Dear Needham Families:

Allow me to share the following important updates:

•  Needham Unplugged  Once again this year the Needham schools will support and participate in Needham Youth Services program, Needham Unplugged during the month of March. On Thursday, March 9th I have asked teachers to observe "No Homework" night so students can enjoy the afternoon and evening with their families. 

•  Screenagers – Growing up in the Digital Age  Screenagers is a film focused on a pervasive parenting issue in the digital age and provides sensible advice on how to best navigate the digital world with your tweens and teens.  To view the trailer, click here:  Screenagers Trailer  Sponsored by the Needham PTCs, Needham Youth Services, and Needham Public Schools, we invite you to attend this screening and panel discussion on March 29, 2017 at the Newman Elementary School. Tickets are $5.00, doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the film will start at 7 p.m. For more info and to order tickets:  Screenagers Tickets and Info


•  Name That (New) School!  The Needham School Committee recently formed and charged the School Naming Sub-committee with recommending possible names for the new elementary school to be built on Central Avenue.  Since the current Hillside School will remain in operation for a number of years as swing space for other town projects, the name is not available to move with the students and staff.  The Sub-committee welcomes ideas for names from the community.  If you have a suggestion for a name for the new school please submit your idea and a rationale by email to schoolcommittee@needham.k12.ma.us by March 24th.

•  School Committee Open House March 25th  Please join members of the School Committee on Saturday morning, March 25th from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. at Needham High School for an informal technology showcase, featuring students and staff technology demonstrations.  This is also an ideal opportunity for parents and members of the community to chat informally with your School Committee members and superintendent.   Please stop by and say hello!

•  Needham Diversity Initiative  The Needham Diversity Initiative will sponsor a conversation about gender on Tuesday, March 28th at 7:00 p.m.  For more information:  Needham Diversity Initiative

•  Needham Schools Spotlight  The latest cable broadcast, featuring middle school student leaders, is now available on local TV and online at this link: Needham Schools Spotlight: Student Leadership

•  Superintendent's Blog  My latest post, entitled Needham Students Achieve Success, shares information about academic, artistic, athletic, and other student accolades and achievements at Needham High.  Please check it out here: Superintendent's Blog

Finally, congrats to several middle school students who have been selected to participate in the state Geography Bee and to NHS Boys' Basketball and Girls' Hockey teams who are competing in state tournaments this week.  We wish them all well!  (Thanks for sharing the best students in Massachusetts with us - It's a privilege!)  Have a great rest of the week,

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools

dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us
781.455.0400 (x203)