<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif">Dear Needham Public Schools Families:</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif">I am pleased to report that last night the Needham School Committee approved my <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q6delAPD84FeaQWI5AQZ7tlLozNvTjb4eJaHL0RjUyo/edit?usp=sharing">recommendation to reopen our elementary, middle, and high schools</a> to full time instruction according to the following timetable:</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif">• <b>Elementary Schools</b> (K-5) Monday, April 5th</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif">• <b>Middle Schools</b> (6-8) Thursday, April 15th</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif">• <b>High School</b> (9-12) <i>Staggered start:</i> Grades 9 and 12 Monday, May 3rd; grades 10 and 11 Monday, May 10th; all students, May 17th</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style=""><font face="georgia, serif"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-a51ddc6e-7fff-6585-8683-fa576637a01f" style=""><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">We will build on the extraordinary work of our K-2 teachers and staff who have already successfully returned to school full time to guide a safe return to school this spring for all of our students. Preschool students will likely remain in their existing hybrid schedule; and students who are enrolled in the Remote Learning Academy, K-12, will continue to learn remotely for the remainder of the school year.</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"><br></span></p><p 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">There are significant logistical issues and concerns that must be worked out by the administrative and teaching staff over the coming weeks, and I look forward to updating families in the weeks ahead.  Principals will also provide more detailed information and plans as they unfold.  Rest assured that in all of our planning we will prioritize the health and safety of our students and staff and use our rigorous health protocols to guide all of our efforts.</span></p><p 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"><br></span></p><p 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">Also, we have recently updated our contact tracing and quarantine protocols to be aligned with the MA Department of Public Health and Town of Needham Public Health guidance.  You may review the protocol here: <a href="http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/District/COVID%20SITUATION%20CHARTS.pdf">COVID 19 Situation Chart</a>.  For more information about our health and measures, please check out the <a href="http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_reopening_our_schools/health___safety">district's website</a>.</span></p><p 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"><br></span></p><p 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">I will host a family meeting on <a href=" https://needham-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/87567653790?pwd=SzAyNW5zMzRMMG9ZenF2MzZtajI4Zz09">Thursday, March 25th at 6:00 p.m.</a> to update families about our full time school reopening planning efforts and respond to questions and comments.  I hope you can join me.</span></p><p 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"><br></span></p><p 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">Thank you for your continued patience and partnership as we support the amazing young people of the Needham Public Schools.</span></p><p 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"><br></span></p><p 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">Respectfully,</span></p></span><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></font></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" 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>