Dear Needham Families: Allow me to share a few items with you as the school year concludes: • District Goals Report This week the School Committee heard an update about the progress of the 2013-14 district goals. Please look under the News section of the NPS website to view the update and learn more about the work of teachers, staff, and students: [ http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/ ]http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/ • Congratulations Retirees! Recently we honored retiring staff members who represent over 355 years of combined and dedicated service to the children of the Needham Schools. The school community wishes the blessings of good health and happiness in the many years ahead to the following staff: Christine Arren, Robert Baker, Helaine Block, Christine Brumbach, Priscilla Cahn, Arlene Camelio, Mary D’Eon, Carolina Faricelli, Christine Hayes, Coni Hebden, Paula Hildreth, Timothy Kenslea, Robert Lockhart, Kathleen O’Keeffe, Ann Perham, Mary Rizzuto, Jane Shilalie, Char Sidell. • Extended School Schedule & Program Update Principals, directors and teachers have been busy this spring organizing and planning for the new elementary programming and the use of additional time to insure that everything is in place for September. As you may know, elementary special area programming will expand. The breadth of offerings and in some instances the amount of time students are engaged in these classes will increase. Currently, special area programming at the elementary level consists of physical education, art, music, and library. Next year, we will maintain these offerings while adding Spanish (grades one to five), music in Kindergarten, and a nine-week STEAM rotation (technology, engineering, art/music integration in math and science) in grades one, two and three. Time for physical education and health/wellness will also increase significantly. Next year, for the first time, special area programming in all five elementary schools will operate on a common schedule. Rather than having an array of 30, 45, 60 minute classes at various grade levels in each of the special area programs, all programming at grades one through five (except for art at grade 5) will operate on a 40 minute schedule. Through this modification we were able to create a more balanced distribution of program experiences for students while reducing the number of teachers who have to travel between schools. In addition to the extended day bringing us new programming and additional class time, it will also provide teachers with opportunities to collaboratively examine, reflect, adjust, and redesign teaching and learning practices to more effectively address the needs of all students. Successful schools are distinguished by the frequency and extent to which teachers discuss their practice, collaboratively design materials, and inform and critique one another. It is no longer only the time spent in the classroom with students that “counts.” This collaboration time is not auxiliary to their teaching responsibilities—nor is it “released time” for them. It is central to maintaining the quality and currency of curriculum and instruction in our schools. Teachers at the elementary level will have time built into their school day, middle school teachers will have two additional after school meetings each month, and high school teachers will be using every Friday morning for this purpose. As the summer unfolds, principals, directors, teachers, and other staff members will be busy creating and modifying curriculum, finalizing schedules, and developing plans for how collaboration time will be used. I am particularly proud of their excellent work in crafting and implementing a plan that provides more learning opportunities for both students and staff. Specific school schedules can be found here: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/superintendent/documents/2014-2015SchoolStarta... ]2014-15 School Start Times. More information about the plan can be found here: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/Extended_Time/ ]Extended Time in the Needham Schools Finally, let me take this opportunity to say thank you to our parents, staff, and our fabulous students for another superb year in the Needham Public Schools. It is clear that students and staff embody the district's core values of Scholarship, Personal Growth, Citizenship, and Community inside and outside the classroom! This year I especially appreciate the support of the community and parents for your willingness to provide new programming for our students and time for our teachers. The Needham community is clearly devoted to its children and schools! It's an honor to serve as your superintendent. Please use your summer vacation to recharge your batteries and spend time with good friends and family. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst, Ed.D. Superintendent [ mailto:dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us ]dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us 781.455.0400, ext. 203