[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Needham Public Schools Families and Staff:

It came to my attention this morning that a recent exchange on Facebook
from the "Needham Parents" group shared disparaging comments about the
staff at one of our schools, the Sunita Williams Elementary School.
Additionally, and even more distressing, one comment was racist and
targeted at the school's principal.

I have shared before with the community in an open blog post
<https://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/2023/12/facebook-is-awful.html> why
I believe Facebook, which allows anonymous and cowardly individuals to come
forward to make inaccurate, inappropriate, and ugly comments, can be a
marketplace and cesspool of disinformation and claptrap. If you have not
read my post, I encourage you to read it now.

I am immensely disheartened that any individual, including one of our
principals, would be the subject of a racist remark.  Our district has a
clear statement and protocol that deals with how we will respond to bias
<https://docs.google.com/document/d/14s82oeNmVwhAuf7DUUOIrRsQkDLolT12Pphvs_Uuc1E/edit?tab=t.0>
at school.  While the focus of this protocol is to protect students, it is
not exclusively so. Part of the response is to call out harmful acts and
let the broader community know we do not condone language that demeans
another or is racist in nature.

Let me be clear: I stand in support and solidarity with the wonderful staff
of the Sunita Williams Elementary School and the school's principal, Ms.
Kiana Brunson. Our entire community is stronger because of the work that
the Sunita Williams staff and their principal do each day to support the
amazing young people who are learning and growing there.

On the eve of a festive holiday week when we will spend time with family
and friends, it is my hope that we can use this unfortunate opportunity to
remember that our community - and our schools - are stronger when we act
with curiosity, model civil and empathetic language, and ultimately support
one another - and not tear others down.

Respectfully, and on behalf of the principals of the Needham Public
Schools,


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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