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February 2020

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Health Update from the Needham Public Schools
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 28 Feb '20

28 Feb '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Attached, please find information about the coronavirus and our response to this health concern from NPS Health Services Director Barbara Singer. Additional information about coronavirus (Covid-19) is also available online: • Town of Needham Public Health Department <https://www.needhamma.gov/85/Public-Health> • Massachusetts Department of Public Health <https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coron…> • Centers for Disease Control <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html> Thanks to Ms. Singer, our school nurses, and School Physician, Dr. Alan Stern, MD, for their insight, updates, and commitment to the health and safety of our students and their families. Please enjoy a restful *and* healthy weekend! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent Needham Public Schools

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

14 Feb '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we begin the February break, allow me to share the following updates: *• Student Achievements *Supported by dedicated teachers and caring families, many NPS students have enjoyed success in and outside of the classroom. Some recent student accolades: *The MA Regional Boston Globe/MFA Scholastic Art Awards * *Needham High School* Silver Key recipients for Art: *Gabriela Long*, *Ryle Sammut*, *Leroy Shaigorodsky... *Honorable Mention: *Katharine Buffinger, **Chloe Diamond, **Mark Elman, **Charlotte Greif, **Yutong Huang, **Avery Matthias* , *Caroline Pollan, **Helena Zhan*g. *Pollard Middle School* student *Gabriela Diaz* was also awarded Honorable Mention. *Massachusetts All State Music Festival* *NHS *students *Will Anderson, Lauren Biedron, Leyna Blume, Kenneth Crossman, Matthew Duthaler, Katherine Rock, Nadia Cho, Ryan Judge, and Advika Krishnan* were selected to participate in the festival, culminating with a performance at Symphony Hall. *Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Junior District 2020 Music Festival *The following students were accepted into the MMEA Music Festival. *NHS: **Rose Halford, **Evelyn Lockwood Mullaney, **Jill Mullaney, **Natalia Rodriquez, **Claire Skatrud, **Juliana Swartz **Pollard Middle School: **Armen Burdick, **Josie George, **Jonathan Gregg, **Sarah Huang, **Alissa Kahn, **Ben Kelly, **Zachary Weiskopf, **Laura Krauss, **David Less, **Cameron Markowitz, **Henry McCue, **Boyoung Paik, **Eli St**anley, **Amiya Tess, **Joshua Van Dam* Congratulations to our students and their teachers and parents who encourage and empower their success! *• Superintendent's **Blog *My post highlights a conversation I recently had with a parent about a school program: No, I am not color blind <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• Needham Schools Spotlight* The most recent cable show features a great conversation about our breakfast and lunch programs, including information about our new policy around so-called "lunch shaming" and updates about food composting and recycling efforts in our cafeterias: Spotlight on Nutrition Services <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight> *• Opportunities for Boston Families* I am looking forward to attending a METCO parent meeting at 12th Baptist Church in Boston on Thursday, February 27th at 6:00 p.m. to share school updates. Also, the Needham School Committee will hold their regularly scheduled meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10th at the Jeremiah Burke High School in Dorchester. All are invited to attend both events! *• School Committee Open House *The Needham School Committee and Citizens for Needham Schools <https://www.citizensforneedhamschools.com/> (CNS) will co-sponsor a spring Open House on Saturday morning, April 4th from 9 until 10:30 a.m. at the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School. This is an opportunity for parents and members of the community to connect informally with the School Committee and share questions, concerns, and ideas about the schools. Members of CNS will be on hand to participate in the conversations and share updates about their work in support of the schools. *• **Civic an**d Spelling Bees *Please consider participating in or attending the upcoming Needham League of Women Voters Civics Bee <https://lwv-needham.org/civics-bee-2020/> scheduled for Sunday, March 22nd at Broadmeadow. Also, the annual Needham Education Foundation Spelling Bee <https://www.nefneedham.org/> is scheduled for Sunday, March 15th at Needham High School. These are two wonderful, fun, and educational opportunities for the entire community. I hope you and your families enjoy a restful *and* play filled February vacation. Please know it is an incredible honor for me to serve as your superintendent who gets to observe and interact with awesome young scholars each day. As always, feel free to contact me at 781.455.0400, x11203 or dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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