Friday, April 2, 2021

Town of Franklin, MA: Ben's guide to fully vaccinated status


People are fully vaccinated:
  • 2 weeks AFTER their 2nd dose (Pfizer or Moderna) or
  • 2 weeks AFTER a 1 dose vaccine (J&J's)
If it has been less than 2 weeks since your 1-dose shot, or if you still need your second dose, you are NOT fully protected. Keep taking all prevention steps! 
 
 
Town of Franklin, MA: Ben's guide to fully vaccinated status
Town of Franklin, MA: Ben's guide to fully vaccinated status

 

Town of Franklin, E-newsletter for April 2021

"The April edition of the Town of Franklin E-newsletter is posted! Stay updated with news and happenings in town!" 
Read the newsletter here  https://t.co/1gv6UmSbll  or here

"public health could supersede individual rights"

"E. Edwin Spencer had no way of knowing he would be making history that day when he knocked on Henning Jacobson’s door in Cambridge, Mass. All he knew was that smallpox was spreading in their city at the dawn of the 20th century, and as a doctor and the chairman of the board of health, it was his job to make sure all residents had been vaccinated against the deadly disease within the past five years.

Jacobson flatly refused to comply.

More than a century later, as millions of Americans get vaccinated voluntarily against the coronavirus and society starts to reopen, questions loom about how far businesses and government can go to ensure safety. Can airlines, concert venues and other businesses refuse service to anyone who chooses not to get vaccinated? The Biden administration has insisted there will be no national mandate, but it is still working with the private sector to create a vaccination passport or certification."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/04/01/vaccine-supreme-court-smallpox-covid/

 

"The liberty secured by the Constitution of the United States does not import an absolute right in each person to be at all times, and in all circumstances, wholly freed from restraint, nor is it an element in such liberty that one person, or a minority of persons residing in any community and enjoying the benefits of its local government, should have power to dominate the majority when supported in their action by the authority of the State.

It is within the police power of a State to enact a compulsory vaccination law, and it is for the legislature, and not for the courts, to determine."
From the Jacobson vs Massachusetts case in 1905  https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/197/11/   Smallpox was the concern in the early 1900's that sparked the case.


"As more and more people get vaccinated, questions on what to do with people who refuse to get their shot(s) keep coming up. Should vaccinations be optional, required, or just required for people in certain occupations?

It’s not an easy question to answer. Getting more people vaccinated improves the chances of herd immunity and the possibility of putting COVID behind us. But requiring people to get a vaccination – particularly if the vaccine is authorized for emergency use only – smacks of Big Brother and rubs a lot of people the wrong way."

Continue reading the article online

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Franklin Food Pantry: #ProjectEnvoy calendar for April 2021

"April is our last month of #projectenvoy, a community driven project, designed to support local restaurants who in-turn will donate some of their proceeds to The Franklin Food Pantry
 
What restaurant are you looking forward to trying?"
 
Find the April calendar here -> https://t.co/0KVI5FegEV  
 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinFoodPan/status/1377233126330658818

Franklin Food Pantry: #ProjectEnvoy calendar for April 2021
Franklin Food Pantry: #ProjectEnvoy calendar for April 2021


Attention Franklin: Want to know how much water you use?

"Want to know how much water you use or see and pay your bill online? 
 
Sign up for WaterSmart today at: https://franklinma.watersmart.com/index.php/welcome"

 
 
Shared from the DPW Facebook page ->
https://www.facebook.com/109645590402552/posts/482305529803221/


Attention Franklin: Want to know how much water you use?
Attention Franklin: Want to know how much water you use?

Pantherbook: Girl Up club leads “A Discussion on Gender Equality" ; FHS switches to 'in person' learning Apr 12

"On Thursday, March 25, students met through the Girl Up club for “A Discussion on Gender Equality.” The meeting was led by Girl Up Teen Advisor Angelina Perez.

The meeting drew local participants as well as Girl Up members from LA, the British Virgin Islands, Syracuse, and Washington D.C.

The discussion started with the simple question, “How have you been impacted by sexism or misogyny?”
 
High Schoolers from Franklin and around the country met over Zoom to discuss gender equality. Photo used with permission from Angelina Perez

Quickly, the floodgates opened and girls shared deeply personal stories."

Continue reading the article online
April 12th is the finalized date for when Franklin High will be having nearly eighty percent of their students back in school. The CDC recently approved that it is safe for students to now be three feet apart in classrooms.

When talking to Mr. Hanna he explains how there are many different safety measures put in at FHS for not only the students, but the staff as well. There will be a maximum of twenty four desks per classroom all measured to be at least 3 feet apart, there will also always be six feet between a teacher and a student.
Continue reading the article online
 
 
FHS switches to 'in person' learning Apr 12
FHS switches to 'in person' learning Apr 12


Franklin Public Schools, MA: now hiring a Technology Support Technician

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) tweeted on Wed, Mar 31, 2021:

The FPS/TOF Technology Department is seeking qualified candidates for the role of Technology Support Technician.  Learn more about the role, qualifications, and application process on School Spring here https://www.schoolspring.com/login.cfm

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1377267608303587330


Franklin Public Schools, MA: now hiring a Technology Support Technician
Franklin Public Schools, MA: now hiring a Technology Support Technician


Expression Enrichment offers After School Enrichment and Summer Enrichment Programs

Expression Enrichment which is located in the Franklin Village Plaza is offering After School Enrichment Programs in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Creative Arts, Lego Club, Sewing and Movement & Meditation. 

Expressions offers transportation from Franklin Elementary Schools to their studio for an additional cost.

Expression is also having Summer Enrichment Programs for Grades K-6. You can choose a half day option from 9-12 or a full day which runs from 8:30 - 3:30 pm.

For more information and to register visit their website at www.expressions-enrichment.com  

 

Expression Enrichment offers After School Enrichment and Summer Enrichment Programs
Expression Enrichment offers After School Enrichment and Summer Enrichment Programs


Reminder: Two $1000 Scholarships Offered by Knights of Columbus - applications due Apr 16, 2021

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


 

FHS Diversity Awareness Club: Statement on Anti-Asian Violence and Discrimination

Joshua Hanna (@MrHanna_FHS) tweeted on Wed, Mar 31, 2021:

"Proud of the response that the @DiversityFHS thoughtfully created in response to acts of hate and violence around our Nation.  @FranklinHS is committed to creating a respectful environment for all of our students."
Read the statement here  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1saPBOK5Yrqds0WUAwrZEmnS-9wfBwNUQK0lsIJgpijM/edit?usp=sharing

Status update for 3

To Our Guests,

We are happy to report some good news from 3!  But first, I want to thank you all for the outpouring of support you have shown us over the past week.  We are truly grateful for such kind, thoughtful and loyal guests!

Fortunately, the COVID protocols we have in place at the restaurant were effective in preventing any spread of the virus inside the restaurant!  The restaurant has been thoroughly deep cleaned and while the restaurant and staff are ready to reopen, we  have decided to remain closed for a few extra days.  We expect to reopen after Easter, on Monday April 5.  
 
This week our staff will receive a few bonus days off to relax and recharge while we tackle some building improvements such as the installation of new HVAC systems,  the installation of new kitchen equipment and the implementation of a new computer system.  Plus, our chefs will be putting the finishing touches on a delicious new spring menu and the bar team has created some amazing seasonal cocktails.  

We hope to have all of these projects completed by next week in anticipation of welcoming you back into the restaurant for what we expect will be a bustling spring and summer season.
Thank you again and we wish you and your family a happy and healthy Easter week.

Cheers!

Stephen Corcoran
Owner

 

Remote work and the " new normal"

"The post-vaccine workplace is taking shape, and for many it’s going to be a hybrid model, allowing more remote work but with clear expectations that some days a week will be in the office.

Workforce experts are bracing for a whole new set of post-pandemic upheavals, in some instances more transformative than the unplanned move to working from home last March, with some making efforts to avoid pre-pandemic remote-work mistakes.

“In a lot of ways it’s going to be more disruptive than when we went all remote,” said Brian Kropp, vice president of research at Gartner."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
 
"Since the pandemic sent workers home last year, a slew of modifications have been made to office buildings to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. Now, as companies prepare to bring workers back, experts say even more changes are on the way.

Expect expanded gathering spaces and fewer personal workstations, for instance, changes that are being fueled by the success of working from home. Companies like Google, Microsoft and Walmart have already announced proposals for hybrid work models that will allow employees to continue to work remotely at least a few days a week."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
 

What background disqualifies a reporter from a story?

"Felicia Sonmez had to flee her home. In early 2020, after the death of the basketball player Kobe Bryant, Sonmez, a longtime breaking news reporter at the Washington Post, tweeted a link to a Daily Beast story about the 2003 rape allegation against Bryant. The tweet had no commentary and no editorializing by Sonmez, and yet on the day it appeared online, it was a lonely acknowledgment of Bryant’s compromised legacy amid a sea of uncritical praise for the dead athlete. In response, the reporter received a deluge of abuse from Bryant’s fans. They were angry at what they saw as Sonmez besmirching Bryant’s memory by acknowledging the accusation that he had been sexually violent towards a Colorado woman; they were willing to avenge this disrespect, or so they claimed, with more violence against women. The name-calling escalated into threats, and some of those threats seemed credible. Her home address was published online. For her own safety, Sonmez went briefly into hiding.

The story is sadly familiar to female journalists, who face harassment, threats, stalking, and other digital hostility as a strange and uncompensated condition of their jobs. But in many cases, these female journalists are defended by their employers. Such was the case for Taylor Lorenz, a New York Times reporter on digital culture who was targeted by Tucker Carlson and other rightwing instigators last month: the Times issued a statement standing by their reporter, and condemning the attacks against her."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
 

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Town of Franklin: Stormwater Division Announces Student Art Contests!

Stormwater Division Announces Student Art Contests!

Calling all Franklin students! The Town of Franklin Stormwater Division needs your creative energy!! In an effort to expand our community stormwater awareness campaigns, we are holding a number of art contests for kids ages 5 - 17!!
Find details posted here https://bit.ly/3fyd0LT

 

Town of Franklin: Stormwater Division Announces Student Art Contests!
Town of Franklin: Stormwater Division Announces Student Art Contests!

 


St Mary's Parish: Holy Week Service Schedule

The Sacred Triduum

 

Holy Thursday, April 1

7:00 a.m. Morning Prayer in the Chapel - No live-stream

7:00 p.m. Evening Mass in the Upstairs Church and live-streamed

 

Good Friday, April 2

Fast and Abstinence

7:00 a.m. Morning Prayer in the Chapel - No live-stream

3:00 p.m. Service with communion in the Upstairs Church and live-streamed

 

Holy Saturday, April 3

7:00 a.m. Morning Prayer in the Chapel

8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Confession in the Reconciliation Room (Chapel)

4:00 p.m. Modified Vigil outside on the Rocco Plaza - No live-stream

Please bring your own chair to sit on.

 

Easter Sunday - The Resurrection of Our Lord

April 4

All Masses Live-streamed

7:30 a.m. Mass Upstairs*

10:30 a.m. Mass Upstairs*

12:00 Noon Mass Upstairs*

Easter Communion available outside on the Rocco Plaza

10:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon

 

Easter Monday, April 5

No Mass

Easter Tuesday, April 6 through Friday, May 21st

7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday daily Mass in the Chapel

*Downstairs in the Chapel and Sacred Hall if necessary.

 

For additional info, please visit St Mary's on the internet at https://stmarysfranklin.org/index

St Mary's Parish: Holy Week Service Schedule
St Mary's Parish: Holy Week Service Schedule