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At the March 7 School Committee Meeting there was a presentation from members of the Sunita Williams fourth grade class about reducing plastics, the Newman School Council presented information from the School Improvement Plan, the committee discussed next steps for submitting a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for state funding for the upcoming projects at Mitchell and Pollard, and a baseball field user fee was approved for middle school baseball. download packet > watch meeting > School Committee Chair and Subcommittee Updates Andrea Longo Carter reported that she and Chair Matt Spengler accompanied Dr. Gutekanst to the Tri-County Superintendent’s legislative breakfast in Newton. It was a great opportunity to talk about budget challenges and remedies. Superintendent’s Comments Dr. Gutekanst encouraged families to enjoy a fine and performing arts weekend in Needham both by buying tickets to attend Beauty and the Beast, as well as visiting Art in Bloom at the library. Portrait of a Needham Graduate – Student Presentation Students from the fourth grade class at Sunita Williams Elementary School, led by teacher George Goneconto gave a presentation about reducing plastics in the world. They have been working in collaboration with Green Needham since the beginning of the year. The students presented the benefits of reducing plastics and ideas for how to do so, and they distributed reusable bags made from old t-shirts to the School Committee. They also performed a special song. Members of the School Committee asked questions about what they learned and what are the takeaways. Newman School Improvement Plan Principal Jessica Peterson along with the Newman School Council presented data from the district about the state of the school, especially with regard to student wellbeing. They examined the responses and the numbers, and especially focused on the students who responded less favorably to ensure everyone’s needs are being met. They want to explore what needs to be examined more closely, and who is not served well by the system. Looking at all the various demographics to determine who is feeling positive about school, and more importantly who isn’t. Students of color rated it less favorably Students outside of Needham also scored it less favorably Looking at sense of belonging, the data showed the majority of students felt understood. ELL students felt favorably Special Education, the data was evenly split Non Needham residents scored it less favorably By race, students of color had the lowest favorability rating Looking at engagement data and how attentive students are in class, the response was majority favorable. Male students reported less favorably Looking at self-management, students responded very favorably, but teachers responded much less favorably. There is a disconnect between how students are feeling and how teachers are perceiving self management. When looking at the parent responses with regard to academic standards, the score was only 31% favorable. School Improvement Focus areas include: Teachers fostering the emotional development and social and emotional skills, attitudes, and behaviors of students so they can be successful across a variety of settings Increasing the sense of belonging at school for all members of the school community Teachers partnering with colleagues to address the targeted academic and social/emotional needs of students on a consistent basis Effectively communicating to our diverse Newman caregiver community in a variety of ways Massachusetts School Building Authority Statement of Interest The School Committee discussed how to move forward on the School Facilities master plan and our ability to apply for state funds for the rebuilding of Mitchell and Pollard through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). Hank Haff, the Director of the Needham Building & Design Department, helped pull together the statement of interest (SOI) for the MSBA. This is a first step toward getting these projects completed. Dr. Gutekanst reminded the community that we are having this conversation because of the key goals of the School Master Planning Process. Remediate the deteriorating physical infrastructure and programmatic deficiencies of the Mitchell and Pollard Schools, including the end-of-life middle school modular classrooms Alleviate the general overcrowding and lack of adequate program space at the District’s two middle school facilities: High Rock and Pollard Mitigate the impact of construction on one or more generations of students Avoid expensive building maintenance over time by completing renovations in a timely manner Avoid expenditures for temporary facilities, to the extent possible Provide elementary enrollment capacity, including preparing Needham for Universal Preschool To be considered by the MSBA this year, Needham must submit this statement of interest by April 14 with a list of deficiencies. The town will need to submit one for both Mitchell and Pollard with a list of their respective deficiencies. The School Committee will vote to support an SOI, and then it moves to the Select Board to vote whether Dr. Gutekanst will submit the SOI to the MSBA, and to state which is the priority project. MSBA will come back to discuss and have a conversation around why one is a priority and with what conditions. Needham will indicate the Pollard is the priority. Both have significant deficiencies, but by prioritizing Pollard we can: Avoid costly temporary swing space Offer fastest resolution of Pollard and High Rock issues Offer fastest resolution of Mitchell School issues and best scale for Mitchell site Create elementary classroom capacity for enrollment growth Next steps are for the School Committee to review and discuss the SOIs and ultimately vote on March 21. Then the town will have to wait several months to hear back from the MSBA. Once the School Committee hears back with a response, discussion will begin for how to proceed. The School Committee had a discussion about preliminary plans based on various responses, and underscored the need to move on these projects as soon as possible. Action Items The only action item on the agenda was to approve the middle school baseball user fee to add baseball to the middle school sports offering. It passed by a vote of 4 – 0 – 3. School Committee Comments: NHS JV and Varsity dance teams were in the state competition. Both teams did well, and Varsity came in second. They will move onto the regional competition. The Needham Multicultural Festival coming up on Sunday, March 19 from 1-5. Congratulations to the High School Jazz Band who won Gold and several students who received individual awards at the Massachusetts Association of Jazz Educators Southeast Jazz Festival. Thanks to Sara Grina and the Middle School select choir who performed at the concert at the Great Hall this past weekend. Many thanks to the Sunita Williams fourth grade students for this evening's presentation. The next School Committee meeting will be on March 21 at 6:30pm.

At the February 28 School Committee Meeting there was a presentation of the Needham Education Foundation Grant Awards and discussion of the Needham High School Improvement Plan and Report on Student Performance and Achievement. download packet > watch meeting > School Committee Chair and Subcommittee Updates Connie Barr congratulated a former town employee who recently got married in her 90’s. Michael Greis reported on the special Select Board meeting about Claxton Field. Claxton was built on what used to be the Dump, and based on some concerns with DEP, the fields may not be opened this year. Therefore, contingency plans are being made to allow for teams to use alternate fields throughout town. Superintendent’s Comments This is the 2nd year in a row a Needham High School Student has won the state Diving Championship. Dr. Gutekanst recognized and welcomed sophomore Vann Hotchkiss and his coach Adam Cole. Coach Cole spoke about Vann’s dedication and effort and also spoke about the hard work of the boys swim team, which came in 6th in the state. Consent Items All consent items were adopted by unanimous consent: Approve FY23 Grants FY23 Budget Transfers Approve Allocation of 2022/23 Student Activity Photo Commissions Accept Donations Disposal of Surplus Items Needham Education Foundation Grant Awards Caryn Conway and Aubrey Goodwin from the NEF discussed the 7 grants awarded for the winter session totaling approximately $45,000. A Sensory Path will be installed at Newman and author Ty Jackson will be going to Mitchell. American Sign Language will be returning to Pollard for a second year with the hopes that it can soon be incorporated in the curriculum. High School grants awarded include an upgrade to the fitness center, supporting an LGBTQIA+ English Elective, and a collaborative project to incorporate science, social studies, and art. The grants were unanimously accepted by the School Committee. Andrea Longo Carter and Connie Barr thanked the NEF for their support of the DEI professional development program with Cornelius Minor. The NEF Trivia Bee will be held on Thursday, March 9. Needham High School Improvement Plan Principal Aaron Sicotte and Catherine Brandish, NHS Class of 2024 Student and School Council Co-Chair presented the Needham High School Improvement plan. The school is currently in year 4 of the 5 year improvement plan. Due to the pandemic, the timeline to accomplish many of the goals had to be adjusted, and several goals will not be met. Highlights: The Interdisciplinary Program began in the 2020-2021 school year and has continued to thrive. The Universal Design for Learning program has helped teachers design lessons so that all students can be successful and access the materials. The “We Got This” program with Cornelius Minor tied in well with lessons from the Universal Design for Learning Program, and his professional development course was extremely useful for teachers. Catherine highlighted the work in the school to support students’ social/emotional learning. In particular the X Block has been useful for students to allow for support from teachers and counselors during the school day. Mr. Sicotte highlighted the need for teachers to have more time together to collaborate and plan. Needham High School Report on Student Performance & Achievement Mr. Sicotte presented a slideshow of numerous student achievements and how many of the achievements align with the competencies of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. Examples given included the art exhibit “Texture” at the High School, the Senior Art Show, the Physics Egg Drop, the Castle Scholars program, the SALSA program (which won the Norfolk County Peer Leadership Award for the 7th straight year), Students Acting to Make a Difference, Habitat for Humanity, the Environmental Club (which brought food waste recycling to the HS cafeteria), and National Merit Scholar finalists. The full slideshow can be found here. Mr. Sicotte also talked briefly about the testing achievements of the students. During COVID some colleges did not require standardized tests so there was a dip in the number of students who participated, but those numbers are starting to rise once again. This past year 486 students took 972 Advanced Placement tests, and 88.3% of the scores were 3 or better, with 68.9% of the scores being 4 or 5. The full student testing performance report can be found here. Mr. Sicotte discussed how recent graduates report feeling well prepared academically but wish the school had helped them develop better interpersonal and social skills. Colleges continue to be focused on academic achievements and test scores. Action Items School Committee Policies: passed 6-0-0 Approve Policy IJL Selection and Adoption of Library/Media Learning Resources Rescind EHAA Acceptable Use Policy for the Internet and the Wide Area Network, IIAC Selection and Adoption of Library/Media Learning Resources and KNAM Relations With Conservation Commission – Nike Site Approve FY24 Revolving Funds Fees – Preschool and Needham Community Education: Mr. Spengler, Ms. Longo Carter, Ms. Skatrud, and Mr. O’Brien recused themselves from voting due to a conflict of interest, and therefore there was not a quorum to vote on the item. The rule of necessity was invoked allowing all members, including those who recused themselves, to vote. Dr. Gutekanst highlighted that the fee for preschool will increase by approximately 24% to allow for an additional classroom and to meet the needs of the growing preschool population. Passed 6-0-0. School Committee Comments: The Needham Exchange Club will be hosting a Trivia Night on March 24, 6:00pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall to support the Exchange Club’s scholarship program. The PPBC discussed the replacement of the rooftop units at Broadmeadow and Eliot. The Great Hall Concert series will have their 3rd performance on Saturday, March 4 at Powers Hall. Tickets are on sale for the High School musical “Beauty and the Beast,” which will take place on March 10-12th at Newman. The next School Committee meeting will be on March 7 at 6:30pm.

At the February 7 School Committee meeting there was a discussion of the Pollard Middle School Improvement Plan, Policy IJL Selection and Adoption of Library/Media Learning Resources First Reading, and a Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan Update. download packet > watch meeting > Superintendent's Comments Dr Gutekanst recognized several student achievements. NHS students Andrew Berkman, Gabriella Diaz, Nora Srinivas, Sam Villa, and Grey Whelan were recognized by the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards with a Gold Key and advanced to the National Art competition. Pollard student Anray Sheng is Needham's 2023 Project 351 Ambassador for embodying the qualities of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude and will participate in a year of leadership and service. Pollard Middle School Improvement Plan Tamatha Bibbo, Pollard Principal, several students from the Pollard Student Council, and Pollard teachers presented about the Middle School improvement plan and some exciting collaborations happening at Pollard. These presentations are tied to the Portrait of a Needham Graduate and how they complement this initiative, focusing on expanding interdisciplinary learning opportunities and restorative practices. ELA and Social Studies Collaboration Liz Welburn 6-8 ELA Dept. Chair and Brooke Kessel, K-8 Social Studies Dept Chair There was a video presentation about this collaboration. Students analyze texts and writing across the disciplines using various guiding questions from teachers and ones that they thought of on their own. Teachers are very happy with the conversations, thinking, and writing that the students are demonstrating. Science, Math, and Engineering Collaboration Mark Healey, 6-8 Science Dept. Chair and Jack Baker, 6-8 Math Dept. Chair Mr Healey presented some key questions and practices that the students will answer or research. Students gather data, analyze it, and present it in different ways. They also come up with their own questions that they can research based on the data that they collected. They have been working with local partners to learn about innovative tools and ways to use data. These presentations highlight all the cross-curricular work that is being done at the middle school. Teachers are working together to create meaningful activities for students. Teachers are constantly thinking about what can be added and changed to the activities and experiences. Expanding Restorative Practices: Circles and Chats A goal at Pollard is to expand the use of restorative practices. How do you prevent and restore harm? Program is designed in tiers. Tier 1 is for everyone (clusters), Tier 2 is for small groups (circles), Tier 3 is for individual students (students who may have had a conflict). Students presented about how this new practice works at Pollard. Community meetings happen monthly and have a theme. There are 10 different themes that were identified by teachers. Some examples include talents, goal setting, and self care. The staff develops the activities that students will participate in during these meetings. A cluster gets together, and the intent is to help kids get to know one another and learn to communicate and trust one another. Students and teachers seem to really like the concept and feel like they are supported and getting to know their classmates in ways that they might not normally be able to. Another practice is a small circle of students to come together and talk about something positive or negative that has happened in a class or the school. The circles start with easy topics and then move into harder or more difficult ones. Students are learning to work together, be better listeners, and communicate with one another. Students have different opinions and ideas, and the hope is that they will learn to respect each other's ideas and differences and find common ground. Teachers are seeing more participation from students in their classes, and they think that it is a result of these meetings. Policy Update: Selection and Adoption of Library/Media Learning Resources First Reading – The policy will be reviewed and then voted on at a future meeting. The previous policy was reviewed and updated and provides guidelines for material selection for all library media centers in the Needham Public School System, as well as how to deal with challenges to library materials. Draft document can be found in the packet. Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan Update There is a law prohibiting bullying in schools. Schools are required to have a plan to prevent and respond to issues around bullying. This plan must be kept current in all school districts and be revisited so that changes can be made as necessary. Needham updates the plan every 2 years, and current version can be found in the packet. Revisions are sent out for review to a committee of teachers, administrators, SEL teachers, etc. and then it is shared out to the community. Feedback is given and then actions are taken to revise language/steps that are highlighted. The state is very clear about what needs to be in the plan so there is not a lot of “wiggle-room” to change things. Action Items Approve the 2023-2024 Middle School and High School Program of Studies - Approved 7-0-0 Approve Westborough Public Schools’ Admittance to ACCEPT Education Collaborative - Approved 7-0-0 Commercial Use of School Property for the Documentary Black Ice - Approved 7-0-0 Revolving Fund Fees for Transportation and Athletics - Approved 7-0-0 Award the Bid for Before and After School Structured Program for Elementary Students for 2024-2026. NEDP came in most favorably with their bid. - Approved 7-0-0 School Committee Comments Sunita Williams will be going back to space on April 13 for the first crew flight of the Starliner. February is Black History Month Congratulations to High Rock & Pollard students on a successful production of High School Musical Jr. Over 125 students participated in cast and crew. SC wishes students, families and staff a restful February vacation week. The next School Committee meeting will be on February 28 at 6:30pm.

At the January 24 School Committee Meeting there was a Student Presentation on the Portrait of a Needham Graduate, a presentation on the 2023-2024 Middle & High School Program of Studies, and an Athletic Program Update. download packet > watch meeting > Student Presentation: Portrait of a Needham Graduate There have been several previous presentations to School Committee to highlight the various attributes that the Portrait of a Needham Graduate outlines and how it is being implemented in our schools. Today, NHS Students and teachers currently involved in the 9th & 10th grade interdisciplinary program (IP) presented about their experience with the IP Program. The IP Program is a project based approach to English, Math, Science and History for 9th & 10th grade designed to meet the goals of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. Designed to be heterogenous grouping so students of all levels can enroll in the program, but all classes are at the Honors Level Curriculum content is essentially the same as traditional classes Cluster-like classes have shared units, themes and multidisciplinary projects Participating in 9IP is not a prerequisite for 10IP and students are not required to continue into 10IP if they take 9IP. Teachers expressed excitement at the opportunity to work closely with other teachers and really get to know students well. Teachers collaborate to manage student workload and have a focused team approach for student support Focus on collaboration in 9IP and presentations and communication in 10IP Hands on activities and projects connected to real-world situations in authentic interdisciplinary applications 9IP units: Observations and Patterns, Systems, Power and Influence, Disease and Equity, Revolutions. Projects include: Designing a Sustainable Farm at NHS, Design a Castle Challenge with Quadratic Functions, Equity and Historical Pandemics, Combined end of the year Research Paper, Using Math to analyze Data 10IP units: Making an Argument, Change, Force, Inquiry and Investigation, Insights and Analysis, Fear and Hope. Projects include: Digital Portfolio connecting the courses, Designing and Building a Memorial, Weapons Project – National Safety Measures, Rights and Rebellion, Nationalism, Propaganda, Urban Planning, Gerrymandering, Curling, The Solar System Portrait of IP students: intellectually curious, envision learning as a collaborative experience, build connections across school subjects, gravitate towards project based learning, participate in their community and school culture 8th grade teachers discuss the program with their students and recommend it to those who they think would be a good fit; families need to opt-in to the program. Students on IEPs can participate in the program and it is often a very good fit for them. One limitation that keeps students from enrolling in this program, or causes them to switch out of IP after 9th grade, is the Honors-only leveling. Students who want to take an Accelerated or CP level class for English, Math, Science, or History cannot enroll in IP at this point. Future Goals for the IP program: Expand 9IP & 10IP to be multi-level Explore starting a smaller 11th grade History/Literature IP program This program requires a lot of extra time from teachers; common planning time is essential. More work must be done to make this feasible moving forward, this will need to be looked at in both scheduling and budgeting. 2023-2024 Middle School & High School Program of Studies Jessica Downey, High Rock Principal, Tamatha Bibbo, Pollard Principal, and Aaron Sicotte, NHS Principal presented the Middle & High School Program of Studies to the School Committee for questions and comments. School Committee will vote to approve the Program of Studies at a future meeting. Details can be found in the packet. Highlights of the discussion: At the Middle School level there are no new courses proposed. There were some descriptive changes to the Program of Studies to ensure that the language is aligned with the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. World Languages was previously expanded to include Beginning Spanish in 7th grade for students with no previous Spanish experience; American Sign Language offered in 8th grade, and these classes will continue. At the High School level they have realigned and reformatted the explanation of the class levels to make it easier for students and families to determine the best level for them. NHS proposed new classes: Introduction to International Relations in the 21st Century, LGBTQIA literature, Accelerated Jazz Ensemble, Upperclass Teacher Aide internship for students interested in Education, Explorations in Art Athletic Program Update Athletic Director Dan Lee and Assistant Athletic Director Ricardo Andrade presented an update on the Athletic Program. They presented a video of highlights of the last year. Dr. Gutekanst acknowledged the great work of Director Lee who will be leaving at the end of the year to become the Athletic Director in his hometown of Lincoln-Sudbury. Highlights of the discussion: Needham has the largest athletic program in the state for grades 6-12. Between club and interscholastic programs we have the most offerings in MA of any public high school, almost 100 different teams. Emphasis on sportsmanship Club sports program has significantly increased over the last 10 years The athletic department is especially proud of the Unified Sports program On average there are 1200-1300 individual athletes at NHS each year It is challenging to find coaches for all of the variety of offerings Action Item After several discussions with the Town Manager, Finance Committee, School Committee and a Public Hearing over the last few months, tonight Dr Gutekanst presented the FY24 Budget to the School Committee for a vote. School Committee voted to approve the proposed FY24 budget in the amount of $92,155,973. This budget proposal will now be presented for a vote at the next Town Meeting along with the rest of the Town Budget requests. School Committee Comments METCO is looking for both volunteer and paid Tutors to work with 4th-6th graders A NHS alum is making a film called Black Ice, based on his experiences at NHS and has asked to film some scenes using the High School facade and some classrooms this spring. NHS French Club will be having a French Cultural Night on Friday Feb 3 from 7-8:30pm to raise money for The Power of Education Foundation which sponsors children in Haiti The Next School Committee meeting will be on February 7, 2023 at 6:30pm

At the January 17 School Committee meeting there was a FY24 Budget discussion regarding Program Improvement for Instruction and Innovation, and an update on the School Facilities Master Plan. download packet > watch meeting > Superintendent's Comments Dr. Gutekanst shared that planning for the FY24 budget has been challenging. Students’ safety and wellness following the COVID-19 pandemic remains a priority. The state has unilaterally imposed a significant tuition increase for students enrolled in special education private schools. New and expanded programming includes: Increased ELL, nursing, special education teachers & staff Acapella advisor, Best Buddies Advisors, Gay/Straight Alliance advisors, club stipends FY24 proposed technology increases include: Digital licenses to support elementary science curriculum Increased Powerschool service and subscription Pilot program of a digital school dismissal management system at Broadmeadow & Eliot FY24 Budget Discussion Dr. Carmen Williams, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction & Innovation, was joined by Lisa Messina, Caren Firger, LeeAnn Sutton, and Dr. Elizabeth Zajac to provide a presentation on new budget requests for program improvements in several areas. Detailed slides can be found in the SC packet. Goals & Updates: Universal screening to identify children at risk for dyslexia. Better alignment with “Science of Reading”. Expanded access to Summer Programming, including need-based transportation. A Social Studies program, “Investigating History”, is being piloted at Newman & Broadmeadow Elementary Schools. Fine and Performing Arts programming has grown and requires continued focus on strengthening structures, resources and access to programming. Staff levels have doubled in the last 20 years while events and enrollment have quadrupled. A feasibility study is currently underway to assess auditorium lighting and sound to determine what improvements are necessary. World Languages focus on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL)* and the culture of risk-taking, mistake making and growth – DESE awarded a grant in Spring 2022 for 11th grade World Language Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency (STAMP) testing and are now seeking funding for support for an 8th grade STAMP test to inform K-8 instruction. Proficiency based grading of the Spanish program was piloted at the high school this past year, based on data retrieved from last years STAMP assessment. Additional initiatives for program improvement include replacement of digital learning devices and improvement of K-5 digital software *Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for thinking about how to provide access to content for students. When applied, students can have self access to the curriculum and then build on their skills to become better learners. UDL benefits every student and is anticipatory, where teachers can pivot midway and ensure all students are able to advance at their own pace. School Facilities Master Plan Update Dr Gutekanst presented an update on the School Facilities Master Plan. Detailed slides can be found in the packet. General goals of the Master Plan are: Remediation for Mitchell & Pollard Alleviate general overcrowding Avoid expensive maintenance and renovations Consideration to try and limit impacting the same students multiple times. Possibility that High Rock could become an elementary and/or early childhood center. Four options have previously been shared with the community. The focus is now on options C & D. Both options see the 6th grade program returning to the Pollard campus, and give the highest square footage. Option D is the fastest and cheapest option. Funding from the MSBA will be pursued in both options. However, MSBA funding is not guaranteed and the process is very competitive. If accepted, MSBA would only fund 20-30% of the project. Dr Gutekanst posed questions to the School Committee to consider timing and funding for these projects. School Committee Comments Concern was shared about pushing off the Master Plan in order to gain MSBA funding. Should consider the cost of waiting/deferring these projects in building maintenance and increasing future construction costs. SC members feel strongly that while these projects will be very expensive, they are necessary and we should start these projects as soon as is feasible. The next School Committee meeting will be January 24, 2023 at 6:30pm

At the January 3 School Committee meeting there was a FY24 Budget Consultation with the Town Manager and a FY24 Budget Discussion regarding School Counseling Services. download packet > watch meeting > Superintendent Comments There will be a Public Hearing on the FY24 Budget Request on January 17 at 6:30pm at Broadmeadow NHS Quiz Bowl Team is one of 17 of 65 Teams that have qualified for the WGBH High School Quiz Bowl Tournament. FY24 Budget Consultation with the Town Manager Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick and Assistant Town Manager Dave Davison joined the School Committee for their annual Budget Consultation. Kate Fitzpatrick gave an update on the Town Capital Plan as a whole and School Committee Members asked questions. Highlights of discussion: There is no expectation of increased revenue this year. Estimates of State Aid will be later than usual due to the transition to a new Governor. Regardless, revenue will not keep up with expected cost increases. In October 2016, a Capital Plan to renovate/replace eight town buildings was developed. Progress since then includes new High School classrooms/cafeteria addition, the brand new Sunita Williams elementary school, Police and two Fire Station renovations, and renovations to the Memorial Park Field House and Rosemary Pool & Rec Center. With the start of the Emery Grover Renovation, there is only one building left. The remaining project is the Public Works Building Renovation, for which a plan is still being formulated. Upcoming discussions will now focus on the Pollard and Mitchell School renovation/replacement options. Goal to streamline efficiencies throughout town government; lots of suggestions were received from different departments, boards and committees. Trying to find creative ways to find and retain quality employees; there have been increased retirements at the same time as fewer young people are entering public employment. High priority has been adding staff in health and mental health services (aging, youth & family services, epidemiology, nursing services). There are significant anticipated future costs for maintenance of existing school buildings and infrastructure/HVAC improvements in the medium age schools. They have been putting aside funds for this but would also like to find a new revenue stream for school maintenance. A lot of town staff were funded by federal/state funding during the pandemic. These staff are now essential and they are working on how to maintain these positions if these governmental funding streams are eliminated. Uncertainty remains over the war in Ukraine and how that will affect costs of energy and inflation. Deadlines for storm water regulatory issues will require legislative and regulatory action. Climate concerns: planning for improved efficiencies, solar & electric access, storm preparation. School Committee members expressed their appreciation for how Needham invests in the youth of our community in all aspects of town development. FY24 Budget Discussion regarding Counseling Services Mary Lammi, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, presented about the FY24 Budget Request for School Counseling Services. Highlights of the presentation and subsequent discussion with School Committee members: School counseling is critical to student learning and growth. All students have access to a school counselor. Counselors work with social and emotional development, mental and behavioral health support, academic development, career and college preparation. Average caseload for a school counselor is 250 students. This is the recommended average from the American School Counselors Association. A couple of the elementary schools are a bit above this average so some budget requests are to target this issue. Post pandemic, School counselors note increased mental & behavioral health needs throughout the district. A District Mental Health team was created last year with school staff and community partners and is drafting a Mental Health framework. New Budget requests: 0.5 FTE School counselor to fund existing temporary FTE and address elementary caseloads 1.0 FTE Director of School Counseling for Gr 7-12. This would allow the existing K-12 director of guidance position to focus full-time on preK-6. This K-12 position is currently held by an interim director after longtime director Tom Denton's retirement and has not yet been permanently filled. If approved, the two Directors of School Counseling will work in partnership to oversee a cohesive program of school counseling. There are increased needs especially at the secondary level with increased mental health needs as well as post-secondary college/career planning, so dividing the current K-12 position into two separate full-time roles makes sense. It may be challenging to hire two new director level positions but this collaborative approach will better support both the counseling staff and students. PreK-6 supports 6 schools, 2955 students and 15 counselors Gr7-12 supports 2 schools, 2544 students and 22 counselors Multi-tiered system of support framework: Goal to become more data informed Concerns regarding equity within counseling were raised by School Committee members. They noted that families have varied access to outside supports with some hiring expensive private college counselors while others need to access all of these services through the schools. They would like to get feedback from parents about how well their students' post-secondary planning needs are being met by the high school counselors and discuss if there are any changes/additions that should be made to the current program. Action items Transportation Drivers Retention Incentive approved unanimously. 2023-2024 School Calendar approved unanimously. First day of the 2023-24 School year will be Wednesday, August 30, 2023. School Committee Comments The Martin Luther King Jr Day celebration is on Jan 16th from 10-11:30 at Needham High School. More information can be found at the Needham Diversity Initiative website. The next School Committee meeting will be January 17, 2023 at 6:30pm

At the December 20 School Committee meeting there was a presentation from High Rock Students on the Portrait of a Needham Graduate, and a discussion about the FY24 Budget Request for Student Support Services. download packet > watch meeting > Superintendent's comments Dr. Gutekanst had a few comments and updates. Starting tomorrow Dec 21 the Emery Grover Building will be closed - School Administration will be relocated to Hillside School for 19-20 months. Emery Grover renovations will begin on Friday Dec 23. Many thanks for the Birthday Book donations. Best wishes for a well deserved holiday break. High Rock Student Presentation: Portrait of a Needham Graduate A group from High Rock School including students Daniel Choi, Sienna-Jane Guire, Elie Hendler, Social Studies teacher Randi Garon, and Assistant Principal Tammara Ceaser presented how the Portrait of a Needham Graduate competencies have been incorporated into the High Rock Social Studies Curriculum. One competency is empowering students to be “Empowered Learners.” In early October, students begin to learn about early civilizations and culture. Within this unit they also explore their own culture, create a presentation, and share it with the class. They learn about being an engaging presenter and an attentive audience member. Students have enjoyed learning more about the diverse cultures of their peers. The three High Rock students shared their culture presentations with the School Committee. School Committee members were very engaged with the presentations and asked the students questions about their High Rock experience and what they learned from this project. The students highlighted that they enjoyed learning more about their own culture, as well as learning about all the interesting cultures in our community and what other students value and experience in their homes. FY24 Budget Discussion: Student Support Services Student Support Services will be discussed in several meetings. Tonight will focus on building capacity in Special Education and ELL services. In January they will focus on Mental Health & Counseling Services. Mary Lammi, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services, presented about the FY24 Budget Request for Student Support Services. Slides are available in the packet. Brief Highlights of the presentation: Students have increased behavioral and mental health needs Families are struggling with accessing mental health services outside of schools, with long waitlists for services Increase in homeless and refugee students who have additional counseling and language support needs Goal is 1 counselor per 250 students. Higher caseloads are seen at some of the schools, some budget requests to improve this Increase in special education enrollment and referrals will require increased staffing and resources Daniel Cohen, interim preschool director presented about the Needham Preschool Structure: The Preschool program is an integrated program of special education students and community peers (64 tuition slots for typically developing peers, 56 special education slots) 8 half day integrated classrooms, 2 substantially separate classrooms, and one intensive learning classroom (ILC) for students with the most intensive needs Some students attend for brief periods to access very specific special education needs (speech therapy, OT, etc) while enrolled in other childcare programs The Preschool provides screening and evaluation, many referrals come for Early Intervention programs Each year enrollment significantly increases throughout the school year as eligible children turn 3, or new needs are discovered during the year Budget requests are for a new integrated classroom, as well as teaching and support staff to run that classroom Julie Muse-Fisher, director of Special Education, gave a K-8 special education overview: Special education staff provide inclusion services, consultation services, direct services, skill centers District wide Specialized programs (Connections, ILC, Language Based Programming, Insight/Bridges Middle School programming) Speech/OT/PT/Adaptive/Consultation/Counseling are all parts of Special Education programming Budget requests driven by increased needs for their Specialized Programs (44 students in the ILC at all levels, an increase of 8 students from last year) and increased caseloads with increased Special Ed enrollment. Budget requests are for additional staff to meet these needs Many students have high level needs requiring 1:1 staffing for communication devices and help with toileting/safety. Having a difficult time filling some positions (especially teaching assistants) due to generalized staffing shortages, requiring the use of staffing agencies. Tricia Mullen, Special Education Director at the High School, gave an overview of the NHS budget requests: Budget request is primarily for increased staffing needs in the Post-Graduate and Inclusion Programs New request for a 0.2 School Psychologist for Psychological evaluations to meet demand from NHS, out of district, and private school students Jamie Singelais, Director of English Language Learner Education Program, gave overview of ELL needs: Stability in the number of students overall but an increased level of need has been noted. Many more students are entering at the beginning language level which requires more intensive daily ELL services. Needham High School has been the most impacted by this. A number of refugee students are fleeing wars in Ukraine and other countries Budget request is for additional ELL staff for NHS and Pollard In summary, Dr Gutekanst highlighted the 3 priorities addressed in the FY 24 budget: Building capacity for preschool/ELL/ILC programs with increased needs Increased Mental Health and social-emotional supports Not just asking for "more" but asking for "different" supports, allowing existing resources to be converted and re-positioned to serve students more appropriately. School Committee members engaged in a robust discussion and asked many questions of the Special Education staff. They note that public schools are legally obligated to provide services to all students in the least restrictive environment possible, so these services are essential for Needham Public School programming. They acknowledge that both the physical plant and staff capacity is limited and will require significant attention, especially when planning for future school construction projects. There is no extra space in any of our buildings, but spaces have been identified that can be repurposed for additional Special Ed needs at the preschool and Pollard. 50-60 languages are identified on intake forms as being spoken in the NPS community, but not all of these students require ELL services. The highest incidence languages are Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and Chinese; this year there has been an influx of Russian/Ukrainian speaking students fleeing the war in Ukraine, as well as an increase in Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Arabic speakers. School Committee Comments Upcoming FY24 Budget Discussions: Jan 3 AM, SC liaisons will meet with Finance Committee Jan 3 PM, Town Manager will attend SC meeting for Budget Consultation, discussion about School Counseling Jan 17, Public Hearing on the school budget Jan 18, Finance Committee requests a SC budget presentation at their meeting Jan 24, School Committee scheduled to vote on FY24 budget plan. Reminder that many seniors are currently thinking of what their plans will be after their senior year. Many are working on college applications and awaiting decisions, others are deciding on the military, gap years, or entering the workforce. This can be a time of incredible stress, please keep their mental health in mind. Good Luck to the Class of 2023 in their decision making! The School Committee wishes everyone a safe and restful break! The next School Committee will be on Tuesday Jan 3, 2023 at 6:30pm.

At the December 13 School Committee Meeting there was a presentation by the NHS Student Advisory Board, and discussions of the 2024-2038 enrollment projections and the Superintendent's Budget Request for FY 2024. download packet > watch meeting > Superintendent Comments Dr Gutekanst noted some outstanding achievements by Needham High School students. Senior Leyna Blume was selected to the National Choir Sophomore Roy Graham won an international gold medal in fencing SALSA Club won Norfolk County Peer Leadership award for the 7th year in a row - $1500 Needham High School Students Acting to Make a Difference (SAMD) donated $7500.00 to Circle of Hope after their Addams Family Musical Performance Needham High School Student Advisory to the School Committee Report NHS Students presented an update to the School Committee. Freshmen: Enjoying longer X-Block, Winterfest, more clubs and activities Sophomores: Fall Festival, Tie dye Event Juniors: Halloween Costume Contest, Fund Raising for Junior Harbor Cruise and Senior Prom Seniors: Flamingo Flock Event, Winter Holiday Gram, and other upcoming fund-raising events Student mental health continues to be a concern and the student advisory board continues to look for ways to help improve the mental health of students. There was discussion about why students are experiencing stress: workload, grades to get into college, teachers giving too much coursework, no communication between teachers about due dates and test dates, putting pressure on themselves to take lots of AP or accelerated courses or do lots of sports or extracurricular activities, etc. Enrollment Projections 2024-2038 Anne Gulati presented the most recent 15 year enrollment projections from their demographer, McKibben Demographics in South Carolina. The demographer will speak with the school committee on January 24th to answer questions. Detailed slides can be found in the packet. Enrollment is slowly returning to Pre-Pandemic levels Preschool and elementary school have generally returned Pre-Pandemic levels. Secondary enrollment remains depressed Current enrollment – increase of 47 students 22/23, projected increase of 68 students in 23/24 The current 8th grade class is the smallest and was the most impacted by loss of students during the Pandemic. Projection for heavy elementary enrollment growth in the future especially in Mitchell & Sunita Williams districts Driving Factors for future enrollment: Families leaving the city for the suburbs Anticipated reduction in home costs over the next 15 years Generational turnover expected to occur in the Newman and Broadmeadow districts in the next 10-15 years There was some discussion about whether these projections were actually a little low based on new homes/duplexes being built, a discrepancy of 2,000 people not being counted in the census, if a recession hits and people have to pull their kids out of private school, MBTA bus and train lines allowing more access to places. Going forward, McKibben projects that District-wide enrollment will return to Pre-Pandemic levels (of about 5,700 students) more quickly than previously projected by SY 30/31, compared to the prior projection of SY 35/36. This will push against the class size maximums in some buildings. Superintendent's Budget Request for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024 This is the first of many upcoming discussions about the FY24 Budget Request. The district's strategic priorities help guide the budget. Detailed slides can be found in the packet. Budget is impacted by Covid, Enrollment, Inflation, Wages, Staffing, and Infrastructure Enrollment is slowly increasing – 68 students Needs of students since the Pandemic have also increased, especially in the mental health areas. Teacher to student ratios are lower which has been a goal of the School Committee Special education tuition costs will rise 14% which is a significant and unexpected increase from the state that will have a $1,000,000 impact on the budget The budget increase is primarily due to contract obligations and providing level service to students, including increased staffing to maintain class sizes and provide necessary student services. There is not a significant funding request to provide program improvements. The next School Committee Meeting will be December 20, 2022 at 6:30pm.

Citizens for Needham Schools is proud to acknowledge our 20th anniversary this year! As part of our celebrations, CNS Board Member Frederica Lalonde recently had a chance to sit down with the five original CNS board members to discuss the history of CNS. Their story, and our history, can be found in her account below. Never underestimate the power of parents to take the reins when the fate of our schools is in question. Born of a series of failed overrides more than 20 years ago, the Citizens for Needham Schools “founding mothers” came together to combat a lack of awareness about the needs of the Needham Public Schools. The group has since become an advocate for capital improvements and an unbiased source of information about what’s happening in our schools. Originally started as an override committee, Marianne Cooley, Amy Goldman, Karen Price, Sue Bonaiuto, and Carla Small each joined for different reasons and offered a variety of skills and perspectives. Their unifying mission was an understanding of the support the town would need going forward as it planned renovations for all the schools. Before she had kids in the schools, Amy Goldman, now the Program Director for Needham Community Education, was troubled that a school override had failed by a very small margin in May of 1997. When she reached out to her friends to share her concern, she was shocked to learn that none of them knew anything about it. “They didn’t know there was an override or an election,” she said. “That was very eye opening.” Carla Small, now CEO of EarlyBird Education, was recruited because her brother had formed a similar group in Wellesley that had been successful in organizing the town around school needs. Marianne Cooley, who now serves on the Needham Select Board, was asked to create a website as the repository of information that could be accessed easily. “At that point I was President of NEF, and the town was redistricting.” Her neighborhood was getting split into three different districts, which was unlike anywhere else. “I was just very involved as a parent.” In the early 2000s, the schools were growing quickly just as State aid was down. The district was forced to make decisions about staffing, programming and building maintenance. Many administrators were let go, elementary Spanish and High School music and theater programs were cut, and building renovations were postponed. Despite the significant impact to the schools, many of the stakeholders were unaware. As Needham faced another round of overrides during this time, the group worked hard to ensure voters were informed and recognized the importance of these decisions. Michael Greis, now a School Committee Member, aided their efforts by culling voter data and keeping records in order to make their approach as targeted as possible. “We went door to door, checking for yes votes and no votes,” said Sue Bonaiuto, who was working for the school department at the time. “It was run very much like a campaign.” The group was able to celebrate the success of its efforts when the override for improvements to the Eliot, Broadmeadow, and High School buildings passed in April of 2000. Realizing that they had learned many lessons and now had considerable information about how to mobilize citizens around these important school issues, the members of the group knew they couldn’t simply pat themselves on the back and walk away. “We decided we wanted to stay together because we knew money was still tight and we knew there was a huge list of buildings that needed to be done and the schools were still growing,” said Sue Bonaiuto, who called everyone to her house for a meeting shortly after the win. This group then formally became Citizens for Needham Schools (CNS) in 2002. “We knew there were going to be many more overrides coming, and we even got a sign that just said ‘Yes for Schools’ so we could reuse it,” said Karen Price, who was serving on the School Committee at the time. Once officially formed, CNS members decided to maintain a separation from the override committee. This decision allowed CNS to remain a source of data driven information – and the override committee could conduct business as the advocacy group that brought in votes during campaigns. CNS continued to preserve the institutional knowledge of how to run an override campaign, and even advised other groups throughout the state with similar initiatives. In the past 20 years, nine overrides – both capital and operating -- have passed, and only one operating override has not. “It was the perfect storm of things that came together all at once,” said Amy Goldman, who became the group’s first president. “I do think it was a lot of hard work and a lot of strategy, but the stars aligned: the right people, the mission, the talent. Our kids were here, and we cared a lot.” Since its founding in 2002, more than 50 Needham residents have been members of the CNS board, many of whom have gone on to other town leadership positions. Although now less focused on override campaigns, the group continues to disseminate critical information about the schools and provide outreach to families who want to better understand what is happening in the district. In 2018 CNS began publishing written summaries of every School Committee meeting on its website to compensate for the lack of readily available news due to a rapidly disappearing local press. This service proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, when families were eager for information related to the schools. In addition to its website and email newsletter, CNS now uses social media to share School Committee agendas and other timely information. Twenty years later, not much has changed. The town once again faces large investments in its schools, with construction projects for Pollard and Mitchell on the horizon. And Citizens for Needham Schools will steadfastly continue its mission to support and strengthen the Needham Public Schools and keep residents informed and engaged.

At the November 15 School Committee meeting, Broadmeadow students discussed what it means to be empowered learners, The NEF announced the newest grant awardees, and the 2023-24 school calendar was presented for review. download packet > watch meeting > School Committee Chair and Subcommittee Comments Michael Greis gave a Permanent Public Building Committee update stating that the Emery Grover project is moving along as scheduled, and Hillside is move-in ready. School administration's move to Hillside will likely occur over the holiday break. The Auditorium Sound and Lights study is underway with a consultant who specializes in this work. The Eliot and Broadmeadow HVAC systems are also being evaluated to determine the most energy efficient approach once the work is ready to be done. Superintendent Comments Dr. Gutekanst mentioned that while the NHS Boys Soccer team was currently playing in the final four tournament, all the Needham High School teams have performed well this year. He also reminded people about his monthly coffees. Times may change depending on attendance, but each meeting will have a topic of discussion followed by open conversation. Unit B Contract Update and Vote The Unit B administrators have ratified the contract with the school committee. Anne Gulati, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, said it was an amicable agreement that was focused on a sustainable and meaningful financial settlement. Dr. Gutekanst said this is the second agreement the School Committee has come to with the Needham Education Association. Teachers and administrators have come into these conversations in a fair-minded way to work hard and serve students well in a sustainable way. This isn’t happening everywhere, and he appreciates that it is happening in Needham. Connie Barr said that this was not only designed to attract new staff, but also to reward the longevity of current staff. Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick commended the staff and the association for retaining this agreement. The School Committee voted unanimously in favor of the contract. Portrait of a Needham Graduate – Student Presentations on Being Empowered Learners Dr. Gutekanst said that among other things, the School Committee has prioritized engaging families and keeping them informed so they can be an active part of the life of the schools. He wants people to understand the Portrait of a Needham Graduate and have it shared broadly as the foundation of everything that is done in the Needham Public Schools. Throughout the year, students and staff will be invited to share how they are living the attributes within the Portrait and the five competencies the schools strive to achieve. Broadmeadow Principal Andy Garlick introduced two fifth grade students and the concept of Empowered Learning, or “Do you feel you have the power to make a real impact on your learning?” The two students talked about times when they felt empowered and were able to make choices about their learning. They showed pictures to highlight their examples. Some examples they gave were a pixelated self portrait that integrated math and art, writing many endings to a story to determine which was best, and the State Fair project that combined research and art. School Committee members asked the students questions and agreed with the sentiments they presented about this choice-based learning model. Needham Education Foundation Fall 2022 Grant Awards This fall, the Needham Education Foundation awarded ten fall grants totaling $30,142, an increase from three grants in the spring. Maggie Shapiro and Aubrey Goodman talked about the different themes linked to the grants, including supporting inclusive practices, impactful experiences, and supporting innovative practices. The NEF is seeing pre-pandemic numbers of grant requests, which is great but will also mean fundraising will be critical. To learn how to support the NEF or for help writing a grant, people can visit http://www.nefneedham.org. The School Committee voted unanimously to accept the awards. Proposed 2023-2024 School Calendar The School Committee received a packet that included the proposed calendar for the 2023-2024 school year as well as a calendar of religious and cultural holidays that are celebrated in our community beyond those federally and locally recognized. The 2023-2024 calendar will follow the same framework as the current calendar. The school committee will vote on the proposed calendar in December. Matt Spengler clarified that snow days will not be remote learning days by State law. The calendar of religious and cultural holidays and traditions was compiled with input from members of the community. The early release days are determined by the daily school schedule and the mandated number of instruction hours for both the elementary (900 hours) and the secondary (990 hours) levels. Early release days are an important time for teachers and staff to do professional learning and development and collaborate with colleagues across the district. One example is the guidance department coming together to calibrate how they provide services to children. On November 23, staff will have a professional development morning with keynote speaker Cornelius Minor to talk about setting the conditions for learning in all classrooms. School Committee Comments Connie Barr commented on how many sportsmanship awards Needham athletes and teams have won over the years. Mike O’Brien announced the SEPAC roundtable about Alternatives to Needham High on Dec. 12 via Zoom. He also announced the Needham Housing Plan working group meeting to present their proposal to the community at Powers Hall on November 16. Liz Lee commended the performances of the JV and the Varsity dance teams at their competition over the past weekend. Their coach Jess Arruda won a best choreography award. Michael Greis praised the performance of the high school brass quintet at the second Great Hall concert of the season. Connie Barr talked about the importance of the Needham Diversity Summit the previous weekend where Liz Lee and Dr. Gutekanst participated in breakout sessions. The next School Committee Meeting will be December 13, 2022 at 6:30pm.

At the November 1 School Committee meeting, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence Awards were presented to two students, the 2022 MCAS results were reviewed, and the Superintendent’s 2022-23 goals were discussed. download packet > watch meeting > Public Comments One public comment was made by a parent, asking about delaying start times for the middle and high schools. School Committee Chair and Subcommittee Comments Matt Spengler, Chair, thanked everyone at Town Meeting for their support in approving the additional funding for the Emery Grover project. Michael Greis and Connie Barr reported on their attendance at the recent professional status celebration and congratulated those recipients on their hard work to achieve that status. Michael Greis and Connie Barr reported on their attendance at the distinguished career awards at the high school, recognizing successful Needham High School graduates. Superintendent Comments Dan Gutekanst announced an upcoming virtual coffee for district families on Thursday, November 17th from 6:30-7:15 p.m. He also encouraged the community to read his recent blog post – an open letter to the governor. Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence Awards Dan Gutekanst, Superintendent, presented Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Certificate of Academic Excellence awards to two high school seniors, Rachel Talcoff and Evan Tsingos. This award is presented to students who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of excellence during their high school careers. 2022 MCAS Results Carmen Williams, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Innovation, provided a report on the district’s performance on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests administered to all students in grades 3-8, and 10. Dr. Williams noted that it has been three years since the last full administration of MCAS and that 10th graders haven’t taken the test since they were in 7th grade. State trends show: Historically low writing scores No opportunity/achievement gap increases Performance across the board has decreased Chronic absenteeism increased by 138% since 2019 2022 MCAS results are now considered the new baseline moving forward. The complete results can be found in the packet. Key takeaways from the 2022 results are: Needham Public Schools examines MCAS data in order to continually improve teaching and learning. Similar to other districts around the state, we are in a recovery period in direct response to disrupted learning caused by the global COVID 19 pandemic. Chronic absenteeism and reduced access to quality instruction has a significant impact on student achievement. In grades 3-8, the percentage of students meeting and exceeding expectation is lower that 2019. However, our student growth percentile is higher. In grade 10, our percentage of students meeting and exceeding expectations in ELA is near pre-pandemic levels. Though math student growth percentiles continue to average above the state level, math growth appears to be slowing. At least 50 interventions have been implemented and reviewed in the last 2.5 years to support recovery efforts. School Committee members voiced some questions and observations, including a reminder that right now, we are measuring access and opportunity rather than actual learning. The problem of absenteeism needs to be addressed. Dr. Williams would like to involve students themselves in addressing this social justice issue. She also reminded the School Committee that MCAS is necessary as it is required by the state, but that it is only one piece of data that can be used as a tool to help each individual student. Superintendent’s 2022-2023 Goals Dr. Gutekanst will address the following six goals this academic year: In a minimum of eight administrative and community meetings, he will coordinate and facilitate the development and use of data to inform instruction, assess family engagement, and plan for student, staff, and school needs. In a minimum of six administrative and community meetings, he will highlight the implementation of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate strategic priorities and action steps. He will ensure School Principals demonstrate progress toward achieving their School Improvement Plans to a) emphasize inclusive and equitable school communities and b) address disproportionate academic, attendance, and discipline outcomes among all students, especially students most impacted by historical learning gaps. In a minimum of ten meetings, he will promote active communication and engagement with family and community groups to ensure equitable, safe, healthy, and academically rigorous school and learning environments. He will facilitate and coordinate successful planning for the District’s Facilities Master Plan and School Administration building and renovation projects. He will support successful collective bargaining and negotiations with the Needham Education Association’s Units C (Teaching Assistants), D (Clerical & Technical Staff) and E (Nutrition Service Workers). Michael Greis encouraged him to also include addressing more professional development for staff. School Committee Comments Mike O’Brien praised the cast and crew of The Addams Family for a fantastic show last weekend and reminded everyone that Needham Community Theater is presenting Shrek the Musical on 11/18, 11/19, 11/20, 11/26, and 11/27. Michael Greis reminded everyone that the next performance in the Great Hall concert series is on November 5th when pianist Peter Cincotti performs. Alisa Skatrud reminded everyone that the Needham Diversity Summit will take place on Sunday, November 6. The next School Committee meeting is November 15, 2022 at 6:30pm.

At the October 18 School Committee Meeting there was a NHS Student Advisory to the School Committee Report, an update on the Emery Grover Project, October 2022 Special Town Meeting Preparation, and a discussion of the DESE Comprehensive District Review Report. download packet > watch meeting > School Committee Chair and Subcommittee Updates Mike O’Brien shared that he participated in the Minuteman School Subcommittee Meeting and received updates from their new superintendent regarding enrollment and the new building. 39 students from Needham are at Minuteman, and the school will send representatives to Pollard to introduce the program to the students. Superintendent’s Comments Sunita Williams Physical Education Teacher Rob Tatro hosted professors from University of Tokyo and Bridgewater State and was able to connect students at Sunita Williams with elementary students in Japan using “Class Cloud.” Students from both schools were able to share ideas about health and well-being. Needham High School Student Advisory to School Committee Report 6 members of the High School Student Council, representing all 4 grades, were present to provide updates. Class Updates 10th Grade: The class is finalizing a fall festival on October 22 for kids in K to 5th grade, which will have a haunted house, tattoos, pumpkin decorating, and student council members dressed up in costume. The class is excited to be getting into the swing of things with new classes and fall activities. 11th Grade: The junior class is thinking ahead about both the Junior Harbor cruise and Senior field day for next year. They are working to continue fundraising with upcoming restaurant partnerships, bake sales, and merchandise sales, and are also working on coming up with some new and unique fundraisers. The annual costume contest will be on October 31 and will hopefully unite and create class spirit. Many juniors also took the PSAT on October 15. 12th Grade: Seniors held a senior shirt T-shirt design contest, with 2 alternate designs being chosen. On October 6 they held Field Day which featured eight teams competing in capture the flag, relay races, dance-offs, and much more. At-Large Updates on the Start of School: The school year is off to a good start and feels much more normal than the last several years. The first-years were recently integrated into the student council as a whole, and they have started to understand their roles and responsibilities. Events: Homecoming took place on October 7 with a Neon/Glow Theme. Students are excited to be returning back to more normal activities that bring lots of school spirit, like Friday night football games and other fall sporting events. On the most recent half day the Oracle was held in the cafeteria, allowing students to see all the clubs and activities that are available. The student council is currently preparing for their next event, Bonfire, which will be held on November 27th. Student Concerns Attendance Policy: Students are adjusting to a more strict enforcement of the attendance policy, in comparison to what was allowed during Covid. The official policy is not new but is being more rigorously enforced, which has been difficult for some students, and the Student Council is keeping tabs on this. Parking: Another concern that was addressed is the flow of traffic out of the upper Senior parking lot. Since there is only one exit for cars, some students are forced to wait for 10 or more minutes to allow for the flow of pedestrians leaving the building. Students suggested possibly adding a crossing guard at this location to help with the flow of traffic and pedestrians and will discuss the issue with Mr. Sicotte. Emery Grover Project Update/October 2022 Special Town Meeting Preparation A Special Town Meeting is scheduled for October 24, 2022. Article 10 requests approval for excess funds needed for the Emery Grover Project. Final bids have been received and a contractor has been selected pending approval. Town Meeting is asked to provide an excess $2.725 million to allow the project to proceed. This amount includes contingency funds, and any excess will be put towards future town projects. An FAQ document will be sent to Town Meeting Members to address some common questions and concerns. The Finance Committee has voted to support this proposal and the Select Board has yet to vote but is projected to support it; the PPBC has met and voted to award the contract pending approval by Town Meeting. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Comprehensive District Review Report September 2022 DESE, via an outside group (American Institutes of Research), conducted a comprehensive review of the district in January 2022. Only 3 communities have published reports right now: Bellingham, Andover, and Needham. There is no obligation for the district to report back to DESE or respond to the issues or goals that were presented, but the district will use the report as a guide to help address areas for growth to align with the district’s strategic plan. The report is posted on DESE website, in the Packet, and will be on the district website. Dr. Gutekanst highlighted areas of strength and areas for growth found in the report. More details regarding areas assessed can be found in the Packet. When addressing areas for growth that were raised, the district will take into consideration DESE’s recommendations within the constructs of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. Action Item Vote to Support October 2022 Special Town Meeting Article 10: Appropriate for Emery Grover Renovation Supplement - unanimously approved. School Committee Comments: A group of Needham parents is planning a town-wide Multicultural Fair in Needham in March 2023, more information to come. Connie Barr did a walk through the Foster Property that will come up in Town Meeting; lots of acreage of land for a fairly reasonable price that she hopes will be supported. Tickets are on sale for “The Addams Family” which will take place at the High School 10/28-10/30, produced by Students Acting to Make a Difference, and profits will benefit Circle of Hope. The next School Committee Meeting is November 1, 2022 at 6:30pm.