Dear Needham Public Schools Families: As we wind down a busy and productive school year, allow me to share the following updates: *• Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler and DESE Commissioner Jeff Riley *both visited Kindergarten classrooms at Mitchell and Broadmeadow this past week to learn about our new program and see how we are incorporating the Portrait of a Needham Graduate competencies into our instruction. Both leaders were immensely impressed with what they experienced, and it was an honor to have them here in the district! Secretary Tutwiler and I filmed a brief interview which you can view here: 10 Minutes with Secretary of Education, Dr. Patrick Tutwiler <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrmIaeLVqdk>. *• Congratulations, Retirees! * We recently honored 20 staff members at the Needham Golf Club who are retiring this year. To learn more about our retirees and to view photos from the event, please check out the Superintendent's Blog <http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/>. *• Let's Get REAL! *The latest edition of the district's newsletter, Let's Get REAL <https://drive.google.com/file/d/14nDcjdR1SvplEAlO4L08xI1cGEKfR5AU/view?usp=sharing> is available now and highlights our work around equity, inclusion, and antiracism. Please take a few minutes to learn more about district efforts to improve the conditions for learning for all students. *• The Power of Instructional Coaching* Check out a recent 10 Minutes with... video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh3fwzZyTRI> featuring two of our amazing teachers: Eliot Kindergarten Teacher Juliet Slotnick and Eliot Instructional Coach Jacqueline Benevides who share their work, experience and ideas around the instructional coaching model in the district. Finally, congratulations to the 380 members of the Needham High School Class of '23 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.