• New Emergency Communication System The school department has deployed an emergency notification system that will allow us to phone and email parents about school emergencies and weather-related school closures. Please make sure you have updated contact information in Power School to ensure we have the most updated information for your student and family. Also, if you have not already done so, please go ahead and join the Town of Needham Emergency Notification System if you wish to be contacted by the Fire or Police Departments in the event of a Town-wide emergency. It is my sincere wish, of course, that during the coming winter season I will not need to call you about a school delay or cancellation. But we live in New England...

• Professional Status Congratulations to those teachers who recently received professional status in the Needham Public Schools after completing three years of successful service, training, and induction:

NHS- Andrew Ames, Chris Ashley, Lisa Austin, Gretchen Ayoub, Jacques Bignet, Jane Chinnaswamy, Adam Cole, William Goldman, Jen Greenberg, Cathy Heller, Michelle Kelly, Cara O'Connell, Dana Plunkett, Leslie Portnoy

Pollard- Alison Ashley, Casey Cohen, Jennifer Golenia, Kristen Gosselin, Christina Malinn, Amy McKenna, Mark Nolan, Lois Scribner, Emily Webering, Simon Berk, Jaclyn Daignealt,

Also, district administrators and teachers Kirsten Witt-McGhee (Special education), Debbie Watters (Foreign Language), Mary Rizzuto (Science Center), and Cathy Heller (Special Education) received professional status. At the ceremony honoring these professionals, each spoke with enthusiasm about his/her students in the Needham Schools and the amount of support they have received from colleagues and parents in the last few years. We are proud to have them join our ranks!

• Happy Thanksgiving! Let me take this opportunity to wish you and your families a peaceful and restful Thanksgiving Holiday. I am looking forward to picking up two of my daughters at Logan later this evening and driving them home so we can join their younger sister and wonderful mom (and patient wife) for a peaceful holiday weekend. Like you, I am very thankful for my family! I am also thankful to know and to work with a talented staff, committed parents, a supportive community, and the exceptional young people of Needham.