FHS field hockey tops King Philip 1-0 to win Hockomock Cup

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap for the FHS field hockey win over KP in the Hockomock Cup on Tuesday.

"With its second straight Kelley-Rex division title already in-hand, the Franklin field hockey team had their sights set on proving they were the best team in the league through the Hockomock Cup.

But just before the final week of the regular season, the Panthers’ season came to an abrupt halt when the high school went completely remote, forcing a two-week hiatus for athletics.

Not only did that mean Franklin’s final two games were canceled, it looked like the Panthers wouldn’t be able to compete in the league’s postseason tournament.

But the Franklin school committee and administrators from FHS came together, organized COVID testing for varsity athletes, and — after all the tests came back negative — athletics was back on.

The Panthers took advantage of their so-called second chance, capping their postseason run with a 1-0 win over King Philip in the Hockomock Cup final on their home turf field at Beaver Street. "

Continue reading the game recap online

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-field-hockey-edges-king-philip-win-hockomock-cup/

 

Click here for a photo gallery from this game

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2020-2021/Fall-2020/Franklin-King-Philip-Field-Hockey-11-16-20/

 

The Franklin field hockey team poses with the Hockomock Cup after beating King Philip in the final. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

 

"served at the district court level before climbing the ranks"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"SERGE GEORGES JR.’S nomination to the Supreme Judicial Court is poised to make history in more ways than one.

Georges, announced Tuesday as the latest pick from Gov. Charlie Baker to fill existing or impending vacancies, would join only a handful of district court judges in Massachusetts ever elevated to the state’s highest court in its lengthy history.

Depending on the confirmation timeline, his ascension to the SJC could make him the seventh and final sitting member of the court appointed by Baker, giving the governor a potentially unprecedented clean sweep of the entire panel.

Georges would also recast the balance of representation on the SJC. As the son of Haitian immigrants, he could become the court’s third non-white justice alongside Justice Kimberly Budd, whose confirmation as chief justice is expected Wednesday, and another Baker nominee, Appeals Court Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt"

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/uncategorized/baker-nominating-georges-for-sjc/

 

Please respond to the Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Survey - closed Dec 2, 2020

The Franklin School Committee's Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Subcommittee is interested in gathering the thoughts and perspectives about the possible closing of Davis Thayer.  

They are collecting survey responses from current and former Davis Thayer families, Franklin Public School families, Davis Thayer and Franklin Public Schools faculty and staff, and town community members.  

If you would like to share your thoughts, please use the link below. This survey will be open until December 2 and can be found at the link below.

https://forms.gle/Y9qtAU1uMN14VmyY7

Print-based copies will also be made available at locations throughout town. More information will follow. This form was built in Google and translations are available. If you need assistance, please contact the Superintendent's Office at 508-553-4819. 

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Survey - open now; closes Dec 2, 2020

 

If you have a question about Franklin, I may have the answer

You get an opportunity to join a ZOOM session on Thursday, November 19 to ask your question and talk "Franklin Matters" with me. 

• To join, email: adoggett@franklinma.gov

Event Date: Thursday, November 19, 2020 - 1:00 PM

 

 

talk "Franklin Matters"

 

Needed: Volunteers for Winter Decorating in downtown Franklin - Nov 21

This Weekend

WINTER DECORATING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Winter Decorating Day has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 AM to noon with a rain date of Sunday, Nov. 22. Please email Eileen Mason if you are able to volunteer to dress up the downtown for the holidays!

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

New York Times: "Recession With a Difference: Women Face Special Burden"

From the New York Times, an article of interest for Franklin:

"For millions of working women, the coronavirus pandemic has delivered a rare and ruinous one-two-three punch.

First, the parts of the economy that were smacked hardest and earliest by job losses were ones where women dominate — restaurants, retail businesses and health care.

Then a second wave began taking out local and state government jobs, another area where women outnumber men.

The third blow has, for many, been the knockout: the closing of child care centers and the shift to remote schooling. That has saddled working mothers, much more than fathers, with overwhelming household responsibilities."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/business/economy/women-jobs-economy-recession.html

PFAS from a new angle

From The Guardian, an article of interest for us in Franklin:

"The successful uptake of any vaccine for Covid-19, a crucial step in returning a sense of normalcy after a year ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, could be hindered by widespread contamination from a range of chemicals used in everyday products.

Small amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (or PFAS) chemicals are commonly found in the bodies of people in the US, as well as several other countries. These man-made chemicals, used in everything from non-stick pans to waterproof clothes to pizza boxes, have been linked to an elevated risk of liver damage, decreased fertility and even cancer.

But scientists warn some of these chemicals can also cause another little-known but potentially significant defect by reducing the effectiveness of certain administered vaccines. This impediment could cast a shadow over efforts to roll out a Covid-19 vaccine to enough people that restrictions on day-to-day life are eased.

“At this stage we don’t know if it will impact a corona vaccination, but it’s a risk,” said Philippe Grandjean, an adjunct professor of environmental health at the Harvard School of Public Health. “We would have to cross our fingers and hope for the best.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/17/chemicals-found-in-everyday-products-could-hinder-covid-19-vaccine

Millis drinking water tested positive for PFAS

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/in-news-millis-drinking-water-source.html

In October 2020, a Talk Franklin episode discussed new DEP guidelines for testing PFAS

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/talk-franklin-discussion-on-phishing.html

Earlier in October, the MMA noted the new testing standard required for PFAS

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/ma-sets-pfas-limits-for-drinking-water.html

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - November 2020

Keep up with what is happening in Franklin Public Schools!

Franklin Public Schools District Newsletter - November 2020 Reopening Website Food Services District Calendar School Committee Transportation 20-21 School Calendar Student Wellness Advisory Council (SWAC) The SWAC Committee includes representation from FPS students, parents, staff, School Committee members, community members and administrators from across our district who are working to develop programs that actively promote wellness in our schools. SWAC's focus areas fall under the following categories: Nutrition Mental Health/Self Care Physical Activity The committee meets monthly to discuss and plan initiatives to support wellness not only for our FPS students, but for faculty and families as well. SWAC actively partners with organizations, businesses and community groups to facilitate programming and other wellness initiatives. The Nutrition Subcommittee is currently working on creating a family communication series related to Nutritional Education, which will include cooking demonstrations, recipe sharing and other related activities. They are seeking feedback from the FPS community regarding how best to access this information. Please fill out the Nutritional Education Survey below. Thank you in advance and stay tuned for more news from SWAC! Family Nutrition Education Survey Early Childhood Development Center The children at ECDC (Early Childhood Development Center) have been very busy with fall-themed fun! Students have engaged in plenty of hands-on activities such as jack-o-lantern painting, making oobleck, examining fall leaves under a magnifying glass and reading seasonal books together. Recently, the children enjoyed performing a favorite science experiment: Sink or Float. Students made predictions prior to dropping objects into water and then observed what happened. (Always a big hit!) The students are also being introduced to letters and the sounds they make, while practicing letter formations using a variety of materials. As a group they are practicing important social-emotional skills such as sharing, and caring about others feelings. Enjoy some photos of our littlest learners! Franklin High School Virtual Club Fair FHS offers a wide variety of clubs to appeal to our diverse student population and their interests. In lieu of our traditional in-person Club Fair, students can browse the options on the FHS Virtual Club Fair website. Clubs fall in many categories, such as Awareness & Charities, Academic, Visual & Performing Arts, Government & Politics, Honor Societies and more! Visit the Club Fair website and find out more! FHS Virtual Club Fair Virtual Visiting Author Events Middle School Virtual Visiting Author! This week, all three FPS Middle Schools will be welcoming Virtual Visiting Author, Jordan Sonnenblick! Students will be able to engage with the author in a variety of ways, including writers workshop activities and small group question and answer sessions. A virtual evening event is also planned to allow families to connect with author along with their children. Students and families are encouraged to submit questions prior via the link attached. The schedule of Mr. Sonnenblick's virtual visit is as follows: November 18th - Horace Mann Middle School Visit November 19th - Annie Sullivan Middle School Visit November 19th - Virtual Evening Event November 20th- Remington Middle School Visit Thank you to the Franklin Education Foundation and the Middle School PCC's for making these events possible! Upcoming FHS Theater Performances Enjoy a Live Stream Performance of A Cabaret! Thursday 11/19 at 5:30pm Friday November 20th at 6pm. Purchase a live stream ticket here FHS Theater Company presents CLUE: On Stage Thursday December 3rd at 7pm Friday December 4th at 7pm This will be a LIVE STREAMED ONLY event. To purchase tickets for the performance, and view it from home, click HERE Franklin Public Schools | www.franklinps.net   ‌  ‌  ‌

Town of Franklin | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by traceya@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin's Cultural District Notes - November 2020

Welcome from The Chair ... Nancy Schoen

We are now almost halfway through November and are approaching the holiday season. Like many other things in 2020 our holidays will be very different than they have been in the past. Due to the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases, many holiday gatherings, performances and celebrations will be held virtually. In response to the high number of cases, Massachusetts Governor Baker has issued some new guidelines for businesses, restaurants and performance venues. These new guidelines are designed to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and to hopefully prevent the need for another lockdown in our state.

Although the cooler weather and additional restrictions are a challenge it is amazing to see the creativity in the Franklin community. Several Franklin restaurants are now moving most of their dining indoors, rearranging indoor spaces to accommodate social distancing requirements. Others are continuing to offer outdoor dining in tents with outdoor patio heaters. The recent warm weather enabled many more diners to enjoy a lovely outdoor meal.

The Franklin Public Schools community was excited to see the students gradually return to school. The Franklin elementary and middle schools began “in person” instruction in October. The high school students are continuing to attend school remotely, but will hopefully begin the “hybrid model” of instruction on November 16th. The high school music students produced a Chamber Music concert on November 5th which was broadcast via livestream. Seventy middle school band students from all three middle schools practiced together remotely and then performed a mini concert virtually.

As you begin your holiday preparations and shopping please remember to “Keep it Local” and support the many wonderful businesses right here in Franklin!

 

For the complete newsletter and prior newsletter archives, please visit

https://www.franklinculture.org/about/pages/newsletter

 

Franklin's Cultural District Notes - November 2020

 

FM #391 Health Dir Cathleen Liberty - 11/12/20 (audio)

FM #391 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 391 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin, MA Health Director Cathleen Liberty. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about how she is keeping her head above water on the COVID-19 pandemic, all the recent changes and what remains the same, especially as we head into this holiday season.

The recording runs about 24 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Cathleen   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyBwn4CS

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Health Dept page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department 

Town of Franklin Coronovirus portal  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal 

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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!

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

FM #391 Health Dir Cathleen Liberty - 11/12/20 (audio)