<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><span id="m_-4450274031789412755gmail-docs-internal-guid-2c498122-7fff-585a-31c7-0d1aeec87032"><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:georgia,serif;line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap">Dear Needham Public Schools Families:</span><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif">This afternoon, Governor Baker and Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Jeff Riley released their initial guidance about reopening schools this fall.  I very much appreciate the time and thought that went into the development of this guidance, especially with its focus on prioritizing student and staff health and safety.  </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif"><br></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif">The overall goal is the return of as many students as possible to in-person school settings in order to best meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.</font></span><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;color:rgb(0,0,0);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> I encourage you to read the Commissioner’s full report at </span><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="http://www.doe.mass.edu/" target="_blank">Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance</a>.  </span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif">Needham Public Schools administrators and staff, guided by the COVID-19 Advisory Committee, will immediately review the guidelines and continue our planning for a safe reopening of school in the fall.  We understand that these initial guidelines do not address every topic or concern and that there will be additional guidance forthcoming from DESE later in July.  Following are key components of the guidance we received today:</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">·</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">         </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Current medical research supports a safe in-person return to school - with preventive measures in place - as infection and transmission rates are lower for children than adults.</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:12pt 0pt 0pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">·</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">         </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Preventive measures include masks/face coverings, physical distancing, hand washing, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:12pt 0pt 0pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">·</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">         </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Masks/face coverings will be required for all students in Grade 2 and above and for all adults. </span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-left:36pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:12pt 0pt 0pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">·</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">         </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Schools should maximize physical distance wherever possible, however, based upon current medical research, and in conjunction with other preventative measures, three feet is the minimum distance required.</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif">The guidance directs school districts to develop three separate plans - one for return to full in-person instruction with safety requirements, one for hybrid learning that combines in-person and remote learning, and one for full remote learning.  </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif">Based upon the current medical situation and the trajectory of the disease in Massachusetts, the expectation today is that students will return to full in-person instruction in September; however, that is subject to change based upon how the medical situation develops.  Furthermore, we will need to analyze and consider how our schools and classrooms can be organized to facilitate the health and safety measures outlined; this will be challenging work and likely result in tradeoffs to programs and the traditional school day.</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="georgia, serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">I acknowledge that there are more questions than answers at this time; rest assured we will continue to communicate with you in the coming weeks and months. Thank you for your partnership and support as we work together during these challenging times.</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="georgia, serif">Respectfully,</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="georgia, serif"> </font></p></span></div><div><div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="georgia, serif">Dan Gutekanst</font></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="georgia, serif">Superintendent of Schools</font></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="georgia, serif">Needham Public Schools</font></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="georgia, serif">1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492</font></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="georgia, serif">781-455-0400 x11203</font></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="georgia, serif"><a href="mailto:dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us" target="_blank">dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us</a></font></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font size="1">ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance.</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font size="1">Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子 的学校联系。</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font size="1">Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia.</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><font size="1">Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.</font></span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div>