Category Archives: Local Information

Can I Vote?

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You can vote in the November election if you…

  • are a U.S. citizen*, and
  • will be 18 years old by November 3rd, and
  • are registered to vote

If you are not registered to vote, Massachusetts residents can register to vote in the November 3rd election until Saturday, October 24th. – But do it now.

For more information about voting, including for other states you can visit:

*Residents or Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories are U.S. citizens, but they can not vote for president or congress members. Other particular restrictions may apply.

Vacation Week Ideas

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If you have kids out of school this week, or just have extra time for yourself, here are some places to go – to see more of Boston and MetroWest, have some family fun, and practice your English:

Winter/Spring ESL Classes at FAESL – New Student Lottery Information

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UPDATE: Registration is closed for this semester.  If your lottery number was not picked, there are other places to take classes listed on our Classes Page.  And there are many suggestions on this blog on how to improve your English by yourself.

Framingham Adult ESL has a limited number of spaces available for morning and evening classes for the Spring 2020 semester.

  • If you are interested in taking a MORNING English class at Framingham Adult ESL you must come in person to
    St. Tarcisius School (BRACE building)
    560 Waverly Street, Framingham
    Thursday, January 16th, 8:45 – 10:00 AM
  • If you are interested in taking an EVENING English class at Framingham Adult ESL you must come in person to
    Fuller Middle School Cafeteria
    31 Flagg Drive, Framingham
    Thursday, January 16th, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

NUEVO INGRESO Registro de Estudiantes (ESL lotería)
Horarios

  • Clases Mañanas ESL: Jueves, 16 de Enero 2020, 8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.,
    BRACE en St. Tarcisius Church, 560 Waverly Street
  • Clases Noche ESL: Jueves, 16 de Enero 2020, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.,
    Adult ESL en Fuller Middle School, 31 Flagg Drive

INSCRIÇAO PARA A LOTERIA:

  • ESL CLASSES DIURNAS: Quinta-feira, 16 de Janeiro, das 8:45am às
    10:00am.,
    BRACE, at St. Tarcisius Church, 560 Waverly Street
  • ESL Classes Noturnas: Quinta-feira, 16 de Janeiro, das 6:30pm às
    8:00pm.,
    ESL para Adultos, na Fuller Middle School,31 Flagg Drive
  1. Come on January 16th to submit an entry card (with your name, address, phone, etc).  Everyone who submits a card will have their name included in the lottery.
  2. If you are one of the winners of the lottery, you will be asked to come back on a different day for testing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • If I want to participate in the English class lottery, do I have to come to the school?
    YES – You must come to the school on Thursday January 16th to submit an entry card.
  • Will there be 2 separate lotteries?
    YES     – If you come in the morning of Jan 16th (to St. Tarcisius), your name will be part of the lottery for MORNING classes.  If you come in the evening of Jan 16th (to Fuller School), your name will be part of the lottery for EVENING classes.
  • On January 16th do I need to arrive at the school before 6:30PM (or before 8:45 AM for morning classes)?
    NO – You can come any time between 6:30 and 8:00PM (or between 8:45 and 10:00AM for morning classes).  ALL the names collected during that time will have an equal chance in the lottery.
  • If my name is selected in the lottery, what happens next?
    Someone from school will contact you, and you will be asked to come to the school for testing.  After testing, you will be assigned to one of these:

    • a regular English class (6 hours each week)
    • or – a volunteer-led, once-a-week prep class (2 hours)
      If you stay in prep class with good attendance, you will automatically be on a priority list for a regular class and will not need to participate in any more lotteries.
    • or – a waiting list
      (You get a space in class as soon as possible and do not need to participate in more lotteries)
  • When are the classes?
    • Regular morning classes are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 8:45 to 10:45
    • Regular evening classes are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30
    • Prep classes are on one of those mornings, or evenings, each week
    • Regular classes start on Tuesday February 4th and Prep classes start a few weeks later
  • I can’t come on January 16th.  Can I come on the 15th (or some other day)? Or can someone else come to submit an entry card for me?
    NO – Unfortunately, the only day you can come to submit your name for the lottery is on January 16th, and you must come in-person.

NOTE: This is information only.  It does not guarantee you a place in class. 

Can You Find the Wooden Soldiers?

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soldiers1 This year there are 30 wooden soldiers displayed all around Framingham in 25 different places!  Have you seen any?  If you have, take a picture of the soldier (selfie?), and post it on our FaceBook page.  (Or, you can Email us.)  With the picture, write where you saw the soldier.  Good luck!

On the Framingham Parks & Recreation Facebook page they have clues for where to find the soldiers.

soldiers2These tall wooden soldiers became well known when they guarded the old Shopper’s World shopping center during the Christmas shopping season. Some generous carpenters helped to build new copies of the soldiers, and it has become a Framingham tradition for the wooden soldiers to decorate the town during the holidays.

soldiers3Thanks Andreia, Sidi, Tena, Marta, and Jingie!

img_1304 img_2823 img_3563-jpg img_9850 part951481390027090

Fall ESL Classes at FAESL – New Student Lottery Information

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UPDATE: Registration is closed for this semester.

Framingham Adult ESL will have a limited number of spaces for morning and evening classes for the Fall 2019 semester.

  • If you are interested in taking a MORNING English class at Framingham Adult ESL you must come in person to
    St. Tarcisius School (BRACE building)
    560 Waverly Street, Framingham
    Thursday, August 15th, 8:45 – 10:00 AM
  • If you are interested in taking an EVENING English class at Framingham Adult ESL you must come in person to
    Fuller Middle School Cafeteria
    31 Flagg Drive, Framingham
    Thursday, August 15th, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
  1. Come on August 15th to submit an entry card (with your name, address, etc).  Everyone who submits a card will have their name included in the lottery.
  2. The lottery will be on Tuesday, August 20th. Don’t come to the school on Aug 20th.  You can watch the lottery online (Facebook Live) on your phone, tablet, or computer.
  3. If your number is selected in the lottery, you will be asked to come back on a different day for testing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • If I want to participate in the English class lottery, do I have to come to the school?
    YES – You must come to the school on Thursday August 15th to submit an entry card.  BUT, this should not take too long because there will be no lottery or testing on that day.
  • Will there be 2 separate lotteries?
    YES     – If you come in the morning of Aug 15th (to St. Tarcisius), your name will be part of the lottery for MORNING classes.  If you come in the evening of Aug 15th (to Fuller School), your name will be part of the lottery for EVENING classes.
  • On August 15th do I need to arrive at the school before 6:30PM (or before 8:45 AM for morning classes)?
    NO – You can come ANY time between 6:30 and 8:00PM (or between 8:45 and 10:00AM for morning classes).  ALL the names collected during that time will have an equal chance in the lottery.
  • Do I need to watch the lottery on Facebook Live on August 20th?
    NO – When you come to the school on August 15th, you will submit an entry card with information (phone, email) on how to contact you.  If your name is selected in the lottery, the school will contact you.
  • If my name is selected in the lottery, what happens next?
    You will be asked to come to the school for testing.  After testing, you will be assigned to one of these:

    • a regular English class (6 hours each week)
    • or – a volunteer-led, once-a-week prep class (2 hours)
      If you stay in prep class with good attendance, you will automatically be on a priority list for a regular class and will not need to participate in any more lotteries.
    • or – a waiting list
      (You get a space in class as soon as possible and do not need to participate in more lotteries)
  • When are the classes?
    • Regular morning classes are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 8:45 to 10:45
    • Regular evening classes are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30
    • Prep classes are on one of those mornings, or evenings, each week
    • Regular classes start on Wednesday/Thursday September 4th/5th and Prep classes start a few weeks later
  • I can’t come on August 15th.  Can I come on the 16th (or some other day)? Or can someone else come to submit an entry card for me?
    NO – Unfortunately, the only day you can come to submit your name for the lottery is on August 15th, and you must come in-person.

NOTE: This is information only.  It does not guarantee you a place in class. 

Enjoy a Free Movie Outside

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  Lots of free movies will be shown outside this summer all around MetroWest and Greater Boston.  Movies usually begin at sundown.  If the weather is “iffy”, it’s good to check for cancellations before you go.

Here are some locations with outdoor movie nights this summer:

    • Framingham Family Fun and Movie Night at Bowditch Field
      Thursday, August 22nd
      Games and family activities begin at 6:00,  Movie starts at sundown.
    • Hopedale Movie Night
      Hopedale Town Park – Corner of Freedom and Dutcher Streets
      Next movie: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Friday July 26th
    • Hopkinton Movies on the Common
      Hopkinton Common, 1 Main Street
      Next Movie: Lego Movie 2, Thursday July 25th
    • Boston – Hatch Shell on the Esplanade – Free Friday Flicks every Friday
      Pretty location along the Charles River, big screen, lots of space, lots of people
      Movies start around 8; Games before that starting at 6:00
      Next Movie: Bumblebee, Friday, July 26th
    • Wellesley – Summer Films outside at the Davis Museum, Wellesley College
      Free museum tours, art activities, free ice cream starting at 7PM
      Next Movie: Mary Poppins, Thursday July 26th
    • Waltham – Movies at the Mansion – Lyman Estate
      Beginning 7PM you can walk the grounds or visit the mansion
      Movie starts at 8:30
      Next Movie: Meet Me in St.Louis, Thursday July 25th
    • Boston – Sunday Movies at Christopher Columbus Park
      Beautiful park in Boston’s North End along the water
      Begins around 8:00
      Next Movie: Some Like it Hot, Sunday July 28th
      [Full Schedule]
    • Boston – Saturday Night Movies at the Prudential Center (at the South Garden)
      Children’s activities start at 6PM.  Movie starts at sundown
      Next Movie: Ralph Breaks the Internet, July 27th
    • See the The Boston Calendar for a good summary of these, and even more movies at places including Revere Beach, outside the Museum of Fine Arts, Assembly Row in Somerville, and other neighborhoods in Cambridge and Boston

Independence Day!

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Independence Day is also called The Fourth of July or sometimes, July Fourth.  It is a federal holiday in the United States.  It is the day that the United States declared its Independence from Great Britain in 1776.

On The Fourth of July, many people have cook-outs.  There are parades in many communities (including Natick and Milford).  Some places have Fireworks displays for everyone (Here’s a list).  But in some places it is illegal to have your own fireworks.

What will you do to celebrate July Fourth?

How old will the United States be this Fourth of July?  (click on the flag to find out) 

Whatever you decide to do, we hope you have a great day!

— Thanks to Christine for this article —

Memorial Day Weekend in Boston

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 See 37,000 flags on the Boston Common, visit the huge Museum of Fine Arts for free, and more…