[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Needham Families:

Allow me to share the following updates and information as we begin a
holiday weekend:

*•  Snow Daze*  Inevitably, a New England storm will interfere with one of
our school days, and when it does I want you to know I will do my level
best to make decisions about delays or cancellations by approximately 5:30
a.m. the morning of a storm or inclement weather event, and I'll use email,
phone, television, and Twitter to alert families. For more information
about weather-related cancellations/delays: NPS: School Closing Information
<http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/documents/No%20school-2%20hour%20delay.pdf> The
fastest way to learn if there is a cancellation or delay is through
Twitter.  (You can sign on to Twitter here: https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt ) If
it is practical to make a decision the night before, I'll certainly do
that.

It is important for students to be in classes whenever it is possible, and
I don't believe a winter storm should necessarily keep us away from
school.  If it is projected to snow three to six inches, for example, I am
inclined to hold classes.  Safety for students and staff, of course, will
always be my first consideration.  So pray for sunny days, *but break out
the galoshes just in case!*

*•*
*​  MCAS 2.0*  ​You may have heard about the State Board of Education's
decision to create a new assessment, dubbed *MCAS 2.0*, for implementation
in the spring of 2017.  Needham will continue to implement the MCAS this
spring, and we will also start to learn about and prepare for the more
robust and computer-based MCAS 2.0 assessment that will follow in 2019.  It
will be important to ensure our students are ready to demonstrate their
learning on the MCAS 2.0, especially since we have worked so hard to
integrate the Common Core into our curriculum and classroom instruction.
It is, of course, important to focus on areas of improvement and growth in
ELA, math, and science/technology as assessed by MCAS; and it is equally
essential to remember our students should not simply become good
standardized test takers but innovative and excited learners as well.
Striking a sensible balance will be our goal as teachers and administrators
collaborate to improve the growth and achievement of all students.  For
more information about the Board's recent decision, click here:  Massachusetts
Board of Education <http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.aspx?id=21314>

*•  Needham Education Foundation - Teacher Appreciation *Please consider
contributing to the NEF by sending a *Teacher Appreciation Card*.  In this
way you will help the NEF provide funds for innovative school programing,
and you will thank a teacher or staff member for his/her work with your
child.  More information here:  NEF
<http://www.nefneedham.org/support/teacher-appreciation-cards-2/>

*Student Achievements *Congratulations are in order for the two
Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Academic
Excellence Award honorees, Dianne Lee and Lucas Goldman, both NHS seniors.
Lucas was honored at a recent School Committee meeting and Dianne will be
honored in December. Both seniors have expressed their deep appreciation
for their parents' support and to all of the Needham teachers who have
guided and assisted them over the years. Congratulations, Lucas and Dianne!

Kudos also to the Needham High Division I Championship girls' Cross Country
Team for winning their *third consecutive state title *last weekend, and
congratulations to the Girls Soccer Team for becoming the Division I State
Champions after defeating Algonquin on Saturday.
Whether in the classroom, on the field, or on the stage, our students are
talented, mature, hardworking, and poised.
Needham families and the teachers and coaches who have guided them should
rightly be proud!

*Happy Thanksgiving!*  Finally, let me wish you and your families a
peaceful and restful Thanksgiving holiday.  Given the tragedies in Lebanon,
France, and Mali that have dominated the international news in recent days,
it is understandable that uncertainty and anxiety might cast a pall over
the upcoming holidays.  A few years ago I wrote in a message to the
community:

*The English writer G.K. Chesterton called hope “unreasonable and
indispensable.”  Hope is bright, stubborn, unyielding—hope never gives up,
and we are nothing without it.  We find ourselves in such a season of
hope. *

*It is a childlike, youthful hope.  The kind of hope that glimmers in our
students’ eyes and shines in their curiosity, creativity, and resilience.
This youthful hope allows even the most cynical and tired among us to
endure difficult times, to persist, and to move forward even when the
evidence suggests otherwise.  The bubbling energy and courage of young
people reminds us why we do this work, why we care so deeply. *

*This youthful, unreasonable, and indispensable hope inspires us to carry
on and, working together, build a better, more just, and loving world.*

Let's continue to be thankful for friends, family, and our young people,
especially during challenging times.  I know I am grateful to work with a
talented staff, committed parents, a supportive community, and the
exceptional young people of Needham - all of whom bring hope to a world
hungry for peace, civility, and justice.

I am honored to serve the community as your superintendent.  Happy
Thanksgiving and *Go Rockets!!!*

Respectfully,

Dan Gutekanst
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