion of possible timeline for the next steps
- Survey out for community input
Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in the album https://photos.app.goo.gl/MbtLUoz3KH8CFs3q9
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #dtfa1104
https://twitter.com/hashtag/dtfa1104?src=hashtag_click
- #dtfa1104 meeting starting now ... Concern of too many SchComm members present although they are not deliberating, just sharing info already shared
- Menti.com being used for interaction tonight #dtfa1103
- #dtfa1104 agenda slide
- #dtfa the five step process
- #dtfa1104 overview of report on facility capacity. Educational adequacy explored and rated, schools and under capacity
- #dtfa1104 enrollment declines continue over next 7 years before turning up
- Enrollment decline more so on middle school level. (And less speculation here, the students for the most part are already in the system) (elementary students projections generally already seen in birthrates) #dtfa1104
- #dtfa1104 the budget issue worsens if nothing done (yup) and any school budget looking for more money would need to have a clear answer to this situation.
- Review of the various options #dtfa1104 focus of subcommittee remains on the DT potential closing and factors thereoff
- Considering physical distance factors in this part of the work #dtfa1104 decision will be based upon multiple reports, info, factors (hoping they don't get overwhelmed with analysis paralysis) possible 3rd info session to be considered
- Possible to work through stages 1-4 during winter and depending upon pandemic status get to point on when Stage 5 would start #dtfa1104
- Getting ready for questions, #dtfa1104 what work would be req'd for middle schools regarding firing the elementary students within (i.e. Keller using some of Sullivan)
- Title I is associated with the students more than with the building. #dtfa1104 would require a recalculation and maybe a redistribution among the schools
- Yes, getting this done within the current SchComm term (Nov 21) is a motivator but not the only key, the decision needs to be made when it can be #dtfa1104 Keller sprinkler issues raised (occured twice) should be resolved to prevent reoccurrence
- Spencer speaking as mom, not SchComm member; is concerned about loss of staff at DT, principal already gone (interim in place this year) response - staff considered within district and according to bargaining agreement #dtfa1104
- Info session coming to an end, Q&A to be posted on DT page akin to the first session. #dtfa1104
Additional info on the Facility Analysis
Davis Thayer Facility Analysis - Community Info Session - Recap - 11/4/20
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