Dear Parents and Guardians: Please allow me to share a few updates: School Committee Open House The School Committee will hold its annual spring Open House in the library at High Rock School from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2011. This is an informal opportunity for parents, community members, students, and staff to meet members of the School Committee and share ideas, concerns, and ask questions. Please stop by and enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation with your School Committee! Bullying Prevention Website We were recently informed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that the bullying prevention plan the Needham Schools submitted this past December has met all of the department's requirements. We have created a resource for parents, students, and families on the district's website that we hope will provide additional information about the district's efforts to prevent and respond to bullying. To learn more, please go to: http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/student_development/Bullying_Prevention Sex Education Curriculum The Needham Public Schools Wellness Department, in collaboration with parents, community members, and the School Committee, has been working to update the district's sex education curriculum and program. I encourage parents to visit the district's website to learn more about the planned curriculum: http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/wellness/Sexuality Parents will find useful resources here, including a slideshow outlining recent parent presentations, curriculum goals by grade levels, parent resources, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide that details many parent questions and concerns. I am immensely proud of the thoughtful work that has gone into the development of this program, and, like any good program, it remains a work in progress. Your feedback and partnership will be welcome as we continue to refine and improve our curriculum. School Transportation 2011-2012 During the last two weeks of March applications are being delivered to all Needham Public Schools for students in grades 1-12 offering school bus transportation for the school year 2011-2012. Applications will be sent home with your children. Please review all the information and return completed applications to the Transportation Department at 1330 Highland Avenue by May 1, 2011, to be guaranteed a seat on the bus. If you do not receive an application or have any questions, please call the Transportation Department at 781-455-0400 x234. Please also visit our web site to check your school and street for eligibility or to download an application: http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/transportation/ As always, I can be reached at dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us or 781.455.0400, x203. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools