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Health Update from the Needham Public Schools
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 28 Feb '20

28 Feb '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Attached, please find information about the coronavirus and our response to this health concern from NPS Health Services Director Barbara Singer. Additional information about coronavirus (Covid-19) is also available online: • Town of Needham Public Health Department <https://www.needhamma.gov/85/Public-Health> • Massachusetts Department of Public Health <https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coron…> • Centers for Disease Control <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html> Thanks to Ms. Singer, our school nurses, and School Physician, Dr. Alan Stern, MD, for their insight, updates, and commitment to the health and safety of our students and their families. Please enjoy a restful *and* healthy weekend! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent Needham Public Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 14 Feb '20

14 Feb '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we begin the February break, allow me to share the following updates: *• Student Achievements *Supported by dedicated teachers and caring families, many NPS students have enjoyed success in and outside of the classroom. Some recent student accolades: *The MA Regional Boston Globe/MFA Scholastic Art Awards * *Needham High School* Silver Key recipients for Art: *Gabriela Long*, *Ryle Sammut*, *Leroy Shaigorodsky... *Honorable Mention: *Katharine Buffinger, **Chloe Diamond, **Mark Elman, **Charlotte Greif, **Yutong Huang, **Avery Matthias* , *Caroline Pollan, **Helena Zhan*g. *Pollard Middle School* student *Gabriela Diaz* was also awarded Honorable Mention. *Massachusetts All State Music Festival* *NHS *students *Will Anderson, Lauren Biedron, Leyna Blume, Kenneth Crossman, Matthew Duthaler, Katherine Rock, Nadia Cho, Ryan Judge, and Advika Krishnan* were selected to participate in the festival, culminating with a performance at Symphony Hall. *Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Junior District 2020 Music Festival *The following students were accepted into the MMEA Music Festival. *NHS: **Rose Halford, **Evelyn Lockwood Mullaney, **Jill Mullaney, **Natalia Rodriquez, **Claire Skatrud, **Juliana Swartz **Pollard Middle School: **Armen Burdick, **Josie George, **Jonathan Gregg, **Sarah Huang, **Alissa Kahn, **Ben Kelly, **Zachary Weiskopf, **Laura Krauss, **David Less, **Cameron Markowitz, **Henry McCue, **Boyoung Paik, **Eli St**anley, **Amiya Tess, **Joshua Van Dam* Congratulations to our students and their teachers and parents who encourage and empower their success! *• Superintendent's **Blog *My post highlights a conversation I recently had with a parent about a school program: No, I am not color blind <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• Needham Schools Spotlight* The most recent cable show features a great conversation about our breakfast and lunch programs, including information about our new policy around so-called "lunch shaming" and updates about food composting and recycling efforts in our cafeterias: Spotlight on Nutrition Services <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight> *• Opportunities for Boston Families* I am looking forward to attending a METCO parent meeting at 12th Baptist Church in Boston on Thursday, February 27th at 6:00 p.m. to share school updates. Also, the Needham School Committee will hold their regularly scheduled meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10th at the Jeremiah Burke High School in Dorchester. All are invited to attend both events! *• School Committee Open House *The Needham School Committee and Citizens for Needham Schools <https://www.citizensforneedhamschools.com/> (CNS) will co-sponsor a spring Open House on Saturday morning, April 4th from 9 until 10:30 a.m. at the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School. This is an opportunity for parents and members of the community to connect informally with the School Committee and share questions, concerns, and ideas about the schools. Members of CNS will be on hand to participate in the conversations and share updates about their work in support of the schools. *• **Civic an**d Spelling Bees *Please consider participating in or attending the upcoming Needham League of Women Voters Civics Bee <https://lwv-needham.org/civics-bee-2020/> scheduled for Sunday, March 22nd at Broadmeadow. Also, the annual Needham Education Foundation Spelling Bee <https://www.nefneedham.org/> is scheduled for Sunday, March 15th at Needham High School. These are two wonderful, fun, and educational opportunities for the entire community. I hope you and your families enjoy a restful *and* play filled February vacation. Please know it is an incredible honor for me to serve as your superintendent who gets to observe and interact with awesome young scholars each day. 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

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 16 Jan '20

16 Jan '20

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: A belated Happy New Year to you and your families! Allow me to share a few updates: • *2020-21 (FY21) School Budget & Hearing* The School Committee is currently reviewing a proposed 6.5% increase in the budget for the 2020-21 school year (FY21). *The School Committee will hold a Budget Hearing on Tuesday, January 21st at Broadmeadow beginning at 7:00 p.m.* The budget plan includes resources to address our strategic plan, the Portrait of a Needham Graduate, and ensure equity and access in our schools. You can also review detailed budget information available on the school department's website: NPS FY21 Budget Documents <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=64513&pageId=926906#F21> Community members and parents are encouraged to attend and share comments about the budget plan at next Tuesday's hearing. Your voice is important and it matters! *• Superintendent's Blog* My recent post summarizes the school budget plan and provides additional links to information and resources: The FY2020-21 Needham Public Schools Budget Proposal <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration *Once again this year the schools will partner with the Needham Diversity Committee, Needham Clergy Association, and Needham Human Rights Commission to celebrate the life of Dr. King. Please plan on joining us at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2020 at Pollard for reflections, poetry, music, and more. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments: 781.455.0400, extension 11203 or dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2020! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 20 Dec '19

20 Dec '19

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we begin the December break, allow me to share the following updates: *• Host Students from Daxing January 12-17th!* We are looking for ten Needham families to host ten middle school aged students from the Daxing School District, Beijing in January. The Needham Public Schools has a strong partnership with the Daxing School District located in Beijing, China. For several years we have exchanged students and teachers to visit our schools and communities to learn more about our educational programs, explore the cities of Boston or Beijing, and develop lifelong relationships that strengthen understanding and friendship between our two countries. You do not have to have middle school aged students in your family to host a Chinese student. Additional information can be found here: Daxing January 2020 Exchange Information <https://docs.google.com/document/d/19EEqLrGJ4nk2xzqT8XG7tEnYE3nNgmfXkTbyhx8…> *• 2020-21 (FY21) School Budget *Last week I presented to the School Committee my proposal for a budget plan for the 2020-21 school year. You may review the entire FY21 budget plan and see my presentation to the School Committee here: FY21 Needham Public Schools Budget Proposal <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=64513&pageId=926906#F21> . The School Committee will hold a Public Hearing on the budget plan at their January 21st meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Broadmeadow, and I encourage parents and community members to participate. *• **Needham Schools Spotlight * Please check out the latest Needham Schools Spotlight cable show featuring a conversation with staff, community members, and students about the prevalence and dangers of teen vaping: Needham Schools Spotlight <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight>. *• Superintendent's Blog *My recent post is about the FY21 Budget plan. Check it out here: Superintendent's Blog <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• Winter Weather is Here! * Information about weather-related school closings can be found here: Information about weather-related school delays and cancellations <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/District/N…> . I also strongly encourage parents to follow me on Twitter in order to receive the most timely information about weather-related school delays or closings. While I will continue to notify the media and send out emails and phone calls to interested families, it takes time for all of the messages to make it through the queue; Twitter is simply quicker! More information here: Twitter: @NPS_supt <https://twitter.com/NPS_Supt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimelin…> *• 2020-21 School Calendar *Many folks who are planning summer vacations have called to inquire about the status of the school calendar for the next academic year. The School Committee will consider and vote on a 2020-21 calendar sometime in February. One thing I can share is that I will most likely recommend that school start before Labor Day given that Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2020. I will likely recommend that classes for students start no earlier than Wednesday, September 2nd. Stay tuned for a 2020-21 school calendar in February! Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank NPS families for your ongoing support, generous spirit, and genuine willingness to engage and connect. The work we do with your children each day is an awesome responsibility and a great honor. I hope we will continue to remain worthy of your partnership, guidance, and trust as, together, we educate and care for these amazing, energetic, and talented young people. If you are celebrating the upcoming holidays, may I take this opportunity to wish you a joyous and peaceful Hanukkah and Christmas! To all, Happy New Year! As always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments: 781.455.0400, ext. 11203 or dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 17 Dec '19

17 Dec '19

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Due to the inclement weather, all after school and evening activities in the Needham Public Schools will be cancelled today, Tuesday, December 17, 2019. However, the Needham School Committee will meet, as scheduled, at Broadmeadow beginning at 7:00 p.m. Thank you and drive safe! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 09 Dec '19

09 Dec '19

Dear Needham Families: This Wednesday, December 11th is scheduled to be an early release day for all students. *However, given the preliminary weather forecast which calls for snow and ice during the morning commute, we have decided that Wednesday, December 11th will be a regularly scheduled school day for all students with no early release. Weather permitting, classes will begin at the regular time and conclude at the regular time.* It's not possible to plan a delayed opening and an early release on the same day; bus schedules are disrupted and students would only be in class for two hours. In order for a school day to count toward our required minimum 180 school days, classes must be scheduled for at least half the regularly scheduled day. I recognize that changing schedules for families on short notice is less than ideal. However, without any change in the planned schedule and if the morning commute was unsafe, I would have to cancel the entire day, further disrupting family and student schedules. If the weather conditions on Wednesday, or any other day, require a delayed opening or cancellation, I will notify families as soon as possible and typically by 5:30 a.m. Thanks for your patience and understanding as we begin a new round of winter weather. Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent Needham Public Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 27 Nov '19

27 Nov '19

Dear Needham Families: Allow me to share the following updates: *• "Snow Daze" *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 where I also post the information. ( For more info: https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt ) 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 seven 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! *• Needham Schools Spotlight * You may view the latest cable show, a conversation with NPS students about their future and the Portrait of a Needham Graduate Strategic Priorities, on local access TV or in this link: Needham Schools Spotlight <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight> *• Superintendent's Blog *My latest blog post focuses on the dedication of the new Sunita L. Williams Elementary School: Superintendent's Blog <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• Needham Education Foundation - Teacher Appreciation Gift Cards* A donation to the Needham Education Foundation is a wonderful way to thank a special teacher in your child’s life. By purchasing NEF Gift for Education Cards, you are showing your gratitude while providing vital support for the funding of teachers' innovative ideas and professional development opportunities through NEF grants. Your gift helps make learning come alive! This year's gift card features the artwork of Lilly Bratschi, 5th grader at Broadmeadow Elementary School. Cards can be purchased in local stores or online. More information here: NEF Gift Cards <https://www.nefneedham.org/support/nefcards/> *• Student Achievements *Congratulations are in order for the two Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Academic Excellence Award honorees, Anne Kiely and Eric Xu, both NHS seniors. Anne and Eric were honored at a recent School Committee meeting for their superb commitment to learning and academic excellence. They clearly represent our core values around Scholarship and Personal Growth! At the School Committee meeting both seniors expressed their deep appreciation for their parents' support and to all of the Needham teachers who have guided and assisted them over the years. Kudos also to the Girls Volleyball Team on the first ever State Championship for Needham High School! W hether on the greens, in the pool, in the classroom, on the field, or on the stage, our students are talented, mature, hardworking, and poised. Needham families and the teachers and coaches who guide them should rightly be proud! *• 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!* As always, you can be in touch with me via phone (781.455.0400, x203) or email: dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us *Go Rockets! Beat Wellesley!! * Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 15 Oct '19

15 Oct '19

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Allow me to share the following updates as we begin a new week: *• Sunita L. William School Open House *The Needham School Committee will host an Open House at the new Sunita L. Williams Elementary School, located at 585 Central Ave., on Saturday morning, October 19, from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. This is an opportunity for parents and members of the community to tour the new school and chat informally with your School Committee and share ideas, questions, and concerns. Please join us! *• Needham Schools Spotlight *Please check out the latest cable show featuring a discussion with the School Committee about challenges and opportunities in the year ahead: Needham Schools Spotlight <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight> . You may also view the program on local cable. *• Superintendent's Blog *I try to update my blog monthly to ensure parents and members of the community are updated on current school news, information, and happenings. Please check out my latest post, What is Your Why? <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• Bus Updates on Twitter* There are times a bus or van can be delayed due to road conditions or a mechanical issue. Parents and students who wish to receive updates about school transportation can sign on to Twitter to receive timely, updated, and helpful alerts: https://twitter.com/NeedhamPSTrans Parents and students are also encouraged to follow me on Twitter to receive important school news and updates, including weather-related school cancellations: https://twitter.com/NPS_Supt *• Student Accolades* Congratulations to several Needham High School students for being named *Semi-Finalists* in the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test: Matthew Culver, Jason Hedman, Anne Kiely, Zachary Lu, Annie Stein, Cindy Zhang, Helena Zhang. Congrats also to *Commended Students:* Itai Abraham, Andrew Atallah, Noah Basson, Caleb Boyer, Ora Caperton, Andy Feng, Josh Fleckner, Jess Hung, Joseph Kim, Andrew Li, Isabelle Liu, John Lively, Isabelle Lockhart, Max Mazzarese, Logan Packard, Matt Peijovich, Kelly Putnam, Will Roberts, Kelsey Rondini, Leroy Shaigorodsky, Zach Stickles, Drew Siegenthaler, Colin Wells, Eric Xu, and Lucy Ying. We are proud of these and all of our students who each day demonstrate a commitment to the competencies embedded in the District's Portrait of a Needham Graduate Strategic Plan <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=29687762> ! As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments: 781.455.0400, extension 11203 or dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us Have a great week! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Welcome back to school!
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 09 Sep '19

09 Sep '19

Monday, September 9, 2019 Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Welcome back to school! We enjoyed greeting your children last week, and I can report after visiting each school and many classrooms that the energy is high and learning is in full gear! We are especially excited that the new Sunita L. Williams Elementary School is finally open and providing a wonderful learning environment for 520 K-5 students. Additionally, our new Full Day Kindergarten program has enrolled over 390 Kindergarteners who are benefiting from an expanded and enriching experience. As we begin the new year, allow me to share the following updates: • *School Transportation *A new school on Central Avenue, new school bus drivers, high bus ridership, and road construction have all resulted in delays and late arrivals on some bus routes. I appreciate your patience as we work to mitigate the impact these of these issues on our students and can assure you that we are working closely with our drivers, public safety officials and our bus contractor, Connolly, to address all concerns that arise. • *Sunita L. Williams Elementary School Open House *The School Committee will host an Open House on Saturday, October 19th from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. at the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School on Central Ave. This will be an opportunity to tour the school and have informal conversations with the School Committee. Please mark your calendar. • *Superintendent's Blog* My recent post includes updates about our work over the summer and information about the new school year: Superintendent's Blo <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/>g . • *Stay in Touch with the Superintendent! *One way to stay in touch is to follow me on Twitter: Go ahead, give it a try! The quickest way to get weather-related school closings or other important information is on Twitter. For school updates, weather-related school cancellations, reminders, and photos, go to: https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt Also, you can be in touch with me via phone (781-455-0400, x11203) or email: dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us I look forward to sharing with you and hearing from you. Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 20 Jun '19

20 Jun '19

Dear Needham Public Schools Families: *(If you know longer wish to receive these updates, please follow the "unsubscribe" directions below.)* Allow me to share the following updates as we conclude the school year and head into summer vacation: *• Portrait of a Needham Graduate *Attached to this email is the *Portrait of a Needham Graduate FY20 District Plan* presentation the School Committee reviewed at its meeting on Tuesday evening, June 18th. If approved by the School Committee at their July 12th meeting, the plan will frame the district's work for next school year and beyond. I encourage you to provide any feedback or suggestions about the plan by contacting the School Committee via email: schoolcommittee(a)needham.k12.ma.us *• Administrative Appointments *Several Needham staff members recently were appointed to new roles in the district: *Jamie Singelais* has accepted my offer to become the district's new Director of English Language Learner Education (ELL). High Rock's *Maggie Charron* and Hillside's *Raylene Roberts* have been appointed to the position of assistant principal at their respective schools: Ms. Charron will serve in the permanent position after a year as the interim AP, and Ms. Roberts will serve as the interim AP at the new Sunita L. Williams Elementary School. *Andrea Vargas*, who has been serving in the role of interim assistant principal at Newman, has been appointed to the permanent assistant principal at that school, and *Erin Vacaro*, who has also served as interim assistant principal/special education coordinator at Hillside, has been appointed to the position of special education coordinator at the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School. NHS science teacher *Mary Kay Alessi* has accepted the position of interim assistant principal at the high school. Thanks to these dedicated and talented educators for stepping up and into these important administrative roles in our district! *• Student Accolades *It's been over two weeks since 430 NHS grads received their diplomas on Memorial Field under sunny skies! As the year has concluded, several students throughout the district have received the following recognitions: *- Girls' Lacrosse Academic All-Stars* NHS Coach Paula Kelley shared the exciting news that an unprecedented number of lacrosse players were named as academic all stars: *Maeve Barker, **Abby Dateo, **Chloe Newman, **Lilly Callahan, *and *Elena Oberle. *To put this success into perspective, the EMASS region that Needham is included in covers 170 schools and only the top 25 girls qualify for the US Lacrosse All Academic Team. To have 5 of the total 25 come from NHS is awesome and speaks to their abilities, their parents' support, and their coach's and teachers' dedication. - Needham High School students *John Lively, Zachary Lu, Shayan Raza, and **Anne Stein* earned the National Speech & Debate Academic All American Award which recognizes academic rigor, competitive speech and debate success, and personal excellence. - Needham High School senior, *Ethan Lee, *was selected as one of 621 semifinalists in the nation to advance to the final round of the 2019 Presidential Scholars competition based on academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership, and service activities. - *Hillside School *submitted podcasts to the National Public Radio (NPR) Podcast Challenge and two podcasts were recognized as "two of the absolute top submissions." Students in *Laura Miller's* class who created the "Clowning" <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JpmqtRhEOcgB-Cp1p2zCSkXxX4x--TD3/view> podcast were *Isabella Lee* and *Francesca DePaul*;* Raylene Roberts'* student podcasters who produced "Stop Touching My Hair" <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P7KcPdpeCPZgpNKh1Vnub6Ynb4-G1ibJ/view> were *Engelika Perez Torres *and *Madison Swan.* *- Pollard National History Day Team* Congratulations to the National History Day team from Pollard: *Sylvia* *Azer, Audrey Finelli, Eve Kirstein, and Caroline Pinti *who won first place in the Boston National History Day Regionals for their research project on the impact of the Flu of 1919 on Needham. *• Superintendent's Blog *Please check out my most recent post about the generosity and innovative spirit of the Needham Education Foundation (NEF): Superintendent's Blog <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• Needham Schools Spotlight* Please check out the most recent Needham Schools Spotlight cable show featuring the backgrounds and experiences of seven of Needham's amazing teachers. The program is available on local access TV, the Needham Channel or online: Needham Schools Spotlight <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight> Now, after a long year, it's time to enjoy the summer break and have fun with families and friends. Please know I am proud to serve as your superintendent and value your continued collaboration as we support the hopes and dreams of your children. Happy Summer! Respectfully, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent Needham Public Schools

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