Dear Needham Public Schools Families: I am writing to you to inform you that school will start as scheduled on Monday, September 14th *but we will begin with remote learning only until Tuesday, September 29th when in person learning will begin for all students in grades Preschool to 12.* After receiving an update around the maintenance plans and ongoing work taking place in all of the schools related to ventilation upgrades, it is my conclusion that the maintenance staff needs more time to complete necessary repairs so that we can open all schools and classrooms within a safe and healthy environment. I regret sending this information to you with only ten or so days to go with that start of the school year, but my number one priority has been - and will remain - the health, safety, and wellbeing of each student and staff member. Nothing else is more important to me, and I thought I should make this decision now so that families have at least some time to plan for their children to be learning at home remotely for the first two weeks of the school year. I will send out an additional communication over the next two or three days that will include more information. *In the meantime, please do not email or contact building principals, administrators, teachers, or staff requesting information about what this means to your child or inquiring about specific plans.* That information and additional details will be forthcoming. For now, rest assured that our teachers and staff will be ready to connect with your children remotely on what remains the first day of school, Monday, September 14th. With appreciation for your patience and continued partnership, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 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.