Dear Needham Public Schools Families: Allow me to share the following highlights and updates: • Student Accolades Congratulations to our awesome students in the Needham Public Schools for receiving recognition and accolades: *- *In the Tenacity Challenge at Bedford High School <https://www.tenacitychallenge.com/>, our high school students placed in the top 10 in multiple categories as a result of the efforts of Mackenzie Fuller, Mimi Di Carli, Stephanie Ogbebor, Sebastian Davis, Chidinma Nwodo, and Luis Diaz. *- National History Day State Finals *First Place Champions are Pollard students Grace Yonchak, Alexandra Goodale, Peter Burdick, and Emily Lucas for their Group Exhibit featuring WWII vet, hero, and conscientious objector Desmind Doss; At the high school level, First Place in Performance to Kenneth Crossman and Zachary Sickles for their project on "The Toledo War" and Best Project in Massachusetts History to Avery Mathias and Kayla Talcoff for their presentation on Boston Busing/Desegregation. - Scholastc Art Awards: Several students, some receiving multiple awards from the 2018 Scholastic Writing and Art Awards <https://www.artandwriting.org/affiliate/MA001W/>, include: *Needham High School * Gold Key winners include Hugh Atkinson, Hannah Cisternelli, Mark Elman, Alice Rufo; Silver Key winners include Chloe Carson, Hannah Cisternelli, Erin Concannon, Emma Garber, Natalie Lawrence, Rebecca Levitan, Julia Owen, Alex Putprush, Mia Rosengard, Alice Rufo; Honorable Mention to Hugh Atkinson, Grace Cohen, Erin Concannon, Jacob Gorenburg, Grace Li, Avery Mathias, Avery Mathias, Jessica McEvoy, Karen Nie, Julia Ochalla, Julia Owen, Annie Stein, Christina Yang *Pollard Middle School* Silver Key awarded to Maylin Carr, John Kiely, Chess Paulina Miano, Scarlett Munn; Honorable Mention to Margaret Berkley, Matthew Hua, Rose Ava Jacobs, Celia Lanza *- National Scholastic Art Awards*: Two NHS students also received prestigious national awards: Hugh Atkinson, Photography Silver National Award and Alice Rufo, Drawing and Illustration Silver National Award. *- Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) Awards*: *Middle School Ensembles* MS Select Choir, Gold Medal 8th Grade Treble Chorus, Silver Medal Wind Ensemble, Silver Medal 8th Grade Band, Silver Medal Town Orchestra, Silver Medal *NHS Ensembles* Symphonic Band, Gold Medal Concert Band, Silver Medal Concert Choral, Silver Medal Orchestra, Silver Medal *- *Congratulations to the *Needham Speech and **Debate Team *which came in third place at the State Championship. Individual awards include: Declamation first place, Annie Stein; Sasha Rieser, Novice state champion and Will Conway, both placing 5th in Novice, with Zachary Lu in second place as Varsity speaker debate; Jackson Segal has been named an Academic All-American. Best wishes as the team goes on to national championships in Ft. Lauderdale and Washington, DC! *• Parent Survey *In recognition of the importance of community feedback, the Needham Public Schools will be administering the 2018 District Survey after the school break. This biennial survey allows each school to celebrate strengths, respond to areas needing improvement, and measure progress toward the District Goals. We build on information gathered since 2001 and share the cumulative results with our staff, parents, and the community. Since the last District survey was administered in 2016, we took a number of action steps. Here are a few examples: In response to requests for improved transportation service, the School Committee approved funding for the addition of school buses and a late bus; school space issues were addressed; more STEAM programs were added; the process was launched for community involvement in developing a Portrait of A Needham Graduate, and so much more. Each School Council worked with staff to consider how to respond to the survey findings as they updated their plans. Please watch for the school-specific links to the District Survey coming to you between April 23rd through May 7th in emails from our School Principals. Your feedback is needed and I thank you in advance for sharing your opinions with us. I’m hoping for 100% participation in the survey process! *• Elementary Class Lists* Over the summer weeks elementary principals will complete class placement for the 2018-19 school year, and they will send out a class list to parents in early July. The class list will include your elementary school child's name and the names of the other students placed in your child's class. Please understand that the placement of any child could change depending on class size, staffing needs, or enrollment. If you have a question about the placement of your child, please contact the building principal. *• Needham Schools Spotlight* Please check out the latest Needham Schools Spotlight <http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight> cable show featuring a discussion about the Equity Audit recently completed in the Needham Public Schools. I hope you and your families have a restful and relaxing Spring Break! As always, you can be in touch with me via phone (781.455.0400, x203) or email: dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools