September 2010 - Superintendents_update

Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 14 Sep '10

14 Sep '10

Dear Parents and Guardians: Budget Update At its first meeting of the school year, the School Committee reviewed a draft document outlining general budget guidelines and priorities for the school year 2011-12 (Fiscal Year '12). Even though it seems early in the year to be discussing the budget process and priorities for next year, the development of the budget plan requires several months of work, and the priorities help guide the development of a thoughtful budget. The School Committee welcomes input, comments, and suggestions about the FY12 budget priorities before they vote on a final document at their October 5, 2010 meeting. You may read about the budget process and priorities here: [ http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/ ]Superintendent's Blog Please submit written comments via email to schoolcommittee(a)needham.k12.ma.us or you may post a comment if you wish. In addition, members of the community are welcome to provide feedback directly to the School Committee at its meeting scheduled for September 21, 2010 at Broadmeadow during the Public Participation portion of the meeting, beginning at 7:05 p.m. School Committee Open House November 6th The Needham School Committee will hold its annual Open House, this year on Saturday, November 6th at Newman during the annual [ http://www.clubrunner.ca/CPrg/Home/eventitem.asp?cid=3694&iid=108564&rtp=/C… ]Rotary Pancake Breakfast in the cafeteria. The Open House will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. and provides an informal opportunity for the School Committee to hear from parents and community members. Grab a stack of pancakes and stop by to say hello to your School Committee, ask a question, or make a suggestion. They are eager to meet you. Sincerely, Daniel Gutekanst, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools P.S. We are enjoying a great third week of schools!

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 07 Sep '10

07 Sep '10

Dear Parents and Guardians: As you may know, the Governor recently signed into law legislation that requires school districts to develop responses, procedures, and protocols to deal with bullying and cyber-bullying in schools. To learn more, you may read a Boston Globe article here: [ http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/05/patrick_enacts.html ]Bullying Legislation (Boston Globe) Fortunately, the Needham Schools are already well positioned to deal with bullying behavior, and the principals have included in their school handbooks a code of discipline that outlines how they will respond to this kind of behavior. The new legislation requires all schools to develop and implement a specific bullying prevention plan by late December that ensures our schools are safe, healthy, and welcoming for all students. This fall, in collaboration with staff, parents, students, and members of the community, the Needham Schools will design a prevention plan that addresses bullying behavior, and we will share this plan with the community and School Committee before the end of the calendar year. Prior to the development of the prevention plan and to affirm that the Needham Schools will not tolerate bullying behavior, the School Committee has written a draft policy to address and confront bullying and cyber-bullying in Needham's schools and classrooms. You may read the draft policy by clicking on this link to the: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/school_committee/ ]School Committee Webpage The School Committee will review the policy at this evening's first meeting of the year and seeks input and comments about the proposed policy. The School Committee will consider all feedback and will vote on this policy at its October 5, 2010 meeting. Parents and community members wishing to comment about the proposed policy can email the School Committee: schoolcommittee(a)needham.k12.ma.us You are encouraged to share your comments and ideas. Sincerely, Daniel Gutekanst, Ed.D. Superintendent Needham Public Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 01 Sep '10

01 Sep '10

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 Dear Parents and Guardians: Welcome to the 2010-11 school year! I hope your family enjoyed some time together this summer to rest and relax. We have had a wonderful opening to the new school year. Teachers were ready, buildings were clean, and your children arrived with eager smiles and plenty of energy for the year ahead. Please allow me to share a few updates as we begin a new school year together: 2010 Performance Report has been mailed out and should already be in your home. 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. The Newman Elementary School Community welcomed a new principal, Jessica Peterson, who has been meeting with staff this summer and preparing for a new year. The Newman repair project started with prepatory work in the building and parking lot areas in anticipation of the entire renovation beginning next summer. Bullying Prevention and Training was on the agenda in each school this week. Principals are working closely with all staff to share updates and information about bullying and cyber-bullying and the district's response to bullying behavior. Next week the School Committee will hear an update about the steps we are taking as a district to comply with the recent legislation around bullying, and they will also consider a new district policy designed to address bullying in the schools. Parents can expect additional information and updates as we work to ensure our schools remain safe, secure, healthy, and respectful learning environments for all children. Calling all Engineers! This fall we would like to invite parents, Needham High graduates, neighbors, and other members of the Needham community who are engineers (electrical, computer, mechanical, etc.) or in related career fields to attend a breakfast and learn about some of the Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering initiatives we are pursuing in Needham's schools. If you or someone you know may be interested in receiving an invitation to the breakfast (date still to be determined), please send contact information to joyce_wiggin(a)needham.k12.ma.us Adult Education programs have been mailed out. For more information, please check the district's website: http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/community_education/Adult%20Education 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. 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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