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 – Friday, November 19 – the Worcester Regional Research Bureau is hosting a forum discussing the challenges and opportunities the next Worcester Public Schools superintendent may face, tickets go on sale today for Ricky Duran at the Palladium, Assumption University renames its third school, a family friendly event at Elm Park on Saturday and TSA warns of heavy Thanksgiving travel.
WRRB to Host Forum on WPS Superintendent Search
The Worcester Regional Research Bureau will host “Searching for Excellence,” a forum discussing the search for the next Worcester Public Schools superintendent and the challenges and opportunities a candidate could face.
The event is in collaboration with the Worcester Education Collaborative.
The virtual event will take place on Wednesday, Dec. at 4 PM on Zoom and the forum will include the following members:
- Karin Chenoweth, The Education Trust
- Keri Rodrigues, Massachusetts Parents United
- Glenn Koocher, Massachusetts Association of School Committees
- Paul Reville, Harvard Graduate School of Education and former Massachusetts Secretary of Education
The event is free and open to the public. To register, click here.
Tickets for Ricky Duran at the Palladium on Sale
Ricky Duran returns to Worcester to perform at the Palladium on January 29.
Tickets go on sale on today — Friday, November 19 — at 10 AM and can be purchased here.
Assumption University Renames Liberal Arts and Sciences Building
Assumption University holds a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 AM on Saturday, November 20, to celebrate the naming of its third school, the D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The ceremony is at Founders Hall on the Assumption Campus at 500 Salisbury Street.
The school is in recognition of Donald and Michele D’Amour. Donald served as a Trustee from 1991-99 and Michele from 2015-19. The D’Amours and their family will join University officials, faculty, and students for the event.
Assumption formally transitioned to a University in June 2020, which included a restructuring into five different schools. The three schools named are the D’Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Grenon School of Business, and the Froelich School of Nursing.
Bring the Family to Elm Park with Common Start Coalition
Common Start Coalition, which advocates for child care and early education for all, holds an event at Elm Park on Saturday, November 20 from 10:30 AM to noon.
The event includes speakers, refreshments, and kids activities.
Common Start Coalition invites residents to come learn about the work to make childcare and early education accessibility.
TSA Warns of Heavy Thanksgiving Travel
The Transportation Security Administration [TSA] expects airport security checkpoints nationwide will be busy during the upcoming Thanksgiving travel period, which runs from Friday, November 19, through Sunday, November 28. TSA expects to screen about 20 million passengers during the Thanksgiving holiday.
TSA provides these tips for holiday travelers:
Wear a mask.
Travelers, TSA personnel, and other aviation workers are required to wear a mask as prescribed by the federal mask mandate. Everyone in airports, bus and rail stations, on passenger aircraft, public transportation, passenger railroads, and over-the-road buses operating on scheduled fixed-routes must wear a mask. If a traveler did not bring a mask, a TSA officer will offer a mask to that individual at the screening checkpoint.
Pack smart.
Prepare for security when packing and ensure that there are no prohibited items in baggage. Know which foods should go into a checked bag. Gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam, and preserves should all go into a checked bag, because they are not solids. If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, then it’s not a solid and should be packed in a checked bag. As always, passengers can bring solid foods such as cakes and other baked goods through the checkpoints.
It’s okay to bring hand sanitizer.
TSA is currently allowing travelers to bring one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice. Passengers can expect all containers larger 3.4 ounces will need to be screened separately, which will add some time to their checkpoint experience. Travelers also are permitted to bring alcohol wipes or anti-bacterial wipes in carry-on, checked luggage, or both.
Enroll in or renew your TSA PreCheck® membership.
Individuals who obtained TSA PreCheck five years ago are now able to renew their membership online at a discount. Individuals who do not have TSA PreCheck should enroll now to get TSA PreCheck benefits, available at more than 200 U.S. airports. Travelers enrolled in a trusted traveler program, like TSA PreCheck, do not need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. TSA PreCheck membership is more valuable now than ever before because it reduces touchpoints during the pandemic and puts travelers in security lines that have fewer travelers and move quicker, which encourages social distancing. To find the trusted traveler program that best suits your travel needs, use the DHS trusted traveler comparison tool.
Request passenger support.
Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to flying with any questions about screening policies, procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares also arranges assistance at the checkpoint.
Get your questions answered before you head to the airport.
Ask TSA. Travelers can get assistance in real time by submitting their questions and comments to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger. Travelers can also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673. Staff is available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends/holidays; and an automated service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Ensure you have proper ID.
Before heading to the airport, travelers should make sure they have acceptable identification. Identity verification is an important step in the security screening process.
Remain aware.
As a reminder, public awareness is key for supporting TSA’s security efforts. Travelers are encouraged to report suspicious activities, and remember: If You See Something, Say Something™. For additional information about TSA’s screening policies, visit www.tsa.gov.
