Dear Needham Public Schools Families: I hope the start of the school year has gone smoothly for you and your children! Allow me to share the following updates: *• 2024 Performance Report Video* For a quick video preview of the 2024 Performance Report as seen on the district's website, click here <https://www.needham.k12.ma.us/>. The district's 2024 Performance Report <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aBNwAZHbniDgb8F1UOgxPSDu0HtVCP5X/view?usp=sharing> is being mailed home this week to all NPS families in Needham and Boston. We welcome your feedback! *• Meet Your School Committee! *Please attend the Needham Harvest Fair <https://crrc.charlesriverchamber.com/events/Details/needham-harvest-fair-1178115?sourceTypeId=Hub#:~:text=The%20Needham%20Fall%20Harvest%20Fair,and%20celebrates%20the%20fall%20season.> at Greene's Field on Saturday, September 29th from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and meet your School Committee members who will be present for informal conversation and questions. *• Strategic Planning * This fall the district will kick off a process to discuss and develop a draft and new Strategic Plan for the next five or so years. We will be looking for 50-60 staff, parents, students, and community members to participate in this important process. If you are interested in learning more about or participating in the strategic planning process, more information can be found here <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QLc0BV2Y7nHaaK_8K8S4kROzC_3jaXiNmi1uEDMZJH4/edit?usp=sharing> . *• Superintendent's Blog* My September blog post, which includes excerpts from my message to the staff as we returned to a new school year, can be found here: And Laugh Often. <https://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> Have a great weekend, 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.