Thursday, September 8, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Beginning a new school year brings energy and motivation to do our best. Working with Dan Gutekanst, Anne Gulati, and their superintendent and school business office colleagues, H596 An Act relative to school operational efficiency, which I sponsored in the House of Representatives, is now law. Efficient use of resources is a welcome tool to meet the many and varied needs of operating a school. I wish all students, teachers, staff, and administrators a positive school year.
H.596 An Act relative to school operational efficiency will help schools in our district and across Massachusetts be more efficient in using the funding to educate our students. Specifically, the bill:
- Updates the Uniform Procurement Act to reduce bidding requirements for projects under $100,000
- Allow for the pre-payment of school travel prior to the date of travel
- Allow for payment of software licenses, software maintenance agreements, or online subscription services for school curriculum prior to the fiscal year in which services will be rendered
- Allow for school districts to establish a School Transportation Reimbursement Fund which would be held as a separate account with the Treasurer of the city or town and expended by the local school committee for the purposes of school transportation.
I am proud of the Massachusetts Legislature’s commitment to improving our schools’ operational efficiency.
Yours in Service,
Denise
District Updates
The walls in my office are looking a bit bare, so let’s get creative! We’re looking for you to submit a drawing of what you love most about your town. Submissions are open to all residents in the district and will be displayed in my office. To submit your drawing, click here.
- In Needham, the Needham Community Farm’s open house will be held on Saturday, September 10 from 1 – 4 pm. This free event will feature fun for the whole family including arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and fresh veggie tastings. Pre-registration is required for this event. To learn more and reserve your free tickets, click here.
- In Dover, the annual Dover Days Fair will be held on Saturday, September 10. The event will be held from 10am to 3pm at the Dover Town Common. The fair will feature local businesses and vendors. For more information, click here.
- In Medfield, the Bellforge Dance Festival will be held on September 11. The Bellforge Arts Center will be hosting the event which starts at 12pm and ends at 5 pm. The event is free for the public and will feature dance performances and dance classes. To find more information and RSVP for free tickets, click here.
Statewide Updates
- The State General Election will be held on November 8, the following are important dates for the upcoming election:
-
-
-
-
- Voter Registration Deadline: October 29
- Vote by Mail Application Deadline: November 1
- Early Voting: October 22 – November 4
- Election Day Polling Hours: 7 am – 8 pm
-
-
-
-
For more information and registration, click here.
- State health officials have announced three human cases of West Nile virus since late August. The risk of human infection with West Nile Virus in the Greater Boston Area has increased from “moderate” to “high”. Health officials are encouraging the public to take precautions to prevent infection such as wearing mosquito repellant, repairing damaged window/door screens, and wearing mosquito repellant. To learn more about West Nile Virus and its prevention, click here.
- The Food and Drug Administration has approved updated COVID-19 boosters. The updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components which restore protections from previous vaccinations by targeting more transmissible variants. To find locations offering the vaccine, click here.
- 3.5 million free at-home-COVID-19 tests to be distributed to Massachusetts residents. The Baker-Polito Administration plans to distribute free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to municipalities to make available to residents. For more information about COVID-19 testing, click here.
- Children under five years old are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This expands eligibility for vaccination to nearly 20 million additional children and now everyone six months and older can receive the vaccine. To find locations offering the vaccine, click here.
- The Department of Public Health (DPH) has shared resources for protecting yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19. The best protection against COVID-19 and getting vaccinated and staying up to date on your vaccine, DPH also recommends six other tools you can use for protection. To view this resource, click here.
