Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we conclude a busy and productive school year, allow me to share the following updates: *• Congratulations, Retirees! *Join me and congratulate 17 teachers and staff who are retiring this year. We celebrated them at the Needham Golf Course recently and you will find information about our retirees in the event program <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K6-lX-M9mfxP5-bZQ6Pd2vdfIFalNDUl/view?usp=sharing> . *• 10 Minutes with Monica Staley and Linda Burke* I had the privilege to interview two of our exceptional teachers, kindergarten teacher Monica Staley and high school art teacher Linda Burke.It’s a wonderful conversation and I hope you can watch the brief Ten Minutes With video <https://youtu.be/f9NiUSx8KSM?feature=shared>. *• No More Empty Seats in School! *The end of a school year is not the best time to talk about students missing classes, but nevertheless I encourage parents to read my most recent Superintendent's Blog <https://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/>which focuses on the very real problem of student absenteeism and chronic absenteeism. Next September brings a fresh opportunity for staff and parents to work together to assist students who struggle with high rates of absenteeism. *• Congratulations to Students and Staff!* Kudos to Broadmeadow teacher Jacqui Murphy who received an Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award from the National Association of Special Education Teachers. Jacqui was one of 13 teachers nationwide and one of only two people in Massachusetts to be recognized. You can read more about Jacqui here. <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zbR9VBe02gzyOibl0TzqOLO6RB60Ckpa/view?usp=sharing> Awesome teachers empower incredible students! Three NHS junior scholars, Jessica Brayer, Molly Perlman, and Alexandra Weiss had their National History Day project <https://nhd.org/en/2024/06/05/national-history-day-celebrates-student-projects-showcased-at-cultural-institutions-in-washington-d-c/> on display this week in the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington. It’s a great academic honor to have our students recognized in this way! Finally, congratulations to the 421 members of the Needham High School Class of '24 who graduated this past week on Memorial Field. We are proud of them and wish them continued success as their futures unfold. Let me also take this opportunity to thank our teachers, staff, parents and families for working together to help nurture our students' development and learning. We understand that you have entrusted us with your children, and we hope to always focus on their wellbeing, growth, and success. Here's to a safe and restful summer! Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 *He/His/Him* 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子 的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.