Link to Lexington

LINK TO LEXINGTON

Your link to Lexington news, information, events, and more!

Stay Safe This Halloween Weekend!

With cases of COVID-19 on the rise in Massachusetts and across the country, we’re asking for the community’s help to limit the spread.

We are following the guidance of both the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on how to limit the spread of the virus this Halloween.

You and your family can help keep everyone safe and healthy by taking the following precautions:

Wear a face covering in addition to a costume, even if the costume already has a mask
Limit social gatherings and avoid indoor get-togethers where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is higher
Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from all other people who are not members of your household
If you do plan to give out candy, consider putting it out on a table or a platter instead of in a bowl
If you or anyone in your household feels sick, please stay home

Additional Halloween information and guidelines are available on our website at LexingtonMA.gov/Halloween2020

We appreciate your help in keeping everyone safe and healthy this Halloween.

'Veterans Motivations and Memories' Virtual Event November 2

The Town Celebrations Committee (TCC) and Cary Library are jointly-sponsoring a fascinating conversation with three local veterans as they reflect on their service to our country.

Lexington veterans will share memories of their service to this country, as well as WHY they chose, or didn't choose, to serve. We'll hear from Lexingtonians Gina Rada, Peter Lund, and Bill Mix who will talk about their time spent in the military with moderator, Ashley Rooney.

Monday, November 2, 1:00 PM

Visit the Library's website to sign up

Veterans' Day Programming

On November 11, the TCC will be sponsoring a Virtual Veterans' Day program (11AM) via LexMedia, and a Veterans' Day Car Parade (1PM). Additional information on these events is available on our website.

New Recreation and Human Services Programming Software Training

To continue providing high quality customer service, the Recreation & Community Programs and Human Services Departments will be launching MyRec, a new registration software, starting at the beginning of December!

Winter will be the first season with the new software going live. In preparation for this, we will be running virtual trainings (via Zoom).

November 5, 10:30-11:30 AM

November 18, 2:30-3:30 PM

There also will be two additional sessions for seniors:

November 4, 10-11 AM

November 10, 3-4 PM

Call 781-698-4840 to register for the senior sessions.

Want to set up your account with MyRec now?

Learn how to create a MyRec account.

Questions? Contact the Recreation & Community Programs Department via email, or at 781-698-4800.

It's That Time of Year Again - Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday, November 1

Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 AM, and the time goes back 1 hour.

So make sure you change all your clocks — and your microwave, your oven, your car, your thermostat, and all the other things in your life that are smart enough to keep track of the time, but not smart enough to update themselves.

Check Your Smoke Detectors

This is also a good time to check all of your smoke detectors.

Check when each smoke detector was made — it should be on the label. If a smoke detector is more than 10 years old, replace it, even if it still works when you press the test button, because it may no longer detect smoke.
If your smoke detector has a battery, replace it. It may still work, but what's a couple dollars when you're talking fire safety?
Check that each smoke detector works by pressing the button. If it doesn't go off, replace it.

Fire Safety

Speaking of fire safety, does your family have a plan to get everyone out of the house if the smoke alarm does go off? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) explains how to make a home fire escape plan.

Have you talked to your children about fire safety? Visit the NFPA's Sparky School House for activities and videos on fire safety for children.

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Due to unprecedentedly low ridership and lost fare revenue, the MBTA is considering cuts to service. They will be hosting a series of public meetings to discuss potential cuts and gather feedback.

New service schedules will be implemented in the spring/summer of 2021.

Their public meetings will be held via Zoom, and there will be both system-wide and region-specific meetings. Lexington is in Region 2, and the Region 2 meeting is on November 12 at 6:00 PM. You can also attend any of the other region-specific or system-wide meetings to provide comment.

For the full list of public meetings, as well as additional explanation of the MBTA's potential cuts, visit the MBTA website.

COVID-19 Data

Our Office of Public Health complies COVID-19 data for our community and it is available on our website at LexingtonMA.gov/COVID19data

SCHOOL NEWS

Staying connected to the Lexington Public Schools (LPS)

LPS Teacher Nominated for Grammy Music Educator Award

For the second year in a row, we have another Grammy Music Educator finalist in the Lexington Public Schools! Congratulations to Harrington Elementary School Vocal/General Music Specialist, Ms. Angela Carpenter, who is a semifinalist for the 2021 award! A total of 25 music teachers from 24 cities across 16 states have made it to the semifinalist round. Angela is the only Massachusetts educator to be selected from more than 1,989 initial nominations submitted from all 50 states— read the official announcement.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in LPS

The Director of Equity and Student Services recently released a newsletter highlighting important topics in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Johnny Cole also published an article he co-authored with Deb Zucker and Julie Fenn to support LGBTQ+ students and families.