[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Parents and Guardians:

As you may know, the Governor recently signed into law legislation that
requires school districts to develop responses, procedures, and protocols
to deal with bullying and cyber-bullying in schools.  To learn more, you
may read a Boston Globe article here:  [
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/05/patrick_enacts.html
]Bullying Legislation (Boston Globe)  Fortunately, the Needham Schools are
already well positioned to deal with bullying behavior, and the principals
have included in their school handbooks a code of discipline that outlines
how they will respond to this kind of behavior.

The new legislation requires all schools to develop and implement a
specific bullying prevention plan by late December that ensures our
schools are safe, healthy, and welcoming for all students.  This fall, in
collaboration with staff, parents, students, and members of the community,
the Needham Schools will design a prevention plan that addresses bullying
behavior, and we will share this plan with the community and School
Committee before the end of the calendar year.

Prior to the development of the prevention plan and to affirm that the
Needham Schools will not tolerate bullying behavior, the School Committee
has written a draft policy to address and confront bullying and
cyber-bullying in Needham's schools and classrooms.  You may read the
draft policy by clicking on this link to the: [
http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/school_committee/ ]School Committee Webpage 

The School Committee will review the policy at this evening's first
meeting of the year and seeks input and comments about the proposed
policy.  The School Committee will consider all feedback and will vote on
this policy at its October 5, 2010 meeting.  Parents and community members
wishing to comment about the proposed policy can email the School
Committee:  schoolcommittee at needham.k12.ma.us

You are encouraged to share your comments and ideas.

Sincerely,

Daniel Gutekanst, Ed.D.

Superintendent 
Needham Public Schools


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