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March 2016

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 02 Mar '16

02 Mar '16

March 2, 2016 Dear Needham Families: Allow me to share three updates: *• Mitchell Principal *I am happy to announce that Greg Bayse, currently the assistant principal at Newman, has enthusiastically accepted my offer to become the next principal at Mitchell beginning July 1st. Mr. Bayse is genuinely humbled by the appointment, and he is eager to work with staff and families to nurture and build on Mitchell’s many traditions of academic growth, sense of community and caring, and deep love of learning and play. Mr. Bayse earned his BA at Houghton College in New York and subsequently received his MSW in Social Work from Boston College and a MEd in Educational Administration at Endicott College. Prior to his work as an assistant principal at Newman, Mr. Bayse was a guidance counselor at Eliot and served as a residential school director at the Walker School in Needham. At Newman, Mr. Bayse has focused significant time and attention to support and guide classroom teachers who eagerly expressed their appreciation for his efforts on their behalf. Mr. Bayse was one of eight candidates interviewed for the principal’s position out of 16 original applicants. He became one of two finalists, both of whom subsequently met with teachers, students, administrators, and parents as part of the lengthy interview process. Those members of the Mitchell community and Needham Public Schools who interacted with Mr. Bayse provided consistently strong feedback in their oral and written responses when asked about his candidacy and readiness for this important role. A site visit to Newman by members of the interview team was incredibly impressive. Students, parents, and staff were excited about his leadership potential, and they described his ability to connect with Newman’s students and their families in a way that is caring, responsive, and genuine. Staff praised Mr. Bayse for his organizational ability, problem solving, energy, and capacity to support teachers. The 4th and 5th grade students we met explained that Mr. Bayse develops positive relationships with students and encourages them, as one student put it, “to be our best selves every day.” Throughout the process it was abundantly clear that Mr. Bayse has developed warm and nurturing relationships with students and their families. Additional reference checking and a review of his portfolio demonstrated that Mr. Bayse works collaboratively with teachers, encourages a high degree of ownership in student learning and achievement, and he has exceptional expectations for himself. Mr. Bayse’s values are consistent with the Needham Public Schools core values of Scholarship, Community, Citizenship, and Personal Growth. It is equally clear that Mr. Bayse is deeply committed to the Needham community. Many, many thanks to those staff and community members who attended afternoon and evening forums, provided written feedback, and participated in this important process. Fianlly, let me also take this opportunity to extend my deep appreciation to and affection for Dr. Mike Schwinden who has led Mitchell as principal for 15 years. Dr. Schwinden’s influence goes well beyond the walls of the Mitchell School—indeed it extends to all the schools in the district and even to elementary schools as far away as Beijing. His advocacy for children, his intellect and perspective, his willingness to try new ideas and programs, and his focus on details, data, and doing the right thing are among the reasons he has been a successful, reliable, and exceptional principal, educational leader, and friend. We all wish him the best in retirement! Please join me in congratulating Greg Bayse in his new role at Mitchell! • *Olin College: Beyond Measure Screening* (Additional Information) Olin College invites Needham faculty and community members to attend a special screening and discussion of award-winning director Vicki Abeles latest film, *Beyond Measure *on Thursday, March 10th at 6:30 at Olin College. The film describes schools around the country that are taking matters into their own hands and finding ways to innovate and put students at the center of the learning experience. The film was partially shot at Olin College, and features Olin’s collaboration with the University of Texas at El Paso. After the screening, there will be a panel discussion, moderated by Olin faculty member Zhenya Zastavker, and including former Bennington College President Elizabeth Coleman, director Vicki Abeles, Needham High teacher Hans Batra, and a student each from Needham High and Olin. If you are planning to attend, click the link and register: Register <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beyond-measure-presented-by-olin-college-of-en…> *• School Committee/Superintendent's Open House *Please join members of the School Committee and Superintendent Dan Gutekanst on Saturday morning, March 19th from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. in the Pollard Middle School Library for informal conversation and coffee. This will be a good opportunity to meet your School Committee and Superintendent and ask questions or share ideas and concerns. Please stop by and say hello. Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 01 Mar '16

01 Mar '16

Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Dear Needham Families: Allow me to share the following updates: *• Last Call: 2016 Parent Survey* Over the past month, parents with students in grades 3 to 12 received an envelope from their principal that included a copy of the 2016 District Survey. Parent feedback is important to our future plans.* If you have not completed the survey, I urge you to do so online no later than Monday, March 7th.* We will aggregate the data, compare and contrast the responses, look at historical trends from survey data gathered since 2001, and then share the results with parents, staff, and community members. Please use the appropriate ink below, choosing either the Elementary, Middle School or High School Parent Survey. If you have children in more than one school, simply complete the survey with your oldest child in mind. *https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-ElementaryPARENTSURVEY2016 <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-ElementaryPARENTSURVEY2016>* *https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-MiddleSchoolPARENTSURVEY2016 <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-MiddleSchoolPARENTSURVEY2016>* *https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-HighSchoolPARENTSURVEY2016 <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-HighSchoolPARENTSURVEY2016>* We’re hoping for 100% participation. Many thanks for your help! *• Civics Bee* The Needham League of Women Voters (LWV) will sponsor the 3rd Annual Civics Bee at Broadmeadow next Sunday, March 6th at 2:00 p.m. Students, teachers, and community members are encouraged to participate or attend! For more information: http://www.lwv-needham.org/ *• Olin College: Beyond Measure Screening* Olin College invites Needham faculty and community members to attend a special screening and discussion of award-winnning director Vicki Abeles latest film, *Beyond Measure *on Thursday, March 10th at 6:30 at Olin College. The film describes schools around the country that are taking matters into their own hands and finding ways to innovate and put students at the center of the learning experience. The film was partially shot at Olin College, and features Olin’s collaboration with the University of Texas at El Paso. After the screening, there will be a panel discussion, moderated by Olin faculty member Zhenya Zastavker, and including former Bennington College President Elizabeth Coleman, director Vicki Abeles, Needham High teacher Hans Batra, and a student each from Needham High and Olin. *• Superintendent's Blog* My latest post, entitled *Most Likely to Succeed*, shares information about another important learning event being sponsored by the NEF and each school's PTC on Thursday, March 24th beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Newman. Please check it out here: Superintendent's Blog <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> Finally, congratulations are in order for several successes students have experienced recently: Recently the Hillside Lego League Team was honored by the Needham Selectmen for their unique robotics and service learning trash recycling plan, and the NHS Robotics Team will compete at a national competition later this month in Philadelphia*. . .* 55 Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards were received by middle and high school students, including 12 Gold Keys, an impressive accomplishment by any measure*. . . *The NHS Boys and Girls Winter Track teams each won the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division 2 State Championship over the February vacation, and the Boys' Wrestling Team was honored with the prestigious MIAA Sportsmanship Award for their teamwork, great spirit, gamesmanship, and ability to act as mature and respectful role models and athletes*. . . * And best wishes to Pollard student Anthony Walsh who has qualified for the state Geography Bee to be held on April 1st! These are just some of the successes our talented students have achieved with the support of superb teachers, staff, coaches, and parents. Congratulations! As always, please do not hesitate to contact me at 781.455.0400, x203 or dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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