Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we head into the holiday break, allow me to share a few updates: • *Inclement Weather Information *In the unlikely event winter weather may require the closing or delayed opening of the Needham Public Schools, I will do my level best to make a decision about a cancellation or delay by about 5:30 a.m. Unless it is abundantly clear what the weather conditions will be, I am often reluctant to call off school the evening before a storm is predicted because New England weather is fickle. Once a decision is made, alerts will go out via email, phone, and on local TV. The quickest way to find out is on Twitter <https://twitter.com/NPS_Supt> where I also post the information. For more information on school cancellations and delayed openings: 2023 Inclement weather information <https://cdnsm5-ss13.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/District/No%20school--2%20hour%20delay%20parent%20%202023-24%20%20.pdf> . It is important for students to be in classes as scheduled throughout the year, and I don't believe a winter storm should necessarily keep us away from school. If it is predicted to snow, for instance, four to five inches I am inclined to hold classes. There are circumstances, however, when the snow is minimal but icy and dangerous roads may prevent a safe school opening or at least require a delay. Safety for students and staff, of course, will always be my first consideration. This coming winter parents and students should leave plenty of time to get to school and keep a shovel and galoshes nearby! *• Student Accolades * Needham students continue to distinguish themselves in several ways: *- National Honor Society *Congratulations to the 149 members of the Needham High School Chapter of the National Honor Society <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WgB_9WyJoFzqHqnOYLgy1jFhu7rOy5K2/view?usp=sharing> who were inducted recently at a special ceremony at the high school. *- National Chinese Honor Society *Also, congratulations to the following juniors who were recently inducted into the Needham High School Chapter of the National Chinese Honor society: Adonai Baptista, Xavier Eudaric, Adrienne Giancola, Becky Hwang, Jasmine Lee, Evelyn Wright, and Julian Yuh. *- NHS Girls' Swim & Dive Team *Congratulations to the Needham High School Girls' Swim and Dive Team which finished 9-1 on the season and then captured the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division I State Championship, the first ever for the team! Go Rockets! Finally, Happy Thanksgiving! We are fortunate to live, work, and learn in an amazing community like Needham that values children, and we are especially blessed to be citizens in a vibrant country that serves, however imperfectly, as a model of democracy, inclusion, and justice to the rest of a sometimes weary world. I know I am grateful for my family and to work with a talented staff, committed parents, and the exceptional young people of Needham - all of whom inspire civility, peace, and hope. *Happy Thanksgiving!* Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 *He/His/Him* 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子 的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.