Dear Needham Families: Welcome to the 2013-14 school year and Happy Rosh Hashanah to our families celebrating the Jewish New Year!  I certainly hope you and your family enjoyed a restful summer break and a smooth transition to the new academic year. This week we welcomed over 5,500 students into the Needham Public Schools and once again this year our enrollment is up. I have visited each school and several classrooms, and I am impressed with the enthusiasm of our students and the hard work of teachers and administrators who spent days and weekends setting up classrooms and preparing for your children. As we head into the weekend and the first full week of school, allow me to share some information and updates: •  Emergency and Weather-Related Communication System  The school department has deployed a notification system that will allow us to phone and email parents about school emergencies and weather-related school closures. Please make sure you have updated contact information in [ https://powerschool.needham.k12.ma.us/public/ ]PowerSchool to ensure we have the most current information for your student and family.  If you have difficulty accessing PowerSchool, please contact your child's school. • School Safety Needham's principals know that attending to student and school safety is their first and most important priority. As a district and community we take school security very seriously, and we also collaborate closely with the Needham Police and other public safety and health officials to review plans and procedures to maximize school safety and security.  Principals and teachers review, plan, and practice emergency responses and protocols with students and staff throughout the year. As we begin a new year, know that we will continue to be vigilant around student safety. Please share with your child's principal any questions, concerns, or suggestions you might have to ensure your child' experience at school is healthy and secure. •  Needham Youth Services Programs  You are likely aware that Needham Youth Services provides outstanding workshops, programs, and opportunities for Needham's families and young people.  Please check out their website for information about fall programming:  http://www.needhamma.gov/index.aspx?NID=79 • Online Fee Payments Parents may now make online fee payments for Transportation, School Lunch, and High School Athletics. For more information: [ https://www1.mcc.net/OneSource/OSPayer/ePayer_Login.aspx?DID=W/omnUnBLYUC0yk... ]Needham Public Schools Online Fee Payment • Stay in Touch This Year! You may find the Superintendent's Blog here: [ http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/ ]http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/  And you can follow me on Twitter as well: https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt Let me take this opportunity to wish each young person a successful school year! As always, please contact me now and throughout the year with questions, comments, and suggestions. I can be reached at 781.455.0400, extension 203 or [ mailto:dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us ]dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us Sincerely, Daniel E. Gutekanst, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools