Dear Needham Families: Allow me to share the following updates and reminders: *• 2017-18 District Goals *The Needham School Committee recently adopted District priorities and goals for the 2017-18 school year. For more information: 2017-18 Needham Public Schools Goals <http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/news/documents/NPSDistrict%20Goals2017-2018.pdf> *• Equity in the Needham Public Schools: Parent Focus Group* There will be one more opportunity for parents to meet with our equity audit consultant, Christine Robinson, to share thoughts, concerns, and ideas. I will introduce parents to Ms. Robinson on Wednesday, November 8th at 6:30 p.m. at 142 Warren St., Roxbury. (This address is connected to the 12th Baptist Church, two doors down.) To learn more about the equity audit, please look here: Placement Practices in the Needham Schools <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/2017/01/> and here: Supporting All Students in the NPS: Report to the School Committee <http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/news/documents/School%20Committee%20Update%20on%20Racial%20Equity%20(4).pdf> We anticipate sharing the consultant's report to the School Committee in December or January. *• **6th Annual Needham Diversity Summit *In collaboration with the Needham Schools, Needham's 5th Annual Diversity Summit is scheduled for this Saturday, November 18th at Pollard from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00. The summit will bring together community leaders, friends, neighbors, and students for an event designed to explore, foster, strengthen, and celebrate Needham's diversity of socioeconomic status, race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, ethnic identity, age, immigration status, and ability. This annual event aims to create a network of people committed to creating an equitable and welcoming town, and to challenging its residents to think in new ways about our evolving community. For more information, including registration: Needham Diversity Initiative <http://www.needhamdiversity.org/> *• Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School! *Parents and community members are welcome to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Sunita L. Williams Elementary School located at 585 Central Avenue on Friday, November 17th at 10:00 a.m. The new school is scheduled to open in September 2019. *• Superintendent's Blog* My recent post includes a message from Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning, Dr. Terry Duggan, about the new MCAS results: Superintendent's Blog <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• Needham Schools Spotlight *Please check out the latest cable show featuring a discussion about the strong collaboration and partnership between the Needham Police Department and the Needham Public Schools: Needham Schools Spotlight <http://www2.needham.k12.ma.us/nhs/TV-nps/17-18/studentsafety.htm> Police Chief John Schlittler, School Resource Officer Ryan O'Leary, NHS Principal Aaron Sicotte, Assistant Principal Aly Coubrough-Argentieri, and Athletic Director Dan Lee share their thoughts and comments about the Needham Public Schools and Needham Police Memorandum of Understanding <http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/superintendent/documents/mou2-8-17.pdf> and the school and police response to underage drinking. • * Twitter: Snow Day Updates ** (I know, I know... It's too early for this!!) *Setting up and managing a Twitter account is simple and will allow you a quick, easy, and fun way to stay connected to school news and events. *I tweet the first notification about weather-related school closings or delays on Twitter.* It's the quickest and simplest way to stay informed and updated about important school news. For more info: https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt As always, you can be in touch with me via phone (781.455.0400, x203) or email: dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools