• District Goals Report Last evening, the School Committee heard an update about the progress of the 2011-12 district goals. Please look under the News section of the NPS website to view the update and learn more about the work of our teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members as we collaborate to support the Needham Schools: http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/

• Student Leadership and Service Recently, several Needham High School students were featured on the Needham Schools Spotlight Cable Show discussing their leadership and community service within the high school and community. I encourage you to take the time to watch and learn about the exceptional work of our students.

• Newman Update The Newman renovation and repair project is moving forward on schedule and will be ready for students in the fall. Today, just one day after students and staff left the building, the modular classrooms are already being dismantled and the driveway and parking lots rebuilt! It has been a very long and often tedious process for the students, staff, and parents as we worked with the Town to renovate the building and replace the heating and ventilation systems there. I appreciate the tremendous teamwork, resilience, patience, and good humor of the Newman community as this project has unfolded over the last four years. The entire Newman campus and school is closed for the summer due to construction and we ask community members to avoid the site while final work is underway. The Ms. Peterson, Mr. Bayse, and the Newman office staff will be temporarily located at the Eliot School this summer.

• New Assistant Special Education Director (PreK-8) I am pleased to announce that Mr. Paul Tzovolos has accepted my offer to be Needham's Assistant Special Education Director in grades PreK-8. Paul is currently the assistant principal at the Goode School in Middleborough where he also worked as a special education facilitator and teacher. Paul has experience as a middle school special education teacher in Walpole and West Roxbury, and he received both his BA and M.Ed. at Boston College. More recently, Paul earned his CAGS in Educational Administration at Bridgewater State College. Paul brings with him many strengths tailor-made for this new position: superb communication, organizational, and data-driven decision-making skills as well as a quiet but strong passion for student learning and growth. Paul is smart, eager to learn, and keen to make an impact on student achievement and special education service delivery in our classrooms and schools. Paul has a strong work ethic, and he is ready to begin a new chapter in his career in the Needham Public Schools working with the staff and as part of our new PreK-8 Special Education Director's team.

• Congratulations Boys' Tennis! Last week the NHS boys' tennis team, under the careful guidance of math teacher and Coach Drew Lawrence, won another Division I State Championship, again versus St. John's (Shrewsbury)! Additionally, at the outset of the championship match, the coach and tennis team were honored to receive from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) the prestigious 2012 Sportsmanship Award, which is awarded to only one team in the state. It is a huge accolade and a real testament to the integrity, honor, fair play, and sportsmanship our athletes displayed throughout the season. Congratulations to the outstanding young men on our tennis team! They represent the best of our students!

Finally, please know that I continue to be so impressed with Needham's young people and the work they have accomplished. Of course, we recognize that parents are their first and most important teachers, and we appreciate all you do to support our efforts in the classroom and schoolhouse. As I visit the schools, I observe enthusiastic and confident students who are eager to share their knowledge and help one another. It is clear that they embody the district's values of Scholarship, Citizenship, Community, and Personal Growth inside and outside of the classroom.