Superintendents_update

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December 2018

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 21 Dec '18

21 Dec '18

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we begin the winter break, allow me to share the following updates: • Racist and Hateful Graffiti Twice in the last two weeks hateful and racist graffiti, including the use of a swastika, racial slur, and a homophobic slur, have been found written into a boys' bathroom stall at Needham High School. Principal Aaron Sicotte and his staff are working with teachers, students, and the police to find the perpetrator(s) and ensure appropriate consequences are applied. This kind of unsettling behavior is not representative of the students of the Needham Public Schools, and when a hateful act like this occurs, the entire school community rises to condemn it. While it may be discomforting to address an incident like this, especially on the eve of winter break when everyone is focused on vacation plans or holiday preparations, it is important to acknowledge the behavior and the steps we are taking to address it. Of course, we want to acknowledge the behavior without amplifying and drawing unwarranted attention to it. We will strive to keep families informed when incidents like this occur knowing that we must also seek balance in our efforts to act and communicate. It is important to note that students brought this graffiti to the attention of school staff. Principal Sicotte acknowledged the importance of this in an email to the high school community: *"Coming forward to report offensiveness like this is a great example of actively stepping forward. I appreciate all of the times students report concerning items and the many times each day a student says to a friend that something shouldn't be done or said. Those can be hard moments, but they highlight the depth of character of so many of our students and the essence of what make NHS the strong community it is. We have incredible students and adults in this building, and offensive behavior like this does not reflect who we truly are." *Mr. Sicotte is spot on. Finally, the district, students, and staff are engaged in work at every level to support equitable opportunities and nurture safe, inclusive, and welcoming schools and classrooms for each child. Unfortunately, the Needham Public Schools and the Needham community are not immune from racist, anti-semitic, and homophobic slurs despite our ongoing efforts to combat fear and hate through, for example, the curriculum, school programs, and School Improvement Plans. Sadly, there is no guarantee that this behavior will not be repeated; our efforts to confront racism and hate are robust but imperfect. Please know, however, that when it does occur, our students and staff will act and move quickly to ensure no student or staff member feels targeted or unsafe within the Needham Public Schools. *• 2019-20 (FY20) School Budget *Last week I presented to the School Committee my proposal for a budget plan for the 2019-20 school year. The plan is very much focused on providing an equitable learning experience for each child, and a key component of the budget includes the resources required to implement a publicly-funded Full Day Kindergarten program for each eligible Kindergartner beginning next school year. The Kindergarten plan has been thoughtfully developed by Needham staff, including our K and KASE teachers, and is modeled on Boston's successful K2 Kindergarten Program <https://www.bpsearlylearning.org/focus-on-k2/>. I have also proposed in the budget that each K classroom have a teacher assistant to provide a second set of hands to help the teacher manage, direct, and assist young learners. You may review the entire FY20 budget plan and see my presentation to the School Committee here: 2019-20 Needham Public Schools Budget Proposal <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=64513&pageId=926906#FY20> The School Committee will have a Public Hearing on the budget plan at their January 15th meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Broadmeadow, and I encourage parents and community members to participate. ** Needham Schools Spotlight *Please check out the latest Needham Schools Spotlight cable show featuring a conversation with the coaches, partners and athletes involved in our new Unified Sports Program: Needham Schools Spotlight <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight> . *• Winter Weather is Here! * Information about weather-related school closings can be found here: Information about weather-related school delays and cancellations <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=18652412>. I also strongly encourage parents to follow me on Twitter in order to receive the most timely information about weather-related school delays or closings. While I will continue to notify the media and send out emails and phone calls to interested families, it takes time for all of the messages to make it through the queue; Twitter is simply quicker! More information here: Twitter: @NPS_supt <https://twitter.com/NPS_Supt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimelin…> Finally, as we head into the vacation week let me take this opportunity to thank NPS families for your ongoing support, generous spirit, and genuine willingness to engage and connect. The work we do with your children each day is an awesome responsibility and a great honor. I hope we will continue to remain worthy of your partnership, guidance, and trust as, together, we educate and care for these amazing, energetic, and talented young people. To those celebrating the holiday, a Merry Christmas to you and your families! To everyone: Enjoy your vacation, and we'll see you in the New Year! As always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments: 781.455.0400, ext. 11203 or dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 03 Dec '18

03 Dec '18

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: For those families celebrating the Festival of Lights, Happy Hanukkah! I hope the season is joyful for you and your families. Allow me to share the following quick updates: *• Needham Education Foundation (NEF) *The NEF continues to support innovation and learning in the Needham Schools! Most recently the NEF funded almost $68,000 in various grants for our elementary, middle, and high schools. Please support the NEF this holiday season and recognize a teacher by purchasing holiday cards available through the NEF website: NEF 2018 Teacher Appreciation Cards <https://www.nefneedham.org/support/teacher-appreciation-cards/> *• Needham Schools Spotlight * The most recent Needham Schools Spotlight highlighting the issue of gender equity and sexual harassment in the schools can be viewed on public access television and found here: Needham Schools Spotlight <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight> *• Superintendent's Blog *My recent post about the 2018 District Survey results can be found on the NPS website: Superintendent's Blog <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• Winter Weather is Here! * Information about weather-related school closings can be found here: Information about weather-related school delays and cancellations <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=18652412>. I also strongly encourage parents to follow me on Twitter in order to receive the most timely information about weather-related school delays or closings. While I will continue to notify the media and send out emails and phone calls to interested families, it takes time for all of the messages to make it through the queue; Twitter is simply quicker! More information here: Twitter: @NPS_supt <https://twitter.com/NPS_Supt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimelin…> *• Student Scholars *Finally, let me acknowledge and congratulate two Needham High School seniors, Anna Friedman and Ethan Lee, both of whom recently received the prestigious *Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents 2018 Award of Academic Excellence*! This award is presented annually to two outstanding seniors in each high school in the Commonwealth. Both Anna and Ethan model the district's core values, particularly around scholarship, and they are deserving of this award. They also happen to be amazing and caring young people whom we are all very proud to know and honor. Congratulations, Ann and Ethan! As always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments: 781.455.0400, ext. 11203 or dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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