Thursday, September 21, 2023
The Education Committee is conducting Early Education and Childcare tours throughout the Commonwealth. Led by House Vice Chair, Representative Steve Ultrino we visited Malden. We spoke with early educators and staff at Rockland Montessori Academy and the Mystic Valley YMCA . We are exploring the strengths and challenges related to accessibility; including workforce impacts, affordability and quality of services. Throughout this fall, with the leadership of Committee members in their own Districts the Education Committee will be visiting Early Education and Childcare sites across the Commonwealth, from Everett to the Berkshires.
District Updates
Needham
- Although the impacts of the August 8 storm, unfortunately, did not ultimately meet the federal government criteria for aid for Norfolk County, I am acutely aware of the crisis many of our neighbors faced. I am actively engaged in discussions about the personal costs and our collective need to address communication as well as stormwater drainage and mitigation as together we face ever more present unstable weather patterns. To read more on the Town’s website, click here.
- The Needham Community Farm (NCF) invites you and your family to the farm for an afternoon of fun on Saturday, September 23, from 1- 4 pm. All ages are welcome! Learn about NCF’s resident honeybees, participate in farm-based arts and crafts, plant your own pea shoots to bring home, take a farm tour led by NCF’s field manager at 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm, and more! RSVP for the event here.
- Become a peer tutor with Needham Youth and Family Services. Elementary and middle school students in grades 3-8 and high school students in grades 10-12 can apply to become a tutor and tutee pair, meeting once weekly for academic support at the Needham Public Library from October to March. Tutors will be matched with one tutee and receive community service credit for their participation. Tutors must register in order to be eligible for the application and interview process. Spots are limited for both tutors and tutees. To read more about the new structure of the program and to register, please click here.
- Needham Youth & Family Services presents “Candid Conversations for 4th and 5th Graders” every Thursday at the Needham Town Hall. The event will include interactive games, skill building, and developing self-awareness & and communication skills. The event will be held every Thursday from September 28 to November 2 from 4 pm to 5 pm in the Highland Room at Needham Town Hall. Register for free online here.
- Get involved with the Charles River Center 5K Run/1 Mile Walk this weekend on Sunday, September 24th! The event fundraises for the Charles River Center, which serves children and adults with disabilities to help them reach their highest possible level of independence and enable them to lead fulfilling and productive lives. There are several ways one can support the Charles River Center, whether it be through participation or donations. The following are some ways you can help with the Charles River Center 5K Run/1 Mile Walk:
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- Participate in the run/walk! Participate individually or on a team, click here for individual registration, click here for team registration
- Fundraise for the Charles River Center! Set up a fundraising page, here.
- Volunteer! Multiple volunteer opportunities are available the day of and the day prior to the event. Click here to sign up to volunteer
- Spread the word! Letting people know about the event and cause through social media, email, newsletters, blogs, etc.
To learn more about the event, click here.
Dover
- Meet the town’s new Town Administrator, Michael Blanchard on Tuesday, September 26. The Meet and Greet will take place in the Great Hall at the Dover Town House from 9:30 to 10:30 am. To sign up for the event, click here.
- The Dover Church is collecting disposable diapers in honor of National Diaper Need Awareness Week. Donations will be accepted until October 8th. Collection bins are placed at the church’s admin wing door and the entrance to Kraft Hall. Donations will support A Place to Turn’s Diaper Project. APTT provides Metrowest families in financial distress with up to one week of diapers every 30 days to keep their babies and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy. Most requested sizes for diapers include 5, 6, and 4T-5T pull-ups for boys and girls.
Medfield
- Join me and MEMO in celebrating fall this Saturday, September 23 at Medfield Day! Medfield Day will be held at Meetinghouse Pond and the surrounding areas. From 10am to 4 pm, meet local merchants and organizations in your community, enjoy freshly prepared food from the Medfield Lions, and a whole field dedicated to kid-friendly activities. Come by my tent (#60) on the corner of Frairy and North Street to chat and check out our new Garlick merchandise. For more details, click here.
- Starting yesterday, September 20th, Medfield Public Works is reconstructing the intersection of Bridge Street at Route 109. The work will consist of removing the existing traffic control island which will improve traffic flow. The roadway may be closed at times. Please use alternative routes while the work is being completed. For announcements m the Medfield Public Works, click here.
- September is Suicide Awareness Month and the Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) is hosting its annual Yoga on The Turf on Sunday, September 24 at 12 pm at the Medfield High School turf. The class is free and open to all ages and experience levels, but donations to support the work and mission of the MCSP are greatly appreciated. MCSP works to promote the mental health and emotional well-being of all community members, to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and educate our community to help end suicide. Please bring your own mat and water bottle. For more events hosted by MCSP, click here.
Norfolk County Arbovirus Report
Summer has brought an increased risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE or “Triple E”) are viruses that occur in Massachusetts and can cause illnesses ranging from mild fever to more serious diseases like encephalitis or meningitis. Mosquito testing for EEE and other diseases continues, and this section of Fresh Garlick will share weekly reportings of Arbovirus in Norfolk County.
Risk Levels:
Needham: Moderate
Dover: Low
Medfield: Low
To learn more about mosquito-borne illnesses, click here.
To learn how to protect yourself against mosquito-borne illnesses, click here.
Statewide Updates
- The Boston Globe editorialized in favor of the State Action for Public Health Excellence bill, also known as SAPHE 2.0, which I have sponsored this session. This bill will establish minimum public health standards, improve public health data collection, and support and strengthen our local and regional public health workforce. To read the Boston Globe editorial, click here.
- Save The Date! On Thursday, October 5th, please join me and the MA Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities in celebrating our Inaugural National Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration! The celebration will be held in the Great Hall of Flags at the State House in Boston from 11 am to 12:30 pm. The Commission will be honoring policymakers for their work in disability employment, recognize Massachusetts businesses that lead the way in employing individuals with disabilities, and share best practices for employers to hire and retain persons with disabilities. This event will be conducted in a hybrid format, and you can register to attend either virtually or in-person here.
- The Sumner Tunnel restoration project continues with weekend closures beginning Friday night, September 22. After a month-long closure of the tunnel, the project moves onto its next phase of weekend closures. The tunnel will be closed at approximately 11 pm Friday night and will reopen to traffic no later than 5 am on Monday. Closures have also been scheduled for the following weekends: September 29, October 20, October 27, November 3, and November 10. For the latest updates on the Sumner Tunnel closures, click here.
- The EOPSS Office of Grants and Research (OGR) makes available several funding opportunities for local municipalities/police departments and nonprofits to competitively solicit funding to address security protection, prevention, intervention, and suppression programming needs. Organizations from municipal police departments to non-profit organizations and eligible for grants. For a full list of available grants, click here.
- On September 19, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has unanimously approved an updated comprehensive health and physical education framework. This update is the first since the guidelines have been updated since 1999. The updated framework is inclusive, medically accurate, and developmentally- and age-appropriate. To read more about the updated frameworks, click here.
- A Governor’s Youth Advisory Council was established to advise the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the entire administration. The Youth Council will advise the administration on critical issues impacting Massachusetts, such as civic engagement, education, the environment, housing, and youth violence. Applications are being accepted to join the Youth Advisory Council through October 14 for Massachusetts residents aged 16-21. To read more about the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council, click here.
- Saturday, September 16 marked the official start of the 2023 COASTSWEEP beach cleanup. Members of the public are encouraged to volunteer at one of the many cleanup events planned along the coast this fall. Organized by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Office of Coastal Zone Management, COASTSWEEP cleanups are held into early November. For more information on how to sign up, click here.
