Dear Parents and Guardians: Welcome back to the 2007-08 school year! I hope and trust that you and your family enjoyed some time together this summer to rest and relax. As we prepare for the opening of school on Wednesday, September 5th, please allow me to share a few updates: • The 2007 Needham Public Schools Performance Report has been mailed out and should be in your home within the next few days. The report provides detailed information about Needham's schools, programs, and student achievement. We are very proud of the report and hope you find it valuable and useful. • This year parents at all grade levels will be asked to correct and edit your child's student demographic and parent emergency contact information online. Parents will receive a user identification number to access our student information system, PowerSchool, to make appropriate changes with addresses, phone contacts, email, etc. Parents who have limited internet access will still be able to complete changes on a form and send into the school office. More information and directions will be sent home with students the first week of classes. • At its August 21st meeting, the School Committee reviewed and commented on a draft statement reflecting the mission, vision, values, and goals of the Needham Public Schools. The draft statement is a result of the input of hundreds of teachers, parents, staff, and students who shared key ideas and concepts over the last several months as we worked to identify the core values of the Needham Public Schools. The School Committee reviewed four draft core value statements. The statements reflect what we most value in the Needham Public Schools: Scholarship Learning. Every student engaged in dynamic and challenging academic experiences that stimulate thinking, creativity, wellness and encourage inquiry and continued learning. Staff improving their practice in an environment that supports a high level of collaboration and learning focused on helping every student learn and achieve. Community Working together. A culture that embraces communication, understanding, and the promotion of human dignity as responsibilities all students and staff have toward one another, their schools, and a diverse local and global community. Citizenship Contributing. An environment that nurtures respect, integrity, compassion, and service and where all members of the school community participate fully. Working together, sharing ideas, and encouraging multiple perspectives ensures a vibrant and caring community. Personal Growth Acting courageously. All students developing skills and confidence through personalized educational experiences that build on student strengths and emphasize reflection, curiosity, resilience, and risk taking. It is my expectation that these core values, once adopted by the School Committee, will become the foundation for all of our work and planning in the school system. The values must guide and direct us as we work with children and one another. Parents and members of the community are encouraged to provide feedback on the core values and participate in the upcoming discussions about school goals and objectives during the September and October School Committee meetings. For more information about the draft mission, vision, values, and goals please visit this link to the Needham Public Schools website: http://fcw4.needham.k12.ma.us/SC.Packets/SC%20packet%208-21-07.pdf?FCItemID=... • Many thanks to the Town Manager and the many town department staff who spent considerable time and effort preparing schools for our opening. The new parking lots at Mitchell and Newman look super; the buildings have been cleaned and scrubbed; the high school will open another new wing; and each classroom in Pollard is now equipped with additional technology, including projectors, to enhance teaching and learning. The cooperation among various town and school staff to ensure the schools are ready for students has been great and is much appreciated. We are looking forward to greeting your child and all the students next Wednesday, September 5th. 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 dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us Enjoy the Labor Day weekend! Sincerely, Daniel E. Gutekanst, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools