October 2020 - Superintendents_update - mailman.dca2.superb.net

Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 29 Oct '20

29 Oct '20

October 29, 2020 Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Allow me to share the following updates: *• Information for Requests to Transfer Between Learning Models/Cohorts *We strongly encourage students to remain in their school program (Hybrid Learning Program or Remote Learning Academy) for the full academic year. However, if families need to switch programs due to, for example, a change in family health circumstances, please read the following information about requesting a transfer between cohorts: Cohort Transfer Request Information <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ibLlBi6j02E8hRbOK_9k3n2PzFADd4nCBV9kK_5…> *• Needham Schools Spotlight *Please check out the latest Needham Schools Spotlight <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight> featuring a conversation about the new school year with Needham School Committee Chair Andrea Longo Carter, Town of Needham Director of Health and Human Services, Tim McDonald, and Eliot Principal Karen Bourn. *• Opportunities for Family Engagement *Needham families are invited to participate in two upcoming opportunities to share feedback and ideas about the new school year, particularly as they relate to our hybrid and remote learning models: The School Committee will host a virtual Open House on Saturday, November 14th from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. (link to follow) and within the next two weeks families will be invited to complete a brief 10 minute survey asking about their student's school experience. These opportunities are designed to provide feedback to the School Committee and school administration and staff as we collaborate with families to ensure all students continue to receive an excellent education in the NPS. *• COVID-19 Health and Safety Information* I have been asked by many parents, staff, and students what might prompt a decision to close our schools and have remote only instruction. While the Joint Committee on Health & Safety <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_qxwWYxKERbMfypJpx0ychY8yVOHfkzoqvpO1U6…> will continue to monitor the health metrics and advise me on school closures or re-openings due to COVID-19, in large part the answer depends on how our school community will adhere to safety measures and protocols. For example, paying attention to the *4 Ws* is critical: *Wear* a mask; *Watch* your distance, *Wash *your hands; *Wait* for test results before coming to school. This is especially important now that we are heading into colder weather. Recently, many Needham students affiliated with sports travel teams have been asked to quarantine and miss school due to their contacts with others in those activities. If too many students get sick or require quarantining due to their participation on travel teams - or other activities - this could jeopardize schools being open for many students or an entire school building. Further, the Needham Public Health Department would like to remind families that if your child is participating in sports leagues that travel outside of Massachusetts to a state that is not on the lower risk list, your child must quarantine for 14 days or remain quarantined until they receive a negative PCR test after returning to Massachusetts. Sports do not meet the definition for the Commissioner's limited exceptions, and you could be subject to a fine of $500/day for not following this order. Please visit the COVID-19 Travel Order <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order> for more information. *Simply put: Students and families have to curb travel and activities that put young people in close contact with many others, including family members who may wish to travel to Massachusetts for the upcoming holidays.* If we want to stay in school, all of us will need to sacrifice precious time with friends and extended family, especially in the weeks and months ahead. This year my wife and I will spend Thanksgiving without our three daughters for the first time, but we know it is the right thing to do. Let's all make a commitment to limit our outside activities, help our young people adhere to health protocols, and focus on keeping our schools safe, healthy, *and open*. This is all hard, but we can do it. Thanks for your continued partnership with our amazing teachers and staff! Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 14 Oct '20

14 Oct '20

October 14, 2020 Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Allow me to share the following updates and information: *• COVID-19 Health Information * *• Needham Community Education: Parent University* *• Student Accolades* *• COVID-19 Health Information & District Dashboard* Allow me to share information about 1) A positive COVID-19 case at Newman yesterday, 2) the new District Dashboard, and 3) How families can help keep everyone healthy: *1)* Yesterday, October 13th, we had a positive COVID-19 case at Newman. The individual is resting at home today and close contacts are quarantining. *Please know that any adult or student who is considered a close contact of this individual has already been identified and notified; if you have not been contacted, your child and siblings can continue regular activities, including attending school.* If a Needham Public Schools staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, the contact tracing protocol <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_…> is implemented. Any adult or student who is considered a close contact <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-BZMtYBa8f38WtbNmnMPXB2pjAwnvHGOy0pOVWl…> of this individual is identified and notified by the Public Health Department. (It is very important to answer the call from the Public Health Department and follow their instructions about staying home from school and away from extracurricular activities. Families and staff are advised to call their healthcare provider for evaluation and get a COVID-19 PCR test.)* If individuals are not notified through the Public Health Department’s contact tracing, they are not close contacts and do not need to quarantine. * We are working in collaboration with the Needham Department of Public Health to implement our health and safety guidelines, including steps we must take if an individual tests positive. More information can be found here: MA Department of Public Health <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-public-health-guidance-and-direc…> and here: Needham Public Schools Illness Guidelines <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_…> . *2)* This week the district launched a COVID-19 District Dashboard <https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/38f06c1e-7093-4a9e-9c83-af8a36c457c…> to provide timely and updated information about positive cases within the NPS. *I will not be communicating to families each time we have a positive case in our schools; please refer to the dashboard for updated information. *However, if there are multiple cases of transmission either impacting an entire school or multiple schools, I will communicate with all staff and families about the next steps, which could include: closing part of or the entire school or district for a short time for thorough cleaning, or closing for the duration of a 14-day quarantine. *3) * Families can help by keeping sick students *and those students who have been tested but are awaiting test results at home. *We recognize that there are some pediatricians who may tell a parent that a child can attend school while awaiting test results; however, the Needham Public Schools, in collaboration with the Needham Department of Public Health, expects students awaiting tests results to remain home. If your child is tested or you are uncertain about your child's status or condition, please contact the school nurse before sending your child to school. The only way we can continue to have in-person schooling is if we all follow the 4 W's: *Wash* your hands! *Wear* a mask! *Watch* your distance! *Wait *at home if sick or awaiting test results! *• Parent University *During this unprecedented time of remote learning, Needham parents, caregivers, and guardians are seeking guidance and resources to assist their students. In response, Needham Community Education <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/community_ed> has launched the NCE Parent University, with some upcoming workshops <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xA4-W4W4c5J8bfwbjbVjtD7ISV7Ja8AC/view?usp=…> that provide parents with tips and strategies for helping their children keep focused, improve their executive function skills, set up their learning spaces, and more. You can register online for "How To Support Your Elementary or Middle School Student in Remote Learning" and "Strategies for Reducing Academic Stress and Creating Successful Students" at this link <https://www.schoolpay.com/parent/mip/Mdud>. If you have questions about the Parent University or suggestions for future workshops, please contact Amy Goldman, Director of NCE Adult Programs at amy_goldman(a)needham.k12.ma.us *• Congratulations, Students! *Congratulations to Needham High School students for being commended or named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test <https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/comment-pag…>: *Semi-Finalists: *Catherine Chen, William Euwart, Ryan Judge, Joshua Keselman, Bronwen Olson, Matilda Slosser, Simon Traub, Harvard Wang, Isabelle Young, Lance Zhang *Commended Students:* Eric Barbieri, Thomas Cardozo, Mira Echambadi, Meghan Flack, Thomas Flanagan, Camryn Foster, Jonathan Friedman, Eva Gorenburg, Addison Hart, Amos Langsner, Margaret Lehman, Daniel Lubie, Eleanor Mackey, Sam O'Nuallain, Henry Powers, Kaitlyn Ramesh, Alexandra Rieser, Jonathan Schor, Rebecca Schwartz, Phoebe Shubin, Abigail Sprinsky, Vincent Wang, William Yin, Christopher Zhang, Jacob Zinner. We are proud of these and all of our students who each day demonstrate a commitment to scholarship and growth! Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.

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Nutrition Services Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 09 Oct '20

09 Oct '20

Dear NPS Families: Please click on the link to find new information and updates about our Nutrition Services Program: Meal Service Updates <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KzsxmaV2cY5IhR3BC585giC7aeIUV5KKjEH6ccy…> Thank you. Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 05 Oct '20

05 Oct '20

October 5, 2020 Dear Needham Public Schools Families: This weekend, we had our first positive COVID-19 case among the high school student body. Although it saddens me to know that one of our students is ill, I’m relieved that the health team from the district and the Town’s Department of Health responded promptly and appropriately. I am also pleased and grateful to report that the family recognized the student was not feeling well earlier in the week and kept the student home for the first week of classes. As a result, there was no contact with other individuals in the school. *Please know that any adult or student who is considered a close contact of this individual has already been identified and notified. Those individuals are required to quarantine for 14 days.* Allow me to take this opportunity to share with you how the Needham Public Schools will be communicating information about COVID-19 cases in our district and helping to mitigate the spread of the disease. First and foremost, we will be guided by Department of Public Health <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-public-health-guidance-and-direc…> guidelines and the Needham Public Schools Illness Guidelines <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_…> . *• Student Illness *If your student is ill, your first call should be to the School Nurse so that we can ensure you receive the information you need to keep your family safe and so our health officials can immediately begin contact tracing. *• Contact Tracing* If a Needham Public Schools staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, the contact tracing protocol <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_…> is implemented. Any adult or student who is considered a close contact <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-BZMtYBa8f38WtbNmnMPXB2pjAwnvHGOy0pOVWl…> of this individual is identified and notified by the Public Health Department. It is very important to answer the call from the Public Health Department and follow their instructions about staying home from school and away from extracurricular activities. Families and staff are advised to call their healthcare provider for evaluation and get a COVID-19 PCR test. If individuals are not notified through the Public Health Department’s contact tracing, they are not close contacts and do not need to quarantine. The Needham Public Schools will complement contact tracing by taking the following steps: *-* There may be times when the district reaches out to families through the use of our automated phone system to request that children in certain classes or in certain schools be kept home while the contact tracing is being implemented. This brief phone message will be followed up the next day with more information about the return to school. *- *If there is the need for an entire class to quarantine, the school will communicate with families about how their child’s learning will continue. *-* If there is a suspected in-school or in-district transmission, the Superintendent will communicate with all staff and families about the next steps, which could include: closing part of or the entire school or district for a short time for thorough cleaning, or closing for the duration of a 14-day quarantine. This communication will be shared with the Town for wide distribution. *-* On the district website, information on the number of known cases of COVID-19 will soon be posted for general reference. This number does not include any personally identifiable information and is reported, as required, to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. *To reiterate, you are receiving this communication for informational purposes. If you have not been previously contacted by our health professionals, your student is not in the group that will need to follow protocols in place for close contacts.* At the heart of the district’s communication’s process is our dedication to health and safety. Our focus has been - and will remain - the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students, staff, families, and community. Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.

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