🌱Happy Birthday Stephen Hopkins + In School Vaccination Clinics

Good morning, Providence! Here's everything you need to know to get this Tuesday started off right. Here's what's going on today in Providence.

First, today's weather:

Cooler; breezy in the morning. High: 47 Low: 27.

Here are the top stories today in Providence:

1. The Rhode Island statewide school mask mandate ended at 5 p.m. on Friday. Masks are now optional in most RI schools for the first time since the start of the pandemic. (WLNE-TV (ABC6))
2. On March 7, 1707, Stephen Hopkins, perhaps the most famous Rhode Islander from the colonial period was born in Providence. He was the Colonial Governor and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Hopkins met his demise in 1785 and is buried in the North Burial Ground in Providence. The town of Hopkinton is named for him. (What'sUpNewp)
3. Providence Public Schools are launching in-school vaccination clinics from March 7 to 11.
   Vaccination clinics at all District high schools. Students under the age of 16 must have written consent from their parents or guardians to receive a shot.(WLNE-TV (ABC6))
4. The United Way of Rhode Island has been awarded a $1 million commitment, from the Papitto Opportunity Connection to help create a statewide Nonprofit Resource Center.
   United Way is currently looking for applicants to serve on the design team that will help guide the creation of this center, which will serve the state’s entire nonprofit ecosystem. (The Westerly Sun)
5. Providence prospective homeowners, check out these four new properties that just hit the market. Are you looking to move? (Providence Patch)

Today in Providence:

• ESL Class: beginner/principiante - Providence Community Library (10:00 AM)
• Family Story Time & Craft - Providence Community Library (11:30 AM)
• #HSVaxWeek : Central High School - Providence Public Schools (12:45 PM)
• STEM Activity - Providence Community Library (3:00 PM)
• Kid's Theater: A PLAY IN A DAY - Providence Community Library (4:00 PM)
• Math in the House! (FULL) - Providence Community Library (4:00 PM)
• ESL Class: intermediate/intermedio - Providence Community Library (4:00 PM)
• Learn ITALIAN: beginner 1 - Providence Community Library (5:30 PM)
• Community Painting Hours - Providence Community Library (6:00 PM)
• Teen Graphic Novel Club - Providence Community Library (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Providence Animal Rescue League: "It is that time of the year! Monthly Donor March Madness is back at PARL! For 2022, we would love to have 22 additional monthly donors. Will you be one of them? Get your head in the game and become a monthly donor!" (Facebook)
• Providence Performing Arts Center: "Don’t miss out on your chance to go to "prom" this week with The Prom at PPAC from THIS Tuesday, March 8 through Sunday, March 13!" (Facebook)
• Providence Public Library: "Check out our latest PPL Staff Picks list...get this and other lists regularly in email." (Facebook)
• Rhode Island Convention Center: "Happy 539th Birthday, Michelangelo ! Tickets On Sale Now Michelangelo - A Different View. Open May 12 - June 12. Learn more & get your tickets here" (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a URI graduate and I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love Providence and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.