[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Needham Public Schools Families:


As we begin the December break, allow me to share the following updates:


*• Host Students from Daxing January 12-17th!*  We are looking for ten
Needham families to host ten middle school aged students from the Daxing
School District, Beijing in January.  The Needham Public Schools has a
strong partnership with the Daxing School District located in Beijing,
China.  For several years we have exchanged students and teachers to visit
our schools and communities to learn more about our educational programs,
explore the cities of Boston or Beijing, and develop lifelong relationships
that strengthen understanding and friendship between our two countries.
You do not have to have middle school aged students in your family to host
a Chinese student.  Additional information can be found here: Daxing
January 2020 Exchange Information
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/19EEqLrGJ4nk2xzqT8XG7tEnYE3nNgmfXkTbyhx8OYIA/edit>

*• 2020-21 (FY21) School Budget  *Last week I presented to the School
Committee my proposal for a budget plan for the 2020-21 school year.  You
may review the entire FY21 budget plan and see my presentation to the
School Committee here: FY21 Needham Public Schools Budget Proposal
<http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=64513&pageId=926906#F21> .
The School Committee will hold a Public Hearing on the budget plan at their
January 21st meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Broadmeadow, and I
encourage parents and community members to participate.

*• **Needham Schools Spotlight * Please check out the latest Needham
Schools Spotlight cable show featuring a conversation with staff, community
members, and students about the prevalence and dangers of teen vaping:  Needham
Schools Spotlight
<http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/needham_schools_spotlight>.

*• Superintendent's Blog  *My recent post is about the FY21 Budget plan.
Check it out here:  Superintendent's Blog
<http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/>


*•  Winter Weather is Here! * Information about weather-related school
closings can be found here:  Information about weather-related school
delays and cancellations
<http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/District/No%20school-2%20hour%20delay%20parent%20Final%202019-20.pdf>
 .  I also strongly encourage parents to follow me on Twitter in order to
receive the most timely information about weather-related school delays or
closings.  While I will continue to notify the media and send out emails
and phone calls to interested families, it takes time for all of the
messages to make it through the queue; Twitter is simply quicker!  More
information here:  Twitter: @NPS_supt
<https://twitter.com/NPS_Supt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ANPS_Supt%7Ctwgr%5E363937393b636f6e74726f6c&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.needham.k12.ma.us%2F>

*•  2020-21 School Calendar *Many folks who are planning summer vacations
have called to inquire about the status of the school calendar for the next
academic year.  The School Committee will consider and vote on a 2020-21
calendar sometime in February.  One thing I can share is that I will most
likely recommend that school start before Labor Day given that Labor Day is
Monday, September 7, 2020.  I will likely recommend that classes for
students start no earlier than Wednesday, September 2nd.  Stay tuned for a
2020-21 school calendar in February!

Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank NPS families for your
ongoing support, generous spirit, and genuine willingness to engage and
connect.  The work we do with your children each day is an awesome
responsibility and a great honor.  I hope we will continue to remain worthy
of your partnership, guidance, and trust as, together, we educate and care
for these amazing, energetic, and talented young people.

If you are celebrating the upcoming holidays, may I take this opportunity
to wish you a joyous and peaceful Hanukkah and Christmas!  To all, Happy
New Year!

As always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments:
781.455.0400, ext. 11203 or dan_gutekanst at needham.k12.ma.us

Respectfully,

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools
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