[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update, August 28, 2024

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Thanks for reaching out. I was not clear in my email and Dr. Downey will
clarify in her next family update. Phones can remain in backpacks at High
Rock.

Sorry for the confusion!

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.


On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 7:03 PM Deborah Toffler <deborahtoffler at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hello,
> Great first day for my kids today - thank you!
>
> I’m looking for clarification on the cell phone policy. I read below that
> cell phones are not allowed at school (other than the high school) and must
> be left at home. The High Rock policy indicates that phones must be off and
> in backpacks in lockers.
>
> Thanks in advance for your help in clarifying whether students can store
> their devices in their lockers during the school day.
>
> Take care,
> Deborah Toffler
>
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 4:36 PM Needham Public Schools Superintendent's
> Update <superintendents_update at lists.needham.k12.ma.us> wrote:
>
>> Dear Needham Public Schools Families:
>>
>> Welcome back to a new school year!  We have been excited to welcome back
>> over 5,600 students today.
>>
>> In anticipation of the new school year allow me to share important
>> information and ways for you to stay connected and informed:
>>
>> *• Annual Parent Letter *This parent and family letter
>> <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hJn_yiUZrJ8kTVXwTMhlEB6w4d7dM5gJzvgM22wkD50/edit?usp=sharing>
>> provides detailed information on school resources, policies, and programs
>> that impact your child.  Please review its contents!
>>
>> *• Cell Phones/Watches in School *Please note that students in grades
>> K-8 are prohibited from bringing personal electronics to school,
>> including cell phones, wearable watches (e.g., AppleWatch, etc.)  These
>> devices belong at home and will be taken from children as necessary and
>> returned later.  Students in grades 9-12 may bring a phone, but it must be
>> stored in a phone hotel
>> <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KHfhOhceiHq1ZWteadMNbWg4zQwYQPg-HGioQzPa-Y4/edit?usp=sharing> during
>> class.  For more information about what we are thinking about in regards to
>> phones and student wellbeing in the schools: Generation Distracted or
>> Connected? <https://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/>
>>
>> •  *X (formerly Twitter) *One way to stay in touch about the latest
>> school news, *including weather-related school closings* or other
>> important information, is on *X* (formerly Twitter).  Go to:
>> https://twitter.com/@NPS_Supt  to sign up. I look forward to sharing
>> with you and hearing from you in the school year ahead.
>>
>> *• 10 Minutes with...    *Every five weeks or so I film a brief and ten
>> minute video featuring the students, staff, and community members who lead
>> and contribute to the success of the Needham Public Schools.  The brief
>> videos provide insight and perspective about our work in the schools.  You
>> can find an archive of videos here, including a recent conversation with
>> two of our retiring teachers: 10 Minutes with...
>> <https://www.needham.k12.ma.us/news/what_s_new/10_minutes_with____>
>>
>> *• Superintendent's Blog  *I post to my blog monthly, and I encourage
>> you to check it out: Superintendent's Blog
>> <https://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/>
>>
>> *• Stay in Touch with Your School Committee!  *Needham is fortunate to
>> have a seven member elected board
>> <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tM22__mTEnQLQIlGuYcQgcJ5u9lAGTpNR3igTPfftmA/edit?usp=sharing> who
>> want to hear from you.  You can attend public meetings or email the
>> Committee: schoolcommittee at needham.k12.ma.us  More information about the
>> School Committee's roles and responsibilities can be found on the
>> district's website: Needham School Committee
>> <https://www.needham.k12.ma.us/district_info/school_committee>
>>
>> Here's to a superb school year for the students, staff and all the
>> families of the Needham Public Schools!
>>
>> Dan Gutekanst
>> Superintendent of Schools
>> Needham Public Schools
>> 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1330+Highland+Avenue,+Needham,+MA+02492?entry=gmail&source=g>
>> *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.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Superintendents_update mailing list
>> To unsubscribe to this list please click the link below.
>>
>> https://lists.needham.k12.ma.us/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/superintendents_update
>>
>
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