We Hear...

While doubtless unintentional, some parents were outraged by the “prom shaming” policy of allowing or encouraging prom goers to leave school early last Friday, shortly after 11 AM, to attend to preparations for the Class of 2022 Senior Prom (formerly known as the Junior Prom, but delayed due to Covid). The annoyance was over mostly empty classrooms and the obvious “shaming” of the relatively small group of seniors left behind, unwilling or unable to fork over hundreds of dollars for tickets, fees, and formal wear and stuck in class – obvious non-attendees -- while their friends and classmates took a hike. Parents could request that their non-prom-attending students also be dismissed but that, too, was less than clear and, in effect, was a shaming process according to one resident of Franklin public housing.

US New & World Report, famous or infamous for their rankings of top colleges, has now plunged into K-8 and high school rankings, too. Massachusetts has many top contenders. USNWR bestowed top ranking for Boston Latin at the high school level with Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter ranked second. Nearby Medway High is ranked 31st within Massachusetts for its extensive for 75 percent AP participation rate and a total minority enrollment of 12%.  FHS came in at 119.  For Massachusetts K-8 schools, Horace Mann came in #2, unfortunately it was the Horace Mann K-5 in Melrose, not Franklin’s Horace Mann Middle School.

Gas prices continue to contribute to inflation concerns, regionally and locally, rising nine cents per gallon in the last week and cutting further into household budgets across Massachusetts, according to State House News Service. AAA Massachusetts reported Monday that the average price of a gallon of gas hit $3.27 in its latest weekly survey. That's up $2.10 a year ago. And, coincidentally, a new Rasmussen poll says that Eighty-three percent (83%) of voters now say they are concerned about inflation and 57% are Very Concerned.

The Economic Development Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday October 20th, 2021 at 5:45pm to discuss wayfinding signs. The meeting will be in the Council Chambers or via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84080123929
or use a Call-In Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 & enter Meeting ID: 840 8012 3929 then press #

Add Camille Bernstein
to the shout-out we gave previously to School Committee Candidate Dave MacNiell for his `small is beautiful campaign’ sign. We are ready to join the trend next time!

Rebates are in from the dehumidifier trade in at Chilson Beach in September! We are told editors are too impatient. Sad but true. Thanks to Jeff Roy for keeping an eye on the process.

Sobering news: Rep. Kay Khan, a Newton Democrat, has filed two bills to tax sugary beverages (H 2972) and double the excise taxes on beer, wine and liquor (H 2973).