Dear Needham Public Schools Families: First, congratulations to the cast and crew of this weekend's sold out performances of Les Miserables! Allow me to share a few updates as we begin a new week of learning: *• Academic Excellence and Student Growth: Portrait of a Needham Graduate *Watch video clips of School Committee presentations in which staff and students highlight the instructional work and programs that make the Portrait of a Needham Graduate come alive for all students: Portrait of a Needham Grad Video Clips <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rz27iV5eYQGcRWV8NANxu8DDz0qnTqVCw4dESfKGszs/edit?usp=sharing> • *Student Achievements and Excellence * Needham High School students, with the support of their teachers and families, continue to distinguish themselves academically, artistically, and athletically. To read more: Student Accolades <https://docs.google.com/document/d/13EZHMXWDJLqS-Lvp9U2k_ZDpkSYg3c8XVCer25bmBZ4/edit?usp=sharing> *• COVID Guidance *While the CDC has recently changed its COVID isolation guidance for those who have been ill, the MA Department of Public Health has opted at this time not to change the current 5 day isolation protocol. Read more here: NPS COVID Guidance <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NdyqyVm2qpIn6KEN3bBjMpB8XabmKkolkr7uNBiTeiA/edit?usp=sharing> *• Superintendent's Blog * My most recent post is available: Don't Forget to Thank the Mentors in Your Life <https://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/> *• 10 Minutes with Sunita Williams *My latest 10 minute video features a conversation with Astronaut Suni Williams who recently visited Needham and the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School community. She is an extraordinary person! Watch it here: 10 Minutes with Sunita Williams <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_D-KBAPVd4> *• School Committee Open House *The Needham School Committee will host an informal Spring Open House at Pollard on Saturday, April 27th from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. This will be an opportunity to chat informally with your School Committee and to learn more about the upcoming Pollard construction project <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dQJvMyq6ITKkew5VIluiFv8iIU3xC-0-vFImRJ-9AWU/edit?usp=sharing> . As always, please let me know if you have any questions or comments about our work with your children. Respectfully, 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.