Saturday, May 1, 2021

Library of Congress: Teaching with Primary Sources Grant Opportunity

Library Announces Grant Opportunity to Enhance Teaching with Primary Sources

Library of Congress: Teaching with Primary Sources Grant Opportunity

The Library of Congress today announced fiscal year 2022 Teaching with Primary Sources grant opportunities. Applications are sought from organizations that aim to incorporate Library of Congress resources into educational programs and materials for learners representing diverse professions and communities. The application deadline is May 28, 2021. 

Click here for more information:  https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-21-019/library-announces-grant-opportunity-to-enhance-teaching-with-primary-sources/

Friday, April 30, 2021

Franklin's Event Outlook: Apr 30 - May 6, 2021

Spring time in Franklin and a small choice of in person events coming up: the Electric Youth perform under the tent at THE BLACK BOX, and two Story Walks remain available around town (downtown and DelCarte). 

On Tuesday, you can help the FEF celebrate Horace Mann's birthday with their "Day of Giving"


Friday, April 30
 Story Walk @DelCarte
 Downtown Story Walk
12:00pm -  Franklin & KP SADD: Virtual Walk of Tears (5k Run/Walk)
6:00pm -  Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
7:30pm -  Electric Youth 2021 Spring Show (In-Person and Livestreamed Event)
 
Saturday, May 1
 Story Walk @DelCarte
 Downtown Story Walk
 First Day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
6:00pm -  Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
7:30pm -  Electric Youth 2021 Spring Show (In-Person and Livestreamed Event)
 
Sunday, May 2
 Story Walk @DelCarte
6:00pm -  Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
 
Monday, May 3
 Story Walk @DelCarte
6:00pm -  Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
 
Tuesday, May 4
 Story Walk @DelCarte
 Day of Giving  (https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/franklin-education-foundation-fef-may-4.html)
9:00am -  wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
12:00pm -  wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
6:00pm -  wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
6:00pm -  Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
 
Wednesday, May 5
 Story Walk @DelCarte
 Cinco de Mayo
10:00am -  wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/ Kim
1:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
6:00pm -  Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
7:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
7:30pm -  Let’s Laugh Today is Free on ZOOM!
 
Thursday, May 6
 Story Walk @DelCarte
10:00am -  wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
11:00am -  wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
1:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
2:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
6:00pm -  Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
7:00pm -  350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
7:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
8:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "Talkin' the Blues!" - Jim/Todd 
 

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district meeting calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26
 
Community Calendar
Community Calendar
 

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Names Karen Maguire as Superintendent-Director

The Tri-County School Committee has unanimously appointed Karen Maguire of Carver as the Tri-County RVTHS Superintendent-Director as Stephen Dockray retires on June 30th. Dockray has worked for the Tri-County School District for 15 years, where he started as the Business Manager and transitioned to Superintendent-Director in 2011. 

As business manager, Dockray was given the opportunity to work on projects that got me involved in the academic aspects of the school. “I was able to work on grants and see the curriculum through innovative programs such as the summer academy and academic support,” says Dockray. He attended the Massachusetts Vocational Leadership Academy, which covers leadership, building community, personnel, finance, law, health insurance, curriculum, and special education to prepare for the Superintendent-Director position.

One of the difficulties Dockray is facing is the COVID-19 pandemic. The ever-changing climate of the pandemic has made his final year as Superintendent challenging. Vocational programs were phased back in with alternating grades attending two days a week and have been in person four days a week since November 2020. The goal is to have students phase in back to in-person learning by the end of April.

As Superintendent, Dockray has completed several large projects and capital improvements, including installing a new HVAC system, replacing the roof, upgrading to LED lighting throughout the building, a complete renovation of the engineering and advanced manufacturing career program space, and adding new programs, Medical Assisting and Legal and Protective Services. “Our goal is to monitor labor statistics and to adapt to the current and future workforce climate. We want to offer opportunities for our students to be successful both in the workforce after high school or be able to pursue further education.” 

Dockray has been working tirelessly for years to get the school renovation project in the pipeline with MSBA. Maguire will be tasked with getting approval from the sending towns to make the project a reality.

For his retirement plans, Dockray looks forward to traveling and getting out of the cold for the winter. “I’ve enjoyed my 15 years at Tri-County, but it is time for someone new to bring in new ideas and implement their thinking. Tri-County is a great school, and the knowledge and experience Karen will bring to the role will benefit the Tri-County School District. I wish her the best as she transitions into her new role this summer,” Stephen Dockray, Superintendent-Director

Maguire will join Tri-County from Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School where she served as Vice Principal and most recently as Director of Career Pathways and Integrated Learning and Engagement. Prior to being Vice Principal Maguire was a teacher at both vocational and traditional high schools.

Maguire is a graduate of South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education from Johnson and Wales University and a Master in Education Leadership from Fitchburg State College.
 
Tri-County RVTHS
Tri-County RVTHS
  

Pantherbook: "Franklin Panthers Won't Be Stopped: Cheer Wins Hockomock League Championship" (video)

"Franklin Panthers Won't Be Stopped: Cheer Wins Hockomock League Championship"
"Cheerleading competitions: massive gatherings of teams from all over, with crowds of parents and supporters packed into stands to watch the cheerleader’s routines. Of course, because of coronavirus restrictions, cheer competitions looked a lot different this year.

Although the cheer team typically competes in the Fall and Winter seasons, the MIAA changed the timeframe to be Fall II and Spring. In a regular season, the FHS team would compete in several invitational competitions before heading to Hockomocks (then, if all goes well, Regionals and States). This season, there was only one competition: Hockomocks.

After being denied a chance to compete for the Division I state championship when COVID struck last March, many members of the team were crushed, but they were eager to get back on the mat and prove themselves."
Continue reading the article online:
 
 
Video link => https://youtu.be/5cSfDYNbKWU

Members of the FHS Varsity Cheerleading team strike a pose during their performance for the 2021 Fall II Hockomock League Championship (photo - Eric Bichao)
Members of the FHS Varsity Cheerleading team strike a pose during their performance for the 2021 Fall II Hockomock League Championship (photo - Eric Bichao)



“Commuter rail is commuter rail. It’s not transit"

"When Garrett Wollman was considering his housing options in the greater Boston region back in 2001, the possibility of a carless commute beckoned. After all, the city has one of the best mass transit systems in the country, including an extensive regional rail network that ranges down to Providence, R.I., and up to beach towns like Gloucester and Manchester.

He picked a townhouse in downtown Framingham, a Boston suburb, a little over 20 miles from his job in Cambridge at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in part because it had a couple of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) regional rail stations within two miles of his front door.

In theory, it would take Wollman almost the same amount of time to drive to his job at MIT as it would to take mass transit. According to Google Maps, the trip by public transportation is a mere 10 minutes less by highway, so why not skip the hassle of traffic sometimes and ride the rail from Framingham?"
Continue reading the article online

“Commuter rail is commuter rail. It’s not transit"
“Commuter rail is commuter rail. It’s not transit"


MIAA: No change in approved sports modifications "at this time"

#OneTeamOneMIAA
#maskupMIAA😷

@MSAA_33 @PVIAC @LeagueBoston @MarshfieldSuper @AthleticsMG @CTENewtonPS @RpearsonMIAA_MS @sbryantMIAA @Napa13 https://t.co/m0vHkcZv52
 
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MIAA033/status/1387785008891453442

MIAA: No change in approved sports modifications "at this time"
MIAA: No change in approved sports modifications "at this time"


Massachusetts Senate Advances Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Bond Bill

On Thursday, April 29, 2021, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill authorizing $400 million in bonds for the design and construction of a new facility for the soldiers’ home in Holyoke. It also authorizes the issuance of $200 million in general obligation bonds to increase geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for Massachusetts veterans across the state, with an emphasis on those areas not primarily served by the soldiers’ homes in Chelsea or Holyoke.

“The funding in this bill will ensure that we begin to rethink how we deliver care to veterans of every generation across Massachusetts,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Ensuring that our veterans are connected to their communities is an important factor in ensuring that their physical and mental health is taken care of, and so I am proud of the steps we have taken to ensure geographic equity and accessibility, especially for our women and LGBTQ veterans, as well as veterans of color. Our quick action in passing this legislation will help ensure we maximize federal funds in this important endeavor.”

“To meet the needs of the ever changing veteran population, the bill adopted today is a reflection of the strong advocacy of the members of this Senate to begin providing the long-term care services desperately needed for all veterans across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. "I want to thank Senate President Spilka for her leadership along with Senators Rush, Velis, Feeney and others for their contributions to improve the bill to address regional equity and increase accessibility to services for our veterans who are not served by the soldiers’ homes in Chelsea or Holyoke.”

In passing the $400 million bond authorization for a new soldiers’ home in Holyoke, Massachusetts is eligible to receive up to 65 per cent in federal reimbursement through the Veterans Affairs State Home Construction Grant Program. The existing soldiers’ home in Holyoke was built in 1952 with many triple and quadruple-bed rooms. The bill passed by the Senate will advance the construction of a modern facility with a “small house” concept to meet the needs of future generations of veterans. 

The Senate adopted an amendment on the floor to ensure that construction of the project utilizes a diverse workforce and provides for well-paying, middle class jobs. The amendment inserts Project Labor Agreement language that mandates a pre-bid, pre-hire labor agreement for the construction of the new facility in Holyoke, which will ensure that the workforce is local, diverse, inclusive, well-trained, safe and skilled.

Historically, such agreements on large taxpayer funded projects result in the completion of construction on-time and on or under budget. Additionally, this amendment mandates bold action to establish, recruit, and assist women, minority, and veteran owned businesses who may participate in the design and construction of the facility. The bill establishes the Access, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee to help set and monitor progress of diversity and inclusion goals and recommend solutions and programs to meet them, throughout the design and construction of the facility.

“The new Holyoke Soldier's Home should be a safe, comfortable and welcoming facility worthy of its residents and their service to this country,” stated Senator Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough), the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Our veterans deserve the very best in care and treatment. The passage of this bond authorization will ensure that their needs are met for generations to come. I am proud that the Senate added additional language during our debate that strengthens the bill to reflect our Commonwealth’s collective values. It is critical that significant taxpayer funded projects of this scope be completed on-time and on-budget with a diverse, local, safe, well-trained and highly skilled workforce. Additionally, we should be working diligently to assist women, minority, and veteran owned businesses in creating jobs and opportunities now and in the future. The bill we passed today accomplishes these goals by authorizing funding for a modern facility for our Commonwealth's veterans while expanding opportunities for many local working-class people in the construction trades."

“Massachusetts has always been a leader for veteran services, and this bill reflects the Senate’s deep commitment to those who have served our nation,” stated Senator John Velis (D-Westfield), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “While our veteran population and their medical needs are changing, the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home’s mission remains the same: to provide care with honor and dignity. This bond bill will ensure that the next generation of residents at the Home receive the care with honor and dignity that they have earned in service to our country.”

As part of the Senate’s commitment to increase geographic equity and accessibility for all veterans, the bill requires the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), in consultation with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Veterans

Affairs (DVA), to hold hearings across the state to better understand the regional long-term care needs of veterans throughout the Commonwealth. Based on these hearings, communities will be better positioned to advocate for the $200 million authorized in new capital spending for long-term care services for veterans across the continuum of care, including potentially new “small home” satellite veterans’ homes, or new or expanded capital supports for community or home-based care.

One of many amendments adopted on the floor also requires the Department of Veteran's Services to consider the needs of veterans in designing facilities to ensure new facilities meet the needs of a changing veteran population, while another requires plans for new long-term care facilities to prioritize equitable access, regardless of race, religion, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

The bill must now be reconciled with the version recently passed by the House of Representatives.