Superintendents_update

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January 2011

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 30 Jan '11

30 Jan '11

Dear Parents and Guardians: A couple of updates to begin the week: Middle School Musical/Concerts As I am sure you know, Needham's students are exceptional theatrical and musical performers. Beginning February 3rd , Pollard students kick off a new season of musical theater in the Needham Schools with three performances of the musical, Working. For ticket information and a calendar of other school musical performances, please go to the Fine and Performing Arts website: http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/FPA/ Weather Related School Delays/Cancellations As you may recall, I notified parents this past fall that the school district implemented a new phone and email messaging system that would alert NPS parents in the event of a weather related school cancellation or school emergency. We also continue to use the district's website and local media outlets to alert parents and students about [ http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/district/no_school_info.htm ]NPS Weather related school closing information. (The Town of Needham has a separate emergency notification system for town-wide emergencies. For more information about the town's system, please click this link: http://www.needhamma.gov/index.aspx?NID=1249) I have received feedback from parents who wish not to receive automated phone messages notifying families about weather related school cancellations/delays but who do wish to receive automated messages about school emergencies. If you would like to opt out of the weather related school cancellation/delays and not receive these messages: 1. Please log onto [ http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/powerschool/index.htm ]PowerSchool and click on Update Information. 2. On the Student Data Update page ensure all personal/family contact information is correct, then click submit to continue. 3. On both Parent/Guardian pages, verify information and click submit to continue. 4. On the Emergency Contact page verify information and click submit to continue. 5. On the Copy Student Data page follow the on screen instructions. 6. On the next page titled "Other" your home phone appears in the box, and you simply have to delete it and no calls will be made for weather related school cancellations/delays. Click submit to continue. You will receive calls for other school emergencies. Alternatively, you may change the number in that box to a phone number more convenient to you and your family. 7. Contact the school secretary if you have a question or problem with your PowerSchool account. If you want to continue to receive automated messages about weather related school cancellations/delays, you do not need to do anything. All families will continue to receive automated phone messages and emails in the event of a school emergency. Finally, some parents have suggested that the automated phone messages should arrive earlier in the morning and some suggested they arrive later. It takes the system about 45 minutes to make all of the calls, so I will continue to send out the message between 6 and 7:00 a.m. knowing that some families may receive it after 6:00 a.m. and some before 7:00 a.m. New England winters are tricky, and this one is no exception! Please know that I will continue to make decisions about school cancellations/delays that are based on the best weather information available and only after consulting with public works/safety officials. Whenever possible, I want us to hold school unless I believe it would be unsafe or dangerous to do so. The upcoming Newman School repair project does not impact my decisions around whether or not there will be a school cancellation. We have five "snow days" built into the [ http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/calendars/index.htm ]NPS 2010-11 School Calendar but if we needed to do so, we could extend a day or two beyond that. Like you, though, I am praying for the arrival of an early spring! Many thanks for your support and patience. As always, please feel free to contact me with questions or comments. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools 781.455.0400 x 203 dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 14 Jan '11

14 Jan '11

Dear Parents and Guardians: Let me take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Happy New Year! Allow me also to share three important updates: Budget Hearing The School Committee is currently considering a 5.1% increase in the budget for the 2011-12 school year (FY12). The budget plan addresses growing enrollment at the secondary level by adding new teachers at Pollard and the high school, and the proposal also provides funding for increased and mandated special education costs. The School Committee is working closely with the school administration, Finance Committee, and Town Manager's office to ensure that resources are available to provide a quality educational program for each Needham student. However, providing adequate resources for schools has become increasingly challenging, especially as Federal stimulus dollars are depleted. For example, over $500,000 in one time stimulus funds will be used to balance this budget plan, but these funds will not be available in subsequent years. The School Committee invites you to attend the upcoming Budget Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 18th at 7:00 p.m. at Broadmeadow to learn more about the budget proposal and share your comments, questions, and concerns. It will be critical for parents to weigh in on the budget and offer your perspective and voice. You may view an outline of the proposed NPS budget on the district's website: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/finance/Budget#FY12 ]FY12 School Budget Plan Life Threatening Food Allergy Policy The School Committee recently adopted a new policy designed to guide practices, procedures, and decision-making around the management of life threatening food allergies (LTFA) in our schools. The intent of the policy is to minimize the risk of exposure to allergens that pose a threat to students; to educate all members of the school community about LTFA, and to plan for the individual needs of students with LFTA. Key points of the policy for Life-threatening Food Allergy include the following: -An individualized health care plan including accommodations for prevention and emergency response is developed for each student with a LTFA. -School programs are not declared as allergen free and foods with known allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, milk, etc.) are not banned. -School and classroom programs are food free unless the food is tied to the curriculum; the use of food as a reward or incentive is prohibited. -Bake sales will not be permitted during the school day at any school and beyond school hours at the elementary level. -Principals, school nurses, and staff will collaborate now and throughout the winter months to ensure uniform and effective procedures are in place that address this policy. For more about the policy, please visit the district's website: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/health_services/ ]Life Threatening Food Allergy Policy and Information Martin Luther King Community Celebration Parents, students, and members of the community are invited to attend next Monday's (January 17th) observance of Martin Luther King Day at Needham High School beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the school's auditorium. Please join the Needham Clergy Association, The Town of Needham Human Rights Committee, and the Needham Public Schools as we "Bring the dream to Needham... and live the dream together!" Finally, many thanks for your patience and understanding as we live through a New England winter and try to balance snow and ice removal with student safety. I saw many students at Pollard and the high school today, and they assured me they spent at least some time studying and reading over the last couple of days. (I think you know this, but let me repeat it: Needham's young people are superb and a real pleasure to work with!) As always, please feel free to contact me with questions or comments. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools 781.455.0400 x 203 dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us

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