Superintendents_update

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November 2017

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 22 Nov '17

22 Nov '17

Dear Needham Families: Allow me to share the following updates: *• "Snow Daze" *In the unlikely event a winter storm may require the closing or delayed opening of the Needham Public Schools, I will do my level best to make a decision about a cancellation or delay by about 5:30 a.m. Unless it is abundantly clear what the weather conditions will be, I am often reluctant to call off school the evening before a storm is predicted because New England weather is fickle. Once a decision is made, alerts will go out via email, phone, and on local TV. The quickest way to find out is on Twitter where I also post the information. ( For more info: https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt ) It is important for students to be in classes as scheduled throughout the year, and I don't believe a winter storm should necessarily keep us away from school. If it is predicted to snow, for instance, four to seven inches I am inclined to hold classes. There are circumstances, however, when the snow is minimal but icy and dangerous roads may prevent a safe school opening or at least require a delay. Safety for students and staff, of course, will always be my first consideration. This coming winter parents and students should leave plenty of time to get to school and keep a shovel and galoshes nearby! *• Needham Education Foundation - Teacher Appreciation *Please consider contributing to the NEF by sending a *Teacher Appreciation Card*. In this way you will help the NEF provide funds for innovative school programing, and you will thank a teacher or staff member for his/her work with your child. More information here: NEF <http://www.nefneedham.org/> *• Student Achievements *Congratulations are in order for the two Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Academic Excellence Award honorees, Isabel Barnet and Oliver Hirshland, both NHS seniors. Isabel and Oliver were honored at a recent School Committee meeting for their superb commitment to learning and academic excellence. They clearly represent our core values around Scholarship and Personal Growth! At the School Committee meeting both seniors expressed their deep appreciation for their parents' support and to all of the Needham teachers who have guided and assisted them over the years. Kudos also to the Needham High Golf Team for being honored with the prestigious Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Sportsmanship Award presented to a team that exemplifies good spirit, fair play, maturity, discipline, and leadership. Whether on the greens, in the pool, in the classroom, on the field, or on the stage, our students are talented, mature, hardworking, and poised. Needham families and the teachers and coaches who have guided them should rightly be proud! *• Happy Thanksgiving!* A teacher shared with me that a couple of her students who are recent immigrants to this country were not expecting to celebrate or observe the Thanksgiving holiday because the tradition is new to the family. Of course, I always assumed *everyone* understands, appreciates, and celebrates Thanksgiving! (I think it's the best holiday of the year!) The teacher's conversation with me is a reminder that the Needham Public Schools increasingly enroll children from many nations with diverse languages, faiths, and backgrounds. Their presence in our community and classrooms prompts us to share our wonderful traditions and to learn about our students' cultures and traditions. The opportunity to develop new relationships and understanding is indeed powerful. We are fortunate to live, work, and learn in an amazing community like Needham that values children, and we are especially blessed to be citizens in a vibrant country that serves, however imperfectly, as a model of democracy, inclusion, and justice to the rest of a sometimes weary world. I know I am grateful for my family and to work with a talented staff, committed parents, and the exceptional young people of Needham - all of whom inspire civility, peace, and hope. So however you are observing the holiday, I hope it is a good one for you and your family! * Happy Thanksgiving!* As always, you can be in touch with me via phone (781.455.0400, x203) or email: dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us *Go Rockets! Beat Wellesley!! * Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 01 Nov '17

01 Nov '17

Dear Needham Families: Allow me to share the following updates and reminders: *• 2017-18 District Goals *The Needham School Committee recently adopted District priorities and goals for the 2017-18 school year. For more information: 2017-18 Needham Public Schools Goals <http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/news/documents/NPSDistrict%20Goals2017-2018.p…> *• Equity in the Needham Public Schools: Parent Focus Group* There will be one more opportunity for parents to meet with our equity audit consultant, Christine Robinson, to share thoughts, concerns, and ideas. I will introduce parents to Ms. Robinson on Wednesday, November 8th at 6:30 p.m. at 142 Warren St., Roxbury. (This address is connected to the 12th Baptist Church, two doors down.) To learn more about the equity audit, please look here: Placement Practices in the Needham Schools <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/2017/01/> and here: Supporting All Students in the NPS: Report to the School Committee <http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/news/documents/School%20Committee%20Update%20…> We anticipate sharing the consultant's report to the School Committee in December or January. *• **6th Annual Needham Diversity Summit *In collaboration with the Needham Schools, Needham's 5th Annual Diversity Summit is scheduled for this Saturday, November 18th at Pollard from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00. The summit will bring together community leaders, friends, neighbors, and students for an event designed to explore, foster, strengthen, and celebrate Needham's diversity of socioeconomic status, race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, ethnic identity, age, immigration status, and ability. This annual event aims to create a network of people committed to creating an equitable and welcoming town, and to challenging its residents to think in new ways about our evolving community. For more information, including registration: Needham Diversity Initiative <http://www.needhamdiversity.org/> *• Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School! *Parents and community members are welcome to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Sunita L. Williams Elementary School located at 585 Central Avenue on Friday, November 17th at 10:00 a.m. The new school is scheduled to open in September 2019. *• Superintendent's Blog* My recent post includes a message from Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning, Dr. Terry Duggan, about the new MCAS results: Superintendent's Blog <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• Needham Schools Spotlight *Please check out the latest cable show featuring a discussion about the strong collaboration and partnership between the Needham Police Department and the Needham Public Schools: Needham Schools Spotlight <http://www2.needham.k12.ma.us/nhs/TV-nps/17-18/studentsafety.htm> Police Chief John Schlittler, School Resource Officer Ryan O'Leary, NHS Principal Aaron Sicotte, Assistant Principal Aly Coubrough-Argentieri, and Athletic Director Dan Lee share their thoughts and comments about the Needham Public Schools and Needham Police Memorandum of Understanding <http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/superintendent/documents/mou2-8-17.pdf> and the school and police response to underage drinking. • * Twitter: Snow Day Updates ** (I know, I know... It's too early for this!!) *Setting up and managing a Twitter account is simple and will allow you a quick, easy, and fun way to stay connected to school news and events. *I tweet the first notification about weather-related school closings or delays on Twitter.* It's the quickest and simplest way to stay informed and updated about important school news. For more info: https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt As always, you can be in touch with me via phone (781.455.0400, x203) or email: dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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