<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif" style="">March 17, 2020 </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif" style="">8:15 p.m.</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"><font face="georgia, serif">Allow me to share some additional updates about the school closure and how we will be able to support your children during this time. </font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">Many of you may be eager to hear what learning options and
resources are available for your children. We acknowledge that it is not possible to replicate the
caring instructional environment of the classroom remotely, but the teachers
and administrators of the Needham Public Schools are working each day to
develop a thoughtful and coordinated plan to support you. The staff is
collaborating on enrichment activities and finding ways to stay engaged with
our students and families while school is not in session. </font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">Families in grades K to 5 will
receive a curated list of resources by Friday, March 20<sup>th</sup>; Middle
School families will receive cluster-specific resources on Saturday, March 21<sup>st</sup>;
and High School students will receive department and teacher specific learning
activities on Monday morning, March 23<sup>rd</sup>. Throughout the week of
March 23<sup>rd</sup> and moving forward, teachers and counselors will be
reaching out to their students during regular school hours. All of the learning
opportunities are recommended but not required. The work will not be graded
nor will we introduce new curriculum or new units of study.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><span style="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">In the meantime, families and
students may want to check out their school’s Technology Center websites
for links to different online learning resources and reminders about Digital Citizenship and/or advice on managing children’s device
usage. There are also some grade-level appropriate apps you may wish to consider to download or use.</font></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><a href="http://broadmeadow.needham.k12.ma.us/classrooms/technology" style="color:blue" target="_blank">Broadmeadow</a> </font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><a href="http://eliot.needham.k12.ma.us/classrooms/technology" style="color:blue" target="_blank">Eliot</a><span style="color:black"> <span> </span></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><a href="http://mitchell.needham.k12.ma.us/classrooms/technology_center" style="color:blue" target="_blank">Mitchell</a><span style="color:black"> </span></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><a href="http://newman.needham.k12.ma.us/classrooms/technology" style="color:blue" target="_blank">Newman</a><span style="color:black"> <span> </span></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><a href="http://sunitawilliams.needham.k12.ma.us/classrooms/technology" style="color:blue" target="_blank">Sunita Williams</a></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><a href="https://sites.google.com/a/needham.k12.ma.us/hrtechresources/home" style="color:blue" target="_blank">High Rock</a><font color="#000000"> </font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><a href="https://sites.google.com/a/needham.k12.ma.us/family_tech/" style="color:blue" target="_blank">Pollard</a><font color="#000000"> </font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><a href="https://sites.google.com/a/needham.k12.ma.us/needham-high-school-media-office/parent-resources/tech-at-home" style="color:blue" target="_blank">Needham High School</a></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">Learning from home is a solution to the need for social
distancing, but social connection is an important protective factor for all of
us. Our challenge is to find new ways to connect because it is risky for
children to hang out in large groups or be together on the playground, which is
why all school playgrounds have been closed. </font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">Our community partners, <a href="http://www.needhamma.gov/85/Public-Health" style="color:blue" target="_blank">Needham Public
Health</a><u>,</u> <a href="https://www.needhamma.gov/3303/Health-Human-Services" style="color:blue" target="_blank">Needham Health and
Human Services</a>, and the <a href="http://needhamcommunitycouncil.org/services/" style="color:blue" target="_blank">Needham
Community Council</a> are helping to meet the needs of families during this crisis. Families may contact the Needham Community Council, for example, to get meals and food. We recognize that our Boston resident students and families need resources
closer to home and we are thankful that <a href="https://metcoinc.org/" style="color:blue" target="_blank">METCO, Inc.</a> provides a list of services and supports.</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">I will continue to provide necessary updates and information
via email, the <a href="http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/" style="color:blue" target="_blank">NPS website</a>, and on <a href="https://twitter.com/NPS_Supt/status/1239906127573331972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ANPS_Supt%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.needham.k12.ma.us%2F" style="color:blue" target="_blank">NPS
Twitter</a> throughout the school closure.
</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">Finally,
let me acknowledge that I understand these times are extraordinary, uncertain,
and can be exhausting, especially for the adults who may be anxious about a
loved one’s health, their jobs, and protecting young families. During the days
and weeks ahead, let’s acknowledge we will make mistakes, and we will need to practice
patience, perspective, and empathy. Let's remember to check on one another and our neighbors, especially the elderly. I’m
reminded of something Mother Teresa urged others to consider during tumultuous times: “Never be so busy as not to think of others.” Throughout her life, Mother Teresa also urged us to smile often. Great advice for these times!</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif">While
the schools are closed, please continue to reach out to me at 781-455-0400
x11203 or <a href="mailto:dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us" style="color:blue" target="_blank">dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us</a> </font></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">Thank you to all those who are partners in ensuring the
safety and wellbeing of our community. </span><br></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><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font face="georgia, serif" style="">Needham Public Schools</font></p></div></div>