Sunday, September 18, 2017

Dear Needham Families:

We have enjoyed a terrific school opening!  Over the summer months the buildings were cleaned, new staff hired, and hundreds of teachers were involved in professional learning - all in preparation for a new school year!  As a November groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sunita L. Williams Elementary School, which will replace the overcrowded and outdated Hillside School, is planned, we have also enrolled over 70 new students into our expanding district.  

As we head into our 4th week of school, allow me to share the following updates:

•  School Committee Open House at Needham High School  The School Committee will host an informal Open House at Needham High next Saturday, September 23rd from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m.  Parents and members of the community are invited to chat informally with School Committee members about questions and concerns and to tour the high school facility with the principal to learn more about the need for additional classrooms and a renovated gym.  Please join us to meet your School Committee and learn more about the space and program challenges at Needham High!

•  Needham High School Renovation Project  At the October 3rd Special Town Meeting, Town Meeting Members will be asked to consider appropriating up to $14.2 million to add classroom space and renovate parts of the building, including the "A" gym.  To learn more about the need for classroom space at Needham High, please see this post: Needham High School Space Needs and to view a video presentation, please watch the latest Needham Schools Spotlight:Needham Schools Spotlight: High School Space Challenges

•  Superintendent's Blog  My recent post includes comments I made to the staff during our our annual back to school general staff meeting:  Superintendent's Blog

•  Stay in Touch with the Superintendent!  One way to stay in touch is to follow me on Twitter:  Give it a try!  The quickest way to get school closings or other important information is on Twitter.   For school updates, weather-related school cancellations, reminders, and photos, go to:  https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt    Also, you can be in touch with me via phone (781.455.0400, x203) or email: dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us  I look forward to sharing with and hearing from you!

Respectfully,

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools