Mask Waiver for Franklin High School - Implementation process, timeline, and details proposed

To: Franklin School Committee 

From: Sara Ahern, Superintendent 

Date: November 16, 2021
Re: Agenda Item for Discussion/Action - Policy EBCFA Face Coverings

As you are aware, DESE approved a Mask Waiver for Franklin High School since the vaccination rate at the school is above 80%. With this waiver, the School Committee can make a local decision to ease the mask mandate for vaccinated students and staff, making wearing a mask or face covering optional for these individuals. The following memo outlines a proposed timeline, details, and process.

Background Information:
● The overall vaccination rate at FHS is 82%.
● There have only been 10 cases at FHS since the start of the school year. This is 10% of the FPS cases but FHS has 35% of the school population.
● We have had no evidence of in-school transmission or clusters at FHS.
● Hundreds of students eat lunch, unmasked, in the cafeteria each day.

With the waiver now granted, I propose the following provisions:
● Masks become optional for vaccinated FHS students and staff

○ Beginning December 13, 2021 through December 23, 2021 (this will allow us to see if we have an uptick in cases following the Thanksgiving holiday and plan for implementation); then again, beginning January 10, 2022 following the winter break.

○ Families complete an attestation form related to vaccination status and permission to share it

● Masks would still be required for

○ Unvaccinated FHS students and staff

○ All visitors, regardless of vaccination status

○ All individuals in the Nurse’s office

○ All individuals on buses/school transportation

○ All spectators/audience members at events, regardless of vaccination status

○ Vaccinated individuals identified as close contacts

● Athletics - Mask requirements for athletes and MIAA events remain to be determined. We will remain apprised of MIAA/DESE/Hockomock League Rules (see also above).
● Masks remain optional as long as the following metrics are met

○ 14-day percent positivity in Franklin less than 4%

○ There is no evidence of in-school transmission

○ There is no evidence of clusters based on classroom or activity

● Recognizing that this is a fluid situation, additional metrics or provisions may need to be established

While this will not be welcome news to all, the sentiment I sense from FHS is that the school community is generally in favor of relaxing the mask mandate for vaccinated individuals. Masks are only one mitigation strategy among many that we are using to prevent the spread of COVID. Important FHS mitigation strategies also include vaccination, UVGI throughout the entire school, portable HEPA filtration units, good hand hygiene practices, monitoring symptoms and staying home when sick, Test and Stay for close contacts, and symptomatic COVID testing.

Shared from the Franklin Public Schools page ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_b_-_mask_proposal.pdf

Mask Waiver for Franklin High School - Implementation process, timeline, and details proposed

FHS Cheerleaders bring home the D1 MA State Championship

"2021 D1 STATE CHAMPIONS 

This team has been through so much this season and could not have put on a better performance today. LETS GO"

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/FHScheer_/status/1462589245823111177

"PERFORMANCE CHEER BRONZE MEDALIST Division 1 Framingham High School - Third place medal  

PERFORMANCE CHEER SILVER MEDALIST Division 1 Bridgewater Raynham High School - Second place medal

PERFORMANCE CHEER GOLD MEDALIST  Division 1 GOLD MEDALIST Franklin High School - First place medal
@FranklinHS    #msaacheer"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSAA_33/status/1462590153483034631

FHS Cheerleaders bring home the D1 MA State Championship

FHS' Batla and Peng compete in MIAA D1 Cross Country Championships

"Alex Batla (10) and Charlene Peng (12) participated in the MIAA Cross Country Division 1 Championship at the Wrentham Development Center. They ran well and were very competitive representing Franklin High School. Great XC Season!"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1462211208459739137 

HockomockSports.com has the Hockomock League results (minus FHS)

https://hockomocksports.com/miaa-all-state-xc-championships-2021-hock-results/

Alex, a sophomore, finished 31 with a time of 19:12.5 and Charlene, a senior, finished 55 with a time of 19:30.8.

The complete MIAA State meet results can be found online here ->

http://results.tfmeetpro.com/Kick_To_The_Finish_LLC/MIAA_All_State_11202021/

Good luck to Charlene and Alex at the D1 all state meet tomorrow! (Coach Bailey photo)

 

Franklin (MA) Police sees first shift where female officers outnumber male

Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) tweeted Sun, Nov 21, 2021:

"BIG day at the FPD

For the first time in the history of the Franklin Police Department, the number of female Officers on shift outnumber the male officers!" https://t.co/WtCdWFoaiC

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1462422769803698181

Franklin (MA) Police sees first shift where female officers outnumber male

Register O’Donnell Announces 40,000th Book Printed at Registry of Deeds

Celebrating a significant milestone at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, Register William P. O’Donnell today announced the Registry recently completed printing its 40,000th book of recorded land documents.
 
Register O’Donnell noted, “The printing of our 40,000th book, which includes land documents such as deeds, homesteads, mortgages and mortgage discharges, is a significant event in the life of the Registry and a testament to the volume of work completed each and every business day here at the Registry of Deeds. The printing of Book 40,000 links us to the Registry’s rich history that dates back to 1793. 
 
“While the printing of books is ongoing, it is important to note the Registry continues to embrace and utilize cutting edge technologies allowing us to record land documents instantaneously. Documents are scanned and available for viewing within 24 business hours of recording at www.norfolkdeeds.org.”
 
“Our computer systems are backed up on a nightly and weekly basis. This redundancy allows the Registry to maintain a permanent record of all land document recordings in the event of a disaster affecting our building at 649 High Street, Dedham. Additionally, the Registry also microfilms all recorded land documents and ships the microfilm off-site to a secure location where it can be retrieved in the event of a catastrophe,” stated the Register.
 
Residents and those with an interest in Norfolk County property are encouraged to visit the Registry of Deeds. Users of the Registry have options to view land documents by whichever means they are comfortable. Either hard copy via books or on-line by one of our many computer workstations available to the public or from the convenience of their home or work computer.
 
Concluding his remarks, Register O’Donnell stated, “The core mission of the Registry of Deeds is to record land documents in a safe, secure and accessible manner. Part of this charge is to serve as a depository for over 9 million land documents recorded from the Registry’s beginning in 1793 right up to the present day. While we have embraced the latest technologies to improve efficiencies, the printing of books allows us to maintain a permanent hard copy record of each recorded land document on-site.”
 
To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.
 
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Register O’Donnell Announces 40,000th Book Printed at Registry of Deeds

50+ Job Seekers in MA: Session 2 -> Self-Assessment

Session 2: Self-Assessment!  = Tuesday November 23rd: 10 AM – 12 PM 

Join us as we discuss hiring assessments and personality tests. You’ll even have the chance to take a couple of assessments and decide for yourself whether they work.
 
Why you need to know about this: Completing a self-assessment before applying for jobs can help your job-search. Knowing yourself--your values and preferences--enables you to set realistic career goals and ultimately land the job you want. Assessments may be optional for many companies, but they are a necessity for the modern job seeker.
 
Start your journey towards self-realization, re-invention and transformation
The mission of our program is to provide job seekers in the 50+ demographic with the confidence, self-esteem, necessary tools, and skills to launch and implement a successful job or encore career search campaign.

Over the course of our - Interactive Workshop Series, you’ll learn how to execute your job search campaign with confidence and success. This preparation will Equip, Enable and Empower you in all aspects of the job search process.

New to the program? Registration is Required: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/
For more information contact Denise Magnett:  50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com

If you are registered with the program  and have not yet received your Zoom meeting link to join the meeting on Tuesday, please contact Denise Magnett at 50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com


Ed Lawrence
Group Leader with the 50+ Job Seekers in MA Statewide Networking Groups 

50+ Job Seekers in MA: Session 2 -> Self-Assessment

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting Agenda - Nov 23, 2021

Franklin School Committee 

November 23, 2021

Municipal Building – Council Chambers 7:00 P.M.

Meetings are recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29.  Any individual who also wishes to record this meeting must obtain explicit permission from the Chair

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Members of the public are now welcome to attend committee meetings in person. Additionally, in an effort to ensure citizen engagement, citizens will be able to continue to view the public meeting using Zoom. We will use the Zoom Webinar feature. You may view the meeting with the link or phone numbers below. Participants wishing to speak during the Citizen’s Comments portion of the agenda may be asked to raise their hand to be recognized by the Chair. The webinar host may invite the attendee to unmute for comment at the Chair’s direction.

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments

D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. MCAS Data Presentation: Dr. Tina Rogers and Dr. Linda Ashley

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/mcas_-sc_presentation.pdf

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Job Description

I recommend approval of the new position of Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as discussed.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_new_position_dei.pdf

B. Proposal for Optional Mask Wearing by Vaccinated Students/Staff at FHS related to Policy EBCFA Face Coverings

I recommend approval of the proposal for optional mask wearing by vaccinated students/staff at FHS as discussed.   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_b_-_mask_proposal.pdf

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. Open Meeting Law Complaint Response - Ms. Denise Spencer

V. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)

B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC; Substance Abuse Task Force; School Wellness Advisory Council; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee)

VI. New Business

A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from the November 9, 2021 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B. Transfers

I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.

C. Athletics Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $461.82 from All-American Publishing for supplemental supplies for the Athletics Department as detailed.

D. Annie Sullivan Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,100.00 from the Annie Sullivan PCC for in-house enrichment as detailed.

E. Parmenter Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,227.12 from the Parmenter PCC for supplemental supplies as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Ms. Spencer

IX. Payroll Ms. Stokes

X. Executive Session

a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body and the Chair so declares.

b. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the Chair so declares.

c. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(2) to conduct collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the Chair so declares, and to return in Open Session.

XI. Adjournment

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-23-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

Meeting agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_11-23-21.pdf

Franklin, MA: School Committee  - Meeting Agenda - Nov 23, 2021

Franklin, MA: School Committee Workshop - Nov 23, 2021 - 6 PM

Franklin School Committee Workshop

November 23, 2021 - 6:00 PM

Municipal Building – Training Room

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and
achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

This meeting will be held in person. Members of the public are welcome to attend the workshop in person.

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.”

Call to Order Mrs. Spencer

1. Workshop: School Committee Member Orientation

2. Adjournment

 

Shared from the Franklin Public Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_11-23-21_workshop.pdf

Franklin, MA: School Committee Workshop - Nov 23, 2021 - 6 PM

Santa scheduled to arrive on the Town Common - Nov 28 - 4 PM

For the young and young at heart, Santa arrives on the Town Common, Sunday, Nov 28, 2021 at 4 PM. He is reported to be arriving via a special Franklin fire truck. Will Mrs. Claus be with him too?

Sponsored by Concerts on the Common. Donations to help with this and the Town Common decorations are appreciated. Checks can be mailed to 

"Concerts on the Common"
PO Box 92
Franklin, MA 02038

Download the flyer as a reminder of this special event

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kxaDVWd6MQaEBDa5k9xkuy3X_5j0NtZS/view?usp=sharing

Annual Christmas on the Common - Sunday, Nov 28 - 4:00 PM

Franklin TV: Still and Ever, Thankful– V2.0

Why? Because I Can Choose to Be So.  I Am  Compelled. 

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 11/21/2021

My thoughts from last Thanksgiving. Sadly, they are all the more pertinent.

An understatement:   2020, (and now 2021 as well) has been a year like no other. War weary as we are after 2 years, masking and boosters remain essential.

At some point around Thanksgiving 2019 is when it began: That first infection. We celebrated 2020’s sparkly arrival as a New Year in customarily festive fashion, gathering with family and friends. Gathering – one of our joyous pastimes, now gone. We have lost much in these recent years. Friends. Loved ones. Livelihoods. Businesses. Trust. Last year it was 250,000. Now there are over 750,000 empty seats at the family table this year. However, statistics ring hollow to those who must endure these devastating losses personally. How do they give thanks?

In such a year as this one where hardship surrounds us all, we have to look within. What lies within us that we can be thankful for? What shred of resilience can we muster in order to still be thankful? Hard times offer no easy answers.

First, it’s difficult to be thankful; to engage in thanks–giving without some practice. Rising with the first glimmer of each day I am thankful and grateful for its promise. I take in that early moment with gratitude. The day will bring forth other moments. My task? Convert those moments flowing from my future into memories – good ones. A day well spent.

This daily practice of thankfulness for time’s open-ended future, for opportunity, for that which is yet to be, gradually becomes a habit, then a mindset. Time is the greatest gift I could ever imagine. And so, apart from present circumstance, I remain thankful for the possible, for those future better days of my own making.

Admittedly, the gift of future time has been stolen from so many who have passed. 

May you find some time for thanks.
May you find some thanks for time.

I wish you health, wealth, wisdom and love. And time, precious time for all of the above.

And –  as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

 

Franklin TV: Still and Ever, Thankful– V2.0

FHS football falls to Springfield Central In offensive showdown 49-60

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap of the FHS football match vs. Springfield Central in the D1 Final Four on Saturday at Shrewsbury High School. 

"Springfield Central’s offense delivered punch after punch all throughout its D1 State Semifinal clash with Franklin.

The Panthers kept getting back up.

The Golden Eagles and its high-flying offense came as advertised, scoring eight touchdowns with over 500 yards of total offense. Central scored on five straight drives in the first half and then three straight in the second half. A lot of teams would have folded, at least at some point.

But not this Franklin team. Not these Panthers.

The top-seeded Panthers had four first half touchdowns of their own and three more in the second, cutting the deficit to just three at 44-41 in the fourth quarter."

Continue reading the game recap ->

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-football-falls-to-springfield-central-in-offensive-showdown/

For a photo gallery from this game -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2021-2022/Fall-2021/Franklin-Springfield-Central-11-20-21/

Franklin’s Will Tracey tries to break free from a tackle in the second half against Springfield Central. (hockomocksports.com photo)

Peter Willis Photography - do your holiday photo gift shopping with Peter at Maks

Peter Willis Photography will be at Maks Roast Beef on Saturday, November 27 from 10 AM to 3 PM get your holiday shopping done! 

Can't make it to the event, you can still chat with Peter and place your order at https://www.peterwillisphotography.com anytime and get you favorite image delivered to your door.

Thank you in advance for your support!!!! 😃📸

https://www.peterwillisphotography.com/what-s-happening

Pete 

Peter Willis Photography 

https://www.peterwillisphotography.com/

Peter Willis Photography - do your holiday photo gift shopping

Second Sunday Speaker Series - Dec 12 - Charles Harrington

Franklin native Charles Harrington joins us Sunday, December 12 to discuss his book A Contemplative Life: Essays and musings from the last of the Baby Boomers. Available at Amazon.

Charlie grew up in Franklin, attended St. Mary School, and was the middle child in the large Harrington family with four older brothers and four younger sisters. One reviewer writes: “Harrington is a talented story-teller and writes about his childhood, romances, addiction and losses to inspire readers to learn from his experiences. He includes personal letters, photographs and poems that make his stories come alive. Readers can relate to his experiences and reflect on what he learned from them.

We are excited to welcome Charlie back home and have him discuss his book, reflect on his life and share his memories of Franklin. 

We hope you will join us for this next chapter in our monthly Second Sunday Speaker Series. Doors open at 1:00 PM, admission is free, and the presentation will start at 1:15. 

Please bring a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Second Sunday Speaker Series - Dec 12 - Charles Harrington

wfpr.fm: Senior Story Hour - November 2021 (audio)

"In this episode, the Franklin Senior Center writers group presents stories and poems about nature, boot camp, Falmouth MA, discussion on language and prose, life and spirituality, the dark times during the height of COVID-19, and running cross country."

This episode aired on Franklin Radio for November 2021.

Audio link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3949565d-bf41-4359-87f6-c9b12250d435

Find more episodes in Google Podcast (or your favorite podcast app) ->   https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9zZW5pb3Itc2NyaWJibGVycy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vcnNzZmVlZA

Yes, listeners might recognize my voice towards the end of this episode. The cross country quintet I wrote can be found ->  https://www.quietpoet.com/2021/11/sherku-cross-country-quintet.html

You can also find the Senior Writer's group on the air anywhere in your browser window at wfpr.fm  or 102.9 on the local Franklin area FM band. Friday's at 11 AM, 2 and 8 PM, repeating on Saturday's at 4 PM

wfpr.fm: Senior Story Hour - November 2021

Boston Globe: "When can the COVID-19 masks finally come off?"

"Amid the turmoil of the past two years — a period that included a deadly pandemic, mass layoffs, an ugly presidential election and an attack on the U.S. Capitol — some of the fiercest political debates in America have been waged over a nearly weightless piece of fabric: the face mask.

U.S. officials were slow to embrace face masks as a strategy for slowing the spread of the coronavirus. When they finally did, masks became a potent symbol of the pandemic — a common-sense public health measure turned political flashpoint and a visible reminder that life was anything but normal.

Now, with the summer’s delta surge in the rearview mirror and the vaccination of school-age children underway, many Americans are wondering when the masks might finally come off."

Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/20/nation/when-can-covid-19-masks-finally-come-off/

Boston Globe: "When can the COVID-19 masks finally come off?"