November 2009 - Superintendents_update - mailman.dca2.superb.net

Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 25 Nov '09

25 Nov '09

Dear Parents and Guardians: A few updates to begin the Holiday weekend: H1N1/Flu Update Overall, our absentee rate due to flu in the school system is quite low, around 1 to 2% of all students. We have held two successful flu clinics so far at Eliot and Hillside, and we will continue to hold clinics under the direction and supervision of the Needham Health Department as the vaccine becomes available. We did learn that nine students at Eliot were among the 47 Needham residents and town employees who inadvertently received the seasonal flu vaccine, but the students are fine and will receive the H1N1 vaccine as soon as possible. Commitment to the Community In all our schools, students, staff, and parents reach out regularly to learn more about local and global issues and to help others. Two recent examples come to mind: Eliot capped off their successful [ http://www.roomtoread.org/Page.aspx?pid=261 ]Room to Read program by presenting John Wood, author of Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, a check for $4,000 to assist his organization as it builds school libraries in developing countries. As part of the exceptional effort by the Eliot community, our students learned about the countries and students they were supporting and, in the process, read over 250,000 pages of books as part of the project! At Needham High, dozens of seniors have been working during a physical education class to provide physical fitness instruction and guidance to local senior citizens with whom they were paired as "buddies" for the last several weeks. The unique "Senior to Senior" program, supported by a Needham Education Foundation (NEF) grant, paired our students with an older "buddy" to assist them with weight training, walking, running, and overall fitness. It has been an awesome opportunity for younger and older generations to interact, learn from one another, and have fun. Of course, the senior citizens were thrilled to meet and work with our students. Congratulations to all of our students, staff, and parents in each school who consistently demonstrate their commitment to the community. Student Award Congratulations to two Needham High School students, Joanna Glanz and Aseem Mehta, who received the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' (MASS) Award presented annually to two outstanding seniors who have demonstrated exemplary academic success in high school. These two young people, both of whom are at the top of their class, clearly represent the finest of our students and their hard work and passion for learning reflects the values of the Needham Public Schools: Scholarship, Citizenship, Community and Personal Growth. Thanks to their teachers for encouraging them and to their parents for supporting them. Lastly, let me wish you and your families a peaceful and restful Thanksgiving Holiday. I am looking forward to spending time with my three beautiful daughters (Elyse, Claire, and Nora) and loving (and very patient) wife, Karen. I am very thankful for them! I am also thankful to know and to work with a talented staff, committed parents, a supportive community, and extraordinary young people like Joanna and Aseem. I am honored to be your superintendent, and I appreciate the opportunity you have given me. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Needham Public Schools 781.455.0400 x203 dan_gutekanst(a)nnedham.k12.ma.us

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Superintendent's Update (Revised)
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 06 Nov '09

06 Nov '09

REVISED AND UPDATED! Dear Parents and Guardians: Two quick updates to conclude the week: Flu Update Currently, about 4% of students and faculty/staff in the Needham Public Schools are experiencing symptoms of the H1N1 influenza. Daily surveillance is monitoring the incidence of student and staff absences and influenza like illness. Your cooperation with keeping ill children home and not giving them fever reducing medications prior to school is very important in preventing the spread of flu germs among classmates and adults. We encourage healthy children to continue attending school during this flu outbreak. In an effort to prevent widespread disease from the H1N1 flu in the school community, the Needham Health Department is planning to administer the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Injectable Vaccine to children in grades K-12 with parent consent. The vaccination clinics will be held during the school day and staffed by school and town medical staff and volunteers. If you did not receive information about the vaccination clinics and a consent form, please contact the school nurse immediately. All vaccine consent forms must be submitted by Monday November 9, 2009. If you have not completely filled out and returned the vaccine consent form to school, your child will not be vaccinated. The first flu vaccine clinic held at Eliot this past week was successful and the children tolerated the vaccination with resilience and smiles. Plans for flu clinics to be held in each of the schools are being prepared and will be implemented as soon an adequate vaccine supply is available. Since delivery of the vaccine is arriving in unpredictable and limited quantities, the scheduling of the clinics may occur with a few days notice for schools and parents. You will be informed prior to the day your child is scheduled to receive the vaccination. Vaccine consent forms and information about the H1N1 Flu and vaccine is posted on the[ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/health_services/ ]NPS Health Services website. Newman Renovation Parents and members of the community continue to ask if there will be additional opportunities to learn more about the proposed Newman renovation project. I have been invited to speak at a few upcoming events that you are welcome to attend: -Monday, November 9th Citizens for Needham Schools (CNS) is sponsoring an informational program about the project at the Needham Historical Society. Selectmen, School Committee members, and I will present an overview of the plans and answer questions. -Thursday, November 12th the Newman PTC has invited me to update parents about the proposed renovation. -Thursday, November 19th the Mitchell PTC has invited to join them for a conversation about the plans. A 20 minute cable show highlighting the planned renovation will also broadcast beginning this weekend according to the following schedule: Channels 3, 26, and 31: Sunday at 10:00 p.m., Monday at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. Check out the [ http://greisnet.com/tnc.nsf/Main?Openpage ]The Needham Channel website for more information. We will also have it available online next week. Folks may also visit the school department's website: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/newman_renovation_updates/ ]Newman Renovation Updates to learn about the project. 2009-10 District Goals The Needham School Committee recently approved goals for the school district. The goals will guide the NPS staff as we work together to improve our schools and student learning this year and beyond. Please visit the school department's website and click on the link on the front page to download a pdf: [ http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/ ]http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/ Enjoy the weekend! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 06 Nov '09

06 Nov '09

Dear Parents and Guardians: Two quick updates to conclude the week: Flu Update Currently, about 4% of students and faculty/staff in the Needham Public Schools are experiencing symptoms of the H1N1 influenza. Daily surveillance is monitoring the incidence of student and staff absences and influenza like illness. Your cooperation with keeping ill children home and not giving them fever reducing medications prior to school is very important in preventing the spread of flu germs among classmates and adults. We encourage healthy children to continue attending school during this flu outbreak. In an effort to prevent widespread disease from the H1N1 flu in the school community, the Needham Health Department is planning to administer the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Injectable Vaccine to children in grades K-12 with parent consent. The vaccination clinics will be held during the school day and staffed by school and town medical staff and volunteers. If you did not receive information about the vaccination clinics and a consent form, please contact the school nurse immediately. All vaccine consent forms must be submitted by Monday November 9, 2009. If you have not completely filled out and returned the vaccine consent form to school, your child will not be vaccinated. The first flu vaccine clinic held at Eliot this past week was successful and the children tolerated the vaccination with resilience and smiles. Plans for flu clinics to be held in each of the schools are being prepared and will be implemented as soon an adequate vaccine supply is available. Since delivery of the vaccine is arriving in unpredictable and limited quantities, the scheduling of the clinics may occur with a few days notice for schools and parents. You will be informed prior to the day your child is scheduled to receive the vaccination. Vaccine consent forms and information about the H1N1 Flu and vaccine is posted on the[ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/health_services/ ]NPS Health Services website. Newman Renovation Parents and members of the community continue to ask if there will be additional opportunities to learn more about the proposed Newman renovation project. I have been invited to speak at a few upcoming events that you are welcome to attend: -Monday, November 9th Citizens for Needham Schools (CNS) is sponsoring an informational program about the project at the Needham Historical Society. Selectmen, School Committee members, and I will present an overview of the plans and answer questions. -Thursday, November 12th the Newman PTC has invited me to update parents about the proposed renovation. -Thursday, November 19th the Mitchell PTC has invited to join them for a conversation about the plans. Folks may also visit the school department's website: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/newman_renovation_updates/ ]Newman Renovation Updates to learn about the project. 2009-10 District Goals The Needham School Committee recently approved goals for the school district. The goals will guide the NPS staff as we work together to improve our schools and student learning this year and beyond. Please visit the school department's website and click on the link on the front page to download a pdf: http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/ Enjoy the weekend! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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