[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

Fri May 30 19:40:43 EDT 2008

May 30, 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Allow me to share a few updates about happenings in the Needham Schools:

•  Newman Elementary School  Undoubtedly you have heard about the ongoing
heating and ventilation (HV) issues at Newman Elementary School.  Some
staff and students have suffered respiratory symptoms and,  while specific
causes have not been definitively established, we are concerned that the
respiratory issues relate to the HV problems in the school.  An engineer's
report indicates that in at least a portion of the building significant
mechanical and maintenance problems exist with the 48 year-old ventilation
system, and, as a precaution, we have had to close the media center, a
computer classroom, and relocate three classrooms within the building to
protect the health and safety of students and staff.  Anxious staff and
parents, along with town and school officials, expect that the town and
school department will continue to focus time, energy, and resources to
ensure student and staff health and safety.  Town Manager Kate
Fitzpatrick,  her staff, and the Permanent Public Building Committee have
responded quickly, and Town Meeting has appropriated $650,000 to plan for
both a temporary and permanent overhaul of the school's HV system.  We
will work throughout the summer to ensure the building can open next
September with a safe and temporary HV system and, at the same time,
propose a permanent HV solution to construct at Newman.  I am confident
that the right resources are being applied and that we will all work
together-Town Government, Schools, and the Needham community- to address
and solve this problem.  We will hold an additional evening parent meeting
in June (The specific date has not yet been determined.) to share with the
community additional plans and updated information.

•  Leadership Positions    Two key school leadership positions have
recently been filled:  Christine Brumbach has been named the Director of
Student Development and will replace Dr. George Johnson who is retiring
after an extraordinary career in the Needham Public Schools.  Ms. Brumbach
has been the Elementary Special Education Director in Needham for the last
two years and has worked with a talented staff to ensure that our special
education services in all the elementary schools and the preschool are of
the highest quality.  She has worked especially well interacting with
principals, teachers, and parents to plan for appropriate student
programming. 

Prior to her work in the Needham Public Schools, Chris served in a similar
role in the Sherborn Schools. She has also taught in the Westwood Public
Schools.  Prior to public school experience, Chris held various positions
at the League School, a 766 approved school for children and adolescents
diagnosed with autism.  As Director of Education at the League School, she
was responsible for program and professional development and developed
collaborative relationships with local districts and parents.  Ms.
Brumbach received a Bachelors degree in Elementary and Special Education
from Millersville University in Pennsylvania, and a Masters degree in
Special Education from Boston University.

Emily Gaberman has been appointed the new principal at Broadmeadow and
will replace Anne Whittredge, who will retire as that school's principal
after serving as its leader for 19 years.  Ms. Gaberman, a teacher and
administrator at the Runkle School in Brookline for the last 18 years, was
the successful candidate after a long and thorough search process.  Ms.
Gaberman's work as a classroom teacher, math specialist, and more recently
as a vice principal at Runkle has provided her with many opportunities to
influence, guide, and lead the learning of a talented staff and student
body.  Ms. Gaberman received a Bachelors degree in English from Cornell
University, a Masters degree in Musical Performance from the New England
Conservatory, and a Masters degree in Teaching at Simmons.  Broadmeadow's
teachers, parents, and students are incredibly enthusiastic about Ms.
Gaberman coming on board this summer.  

•  The Needham Spring Arts Festival. . .  Please join the Needham Cultural
Council on the Town Common tomorrow, Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. for Needham's 2nd annual Spring Arts Festival.  There will be magic
for children at 10 am, performing groups, including the High School Brass
Ensemble and teacher Juliet Lloyd.  Plugged In Teens and Bongo Love will
also perform.  A children's crafts table will provide arts activities all
day.  Enjoy the work of the many visual artists who will be exhibiting. 
Finally, there will be art demonstrations including painting and jewelry
making.  For more information, please visit [ http://www.needarts.org
]www.needarts.org. 

•  . . .And the Student Art and Music Programs  I hope parents have had
opportunities to view the exceptional artwork and projects on display at
the high school and Pollard over the last week or so.  In addition, a
variety of student concerts and performances have been scheduled in each
of the schools from now until the end of the year.  (Please check out the
district calendar for specific venues and dates: 
http://district.needham.k12.ma.us/gi_calendars.htm)   Hundreds of
students, guided by their teachers, are showcasing wonderful talents that
reflect our core value around Scholarship and the district's commitment to
the fine and performing arts.  

Finally, congratulations to the Needham High School Class of '08 who will
graduate next Monday evening, June 2 at Babson College in Wellesley.  They
(and their parents!) have worked hard and deserve our warm and hearty
congratulations.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact me:  781.455.0400, x 203 or
dan_gutekanst at needham.k12.ma.us

We are off to the concluding weeks of school!  

Dan Gutekanst, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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