[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Sunday, October 29, 2023

8:46 p.m.


Dear Needham Public Schools Families:

Over the weekend I contacted a Needham resident who reported on FaceBook
that dozens of high school aged young people were gathered on his street
Saturday evening, apparently seeking entry to a house party of a neighbor
who is of high school age but who is not enrolled at Needham High School.

He explained that as they left the street a few in the crowd were heard to
yell antisemitic slurs, including, “I love Hitler!” The person who posted
this on FaceBook did not report the incident to the neighbors or Needham
Police who I have subsequently confirmed have not received any reports of
such an incident but are now aware of it.

While we do not know exactly what happened or who was involved this past
Saturday evening in a Needham neighborhood, it is necessary to be clear:
Any use of antisemitic, racist, or hateful speech directed at any person at
anytime in any venue is never condoned and will always be condemned by the
Needham Public Schools. Vile and hateful slurs go against the values of the
schools and are clearly in stark contrast to the values of the Needham
community.

Regardless of who the young people were, their hateful and antisemitic
slurs have now reverberated through social media causing anxiety and fear
in the Needham community.

The administration of Needham High School and the Needham Public Schools
work hard to instill the values of respect, belonging, and human dignity
during the school day. However, we can’t possibly police or control the
behavior and language of students outside of school; there are appropriate
limits to what we can and should do. Parents, caregivers and adults have
the responsibility of guiding and directing young people at home and in the
larger community. School staff, parents, and other caring adults must
collaborate and work together to call out behavior that is below the
standards and expectations of this community; and we must do this for each
child, regardless of school affiliation.

As your superintendent for 18 years, I have watched your children grow and
learn in the Needham Public Schools, and, like you, I am immensely proud of
them. They are amazing, respectful, and generous young people.  It is
uncommon behavior for our students to use hateful and repugnant speech; but
it can happen and when it does, we must call it out, hold responsible
individuals to account, and work to repair any harm that has been caused.

In this case, we must acknowledge the contemptible speech and hope that
parents, in collaboration with the schools, faith communities, and other
caring adults, speak to their children about the impact of the words they
use, especially when they are caught up in a moment of adolescent
exuberance or rowdiness.  The schools will continue to reinforce the
expectations for appropriate and respectful behavior that I know the adults
in this wonderful and caring community have for all of its children.

Finally, please know that if your child has heard about this incident or is
impacted by it, our school staff, including our teachers, administrators,
and counselors stand ready to support them.

Sincerely,

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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