Dear Needham Families: Allow me to share a few updates as we begin a new week of learning in the Needham Schools: *• Bus Updates on Twitter* There are times a bus or van can be delayed due to road conditions or a mechanical issue. Parents and students who wish to receive updates about school transportation can sign on to Twitter to receive timely, updated, and helpful alerts: https://twitter.com/NeedhamPSTrans Parents and students are also encouraged to follow me on Twitter to receive important school news and updates, including weather-related school cancellations: https://twitter.com/NPS_Supt Give it a try! *• Needham Unplugged* Again this year the Needham Public Schools will support the efforts of Needham Youth Services on Thursday, March 9th when we will observe Needham Unplugged <http://www.needhamma.gov/index.aspx?nid=113>, a community-wide event in which students, parents, teachers, and residents "unplug" from hectic lives for an evening free of meetings, community events, and homework. *• Superintendent's Blog * This month's post is co-authored by School Committee Chair Sue Neckes and me: Superintendent's Blog <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> We discuss a recent parent concern about the assignment and placement process for students. *• School Committee Technology & Learning Open House *The School Committee will host a spring Open House featuring technology learning, student demonstrations, and STEM related projects at the Needham High School Da Vinci Lab on Saturday, March 25th from 9 until 10:30 a.m. Please mark the date! *• Screenagers* The Needham Schools, Needham Youth Services, and Needham PTCs are excited to show the new documentary, Screenagers <http://www.screenagersmovie.com/> , at Newman on Wednesday, March 29th at 7:00 p.m. The documentary shares insights into how to understand and navigate the digital world in which our young people are immersed. A brief panel discussion will follow the showing. Ticket and registration information will be available soon. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments: 781.455.0400, x203 or dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools