Franklin Public Schools: FHS Principal Announcement

This is a message that has also been shared with the FHS community, but we also wish to share it across Franklin Public Schools.

May 6, 2020

Dear Franklin High School Community,

I am very pleased to share the news that Mr. Joshua Hanna has accepted my offer to be named the principal of Franklin High School.

We were fortunate to have three excellent candidates emerge as finalists from a rigorous and thorough search process. Candidates were interviewed by an Interview Committee composed of faculty, administrators, parents/guardians, students, and two School Committee members. Finalists joined the district in a remote site visit to converse with students, parents/guardians, administrators, and faculty/staff in mid-April. Feedback from the visits was reviewed and considered carefully and references were checked. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the members of the Interview Committee, led by Assistant Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Director of Human Resources Lisa Trainor. I would also like to thank members of our student focus group, parents/guardians, administrators, and faculty/staff members who contributed feedback.

Mr. Hanna has been serving as Assistant Principal at Hopkinton High School since 2013. Prior to this role, he was a Social Studies Teacher and Social Studies Department Head at Natick High School. While in Hopkinton, Mr. Hanna has guided work around social/emotional learning, founded the Passion Project Club for the Class of 2023, created the Top of the Hill Program, led the Crisis Response Team, and served as designated school official for the F1 International Student Program. Mr. Hanna received a Bachelor's Degree from Framingham State in History and he earned his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Simmons College.

We look forward to welcoming Mr. Hanna to the PANTHERS community. More communication from Mr. Hanna will be forthcoming as we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year.

Kind regards,

Sara Ahern
Superintendent of Schools

Franklin Public Schools: FHS Principal Announcement

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #18

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #18

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Hi friends,

I hope you’ve been able to enjoy some of today’s glorious sunshine.

With rescheduled town elections just around the corner, I want to make sure all of you have all the information you need to vote safely during this pandemic period. Remember, local elections are very important, as local government routinely make decisions about property taxes, zoning, roads and other infrastructure elements in town, supports for senior centers and community spaces, and a host of other elements of daily life and town culture.

I’ve put all the information you need to get your mail-in ballot on my website. Here are the rescheduled in-district election dates:

Remember, in this public health crisis, it is extra important that as many people as possible vote by mail. It’s not as easy to do as it could be, but with a little leg work, you can get your mail-in ballot from your town clerk.

Here are a few additional updates about our state-level efforts to combat COVID-19:

Facemask Order Goes into Effect: Today, Governor Baker’s order requiring face masks in public went into effect (https://www.mass.gov/doc/may-1-2020-masks-and-face-coverings/download). Face Masks must be worn in all public spaces -- both indoor and outdoor -- where adequate social distancing cannot be achieved (like on the sidewalk in densely populated areas!). The order allows businesses to refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask, and includes a possible $300 fine for noncompliance. I encourage you to wear a facemask as much as possible outside your home; this is a critical step to protecting ourselves and our neighbors, reducing coronavirus transmission, and helping our communities open up sooner.

...

As always, my team and I are here for you. Call us at 617-722-1555 or email me directly at becca.rausch@masenate.gov and one of us will get back to you as quickly as we can. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.

Wishing you and your families strength, health, and resilience.

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the full set of content visit this link
https://mailchi.mp/e28c375c6a76/covid19-update-12329094
 

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #18

Franklin Cultural District Partners Meeting - May 12

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 - 7:00 PM

Virtual Meeting*

AGENDA

Welcome 7:00 PM

Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant Update (Nancy) 7:05 PM

FCD Photography Scavenger Hunt (Nancy) 7:10 PM

Massachusetts Cultural Council Webinars (Pandora) 7:15 PM

Cultural District Data Collection (Roberta ) 7:25 PM

• 2020 Annual Report
• Data requirements

Newsletter (Pandora & Nancy) 7:30 PM

Economic Development & Cutler Plant PPE update (Bryan) 7:35 PM

Guest Speaker Erin Lynch 7:45 PM
Executive Director of the Metrowest Visitors’ Bureau

Questions/Discussion 8:15 PM

Next Partner Meeting 8:25 PM

• September 15th Tuesday

Adjourn 8:30 PM

The listings of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.

For Additional information, contact:
Bryan W. Taberner, AICP, Director
Department of Planning and Community Development
508-520-4907; btaberner@franklinma.gov

*Virtual connection info to be provided closer to the meeting

Franklin Cultural District Partners Meeting - May 12

MassDCR: How to do social distancing in parks, trails, and paths

"Be smart! Be Considerate! Practice good #socialdistancing by staying 6 feet from others in parks, on trails and on paved paths!

Parks are open for all to enjoy but please be conscious of others and help everyone stay safe during the spread of #covid19. "

Additional info on how to visit the MA parks  https://bit.ly/3ad6Kn4

How to do social distancing in parks, trails, and paths

Shared from the MassDCR twitter account
https://twitter.com/MassDCR/status/1258094174991155200?s=09

"The future is going to be what it’s going to be”

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

"The advisory board figuring out how Massachusetts businesses might be able to reopen has already filed interim reports with the governor and is expected to make additional suggestions ahead of its May 18 deadline, Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday. The governor also further elaborated on what conditions must be met before he will allow businesses to reopen.

Speaking outside Gillette Stadium after swearing in the latest class of Massachusetts State Police recruits, Baker said “the trends over the course of the last six to eight days have been reasonably positive” but added that the data still does not support a reopening of the economy.

“We’re still very much in this fight with COVID-19, but it is encouraging to see some positive progress. As we come through the other side of this and determine our next steps for a path forward, we need to see those numbers continue to drop,” he said. “Our goal, starting on May 18, is to begin re-opening certain types of businesses in a limited fashion where it can be done more safely than under normal operations. But this phased-in process can’t begin until we see sustained downward trends in many of the data elements that we talk about every day.”

Baker said the reopening panel led by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy has already “made several” reports on potential strategies. “They’re planning to make what I would describe as interim reports along the way here between now and the 18th, absolutely,” he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200506/reopening-panel-has-sent-reports-to-baker/2

Gov Baker's update from Weds May 6  https://youtu.be/eEAAPC709-A

"The roll call on the legislation took under seven minutes"

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

"House lawmakers, many of whom watched on computer screens miles from the State House, took an historic and unanimous vote on Wednesday to authorize the Treasury to borrow billions of dollars as needed through June to meet the state’s financial obligations during the ongoing fight against the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, speaking from the House chamber with a mask covering his nose and mouth, said Treasurer Deb Goldberg may need to borrow as soon as this month to balance the state’s outflow of cash, which is not being replenished as fast as it otherwise might.

State revenue officials reported Tuesday that April tax collections had fallen off 54% compared to the same month in 2019, and missed budgeted estimates for the month by nearly $2.2 billion.

April is the state’s largest tax revenue month of the year, and Michlewitz called the losses a “staggering number.” He and other experts have said a “large portion” of the drop in revenues could be because of the extended income tax filing deadline. If that assumption is correct, it would allow the state to quickly recoup some of the losses in July to begin repaying a large short-term debt by the end of fiscal 2021."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200506/house-turns-to-borrowing-to-plug-state-cash-gap

FHS "Keep Music Alive" 5/05/20 - #6

I hope that we all are doing well. Because I missed last Thursday (sorry!), I will be posting three performances today. We are featuring students who play the guitar and electric bass today! Enjoy!

Max Allard - FHS Senior
Max is a student who uses his diverse artistic talents to help others daily. Max founded the Unified Music program at FHS. He plays saxophone in the FHS Band, is a founding member of the FHS Acapella group and has recently become a thespian in our drama program. Max, Thank you for this beautiful performance.   

You Raise Me Up
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ArtslWOcDEwi0eIIdDWZyEsk5-1BY_9/view





Zachary Vigil - FHS Senior

Zach plays guitar and electric bass in the FHS Jazz Band. He has been very active in our audio production program.
Sadly, Zach recently lost his grandmother during this time of isolation. He would like to dedicate this performance to his Nana.   

All Things Must Pass

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w3TUT6Tntb7OS6a6yWKpm--5N-5jd8m5/view




Ian Richardson - FHS Sophomore
Ian plays electric bass in the FHS Jazz Band. This year, he learned how to play the upright bass and joined the orchestra. He studies privately and participated in the Central Districts Jazz Band this year.  

Jazz Improvisation   https://youtu.be/N1niZZVMc3U





--
Diane M. Plouffe
Director of Music
Franklin Public Schools
Franklin High School