• Newman/Pollard Repairs We will undertake a major renovation of the Newman Elementary School this summer and into next year. The first of 38 modular classrooms arrived this week and will soon be placed in the school's parking lot to create sufficient space for Newman's 1st through 5th grade students and staff while the main school building is renovated and repaired. Newman's preschoolers and Kindergartners will be located at Pollard for one year. A new Pollard roof, modular renovations, and parking improvements on that campus are also planned for this summer. The Newman and Pollard campuses will be squeezed for space next year, but when the repairs are complete, both schools will be improved. Plans for additional building improvements/renovations at Pollard, Hillside, and Mitchell will be shared with the School Committee next week. For complete information about the planned renovation at Newman: http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/newman_renovation_updates/

• Substance Abuse Prevention Survey The Needham Coalition for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention (NCYSAP) in collaboration with the Needham Public Health Department is surveying parents of 6th 12th graders living in Needham to learn more about their personal beliefs and perceptions regarding underage drinking and substance use in the community. Please take a few minutes to take part in this anonymous online survey and contribute your voice to those of other Needham parents: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NeedhamParentSurvey2011 Results will be shared in the community through the NCYSAP once responses have been tabulated. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Read, Needham Public Health Department at cread@needhamma.gov

• Congratulations Retiring Staff! At a recent retirement celebration we acknowledged the combined 177 years of service of eight of our teachers and staff members in the Needham Public Schools: Darlene Fisk, Margie Margolis, Vonnie Fernandes, Joyce Silberman, Doug Levy, Susan Abrahamson, Robin Kirsch, and Ruth Morini. As our retiring teachers and staff conclude their years of service to Needham's students, we wish them the blessings of good health and happiness in the years ahead.

• Student Scholarship and Learning Congratulations to the 320 members of the NHS Class of '11 who received their diplomas under a cloudless sky June 6th on Memorial Field. We wish our graduates well as they head off to college and new adventures. A special word of thanks and congratulations to Jonathan VanderWoude and the NHS chorus for their performance under the direction of Keith Lockhart at last weekend's Boston Pops Concert. Our students performed brilliantly to a sellout crowd of over 2,000 as part of the Town's Tercentennial celebration. The story and photos here: Needham Patch: NHS Chorus Celebrates 300th at the Pops

• Boys Tennis State Champs! The NHS boys' tennis team won their first Division I title yesterday in Northboro beating St. John's (Shrewsbury) 5-0. Not only are these young men outstanding athletes, they are exceptional students and first class gentlemen. Thanks also to Coach Drew Lawrence for leading them throughout the season.

Finally, like you, I continue to be so impressed with Needham's young people and the work they have accomplished this year. Of course, we recognize that parents are their first and most important teachers, and we appreciate all you do to support our efforts in the schools. As I visit the schools, I observe enthusiastic and confident students who are eager to share their knowledge and help one another. It is clear they embody the district's values of Scholarship, Citizenship, Community, and Personal Growth inside and outside of the classroom.