Friday, December 21, 2007 Dear Parents and Guardians: • As the flakes fly and students look anxiously out the window anticipating next week's vacation, let me take this opportunity to wish each of you a restful and peaceful holiday. Now in my second year as superintendent, I have had additional opportunities to see and understand more clearly the wonderful work the teachers and staff do with our students each day. I continue to be impressed with the level of dedication, creativity, and professionalism they bring to each school and classroom. It is a real honor for me to work within the Needham Public Schools. I am very pleased that the School Committee adopted this fall the four core values of Scholarship, Citizenship, Community, and Personal Growth and three goals to support these values and what we fundamentally believe to be our work in the schools. As the school year continues to unfold, teachers and staff will work together with the School Committee, parents, and the community to ensure we have a common understanding of these goals and how they might be implemented throughout the system. This will be challenging but, I think, very exciting and enriching work. We will also work with the town to ensure we have the resources we need to achieve these goals and nurture the close connection and relationship that exists between each child and teacher in every classroom. Unquestionably, the budget for the 2008-09 school year will be extremely tight, and we will need to be creative and make thoughtful decisions about what we can afford and how we can deliver the best possible educational program with available resources. I encourage parents to follow the budget discussions that will take place throughout January and into the winter months. • I also encourage parents and students to enjoy New Year's Eve in Needham: Join the community for a celebration of art, music, dance and magic on December 31st from noon to 10:00 p.m. Check out the schedule of events at [ http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001lpYAE8mFiQWmFMxErGgliDyhtry4QQeD4k33OOsFWJJ5FzofI... ] www.needarts.org Your $5 button admits you to all events at venues throughout town. Buttons may be purchased at the Parks and Recreation office, Needham Public Library, the Selectmen's Office, Taylor Stationery, Roche Bros., Sudbury Farms, YMCA Charles River Branch or online at [ http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001lpYAE8mFiQUix7_-Qj2EahqJcHhmbVaZMbswvlmyDi2Yz1wIH... ]www.mktix.com As always, I can be reached at dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us or 781.455.0400, x203. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent