[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Needham Public Schools Families:

As we head into the holiday break, allow me to share a few updates:

• *Inclement Weather Information *In the unlikely event winter weather may
require the closing or delayed opening of the Needham Public Schools, I
will do my level best to make a decision about a cancellation or delay by
about 5:30 a.m.  Unless it is abundantly clear what the weather conditions
will be, I am often reluctant to call off school the evening before a storm
is predicted because New England weather is fickle.  Once a decision is
made, alerts will go out via email, phone, and on local TV.  The quickest
way to find out is on Twitter <https://twitter.com/NPS_Supt> where I also
post the information.
For more information on school cancellations and delayed openings: 2023
Inclement weather information
<https://cdnsm5-ss13.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_64429/File/District/No%20school--2%20hour%20delay%20parent%20%202023-24%20%20.pdf>
.

It is important for students to be in classes as scheduled throughout the
year, and I don't believe a winter storm should necessarily keep us away
from school.  If it is predicted to snow, for instance, four to five inches
I am inclined to hold classes. There are circumstances, however, when the
snow is minimal but icy and dangerous roads may prevent a safe school
opening or at least require a delay.  Safety for students and staff, of
course, will always be my first consideration.  This coming winter parents
and students should leave plenty of time to get to school and keep a shovel
and galoshes nearby!

*• Student Accolades * Needham students continue to distinguish
 themselves in several ways:
*- National Honor Society  *Congratulations to the 149 members of the Needham
High School Chapter of the National Honor Society
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WgB_9WyJoFzqHqnOYLgy1jFhu7rOy5K2/view?usp=sharing>
who
were inducted recently at a special ceremony at the high school.
*- National Chinese Honor Society  *Also, congratulations to the following
juniors who were recently inducted into the Needham High School Chapter of
the National Chinese Honor society:  Adonai Baptista, Xavier Eudaric,
Adrienne Giancola, Becky Hwang, Jasmine Lee, Evelyn Wright, and Julian Yuh.
*- NHS Girls' Swim & Dive Team *Congratulations to the Needham High School
Girls' Swim and Dive Team which finished 9-1 on the season and then
captured the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA)
Division I State Championship, the first ever for the team!  Go Rockets!

Finally, Happy Thanksgiving! We are fortunate to live, work, and learn in
an amazing community like Needham that values children, and we are
especially blessed to be citizens in a vibrant country that serves, however
imperfectly, as a model of democracy, inclusion, and justice to the rest of
a sometimes weary world.

I know I am grateful for my family and to work with a talented staff,
committed parents, and the exceptional young people of Needham - all of
whom inspire civility, peace, and hope.  *Happy Thanksgiving!*

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.
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