Superintendents_update

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October 2021

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 29 Oct '21

29 Oct '21

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we approach the first week of November allow me to share several updates: *• Health & Safety *There are a few important items families should be aware of: 1. *Health Attestation* While we have a good response on the daily completion of the health attestation process <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BUrjuNHXhShHX_9HMmZZO2iU-HA42yKWUvRX4iX…>, there remain families who do not complete the process without a reminder or who complete it without truly assessing their child's health status each morning before sending them to school. Please remember to *first assess* your child's health and *then* *complete* the quick process on your phone or through email. 2. *Masking *The mask mandate has been <https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/2021-1026mask-requirement-exten…> extended <https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/2021-1026mask-requirement-exten…> for students and staff from November 1st to January 15th. The Department of Elementary and Secondary (DESE) is also offering an "off ramp" waiver to districts who can attest to at least having 80% of eligible students and staff vaccinated in order to make masks optional before January 15th. The NPS Joint Committee on Health and Safety <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_…> will continue to review our local health metrics and vaccination rates to advise me about if and when it makes sense to be "mask optional" before January 15th for vaccinated individuals. For now, all students and staff are required to wear masks as outlined in our protocols. 3. Vaccine Survey/Clinics In partnership with PelMeds Community Pharmacy <https://pelmeds.com/> and the Town of Needham Department of Public Health and Human Services, the NPS is planning on hosting vaccine clinics on upcoming weekends in the school setting for students ages 5-11 as soon as the vaccines are approved. Please complete the following anonymous survey so we can best plan for and anticipate the community's need for vaccinations. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5MJKDB7 *4. Family Health and Safety Open House* I will host a Family Health and Safety Open House via Zoom on Tuesday, November 9th from 5:30 until 6:30 <https://needham-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/82838165792?pwd=dklQaFB0UUhFY0NJUmNYOFl…> p.m. Please join me and some of our public health partners to discuss COVID-19 updates and information. • Needham Diversity Summit Needham's Tenth Annual Diversity Summit is scheduled for Sunday, November 14th at noon via Zoom. This year's theme is "Voices of Unity" and it is a wonderful event that brings together community leaders, friends, neighbors, and students to explore, strengthen, and celebrate Needham's diversity of socioeconomic status, race, sexual orientation, gender equity and expression, religion, ethnic identity, age, and ability. For more information, including registration: Needham Diversity Summit <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/needham-diversity-summit-100-voices-of-unity-t…> • *Congratulations, Needham High School Students! *Congratulations to Needham High School students who continue to grow, achieve, and excel in so many ways: - Kudos to seniors *L**indsay Hess* and *James Mahoney *for extraordinary academic accomplishments on the 2021 Advanced Placement exams. Lindsay was one of 219 students *worldwide* to earn a perfect score for Drawing and James was one of 356 students *worldwide* who earned a perfect score in Computer Science! I would also like to recognize their teachers Linda Burke, Shireen Yadollahpour, Kate Bergeron and Mark Dineen who engaged, encouraged, and challenged Lindsay and James in pursuit of excellence. - Congratulations to Needham High School students for being named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test <https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/comment-pag…> : *Vijay Fisch *and *Jeremy Gold*. - Congrats, to *Jack Carnahan*, *Brendan Mawhinney*, and *Boyoung Paik* have been accepted into the National Association Federation of Music Educators All National Music Conference, All National Mixed Choir. - Finally, a big shout out and congratulations to the *Needham High School Speech and Debate Team* which was awarded the 2020-2021 Leading Chapter Award by the National Speech and Debate Association, the highest recognition given by the Association. NHS Speech and Debate is one of 108 school chapters out of 3,000 schools to receive the award. In addition, advisor *Paul Wexler *was granted membership in the 200 Club for outstanding commitment and achievement. We are proud of these and all of our students and the staff who support themeach day and demonstrate a commitment to scholarship, creativity and growth. Our students are successful at the high school level as a result of their personal commitment to learning, their parent and family's ongoing support, and the collective efforts of a talented Preschool through Grade 12 faculty and staff! Enjoy the weekend and Happy Halloween! 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 08 Oct '21

08 Oct '21

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we begin a holiday weekend, allow me to share several updates: *• Addressing Challenging Behavior *In recent conversations with school principals, Parks & Recreation staff, and the Needham Police, I have heard troubling reports of poor behavior around town, in parks, and on ballfields of several young Needham adolescents, typically in grades 7-9. Serious vandalism, trash piles, broken glass, and general misbehavior have been observed and reported. For example, on a recent evening after 9:00 p.m. over 50 young people were gathered on Memorial Park Field, several of them consuming alcohol. While the inappropriate actions of a few do not represent the behavior of all, this behavior is unacceptable and must be addressed. I will continue to work with School and Town staff and our School Resource Officers both to hold young people accountable and to help curb this behavior. I also encourage all parents to talk to your children about your expectations for their behavior when they are hanging out with or visiting friends in the community. *• School Committee Open House* The Needham School Committee will host an informal Open House for parents and community members on Saturday, October 16th from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. at Needham High School (Webster St. entrance, under the tent). Please stop by to say hello, ask a question or share an idea. *• Health Attestation *Many thanks to our parents and students who continue to complete the daily health attestation procedure at a high rate; in the last several days the rate of completion has been about 94 to 96%. We appreciate your partnership as we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our students and staff. My most recent cable show, *Needham Schools Spotlight*, features a conversation about COVID protocols and health information with our school & public health partners: Health and Safety Remains the Priority in the NPS <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=64513&pageId=2445680> *• Ten Minutes with... *We have launched a new video program entitled, *"Ten Minutes with..."* featuring brief ten minute interviews with leaders and learners in the Needham Public Schools. The most recent video features two students, *Nick Tuchin* and *Fernanda Pinto Pro* who collaborated to advocate for the School Committee to rename the October holiday *Indigenous Peoples' Day*. Please check out Ten Minutes with Nick and Fernanda <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiTG2d5o5rY> when you get the chance. *• Needham's Parent University *Needham Community Education launched the NCE Parent University in October 2020 to foster a partnership between the Needham Public Schools and the District’s parents. Our NCE Parent University <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jtruf7PzM0e2cWk_G0auZmM4LofAdQDL/view?usp=…> workshops and seminars, taught by experts throughout the year, are designed to address various parenting challenges and concerns and provide invaluable information and skills. The programs are free but registration <https://nce.reg.eleyo.com/> is required. In addition, there is a new NCE Adult Fall Catalog <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EhoTm8ha_ZNVpSKea9ZoUY0L0RFbTaFbacedScO…> featuring an array of virtual and in-person programs that provide joy, social engagement, and intellectual/creative stimulation. If you have questions about the NCE Adult Programs, please contact amy_goldman(a)needham.k12.ma.us or 781-455-0400 x11214. *• Congratulations! *Congratulations to these three Needham High School students for being named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test <https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/comment-pag…> : *Samuel Billante, Benjamin Lee,* and *Drew Winkler*. We are proud of these and all of our students who each day demonstrate a commitment to scholarship and growth. Have a great holiday weekend! 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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