It’s back to class for Abington schools this morning and it’s going to look much different. For the first time since March 2020, students have the option of attending class without a mask on. The pandemic has progressed to the point where state health and education officials feel it’s now safe to drop mask mandates.
Abington’s active case number stands at 15 as of Sunday, the lowest number since October. Whether that number increases after families return from their winter vacations remains to be seen. But as of now, masks can stay at home. Or in backpacks, lockers, cars, satchels, purses, guitar cases, satchels, rucksacks, bindels, whatever the case may be. It’s worth noting that for 1st graders and kindergartners, Monday marks the first time in their school careers they can attend class without a mask on.
ABINGTON SCHOOLS RELEASE REPORT CARDS
The district’s grades are in. The state Department of Early and Secondary Education now publishes annual report cards for every public school in the Commonwealth.
According to an email Abington High School Principal Jonathan Bourn sent to parents, the report cards are “designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our school.”
A link to all the reports:
Abington Early Education Program
Beaver Brook Elementary School
FIRE STATION PROJECT HITS BUMPS
Selectmen will speak to Fire Chief John Nuttal during their meeting tonight and get an update on the fire station building project, which has hit a bump. The committee charged with building the station is now looking at alternative sites after the Abington Housing Authority unanimously rejected a request to provide access across its property to the preferred site off Gliniewicz Way. The committee is now discussing one idea to locate the centralized fire headquarters quarters at the Department of Public Works property on Central Street, next to the police station.
TOWN ELECTION DEADLINE APPROACHING
Interested candidates have two more weeks to take out nomination papers and collect signatures. There are five residents interested in four Board of Health seats on the ballot this spring. Katie VanNest, of Colonial Road, has taken out papers, joining incumbent Aaron Christian, of High Street, Jami Pinola, of Loganberry Drive, Niccole Emery, of Jean Carol Road, and Clay Kelly, also of Jean Carol Road. Incumbent Melissa Pond has so far not taken out nomination papers. In addition, school committee member Danielle Grafton has also taken out nomination papers for re-election. Pond Street resident Nicole Emery has also taken out papers for that board.
Gerard Hass, of West Street, Carolyn Murray, of High Street, and Laura Brink, of Hancock Street, have each taken out papers for the Library Board of Trustees; Kevin DiMarzio, of Orange Street, for Board of Selectmen; Wayne Crothers, of Shaw Avenue, for Housing Authority; and Ann Welch, of Highland Road, for Board of Assessors.
Richard Shepherd, of Russell Lane, has taken out nomination papers for Planning Board. Longtime board Chairman Wayne Smith, so far, has not.
Anyone interested in running needs to submit the signatures of at least 50 registered Abington voters by Monday, March 14, at 5 p.m.
DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE CAUCUS ON MARCH 1
The Abington Democratic Town Committee will choose candidates for the state party convention during its annual caucus on March 1, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be a hybrid of both in person and remote participation. The in-person portion will take place in the Cotter Room at Town Hall. Anyone interested in participating remotely can email committee chairman Kevin Whalen at kevinwhalen79@gmail.com for the link.
STUDENT ART ON DISPLAY AT LIBRARY
March is Youth Art Month and the Copeland Meeting Room at the Abington Public Library will be decorated with art work from students at the Beaver Brook Elementary School from March 1-14. A reception is scheduled for March 3 from 4 – 5:30 p.m.
SOUTH SHORE EAGLES HOCKEY EVENT FOR GIRLS
The South Shore Eagles youth hockey program is hosting an event for girls ages 4-9 interested in playing ice hockey. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, from 10:40 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Rockland Ice Rink. More information is available here.
GIRLS SOFTBALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Registration for the 2022 Abington Girls Softball Season is now open. Girls in grades Pre-K through Grade 8 can register. The deadline to signup is March 1, 2022. Please contact abingtongirlssoftball02351@gmail.com with any questions.
LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Registration for the 2022 Abington Little League season is now open until March 1, 2022. Parents may sign up their players online. If you have any questions please email Abingtonbaseballbod@gmail.com
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Parents/guardians of children who turn 5 on or before August 31, 2022 can register them for kindergarten for the 2022-23 school year. Registration will be held on a rolling basis with families faxing (781.982.2187), emailing (BBESKReg@abingtonps.org), or dropping off their registration paperwork to Beaver Brook Elementary School before March 4, 2022.
All forms are available on the BBES website. School officials are asking people to also help spread the word.
MEETINGS
MONDAY
Board of Health, 6 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes an update on COVID-19, a discussion about body art regulations, and an update from the chair.
Board of Sewer Commissioners, 6 p.m., Sewer Department. Agenda includes 2022 drain layers’ approvals, a discussion about capital needs, the bill from Brockton, and the ongoing sewer main replacement project.
Board of Selectmen, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes discussions about proposed zoning bylaws changes, community preservation projects, and the fire station building project.
Board of Library Trustees, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes the director’s report, and a discussion about capital needs, its FY ’23 budget, and other needs.
WEDNESDAY
Board of Assessors, 11 a.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes discussion about excise taxes, and month’s end numbers.
Finance Committee, 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda includes discussions about community preservation projects, post retirement benefits, and the FY 23 budget.