American Anthem - Norah Jones

In his inaugural speech, President Biden says:

"Will we rise to the occasion is the question. Will we master this rare and difficult hour? Will we meet our obligations and pass along a new and better world to our children? I believe we must. I’m sure you do as well. I believe we will. And when we do, we’ll write the next great chapter in the history of the United States of America. The American story. A story that might sound something like a song that means a lot to me. It’s called “American Anthem.” There’s one verse that stands out, at least for me, and it goes like this:"

"The work and prayers of a century have brought us to this day.
What shall be our legacy? What will our children say?
Let me know in my heart when my days are through.
America, America, I gave my best to you."

The song was originally performed by Norah Jones for the Ken Burns film "The War"

 

 

Full set of lyrics: = > https://www.elyrics.net/read/n/norah-jones-lyrics/american-anthem-lyrics.html

 

Full text of inauguration speech: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/01/20/biden-inauguration-speech/ 

 

Video => https://youtu.be/sdjnAFqapg4

 

 

Franklin High School: Important Information and Dates

Important Information and Dates

Winter 2020-2021

• Hybrid Bell Schedule for all students, including new Wednesday schedule
• Hybrid Cohort Schedule  (Semester 2 Schedule will be posted soon)

FHS calendar at a glance:

School Picture Days for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders

Saturday, January 30th, and Saturday, February 6th. Click here for information, to select a time slot and order picture packages.

 

January 25     - FHS PCC Meeting 7:30 PM via Google Meets; click here to join meeting. Guest: Mrs. Heather McVay, FHS Guidance Director; Submit your questions prior to the meeting HERE

January 30th  - School Picture Day for 9th,10th,11th graders. See above

February 2     - Q2 Ends

February 3     - Q3 Begins

February 6     - School Picture Day for 9th,10th,11th graders. See above

February 12   - No School - PD Day

February 15-19  - No School  - Winter Break

 

• Franklin Public Schools School Re-Opening website click HERE to view
• Principal's Page << watch Mr. Hanna's video updates 
• FHS Students having troubles with your Chromebook or need technical help? Go to THIS PAGE for technology support
• The difference between Home Schooling and Remote Learning from the Office of Teaching and Learning

 

FHS basketball teams split with Taunton; girls win to stay unbeaten

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:

 

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 66 @ Taunton, 29 – Final 

– Franklin went on the road and scored a big win to stay unbeaten on the season. Olivia Quinn was the top scorer for the Panthers with 12 points, but it was a balanced effort as all 13 players got on the score sheet. Taunton got nine points from Sonya Fernandez and eight points from Jaelyn Fernandez in the season opener for the Tigers. 

 

Boys Basketball = Taunton, 55 @ Franklin, 46 – Final 

 

"Most teams in the Hockomock League are hitting the halfway point of the regular season this week, but the Taunton boys basketball team is just getting started.

While it was a victory for Taunton to just get on the court after weeks of delays, the Tigers were in search of a different kind of win.

Buoyed by a hot start offensively and solid defense throughout, the Tigers won their season opener, 55-46, giving head coach Charlie Dacey his 400th career win — all coming with Taunton."

Continue reading the game recap by Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com: https://hockomocksports.com/taunton-boys-basketball-hold-franklin-charlie-dacey-400th-win/

 

– For a photo gallery of this game:  https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2020-2021/Winter-2020-2021/Franklin-Taunton-Boys-Basketball-01-21-21/

 

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-21-21/

 

Taunton head coach Charlie Dacey, who earned his 400th win on Thursday, watches the action in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

 

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - January 2021

The 1st District Newsletter of 2021 is now available &  includes info about:
 - The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
 - Class of 2034 Kindergarten Registration
 - ECDC Applications & Lottery
 - Pool Testing
 - Travel
 - SWAC & more!
 Find it here https://conta.cc/2LR2v9T

 

Franklin Public Schools: District Newsletter - January 2021

 

FM #441 Jen Delmore - Conservation Agent - 01/13/21 (audio)

FM #441 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 441 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Conservation Agent Jen Delmore. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 36 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jen Delmore.

Audio file =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/fe003ca7-7e2a-456f-baf2-b9facd1bba62

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

Conservation Forms  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/filing-instructions-forms-and-fees

DelCarte Reports and Plan  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/delcarte-conservation-area

Conservation Home owners 101  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/homeowners-101

Conservation Regulations and bylaws  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/pages/regulations-and-bylaws  

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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" 

DelCarte, on a January morning 2020

Reminder: Community Preservation Committee seeks At-Large Candidates - application deadline, Sunday - Jan 24, 2021

The Town of Franklin seeks interested residents who wish to be a member of the inaugural Community Preservation Committee (CPC). The Town voted overwhelmingly to approve the adoption of the Community Preservation Act at the November 2020 election. The Town Council established a Community Preservation Committee(CPC) in December and is seeking applicants for the four At-Large seats. 

We have opened the application period for the four (4) At-Large resident vacancies. If interested, please fill out the form and required information below. Resumes are optional but preferred and helpful. Application period: Monday, January 4, 2021, through Sunday, January 24, 2021.

If you are interested in serving please apply here:
http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php

The new Town bylaw can be found here:
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/signed_cpc_bylaw_20-864.pdf

For more information on Community Preservation visit the town website, which will continue to evolve as the program gets active:
https://www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/cpc_vacancy...

Shared from the Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/community-preservation-committee-seeks-large-candidates

 

Community Preservation Committee seeks At-Large Candidates

 

"the early closure business order and the stay at home advisory will be lifted"

 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER, citing positive trends in COVID-19 data, said that starting Monday he plans to lift a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. stay-at-home advisory and a curfew that left many businesses shuttering at 9:30 p.m. over the past 2 ½ months. 

Vaccines are reaching residents. Positive case rates and hospitalizations have stabilized. Those trends are moving in the right direction,” Baker said at a State House press conference on Thursday. “As a result, we believe it’s OK and it’s time to start a gradual easing of some of the restrictions we put in place in the fall.”

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/baker-sees-some-promising-covid-signs/

 

Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required):  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/21/metro/baker-announces-stay-home-advisory-early-closure-orders-will-end-monday/

 

Direct video link to Gov Baker's press conference Thursday:  https://youtu.be/broVNPR3E7I

Sunrise Montessori School: Open House - Preschool & Kindergarten - Jan 23

Sunrise Montessori School is hosting an in-person Open House for our Preschool & Kindergarten programs. 

Families are welcome to tour the school, speak with our teachers and learn more about Montessori education. 

Applications are being accepted for the 2021-2022 school year. No RSVP is necessary, but you may call Andrea Rossick, Head of School, at 508-541-8010 if you have any questions. 

Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

When: Jan 23, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Check out Sunrise online: http://www.mysunrisemontessori.com/
or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sunrisemontessori 

Sunrise Montessori School: Open House - Preschool & Kindergarten - Jan 23

Milford Daily News: "Man indicted in fatal Franklin shooting pleads not guilty"

"Prosecutors said when one witness yelled for the mother of DeAndre Scott's child to call 911, Marcus Thibodeau, 26, left the living room and said, "What was I supposed to do, he came at me."

Read the full article via @milforddaily  at  https://t.co/prRv3xdEaC 

Franklin Resident Awarded the Carol A. Pizzi Scholarship

Declan Lynch, a recent graduate of Franklin High School, has been awarded the Carol A. Pizzi Scholarship by the Franklin Democratic Town Committee.

An Eagle Scout from Franklin, Declan and members of his troop recently completed a registry for Franklin’s Union Street Cemetery. He logged in more than 170 hours to make this project possible. Declan is also an active member of the Best Buddy program and has competed in many Special Olympic events.  He now proudly serves on the Best Buddy board. 

“To go from being coached in the pool to coaching younger children with disabilities is pretty cool. And to be able to represent kids with learning disabilities on the Best Buddies Board is quite an honor.”- Declan Lynch

Declan also volunteers his time every Friday at the Magnolia Heights Retirement Community where he plays games with the residents and enjoys bringing smiles to their faces. 

Declan Lynch

This fall, Declan began his first year at Dean College as part of the Arch Program and will use the $1,000 scholarship to assist with tuition and school supplies. The Franklin Democratic Town Committee is thrilled to honor this extraordinary young man with this scholarship award and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors. 

“Declan’s character, commitment to success, determination in spite of challenges, and tremendously positive approach to all things will make him a success wherever he may go.”- D. Soulard, Guidance Counselor at Franklin High School

The Carol A. Pizzi scholarship is named after beloved Franklin resident Carol A. (O’Connor) Pizzi who passed away in 2010. Carol was a real estate agent in town and a passionate member of the town’s Democratic committee. If you would like to learn more and/or contribute to this scholarship fund, please visit www.franklindemocrats.com.  

Rotary Club of Franklin MA - "Say it with Art" A Valentines Date Night & Virtual Art Auction!

Good Afternoon,

I am writing to you today to share our upcoming fundraiser flyer with you and ask that you kindly share it via email and other, with everyone you know and encourage them to check it out! This is our very first virtual event, so this means anyone from around the globe can participate. All purchased art is framed and will be shipped to the home address, FREE within the U.S.!

In addition, we encourage folks to support local businesses by pre-ordering their custom Valentine Date Basket by February 5^th  for only $50. Each basket will include: A personalized Valentine, Wine or Bubbles; Chocolates & Cheeses all sourced & delivered locally by February 12. Just in time to enjoy it along with the live simulcast Virtual Art Auction that will start promptly at 8 PM EST!

Due to Covid-19, our Rotary Club of Franklin MA has struggled to provide our annual awards and community service projects. This event will support the our Rotary Club scholarship and leadership awards, as well as, the many service projects for the elderly and underserved in our area planned for 2021.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly and I thank you in advance for your support!

Diane M. Padula

Rotary Club of Franklin MA, Fundraiser Chair

padularotary@gmail.com

508-284-9598

• Pre-order baskets by Feb 5

Support local businesses by pre-ordering our custom Valentine Date Basket by February 5th  for only $50. 

Each basket will include: A personalized Valentine, Wine or Bubbles; Chocolates & Cheeses all sourced & delivered locally by February 12.  

 

Purchase through this link = https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3689/Event/say-it-with-art

• Virtual Live Auction - Feb 12 - 8 PM

Pre-register, PreBid and Preview: Wed., February 10 @ 10 AM, EST, Thru Fri, February 12th

Live Simulcast Auction w/ Auctioneer, February 12 @ 8 PM EST

Just in time to enjoy it along with the live simulcast Virtual Art Auction that will start promptly at 8pm EST!  Just login to https://bid.marlinart.com/.

Link for QR code = https://qrs.ly/ywc7wy0

"Say it with Art" A Valentines Date Night & Virtual Art Auction!

FHS boys hockey tops Taunton at Senior Night on Wednesday

 From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:

Boys Hockey = Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 13 – Final 

– Franklin’s Ben Jarosz recorded a hat trick as the Panthers took a win at home over Taunton. Sean Connelly, Dylan Marchand, and Matt Gates each scored twice in the win.  

 

For other results around the Hockomock League  

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-20-21/

 

Hard Hat #7 Matty GatesWorked his butt off every shift! Scored his first goal on Varsity then added another as well as an assist. Awesome job Matty!!

@PanthersJvPuck

 

Senior Night! Congratulations to all our seniors and their families.

@FHSSports @PanthersJvPuck

Ben's Guide to Social Distancing

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Wed, Jan 20, 2021:

"Please remember to keep your distance from others when out and about.  Oh, and let's be kind too! #DoYourPartFranklin #BenKnows #KeepSpace #SocialDistancing #6FeetPlease https://t.co/zE5T6wBWdH"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1351886952971309056

Ben's Guide to social distancing

"to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside"

If you were taken by Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem "The Hill We Climb" on Wednesday, you can view the audio and read the text. The turns of phrase are impressive and memorable.

View the video and text:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/20/amanda-gorman-poem-biden-inauguration-transcript

And be sure to visit her own page for more of her work

https://www.theamandagorman.com/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/689867/the-hill-we-climb-by-amanda-gorman/9780593465271/

CommonWealth Magazine: recent MA gaming revenue promising; questionable inaction on foreign trained medical Drs; Inauguration brings changes to MA immigrant status

 

"LAST WEEK’S REVENUE REPORT from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission suggested the state’s casinos are doing pretty well, given the many restrictions imposed by COVID-19.

Monthly slot revenues for the Commonwealth’s two category 2 casinos showed modest increases, with Encore Boston Harbor posting a 3.9 percent increase over November’s numbers, and MGM Springfield showing a 9.51 percent increase.  Plainridge Park, the state’s lone slots-only facility, reported a 20.77 percent increase in monthly slot revenue."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/december-gaming-revenues-show-promise/

"IN EARLY APRIL, amid the first COVID-19 surge and an emerging shortage of health care workers, Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order allowing foreign-trained medical doctors to gain full licensure here in Massachusetts.

This came after a slew of legislators and immigration advocates appealed to his administration to utilize that workforce. At the end of July, when cases of COVID-19 were ebbing, Baker rescinded the order, a move that allowed those who received their license during the previous three months to continue practicing but barred any new applications.

Now, with cases rising fast and the state once again facing a shortage of health care workers, the Baker administration has gone strangely silent on why the program isn’t being resuscitated and even expanded beyond doctors."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/baker-goes-silent-on-foreign-trained-docs/

 

"HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Massachusetts immigrants could be impacted by President Biden’s immigration overhaul, which includes a massive bill sent to Congress on Wednesday that was accompanied by a series of executive orders.

Those orders, signed after Biden assumed the presidency, will reverse Trump-era travel bans that focused primarily on immigrants from Muslim countries. Another executive order allows young immigrants brought into the country without authorization to once again apply for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program, which former president Trump suspended in 2017. A third will reverse a memo signed into law by Trump in 2020 that excluded undocumented immigrants from Census counts. "

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/immigration/bidens-great-immigration-undoing/

FM #440 Justin Bates - Empowering Candidates 01/13/21 (audio)

FM #440 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 440 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Justin Bates, one of the leaders of the Franklin Area Against Racism (FAAR) Group. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Justin.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HVt0bVZS

 

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

INFORMATIONAL MEETING: SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 @ 3:00 PM

Follow the Facebook event for the connection info
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2587147061543240/permalink/2776472175944060/

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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 #440 Justin Bates - Empowering Candidates 01/13/21 (audio)

Project Envoy: eat out/take out, help out

When times are tough, folks get together to help out. 

Many folks will recognize the Franklin Interfaith Council as the collective of our local houses of worship. Members representing many of the church communities formed a Food Security Team.

The question was: "How to help the Franklin Food Pantry and the local restaurants both of which are being challenged by this pandemic?"

Project Envoy was conceived.

Project Envoy will advertise participation for specials at the participating restaurants. Folks can eat out or take out. A portion of the meal will help the Franklin Food Pantry for a win-win. 

The Franklin Food Pantry will maintain a web page with the participating restaurants and  specials. 

Members of the newly formed Franklin Interfaith Food Security Team have contacted all locally owned restaurants and establishments in Franklin. 

At the moment, Project Envoy has 8 confirmed restaurants enrolled, there are conversations with others underway. 

Project Envoy is expected to formally launch on February 1. You don't need to wait until then. You can eat out/take out and help out now. 

The 8 confirmed restaurants are: Dacey's Market, Franklin Pizza and Deli, Santa Fe, Rome, Acapulco, Franklin Central Pizza; George's Pizza; and Intermission Cafe

The Food Security Team members represent: St. Mary’s Parish, St. John’s Episcopal, Temple Etz Chaim, the First Universalist Society in Franklin, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, and the Franklin Federated Church.

Project Envoy: eat out/take out, help out

Franklin Matters Q & A - virtual session - Thursday, Jan 21

Franklin Matters Q & A with Steve Sherlock is scheduled for Thursday Jan. 21st at 1 PM

You can get a preview of my Franklin "watch list" for 2021. You can also ask questions. I'll either have the answer, or get it for you.

Email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend

Franklin Matters Q & A - virtual session - Thursday, Jan 21

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting, Thursday January 21, 7:00 PM

Hello to our members and supporters. The Greater Franklin Node of  350 Massachusetts will meet this week, Thursday, January 7th, at 7:00 pm.  Here are the the Zoom details, and a preview of the meeting.

 

Join Zoom Meeting. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86301333214?pwd=ZThLbEN4Ny9BOXBCdkgySlowYVFaQT09
Meeting ID: 863 0133 3214
Passcode: 350ma
Audio by phone: +1 646 876 9923  

 

There's no need to RSVP, and we'll send a reminder on Thursday.

 

This week we will devote much of the meeting to consider proposals for the 2021-2022 350 Mass Campaign. The Statewide Steering Team has collected proposals from throughout the organization, and all the Nodes are now weighing in.

       There are 13 proposals that we will review and rank. On the attached document you will find a form listing the proposals and providing links for more background (i.e., a video of a meeting at which the proposals were presented, the agenda from that meeting with links to descriptions of the proposals, and a file with short summaries of each).

       You are welcome to give us your input on the proposals. You may join the meeting on Thursday, or—if you are unable to attend—you can spend some time before Thursday evening to review the proposals and fill out the form and return it to ralph.halpern@comcast.net. 

       Whether you've been active in the past or not, we are happy to include you in this important planning and our upcoming projects. 

 

On another matter, we and our allies in the climate movement are very disappointed that Governor Baker chose to veto the Next Generation Roadmap Climate Bill, a bill that thousands of Massachusetts residents like you worked relentlessly to see passed into law. The Governor's excuses are misleading and disingenuous. Please read this article with our response.    

     Thankfully, all is not lost, as the House and Senate leadership have refiled this landmark legislation, promising to return it to the governor with enough votes to override a veto if it comes.      

      Action step: We must call, email and tweet at our representatives and state senators, urging them to resubmit the bill as is. Share this op-ed in CommonWealth Magazine and use the hashtag #VetoProofClimateBill to call on our legislators to support the bill once again. 

 

Thanks for your participation and support.

 

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel

Ralph Halpern

 

 

ralph.halpern@comcast.net

781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017 (c)

MIAA indoor track modifications for Fall II in process of approval

"In a virtual meeting Tuesday, the MIAA’s Cross Country & Track Committee unanimously approved modifications for the upcoming Fall II indoor season, scheduled to begin on Feb. 22.

The modifications must be approved by the MIAA’s Sports Medicine Committee, the COVID-19 Task Force, and the Board of Directors. Committee chair Pete Rittenburg, the athletic director at Brookline High, expects all three groups to approve the modifications by Friday, but the committee noted that finding facilities to host indoor track events would be difficult."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/19/sports/miaa-track-committee-approves-modifications-fall-ii-season/

The MIAA Track and Cross Country Committee unanimously agreed Tuesday to modifications for the Fall 2 and Spring seasons to send to the Sports Medicine Committee for approval.

Where some of those Fall 2 indoor track modifications will be implemented remains to be seen.

The Reggie Lewis Center expects to be closed for the duration of the academic year due to the pandemic. Boston University also said its facilities would not be available, as is the case with several other venues in the state.

Wheaton College scheduled four events this month for the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association, but told the MIAA that once students were back on campus next month, their facility would shut down.

Continue reading the article online 

https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/01/19/miaa-track-committee-meeting/