[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Needham Public Schools Families:

Allow me to share three important updates about our plans to open school
safely in September:

*• Family Questionnaire*  In order to plan and schedule classes for the
start of school in September for students in grades K to 12, the district
needs your help with completing this Family Questionnaire
<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-FamilyData>. Please take a couple
minutes now and complete one form per child so we can best support your
family. This is due by Tuesday evening, August 4.  Given that parents have
incomplete information about our school reopening plans, you will have an
opportunity later in August to make a different decision should that be
necessary. If you do not complete the form, we will assume your child(ren)
will participate in the planned hybrid model which involves a week of in
school learning and a week of at home or remote learning.

*• School Reopening Plans* As you know we are working closely with public
health experts, teachers, administrators, community members, and parents to
plan for a safe and healthy reopening of school. In order to keep class
sizes small and ensure social distancing, we are focused on implementing a
hybrid model for all K-12 students that involves four full days of in
person learning for half the students (Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday, Fridays)
and five days of remote learning for the other half of the students. Each
Wednesday students from both groups will interact together with their
teacher remotely. Recognizing that no one hybrid plan is ideal, we believe
this working model will best support our students during the period of the
health emergency.  We are also strengthening our remote learning plan in
the event we must begin school in a remote environment or pivot to the
remote model due to the health emergency.

While we continue to refine the planned hybrid model (and thanks for all
the feedback we have received), we are also offering families the
opportunity to have their child participate in a fully remote learning
experience.  In an earlier survey about 15% of families indicated they may
wish to have that as an option; the
Family Questionnaire <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-FamilyData> is
designed to have families tell us if they would prefer that option.  If a
student is enrolled in either the fully remote or hybrid model, families
can change which model the child is participating in at the end of a
grading period.

*• School Calendar & Next Steps* For the 2020-21 school year the
Commissioner of Education has changed the traditional 180 school day
requirement for students to 170 days.  On August 31st teachers and staff
will report to school for training, professional development, and to
prepare for students returning, and I will recommend to the School
Committee that the first day of classes be September 14th. Given the plan
to have students learn and work  remotely on Wednesdays, we would drop all
early release and delayed opening days.  The School Committee will review
the revised 2020-21 school calendar and our plans to reopen school at their
meeting on Thursday, August 4th at 5:30 p.m.  I will ask the School
Committee to approve our reopening plans and the new calendar at their
meeting on Tuesday, August 11th. (Links to both meetings will be posted on
the district's website later this week.)

We will schedule another opportunity for families to learn more and ask
questions about our school reopening plans in a week or two; stay tuned for
an announcement and link to a meeting.

Finally, I understand the news, conflicting reports, pressure from the
community to reopen schools (or keep them closed), social media, activism,
and one's own personal concerns are prompting a roller coaster of emotions
and perspectives about the upcoming school year.  It has been a challenging
time, but our focus in the Needham Public Schools has been and will
continue to be the health, safety, and wellbeing of all students and staff
as we move forward and envision a new year of learning, growing, and
achieving.

I hope you and your families are staying healthy and enjoying the weather
and time together.  Please complete the Family Questionnaire
<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPS-FamilyData> !

Respectfully,

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools
Needham Public Schools
1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
781-455-0400 x11203
dan_gutekanst at needham.k12.ma.us

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance
services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school
for assistance.

Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子 的学校联系。

Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay
servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela
de su hijo para asistencia.

Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас
доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью
в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.
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