October 14, 2020 Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Allow me to share the following updates and information: *• COVID-19 Health Information * *• Needham Community Education: Parent University* *• Student Accolades* *• COVID-19 Health Information & District Dashboard* Allow me to share information about 1) A positive COVID-19 case at Newman yesterday, 2) the new District Dashboard, and 3) How families can help keep everyone healthy: *1)* Yesterday, October 13th, we had a positive COVID-19 case at Newman. The individual is resting at home today and close contacts are quarantining. *Please know that any adult or student who is considered a close contact of this individual has already been identified and notified; if you have not been contacted, your child and siblings can continue regular activities, including attending school.* If a Needham Public Schools staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, the contact tracing protocol <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_reopening_our_schools/health___safety/contact_tracing_protocol> is implemented. Any adult or student who is considered a close contact <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-BZMtYBa8f38WtbNmnMPXB2pjAwnvHGOy0pOVWly1Jc/edit?usp=sharing> of this individual is identified and notified by the Public Health Department. (It is very important to answer the call from the Public Health Department and follow their instructions about staying home from school and away from extracurricular activities. Families and staff are advised to call their healthcare provider for evaluation and get a COVID-19 PCR test.)* If individuals are not notified through the Public Health Department’s contact tracing, they are not close contacts and do not need to quarantine. * We are working in collaboration with the Needham Department of Public Health to implement our health and safety guidelines, including steps we must take if an individual tests positive. More information can be found here: MA Department of Public Health <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-public-health-guidance-and-directives> and here: Needham Public Schools Illness Guidelines <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_reopening_our_schools/health___safety/illness_guidelines> . *2)* This week the district launched a COVID-19 District Dashboard <https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/38f06c1e-7093-4a9e-9c83-af8a36c457c9/page/dmbiB> to provide timely and updated information about positive cases within the NPS. *I will not be communicating to families each time we have a positive case in our schools; please refer to the dashboard for updated information. *However, if there are multiple cases of transmission either impacting an entire school or multiple schools, I will communicate with all staff and families about the next steps, which could include: closing part of or the entire school or district for a short time for thorough cleaning, or closing for the duration of a 14-day quarantine. *3) * Families can help by keeping sick students *and those students who have been tested but are awaiting test results at home. *We recognize that there are some pediatricians who may tell a parent that a child can attend school while awaiting test results; however, the Needham Public Schools, in collaboration with the Needham Department of Public Health, expects students awaiting tests results to remain home. If your child is tested or you are uncertain about your child's status or condition, please contact the school nurse before sending your child to school. The only way we can continue to have in-person schooling is if we all follow the 4 W's: *Wash* your hands! *Wear* a mask! *Watch* your distance! *Wait *at home if sick or awaiting test results! *• Parent University *During this unprecedented time of remote learning, Needham parents, caregivers, and guardians are seeking guidance and resources to assist their students. In response, Needham Community Education <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/community_ed> has launched the NCE Parent University, with some upcoming workshops <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xA4-W4W4c5J8bfwbjbVjtD7ISV7Ja8AC/view?usp=sharing> that provide parents with tips and strategies for helping their children keep focused, improve their executive function skills, set up their learning spaces, and more. You can register online for "How To Support Your Elementary or Middle School Student in Remote Learning" and "Strategies for Reducing Academic Stress and Creating Successful Students" at this link <https://www.schoolpay.com/parent/mip/Mdud>. If you have questions about the Parent University or suggestions for future workshops, please contact Amy Goldman, Director of NCE Adult Programs at amy_goldman@needham.k12.ma.us *• Congratulations, Students! *Congratulations to Needham High School students for being commended or named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test <https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/comment-page-33/>: *Semi-Finalists: *Catherine Chen, William Euwart, Ryan Judge, Joshua Keselman, Bronwen Olson, Matilda Slosser, Simon Traub, Harvard Wang, Isabelle Young, Lance Zhang *Commended Students:* Eric Barbieri, Thomas Cardozo, Mira Echambadi, Meghan Flack, Thomas Flanagan, Camryn Foster, Jonathan Friedman, Eva Gorenburg, Addison Hart, Amos Langsner, Margaret Lehman, Daniel Lubie, Eleanor Mackey, Sam O'Nuallain, Henry Powers, Kaitlyn Ramesh, Alexandra Rieser, Jonathan Schor, Rebecca Schwartz, Phoebe Shubin, Abigail Sprinsky, Vincent Wang, William Yin, Christopher Zhang, Jacob Zinner. We are proud of these and all of our students who each day demonstrate a commitment to scholarship and growth! Respectfully, 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.