Escape to the Arts! Sunday, June 13

Escape to the Arts! Sunday, June 13 closes out the Franklin's ArtWALK Celebration. 

 
For the complete schedule of events and activities for the ArtWALK

https://www.franklinculture.org/home/pages/franklin-artwalk-celebration-escape-arts 

Escape to the Arts! Sunday, June 13

Franklin's ArtWALK Celebration June 11-12-13

Watch "What does it mean to have a nonbinary gender identity?" on YouTube

What does it mean to have a nonbinary gender identity? 
video link -> https://youtu.be/fojmIrRYD_g

DPW stormwater reminder #ThinkBlueMassachusetts

Good video analogy of storm water and the impact it has

Video link -> https://youtu.be/vgxG_caw1Sc

Shared from Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/931498886934582/posts/4199939106757194/

Legislature Advances Fair Share Act to 2022 Statewide Ballot

Legislature Advances Fair Share Act to 2022 Statewide Ballot

Proposed constitutional amendment would fund transportation and education investments

At a Joint Session of the Massachusetts Legislature, members of the House and Senate on Wednesday held a Constitutional Convention where they advanced an amendment to the state Constitution to provide greater investments in education and transportation funding.

The Amendment, which now goes before the people of the Commonwealth for a vote in 2022, establishes a four percent tax on annual taxable income in excess of $1 million. The revenue generated, estimated by the Department of Revenue to be as much as $2.2 billion annually, would fund repair and maintenance projects for roads, bridges or public transportation as well as funding for public education, including support for early education and childcare and public higher education.

"As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and prepare for the Commonwealth's long-term success, we must be bold as we strive to create the future we want to see," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "I'm thrilled the Fair Share Amendment has advanced, moving us one step closer to being able to make the critical investments in transportation and education that the public wants and deserves."

"Massachusetts has a bright future ahead of it and the House of Representatives is committed to a continued focus on education and transportation investments," said House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy). "Today's vote allows the Fair Share Amendment to be placed on the ballot and put before the people for a vote. This measure is one step in a multi-pronged strategy to make our Commonwealth a more equitable place to live, work and raise a family."

"When the Fair Share Amendment was first introduced in 2015, there were about 15,000 Massachusetts residents earning over $1 million a year," said Representative James O'Day (D-West Boylston), the lead House sponsor of the constitutional amendment. "Now in 2021, there are about 18,000 residents earning over $1 million a year. Clearly, there are millionaires and billionaires who can afford to pay their fair share in taxes, which will support our neighbors and local communities with investments in public education and transportation. Thank you to Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka for prioritizing the Fair Share Amendment so early in the session." 

"The Fair Share Amendment once again received strong support from legislators and, in public polling, typically receives support from more than 70% of voters in Massachusetts," said Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), the lead Senate sponsor of the proposal. "The reason it is so popular is that most people recognize that our wealthiest residents can afford to pay a bit more in taxes to fund investments in public education and improving our transportation infrastructure that will grow our economy, expand opportunity, and make our Commonwealth more just and equitable for all."

Should voters approve the ballot measure, the income level would be adjusted annually to reflect increases in the cost of living by the same method used to determine federal income tax brackets. This would ensure that, over time, the additional four percent tax would continue to apply only to the highest earning individuals in the Commonwealth. The tax would apply to all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. 

The legislature must approve a constitutional amendment in two consecutive joint sessions before the question appears on the ballot for voter approval. The Fair Share Act was approved for a first time on June 12, 2019, in a 147-48 vote. This week's June 9, 2021, vote of 159-41 ensures the proposal will appear on the November 2022 statewide ballot.

Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/09/metro/massachusetts-legislature-cusp-advancing-millionaires-tax-2022-ballot/

In-Person Lessons Returning to Encore and More

Register for our Summer Session, Find out when to register for Fall,  and our policies for a Re-Imagined Encore  

View this email in your browser June 9, 2021 - Letter to Families   Dear Encore Families and Friends: Re-imagining Encore over the past fifteen months has been a challenge for us all, and we are grateful to each and every one of you who chose to travel these uncharted waters together with us, who put faith in us, and who believed in us and our mission to ensure that music lessons and classes would continue and that, despite the trials and tribulations that the pandemic incurred, our students would still experience the joy of music.  And now, we are re-imagining Encore again, this time with new and innovative approaches to learning.  Beginning in September with the Fall trimester, Encore will return to in-person learning, with all classes and lessons back up and running, but there is a twist! We will also be continuing to offer lessons and some classes via our virtual Encore Zoom platform! Families who still feel uncomfortable sending their children into Encore for in-person lessons will have the opportunity to choose to remain online. Students who live far away from Encore can choose to do the same. Students who are sick on their lesson day and are unable to travel will have the opportunity to do the day's lesson online rather than miss it altogether; we would just need notice by 9:00 a.m. that morning if that will be the case.  It is our belief that in-person lessons are always preferable; however, as the needs of our families and the times we live in are changing, so must we. We encourage in-person lessons whenever possible, but offer the option and opportunity for online substitutions when necessary. When you register for the Fall, be sure to indicate whether you will be studying online or in-person.   Now some announcements: SUMMER LESSONS and CLASSES Registration for summer lessons and classes is ongoing. The summer session begins on Monday, July 5, and runs for eight weeks. Encore's hours change for the summer: We are open Monday through Thursday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  During the summer time, we encourage as many lessons as possible in order to maintain technique, but understand that families travel and schedules vary. For this reason, you can choose as many lessons or as few lessons as fits your schedule, and they can be at different times each week. To sign up for summer lessons, please call the office at: (508) 533-7700 x101.  FALL REGISTRATION  Registration for the Fall opens on Monday, July 19, at 12:00 p.m. and is on a first-come, first-served basis. We will accept registration via phone only, so please call the office at: (508) 533-7700. When registering, please indicate whether you will be studying online or in-person.  COVID POLICY We continue to monitor the ever-changing CDC Guidelines and will modify our COVID policies accordingly. At this point in time, we will be requesting proof of vaccination for all students, ages 12 and up. If your child has been vaccinated, please forward a scan of their vaccination card to the office where it will be placed in their file. We are not requiring students to be vaccinated; however, those who are not vaccinated will be required to wear a mask when on Encore's premises.  Faculty and staff who are not vaccinated will wear masks at all times in order to protect our students.  Vaccinated faculty, staff, and students do not need to wear masks. We are requesting that students be dropped off for lessons and classes. Parents may not wait in the building for the time being, and we will update you when this changes. All scheduling will continue to be accomplished over the phone or via email, even when we return to in-person in September. Payments can be made over the phone, or through your QuickBooks invoice, your bank or via mailed check.  Parents of MYC® students who must participate in the classes need to provide proof of vaccination to the office, or must remain masked at all times.  We have truly missed all of our students and families and can not wait until we can see you again, in-person at last!! If you have questions or need clarification, please contact the office at: (508) 533-7700 x101, or email encoremusicacademy1@gmail.com and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.  Thank you for your continued support and we wish you a fun-filled, fun-packed summer with friends and family at long last! Sincerely,   Lisa Ostrow and Patrick Dreier Co-Owners, Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios Copyright © 2021 Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 3 Bent St Franklin, MA 02038

"it’s never been a better time to consider a job in craft beer"

"Timberyard Brewing Co. spent much of 2020 pivoting and belt-tightening.

The East Brookfield brewer furloughed all five of its part-time servers last March, then tried for the better part of the spring and summer to find the hours to piece its staff together again.

This year, though, Timberyard has already hired six new servers and a kitchen assistant. Production has increased by 200%, as the brewery signed a new distribution deal and hired on its first assistant brewer.

Area breweries were rebounding from the pandemic well before the state lifted all COVID-19 restrictions. Now most breweries are not only on sure enough footing to hire their employees back, but also need to add more staff to prepare for the large crowds expected this summer."

Continue reading the article online

https://www.worcestermag.com/story/lifestyle/2021/06/08/craft-beer-jobs-abound-worcester-area-breweries-rebound-pandemic/7583315002/

Recap: School Committee hears Davis Thayer highlights

Quick Recap:

• Dr. Quigley, the interim principal, presented well a recap of the highlights of the history of Davis Thayer and the current school year during the pandemic
• Reopening report touts the pool testing likely to end this week for multiple reasons
• Planning underway for September as near 'normal' school year, additional guidance from DESE expected during summer
• Communications were showcased (presentation deck not available to share). Anne Marie Tracey leaving role this week, work to hire replacement starting

 

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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  #schcom0608

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcom0608&src=typeahead_click 

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/uboCXt7hULEbmQW86

The agenda doc includes connection info

https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-6-8-21

 

The meeting packet folder containing the documents released for this session

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/june-8-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet 

 

• Penultimate meeting of the current School Committee calendar. Agenda contains connection info https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-6-8-21 #schcom0608
• SchComm meeting opens, all (yes, ALL) the current students of Davis Thayer will do the pledge tonight via digital recording #schcom0608
• Pfeiffer comments that only 3 of the seven #SchCom0608 members were present D Grady Teacher union president speaks for the schools against the negative comments in prior Town Council budget hearing meeting
• Supt Ahern reports on the FHS graduation week activity with graduation last Friday and car parade on Saturday. #schcom0608 Supt coffee scheduled, link to be shared. Year not yet over. Elementary night of the arts Weds, empty bowls on Thurs
• Presentation on Davis Thayer highlights and history https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/dt-highlight#schcom0608 
• Slides from presentation #schcom0608
• More slides #schcom0608
• Dr Quigley and the list of thanks #schcom0608
• Zoom working, live stream through the Town webpage is not. #schcom0608
• Thanks to Dr Quigley for the presentation summary. He may have spent the least amount of time there (only this year as interim principal) but he captured it well. #schcom0608
• Anne Marie Tracey not present tonight, also noted as leaving Town/Schools as of end of week, has been effective in building communication process and graphics along the way. #schcom0608
• Slides from presentation deck (not available before meeting) #schcom0608
• More slides #schcom0608
• Live stream now working #schcom0608
• Reopening update, colors not updated to match #s https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/status-update-6-4-21 pool testing continues, proposal to stop this Thurs. LPN from Tri-county had been helping but aren't available. #s have been declining
• Lots of planning for the fall. Consideration of federal funding for assistance, lunches available during summer from FHS M-Th #schcom0608 https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/status-update-6-4-21
• more guidance expected this summer re: masks and social distancing
• Mobile vaccine clinic possible but #s not quite up to what are min req'd #schcom0608 reminder going out to schools for forms to be filled
• New business, next meeting, virtual academy and maybe policy Consent agenda motion to approve, second, passes 6-0-1 via roll call (D'Angelo not present) #schcom0608 Motion to enter executive session, passes via roll call 6-0-1 That's all for tonight, catch you next time!

 

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

Slide deck => https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/davis-thayer-presentation-school-committee-meeting-060821

Davis Thayer Presentation - School Committee Meeting 06/08/21 from Franklin Matters

Recap: School Committee hears Davis Thayer highlights