February 3, 2021 Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Last night, I presented a plan to the Needham School Committee for* enhancing health & safety and strengthening the elementary instructional model *for the Needham Public Schools. I am pleased to share highlights below and make the plan available for your review at this link: Enhancing Health & Safety and Strengthening the Elementary Instructional Model <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WoDExCUdnNXfxm_Xz2nQlX_4gTy9b6TZu6vNrplMd-E/edit?usp=sharing> The district applied lessons learned from the most recent research findings on health and safety and the hybrid learning model and assessed where we can affect change and where we cannot due to health considerations, space limitations, and cost. We identified strategic and focused improvements to meet the needs of our youngest and struggling learners while also supporting our creative and caring staff. These *improvements *are: 1. Offer COVID surveillance testing for all staff and implement a daily student Health Attestation form for all families. 2. Bring our K to 2 students back to school full-time (four days per week; on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) in class sections of no more than 17 that will allow for appropriate levels of physical distancing (3-6 feet); *starting March 8.* 3. Increase support for grades 3 to 5 students in the at-home cohort of the hybrid model with additional live interaction and instruction; *starting March 8.* I am hosting an Elementary Family Meeting for Students in the Hybrid Model <https://needham-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/81834858466?pwd=ejJ2cFdwaDdkZFZ3anM1ODBjb0JRUT09> tomorrow, Thursday, February 4th at 6:30 p.m. to present more details about the K to 5 hybrid plan and to answer your questions. I will record the meeting and post on our website for those who are unable to attend. Another Family Open House for PreK to 12 families will be scheduled on February 25 at 6:30 p.m. (Zoom link to follow) where we will discuss the new Health Attestation form and update you on health and safety in our schools. As a district, we will continue to work through obstacles and challenges to address all students’ learning and social and emotional needs as they arise and fortify our health and safety measures in response to the pandemic. 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.