• School Budget Hearing Tuesday, January 15th The School Committee is currently considering a 6.48% increase in the budget for the 2013-14 school year (FY14). The budget plan addresses growing enrollment at the secondary level by adding new teachers at the middle schools and the high school. The proposal also provides funding to strengthen math instruction at the elementary level and includes additional resources for technology and classroom support. The School Committee is working closely with the school administration, Finance Committee, and Town Manager's office to ensure that resources are available to provide a quality educational program for each Needham student. However, providing adequate resources for the schools has become increasingly challenging, especially when local, state, and Federal revenues are uncertain. My blog posting shares some of the challenges we are facing this budget season: Superintendent's Blog

The School Committee urges you to attend the upcoming Budget Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 15th at 7:00 p.m. at Broadmeadow to learn more about the budget proposal and share your comments, questions, and concerns. The School Committee wants to hear from parents, especially around the need for additional classroom teachers and whether or not the School Committee should increase school bus transportation fees due to rising costs for bus service. It will be critical for parents, students, and the community to weigh in on the budget and offer your perspective and voice. You may view additional information and an outline of the proposed NPS budget on the district's website: FY14 School Budget Proposal

• High School Parent Conference It's not too late to sign up for what promises to be an outstanding parent conference scheduled for this Saturday, January 12th at Needham High School. A sneak preview: Keynote- "Befriending Fear: Building Resilience to deal with Teenage Anxiety" Dr. Ron Siegel, Clinical Psychologist, Harvard Medical School. Adolescence is a time of many transitions, and transitions often cause anxiety. Learning to address fears can help our children successfully navigate the often choppy waters of the teenage years. This presentation will offer an alternative to traditional strategies such as avoidance, distraction, perfectionism and self-medication.