Dear Needham Public Schools Families: On August 11th, the School Committee voted to approve the district’s Plan for Reopening Our Schools <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YI6cHXX36Ba4LOu1cT57YDQ0whifVmSC/view?usp=sharing> with a Hybrid Learning Model for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. You may view my presentation to the School Committee here: Presentation to the Needham School Committee <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zp97S6cgYObaueIdB3QNpmXvjc1-TpT8/view?usp=sharing>. In addition, the School voted to amend and update the 2020-21 school calendar to reflect the changes necessary to open school safely. You can find the calendar here: 2020-21 Revised School Calendar <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/District/2020-2021%20Adjusted%20School%20Calendar%20approved%20SC%208-11-20.pdf> Please note that we will stagger the start of school for students during the week of September 14th. More information about when your child will begin classes will be forthcoming soon from each school. District staff, public health officials, parents, students, and School Committee members guided the planning process and provided feedback. We kept our dedication to the health and safety of our students and staff at the heart of the process. Our focus has been – and will remain – the health, safety, and wellbeing of all students and staff. We believe our hybrid model, which involves both in person and remote learning, best meets students’ educational needs and can be implemented safely for students and staff. There is a much more information that will be shared with families over the coming weeks as we prepare for school, and I appreciate your patience, flexibility, and partnership as the details and structure emerge. We will hold information sessions for families hosted by principals and other district staff to share updates and answer your questions. Here is the upcoming schedule of meetings: *• Family Meeting for Remote Only Students* (Red Cohort) is scheduled for August 21st at 11:30 a.m. This meeting is for those families who have opted to participate in a remote only learning experience for their children. Meeting Information and Link: Remote Learning (Red Cohort) Family Meeting <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1js2Ioy4pMK6CKa5zRwfhisK6qojK_7fFNOqXJL-y86A/edit?usp=sharing> *• Family Meeting for Elementary Students* in Hybrid Model is scheduled for August 24th at 4:00 p.m. Meeting Information and Link: Elementary Family Meeting <https://docs.google.com/document/d/151nwKYy7rLToURDcBvC_A3fYcKZmIA1pyt-vZ-tpwp4/edit?usp=sharing> *• Family Meeting for Middle School (High Rock and Pollard) Students* in Hybrid Model is scheduled for August 25th at 11:00 a.m. Meeting Information and Link: Middle School Family Meeting <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uc9ai2EOwyYxTlFVVdUhcwAlAdjmk5goXgbMpK1JVpk/edit?usp=sharing> *• Family Meeting for Needham High School Students* in Hybrid Model is scheduled for August 24th at 5:30 p.m. Meeting Information and Link: NHS Family Meeting <https://docs.google.com/document/d/184Bxw7ms8LFb2naxRo9YwBOxJVrmA5_bxdBKft1w_WY/edit?usp=sharing> *• Health & Safety Information *Family Meeting scheduled for August 26th at 4:30 p.m. Meeting Information and Link: Health and Safety Meeting <https://docs.google.com/document/d/177NeoHEJMipmTi7hEhF_TAZOAiOhsEKLgCcZ1x9HNqQ/edit?usp=sharing> *• Transportation & Nutrition Services* Information Family Meeting scheduled for August 27th at 3:00 p.m. Meeting Information and Link: Transportation and Nutrition Services Meeting <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rI9hZLhJ1EJTdEOBRutUCsrj420SvpWG0irWhyVQiDw/edit?usp=sharing> We will continue to post regular updates to our district website, including an online list of Frequently Asked Questions <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_reopening_our_schools/f_a_qs_for_families> . We look forward to answering your questions and engaging with you as we work through the many challenges and prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. 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.