Community Corner

Week in Review: Fire and Police Commended for Marathon Response, School Committee Reorganizes, and MHS Special Olympics Prep Rally

A look at this week's top stories.

Mansfield School Committee Considering Return of Exchange Programs

After putting the Mansfield High School foreign exchange programs on hold due to reports of student misbehavior during a 2012 exchange in Spain, the Mansfield School Committee is discussing the possibility of allowing a French exchange during the 2013-14 school year.

With a request to restart the French exchange from MHS foreign language chair Leslie Gildersleeve , the committee hopes to allow students to live abroad for a short period during the school year, but not with the rules and standards used in previous years. 

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“When I was a (Mansfield High School) principal I said if I would let my children go I would let others go. I would not feel comfortable sending my children on this,” Superintendent Brenda Hodges said.

 

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Police Take 52 into Custody During Comcast Center Opening Weekend

Last weekend, the Comcast Center held their first two shows of the season when country singer Brad Paisley performed on May 17 and KISS 108 held their annual KISS Concert on May 18.

According to Mansfield police, there were 18 arrests and 30 taken into protective custody during the May 17 show.

The majority of arrests made during the country singer's concert were for under 21 possession of liquor.

A much milder event, there were no arrests at the KISS Concert on May 18 and only four people were taken into protective custody.

 

Mansfield School Committee Vote on Chair and Vice Chair

With two new members and a new chair and vice chair, the May 21 meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was one for adjustments

Initially, newcomer Lynn Cavicci nominated chair Michael Townbridge for another year in the position, citing the need for experience with the recent loss of two experienced members.

"We lost a lot of experience, we need someone who can lead the board this year," Cavicci said.

Townbridge found a challenger to the position when Wayne Smith nominated vice-chair Kiera O'Neil. Ready to pass the torch, Townbridge removed his name from nomination to give O'Neil a chance to run the committee.

 

PHOTOS: Mansfield High School Special Olympics Pep Rally

With the Mansfield High School students and special guests such as Wally the Green Monster on hand, the annual Special Olympics pep rally was held for the 24 students who will compete in the Attleboro Day Games on May 21 at North Attleboro High School.

A jammed pack gym at Mansfield High School greeted the athletes and heard speeches including one from former Norwood hockey player Matt Brown.

In 2010, Brown was paralyzed after suffering a hit into the boards during a hockey game. 

The guests of honor all received a special certificate and a letter for their participation in the games.

 

Linda's Cookies and Making the Home Business Thrive

Linda Fernando started her own home business in Mansfield Linda’s Cookies in earnest almost six years ago, and she says it’s her life’s passion.

“Baking is one of those things I’ve always loved to do,” she said. “Ever since I was a little kid, I’d go bake when I was happy, when I was sad, anything. I always went to baking.”

Fernando, a graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in New York, first started baking in the city. She opened up her own successful home shop there, but decided to come back to Massachusetts.

“My goal was to come back and open a bakery on Cape Cod,” she said. “I moved back here, and you know, life takes funny turns. I ended up meeting my husband starting a family.”

 

Mansfield Police and Fire Praised for Response to Boston Marathon Bombing 

When Boston needed the help of local police and fire departments in the wake of the Boston Marathon Bombing, Mansfield answered.

Like many other towns, Mansfield sent four members of their police department as part of a call up by the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council to provide security and investigative support to the City of Boston in the days after the Boston Marathon Bombing.

Being recognized for their work in front of the selectmen, Mansfield Police Chief Ron Sellon praised the members of his department for their efforts to help Boston in the days after the bombing.

“Members of the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Counsel stood fixed posts for extended periods of time in heavy gear while knowing that a dangerous terrorist had struck once, and would likely do so again,” Sellon said.

The police chief added that some of the Mansfield members of the counsel put in 17 hour days during their time in Boston.

 


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