[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Parents and Guardians:

A few updates for you this Friday morning:

•  I encourage parents and members of the community to become fully
informed about the budget process and the two override questions the
School Committee and Selectmen have voted to place on the April 10th
ballot.  For more information, please go the Needham Public Schools
website:  http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/ and click under News.

•  Parents and community members are welcome to attend an Open House at
the Emery Grover School Administration Building at 1330 Highland Avenue
next Tuesday, March 20th from 9 to 10 a.m.  Please join the school
department's administrative team for a cup of coffee and informal
conversation about our work in the Needham Public Schools.

•  I continue to visit classrooms in the schools each week and am so
impressed with what I see and learn.  Yesterday, for example, I was in
Seth Evans 5th grade classroom at Mitchell observing and participating as
the students collected and analyzed data using mean, median, and mode.  I
observed Eva Liner's middle school students hard at work with their
ancient Egypt study guides, preparing for an upcoming assessment.  Her
classroom was filled with examples of student projects and work
highlighting their Egyptian unit.  Yesterday I also attended the high
school's assembly in the gym where all 1,400 students sat mesmerized by
the story of one of the "Lost Boys" from the Sudan who shared his
experiences about his personal struggles and that country's ongoing
tragedy.  I was so proud of our high school students who respectfully and
quietly listened in a stuffy gymnasium, for over an hour, as they learned
and asked questions about Darfur and what could be done to help.  By the
way, I was also impressed with all the Needham High students and fans who
cheered on the girls' basketball team at the Garden this past week.  An
usher remarked to me that the Needham students were the best and most
respectful kids he had seen there in a while.  Congratulations to the Lady
Rockets for a superb season!

I am extremely pleased to work in a system that values hard work, respect,
and enthusiasm for learning. Thanks to our teachers, staff, and principals
for leading the way.

As always, please contact me at dan_gutekanst at needham.k12.ma.us if you
have a question, comment, or concern.  Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools

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