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