<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif" style="">Sunday, March 15, 2020</font></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">Dear Needham Public Schools Families:</font></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">You may know by now that Governor Baker, in consultation with Commissioner Riley, decided this evening that Massachusetts schools will close for a three week period beginning tomorrow due to the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).  This news does not change anything for us in the Needham Public Schools, at least not immediately. We will work in the coming days to understand what we must do beyond the two week closure we have already announced. </span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">For the
health and wellbeing of our community, we are continuing with plans to keep our
schools closed at least through April 7th. We know how disruptive this is to
everyone’s lives, yet we recognize the need to follow the guidance set forth by
the </span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/" style="color:blue"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">CDC</span></a><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">, </span><a href="https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health" style="color:blue"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Department of Health</span></a><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">, </span><a href="http://www.needhamma.gov/85/Public-Health" style="color:blue"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Needham Public Health</span></a><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">, and our School Physician. We are encouraging “social
distancing” (staying out of large groups and maintaining 6 feet of separation
at smaller gatherings) to lower the risk of transmission of illness to others. We urge families to limit their childrens' play dates and  to consider ways that they can have appropriate and healthy interactions with their peers.  This is an important though difficult lesson not only for our students but also
for the adults who care for them. Together, we will do our part to mitigate
the spread of COVID-19.</span></font></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Tomorrow, Monday,
March 16^th, our dedicated staff at every school will be </span>preparing
appropriate enrichment activities to help students remain engaged while school
is not in session. They will be gathering materials and preparing online
resources for student access. In addition, staff will be coordinating plans to
remain in touch with students and families periodically during the week of
March 23^rd to assist with accessing enrichment activities and to
check in on how students are doing. More details about enrichment activities
available will be shared by your child's principal.</font></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">All school buildings, including the administrative building, will be closed at 3:00 pm on Monday and remain
closed through April 6th. Needham Public Schools staff will be working remotely
from home to plan curriculum units, engage in professional learning, and
collaborate virtually with colleagues in preparation for schools to reopen.
Since it is important for all of us to stay connected, staff will be checking
and returning emails throughout the week. </font></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">A number of additional resources are being put in place,
including:</font></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"> • </font><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Information from the </span><a href="http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/student_support_services/special_education" style="font-family:georgia,serif;color:blue">Needham
Office for Special Education</a><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"> is available on the district website.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">• The Needham Public Schools Nutrition Services
department is collaborating with </span><a href="http://needhamcommunitycouncil.org/food-pantry/" style="font-family:georgia,serif;color:blue">Needham Community
Council</a><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"> to provide food for the community during the school closure period. Families are urged to call 781-444-2415 for assistance.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">• Needham Public Schools Nurses will be in their
Health Offices on Monday, March 16 between 8 am and 10 am so you can pick up your
child’s medication if necessary.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">• I strongly urge families to sign up for a Twitter account to stay abreast of necessary school information.  I will be sending updates on Twitter that will be easily accessible and informational.  It takes only a few minutes to set up an account, and I expect this way of communicating will be beneficial for students and families.  Click the link to set up an account:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><a href=" https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt">https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt</a></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">I assure you that we are committed to prioritizing safety,
health, and wellness during these unprecedented times.  Rest assured that Needham Public Schools will
keep all of our children and families at the forefront, providing ongoing support,
guidance, and education. Please feel free to contact me</font><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"> via phone (781-455-0400, x11203) or email: </span><a href="mailto:dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us" target="_blank" style="font-family:georgia,serif">dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us</a><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"> .</span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">Respectfully,</font></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">Dan Gutekanst</font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif" style="">Superintendent</font></p></div></div>