[Superintendent's Update] (no subject)

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Parents and Guardians:

The School Committee would like to provide improved opportunities for
parents and members of the Needham community to communicate to them about
school issues, concerns, and ideas.  In addition to public comment prior
to their scheduled meetings, the School Committee is adding email and
on-line communication links.

•  One way to contact all of the seven School Committee members with a
question, concern, or comment is to email them at the following email
address:  schoolcommittee at needham.k12.ma.us

The School Committee Chair, Marianne Cooley, will respond on behalf of the
Committee to these inquiries and suggestions. 

•  The School Committee has also launched an online Discussion Board on
the Needham Public Schools website:  http://www.needham.k12.ma.us  (Look
under Community and then select Superintendent & School Committee). 
Parents, teachers, students, and other community members can post
comments, suggestions, ideas, and perspectives on-line for anyone to read.
 The purpose of the Discussion Board is to generate a community
conversation about issues facing the Needham Public Schools.  To make a
comment or to add a new thought about a comment that has been previously
posted, send an email to this address: npsfeedback at googlegroups.com

If you would just like to read what has been posted on the Discussion
Board, go to this link:  http://groups.google.com/group/npsfeedback 

On behalf of the School Committee, and because this is a public discussion
board to which anyone can post, I will moderate the NPS Discussion Board
to ensure that on-line postings contain appropriate content and language. 
Members of the School Committee will not respond individually to the
postings unless they choose to do so by posting a comment.  (Remember:  If
you wish to email members of the School Committee directly with a question
that you do not want posted on-line, email them at
schoolcommittee at needham.k12.ma.us  as indicated above.)  

All questions, comments, and inquiries sent to the School Committee are
considered public records.

•  The next School Committee meeting on February 27th will include a
Public Hearing on the High Rock School design and FY08 (2007-08) School
Budget.  All parents and community members are urged to attend and
participate at the February 27th Public Hearing scheduled for 7:45 p.m. at
the Broadmeadow School.

Finally, your input and feedback is crucial to the success of our teachers
and students!  There are critical decisions, for example, the School
Committee must make in the days and weeks ahead concerning the budget and
what impact cuts to the budget will likely have in each Needham classroom
for next year and beyond.  The School Committee wants to hear from you. 
Parents and community members must learn about and contribute to this, and
other, important discussions affecting the quality of education for each
child in the Needham Public Schools.  Please join the conversation.

Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the cast and crew of
Needham High School's production of West Side Story (Wow!) and extend
wishes for a restful and enjoyable February break for you and your
families.

As always, contact me at dan_gutekanst at needham.k12.ma.us or 781.455.0400,
extension 203 if you have a question or comment.

Sincerely,

Daniel Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools

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