5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester – April 1

In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.

These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.

In today’s edition – Thursday, April 1 -  two Worcester elementary schools awarded state grants, Quinn’s Irish Pub is hiring, a Worcester affordable housing project receives state funding, Dunkin' DD Perks members get 4x points today for Opening Day and some tips to help local amphibians survive on wet spring nights.

Two Worcester Elementary Schools Awarded State Grants

Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley announced on Tuesday, March 30, that Jacob Hiatt and City View elementary schools in Worcester are among those to be awarded funding through the Expanded Learning Time Grants.

Jacob Hiatt Magnet and City View will each receive $383,097.

The schools will use the funding to address dramatic learning loss through a variety of approaches.

Teachers will tutor small student groups, engage in professional development in culturally responsive instruction, and work with a consultant on evidence-based strategies. Both schools will plan and deliver summer programming with academic and SEL support and enhanced through enrichment and partnerships.

The state funded, targeted grants support efforts of current ELT schools to address and alleviate learning loss incurred by students as the result of COVID and other underlying factors.

Need a Job? Quinn’s Irish Pub is Hiring

Quinn’s Irish Pub is hiring full-time staff for the spring and summer seasons.

Positions available include bartenders, waitstaff and kitchen staff. Applicants must be available for nights and weekends until 2 AM.

Applications are available at Quinn’s Irish Pub at 715 West Boylston St. in Worcester.

Worcester Housing Project Receives State Funding

Governor Charlie Baker’s office announced $13.7 million in funding for seven affordable housing projects across Massachusetts -- including A Place to Live, located at 30 Winfield St. in Worcester -- through the Department of Housing and Community Development [DHCD] Supportive Housing for Vulnerable Populations program.

The South Middlesex Opportunity Council [SMOC] will construct a new three-story building for chronically homeless single adults at the Winfield St. location. The building design includes 18 studio apartments for at-risk homeless individuals and office space for full-time case management and a community room.

DHCD will support 30 Winfield Street with subsidies and 10 state MRVPs. The City of Worcester is providing $100,000 in local HOME funds and project-based subsidies.

Dunkin’ Offers Bonus Perks Points on Opening Day

Dunkin’ is celebrating Boston Red Sox Opening Day at Fenway Park and the start of the 2021 baseball season with 4x points for DD Perks member on iced or hot beverage purchases on Thursday, April 1.

This means DD Perks members can score points toward a free beverage reward four times as fast (20 points per dollar spent rather than five).

Enrolment in DD Perks is available on the Dunkin’ App or at DDPerks.com.

BOLO for Amphibians on Roadways at Night

Be on the lookout for amphibians on roadways on rainy nights as the weather gets consistently warmer.

Spring rains signal it’s time for amphibians to emerge from winter retreats and migrate to breeding sites. Unfortunately, many of those animals will face the daunting task of having to cross roads to reach their destinations.

Spotted salamanders, wood frogs, blue-spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, American toads, spring peepers, four-toed salamanders, northern leopard frogs, and eastern red-backed salamanders are frequently encountered on roads during early spring rains.

These animals can be difficult to see, as they are generally small-bodied and move under the cover of dark.

Here are some tips from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife [MassWildlife] on what you can do to help:

• On rainy nights when air temperatures are 40°F or higher, delaying beyond the first 2 hours after sunset is recommended.
• Travel on larger highways rather than small, wooded roads if possible. Plan routes that minimize the number of wetlands or vernal pools passed.
• If observing amphibian migrations, consider arriving at your destination prior to sunset, and then conduct your monitoring on foot.
• If assisting amphibians across roadways or handling them for other reasons, be sure your hands are free of lotions, bug repellent, or other chemicals.
• Report high levels of amphibian activity or mortality to the Linking Landscapes for Massachusetts Wildlife initiative, which compiles data to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on problem roadways.
• If you encounter any of our state-listed rare amphibian species (eastern spadefoot, blue-spotted salamander, Jefferson salamander, and marbled salamander), please take a clear photograph of the animal, carefully record the location, and submit an observation report to MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.
• Go the extra mile to help preserve amphibian habitat by certifying vernal pools on your property. The data you collect is used to help MassWildlife and local conservation organizations better understand habitat resources for our native amphibians.