Friday, March 6, 2009 Dear Parents and Guardians: A few updates as we conclude the week: • 2009-10 Calendar A reminder to families that we will be starting school next fall before Labor Day: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 is the first full day of classes. You can find the school calendar on the district's website: [ http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/calendars/documents/Pupil_Calendar_09-10.pdf ]2009-10 School Calendar As of today, the current school year will conclude on Tuesday, June 23rd (Newman will conclude on Friday, June 26th) if there are no additional snow days (Let's hope!). We will update this information on our website as appropriate. • School Committee Open House The School Committee will hold its annual spring Open House in the Needham Library Community Room on Saturday, March 14, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. This is an informal opportunity for parents, community members, students, and staff to meet members of the School Committee and share ideas, concerns, and ask questions. You can visit for five minutes or for however long you would like. Please stop by and enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation with your School Committee! • Newman Update Last week representatives from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), including Executive Director Katherine Craven, visited Newman to discuss the status of the town's request to the MSBA for funding to renovate the heating and ventilation (HVAC) system. Several town and school officials, including Representative Lida Harkins, presented an update and information to the MSBA about the various indoor air quality and HVAC problems at Newman. We were immensely pleased to learn that the MSBA expressed their willingness to enter into a fast-track design process to identify a project scope and cost. The School Committee, Permanent Public Building Committee (PPBC), Selectmen, Finance Committee, and town and school administrators will continue to work with the MSBA to identify costs and options for the likely relocation of students and staff during a renovation/construction project at Newman that could begin, at the earliest, in the summer of 2010. It is my expectation that we will work closely with the Newman community to discuss options and ideas as we move forward with planning. School Committee Chair Michael Greis and I will attend Newman's upcoming PTC meeting on March 31st to update parents about our progress. Ultimately, of course, Town Meeting and Needham's voters will need to approve funding for the renovation of the building. Parents are also welcome to attend upcoming PPBC meetings to learn about some of the construction options and ideas being discussed. Information about the PPBC and a schedule of meetings can be found on the town's website: [ http://ma-needham.civicplus.com/index.asp?NID=633 ]Permanent Public Building Committee Information • School Space Needs Committee Next Wednesday evening, March 11th from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. in the Needham High School Media Center the [ http://space.nehoiden.net/ ]School Space Needs Committee will share its preliminary findings and recommendations. The committee, comprised of representatives from various town boards, parents, school administrators, and community members, has been meeting since December to review school space issues and needs in the Needham Public Schools. The committee will share its work and ask for input from interested parents and community members prior to their formal presentation to the School Committee on March 17th. More information about the committee, including documents, school data, and enrollment trends, may be found on the link indicated above. Best wishes to our girls' basketball team and the boys' hockey team as they compete in post season play this weekend! As always, I can be reached at dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us or 781.455.0400, x203. Have a great weekend. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent