May 28, 2009 Dear Parents and Guardians: Allow me to share a few updates about happenings in the Needham Schools: • Newman Elementary School Earlier this month Town Meeting approved $450,000 to develop schematic designs for a renovation of the Newman School's heating and ventilation system and related infrastructure. The funds will also be used to help design a relocation plan for Newman's students and staff during the renovation period. As you may know, the School Committee voted recently to use available space at Pollard for Newman's Preschool, Kindergarten, and KASE students during a renovation. Grades 1 through 5 would be located in modular classrooms on the Newman campus during the renovation. The design funds will be used to help develop a specific renovation and relocation plan that can be reviewed and approved by the School Committee and Permanent Public Building Committee (PPBC). While we continue to collaborate with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to develop the project's scope and costs, the School Committee and PPBC will need to work on a timeline for the renovation. The Town is also committed to maintaining the existing systems at Newman and responding and repairing as necessary until a renovation project can begin, likely in 2011. So much remains to be done, and there will be ample opportunity for Needham families to assist with the effort as we move forward. • High Rock School is on schedule for completion and the anticipated move in later this summer. The new principal, Jessica Downey, and the 6th grade staff are hard at work planning for the arrival of our new students. They will update the School Committee next Tuesday evening, June 2nd, about activities and programs. Needless to say, they are very excited about the school and the opportunity it presents for this community and our young people! Updates may be found at this link on our website: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/high_rock_info/ ]High Rock School Information • Student Art and Music Programs I hope parents have had opportunities to view the exceptional artwork and projects on display at the high school and Pollard over the last week or so. In addition, a variety of student concerts and performances have been scheduled in each of the schools from now until the end of the year. Please check out the [ http://cfweb.smartedu.net/smartcalendar/needham.cfm?myCalendar=71&thisdistri... ]Performing Arts Calendar for specific venues and dates. • Superintendent's Blog In an effort to share ideas and information about education and the Needham Public Schools, I invite you to visit my new blog, [ http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/ ]Superintendent's Blog . I hope to post to the blog at least monthly and hope this will provide an additional way to communicate with you and for us to share ideas with one another. I welcome your input, feedback, and comments. Finally, congratulations to the Needham High School Class of '09 who will graduate Monday evening, June 8 on Memorial Field. They (and their parents!) have worked hard and deserve our warm and hearty congratulations. As always, please don't hesitate to contact me: 781.455.0400, x 203 or dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us We are off to the concluding weeks of school! Dan Gutekanst, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools