Dear Needham Families:
Allow me to share the following updates:
• School Committee Open House this Saturday, March 25th Please join members of the School Committee on Saturday morning, March 25th from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. at Needham High School in the Da Vinci Workshop for an informal technology showcase, featuring students and staff technology demonstrations. This is also an ideal opportunity for parents and members of the community to chat informally with your School Committee members and superintendent. Please stop by and say hello!
• Needham High School Classroom Feasibility The Town has undertaken a comprehensive feasibility study to analyze the need for additional classroom space at Needham High School and to propose options to meet those needs. A recent presentation to the School Committee about the project can be found here: NHS Feasibility Update
As many parents, high school students, and staff are aware, Needham High School's growing enrollment exceeds the existing capacity of the building, and the need for additional space has become critical. A phase one expansion of the high school's cafeteria to accommodate the large number of students enrolled at NHS was completed this past summer. Now it is time for the School Committee to hear from parents and the community about a possible phase two classroom expansion.
To learn more about this project and provide input, please join the School Committee at a public hearing at the Needham Free Public Library at 6:30 p.m. next Monday evening, March 27th. Community members will hear a brief presentation about the classroom options and then have an opportunity to provide feedback and comments. Later that evening, beginning at 7:30 p.m., the School Committee and the Permanent Public Building Committee (PPBC) will meet to vote on an option to present as a possible project to May Town Meeting. Your participation is important. You may also contact the School Committee via email: schoolcommittee@needham.k2.ma.us .
• Student Achievements Finally, congratulations to several student groups for recent performances and accomplishments... Kudos to the Needham High School cast and crew of Pirates of Penzance who took the stage over this past weekend and shared their song, dance, laughter, and talents with the community. It was an awesome show!
Congrats, as well, to several winter athletes and teams: The NHS Cheerleaders made it to the State Tournament. . . the undefeated Boys' Swim Team and Senior Jack Higgins won the state title in the 100 Breaststroke. . . Sophomore Nordic Ski Team member Rok Gundaker captured the State's Individual Boys Title. . . Senior wrestlers Brady Liss and David Kurker each won individual Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) State Titles. . . NHS boys' basketball and girls' hockey teams both competed in state athletic tournaments in the last week. For the first time in school history, the boys secured the MIAA South Sectional Championship, and the girls, after an undefeated season, played in the Division I MIAA Hockey Championship. While the girls came up short and lost to Woburn, their season - and the boys as well - was characterized by hard work, athleticism, great spirit, and sportsmanship.
Lastly, a big thank you to the Needham Education Foundation (NEF) for sponsoring last weekend's Spelling Bee! The NEF is our strong and consistent partner in educational innovation, and we appreciate their incredible support and enthusiasm for our students and staff. I am proud to share a photo of the winning elementary team from Eliot, the Queen Bees, Talia Feeney, Taylor Chen, and Danielle Sockol. Congratulations, girls!
As always, thank you for your support and feedback.
Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools
781.455.0400, x203