Thursday, March 19, 2020

Mamma Maria’s Care Packages

Gearing up for the launch of Mamma Maria’s Care Packages! 📦💕

We are so excited to implement this program to provide relief for our community and honor our Mamma Maria by helping those who are feeling lost in this time of need.

We know, even in Heaven, our Angel Mamma Maria does not want any families to go hungry or make sacrifices in order to put food on the table, including our staff.

Our Primavera Team will be Mamma’s Angels carrying out her Legacy of making sure everyone is fed. Please help our staff and community continue Mamma’s Legacy by:
  1. Ordering Takeout (Wednesday-Sunday, 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM)
  2. Fund a Care Package ($30 or more)
  3. Pick up & Deliver a Care Package (for your family or someone else in need)
  4. Spread the word and help us get more meals to people in need
  5. Direct us to people in need so we can bring them meals anonymously

Via the Senior Center and Primavera, Millis   (508) 376-2026
http://www.primav.com/caffesite/index.html

Mamma Maria’s Care Packages
Mamma Maria’s Care Packages
Facebook post by Primavera has additional info

FHS' Fenerty, Powderly recognized by Hockomock League for Girls Indoor Track All Stars

Below are the FHS selections from the official 2020 Hockomock League Girls Indoor Track All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league and published by HockomockSports.com.


HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP

  • Lily Wetherbee, North Attleboro

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

  • Jill Fenerty, Franklin

Honorable Mentions

  • Samantha Powderly, Franklin

You can read the full listing of  Girls Indoor Track All Stars

FHS' Fenerty, Powderly recognized by Hockomock League for Girls Indoor Track All Stars
FHS' Fenerty, Powderly recognized by Hockomock League for Girls Indoor Track All Stars

Sante Fe Burrito Grill: Our restaurant is open! *Pickup your order to go*

Hello from Santa Fe Burrito Grill — 
We will be offering pickup during normal business hours. As a courtesy, please enjoy 5% off every online order! For your safety, our restaurant always ensures that meals are made in a clean environment using only the freshest ingredients. Please enjoy your meal in the comfort of your own home, and as always, we want to thank you for your business!
Order online http://www.santafetogo.com/


Sante Fe Grill: Our restaurant is open! *Pickup your order to go*
Sante Fe Grill: Our restaurant is open! *Pickup your order to go*

Franklin Residents: Trash and Recycling Will be Picked up on Their Regular Schedule

Trash and Recycling Will be Picked up on Their Regular Schedule

"Franklin Residents: 
Please be informed that there has not been any changes made to trash and recycling pickup schedules, as of now your trash and recycling will be picked up on its normal schedule."

Updated: The pink bag pick up has been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Franklin Residents: Trash and Recycling Will be Picked up on Their Regular Schedule
Franklin Residents: Trash and Recycling Will be Picked up on Their Regular Schedule

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Franklin, MA: Town Council - shortened agenda for March 19, 2020

A NOTE TO RESIDENTS: Due to the growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, only Council members and authorized members of the staff will be allowed in the Council Chambers/Municipal Building. In an effort to ensure citizen engagement and comply with open meeting law regulations, we will have a hotline for citizens to call during the meeting and ask questions/voice concerns.
Call-In Phone Number: 508-553-4826


1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
a. Coronavirus Update and Discussion

4. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

  • a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-854: Changes to §185-40. Water Resource District - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-854 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)
  • b. Resolution 20-17: Acceptance of Conservation Restriction to Protect Well 3A (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-17 - Majority Vote)
  • c. Bylaw Amendment 20-855: Chapter 82, Water Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-855 to a second reading - Majority Vote)
  • d. Bylaw Amendment 20-856: Chapter 82, Sewer Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-856 to a second reading - Majority Vote)
  • e. Bylaw Amendment 20-857: Chapter 82, Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-857 to a second reading - Majority Vote)



5. ADJOURN


An updated version has been made available for tonight's meeting
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-19-town-council-agenda

revised on the ToF page as of 11:17 AM 3/19/20 (updated here at 11:55 AM)


You can find the shortened agenda online at the Town of Franklin
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-03-20_town_council_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - shortened agenda for March 19, 2020
Franklin, MA: Town Council - revised agenda for March 19, 2020

Senator Becca Rausch: CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #4

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #4
Wednesday, March 18, 2020


Friends,

COVID-19 Update #4 of what I’m sure will be many more updates about COVID-19. This update contains: the latest COVID-19 updates from Beacon Hill, the legislative work I’m leading to support all of our towns and cities during the pandemic period, today’s push from me and more than 30 of my legislative colleagues for Governor Baker to take more robust action to protect public health, and suggestions for how you can be part of the solution by helping your community.

In an effort to make all the news and accurate information on the coronavirus a little easier to follow, my staff and I are compiling a page with the latest COVID-19 updates from Beacon Hill on my website. Please bookmark the page - we will update this list of actions taken by the state government two or three times each week, with a date stamp and links to official sources.

Keeping our town governments functioning and planning for elections in a time of necessary social distancing is vital to safeguarding our democracy. As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, I am at the heart of this legislative work, which is happening almost around the clock. Here’s what you can do to help: review H.4572, An Act to address challenges in town governance resulting from COVID-19. Send any comments or input you have to me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov and my House counterpart, Chair Jim O'Day, at James.ODay@mahouse.gov. Due to COVID-19, the State House is closed to the public so we are accepting written testimony only. All testimony is due by 12PM tomorrow, Thursday, March 19. This deadline will be strictly enforced.

Continue reading Update #4
https://mailchi.mp/ae40a9ec176c/covid19-update-12267110

Senator Becca Rausch: CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #4
Senator Becca Rausch: CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #4

FPS: Family letter Keeping the Learning Alive - Mar 17, 2020

March 17, 2020
 
Dear Families,

We hope that you are doing well as we all navigate this unprecedented time in education and society. We hope that the information below provides some guidance in “Keeping the Learning Alive” at home. This information was also shared with teachers today and our purpose in sharing it with you is to ensure that students and families are on the same page with regard to expectations. 

There is no one right answer as to how to do this but we share a common goal: we all wish the very best for our students while they are not in school. Flexibility is key as things continue to change and shift. We will continue to communicate directly with you and encourage you to reach out via email to your child’s teacher(s) or principal if you have questions or comments. Together, we will get through this!

This letter will be translated into multiple languages and posted to our webpage on March 18, 2020.

Counseling Support
INTERFACE Referral Service
This is a stressful time and support is available to you and your family. If someone in your Franklin family, including your child is in crisis, where they are a threat to themselves or others, you should call 911. As always, if you feel that someone in your Franklin family, including your child would benefit from outpatient mental health services we encourage you to utilize the INTERFACE Referral Service (https://interface.williamjames.edu/community/franklin), which is free to all Franklin residents.

Teaching and Learning
Logistical Items:
1. Report Cards (Pre-K and Elementary)
  • a. Report cards will be generated and sent home upon return to school.
  • b. Progress reports will also be sent home upon return from school.
2. Grading
  • a. Grading is suspended until we return from school. Teachers may provide feedback on anything students choose to share electronically while out of school.
  • b. Teachers have been asked to complete any grading for assignments that were turned in on or by Thursday, March 12. If appropriate, feedback will be sent to students and families electronically.
  • c. Report card dates, etc. will be reviewed and revised as needed upon return to school

Expectations of Teachers for Keeping the Learning Alive  
Communication:

1. Teachers and principals will be checking their email daily. Responses should come to you in a reasonable period of time, but please understand that they too are dealing with the impacts of the Coronavirus in their own homes.

2. Teachers will be reaching out to students and families to reconnect. We have asked that they establish a predictable, routine check-in process. We believe that it is critical that students and teachers maintain the connections that have been formed. Relationships are the most important aspect of the home/school partnership, especially during times of stress, such as this unusual extended closure of school.

3. You may also hear from school adjustment counselors, special education teachers, specialists, Unified Arts teachers, etc. Again, the goal is to maintain connections with our students. Your help in facilitating this is greatly appreciated.

4. If you have a specific need that we can help with, please email or reach out to your child’s teacher(s) or principal. We are here to help and support both students and families. We care deeply about and miss our students.

Instruction:
1. The goal of “Keeping Learning Alive” is to provide enrichment opportunities and resources to students and families. There is to be no NEW or forward instruction during the time that we are out of school. While we are working to allow for Chromebook borrowing and connecting families to low cost Internet access, not all students have the learning support they need to complete/learn new work. Therefore, the emphasis is on enrichment, practice, and depth.

2. You will shortly begin to see teachers sharing resources with you to “Keep Learning Alive”. These resources may come from the new FPS Learning page (https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/fpscommunitylearningresource/home), DESE curated resources (coming soon), or from the teacher/team/grade.
  • a. This is not online coursework; it is enrichment and alternative learning opportunities.

3. We are not transferring responsibility for learning or homeschooling to families.

4. These activities are optional for families and student participation is not required. We do encourage it, to the extent possible for your family.

5. We do encourage you to set a regular routine with your children and hope that you will choose to participate in some of the activity suggestions coming your way. A sample schedule for younger children is shared on the family resources section of the FPS Learning page.

6. The materials you receive will not replicate a regular school day.

7. Please connect with your child’s principal if you need Internet access. There are some low-cost options available to you.

Our faculty is eager to connect with students and is/has been actively planning from home to make resources available to children. For us, it was so heartwarming and uplifting to connect with hundreds of our educators across the district during two live virtual calls earlier today. We are all invested in supporting students during this difficult time.

For questions about the FPS Learning Plan, please contact your child’s teacher, principal, or Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, Dr. Joyce Edwards (edwardsj@franklinps.net).

Student Services
New Referrals/Initial Eligibility:

We, along with other schools in the Commonwealth, will freeze evaluation, referral, and individual education plan distribution timelines for all students in a referral cycle during school closure. This means that as soon as schools open again, the timelines will commence as is required by state and federal regulations.

Annual Reviews/Evaluations in Process:
We, along with other schools in the Commonwealth, will freeze evaluation, annual review, and individual education plan distribution timelines for all students on IEPs and 504s during school closure. This means that as soon as schools open again, the timelines will commence as is required by state and federal regulations. Team Chairs will be working with families to understand the impact of the closure on students and to reschedule meetings.

Home ABA Services:
Home ABA services funded by Franklin Public Schools will be suspended until further notice.

Home/Hospital Tutoring:
Home and Hospital Tutoring occurs outside of the school buildings, and as such, families can decide whether or not they will allow tutoring staff into their homes. As a practice, Franklin Public Schools does not provide tutoring when school is not in session. For students currently receiving home or hospital tutoring, please understand that our ability to send contracted service providers into homes is contingent upon student’s and staff’s perceived health and wellness in accordance with state and CDC guidelines.

OOD/Residential Placements:
For students in Out-of-District day or residential placements, Franklin Public Schools will follow the attendance recommendations of the individual school or facility. If the Out-of-District day school is in session, we will continue to transport your child.

365 Day Residential Placements:
For students in 365-day residential placements, Franklin Public Schools will follow the attendance recommendations of the individual school or facility.

For Questions about Student Services, please contact your child’s special education liaison, service provider, principal, or the Director of Student Services, Ms. Paula Marano (maranop@franklinps.net).

English Language Development
Teachers from the English as a Second Language Department will be reaching out to families with information and supportive materials later this week.

Once again, we cannot stress enough that our goal for this time out of school is to maintain the positive relationships we have with students. We are here to help and welcome your comments and suggestions. This situation is new for all of us and your collaboration is encouraged and welcomed. Please take care of yourself and your family.

Respectfully,

Franklin Public Schools


Download a copy of this letter here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-1xpSYgda_MR1RT0TQ6t7fMq33LBbD2a/view?usp=sharing

As noted above, this letter will be translated into multiple languages and posted to the Town of Franklin page on March 18, 2020
 
FPS: Family letter Keeping the Learning Alive - Mar 17, 2020
FPS: Family letter Keeping the Learning Alive - Mar 17, 2020