[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Needham Public Schools Families:

As we prepare for the holiday break, allow me to share the following
updates:

*• School Emergencies/Weather-related Information*  Many families
complained that they had not received a phone call alerting them to the
12/18 "shelter in place" notification. I apologize for any oversight or
miscommunication at my end!  I will take this opportunity to ask parents to
update contact information in PowerSchool: Instructions to update
parent/emergency contacts
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KNLR5cZpj2habJJdbdsUK0YeQrET_qHBN67cNp_SRTU/edit?usp=sharing>


*• Apple Distinguished Award*  Congratulations to High Rock and Pollard for
being recognized by Apple for a commitment to continuous innovation using
technology in the classroom! You can read more about the award here: Apple
Distinguished Award
<https://sites.google.com/needham.k12.ma.us/media-digital-learning-nps/apple-distinguished-schools>

*• Grades 6-12 Science and the Portrait of a Needham Graduate  *At a recent
School Committee meeting school staff, including Mark Healey (6-8 Science
Dept. Chair) and Jen Regrut (NHS Science Dept. Chair) accompanied by
several students shared how their work in science is aligned to the
competencies in the Portrait of a Needham Graduate
<https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xdECAY1Gv8517Zoww8DQs7oQPePSIuK2LkiDY_oJuaQ/edit?usp=sharing>.
I appreciate their thoughtful work and the conversation with the School
Committee! Additional presentations in the spring, including in English and
English Language Arts and Math, will be shared.

*• 2024-25 School Calendar*  The School Committee voted to approve a
calendar for the 2024-25 school year.  You may view it here:  2024-25 NPS
Calendar
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vkzkay5ZxWfoy6l3xx3t1B0SA8xa1fRF/view?usp=sharing>
(Please
note that the 2nd page of the document lists the holidays, cultural
celebrations, and other religious events marked by families in the
community.)

*• FY25 Proposed Budget *Last week I presented my proposed FY25 (2024-25
School Year) Budget to the School Committee for their consideration.  You
may view my presentation here: FY25 Budget Presentation
<https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PnQgt-IiiXt9XG4kwSIbHHuEda4ZP9vqK11xe3Nt8Jg/edit?usp=sharing>
and view all budget documents here: NPS Budget Documents
<https://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/business__operations/business_office/budgets_and_financial_documents>
The
School Committee will hold a Public Hearing on the budget on Tuesday
evening, January 16, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at Broadmeadow, and families, staff,
and students are welcome to share comments or feedback on the proposal.

*• Superintendent's Blog  *My latest post is available here: Facebook is
Awful... <https://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/>

For those of you celebrating the peace and joy of the holiday, Merry
Christmas!

Respectfully,

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent of Schools
Needham Public Schools
1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
*He/His/Him*
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.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.needham.k12.ma.us/pipermail/superintendents_update/attachments/20231220/61edbb51/attachment.htm>