[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Needham Public Schools Families:

This afternoon we mark the end of a busy and productive, yet challenging
week of teaching and learning in the Needham Public Schools.

While students at every level have been engaged in their academic lessons,
athletic competitions, social time with friends, or playing music - all
under the caring and watchful eyes of their teachers, coaches, and
administrators - there existed for many students, particularly at the
secondary level, a pall of fear, disbelief, and anxiety at the unfolding
and astonishing news of the terrorism and war in Israel and Gaza.


For many of our young people there was a dissonance in their lives this
week: Math homework and lunch chatter contrasted with chilling social media
reports and casualty counts. Violence, terror, and hate interrupted and
interfered with the ability of some of our students to focus; and some
students’ emotions boiled over. For sure, the depravity and immorality of
the murders and terror shock us all.

However, despite the horrors of the terrorist attacks in Israel, the
unknown fate of innocent Jewish families and hostages, or the plight of the
Palestinian civilians swept up in the war, our students and the staff of
the Needham Public Schools kept learning alive and ensured students were
safe and secure:


   -

   Middle and high school teachers used social studies classrooms and/or
   advisory to respond to students' questions about the events unfolding in
   Israel and Gaza.
   -

   The Needham High School Jewish Student Union shared a somber message of
   solidarity with Israel during an advisory period with the entire high
   school community and, along with High Rock and Pollard students, led a
   moment of silence to remember the victims of the attacks.
   -

   Administrative and counseling staff connected with individual students
   or groups of students, including Jewish and Muslim students, who were
   experiencing loss, discomfort, or distress over the last several days.
   -

   Throughout the Needham Public Schools, teachers and staff supported one
   another, helped to identify students or families who needed extra support,
   and ensured the focus was on providing a stable and consistent learning
   environment for all students.


In the days ahead, we will continue to provide an excellent educational
program for our students, and we will support those students who may
continue to struggle.  I am deeply committed to ensuring our schools remain
safe places for our students, and we will continue to be crystal clear that
all students are entitled to learn and grow in a school environment that is
free of racism, bias, antisemitism, and Islamophobia.

Thank you to parents and caregivers who have expressed questions, concerns,
and support to our principals and staff as we guide your children.  There
is no good playbook for this; no best way to react or respond when terror
rips the world apart. The collective efforts of dedicated staff, caring
families, and our amazing young people will always be imperfect, but I have
faith and hope in this community.

Next week the staff will be at it again, doing the thing that we all love
and cherish: guiding, teaching, and leading your children as they grow and
develop to become active, contributing, and caring citizens. This is our
responsibility, and despite its complexities, this work gives me no greater
joy.

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.
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