MetroWest Daily News: "Franklin High athletics nearly perfect this winter"

Via FHS_Gymnastics we find:

"Great article proud to be part of this exceptional group of coaches and student athletes! #pantherpride @FHSSports @fhsgymboosters @FranklinMatters @KatCornetta"

 

"The Franklin High girls basketball team went undefeated, again, this winter.

Granted, this past season was only 10 games long. But still, the Panthers kept their unbeaten streak alive at 35 straight games, spanning across the last two seasons.

"Our girls basketball team, under the direction of John Leighton, has been simply outstanding," Franklin High athletic director Tom Angelo said. "Coach Leighton preached (that) this is one game at a time. Last year's season is over, last game doesn't matter, it’s this next game and that was their focus."

It was that mentality that helped the Panthers continue their success on the court following a 25-0 season last year and a Division 1 co-state championship title. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/sports/2021/03/02/franklin-high-athletics-has-nearly-perfect-winter-sports-season/6853095002/

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1366780488988327937

M.A.S.S. (@massupt): DESE updates guidance on singing indoors

M.A.S.S. (@massupt) tweeted on Tue, Mar 02, 2021:

"DESE has received approval for schools to allow singing indoors if in-person school is occurring. Singers must wear a mask & be at least 10 feet away from each other plus more.... The updated guidance is here: "

https://t.co/02ffh6vw7M  or via this link:  https://mailchi.mp/doe.mass.edu/commissioners-weekly-update-3-1-21-board-recap-pooled-testing-indoor-singing#updatedgui

Shared via Twitter:  https://twitter.com/massupt/status/1366768316132581389

M.A.S.S. (@massupt): DESE updates guidance on singing indoors

Meeting Notice: 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node - Mar 4 = 7:00 PM

The Greater Franklin Node of  350 Massachusetts will meet this week, Thursday, March 4th, at 7:00 pm.  

 

Join on Zoom 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09

Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755   Passcode: 350ma  Audio by phone: 1-646-876-9923

 

Residents of Franklin and nearby cities and towns are invited to attend. We will discuss ongoing legislative developments at the State House around climate action, including greater reliance on renewable sources of energy for electricity, home heating, and transportation. We are also planning local activities to educate and engage our communities about climate, renewable energy, home improvements, and related topics. We want to collaborate with groups and individuals from the region who share the same concerns, so all our cities and towns can benefit. Please join us to learn and contribute.  

 

350 Massachusetts for a Better Future (https://350mass.betterfutureproject.org/) is building a powerful statewide social movement to confront the climate crisis, hold our politicians accountable and undermine the destructive influence of the fossil fuel industry. Our name comes from 350 parts per million, the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

350 Mass is made up of several local volunteer-led chapters we call "nodes" around the state that carry out both municipal-level and statewide campaigns, coordinated by a Statewide Steering Team (SST). The Greater Franklin Node includes Franklin and close to twenty nearby communities. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, at 7:00 pm.

 

For questions and information, contact the node co-coordinators, carolyncbarthel@gmail.com and/or ralph.halpern@comcast.net.

 

Ralph Halpern

ralph.halpern@comcast.net

781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017 (c) 

 

 

Meeting Notice, 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node - Mar 4 = 7:00 PM

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka - Priority for teacher vaccination plan

"A top priority for everyone in government, whether at the local, state or federal level, should be getting our students and teachers and staff back into the classroom safely. Getting students back into the classroom, where they learn best, should be a local decision which will depend upon a variety of factors. If the Governor wants to mandate opening elementary schools across the Commonwealth to in-person learning by April 1^st, the Administration must have an equitable plan that gives communities the necessary support and resources to do that. Among those resources, we need a vaccine program for teachers and staff that is aggressive, and we need it this month. As more vaccine doses become available to the state, I am calling on the Governor to designate a percentage of those doses to be administered to teachers and staff in their communities."

Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland)

 

"human operators will do little to offset the biases of AI programming"

"The New York police department has acquired a robotic police dog, known as Digidog, and has deployed it on the streets of Brooklyn, Queens and, most recently, the Bronx. At a time that activists in New York, and beyond, are calling for the defunding of police departments – for the sake of funding more vital services that address the root causes of crime and poverty – the NYPD’s decision to pour money into a robot dog seems tone-deaf if not an outright provocation.

As Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents parts of Queens and the Bronx, put it on Twitter: “Shout out to everyone who fought against community advocates who demanded these resources go to investments like school counseling instead. Now robotic surveillance ground drones are being deployed for testing on low-income communities of color with underresourced schools.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/02/nypd-police-robodog-patrols

The Guardian: "'Sexism stands at the door': 11 female film-makers written out of mainstream Hollywood history"

"Everything we’re told about cinema is that it’s shaped by men. If women feature at all in many Hollywood histories, it’s to look gorgeous on screen and lead interesting personal lives off it.

But this narrative has been warped, consciously and not, by the men who have dominated film-making for almost a century, ignoring the women who made films, challenged the studio system – and helped bring it down.

The battle for equality on the screen is still being fought. Things are slowly changing for the better – witness Chloé Zhao’s victory at Sunday’s Golden Globes – but it comes too late for generations who have been locked out of Hollywood’s corridors of power. Their stories are still too-little discussed. Here are 11 women whose ill-treatment illustrates Hollywood’s alternative history." 

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/mar/02/sexism-stands-at-the-door-11-female-film-makers-written-out-of-mainstream-hollywood-history

Help fight COVID vaccine scams: Share these tips with those you know

Help fight COVID vaccine scams: Share these tips with those you know by Colleen Tressler, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC Since the start of the pandemic, people are spending a lot more time alone at home. What's more, there's a lot of confusion about when, how, and where to sign up and get vaccinated.  Add those two things together, and you get scammers taking advantage and spreading false information, hoping isolated people will believe their lies. Read more > https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/03/help-fight-covid-vaccine-scams-share-these-tips-those-you-know  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Help fight COVID vaccine scams: Share these tips with those you know

“We’re not going to want to dredge and fill forever”

"Officials in Miami-Dade County, where climate models predict two feet or more of sea-level rise by 2060, have released an upbeat strategy for living with more water, one that focused on elevating homes and roads, more dense construction farther inland and creating more open space for flooding in low-lying areas.

That blueprint, made public on Friday, portrayed rising seas as mostly manageable, especially for a low-lying area with a century of experience managing water.

Climate experts, though, warned that the county’s plan downplayed the magnitude of the threat, saying it failed to warn residents and developers about the risk of continuing to build near the coast in a county whose economy depends heavily on waterfront real estate."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/02/climate/miami-sea-level-rise.html

Does Boston have a plan for rising tides? Does the Cape have a plan?

FM #476 - Talk Franklin - 02/26/21 (audio)

FM #476 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 476 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Re-opening changes effective March 1
• Vaccine – readiness, awaiting supply (if provided)

 
Looking back

SchComm meeting

• Vaccine update
• Ventilation update
• District newsletter

Finance Committee meeting

• Debt and borrowing overview

Looking ahead

• Community Preservation Committee organizational meeting - 3/2
• School Committee legislative Forum - 3/2 
• Board of Health meeting - 3/3
• Economic Development - 3/3  How to setup to do business? (Franklin Business Guide)
• Town Council meeting - 3/3  MBTA downtown station

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b3b29add-6c3e-4220-854e-d3e9ac70ed70

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

School Committee recap
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/school-committee-meeting-2232021-recap.html 

District newsletter
https://www.franklinps.net/district/news/fps-district-newsletter

Finance Committee meeting audio
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/fm-474-finance-committee-mtg-022421.html 

Agenda docs and connection info to the Town of Franklin meetings found on the calendar
https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar 

-------------- 

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/  or www.franklin.news/

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 #476 - Talk Franklin - 02/26/21 (audio)

Two $1000 Scholarships Offered by Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847, Franklin, MA

Knights of Columbus 1847 in Franklin, MA is accepting applications for 2- $1000 Scholarships. The applicants must be a registered member of St. Mary's Parish in Franklin, and must be graduating from High School in the Spring 2021 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/ university. Please submit a complete our Scholarship Application postmarked on or before the Application Deadline of Friday April 16, 2021.

The application form is available from the banner on the St. Mary's Parish, Franklin website or on the Knights of Columbus 1847 website https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847, St. Mary's Parish c/o Mike Swan, 38 Madison Ave., Franklin, MA 02038.

The award will be given to the recipients upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

Please contact Mike Swan for more information at 508-404-4792. 

https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program

"Go For The Green!" Online Silent Auction - opens March 7

 
Big Fundraising News!!
The "Go for the Green" Online Auction
Is coming in March

Welcome to our exciting virtual fundraiser!

Bidding will last 10 days, from March 7^th @ noon to 

St. Patrick's Day-March 17th @ 8 pm

 

In March, we will explain how to access the auction and spread the word.
 

Join the fun! Help us help Franklin Federated Church. 

      More information to follow before March 7. For updates check out franklinfederated.org

 

Town of Franklin, MA: Read the March 2021 Newsletter Here!

Hello Franklin!  The March edition of the Town of Franklin newsletter is now available.  Stay connected and updated with what is happening in town.  

Newsletter = https://t.co/AdkDTwKPmR

Or use this link = https://myemail.constantcontact.com/March-2021--E-Newsletter.html?soid=1134219428814&aid=T31XgmNEVf4

 Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/MmQCVx4D9G

 

Town of Franklin, MA: Read the March 2021 Newsletter Here!

Franklin Public Schools, MA: K-5, 6-8 and FHS communications from Superintendent Sara Ahern

Please find the latest K-5, 6-8 and FHS communications from Superintendent Sara Ahern posted on our Reopening site  

 

FPS Reopening site =https://t.co/av14MmSQep  

 

Elementary = https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DhCmqQmEqxlt9tZZRc5IcQ6GICqM5bjt/view

 

Middle School = https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y5wUgfzWGe2yoScvTCsXGNHK4cV-g3FY/view?usp=sharing

 

High school =  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lNqnP6ISwVubfI9gjhYf4JbSakjFMgbX/view?usp=sharing

K-5, 6-8 and FHS communications from Superintendent Sara Ahern

Pantherbook: "COVID-19’s Impact on FHS Faculty"

 

"COVID-19 has brought many schools new challenges and experiences which they have not faced before. Franklin High School principal, Joshua Hanna, says he is impressed with the students, parents, and facility’s hard work and positive attitude which he believes will allow us to get back to an in-person learning model.

Challenges

When asked what major impact did Covid-19 have on FHS staff, Mr. Hanna responded, “becoming crisis responsive regarding new regulations that have never been implemented before.” Schools were shut down almost a year ago and since then, a myriad of new regulations and safety precautions have been issued. As a result, teachers had to get quickly accustomed to educating students in socially distant classrooms or virtual google meets."

Continue reading the article online at Pantherbook
https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2021/02/25/covid-19s-impact-on-fhs-faculty/ 

Pantherbook: "COVID-19’s Impact on FHS Faculty" (image by Amulya Chirravuri, Writer)

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Safe Buildings Initiatives (from SchComm Mtg 2/23/21)

"Learn more about the Safe Buildings Initiative and UVGI technology from the Director of Public Facilities, Mike D'Angelo "

The presentation deck  https://t.co/x4jEKdDprS  

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1366433696505544706

 

Listen to the audio from the School Committee meeting on Feb 23, 2021 while you follow along with the presentation deck  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/fm-473-school-committee-meeting-022321.html

Safe Buildings Initiatives (from SchComm Mtg 2/23/21)

Superintendent Sara Ahern and Director of Public Facilities, Mike D'Angelo