• Bullying Policy On October 5, 2010 The Needham School Committee adopted a Bullying Policy for the district. The Policy can be found on-line under "News" at http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/ . Within the policy you will find details about Needham Schools’ prohibition of bullying, definitions of bullying and cyber-bullying and our reporting and investigating procedures and obligations. I hope you will take a few moments to familiarize yourself with its contents. The district is continuing its work in response to the Anti-Bullying Law by developing a Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan. This Plan has various sections, including the delineation of administrative responsibilities and annual staff and parent training and the documentation of our anti-bullying curriculum. Throughout October and November, various portions of the proposed district Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan will be made available for student, parent and community comments and feedback through School Council, Student Council and parent organization meetings and Principals’ Newsletters. We welcome your comments as we construct a meaningful Plan for our district.

• Draft Goals Please review the Needham Schools' draft 2010-11 goals on the district's website: http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/school_committee/ The School Committee will be discussing the goals at their regular meeting on October 19th and they welcome your feedback and comments: schoolcommittee@needham.k12.ma.us

• Calling All Engineers! Please join students and staff for a morning cup of coffee on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 from 8:00 until 9:30 a.m. at the Pollard Middle School to learn more about the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) initiatives we are developing in our schools. You will have an opportunity to learn more about:

Teachers and students will share their experiences and answer your questions about how we are integrating STEM concepts into the Needham Public Schools experience. You will also have an opportunity to learn about how you can become involved in our work as we strive to prepare our students to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century. Please let us know if you are coming: rsvp@needham.k12.ma.us

• New Emergency Communication System The school department will soon deploy 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.

• School Committee Open House The Needham School Committee will hold its fall Open House, this year at Newman during the annual Needham Rotary Club Pancake Scholarship Breakfast in the cafeteria. The Open House will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. and provides an informal opportunity for the School Committee to hear from parents and community members. Grab a stack of pancakes and stop by to say hello to your School Committee, ask a question, or make a suggestion. They are eager to meet you!

We have enjoyed a terrific opening to the school year. I am very impressed with the high level of engagement, creativity, enthusiasm, and learning evident in the classrooms I have been visiting. As always, please contact me at 781.455.0400, x 203 or dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us if you have a comment, question, or concern.