Dear Needham Public Schools Families:

Allow me to share some brief updates as we head into the break:

• Health and Safety  With the assistance and guidance of the Joint Committee on Health and Safety, we continue to monitor COVID cases and metrics both within the schools and locally.  If you are participating in the at home testing program, please remember to test during the break and before the return to school on Monday, April 25th. Please also continue to assess your child's health and complete the Health Attestation each school day before coming to school.  After the spring break we will reassess the efficacy of continuing the attestation process and make appropriate adjustments.  Thanks for your ongoing help with testing and completion of the attestation!

• Student Accolades   Recently, students from the Middle and High School Performing Ensembles participated in the MICCA Festival with great success!  GOLD Medals were awarded to the: NHS String Orchestra, the NHS Chamber Orchestra, NHS Symphonic Band, NHS Chorale, the Middle School Select Choir, the 8th Grade Treble Chorus, the Middle School Wind Ensemble, and the 8th Grade Band. SILVER Medals were awarded to the NHS Chorus and the NHS Concert Band.  Congratulations to all of the student performers and their teachers who instruct and guide them!

• "10 Minutes with..."  Please check out my latest ten minute video featuring NHS students Jesse Young-Paulson and Ray Winig, Co-Presidents of the high school's Queer Student Union, sharing their perspective and voice around LGTBQ issues impacting students.

• Superintendent's Blog: My latest post describes the hiring process in the Needham Public Schools:  It's Springtime: Hiring Season in the Needham Public Schools

• School Committee Open House  The Needham School Committee will host its Spring Open House on Saturday, April 30th from 9 until 10:30 a.m. in the tent on Webster Street side of the high school.  This is an informal opportunity for staff, families and community members to stop by and share ideas and suggestions to your elected School Committee representatives.  

For those celebrating Passover and Easter, I wish you, your families, and friends a joyful and peaceful holiday.

Travel safely over the break!

Respectfully,

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools
Needham Public Schools
1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
He/His/Him
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.