Senate President Karen E. Spilka: "to act boldly and quickly on climate change"

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka

"Generations of Massachusetts residents are calling on us, as their elected representatives, to act boldly and quickly on climate change, which threatens our planet, our livelihoods, our economy and our future. I am profoundly disappointed that the Republican caucus in the Senate is stopping the NextGen Roadmap climate bill from being debated and passed today. The majority of the Senate remains prepared to take swift action on this bill."

Senate President Karen E. Spilka

D-Ashland

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

Why was this statement issued? CommonWealth Magazine provides the answer:

"THE SENATE REPUBLICAN leader, raising concerns about an attempt by Democrats to push climate change legislation through the chamber quickly on Thursday, used a parliamentary maneuver to delay action until next week.

The move triggered a strong reaction from Senate Democrats, who accused Sen. Bruce Tarr of Gloucester of unnecessarily delaying action on climate change legislation which they said desperately needs to pass."

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/environment/republican-delays-action-on-climate-change-bill/

The Guardian: "What if the most important election of the year is happening right now in Alabama?"

 

"This month, 5,800 Amazon warehouse employees in Bessemer, Alabama, will be voting on whether or not to unionize with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union in what could turn out to be the most important election of the year.

While the Bessemer fulfillment center itself is a drop in the bucket when compared to Amazon’s roughly 500 facilities around the country, this could be the ballot heard around the world. If successful, this election would mark the first unionized Amazon facility in the US.

Over the past 26 years, Jeff Bezos has built himself a private empire. Amazon is now the second largest employer in the US, after Walmart, and the fifth largest in the world. The more than 800,000 Amazon employees across the country represent a population between the size of Maine and Montana. Globally, the company employs more than 1 million workers."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/11/amazon-bessemer-alabama-union-election

CommonWealth Magazine: "Why is the state’s technology so bad?

“THE…DISASTER WAS completely avoidable, as administrators knew the system was not ready, yet decided to launch it anyway… Investigations cannot undo the taxpayer dollars wasted and the disruption of families’ access to health care.”

That comment could have been voiced recently by critics of the state’s troubled vaccine finder website – but it wasn’t. It was actually a critique of the state’s disastrous rollout of the Health Connector website in 2014, built under then-Gov. Deval Patrick. The speaker was then-gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker – now the governor in charge of the Vaxfinder website best known for the four-armed orange octopus that appeared when it crashed.

There are significant differences between the debacles. The Health Connector website failure cost hundreds of millions of dollars and, in its initial form, never worked. The state had to give hundreds of thousands of people temporary Medicaid coverage because it couldn’t figure out what insurance they were eligible for. The Vaxfinder website cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and ultimately, it has worked, with tens of thousands of people using it to sign up for vaccine appointments, despite the difficulties."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/technology/why-is-the-states-technology-so-bad/

The article goes into some history on problems with State systems. Let's take it this way: What State system actually works the way it should? Your answers welcomed in the comments, on Facebook, Twitter or email.

 

School Committee recap - March 9 meeting - Keller puts on a show before budget and reopening updates

Quick Recap:

• Keller kids helped to put on the showcase of what's happening at the school this pandemic year.
• Plans for the Davis Thayer transition to Keller underway, more updates as the work progresses
  
• First pass on the school budget reviewed. Time line shared for next steps as it develops. Numbers to be filled in as they come available.
  
• Reopening status updated to share the bringing back o in person, effectively doing away with hybrid. Working on bringing in the hybrid folks. Some flexibility at elementary level, more at middle school and less at high school for parents/students who are remote to come back in person. 
• Pool testing commenced across the district, still time to sign up for it. All negative results ts far. Contact tracing results also showed no in person transfer of COVID-19.
  

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cJ8aV27DNSq2QanL8

----

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #schcom0309

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcom0309&src=typed_query

• I am getting ready for the School Committee meeting tonight at 7. Are you ready? Agenda doc has details and connection info #schcom0309 https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_3-9-21.pdf
• All the options for watching, listening and/or participating tonight summarized here #schcom0309 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/school-committee-meeting-viewing-options.html
• Over 100 in Zoom session to start this meeting. #schcom0309
• The zoom session is working for me but not the live stream. Anyone else an issue? Any trouble with cable? #schcom0309
• Up to 190+ on the Zoom session. #schcom0309 DT and Keller transition underway, 1st meeting last week, lots of familiarity amongst team to work on draft to share later. Ah - an update via the live stream, there is video!
• Superintendent's report (fully published after the meeting, in some cases several days) #schcom0309 touts Sen Spilka's forum coming Mar 19. Links to be shared when available. Next up the Keller presentation
• The Keller presentation doc was shared before the meeting, you can follow along with this https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/keller-presentation #schcom0309
• Announcement to start the day helps at Keller #schcom0309
• Special edition in November recognized local veterans on Veterans Day. #schcom0309 tech helped extend the celebration beyond the 4 walls
• Work this year continues to develop the core values #schcom0309
• Grade level meetings when students are remote done regularly. #schcom0309
• Multiple students chimed in to share their thoughts as the presentation continues #schcom0309
• #schcom0309 more slides for more of the Keller kids to talk to
• Good last slide to share gratitude #schcom0309
• BTW up to 210+ via Zoom (also only 6 of the 7 members present tonight - D'Angelo absent) #schcom0309
• Now moving to the FY 22 budget update, first time to view the budget for next year. #schcom0309 doc to be posted after meeting (I.e. sometime Weds)
• Budget assumptions to start with #schcom0309
• Level service proposal would be close to Supt recommended amount, second slide gets into the investments required #schcom0309
• Digital learning integration would be part of going forward required #schcom0309
• BTW up to more than 220 via Zoom now. Cyber position would be split between town and schools #schcom0309
• With Dr Edwards retirement taking opportunity to fill and add role for curriculum for elementary and middle levels #schcom0309 (for district our size, long overdue) some funding for the facility master planning work to begin (perhaps redistricting)
• Expectations for staffing as it evolves on elementary level #schcom0309 watching carefully for population and class sizes
• Decline in enrollment has also resulted in teacher reductions over the years mostly incorporated as part of the annual moves/leaves/retirement etc #schcom0309
• Returning to full in person for 1700 students at FHS will be a budget issue, staffing in particular. #schcom0309
• #schcom0309 where would the revenue come from? Mostly State; Town to be filled in over next 2 weeks. Otherwise some further adjustments required. "It is a process"
• What's next for the budget? #schcom0309 slide depicts the timeline
• #schcom0309 classrooms instructional, change year to year? Not clear. No ELA curriculum across at elementary level, question if bandwidth. Math pilot to be expanded next year and then we could get to ELA. Q on tiered support for catching up re: COVID. To be packaged 4 next time
• #schcom0309 if 2 people replace Joyce and it is budget neutral, what about everything else she does? Under review, planning to include position and descriptions for next time. "If considered on per pupil basis, 75% if the districts spend more than we do... Are we ok with that?"
• "How do we get on a journey to get more to the average?" #schcom0309 The budget reflects our values. Did I share the pie slide? There is very little room in this for finding money to save.
• Also reflect on the changes in roles required to support education today. This is not your father's classroom. And oh by the way 40 some teachers were cut due to the decline in elementary enrollment over the years #schcom0309
• Motion and second on policy to second reading passes via roll call 6-0-1 ( no against, 1 absent). https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-policy-0 #schcom0309
• Next up capital budget request for Town approval via FinComm meeting Weds. #schcom0309 https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-b-capital Motion to approve, second, passes via roll call 6-0-1 (none against, 1 absent)
• #schcom0309 next up, reopening and return to full and in person would look like https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/reopening_schools_status_update_march_4_2020-2021_0.pdf
• It was a year ago this week that we shut down due to the onset of the pandemic. #schcom0309 middle school due back by 4/28, high school still TBD, therefore hybrid to be phased out as an option. Leverage this time to plan for summer and fall.
• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1svIwF6r5nFQGxafWgzyA055o9WnLc2bj/view
• Targeting to get a week in before the April break, also contingency to move furniture around, #schcom0309 are expecting 5 days fully in person; all this does depend upon some students to stay remote particularly at FHS
• What is still required? #schcom0309
• When both teacher and students masked, risk low... #schcom0309 other mitigations, pool testing, ventilation, air purifiers, etc.
• #schcom0309 co2 was already monitored building wide.
• #schcom0309 695 pool testing yesterday, all negative. Sign up by school per student, links available.
• Based upon contact tracing all exposure occurred outside the school #schcom0309
• #schcom0309 transportation guidance from DESE last month, bus windows about 2 inches for air exchange
• Lunches will vary building to building, some districts have gone with a shorter schedule and an early dismissal for a grab and go lunch. Stay tuned for what will be here. #schcom0309 kudos to the VLA teachers and the remarkable work they are doing
• No plan for another survey for elementary, if hybrid will come in, if remote will stay. Some classes remote are already large, so adjustments would be needed. Stricter attendance to be captured. #schcom0309 if space available may accommodate VLA students to come in
• Were planning for Apr 12 (state now says Apr 28), will be less flexible for attendance as with elementary, if remote so; if in, need to be, can't slide to remote. If sick, of course wouldn't be doing it anyway. #schcom0309 will survey middle school for the plan #s
• #schcom0309 (BTW still over 200 via zoom at this time) FHS has limitations with space, staffing, etc. 500 fully remote today, could bring some in but not all.
• #schcom0309 in general expectation for staff to be in person, with process for accommodation or leaves as necessary. Possible hiring for tutors and lunch monitoring, maybe additional teachers (VLA)
• Volunteer opportunities also. #schcom0309 most stored on site, some desks at DPW garage and these are all part of the active conversation.
• #schcom0309 1100+ students responses for hybrid survey, FHS to be surveyed again on collapsing the cohort
• Communications coming to VLA and others on how and where to make move if necessary. Reminder on class sizes. Can not accommodate 25 at elementary in class size with 3' distance. Not yet tracking teacher vaccinations, is covered by HIPPA and could be noted in summary
• Q on an individual quarantine? Level of detail not quite ready to get to yet, discussion yes, decisions not yet. Planning an 'attendance summit' to work on details and consistency around tracking and reporting. #schcom0309 info on volunteer to be folded into comms
• #schcom0309 discussion on furniture for use outside as the weather gets warmer. Tents, etc. The more pressure we can put to get vaccinations to distribute locally. Plan coming together, still need patience and grace.
• It is a team effort, want to note the principals and asst principals and getting the work done. Thank you. It is precarious with the variants about. #schcom0309 bus transportation sign up available on FPS page
• Q on MCAS, what about rumors about family opt out? New dates for elementary mid may to first week in June, 1 test day/subject/ day. Obligated to bring remote in for MCAS no remote options. It is a requirement, if they are absent, when the return they get tested #schcom0309
• There is no opt out for families for MCAS. #schcom0309 with dates sliding there is less flexibility in case of further interruptions. District sanctions? Less than 95% participation level affects report card. Currently suspended for this year.
• Info matters, budget Subcommittee video being worked on, meeting march 16 - 4:30; Legislative Forum last week, no next meeting yet #schcom0309 New business; budget hearing line item next time, more on reopening, position approvals as discussed earlier
• Consent agenda, #schcom0309 motion to approve seconded and passes 6-0-1 (0 against, 1 absent) Motion to enter executive session, not to return to open meeting, seconded, passes 6-0-1 (0 no, 1 absent). That's all for tonight, catch you next time!

 

"If considered on per pupil basis, 75% if the districts spend more than we do... Are we ok with that?"

FHS results for Hockomock Gymnastics Meet 2021

Below are the FHS results from the 2021 Hockomock League Gymnastics championship meets. 

Note if an FHS person tied, I also kept the ties. In events where FHS was not first, I also listed those. Link at the bottom provides the complete listing from HockomockSports.com/

All-Around
1. Emma White, Franklin – 39.15
4. Kate Rudolph, Franklin – 37.2

All-Around Beam
1. Emma White, Franklin – 9.8
T3. Kate Rudolph, Franklin – 9.6
T3. Erin Hurley, Mansfield – 9.6

All-Around Bars
1. Emma White, Franklin – 10
6. Kate Rudolph, Franklin – 8.8

All-Around Vault
1. Erin Hurley, Mansfield – 9.7
T2. Emma White, Franklin – 9.6
T2. Lauren Fusco, King Philip – 9.6
4. Kate Rudolph, Franklin – 9.4

All-Around Floor
1. Emma White, Franklin – 9.75
4. Kate Rudolph, Franklin – 9.4

Individual Event Results

Beam
T1. Lexi Lupien, Franklin – 9.0
T1. Ashlyn Latham, Oliver Ames – 9.0
T3. Ashley Hammann, Franklin – 8.8
T3. Kate Heun, Franklin – 8.8
T3. Graceanne Kleinebreil, Attleboro – 8.8
T3. Elissa Praik, Canton – 8.8
T3. Klara Nagle, Oliver Ames – 8.8
T9. Olivia Reagan, Franklin – 8.6
T9. Peyton Rivers, Oliver Ames – 8.6

Bars
1. Ashlyn Latham, Oliver Ames – 9.0
3. Emma Nelson, Franklin – 8.85
4. Caroline Woelfel, Franklin – 8.7
T10. Colby Dunham, Taunton – 8.15
T10. Kate Heun, Franklin – 8.15

Vault
1. Sawyer Haverly, Oliver Ames – 9.4
T7. Abby Silrasy, Canton – 8.6
T7. Lizzie Brown, Franklin – 8.6
T7. Halley Grammer, Oliver Ames – 8.6

Floor
1. Elissa Praik, Canton – 9.25
2. Caroline Woelfel, Franklin – 9.05
4. Ashley Hammann, Franklin – 8.8
T8. Emma Nelson, Franklin – 8.65
T8. Klara Nagle, Oliver Ames – 8.65

For the full listing of gymnastics results

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-gymnastics-meet-2021-results/

 

 the overall results for the Hockomock Cup

 

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Participates in CyberPatriot Competition

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future. At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation's largest cyber defense competition, that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks.
 
A total of 4,081 teams registered for this year's competition. Teams from the United States, Canada, and the Department of Defense Dependents schools abroad are eligible to participate in CyberPatriot's core program, the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. The National Youth Cyber Education Program challenges teams of high school and middle school students to find and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities in virtual operating systems. Using a proprietary competition system, teams are scored on how secure they make the system.

Four teams of six students represented Tri-County in this year's competition. Aiden Mai of Franklin, Kenjiro Mai of Franklin, Alex Comeau of Plainville, Callaghan Killian of North Attleboro, Zachary Belvin of North Attleboro, and Tyler Morrison of Franklin placed first in the Gold Division for Massachusetts.

The second team of Ryan Leber of North Attleboro, Jason Conti of Walpole, Christopher Zajac of Franklin, Christopher Virkaitis of North Attleboro, Gabriel Corey of Franklin, and Joshua Bellunduno of Franklin placed third in Massachusetts for the Platinum Division.

All teams worked hard; there were three rounds of competition. The State round being the one we participated in in January. Virtual National Finals will be held March 19-21, 2021.

Congrats to all. 

 

Four teams of six students represented Tri-County

Tri-County Student from North Attleboro Wins Outstanding Vocational Technical Student Award

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School senior, Jennavive Barber of North Attleboro, has been selected as the recipient of the 35th
 
Annual Outstanding Vocational Technical Student Award. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the ceremony and dinner will not be held this year. Jenna will receive her award at senior celebrations this spring at Tri-County.

The Outstanding Vocational Technical Student Award is presented each year by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) and the Massachusetts Vocational Association (MVA) to one student from each vocational technical high school in Massachusetts. The award recognizes students who have made significant contributions to their local school district and to the statewide vocational technical education system. Recipients must have excellent attendance, a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and vocational-related work experience. The students must demonstrate leadership qualities, technical competence, involvement in the community and extracurricular activities.

Jennavive Barber

Jenna Barber, daughter of Derek Barber and Jessica Holst, is the kind of student that every teacher, school administrator, and parent would hope for. Jenna is a leader among her peers and is a competent and dedicated Health Careers student who has earned multiple certifications and credentials in the health care field, including a Nursing Assistant Certification, American Heart Association First Aid and CPR Certification, and a certification in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care. Currently, Jenna is working at an assisted living facility as a CNA for her Co-Op position. She has also received clinical experience at several medical related facilities through her time at Tri-County.

Since her freshman year, Jenna has earned numerous accolades in her vocational program, academics, athletics, and Skills USA. She was appointed Skills USA Chapter President and was a gold medalist in Prepared Speech in 2019. She went on to compete nationally, where she placed 5th overall. In 2018, Jenna also placed 4th in the Skills USA Competition and was a Skills USA Grade 10 Basic Health Care In-House Medalist.

Jenna has earned perfect attendance since 2017 and is ranked in the top five percent of her graduating class, earning high honor roll and honor roll all four years. Jenna has represented Tri- County in many ways, specifically as our first Student Ambassador. She is also the Vice President of the National Honors Society, served as the junior class President and currently is serving as the senior class President.

Jenna has been part of the Tri-County Varsity Cheer Team since 2017 and has served as Captain of her team since 2019. She is an MIAA Student Ambassador and was awarded the Varsity Cheerleading Coach’s Award in 2019 and the Varsity Cheerleading Leadership award in 2020. In 2019, she was also recognized as the Massachusetts Game Day Cheerleading State Champion. Outside of school, Jenna devotes herself to her community as a cheerleading coach for children between the ages of six and eight.

Jenna hopes to continue her education at her top choice school, Boston University, where she will major in Human Physiology.
 

Senator Becca Rausch: #LocalLeadershipLunch - Mar 12

Senator Becca Rausch (@BeccaRauschMA) tweeted on Wed, Mar 10, 2021:

"For my first #LocalLeadershipLunch, I'm thrilled to chat with North Attleboro resident Lisa Graves, an accomplished writer, illustrator, and the brains behind "Simple Stories of Strong Women: An A to Z Guide to Girl Power." Tune in Friday at 1 PM! #IWD2021 #mapoli "

https://t.co/F0jnUtEjnQ

 

Shared from Twitter
(https://twitter.com/BeccaRauschMA/status/1369708825046118408?s=03)

#LocalLeadershipLunch

FHS' Cheuvront named a "Player to Watch"

Hockomock Sports has published the "Players to Watch" for the Hockomock League football offense teams. The Franklin representative is shared here. Follow the link at the below to find out about the other players to watch around the Hockomock League. 

Parker Cheuvront, Senior – Franklin

Especially at the high school level, the importance of the kicking game can be overlooked, but having a dependable, consistent kicker can make a huge difference. Franklin knows that if it gets inside the 30-yard-line, it’s likely to walk away with points because Cheuvront has shown to have one of the biggest and most accurate legs in the league for the past two seasons. In addition to a season-long kick of 34 yards against Mansfield, Cheuvront made 28-of-30 extra points, ensuring Franklin’s high-powered offense got the full seven points every time it reached the end zone. In addition, Cheuvront’s big kick offs helped pin the opposition deep in its own territory. With a lot of new faces on offense this year, the Panthers are glad to know they have points ready and waiting on Cheuvront’s left leg.

for other football offense players to watch around the League
https://hockomocksports.com/2021-fall-ii-hockomock-football-players-to-watch-on-offense/

 

FHS' Cheuvront named a "Player to Watch"

 

CommonWealth Magazine: "Massachusetts unveils vaccine preregistration system to ease appointment frenzy"

 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER said on Wednesday that the state has the capacity to administer 2 million inoculations a month, but the federal government and  d vaccine manufacturers are providing only half that amount.

At a press conference at a West Bridgewater manufacturer of hospital-grade masks, Baker said the state could easily administer 1 million doses a month and could probably do 2 million. State officials say they only have 250,000 doses available to administer next week, and only 155,000 of those are first doses. That pace, which is not expected to change for the rest of March, would lead to 1 million total doses over a month.

The governor said the lack of vaccine supply and concerns about new variants of the coronavirus are the two key factors he would consider in deciding whether the state of emergency he declared exactly a year ago could be lifted."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/baker-we-could-do-2m-doses-a-month-but-getting-only-half-that/

 

Boston Globe coverage  (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/10/metro/baker-fighting-tears-reflects-year-covid-19-pandemic/

 

New registration system for vaccines

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/10/metro/massachusetts-announces-vaccine-preregistration-system-ease-appointment-frenzy/

Gov Baker's press conf  https://youtu.be/brwtZLUWpW8

Power of Culture - March 2021

View this email in your browser Power of Culture One Year Later: Cultural Sector in Economic Crisis Due to Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic Cultural Organizations Report $588.3M in Lost Revenue; Artists Cite $30.4M in Lost Income; 30K Cultural Jobs Impacted Statewide One year after the coronavirus arrived in Massachusetts, disrupting every aspect of life for residents, communities, and businesses, Mass Cultural Council is releasing updated economic data measuring the COVID-19 pandemic's staggering impact on the Commonwealth's cultural sector for the fifth time. Read More https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/one-year-later-cultural-sector-in-economic-crisis-due-to-ongoing-covid-19-pandemic/ FY22 State Budget Request: $20M for Arts & Culture Mass Cultural Council seeks a state appropriation of $20 million for FY22, a $1.82 million increase from the current fiscal year. The Agency will invest these resources into a portfolio of programs and services that enhance, support, and promote the cultural sector in every corner of the Commonwealth and provide stability for artists and cultural organizations as they continue to rebuild and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In support of this budget request, Executive Director Michael J. Bobbitt submitted testimony to the Joint Committee on Ways & Means yesterday. Read More:  https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/mass-cultural-council-seeks-20m-for-arts-culture-in-fy22-state-budget/. Nearly $1.2M Awarded through COVID-19 Relief Fund for Individuals Mass Cultural Council has awarded $1,171,500 through the COVID-19 Relief Fund for Individuals, making $1,500 grants to 781 individual artists and individual teaching artists, humanists, and scientists across Massachusetts whose creative practices and incomes have been impacted by COVID-19 related cancellations and closures. Read More. About the Mass Cultural Council The Mass Cultural Council is a state agency supporting the arts, sciences, and humanities, to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and its communities. It pursues its mission through a combination of grants, services, and advocacy for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists.