Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
"On February 22nd, student athletes will be returning to their cheer, football, volleyball, and winter track seasons after a long wait.
However, MIAA guidelines will be different this season in order to remain safe and socially-distanced.
Indoor facilities such as gyms will only be operating at 40% capacity following the Massachusetts Phase 3, Step 1 guidelines, and spectators at games will be limited to low numbers."
"Much has been said about getting students back to school quickly, but it is important that we do so safely. And in that regard, the legislature has been pushing the administration to enhance the safety of the experience by moving teachers to the front of the line on vaccine distribution. And we have called upon the administration to ramp up efforts to distribute vaccines at local distribution sites."
Continue reading Rep Roy's statement (rich with links)
Meeting ID: 960 7168 8574 Passcode: 871132 One tap mobile +16465588656,,96071688574#,,,,*871132# US (New York) +13017158592,,96071688574#,,,,*871132# US (Washington DC)
"WITH TUESDAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT by state officials that they want to see all elementary grade students back in classrooms five days a week by April, now comes the hard part of the details of how to do it.
Looming large in the challenge of getting students back into classrooms is a term that’s become part of the daily lexicon of pandemic policy debates: social distancing. Call it the elephant in the classroom.
Most public health recommendations have urged people to maintain at least six feet of separation from those not in their household. The federal Centers for Disease Control says six feet should also apply in school settings. But the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in guidelines for the school year released last June, said three feet is adequate.
The state guidelines encourage districts to “aim for six feet of distance between individuals where feasible,” but say maintaining a distance of three feet, in combination with other mitigation efforts, “is informed by evidence and balances the lower risk of COVID-19 transmission and the overarching benefits of in-person school.” The state guidelines note that this approach aligns with recommendations of the World Health Organization, which says one meter (three feet, three inches) of social distancing is adequate to reduce risk of transmitting coronavirus. "
Note: Actually while the social distancing is a key component of the debate, the other more important point is ignored by this article: prioritizing teachers for vaccines. Get them vaccinated, and the discussion will change significantly. There should still be some choice for individual families within districts to choose to be remote.
"HOUSE LAWMAKERS spent over an hour locked in a tense debate Wednesday afternoon on an unsuccessful transparency amendment to the Legislature’s 2021-2022 joint rules before ultimately adopting a rules package to govern interactions between the two branches that strips a few elements of the Senate’s proposed reforms.
The House approved a rules package on a 128-31 vote that would keep a notice requirement for committee hearings at 72 hours, rather than the one week proposed by the Senate; make public only the names of committee members who vote against favorably reporting a bill, instead of providing a complete accounting of how all members vote, as the Senate version would; and remove Senate language which would have mandated that committees share copies of public testimony when asked by members of the public.
Most of the debate Wednesday centered on an amendment that would have made details of all committee votes public, mandated a one-week notice for committee hearings, and made public testimony on bills available to the public upon request. The House rejected the amendment on a 36-122 vote with nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats voting in favor."
"Franklin restaurants and local people in need are both getting some community support during the pandemic as a result of a new initiative.
Through the Project Envoy campaign, residents are encouraged to patronize participating local restaurants — either through indoor dining or takeout meals. In turn, the restaurants are donating some of the proceeds from those sales to the Franklin Food Pantry.
A program of the Franklin Interfaith Council’s Food Security Team, Project Envoy began Feb. 1 and will continue through April 30. Organizers said the initiative is intended to provide a boost to local restaurants and to help families who have had difficulty meeting their food needs during COVID-19."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
The March schedule of restaurants has been posted. April will be posted at the end of March. Visit the Project Envoy page to view/download a copy of the calendar
FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) tweeted on Tue, Feb 23, 2021:
"Another very successful winter season in the books. All teams had winning records... and 5 Hock Championships: Boys Ice, Girls Basketball (undefeated) Gymnastics (undefeated) Girls Swim (undefeated) Boys Swim (undefeated)!!! Congratulations athletes & coaches! #PantherPride"
"For anybody who hasn’t already seen Jame’s Fredrick’s video “A Roundtable Discussion of Racism in Franklin,” it’s definitely worth a watch.
The video documents a discussion organized by Diversity Awareness Club President Ndoumbe Ndoye and Town Council Member Cobi Frongillo, where many FHS students of color met together to share their experiences growing up in predominantly white Franklin.
Students recounted times when they had been insulted or felt unwelcome in their community because of the color of their skin.
Students have experienced both overt racism, such as use of racial slurs and hate speech, and more casual and ingrained racism."
Learn more about the discussion that raised awareness of racism in Franklin here: https://t.co/YoT0LceNcy
Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda) Thursday, February 25, 2021 - 6:00 PM
Agenda
“The listing 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.”
I.Electronic Distribution of Approved Policies
1.BEDB - Order of Business
2.Policy Distribution Folder
II.Discussion of Policies sent to School Committee
A. None
III.Policy Revisions & New Policies - New Discussion Item
"It's that time of year again! Spring is right around the corner and it's time to consider installing a rain barrel at your home. The Great American Rain Barrel Company is offering Franklin residents discounted barrels for just $69. Residents may then apply for a $50 water conservation rebate from the DPW for a total cost of only $19 (rebates are limited to two per household)!
Order before midnight on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 and pick up at the DPW Admin Office (257 Fisher St, Franklin) on Wednesday, May 12, from 4-6 PM."
"TAKING DIRECT AIM at Massachusetts school districts and teachers unions that have been reluctant to return to in-person instruction, state education commissioner Jeff Riley said he wants to use state education regulations to push districts to bring students back to the classroom.
Riley said Tuesday that he wants to see elementary grade students back in school five days a week in April, with older grades possibly to follow after that.
Adopting a much more aggressive posture than state officials have taken in a debate that has divided the education community, Riley said he’ll seek authorization to deem remote instruction not eligible to be counted toward state-required “structured learning time” hours. The proposal, unveiled Tuesday morning to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, would give Riley leverage in pushing districts back into in-person classes, something he, Education Secretary Jim Peyser, and Gov. Charlie Baker have been urging more schools to do for months. "
