Hockomock League statement regarding the upcoming Fall 2020 season

Below is the official statement from the Hockomock League regarding the upcoming Fall 2020 season.

August 20, 2020

We have all patiently, yet eagerly, awaited the Massachusetts DESE guidelines pertaining to Interscholastic Athletics for the 2020-21 school year. Late Tuesday we received those guidelines and the MIAA Board of Directors have voted to approve those guidelines. Very importantly, there is still a lot of work to be accomplished before a Fall 2020 sports season is permitted. The earliest date to begin any practices is Friday, September 18.

Each school district was tasked over the last several weeks to develop a detailed DESE-approved plan for the return-to-learning this school year. Rightly so, each district’s School Committee and Superintendent’s office is now focused on implementing that approved learning plan. Some districts have opted for a full-remote start while others have approved a hybrid model. Both come with their own obstacles that each district is aiming to overcome. Both plans will impact how Fall sports may look for that district.

We do know under these DESE-approved guidelines that the high-risk sports, Football and Competitive Cheer, have moved to a “Fall II” season with a start date of February 22, 2021. The low-risk sports, Cross Country and Golf and the moderate-risk sports, Field Hockey, Soccer, and Girls’ volleyball must undergo modifications, some significantly changing the look of the game, to adhere to the EEA/DESE guidelines. Those MIAA-sport committees are working on that goal now. Girls’ volleyball, as an indoor sport, has some very significant hurdles for high school programs to overcome.

Please be patient as our twelve districts individually tackle the DESE parameters and logistics of implementing their return-to-learning models. We hope to know more in the coming week or two what a Fall Sports season will look like. Each district’s School Committee is charged with approving the specific sports programs that will be offered at each of our schools. Once those details are gathered by our League ADs and Principals, schedules can be drawn up and approved for publication.

Please know we all want to see as many student-athletes return to the competitive playing field this Fall. The health and safety of our students is paramount in any and all of these decisions which are forthcoming.

Sincerely,

The Hockomock League ADs

• Mark Houle, Attleboro
• Danny Erickson, Canton
• Joe Cusack, Foxboro
• Tom Angelo, Franklin
• Gary Brown, King Philip
• Mike Redding, Mansfield
• Peter Boucher, Milford
• Kurt Kummer, North Attleboro
• Bill Matthews, Oliver Ames
• Nick Schlierf, Sharon
• Ryan Donahue, Stoughton
• Mark Ottavianelli, Taunton

HockomockSports (@HockomockSports) tweeted at 9:25 PM on Thu, Aug 20, 2020:

Hockomock League Makes Statement On Fall Sports - https://t.co/QIFEg2p0hz #hockomock

https://twitter.com/HockomockSports/status/1296619352733683718?s=03

Hockomock League statement  regarding the upcoming Fall 2020 season

Voices of Franklin: State Rep Jeff Roy, State Rep Brian Murray "We are with Joe Kennedy"

We are with Joe Kennedy in his campaign for the United States Senate because he cares, he shows up and he leads.
 
We first saw Joe in 2010, talking about the need for civility in government. That speech captured our moral imagination and we sure hoped that he would run for office.
 
In 2012, he was in our communities talking with us and our friends about what he would do in Congress.
 
While a member of Congress, he has been a champion on  such very important issues as health care, manufacturing, substance use disorder, energy, the environment and civil rights,
 
We have witnessed firsthand his dedication, thoughtfulness and energy. His ability to work across the aisle with those who may have different beliefs is impressive, as is his ability to clearly see complex issues and get to the heart of the matter. And he does it all with a strong sense of empathy, a trait possessed by truly great leaders.
 
His service to our District is unparalleled. His commitment to constituent services for the folks throughout our communities has been exceptional.  His belief that everyone counts and should be counted is his high watermark.
 
At this moment in the history of our nation, we need his commitment, compassion and leadership on the floor of the United States Senate now more than ever.
 
Joe has been with all of  us, he is one of us and he has the vision to lead us.
 
That is why we hope you will join us in voting for Joe Kennedy for the U.S. Senate on September 1st. It is a vote not only for a better Commonwealth, but for a better country as well.
 

Jeffrey N. Roy
State Representative – Franklin & Medway

Brian W. Murray
State Representative – Milford, Medway Hopedale, & Mendon

Franklin (MA) voter totals for September Primary (2003-2018)

From the Town Clerk section of the Franklin Annual Report come the results of previous September primaries.

Year     Totals

2004 1415

2006 3315

2008 1442

2010 2261

2012 4826

2014 2325

2016 871

2018 4013

2020 ???

Franklin (MA) voter totals for September Primary (2003-2018)

In the News: Severe drought recorded; another ex-Trump aide arrested

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

"About a quarter of Massachusetts is now experiencing a severe drought that threatens crops, diminishes air quality, makes trees more susceptible to insects and could lead to widespread water conversation measures.

The U.S. Drought Monitor reported Thursday morning that while all of Massachusetts is at least abnormally dry, about 60% is experiencing a moderate drought and another 25% — most of Bristol and Plymouth counties and the southern parts of Norfolk, Worcester and Hampden counties — is going through a severe drought.

“In the Northeast, anomalously warm temperatures and below-normal precipitation during the past 90-day period have led to deterioration in drought-related conditions in parts of New England — including Massachusetts where state officials declared a Level 2 drought on August 14 for all regions of the state,” David Simeral of the Western Regional Climate Center wrote in the Monitor’s weekly summary. “Average temperatures for the week were 2-to-10 degrees above normal. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), the Northeast Climate Region experienced its warmest (+4.6° F anomaly) July on record.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)   https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200820/severe-drought-recorded-in-parts-of-state?rssfeed=true

Severe drought recorded

"President Donald Trump’s former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, was pulled from a luxury yacht and arrested Thursday on allegations that he and three associates ripped off donors trying to fund a southern border wall, making him the latest in a long list of Trump allies to be charged with a crime.

The organizers of the “We Build The Wall” group portrayed themselves as eager to help the president build a “big beautiful” barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, as he had promised during the 2016 campaign. They raised more than $25 million from thousands of donors and pledged that 100% of the money would be used for the project.

But according to the criminal charges unsealed Thursday, much of the money never made it to the wall. Instead, it was used to line the pockets of group members, including Bannon, who served in Trump’s White House and worked for his campaign. He allegedly took over $1 million, using some to secretly pay co-defendant Brian Kolfage, the founder of the project, and to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal expenses."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200820/ex-trump-aide-bannon-pleads-not-guilty-in-border-wall-scheme?rssfeed=true

In the News: 4th District candidates for ranked choice; Pelosi endorses Kennedy

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

"A significant majority of the Democratic candidates in the Fourth Congressional District race support the initiative petition on the Nov. 2 ballot that seeks to implement a ranked choice voting system in the 2022 elections.

The field includes eight contenders who are seeking to fill the seat that U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III is giving up as he challenges U.S. Sen. Ed Markey this election cycle. Out of the eight candidates who responded to a News Service request for their positions on the major voting reform, seven voiced concrete support for the ballot question — an initiative that appears designed to come into play in races with large fields just like the one the candidates are competing in in the Fourth Congressional race.

Natalia Linos, Ihssane Leckey, Ben Sigel, Jake Auchincloss, Jesse Mermell, Becky Grossman, and Alan Khazei all voiced support for the initiative, saying ranked choice voting increases representation of people of color, boosts election participation and encourages candidates to appeal to a wider base of voters."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)  https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200820/candidates-in-4th-district-primary-back-ranked-choice-voting?rssfeed=true

"U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed fellow Democratic House member Joe Kennedy III on Thursday in his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Edward Markey in the Democratic primary.

Pelosi said when Democrats were working to take back control of the House from Republicans during the 2018 elections, Kennedy stumped for candidates across the country.

“From climate change to health care to racial justice, Joe has been a leader in our Caucus organizing us around our core values,” Pelosi said in a press release. “We need leaders who are willing to give every inch of themselves to the causes and concerns that unify Democrats. Joe Kennedy represents this Party’s future,”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200820/pelosi-endorses-kennedy-in-democratic-us-senate-primary?rssfeed=true

The Guardian: "Revealed: how the gas industry is waging war against climate action"

From The Guardian, an article of interest to Franklin:

"When progressive Seattle decided last year to wipe out its climate pollution within the decade, the city council vote in favor was unsurprisingly unanimous, and the easiest first step on that path was clear.

About one-third of the city’s climate footprint comes from buildings, in large part from burning “natural” gas for heating and cooking. Gas is a fossil fuel that releases carbon dioxide and far more potent methane into the atmosphere and heats the planet. It is plentiful and cheap, and it’s also a huge and increasing part of America’s climate challenge.

...

The effort died. The ban wasn’t politically tenable, it seemed.

But internal records obtained by the Guardian show the measure’s defeat and the “wall of opposition” that advocates experienced were part of a sophisticated pushback plan from Seattle’s gas supplier, Puget Sound Energy.

Seattle’s story isn’t unique. In fact, it’s representative of a nationwide blitz by gas companies and their allies to beat back climate action they consider an existential threat to their business, according to emails, meeting agendas and public records reviewed by the Guardian."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/20/gas-industry-waging-war-against-climate-action

The Guardian: "Revealed: how the gas industry is waging war against climate action"

FM #333 4th District Candidates Town Hall - 8/19/20 (audio)

FM #333 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 333 in the series.

This session shares the 4th District Candidates Town Hall facilitated by the “Franklin Area Against Racism” and “Medway Marches” and broadcast by Franklin TV. The Forum was conducted via Zoom to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Angelica Crosby, Raj Seelam, and Justin Bates moderated the forum providing time for each candidate to respond to the questions on a random rotation.

All Democratic and Republicans were invited. The Democratic candidates participating (alphabetic order by last name) Jake Auchincloss, Becky Grossman, Alan Khazei, Ihssane Leckey, Natalia Linos, Jesse Mermell, and Ben Sigel.

Photos of the event participants (including screen captures of the questions and response order shared via Twitter - tagged as “#4thDist0819”) are available in this Google Photo Album https://photos.app.goo.gl/DQYMEE1ZVRq8g8yh9

The recording runs just about 1 hour and 40 minutes, so let’s listen to the 4th District candidates discuss their positions on a series of issues.

Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXg6gkXK

 

 ----------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know
  

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #333 4th District Candidates Town Hall - 8/19/20 (audio)

Virtual Memory Cafe - Friday at 2 PM

Hello All,

Shrewsbury has graciously invited people to their Virtual Memory Cafe tomorrow at 2 PM.  If you are interested in attending please email cbudge@cwmars.org for the invite link.

  

Enjoy!

Ariel

Virtual Memory Cafe - Friday at 2 PM

FM #332 Franklin Food Pantry Community Garden - 8/13/20 (audio)

 FM #332 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 332 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Jen Kuse, volunteer coordinator of the Franklin Food Pantry beds at the Community Garden. We are also joined by Lynn Calling, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. Our conversation was conducted at the Community Garden, outdoor, and adhering to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

In this conversation, we learn about Jen’s green thumb (sometimes brown and dirty) as she coordinates the efforts of several local churches and many volunteers to provide fresh produce to the Food Pantry’s clients. The Tuesday of the week we recorded this, they delivered 50 pounds of produce, with likely another 50 pounds scheduled for Friday for the Food Pantry.

This is a great story to share. You can help in any number of ways. Contact Jen to volunteer with the regular maintenance, or a maintenance day, or financially.

As we listened to the recording, we found a few minor corrections. Jen never actually answers Lynn’s question on how many garden beds the volunteers are gardening and harvesting from; it currently is 12. The listing of the organizations who have helped is in the show notes below. Jen also mentions Deb's name (volunteer from The BFCCS), and says her correct name (Deb Schwab) the first time, and then refers to her as Deb Benjamin the second time. Oops, we got you covered Jen (and Deb!)

The recording runs just about 18 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jen and Lynn. Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-332-franklin-food-pantry-community-garden-8-13-20

--------------

• The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

• Franklin Federated Church

• St. John's Episcopal Church

• Franklin United Methodist Church

• New England Chapel

Jen also considers the Town of Franklin Recreations Dept and the Franklin Agway (https://www.franklinagway.com/) as partners in support and supplies.

Jen Kuse  communitygardens@franklinfoodpantry.org 

Lynn Calling, Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry  lcalling@franklinfoodpantry.org 

Franklin Food Pantry = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/ 

Photos of the garden beds at the Community garden

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2C3CRtWxA15vPhy86

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Jen Kuse showing one of the garden beds to Lynn Calling

Voices of Franklin: Raymond D Milici - "Kennedy Supporter! Not Anymore"

In 2012, at a house party here in Franklin Massachusetts, I met a young man who wanted to get into politics and run as a US Representative in the 4th congressional district. I listened to him and I was quite impressed with what he was saying. He seemed to be compassionate, concerned and wanted to do good for the people in the state and country. His name happened to be Joe Kennedy. I've been a strong supporter of Representative Kennedy and was happy and proud to have helped in his campaign. 

That has changed for me since his decision to run for the Senate in the Democratic primary, challenging Senator Edward Markey. Even in politics, there should be a moral code of what's right and what's wrong. Running against Senator Markey is just plain wrong. The Senator is a well respected public servant who has been fighting for racial, economic and environmental justice. He is a proven effective leader. There is no good reason why Representative Kennedy should run against Senator Markey.

His decision to challenge Senator Markey has given me a totally different perspective of who Kennedy is. I thought I was supporting a different kind of politician. An idealistic young man who could rise in the Democratic Party with patience and persistence without hurting anyone. I guess I was just being naïve. It turns out he is one of those typical politicians, ready to step on and step over anyone that gets in the way. 

At a time when Democrats should be focused on winning the White House, the Kennedy campaign has managed to divide the Democrats, spending precious time and resources on an unnecessary primary election. But that doesn't seem to matter. After all, he's a Kennedy, a man of wealth and privilege, who thinks the senate seat belongs to the Kennedy family, not a guy from a working class family in Malden. I decided to vote for the working class guy. I hope my fellow Democrats will do the same.

Raymond D Milici,
75 Grey Wolf Dr,
Franklin MA 02038

FHS boys soccer team COVID-19 update

 August 19, 2020

Dear Franklin Community,

We are writing with a follow up to the community regarding the August 14th communication regarding a reported positive COVID case at Franklin High School. At the request of the family, we have permission to share that the student had never been symptomatic and it was a false positive; the testing was done proactively as part of a planned family trip to Maine.

We regret that our communication caused distress and raised alarm in the community, particularly as some individuals seem to have inferred that there was irresponsible behavior among boys’ soccer players who were engaging in the sport through out-of-season workouts (of which our athletic department and coaches do not participate). Based on the information available, it is our understanding that these out-of-season workouts were conducted in accordance with appropriate safety measures and expectations and that the parties involved followed appropriate preventative protocols (e.g. contact tracing, isolation, testing) without further incident.

The intent of our original letter was to be informative within the community about appropriate steps to take in the event of exposure to COVID-19. Additionally, the letter was intended to provide families with recently issued guidance about sports so that you can assist your children in engaging in valuable physical exercise and the social benefits that athletics involves.

As part of the Reopening Plan, we will be publishing further information for families and staff about the protocols and procedures that will be in place for this school year related to symptomatic students and staff. These measures will include reporting, contact tracing, additional cleaning and disinfecting, and strict adherence to the Universal Health and Safety Practices.

The Coronavirus Pandemic has left us all emotional and on high alert. Please continue to extend kindness and grace to each other.

Sincerely,

Franklin Public Schools
Please direct any questions to 508-553-4819

The original notification

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/a-fhs-boys-soccer-team-member-tested.html

Franklin (MA) School Committee: Budget Sub Committee Meeting - Aug 21

Budget Sub Committee Meeting

Virtual Meeting (Links in agenda)

Read more   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/bsc_agenda_8-21-20.pdf  

Franklin (MA) School Committee: Budget Sub Committee Meeting

MA Fish & Game magazine - new issue available

MA Fish & Game (@MassDFG) tweeted at 11:02 AM on Wed, Aug 19, 2020:

The newest issue of Massachusetts Wildlife magazine features articles on bald eagles, nature-deficit disorder, Belle Isle Marsh, and eiders! Subscribe today.   https://t.co/aZhijVsO7b https://t.co/TVxRpUrIP1

Franklin radar picked up via Twitter

https://twitter.com/MassDFG/status/1296100268510187520?s=03 

Subscribe to the Wildlife Magazine ($6/year)

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/massachusetts-wildlife-magazine

MA Fish & Game magazine - new issue available

"Voters who chose to vote-by-mail can track their ballots on the secretary of state’s website"

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

"The Secretary of State’s Office has already mailed out almost 950,000 ballots in advance of the Sept. 1 primary election, representing nearly a quarter of the state’s 4.5 million registered voters.

The estimate of ballots mailed so far comes as the United States Postal Service faces increased scrutiny over whether it will be able to deliver mail-in ballots on time for local clerks to count them. USPS officials set off an uproar in late July when they warned states that deadlines for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Services’ delivery standard.

But on Tuesday, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy issued a statement saying that he would suspend operational initiatives “that have been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic” until after the election, to avoid the appearance of effects on electoral mail.

Secretary of State William Galvin said about 149,000 ballots have been returned to local clerks and he expects mail-in voting will help boost participation while taking into account public health guidelines. The state’s top election official said “a lot of people” who requested ballots were primarily motivated by voting in the November general election, adding that more than a million people asked for ballots for the general election."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200819/nearly-1m-ballots-sent-to-mass-voters?rssfeed=true

Your application and ballot tracker  

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/track/trackmyballot.aspx

Franklin voters can return their ballots at the Municipal Bldg
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/franklin-voters-how-to-return-your-mail.html

Franklin voters can return their ballots at the Municipal Bldg

In the News: "Flu shot to be required for students"

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

"Students across all levels of schooling in Massachusetts will now be required to receive flu vaccines, a new mandate that state public health officials described as a step to reduce the impact of flu-related and respiratory illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The immunizations will be required from the age of 6 months on for attendees of Massachusetts child care programs, pre-schools, K-12 schools, and colleges and universities, the Department of Public Health announced Wednesday.

Students will need to get their flu vaccines by Dec. 31 for the 2020-21 flu season, unless they have a medical or religious exemption.

Home-schooled K-12 students and college students “who are completely off-campus and engaged in remote learning only” will also be exempt, DPH said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200819/flu-shot-to-be-required-for-students?rssfeed=true

Mass. Public Health (@MassDPH) tweeted at 6:01 PM on Wed, Aug 19, 2020:

A flu shot is now required for all children  6 months and older who attend Massachusetts child care, pre-school, K-12, and colleges and universities. Learn more: https://t.co/VGTRYv0qHC https://t.co/mWCjsZhv94

Franklin radar picked up
(https://twitter.com/MassDPH/status/1296205702625730562?s=03)

MA DPH requirements

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations#school-and-camp-requirements-

In the News: "Flu shot to be required for students"