October 2023 - Superintendents_update - mailman.dca2.superb.net

Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 29 Oct '23

29 Oct '23

Sunday, October 29, 2023 8:46 p.m. Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Over the weekend I contacted a Needham resident who reported on FaceBook that dozens of high school aged young people were gathered on his street Saturday evening, apparently seeking entry to a house party of a neighbor who is of high school age but who is not enrolled at Needham High School. He explained that as they left the street a few in the crowd were heard to yell antisemitic slurs, including, “I love Hitler!” The person who posted this on FaceBook did not report the incident to the neighbors or Needham Police who I have subsequently confirmed have not received any reports of such an incident but are now aware of it. While we do not know exactly what happened or who was involved this past Saturday evening in a Needham neighborhood, it is necessary to be clear: Any use of antisemitic, racist, or hateful speech directed at any person at anytime in any venue is never condoned and will always be condemned by the Needham Public Schools. Vile and hateful slurs go against the values of the schools and are clearly in stark contrast to the values of the Needham community. Regardless of who the young people were, their hateful and antisemitic slurs have now reverberated through social media causing anxiety and fear in the Needham community. The administration of Needham High School and the Needham Public Schools work hard to instill the values of respect, belonging, and human dignity during the school day. However, we can’t possibly police or control the behavior and language of students outside of school; there are appropriate limits to what we can and should do. Parents, caregivers and adults have the responsibility of guiding and directing young people at home and in the larger community. School staff, parents, and other caring adults must collaborate and work together to call out behavior that is below the standards and expectations of this community; and we must do this for each child, regardless of school affiliation. As your superintendent for 18 years, I have watched your children grow and learn in the Needham Public Schools, and, like you, I am immensely proud of them. They are amazing, respectful, and generous young people. It is uncommon behavior for our students to use hateful and repugnant speech; but it can happen and when it does, we must call it out, hold responsible individuals to account, and work to repair any harm that has been caused. In this case, we must acknowledge the contemptible speech and hope that parents, in collaboration with the schools, faith communities, and other caring adults, speak to their children about the impact of the words they use, especially when they are caught up in a moment of adolescent exuberance or rowdiness. The schools will continue to reinforce the expectations for appropriate and respectful behavior that I know the adults in this wonderful and caring community have for all of its children. Finally, please know that if your child has heard about this incident or is impacted by it, our school staff, including our teachers, administrators, and counselors stand ready to support them. Sincerely, 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 23 Oct '23

23 Oct '23

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we begin a new week of learning, allow me to share the following brief updates and information: *• Academic Accolades* Once again this year, several Needham High School seniors have been notified by the College Board that they are being recognized for their performance on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test: <https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=405> *Semi Finalists:* Aden Garf, Yasu Patel. *Commended:* Caroline Clark, Ruby Gibson, Fedor Goryanyy, Isabella Kuang, Alex Lee, Alex Lundquist, Lucy Mackey, Henry McCue, Aadam Mulla, Alec Purrington, Aidan Railton, Jack Rixner, Elsie Sachs, Leo Shraybman, Jake Sieczkowski, Eleanor Slosser, Nevan Sujit, Amiya Tess, James Young. Also, kudos to senior Aadam Mulla for winning the Best Essay in the Secondary School Division of the MA Foreign Language Association <https://mafla.org/> annual contest. Congratulations to our students! *• 2023 Family Survey Results* We recently shared last spring's family survey results with the School Committee. Please view the presentation here: 2023 Family Survey Results <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13ll1EpkkCgypA4jTiJ9qmAXRe2OgcV57/ed…> *• 10 Minutes with...* A brief video conversation <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXY74gr65wI> with Needham School Committee Chair Andrea Longo Carter and Vice Chair Liz Lee. This ten minute video highlights major goals and initiatives of the School Committee this year. *• Superintendent's Blog *A few parents requested I share a recent letter I wrote to students in grades 7-12. I have posted it here: Dear Students... <https://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> As always, please stay in touch with questions, concerns, or ideas! My email address is: dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us Respectfully, 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 13 Oct '23

13 Oct '23

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: This afternoon we mark the end of a busy and productive, yet challenging week of teaching and learning in the Needham Public Schools. While students at every level have been engaged in their academic lessons, athletic competitions, social time with friends, or playing music - all under the caring and watchful eyes of their teachers, coaches, and administrators - there existed for many students, particularly at the secondary level, a pall of fear, disbelief, and anxiety at the unfolding and astonishing news of the terrorism and war in Israel and Gaza. For many of our young people there was a dissonance in their lives this week: Math homework and lunch chatter contrasted with chilling social media reports and casualty counts. Violence, terror, and hate interrupted and interfered with the ability of some of our students to focus; and some students’ emotions boiled over. For sure, the depravity and immorality of the murders and terror shock us all. However, despite the horrors of the terrorist attacks in Israel, the unknown fate of innocent Jewish families and hostages, or the plight of the Palestinian civilians swept up in the war, our students and the staff of the Needham Public Schools kept learning alive and ensured students were safe and secure: - Middle and high school teachers used social studies classrooms and/or advisory to respond to students' questions about the events unfolding in Israel and Gaza. - The Needham High School Jewish Student Union shared a somber message of solidarity with Israel during an advisory period with the entire high school community and, along with High Rock and Pollard students, led a moment of silence to remember the victims of the attacks. - Administrative and counseling staff connected with individual students or groups of students, including Jewish and Muslim students, who were experiencing loss, discomfort, or distress over the last several days. - Throughout the Needham Public Schools, teachers and staff supported one another, helped to identify students or families who needed extra support, and ensured the focus was on providing a stable and consistent learning environment for all students. In the days ahead, we will continue to provide an excellent educational program for our students, and we will support those students who may continue to struggle. I am deeply committed to ensuring our schools remain safe places for our students, and we will continue to be crystal clear that all students are entitled to learn and grow in a school environment that is free of racism, bias, antisemitism, and Islamophobia. Thank you to parents and caregivers who have expressed questions, concerns, and support to our principals and staff as we guide your children. There is no good playbook for this; no best way to react or respond when terror rips the world apart. The collective efforts of dedicated staff, caring families, and our amazing young people will always be imperfect, but I have faith and hope in this community. Next week the staff will be at it again, doing the thing that we all love and cherish: guiding, teaching, and leading your children as they grow and develop to become active, contributing, and caring citizens. This is our responsibility, and despite its complexities, this work gives me no greater joy. Respectfully, 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 12 Oct '23

12 Oct '23

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: It has come to our attention that information has been circulating regarding possible demonstrations in the United States that may occur Friday, October 13, 2023. Needham Police Chief John Schlittler and I continue to collaborate to prioritize school security in and around our schools. Out of an abundance of caution, the police will take appropriate steps tomorrow to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the students and staff of the Needham Public Schools. Sincerely, 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 09 Oct '23

09 Oct '23

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Like you, I am reminded this weekend that sometimes events that seem so far away can impact some of our students and families in ways we don't necessarily expect. Worldwide events, such as the earthquake in Afghanistan, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and now the war in Israel affect family members and loved ones of several Needham students. Our schools stand ready to support all of our students, especially those who have relatives and friends in areas of violence and conflict including Ukraine and Israel: • In the coming days if your child needs support in school to process the events of the weekend, please reach out to the school counselor. • Elementary classroom teachers will not initiate conversations about war and conflict, but they will guide and respond to students in developmentally appropriate ways, understanding that not every child is aware of or knowledgeable about the violence. At the secondary level, student inquiry and curiosity, particularly in social studies classes, will guide any classroom discussion. • One source of information for parents is from UNICEF: How to talk to your children about war and conflict <https://www.unicef.org/parenting/how-talk-your-children-about-conflict-and-….> . As we begin a new week of learning in the NPS, let's remember that our collective role as parents and educators is to ensure our students develop the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to lead fulfilling lives and to envision and build a prosperous, peaceful, and just world. Respectfully, 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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