Superintendents_update

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November 2020

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 20 Nov '20

20 Nov '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Allow me to share some information and updates as we conclude the week and prepare for what will be a quiet Thanksgiving holiday: *• Video Message from the Superintendent *I am asking that all families and students please watch the following five minute important video message for families <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC1LgTNgl28&feature=youtu.be>. *• Students and Thanksgiving Travel *As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season please remember that the Massachusetts COVID-19 Travel Order <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order> is in effect. If your student travels to another state your student will need to produce documentation of a negative PCR/molecular test that was done within 72 hours of arrival back to MA or quarantine at home for 14 days. Please note that if your student leaves the state for the weekend, they cannot get a PCR test before leaving Massachusetts and use those results to fulfill the travel order. The PCR test needs to be done either at the state your child visits, or upon arrival back to Massachusetts, and they must quarantine at home while awaiting results. If your student is not tested with a PCR/molecular test, they will need to quarantine at home for 14 days before returning to in-person learning. Please submit documentation of any COVID-19 PCR/molecular test to your child's school nurse. You may find test sites in Massachusetts here <https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing>. *• Student Achievements *Congratulations are in order for the two Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Academic Excellence Award honorees, Catherine Chen and Sasha Rieser, both NHS seniors. Catherine and Sasha 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, and they are exemplary role models for children as well as adults! 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. Finally, while our Thanksgiving celebrations will be muted this year, we can all be thankful that we are surrounded by amazing young people who inspire us and give hope for a bright future. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! 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 10 Nov '20

10 Nov '20

November 10, 2020 Dear Needham Public Schools Families, Allow me to share the following invitations and updates: • *Virtual Open House* The School Committee will host an Open House on Saturday, November 14th from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. <https://needham-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/85897967182?pwd=OUIxTW9qRnh4TjRaRTRseXZ…> This is an opportunity for families to provide feedback and ideas as we collaborate in navigating through the health crisis and ensuring all students continue to receive an excellent education. Here is the link to the Open House <https://needham-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/85897967182?pwd=OUIxTW9qRnh4TjRaRTRseXZ…>. In the hopes of addressing as many questions as possible, School Committee Chair Andrea Longo Carter will facilitate the discussion using comments, questions, and suggestion gathered from this survey: Comments, Questions, and Suggestions for Open House Discussion <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRI7QhO5rIzHrXvKqsVQvQOvND1S13HDq…>. Please take a moment to add your ideas so that the School Committee can address as many as possible during the Open House. *• <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YTB2QJQ> District Survey* In addition to the Open House, families have the opportunity to provide feedback and ideas about their child's experience with the hybrid and remote learning models through a District Survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YTB2QJQ>. Families' responses will be compared with responses from our students and our faculty and staff in order to provide a comprehensive picture of strengths and areas that need attention as we continue through the school year. The survey will remain open until next Monday, November 16th at 5:00 p.m. . Please take 10 minutes now to complete the district survey at this link <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YTB2QJQ>. Links to translated surveys can be found here: (ENCUESTA FAMILIAR <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-SpanishFamily> (Spanish), ОБСЛЕДОВАНИЕ СЕМЬИ <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-RussianFamily> (Russian), PESQUISA DE FAMÍLIA <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-PortugueseFamily> (Portuguese), and 家庭调查 <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-ChineseFamily> (Chinese) *• Needham Diversity Initiative Summit * The theme for the Diversity Summit this year is "Hate Has No Home Here - Beyond the Yard Signs" and this community event is being held virtually on Sunday, November 15th from noon until 5:00pm. The Summit brings together community leaders, friends, neighbors, and students to explore, foster, strengthen, and celebrate Needham's diversity. There is no fee to attend, but registration <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/needham-diversity-summit-90-hate-has-no-home-h…> is required. *• Veterans Day* Any day is a good day to thank veterans for their service to our nation - however, it's particularly important on Veterans Day, November 11th. Initially, Veterans Day was meant to celebrate the end of World War I and usher in a world without war and conflict. It has evolved into a holiday honoring current and former members of the United States Armed Forces. I'd like to offer a heartfelt thank you to our veterans on behalf of the Needham Public Schools. We are grateful for their sacrifice, bravery, and the fine example they set for us all. (See how the High Rock School community acknowledges our vets here: High Rock honors veterans <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12O4IrLvUDCDFQenWIIBeYlIrQsMKmiHTVh2…> ) *• The 4 Ws!* Even though our routines, family lives, and traditions may have been upended by COVID-19, it's comforting to know we can count on each other as partners in the complex work of mitigating the spread of the disease and reinventing the educational models needed to support our children. Let's keep our children and families safe: *Wear* a mask! *Watch* your distance! *Wash* your hands! *Wait* for test results before going to school! 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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