Superintendents_update

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December 2022

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 30 Dec '22

30 Dec '22

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Happy New Year! I hope the December break provided ample space and time for families to gather and spend time together. My wife Karen and I enjoyed a peaceful Christmas holiday with our three daughters who flew in to celebrate. (The Southwest Air traveler stayed a little longer, so that was nice for us!) Allow me to share the following updates as we begin a new year and return to classes next week: *• Health and Safety *It's important, especially after the holiday gatherings and travel, for parents to assess the health of their child before sending them to school. If a child is not feeling well or has COVID symptoms, the child should stay home and be seen by a medical provider. If you have a question about your child's wellbeing or are in need of a COVID test kit, please contact your school nurse for information. The NPS remain a "mask friendly" learning environment, and we support students, staff, and families who choose to wear a mask upon return from the vacation period or throughout the school year. *• Virtual Coffee with the Superintendent* On Monday, January 9th at 8:00 p.m. I will host the next Virtual Coffee with the Superintendent for families and parents. The link to the meeting is here: Virtual Coffee with the Superintendent <https://needham-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/83562703664?pwd=ZVU5Z2V5VVhLdjQwODhiVDR…>01/09/23 Virtual Coffee 8:00 p.m. <https://needham-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/83562703664?pwd=ZVU5Z2V5VVhLdjQwODhiVDR…> During this meeting I will highlight five key efforts in our district's strategic plan, and then I will open up the conversation to general questions and comments from participants. The zoom meeting will last 45 minutes and will not be recorded; additional and planned dates include: February 13, March 20, April 10 and May 22. I look forward to seeing you! • 2023-24 School Year Budget Proposal Recently, I shared my preliminary budget proposal for the 2022-23 school year <https://cdn5-ss13.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/Depar…> (Fiscal Year 24) with the School Committee. I believe the budget proposal will provide the resources we need to continue to serve our students and address school and district priorities as outlined in the Portrait of a Needham Graduate Strategic Plan <https://drive.google.com/file/d/11mGJzHfu68nXd75-3XfNR_IoQrEczOxc/view?usp=…>. The School Committee will hold a Public Hearing on the budget on Tuesday, January 17th at 6:30 p.m. at Broadmeadow (also via zoom and cable television) and all community members, parents, students, and staff are welcome to participate. Detailed information about the budget plan is available on the district’s website: FY24 Budget Proposal <https://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/business__operations/business_off…> *• Superintendent's Blog* My most recent post, Reflections on Lunch Duty <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> is available. *• 10 Minutes With... *The latest and quick, 10 minute video featuring 5 New Year's Resolutions for 2023 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc9yQmR9ftE> is now available. Here's to a safe and healthy 2023 to you and your family! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 *He/His/Him* 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 03 Dec '22

03 Dec '22

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Allow me to share the following updates: *• Virtual Coffee with the Superintendent* On Monday, December 5th at 6:30 p.m. I will host the next Virtual Coffee with the Superintendent for families and parents. The link to the meeting is here: 12/5/22 Virtual Coffee 6:30 p.m. <https://needham-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/88684367791?pwd=R05TakppcUJyRWJLK0lyZ3B…> During this meeting I will highlight efforts the district is making to promote school and student safety and then I will open up the conversation to general questions and comments from participants. The zoom meeting will last 45 minutes and will not be recorded; additional and planned dates include: January 9, February 13, March 20, April 10 and May 22. I look forward to seeing you! *• Early Release Student Behavior *Police Chief John Schlittler and I met with several local business leaders recently to discuss ideas and strategies to encourage more appropriate and respectful middle and high school student behavior within the community, especially on early release days. Business owners expressed gratitude for the majority of students who frequent restaurants and stores on early release days and are good customers and well behaved. But they expressed concern and frustration with some young people who, when they are crowded together into a small store or aisle, inevitably disrupt and disturb other customers and the operation of the business. In some cases, there is vandalism and litter which impacts the business and sometimes causes other customers to leave. Shop owners have experienced theft due to a few young people daring each other to steal candy. I am requesting that parents and guardians, particularly those of middle school students, talk to your children about their plans for visiting local businesses on early release days. Please share with them your expectations for their behavior while dining or patronizing a local business. There is an early release day this coming Wednesday, December 7th, so it is a great opportunity - and there is a real need - for families to discuss respectful, careful, and safe behavior within the community. Many thanks for your help! *• Superintendent's Blog *My latest post can be found here: The Elephant in the Room <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/>. *• Weather Related Information *As we brace for another New England winter, please review information on weather related school closures, 2 hour delays or emergency closure: Inclement Weather Information <https://cdn5-ss13.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/Distr…> on the NPS website. The quickest way to get weather related school closings or other important information is to sign up for Twitter. For school updates and weather related school cancellations, go to https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt *• Student Accolades *The Needham High School SALSA Club <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ5AC4oELkA> has been awarded the 2022 Norfolk County Peer Leadership Award for raising awareness about youth substance use prevention. The students were awarded $1,500 for their perfect score in the year-long "Team Rival" competition. This year marks the 7th straight year the Needham High School has won this award. Congratulations to the students for their efforts and advocacy! Enjoy the weekend and the week ahead! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 *He/His/Him* 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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