<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">April 2, 2020</font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">Dear Needham Public Schools Families:</font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">First and foremost, I hope everyone in your household is safe and
healthy. While I recognize the enormous challenge for them, I also hope our
young people are doing their level best to maintain social distancing; the
science clearly says it’s one big way we all can help make this pandemic end
sooner. </font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">Given the extraordinary situation we find ourselves in during the
outbreak of COVID-19, our students’ wellbeing and education remain a priority
for the district, and I’d like to share with you how we intend to provide
services and supports to our 5,700 students and their families during this
period of school closure:</font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p><p 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"><span style="color:black">•  The district is providing free meal
service for <i>any child or teen</i> in need
in Needham; there is no eligibility requirement or paperwork. Please read about
the </span><a href="http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/District/Superintendent/NPS%20meal%20service%20during%20school%20closure%20notice.pdf" style="color:blue">Child Nutrition Services Program</a><span style="color:black"> and help us spread the word about the availability of “grab and
go” bags containing breakfast and lunch for those children experiencing food hardship.
Any Needham student, no questions asked, can receive a nutritious breakfast and
lunch without cost.</span></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p><p 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">•  <span style="color:black">In an effort to be responsive to the
educational needs of all our students through the state-mandated school closure
now extended until May 4th, we collaborated with our teachers and
administrators to develop a viable and appropriate <a href="http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/District/Superintendent/District%20Remote%20Learning%20Plan.pdf">Needham Public Schools (NPS) Remote Learning Plan</a> to provide educational
programming, services, and curriculum consistent with recent guidance from the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Our model is a
combination of educator directed and student self-directed learning that varies
depending on student age, individual and family needs, access and capacity for
remote learning (including access to technology and the internet), and the
ongoing health of students and families.</span></font></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"><br></font></span></p><p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">The remote
learning plan for our district is designed to help restore a sense of structure
and routine to our students. However, remote learning cannot replace the
in-person school experience, and we should not expect remote learning to
replicate the traditional classroom experience, including the length of a school
day. While different, the core of our remote learning plan maintains the
district’s commitment to academics, social and emotional learning, and equity—hallmarks
of an education in the Needham Public Schools.</font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"><br></font></span></p><p 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"><span style="color:black">An overview
of the plan, which will be phased in beginning next Monday, April 6th,
is available here for families to review: </span><span style="color:black"><a href="http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/District/Superintendent/District%20Remote%20Learning%20Plan.pdf">NPS Remote Learning Plan</a>. Families and students will be hearing directly from school
principals in the next day or two about details and specific schedules for their remote learning
experiences. The focus at each school will be on reinforcing skills already
taught this school year, applying and deepening these skills, and introducing
new learning and concepts. Teachers will be using a range of technologies and
practices, materials and resources. The target length of time for student
engagement with learning will not be the amount of screen time they will be
experiencing. Students will have direct teacher contact time; support time with
counselors, nurses, and other related service providers; student collaboration
time; and individual student work time. Our hope is students will find the new
formats accessible and engaging, and that families will be our partners in the
learning process.</span></font></p><p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"><br></font></span></p><p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">Let me stress this point:  Our remote
learning plan will not replace the classroom or school experience. 
Students will not be engaged in a 6-hour day with certain activities, lessons,
and assignments scheduled in specific intervals with a teacher guiding the
learning each step.  This will be a truncated and very different learning
environment for our students. Although it is impossible to replace the full
educational experience virtually, our remote learning program seeks to provide
students a range of opportunities to build their mind, body, and spirit.
Whether in the classroom physically or virtually, our community will continue
to promote excellence and character through our spirit of working together.</font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"><br></font></span></p><p 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"><span style="color:black">• A </span><a href="http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/student_support_services/special_education" style="color:blue">Remote Learning Support/Services Plan</a><span style="color:black"> will be made available for families with students requiring
special education services. </span></font><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="color:black">This plan outlines how and to what extent special
education, related services and </span></font><span style="color:black;font-family:georgia,serif">accommodations & modifications will be provided
during this period of school closure. Rest assured, we will continue to do our
best to remain connected and to support continued learning for all students.</span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p>

<p 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"><span style="color:black">More information will be shared by your child’s principal within
the day and as the NPS Remote Learning Plan is thoughtfully rolled out each
week starting April 6th through May 1</span><span style="color:black">st.</span></font></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p>

<p 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"><span style="color:black">Finally, many families have inquired about the status of April
vacation.  Given that travel plans are
upended this spring and that we would like to provide some continuity in
learning and services for families, I am exploring with the Needham School
Committee the possibility of canceling the April break (with the exception of
Patriot’s Day), which, in turn, would allow us to shorten the school year with
a last day of school to be held on Friday, June 19</span><span style="color:black">th.  I will consider this carefully with the staff
and ultimately make a recommendation to the School Committee which is in the
best interest of our students, their families, and our educators.</span></font></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">On behalf of a very dedicated and caring staff, please know how
much we look forward to returning to our buildings this spring and greeting
every student when we reopen the school doors. We miss them like crazy! We
recognize, of course, that there are many factors outside our control right now,
and we will respond to the changing situation and solve the problems as they
arise. What will not change is our commitment to maintain and nurture strong
relationships with our amazing students and their caring and supportive families.
</font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p>

<p 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"><span style="color:black">Please continue to reach out to me with your questions or
concerns.  My phone number is 781.455.0400, x11203 or </span><a href="mailto:dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us" target="_blank" style="color:blue"><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us</span></a></font></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">Please take care of yourself and stay healthy,</font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">Dan Gutekanst</font></span></p>

<p 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="color:black"><font face="georgia, serif">Superintendent of Schools</font></span></p>

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