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

Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 25 Jun '20

25 Jun '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: This afternoon, Governor Baker and Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Jeff Riley released their initial guidance about reopening schools this fall. I very much appreciate the time and thought that went into the development of this guidance, especially with its focus on prioritizing student and staff health and safety. The overall goal is the return of as many students as possible to in-person school settings in order to best meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs. I encourage you to read the Commissioner’s full report at Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance <http://www.doe.mass.edu/>. Needham Public Schools administrators and staff, guided by the COVID-19 Advisory Committee, will immediately review the guidelines and continue our planning for a safe reopening of school in the fall. We understand that these initial guidelines do not address every topic or concern and that there will be additional guidance forthcoming from DESE later in July. Following are key components of the guidance we received today: · Current medical research supports a safe in-person return to school - with preventive measures in place - as infection and transmission rates are lower for children than adults. · Preventive measures include masks/face coverings, physical distancing, hand washing, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. · Masks/face coverings will be required for all students in Grade 2 and above and for all adults. · Schools should maximize physical distance wherever possible, however, based upon current medical research, and in conjunction with other preventative measures, three feet is the minimum distance required. The guidance directs school districts to develop three separate plans - one for return to full in-person instruction with safety requirements, one for hybrid learning that combines in-person and remote learning, and one for full remote learning. Based upon the current medical situation and the trajectory of the disease in Massachusetts, the expectation today is that students will return to full in-person instruction in September; however, that is subject to change based upon how the medical situation develops. Furthermore, we will need to analyze and consider how our schools and classrooms can be organized to facilitate the health and safety measures outlined; this will be challenging work and likely result in tradeoffs to programs and the traditional school day. I acknowledge that there are more questions than answers at this time; rest assured we will continue to communicate with you in the coming weeks and months. Thank you for your partnership and support as we work together during these challenging times. 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 19 Jun '20

19 Jun '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we get ready for summer break, I’d like to update you on our thinking and planning efforts for the fall. First, let me congratulate the 404 members of the Needham High School Class of 2020! While they had a challenging conclusion to their senior year, the community recently honored the class with an extraordinary show of spirit and celebration during a parade through town which culminated in a final stop at NHS where many received their diplomas before heading on to work, college and the military. Seniors will also have another ceremony on Memorial Field in July when the remainder of the class will receive diplomas. We wish them the best! Allow me also to express my appreciation for your partnership, patience, and support over the last few months as we worked together during the health emergency to implement our remote learning plan. When we shuttered schools back on March 13th, our staff had only a few days to figure out how we would continue providing instruction and maintain connections with our students in a remote environment. I am proud of how hard they worked to meet student needs and create lessons that kept them learning, however imperfectly. We clearly have not yet perfected the art of remote learning; there are things we know we can and will do to strengthen our instructional plans should we need them in the future. There are areas to improve and grow, and I appreciate that over 2,500 parents completed the recent survey to help us better understand the parent perspective on our work. This summer, almost 400 teachers will work together to review their instructional strategies, learn new technology skills, and recalibrate and adjust the curriculum so we will be prepared for students in the fall. We are excited to leverage our remote learning experience into new ideas and strategies in order to enhance the classroom experience for our students. Even as we end school and prepare for our summer work, we are planning for the fall. I know parents have many questions about next year: Will the school start on time? What will it look like? Will it be safe? These, and other questions, are the right ones and the very questions we are thinking about and focused on. I can’t tell you at this moment what next fall will look like; we simply don’t know yet. What I can do is share the following information: • We will prioritize health and safety for all of our students and staff in any plans we develop. • We are awaiting guidance from the Governor and the Commissioner of Education who will provide general direction and plans for all schools to implement in the coming year. I expect that he will share his initial plans within the next two weeks. For more information: COVID-19 MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education <http://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/> • In anticipation of receiving the Commissioner's guidance, we have created five task forces in the areas of technology, teaching and learning, student support services, operations & human resources, and health & wellness all working together under the guidance of a COVID-19 Advisory Committee comprised of staff, parents, town officials, and public health experts. These groups are collaborating now and will work throughout the summer to plan for a safe reopening of school in the fall. For more information about our work, please review a recent School Committee update: Update on COVID-19 Emergency <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aGzeik5J4GyCxTmXAdbNl4RMqLcR0K-2WIP…> • Our work, which we have based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schoo…>, so far has identified five possibilities: 1. A return to school with a new normal of health and safety protocols so that all students can be in the buildings 2. A model with some students in the buildings and some at home to accommodate students' physical and mental health needs 3. A model with alternating schedules where students attend on different days so we have more room in the buildings for social distancing 4. A model that requires the school to be closed for a short period of time with learning at home, in response to reported cases of COVID-19 at school 5. A complete remote learning model in which all students remain home • We will continue to partner with the Needham Education Association in all of our planning, and we will make sure that all employees representing teachers, teacher assistants, nutrition services, clerical/technical staff, and administrators are represented in the process. While the timeline for making decisions about the reopening of schools will depend on the Commissioner's guidance as well as public health considerations, I expect to bring tentative plans and updates to the School Committee in July. *Of course, any plans we make to reopen schools could be changed later in the summer if public health officials determine it is necessary to do so. * We will have to be flexible and nimble with our planning to adjust as the situation requires. Families can expect regular updates and information throughout the summer months as we plan for your child's new school year. Finally, let me conclude by also acknowledging and recognizing how we as a community of learners have responded to the recent events surrounding the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Our teachers and staff prioritized lessons, readings, and difficult conversations about racial violence and inequities in the last couple of weeks, and our high school students led a Black Lives Matter rally and march involving hundreds of students, staff, and community members that culminated in an 8 minute and 46 second period of silence honoring Mr. Floyd and all of those who are victims of racial violence and hatred. Our students were eloquent, passionate, poised; and they are hurt, angry, and tired. They shared stories about racist experiences they have had in school and in town at local stores and restaurants; they expressed frustration at how they are often perceived or treated. As the students that live and learn in Needham ended their rally, they stood on the steps of Needham's Town Hall and demanded that we, the adults, do better by them and for them. And they are right. We can and we must do better. What I have come to realize is that this is not their fight, nor is it the responsibility of black, brown, and Asian neighbors and colleagues to lead the efforts around anti-racism. Instead, Needham’s students and staff of color have taught me it is the white staff and community members who must assume responsibility for taking anti-racist and anti-bias actions and steps that will finally address hatred, discrimination, and racism in our schools, community, and nation. We are responsible to help make this world a better, fairer, and more just place for all children and adults. The Needham Public Schools is committed to this work, and we promise to share additional actions and updates in the new school year. For more information about our initial efforts, please check out the district’s website: Equity in the Needham Public Schools <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/equity> I hope the weeks and months ahead provide you and your family time to hang out, enjoy some good books, and relax and rejuvenate. Thanks for your partnership with the Needham Public Schools. Stay safe and have a great summer! 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 17 Jun '20

17 Jun '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: If you have not already done so, please take 10 minutes to complete the anonymous Family Survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-Family> ( https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-Family) We have had a great response so far, but we need more family and parent voices! In fact, we need as much input as possible from families to help reflect on this past year as well as plan for reopening school in the fall. Thank you for your anticipated support! Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 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 13 Jun '20

13 Jun '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: We have conducted District Surveys biannually since 2001 and this year, more than ever, we recognize the importance of feedback from our students and families so that we may build on our strengths and identify areas that need attention. Students will be completing their district surveys during the week of June 15. We are reaching out to all parents and guardians of our Pre-K to 12 students to simultaneously provide their perspective with a Family Survey focused on remote learning and how we can support children's needs as we prepare for next school year. Please take 10 minutes to complete the anonymous Family Survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-Family> ( https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-Family) With all that remains unknown about the coronavirus, we are committed to keeping students and families at the center of how the district moves forward. That is why we are hoping for 100% participation in the survey process. We will analyze the survey findings and incorporate the data, and appropriate action steps, into our plans for reopening schools in September. Please complete the survey by Thursday evening, June 18th, and please support and encourage your children in grades 3 and up to complete the survey they will receive on Monday I anticipate providing additional and preliminary information to families about how and when schools will reopen within the next two weeks. Thank you for your anticipated support! Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 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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School Transportation
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 09 Jun '20

09 Jun '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: (This message is intended for Needham families requiring school bus transportation for the 2020-21 school year.) Unfortunately, there are many families who, despite many attempts on their part, were unable to register for bus transportation over the last day or so. I want to first apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our families and want you to know we can and will do better. Many families were able to register but for those who could not, this is what we are doing: • We have taken down the online registration process until our vendor (MySchoolBucks) can sort out some of the technical glitches parents experienced. Once we are confident the online process is working to our satisfaction, we will have it up again and will notify families through emails and principals' messages. • Once up and running, we are extending the deadline to Friday, July 3rd. • We will waive the late fee for families that register after the new deadline, but we can't promise that seats will necessarily be available. • In the event that restrictions to bus transportation (e.g., seating protocols) due to the ongoing COVID-19 health emergency prove untenable for individual families, we will refund the registration fee prior to the beginning of school. I appreciate your patience as we work through our new online process. Should you have further questions about bus service, please contact Transportation Director Shane Marchand at shane_marchand(a)needham.k12.ma.us . Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 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 07 Jun '20

07 Jun '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we begin a new week, allow me to share a few brief updates: *• School Transportation* Families can begin registering for the bus for the 2020-21 school year beginning tomorrow, Monday, June 8th. Click on this link for registration information: School Bus Registration Information <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/business__operations/transportation> While the plans for the opening of the new school year on September 2nd are uncertain at this time, it is important for families who are eligible for free transportation and those who wish to pay for transportation to register in the coming days. If you register and pay for the bus and for any reason the service is unavailable or is canceled due to ongoing health concerns, families will receive a refund. Throughout the summer we will provide transportation updates, including any new health or seating protocols required on buses, to parents who have registered. *• Reopening School in the Fall* This topic, of course, is on the mind of every parent, student, and school staff member. At the present time I do not have a clear answer to families about what school will look like in the fall. While I am personally optimistic that students will return to a "new normal" in the fall, meaning enhanced health protocols (e.g., face masks, health screenings, limiting activities) will be introduced, we are awaiting additional guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) before we can announce plans. I can share the following: *-* DESE Commissioner Jeff Riley has convened a task force to make recommendations about how, when, and under what conditions schools would reopen in the fall. The Commissioner expects to provide guidance to school districts later in June; the NPS will use the Commissioner's guidance as a basis to develop plans at the local level. You can find out more about the Commissioner's task force and other information related to the COVID-19 emergency here: Massachusetts DESE/COVID-19 Information <http://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop.html> *-* The Needham Public Schools convened the COVID-19 Advisory Committee, comprised of staff, public health officials, parents, students and school committee members, to guide and advise the staff as we consider plans for reopening. The advisory committee will meet throughout the summer and into next year to provide guidance and feedback on our remote learning plans, health and safety protocols, school maintenance, and technology needs. You can view a recent update to the School Committee about Needham's response to the school closure and the advisory committee here: June 2, 2020 Update to the School Committee <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uQVkvbZ5p6kQRrIxDvedYLiUosUwQExFF8Z…> *-* While the timeline for making decisions about the reopening of schools will depend on the Commissioner's guidance as well as public health considerations, I expect to bring tentative plans and updates to the School Committee the first week in July. Of course, any plans we make to reopen schools could be changed later in the summer if public health officials determine it is necessary to do so. We will have to be flexible and nimble with our planning to adjust as the situation requires. Families can expect regular updates and information throughout the summer months as we plan for your child's new school year. *• Congratulations to the NHS Class of 2020! *Today the Needham community celebrated the 400 + members of the Needham High School Class of 2020 during a parade that began at TripAdvisor and wound its way through town until it culminated at the high school with hundreds of staff, families, and School Committee members cheering them on. The grads looked exuberant, and it was wonderful to see how community members streamed out of their homes on the route to congratulate them. You can view the Senior Awards presentations here: Senior Awards <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtpWIj2j9_k&feature=youtu.be> and watch the 2020 Virtual NHS Graduation Ceremony here: Needham High School Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onI6QOJr6Nc&feature=youtu.be> On behalf of the Needham Public Schools, let me take this opportunity to wish these young people the very best as they move beyond Needham High School. Congratulations, Class of '20! 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 Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 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 31 May '20

31 May '20

May 31, 2020 Dear Needham Public Schools Families: We write to you on this beautiful yet uneasy Sunday evening to address the news about national protests and riots occurring in the wake of horrific events involving the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery in Atlanta, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and, most recently, George Floyd who was killed by police in Minneapolis. First and foremost, on behalf of the Needham Public Schools, we wish to acknowledge the deaths of these individuals and offer our condolences and support to their families and loved ones. Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota are far away, but the impact of their deaths and the unrest in their wake, is real, palpable, and close to our community, families, and students, particularly our black students. While we can't pretend to understand what their families are going through, nor can we completely appreciate the profound effect their deaths, and the many others like them, have had on the black community, including our staff and students of color, we must acknowledge these killings because as school leaders, it is essential to call out violent and racist behavior in the hopes of promoting much needed change in our culture and society. Although we have not always responded to violent or racist acts that occur across the country and acknowledge our response to incidents occurring in the NPS have been imperfect and not always timely, we cannot be silent. Our purpose now is to support the members of our community, especially our students, their families, and our staff, who identify with these victims and often experience the insidious violence of racist, demeaning, and hateful comments, taunts, and acts. We wish to stand together. The Needham Public Schools, removed from the protests and rioting we see unfolding across the nation, must stand as a beacon of hope, anti-racism, and educational opportunity and inclusivity for all our students and their families. This is as important for our students of color as it is for our white students. Our schools, and our work with every child in each classroom, must be part of the solution of addressing the injustices, inequities, and pain that mar and stain our democracy and disproportionately impact our communities of color. This week our schools will offer opportunities for dialogue and engagement for students, their families, and staff: - Principals will work with their staff to provide developmentally appropriate learning opportunities to address the current news and provide a forum for anti-racist education. (We recognize that not all elementary students will be aware of these events, and so we will respond to the natural curiosity of children as appropriate.) - The district will continue to work with community groups to provide opportunities for dialogue and communication around issues of race, inequality, and justice. - The district will continue to provide and update resources for families on the district’s website: Equity in the Needham Public Schools <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/equity> This is not all we can do, but these are the small and important steps we can and will take to demonstrate to the community, our families, and in particular to our students and staff that we care, and we acknowledge the role we have to play and obligation to serve as leaders and human beings to address injustice, ignorance, and racism. Respectfully, The School Leadership Team of the Needham Public Schools: *Greg Bayse*, Principal, Mitchell Elementary School *Tamatha Bibbo*, Principal, Pollard Middle School *Karen Bourn*, Principal, Eliot Elementary School *Jessica Downey*, Principal, High Rock School *Terry Duggan*, Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning *Emily Gaberman*, Principal, Broadmeadow Elementary School *Anne Gulati*, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations *Dan Gutekanst*, Superintendent of Schools *Michael Kascak*, Principal, Sunita L. Williams School *Mary Lammi*, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services *Alexandra Montes-McNeil*, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources *Jessica Peterson*, Principal, Newman Elementary School *Aaron Sicotte*, Principal, Needham High School 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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