[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Needham Public Schools Families:



On August 11th, the School Committee voted to approve the district’s Plan
for Reopening Our Schools
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YI6cHXX36Ba4LOu1cT57YDQ0whifVmSC/view?usp=sharing>
 with a Hybrid Learning Model for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.
You may view my presentation to the School Committee here: Presentation to
the Needham School Committee
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zp97S6cgYObaueIdB3QNpmXvjc1-TpT8/view?usp=sharing>.
In addition, the School voted to amend and update the 2020-21 school
calendar to reflect the changes necessary to open school safely.  You can
find the calendar here: 2020-21 Revised School Calendar
<http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/District/2020-2021%20Adjusted%20School%20Calendar%20approved%20SC%208-11-20.pdf>
  Please note that we will stagger the start of school for students during
the week of September 14th.  More information about when your child will
begin classes will be forthcoming soon from each school.


District staff, public health officials, parents, students, and School
Committee members guided the planning process and provided feedback. We
kept our dedication to the health and safety of our students and staff at
the heart of the process. Our focus has been – and will remain – the
health, safety, and wellbeing of all students and staff.



We believe our hybrid model, which involves both in person and remote
learning, best meets students’ educational needs and can be implemented
safely for students and staff.



There is a much more information that will be shared with families over the
coming weeks as we prepare for school, and I appreciate your patience,
flexibility, and partnership as the details and structure emerge. We will
hold information sessions for families hosted by principals and other
district staff to share updates and answer your questions.  Here is the
upcoming schedule of meetings:


*• Family Meeting for Remote Only Students* (Red Cohort) is scheduled for
August 21st at 11:30 a.m. This meeting is for those families who have opted
to participate in a remote only learning experience for their children.
Meeting Information and Link: Remote Learning (Red Cohort) Family Meeting
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1js2Ioy4pMK6CKa5zRwfhisK6qojK_7fFNOqXJL-y86A/edit?usp=sharing>


*•  Family Meeting for Elementary Students* in Hybrid Model is scheduled
for August 24th at 4:00 p.m. Meeting Information and Link: Elementary
Family Meeting
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/151nwKYy7rLToURDcBvC_A3fYcKZmIA1pyt-vZ-tpwp4/edit?usp=sharing>


*•  Family Meeting for Middle School (High Rock and Pollard) Students* in
Hybrid Model is scheduled for August 25th at 11:00 a.m. Meeting Information
and Link: Middle School Family Meeting
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uc9ai2EOwyYxTlFVVdUhcwAlAdjmk5goXgbMpK1JVpk/edit?usp=sharing>


*•  Family Meeting for Needham High School Students* in Hybrid Model is
scheduled for August 24th at 5:30 p.m. Meeting Information and Link: NHS
Family Meeting
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/184Bxw7ms8LFb2naxRo9YwBOxJVrmA5_bxdBKft1w_WY/edit?usp=sharing>


*• Health & Safety Information *Family Meeting scheduled for August 26th at
4:30 p.m.  Meeting Information and Link: Health and Safety Meeting
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/177NeoHEJMipmTi7hEhF_TAZOAiOhsEKLgCcZ1x9HNqQ/edit?usp=sharing>


*•  Transportation & Nutrition Services* Information Family Meeting
scheduled for August 27th at 3:00 p.m.  Meeting Information and Link:
Transportation
and Nutrition Services Meeting
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rI9hZLhJ1EJTdEOBRutUCsrj420SvpWG0irWhyVQiDw/edit?usp=sharing>


We will continue to post regular updates to our district website, including
an online list of Frequently Asked Questions
<http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/superintendent_s_office/plans_for_reopening_our_schools/f_a_qs_for_families>
. We look forward to answering your questions and engaging with you as we
work through the many challenges and prepare for the 2020-2021 school year.



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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