Friday, February 26, 2021

What can reopen in MA beginning Monday, March 1

 

"In the clearest sign yet of confidence that the state is getting a handle on COVID, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a broad set of new reopening orders, including clearing the way for fans at Fenway Park for the Red Sox home opener on April 1. Perhaps not coincidentally, Baker’s headline-grabbing proclamation came less than an hour after he finished testifying at a Beacon Hill oversight hearing, where lawmakers ripped him over the troubled rollout of the state’s vaccine sign-up website.

Starting Monday, Baker said theaters and other performance venues can reopen with 50 percent capacity limits and restaurants will have no overall capacity limits as long they maintain six feet of distance between tables and have parties of no more than six people, who remain for no more than 90 minutes."

Continue reading the article online 
 
Boston Globe coverage of the move to re-open and change restrictions 
(subscription may be required) https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/25/metro/baker-outlines-plans-ease-host-covid-19-restrictions-businesses-gatherings-starting-soon-monday/
 
What is authorized to re-open on Monday March 1

Gov Baker's press conference announcing the re-opening steps

"he was at the same time hampering their efforts by taking away their ability to proctor the shot"

 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER was in the hot seat Thursday morning as the Legislature’s 17-member committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management grilled him over the state’s rollout of vaccines.

Baker followed familiar themes in his remarks, ticking off the state’s fairly strong metrics in administering vaccines and acknowledging a rollout that has been “lumpy and bumpy” at times. But several lawmakers hammered him on the performance of the state website used to find and reserve a booking for a vaccination. The website, which crashed repeatedly last week, held up on Thursday but still yielded a fairly unsatisfactory performance.

“It hasn’t been lumpy and bumpy,” said Sen. Eric Lesser of Longmeadow. “It’s been a failure.”

Continue reading the article online
 
Boston Globe coverage of Gov Baker's appearance at the hearing
(subscription may be required)
 
Coverage on Secretary Sudders' comments: 

And yet another pivot in the distribution plan: 
(subscription may be required)


Thursday, February 25, 2021

FM #470 - Interview with State Rep Jeff Roy - 02/22/21 (audio)

FM #470 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 470 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin’s State Representative Jeffrey Roy. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 
  • Indoor riding to prepare for his 19th PanMass Challenge
  • Thursday night continues COVID-19 modified rehearsal with Ben Gardner’s Boat 
  • Outlook for 2021
  • Pandemic, vaccine, oversight of Gov Baker and pandemic process
  • Committee assignment: Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities, and Energy
  • What bills did you Intro/or re-introduce for this session
Links to Jeff's personal web page as well as his Legislative pages are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 42 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jeff.  Audio file = 
https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c7fea725-a210-4022-8eeb-1024c04e576a


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

Rep Roy’s State Legislator profile page which lists the bills he filed for the 192nd Session  https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/JNR1 

Rep Roy’s personal page  https://jeffreyroy.com/ 

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

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"

Rep Roy on his tour of UMass Medical in Nov 2019 as part of his visits to all 29 MA Commonwealth public colleges
Rep Roy on his tour of UMass Medical in Nov 2019 as part of his visits to all 29 MA Commonwealth public colleges

Town of Franklin, MA: Health Director, Cathleen Liberty on COVID-19 vaccines

What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines from Franklin Health Director, Cathleen Liberty. https://t.co/rsKCqaB1GA (audio slide show)
#DoYourPartFranklin #TrustTheFactsGetTheVax  
Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/z7UScvIDW4


Health Director, Cathleen Liberty on COVID-19 vaccines
Health Director, Cathleen Liberty on COVID-19 vaccines

Hockomock Area YMCA Awarded Grant From Dean Bank

The Hockomock Area YMCA has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Dean Bank for the Y’s annual Reach Out Campaign.

“For almost two decades, Dean Bank has helped our YMCA address the ever-changing needs of our shared community through values-based programming and services.  Dean Bank's philanthropic investments over the years, especially through Reach Out,  have enriched the lives of our neighbors through progressive community impact to meet the often urgent needs of those who face life's unforeseen challenges, and I am deeply grateful for their partnership, engagement, and confidence in our YMCA's mission,” states Hockomock Area YMCA CEO Ed Hurley.

The Reach Out Campaign is a volunteer- and community-driven annual fundraising effort serving as the cornerstone of its philanthropic outreach across the 15 communities the Y serves.

The Hockomock Area YMCA has for decades invited Y members, volunteers, neighbors, partners, collaborators, vendors and friends in the community to join in raising funds to provide confidential scholarship assistance, program subsidies, and essential services for those who are facing challenges in their lives.  

The essence of Reach Out and a cornerstone of the Hockomock Y’s mission is that nobody is turned away because of their inability to pay.

Each contribution to this campaign provides confidential scholarships for those who otherwise could not enjoy a Y experience due to financial struggles. This is an opportunity to feel welcomed as part of the YMCA  family and for kids to enjoy summer camps, swim lessons, and out-of-school child care programs.  

Reach Out also subsidizes mission-driven programs, including our Teen Centers, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, and participation in our Teen Center programming and sports, as examples, designed to address the increasing problem of bullying in and outside of school.

Additionally, Reach Out helps make it possible for our YMCA to deliver essential services to our neighbors experiencing hardships, such as food insecurity, emergency child care during extremely challenging times, and backpacks for kids who cannot afford them at the start of a school year.

In 2020, the Reach Out program provided $1.9 million in confidential scholarships and subsidies, 247,439 grab and go meals, and 25,242 bags of groceries, valued at $50 each. 

The Hockomock Area YMCA is extremely grateful for the long-standing relationship with Dean Bank and for its continued generosity for its mission-driven work.  

For more information please contact Katie Moore at KatieM@hockymca.org or 508.643.5265. 

About Hockomock Area YMCA:
Where Cause Meets Community.  At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

 
Hockomock Area YMCA Awarded Grant From Dean Bank
Hockomock Area YMCA Awarded Grant From Dean Bank

Joint Senate and House #MACOVIDOversight Committee - Feb 25 - 11 AM

MA State Senate (@MA_Senate) tweeted on Wed, Feb 24, 2021:
Tomorrow at 11, the Joint Senate and House #MACOVIDOversight Committee will hold a hearing to examine the Commonwealth's #COVID19 Vaccine Rollout. 
This is the first in a series of oversight hearings the committee will hold on topics related to the pandemic. #mapoli https://t.co/Xc023wKVZT

Join the LiveStream = https://malegislature.gov/Events/SpecialEvents/Detail/374

 

Joint Senate and House #MACOVIDOversight Committee - Feb 25 - 11 AM
Joint Senate and House #MACOVIDOversight Committee - Feb 25 - 11 AM

 


Pantherbook: "Fall II Preview- What’s Different?"

 

"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."
Continue reading the article online
 
Previously published here are the Fall II sports modifications from the MIAA
 
and an update
 
Pantherbook: "Fall II Preview- What’s Different?"
Pantherbook: "Fall II Preview- What’s Different?"

 
The outdoor track and football field have been cleared of snow
The outdoor track and football field have been cleared of snow


Mock Trial Prosecution Team tops Hingham

Pantherbook (@FHSPantherbook) tweeted on Wed, Feb 24, 2021:

Congrats to the Mock Trial Prosecution team which defeated Hingham yesterday 105-96.  
Every performer yesterday earned an exemplary score: Katie Rabovsky, Carrie Rawan, Derek Halet, Aadit Bhatia, Grace Newton, Akash Shetty, Dom Sackley, Anton Sackley, and Ankit Boruah.


State Rep Jeffrey Roy: Vaccine updates on teachers and local sites

"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)

 
a copy of the letter from Rep. Roy and colleagues on the teacher vaccine priority issue
a copy of the letter from Rep. Roy and colleagues on the teacher vaccine priority issue




Hear about "Boston Made" with Alan Earls - virtual meeting Thursday at 2 PM


Hear about "Boston Made" with Alan Earls
Hear about "Boston Made" with Alan Earls


Click below to join "Boston Made" Thursday FEBRUARY, 25 at 2pm
https://zoom.us/j/96071688574?pwd=blYveStuNENTeUFnaHZSU3pDQjRqUT09

Meeting ID: 960 7168 8574      Passcode: 871132
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,96071688574#,,,,*871132# US (New York)
+13017158592,,96071688574#,,,,*871132# US (Washington DC)


--
Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator
Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll
There is no act of kindness too small


CommonWealth Magazine: "Distancing debate key to school reopenings"

 

"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. "

Continue reading the article online
 
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. 
 

"The Senate now decides how to handle the House’s changes"

 

"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."
Continue reading the article online

 

Town of Franklin, MA: Reminder on lobby hours at the Municipal building

REMINDER: 
 
Current lobby hours at the Municipal building are as follows:
8:00am - 2:00pm Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 1:00pm Friday

The drive-up window is open regular business hours. Lobby hours are posted on our website homepage  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/current-lobby-hours
 
Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/lEVIRWijjh


Reminder on lobby hours at the Municipal building
Reminder on lobby hours at the Municipal building

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Boston Globe: "Project Envoy supports Franklin restaurants, residents in need"

"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

Boston Globe: "Project Envoy supports Franklin restaurants, residents in need"
Boston Globe: "Project Envoy supports Franklin restaurants, residents in need"


Sofia shares how the Franklin Food Pantry helps her

"Meet Sofia and hear how the Pantry has impacted her life:"

 Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/tSD22y6CV5

Note: Sofia's name and image have been changed to protect her identity.

A PDF copy of Sofia's story: https://t.co/noiYtk717g
You can visit the Food Pantry to make a contribution to help Sofia and more of our neighbors



Sofia shares how the Franklin Food Pantry helps her
Sofia shares how the Franklin Food Pantry helps her


Franklin High School Athletics: Winter Sports Season Summary

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"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1364285642390306822

Winter Sports Season Summary
 Winter Sports Season Summary

Pantherbook: "many students feel that the topic is ignored by the town’s residents"


"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

Direct link to the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XwBOqz_e9Zs

Franklin Public Schools: Policy Sub Committee Meeting - Feb 25

Policy Sub Committee Meeting

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


Franklin Public Schools: Policy Sub Committee Meeting - Feb 25
Franklin Public Schools: Policy Sub Committee Meeting - Feb 25


Rain barrel orders available - Water conservation rebates now available

"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."

Click here for more information or to order: https://www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/

How to apply for a water conservation rebate:


Rain barrel orders available
Rain barrel orders available


"Riley’s announcement got a mixed reception"

 

"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. "

Continue reading the article online
 
Gov Baker's Press Conference video = https://youtu.be/r1_cncW2Tqo

FHS A World of Difference: video on Angela Davis

FHS A World of Difference (@Franklin_AWOD) tweeted on Tue, Feb 23, 2021:

Today's Black History Month Video is on human rights activist, scholar, and author: Angela Davis! https://t.co/UnVfVHteZ6




 

CommonWealth Magazine: "With ‘cliff’ looming, T stalls for time"

"MBTA officials are planning to put off the release of a new, five-year capital plan until June 2022, a move that reflects the financial uncertainty caused by the coronavirus and also the political calculus of a governor running out of funding options for the T’s ambitious capital spending program.

 It may sound like a minor issue, but good government types recommend setting out capital spending targets in five-year increments. The Government Finance Officers Association says a multi-year plan is the best way to ensure proper development and management of capital assets and send a message to contractors that the money for projects is in the pipeline. “A capital plan should cover a period of at least three years, preferably five or more,” the association says."

Continue reading the article online

Learn more about the MBTA's capital projects https://www.mbta.com/projects/building-better-t-2020

tree clearing along the Franklin Line to prepare for the PTC improvements
tree clearing along the Franklin Line to prepare for the PTC improvements



The Guardian: "Drug-sniffing dog finds cereal frosted with $2.8m worth of cocaine in Ohio"

"US customs agents made a surprise discovery when a sniffer dog investigated what looked to be a perfectly innocent shipment of frosted cereal, only to discover that the sugar coating was in fact a large amount of cocaine.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Bico, a narcotic detector dog with US Customs and Border Protection, uncovered the haul of drugs in a shipment of breakfast cereal from South America that was headed to Hong Kong.

“Officers found white powder and the flakes were coated in a grayish substance after the dog alerted on the shipment,” the paper reported.

The value of the drug was estimated at $2.8m."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Finance Committee meeting - starting time changed to 6:30 PM Feb 24, 2021

 Finance Committee Meeting

February 24, 2021 - 6:30 PM 
(note time change)(was 6 PM)
 
Agenda
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes
a. January 13, 2021
4. Debt and Borrowing presentation
a. Kerri Bertone, Treasurer & Christopher Sandini, Finance Director/Comptroller
5. Fire Department Update
a. ALS/BLS and Mileage Rate Changes
b. Fire Truck Borrowing Resolution
6. Stabilization Funds Update & Comparabiles
7. Future Agenda Items
8. Adjourn


The full agenda and meeting documents (Note - doc was updated on Monday to show a change in start time from 6 to 6:30 PM)

In case you missed the Town Council discussion on the Finance presentation, you get another chance at this on Wednesday night. If you have a question that wasn't asked the first time around, now you have a chance of getting an answer.

Note the explanation on non-excluded debt vs. excluded debt and how both are funded.

Franklin Public Schools: Reopening Status update for SchCommMtg Feb 24, 2021

The Reopening Update for the School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 24, 2021 was posted to the meeting packet page. It had not been available on the weekend when the agenda was shared here on Sunday (likely due to the schools vacation last week).

Reopening Status:   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/reopening_schools_status_update_feb_18_2020-2021.pdf


Agenda doc  

Meeting packet folder (with all docs for this meeting - note - some released after the meeting)  

Reopening Status update for SchCommMtg Feb 24, 2021
Reopening Status update for SchCommMtg Feb 24, 2021


Info on "Google Meet Difficulties?"

"Have you been noticing that your Google Meet view has not been functioning consistently lately?  You’re not alone! 

As Google develops new features in the Google Meet app, some extensions, such as the popular Grid View Extension, can experience disruptions due to incompatibilities with newer versions of the native Google Meet.  In fact, the developer of the Grid View extension has basically retired the extensions and removed it from the webstore.  He has indicated that it is unlikely that the app will be maintained going forward."

Continue reading the article online

Info on "Google Meet Difficulties?"
Info on "Google Meet Difficulties?"


Stronger Together is our Y’s new team training and personal training programs

Starting March 1st, we will begin this new premier personal training program at our Bernon Family Branch in Franklin. Workouts are completed in a private, dedicated space used for Stronger Together clients only on the second floor of our Franklin Y.

Start with an assessment to learn about the program: Stronger Together programs start with a free Starting Point Session. The 60-minute session allows our trainer to learn about your goals and challenges, observe your movement quality and create the perfect plan for you!

The Starting Point Session will include:

  • Finding out more about you: your goals, limitations, and health history.
  • Giving you a tour of our dedicated Stronger Together personal training area.
  • Assessing movement patterns with a Functional Movement Screen to help find the right exercises specifically for you.
  • Go through a light workout so you can experience the different tools we use during Stronger Together workouts.
  • Provide recommendations on a program that suits your goals, time and budget.

All of this information will be used to help create your training program and keep you injury free along the way!

BE HEALTHY. BE STRONG. BELONG.

What is Stronger Together?

  • Stronger Together is powered by Alloy®, a premier personal training system helping people look and feel their absolute best. Alloy’s programs are tested in real facilities, and created by degreed exercise physiologists, doctors of physical therapy, registered dietitians and other behavioral specialists.
  • Team Training is a 45 minute workout perfect for those who want coaching from a personal trainer every time they come to the gym and enjoy the dynamics of group workouts. We offer 3 great options for Team Training – Foundations for beginners, Afterburn for advanced metabolic training and Industrial Strength for a true strength training option – and members can do unlimited sessions each month. $89 per month.
  • Personal training is perfect for clients with specific goals, injuries and those who do not prefer to work in larger groups. We can accommodate nearly all fitness levels and health issues in this setting. For those with more experience in fitness, we program more advanced exercises, which require more hands-on coaching. We begin to introduce lower repetition ranges and focus on those with strength goals. Also, we work on corrective strategies to help clients improve their movement restrictions. Team Training is included in all one-on-one personal training programs as a way to supplement the workouts. Options include up to 4, 8 and 12 sessions per month, and cost ranges from $179 to $419 per month.
Workouts are scheduled appointments to make sure you stay on track with getting started. Track your progress and communicate with your trainer with a custom mobile app. You’ll schedule your monthly personal meetings to discuss basic nutrition coaching, goal-setting and strategy. These personalized sessions are designed to keep you on track… so you can be on your way to reaching your goals.

Tailored to your goals, time and budget: our monthly programs allow you the most flexibility in scheduling workouts and finding a program that’s works for you.

Grand Opening Offers Available for a Limited Time Only!

The 30-Day PT Experience is a great way to try Stronger Together to determine which type of training is best for you. Included in the 30 days is a one-on-one Starting Point health assessment, Two 45-minute one-on-one personal training sessions, and unlimited team training sessions. All sessions run approximately 45 minutes. Get to know our friendly, experienced trainers, meet other members and see first-hand the results possible with Stronger Together. One time special promotional rate for new clients only at $89. Only available to our members, for a limited time only!

All of our Hockomock Y members have $50 personal Y Bucks to use towards any Stronger Together personal training program. Members can use towards the 30-Day PT Experience, brining it to $39. This is a limited time only, grand opening offer. Certain restrictions may apply.

How to Get Started:

Contact our Fitness & Personal Training Director Chris Raymond at chrisr@hockymca.org or 774-235-2732 to get started with us today. Let’s get Stronger Together!

Stronger Together is our Y’s new team training and personal training programs
Stronger Together is our Y’s new team training and personal training programs


FHS: Letter from Sara Ahern and Joshua Hanna

February 22, 2021


Dear Franklin High School Families,

We are writing to keep you informed about instruction at FHS. We are aware that many families have been expressing concerns regarding our current hybrid model. We want to share some information with you about instruction currently and our plans ahead.

We are responding to concerns that more students are opting to stay remote. We started the year with an operating theory that we would build a strong remote learning platform from which we could easily pivot to hybrid or back to remote (anticipating at that time that we would experience rolling closures). Some other districts' hybrid models involve a significantly higher proportion of asynchronous learning or other workaround including grab and go lunches after a partial school day. When asked to submit structured learning time hours for HS, we easily met (and still meet} the new regulations when they were issued. As far as student achievement goes, our students are meeting with success, given the less than ideal circumstances. Many school districts across the country are reporting higher failure rates during the pandemic. For both quarter 1 and quarter 2, our failures are near the, same rates as pre-pandemic circumstances (although we would love to see them even better).

This strong remote platform is being leveraged now by students who are either fully committing to remote or who chose to stay remote for a period of time. We started with around 325 remote only students at the beginning of hybrid. We saw an increase in the number of students staying out and learning remotely during the weeks following winter break due to escalating community-wide COVIO numbers.

We recently resurveyed families, asking for a commitment for Semester 2 and about 500 students have fully committed to Remote Only at this point in time. At this point, our cohort sizes are around 400 students per week. We have seen an increase in the number of students attending in person in recent weeks (particularly the week prior to break) and the number of 200-250 students being present is not an accurate representation of HS attendance.

It is true that classes vary in terms of the numbers of in person students present and some are quite small. In walking through on the same day. an observer might see classes of 2-3 students and also classes of 8-9 students. We will never be able to have an sections be identical in size given the complexity of the HS schedule. Our classrooms fit about 12 seats at 6 feet of distancing but to rely on a cohorting average of 12 would mean that some sections would be too big and students wouldn't fit (126 sections at FHS have more than 26 students in them for semester 2).

With smaller cohorts than we previously started with, the HS administrative team has been systematically inviting in high needs students to school every week. These students emerge from the IST (Instructional Support Team) process where a team of educators discuss student progress and apply appropriate interventions. About 160 students have been invited in in the past four weeks as a result of IST.

We have done some preliminary analysis to examine collapsing cohorts from 3 to 2. In order to accomplish this, several staff members would need to spend about 3 weeks hand selecting new cohorts. Additionally, we would need to involve our transportation office to do the same with busing. This is not insignificant and realistically, it would likely take about 3 weeks.

We are constrained by a few additional spaces/factors as well which create additional considerations for our planning - our cafeteria holds 170 for lunch and we run multiple lunches (4). Our auditorium holds 75 which sometimes holds study hall students or combined classes, if needed.

Please know that we are both eager to expand in person school as soon as possible and as safely as possible. The CDC guidance that was issued before February break is a helpful guide. The CDC guidance draws some distinctions on decisions related to instructional models with and without pool testing. As you know, the district is exploring poof testing as a way to screen for the presence of COVID in our school community. This tool. combined with information about community spread, can be useful in making instructional model decisions including when to have in person learning, when to be hybrid, and when to be remote. Schools also have received new transportation guidance from DESE that came out last week. DESE has eased some  of the  space restrictions for  busing which will facilitate more students  in person in our schools.

Given the investment adjusting the cohorts would take, our approach will be instead to review the new guidance and learnings from the pool test pilot and work with the Reopening Monitoring Team to further develop a plan for a fuller return to school. as communicated in a recent message (February 10. 2021).

In the meantime, the administration will continue to identify students through the IST process who will benefit from more in person instruction inviting them to attend more frequently.

Kind regards,
Sara Ahern and Josh Hanna


Shared from the FHS PCC (@FHS_PCC) tweet on Mon, Feb 22, 2021:
"Letter from Sara Ahern and Joshua Hanna https://t.co/VCIz4BdTTn"
FHS: Letter from Sara Ahern and Joshua Hanna
FHS: Letter from Sara Ahern and Joshua Hanna




Boston Globe: "Legislature drops deference to Baker as it more stridently questions vaccine rollout"

 

"The Massachusetts Legislature, which has seemed content to allow the executive branch to lead the state’s fight against the coronavirus, is poised to assert itself this week, summoning Governor Charlie Baker and his top aides before a new oversight committee to demand answers about the state’s coronavirus vaccine rollout.

Thursday’s live-streamed hearing — billed as the first of many — presents both an opportunity and a test for state lawmakers to press top Baker administration figures, including the governor himself, on what they’ve so far criticized in tweets and public statements as a shoddy and unpredictable distribution process.

It’s also a rare flex of legislative authority, and one of several signals that Democratic leaders are stepping beyond the role of the deferential partner to Baker in the state’s response to the pandemic."

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The link to the planned session doesn't appear to be available yet. It should be posted to this page eventually.  https://malegislature.gov/Events


CommonWealth Magazine: "MBTA tries new approach with commuter rail cuts"


"WITH NO EXPECTATION of a quick turnaround in ridership, the MBTA is preparing to move ahead with bus and subway service cuts next month while adopting a more revolutionary approach on commuter rail that spreads trips out across the day and does away with the traditional concept of peak travel times.

Jeffrey Gonneville, the MBTA’s deputy general manager, said the new approach will spread service out across the day at regular, often hourly intervals rather than concentrating it at morning and evening peak periods. A marketing campaign promoting the new approach is expected to roll out over the next 30 days leading up to the April 5 launch.

Gonneville said the new schedule will also allow the T to operate trains and deploy staff more efficiently, saving an estimated $30 million annually. He said the new approach would use 11 percent fewer trains and enable a 20 percent reduction in operator hours.

The concept is fairly simple. Ridership has vanished on the commuter rail system during COVID and particularly at the traditional peak travel times, so the T is going to experiment with a new all-day approach. On the Worcester line, for example, a train will run every hour all day long between Worcester and Boston. The same is true on the Fitchburg and many of the other lines. "

Continue reading the article online
 

New York Times: "Why Was SolarWinds So Vulnerable to a Hack?"

Security expert Bruce Schneier write about the SolarWinds hack in the New York Times:

"There are two problems to solve. The first is information asymmetry: Buyers can’t adequately judge the security of software products or company practices. The second is a perverse incentive structure: The market encourages companies to make decisions in their private interest, even if that imperils the broader interests of society. Together these two problems result in companies that save money by taking on greater risk and then pass off that risk to the rest of us, as individuals and as a nation.

The only way to force companies to provide safety and security features for customers and users is with government intervention. Companies need to pay the true costs of their insecurities, through a combination of laws, regulations and legal liability. Governments routinely legislate safety — pollution standards, automobile seatbelts, lead-free gasoline, food service regulations. We need to do the same with cybersecurity: The federal government should set minimum security standards for software and software development."

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Previous articles on the SolarWinds hack 



National News Highlights

  • Supreme Court Denies Trump’s Bid to Conceal Taxes, Financial Records - The New York Times
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  • Fauci: US political divide over masks led to half a million COVID-19 deaths

  • Biden honors covid-19 victims amid staggering toll, signs of hope
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President Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff observe a moment of silence at the White House Monday. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)
President Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff observe a moment of silence at the White House Monday. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)


5 Tips for Safer WIFI via EWG (video)

"Whether working remotely, attending school online or just staying in touch with family and friends during the pandemic, you’re probably also relying more than ever on Wi-Fi and cell service. 

While these technologies can empower us to keep working and learning while staying safe, they also come with their own risks.

Learn 5 simple steps you can take to reduce your exposure to radiofrequency radiation while staying connected.

To keep up with EWG's latest research on radiofrequency radiation, head to www.ewg.org/cellphone-radiation"

Direct video link =  https://youtu.be/vPmT-TPRqZQ