Superintendents_update

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November 2021

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 24 Nov '21

24 Nov '21

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Allow me to share the following updates: • *Inclement Weather *In the unlikely event winter weather may require the closing or delayed opening of the Needham Public Schools, I will do my level best to make a decision about a cancellation or delay by about 5:30 a.m. Unless it is abundantly clear what the weather conditions will be, I am often reluctant to call off school the evening before a storm is predicted because New England weather is fickle. Once a decision is made, alerts will go out via email, phone, and on local TV. The quickest way to find out is on Twitter <https://twitter.com/NPS_Supt> where I also post the information. For more information on school cancellations and delayed openings: Inclement weather information <http://p13cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/Di…> . Finally, it is important for students to be in classes as scheduled throughout the year, and I don't believe a winter storm should necessarily keep us away from school. If it is predicted to snow, for instance, four to six inches I am inclined to hold classes. There are circumstances, however, when the snow is minimal but icy and dangerous roads may prevent a safe school opening or at least require a delay. Safety for students and staff, of course, will always be my first consideration. This coming winter parents and students should leave plenty of time to get to school and keep a shovel and galoshes nearby! *• 10 Minutes with Chief Schlittler *Please check out my latest 10 minute video, produced courtesy of the amazing TV students at NHS and featuring Needham Police Chief John Schlittler <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egBdNw1yWXg>. Together we talk about the role the police play in our schools, and we discuss our recently signed Memorandum of Understanding <http://p13cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/De…'s%20Office/MOU%20Needham%20Police%20&%20Schools%2011-12-21.pdf> . *• Thank a Teacher with NEF Gratitude Cards *A donation to the Needham Education Foundation (NEF) is a special way to thank a teacher in your student’s life. NEF Gratitude Cards help provide vital support for the funding of teachers' innovative ideas and professional development opportunities through NEF grants. Gratitude cards can be purchased at Proud Mary, Roche Bros., Sudbury Farms, and Volante Farms through December 22nd or Gratitude Gram e-cards can be ordered online and NEF will send your personalized message on your behalf. All cards are $10 each. Visit www.nefneedham.org/support/cards <http://www.nefneedham.org/>for more information. • *NHS Student Accolades **Where to begin??* Recently Students Acting to Make a Difference (SAMD) <https://sites.google.com/needham.k12.ma.us/samd/charity?authuser=0> performed *The Little Mermaid* to enthusiastic crowds and raised $7,000 to donate to The Ocean Conservancy <https://sites.google.com/needham.k12.ma.us/samd/charity/ocean-conservancy-r…> as part of their commitment to serving the greater good and community. Congratulations to the Girls Volleyball Team <https://docs.google.com/document/d/15JtrqSrYL7u21UZpW0gviz2zY73E0g__aZzQ_no…> for winning the Division I State Championship for Needham High School again this year! The Team was also awarded the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Sportsmanship Award for exceptional teamwork, fairplay, and discipline. Kudos and congrats to our Unified Basketball Team <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bTNc9YWKg0Sz74A0diLH4Q-KpEvEs2p7IV7lnlJ…> for an undefeated season; the Dance Team <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xM1ngxJdM1eG-G-woaB4XZOFIGPllaSsFM9WDxi…> for taking Third Place in the championship; and to senior Kyler McNatt for placing 2nd at the State Cross Country Championship <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1539q63uw4kKnkKdI-D36maGmr5BT9tyW2LGd-RY…> ! All of our students and their teachers and coaches bring us honor with their dedicated and spirited efforts, and we are proud of them. • *Happy Thanksgiving!* We are fortunate to live, work, and learn in an amazing community like Needham that values children, and we are especially blessed to be citizens in a vibrant country that serves, however imperfectly, as a model of democracy, inclusion, and justice to the rest of a sometimes weary world. I know I am grateful for my family and to work with a talented staff, committed parents, and the exceptional young people of Needham - all of whom inspire civility, peace, and hope. *Happy Thanksgiving!* 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 07 Nov '21

07 Nov '21

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Allow me to share some updates as we begin a new week: *• Visitor Protocol * Beginning Tuesday, November 9th, we are allowing limited and essential visitors into school during the school day to conduct school/student-related business. All visitors will need to complete a health attestation either before they arrive at school or once inside but before they begin their parent meeting, etc. You may read the visitor protocol here <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vZTDFk37oDk-Uvira-e70cC4fJKh-EJbmkku3xp…> and review the health attestation form here <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yo-THQ8TUC4Ur6v-5hj7c6JyN3daZkPCovxxR_O…> . *• Vaccine Clinic * In partnership with Town of Needham Public Health, we will be sponsoring vaccine clinics for students ages 5-11 at Pollard on Saturday, November 13th and another on Saturday, November 20th. Please register here: Pollard Vaccine Clinics <https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/needham>. *• 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. *• Superintendent's Blog * My latest post explains how parents and families can become informed and get involved in the Needham Public Schools. Please take a few minutes to check it out: Superintendent's Blog: Hey, Parents: Let's Get Involved! <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> As always, thanks for your partnership. 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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