Superintendents_update

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August 2009

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 31 Aug '09

31 Aug '09

Monday, August 31, 2009 Dear Parents and Guardians: Welcome to the 2009-10 school year! I hope and trust that you and your family enjoyed some time together this summer to rest and relax. I know I appreciated the time I spent with my family visiting relatives, enjoying the beach, and hiking a couple of Maine's beautiful mountains. A quick story: One of my older daughters, who frequently complained about all the hiking the family was "forced" to do while she was growing up, came back from freshman year in college, and one of the first questions out of her mouth was: "Do we get to go mountain climbing this summer?" My wife and I were both stunned and pleased! It's nice to know that as they grow up, our children begin to appreciate and even enjoy some of the things we made them "endure" when they were little. As we prepare for the opening of school on Wednesday, September 2nd, please allow me to share a few updates: 2009 Performance Report has been mailed out and should be in your home within the next several days. The report provides detailed information about Needham's schools, programs, and student achievement. We are very proud of the report and hope you find it valuable and useful. High Rock School will open on time for our 6th grade students and staff. The Needham community should be very proud of its willingness to fund and support this wonderful new school that has been constructed on time and under budget! Principal Jessica Downey and the staff have worked throughout the summer to ensure students are welcomed to what will be an amazing opportunity for learning and growth. High Rock parents and 6th graders are invited to an Open House on Tuesday, September 1st at 1:00 p.m. Learn more about [ http://highrock.needham.k12.ma.us/main/ ]High Rock School on the district's website. The Newman Renovation project moves forward. Architects are busily completing a schematic design and costs estimates for a major Newman renovation and preparing to share this with town boards, including the School Committee at its first meeting Tuesday evening, September 1st at 7:00 p.m. at Broadmeadow. We are working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to secure partial funding of this important project for a likely 2011 construction start. In order for this project to move forward, of course, the entire Needham community will need to pass an override that is presently being planned for December. More information about the Newman project can be found on the district's website: [ http://newman.needham.k12.ma.us/updates/remediationnews.htm ]Newman Remediation Updates H1N1 Updates will be available on the district's website: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/health_services/ ]H1N1 Flu Update Parents who have questions about the upcoming flu season and any concerns about the H1N1 (Swine Flu) should contact their pediatrician and consult our website for regular updates. Finally, again this year we will strive to integrate the core values of Scholarship, Personal Growth, Citizenship, and Community into all of our work with Needhams students. We believe there is no higher purpose for the community than to ensure our children have an exceptional educational experience that will empower them as learners and citizens. We are looking forward to greeting your child and all the students this week. Let me take this opportunity to wish each young person a successful school year! As always, please contact me now and throughout the year with questions, comments, and suggestions. I can be reached at 781.455.0400, extension 203 or [ mailto:dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us ]dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us Sincerely, Daniel E. Gutekanst, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

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