<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">March 9, 2020</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></b></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Dear Needham Public Schools Families:</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></b></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="georgia, serif">The news about the spread and impact of the Coronavirus continually changes and, like you, we are busy keeping up with it. I recognize that there is a certain level of anxiety about this outbreak, and many have questions and concerns that are sometimes exacerbated by breaking news reports, social media, and the latest rumors.   In the Needham Public Schools, I continue to think it is important to take a deep breath, consider new information carefully, respond in a balanced and measured way, and prioritize the care of our students.</font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif">I'd like to share what we are doing here locally in Needham to ensure that our schools and the community remain healthy, safe, and ready for learning:</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="georgia, serif"><br></font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="georgia, serif"><b>• Public Health Guidance </b>The NPS are collaborating closely with the <a href="https://www.needhamma.gov/85/Public-Health" target="_blank">Town of Needham Public Health Department (NPHD)</a>, and the <a href="https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19" target="_blank">Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)</a>, both of whom are working with the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control (CDC)</a> to plan and advise us in our response to the Coronavirus.  Specific questions about the Coronavirus and symptoms can be found at any one of the links above.</font><font face="georgia, serif"><br></font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="georgia, serif"><br></font></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="georgia, serif"><b><span style="color:black">• School Health Services  </span></b><span style="color:black">School nurses are ramping up their efforts to check up on student absences, and they are being careful to question students who come into the office and are not feeling well. They also want to continue to be very careful, as we all need to, about maintaining student and staff confidentiality, particularly if someone is ill.  School Health Services Director Barbara Singer has encouraged all teachers to make sure students have ample time to wash hands and use tissues. We are ordering extra tissues and other cleaning materials for staff to use in schools and classrooms.  Please don't hesitate to contact your school nurse if you have a question or concern about your child's health.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="color:black"><br></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="color:black">• Cleaning Protocols  </span></b><span style="font-family:georgia,serif;color:black">The school custodians and our transportation vendors and drivers are implementing new protocols to regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door handles, bus seats, etc.).  We will bring extra staff on to support custodians and nutrition services workers as necessary.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="georgia, serif"><b>• Interrupted Teaching and Learning </b>Some students and families have inquired about possible plans to maintain instruction through, for example, online learning should there be a need to close a school or schools for a period of time.  </font><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">While we do not yet have a specific plan to implement, we are considering what we could reasonably expect to do to assist and support students, especially our most vulnerable students, in the event a school(s) closure becomes necessary.</span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">We are working with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), school administrators, and teachers to consider possible ideas, alternatives, and plans.  </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="color:black"><b>• Local School and International Trips  </b>At this time, and in consultation with the Needham Department of Public Health, we are not cancelling school-sponsored and local trips, athletic events, or meetings.  Should the situation change and we are advised to reconsider a field trip or trips, we will alert students and families at that time. </span></span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif;color:black">Given the Governor’s recommendation to cancel international travel, we will make announcements about trip cancellations or postponements later this</span><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="color:black"> week. </span>We have been working with our travel vendors to mitigate the losses that families will inevitably incur as the planned trips are canceled.  </font><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="color:black"><br></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><b style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="color:black">• Additional Information & Communication  </span></b><span style="font-family:georgia,serif;color:black">Please take a look at the attached "Frequently Asked Questions" or FAQ document attached to this email for additional information.  Updates will be provided as necessary in the days ahead.  </span><br></p></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="georgia, serif"><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html" target="_blank"></a><br></font></div><div class="gmail_default" style=""><font face="georgia, serif">Many thanks for your continued partnership as we work to serve your children!  As always, please let me know if you have a comment or question:  781.455.0400, x11203 or <a href="mailto:dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us">dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us</a></font></div><div class="gmail_default" style=""><font face="georgia, serif"><br></font></div><div class="gmail_default" style=""><font face="georgia, serif">Sincerely,</font></div><div class="gmail_default" style=""><font face="georgia, serif"><br></font></div><div class="gmail_default" style=""><font face="georgia, serif">Dan Gutekanst</font></div><div class="gmail_default" style=""><font face="georgia, serif">Superintendent</font></div><div class="gmail_default" style=""><font face="georgia, serif">Needham Public Schools</font></div></div></div>