🌱 Students, Staff Take Off Masks + Plow Trucks Vandalized

Happy Wednesday, Providence! Here's everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Intervals of clouds and sun. High: 65 Low: 51.

Here are the top four stories in Providence today:

1. A dozen plow trucks used by the city of Providence were reportedly vandalized sometime over the weekend at the Providence Public Works Building. The windows were broken and the joysticks were stolen. The trucks were reportedly in a locked, fenced-in area, however, after inspection, police found that a section of the fence had been pulled back.(GoLocalProv)
2. As of April 6, Ronald Aubert, who is a visiting professor of the practice of race and ethnicity at the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Brown University stepped into his temporary role as interim dean of the School of Public Health (SPH). Aubert is reportedly filling in temporarily for Dean of SPH, Ashish Jha, while Jha takes a special assignment as the White House coronavirus response coordinator. (The Brown Daily Herald)
3. This week marks the first time in almost two years that staff and students at Providence schools have not been mandated to wear masks. Following a survey sent out to parents last month, the mask policy in the schools has been updated making it optional. However, the district is still taking the health risks of COVID-19 very seriously, continuing to offer free vaccination clinics and testing to students, teachers and staff. (WPRI.com)
4. More houses come on the market in the capital city. Are you looking to make a move? Patch

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Today in Providence:

• Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention @RWPBC (9:00 AM)
• Joe Parillo - Music Mansion (10:00 AM)
• Libraries Launch Lives - Middle School Maker Program (3:00 PM)
• Game On! Wednesdays - Community Libraries of Providence (3:30 PM)
• Providence Community Acupuncture - Community Libraries of Providence (5:00 PM)
• GED/COMPUTER - Community Libraries of Providence (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Adoption Rhode Island: "For over 20 years 'Easter Basket Lady' Mary Pasqualetti's beautiful Easter Baskets have made their way to thousands of children. Mary and friend Deb Ginolfi again thoughtfully packed dozens of wonderful baskets with items specially chosen to bring joy and happiness with each delivery our ARI team makes this week. Thank you Mary and Deb." (Facebook)
• Providence College: "In recognition of PC’s 50 Years of Women celebration, this episode of the Providence College Political Science Department's podcast, Beyond Your Newsfeed, is a conversation with graduates who have earned doctorates in political science." (Facebook)
• Providence Performing Arts Center: "PPAC is pleased to introduce our Reignite Professional Development Series! This is a FREE virtual professional development series for Rhode Island educators looking to earn professional learning units (PLU’s) towards certification."(Facebook)
• Rhode Island Foundation: "Thanks to our generous donors, we are able to offer scholarships to students from middle school to post-graduate level. Check out the many scholarship opportunities available and help us spread the word."(Facebook)
• Providence Public Library: "Creative Fellow Carmen Ribaudo's work is now on view at PPL! As part of our Tomboy exhibition, Carmen created a collage movie called "We Are Full," which is projected in the 3rd floor exhibition gallery whenever the library is open." (Facebook)
• Rhode Island Hospital: "Lifestyle medicine is an approach to caring for patients by focusing on changes to your lifestyle habits that can prevent, treat and even reverse disease. Learn how this approach can improve patients' health." (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a URI graduate and native 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.