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At the October 4 School Committee Meeting, there was a discussion of the 2022 District Survey Results, and approval of the FY24-28 Capital Improvement Plan Requests. This was a shortened meeting in recognition of the Yom Kippur holiday. download packet > watch meeting > Consent items (all unanimously approved without discussion). Minutes of the Meetings of September 6, 2022 and September 20, 2022 Approve Boosters Club 2022-23 Budget Accept Boosters Club 2021-22 In-Kind Donations PTC FY 2022-2023 Budgets PTC 2021-2022 In-Kind Donations 2022 District Survey Results Toward the end of the 2021/22 school year, Needham Public Schools administered a district-wide survey to garner feedback from parents, students and faculty. They used a nationally normed survey from Panorama Education. The survey is an important engagement tool for NPS, providing insight into district strengths and areas in need of improvement. Diane Simmons, Director of Community Planning and Engagement, presented key findings to the School Committee and discussed how those findings will be used to support FY23 district priorities. There was a high response rate with 1,847 Parents (33%), 3,246 students in grades 3-12 (81%), and 616 faculty and staff (72%) providing responses. Panorama has a national benchmark data set against which Needham’s results were compared. This benchmark data set includes 380 districts, with over 4800 schools and students. Questions in the survey were chosen to align with the priorities set forth in the district’s FY2022 plan. Key Survey Findings (detailed survey results can be found in the SC packet) 1) Priority Addressed – Are students drivers of their own learning? Self-Management (how well students manage their thoughts emotions and behaviors). Casel SEL program is used district-wide, and the survey results indicate how well that program is currently working in Needham schools. Students rated this highly favorable. However, teachers rated this not favorable. Based on the national data set from Panorama, Needham student responses were in the top quartile nationally, with 82% responding favorably in elementary and 84% at the secondary level. However, faculty response was much lower, with only 59% satisfactory rating. This indicates a need for further work in this area for students. Self-management covers items such as keeping temper in check, allowing others to speak without interruption, and paying attention and resisting distraction. Based on the faculty responses, the district can make changes to further help students with self-management under the SEL program. High academic standards (parents were asked -- how high were the academic standards for your child in the past school year) There was a lower favorable response than in prior years. Historically favorable response was between 85% - 92% (except for pandemic years, in which these questions were not asked). In 2022 favorable response decreased significantly to 59%. These questions measure parents’ perception of the district’s success in adhering to its unwavering dedication to high academic standards NPS will continue to communicate actual student academic progress and look to see how parent perceptions change in post-pandemic world. 2) Priority Addressed – Are all students experiencing integrative teaching and learning? Diversity & Inclusion. Reinforces the district’s commitment to equity and inclusion, and being proactively anti-racist. Covers topics such as: 1) how people feel about access to opportunities to learn about people from different races, ethnicities or cultures, and 2) how confident respondents are that adults and students are having honest conversations about race. A coalition of educators, parents, students and community members already met back in June for a half day workshop to take a deep dive on these findings and to discuss how to apply them for meaningful change. 57% favorable response rate, which indicates room for improvement. Favorable rate varies among grade levels, racial groups and for students who are Boston residents, with some groups as low as 27% favorable and others as high as 70%. Faculty and staff typically had a lower favorable response rate than parents and students (in grades 3-5) in this area. However, students in grades 6-12 had the lowest favorable response rate at 49% overall, and just 24% with respect to student comfort and confidence about having difficult conversations about race. Results indicate there needs to be continued dedication to embedding inclusive practices and equity into curriculum and expanding, for example, the high school’s CCR program (Courageous Conversations on Race). 3) Priority Addressed – Are all students learning and growing within adaptable environments? School Climate. Measures student/parent/faculty perception of overall social and learning climate in Needham schools. Parent and student ratings were more favorable, falling within the 60th-70th percentiles nationwide (with high school students at the top in the 90th percentile nationwide for favorable responses). However, faculty and staff were much less favorable, falling in the 20th percentile nationwide. While the faculty/staff rated trust in teachers and confidence in student-teacher relationships high, there was a much lower favorable outlook with respect to colleagues’ outlooks and willingness to support new initiatives. The faculty response was a 10-15% drop from pre-pandemic years, which is likely driven at least in part by the difficult years teaching during the pandemic. The district will be watching this metric closely to determine how best to support faculty and staff. 4) Priority Addressed – Does the Infrastructure support the needs of all students? Professional Learning. Staff perception of the amount and quality of professional development/growth and learning opportunities available. The district is in the midst of exploring which key skills, attitudes and knowledge faculty and staff need for their future and how best to support them in implementing the district’s plan. The survey collected information on the amount and quality of professional development and professional growth and learning opportunities available to faculty and staff. This is important data as the district is currently devising and implementing a professional learning framework and this data will inform those decisions. Faculty and staff indicated they find many rich learning opportunities from colleagues and from working at the schools. However, they do not find the professional development opportunities offered to be relevant or to provide meaningful growth. The district has solicited open-ended responses from faculty and staff regarding suggestions for professional development and how to improve it, and will be incorporating those responses into the professional development curriculum it is developing. What’s next? How will the survey results/data will be used? Move from understanding to action in district-wide efforts to support all students. Analysis by sub-groups is ongoing and will inform practices and interventions. Data will be used at a classroom level, school level, grade level, etc. to assess students, teachers or other groups. There are myriad different ways to use the data to make positive change/movement going forward. School improvement plans will likely pull from this data as well. Results are being used for putting committees together and for committee discussion (for example, the social emotional learning committee launching next week and their partner committee, the district mental health team). Committees will use the data to help determine how to move forward and which programs to implement. Diana Simmons met with each school principal to discuss the survey results, and ways to use the data to implement programming and other positive changes. This data will be brought to the PTC presidents as well. The district is committed to honoring the voices of the respondents. This data is viewed as a gift and will be incorporated into school planning and practices. School Committee members and Ms. Simmons had an active discussion regarding the 2022 survey findings. Action Items (all items unanimously approved following short discussion) FY24-28 Capital Improvement Plan (which was discussed at the prior meeting) Student Music Trip to Washington DC Dr. Gutekanst commented that he supported the proposal and that this will be the first large-scale interstate trip post-pandemic and a pilot for future trips. Planning is tentatively underway for an international music trip and other travel opportunities. School Committee Comments Michael Greis acknowledged the high school soccer captain being in the news. Alisa Skatrud acknowledged the support of the community for the schools through the PTC and the impact this has on the schools. Michael O’Brien thanked teachers, principals and others at the schools for everything they do, including a successful curriculum night and start to the school year. Feedback from community members has been favorable. Seconded by Michael Greis. The next School Committee meeting will be October 18 at 6:30pm.

At the September 20 School Committee meeting, there was a Human Resources report and a report on the 2021 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey results. Finally, the FY2024-2028 Draft Capital Improvement Plan requests were presented. download packet > watch meeting > Consent Agenda – passed by unanimous consent FY23 Budget Transfers Disposal of Surplus Items Human Resources Update Dr. Alexandra Montes McNeil, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, presented an update on Human Resources and staffing within the district. The district is specifically trying to recruit diverse and qualified staff members. The district has 438.3 Total Teacher FTEs, 98.8% of Teachers are Proficient, there is an 89.3% Teacher retention rate, 29 teachers attained Professional Teacher status this year, and 2 administrators completed 3 years of service. BIPOC staff has increased in the district; in 2018, 51.2 of the district wide FTEs were filled by people of color, in 2022 that number has increased to 78.0 FTEs, a 53% increase in 5 years. Approximately 10% of district staff are BIPOC while 27% of students are. The district is trying to ensure that BIPOC staff is represented at all levels, including within the administration, and that the percentage of BIPOC staff continues to rise to more accurately reflect the student body population. Some of the attractions of NPS to prospective staff are the Little Rockets day care program and the tuition reimbursement that NPS offers which not every district does. Retention rates were high this year at 89.3%, but the feeling is that next year will be much lower as more staff than usual have left the district. Many are leaving to return to their home states or countries. COVID has changed people’s priorities and they are looking to move closer to family as a result. The district is still looking to fill Teaching Assistant positions and is actively seeking qualified applicants. A successful in-person orientation was provided to all new staff this year. The district is working in several areas to promote staff retention and employee satisfaction. Through participation in a teacher diversification pilot program offered by the state, NPS was able to identify 3 teachers of color and provide them with over $23,000 of tuition reimbursement. Stronger Together was started last year as a collaboration between the Needham Public Schools and the Town of Needham, to address BIPOC staff needs and create a safe space for discussion. A mentor program is available for teachers and staff, and HR provides many other support systems. The district has made many enhancements to the HR system through PowerSchool including an updated records system, professional learning, and an online evaluation system. Wellness in the Workplace is a priority of the HR department. In addition, a monthly newsletter is sent to all staff providing them with information regarding support systems. 2021 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey Results Mary Lammi, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, and Denise Domnarski, Director of K-12 Wellness Program, presented the results of the most recent MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey. This survey occurs every other year and targets students in the Metro West area in grades 6-12. Approximately 94% of middle school students and 83% of high school students responded. The 2021 survey noted the following emerging trends: Substance use has decreased or remained steady Bullying and cyberbullying have increased High levels of stress and anxiety, particularly due to certain issues: social issues, appearance issues, and physical and/or emotional health Depressive symptoms, self-injury, and suicidality have also increased High levels of social media use outside school. Needham schools plan to address these problems in three ways: Education and awareness Expand and refine programs, supports, and interventions Prevention and policy efforts FY2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan Requests Anne Gulati, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations presented the plan to School Committee. It is similar to previous years’ requests, coming in at $7.9 million over five years. As part of the budget development process, the school administration has discussed and identified capital items for submission. The capital list has been developed in collaboration with school and town staff members. The School Committee will be asked to vote on the Capital Improvement Plan requests at a subsequent meeting. More detailed information can be found in the packet and presentation. The next School Committee meeting will be October 4, 2022 at 5pm.

At the September 6 School Committee meeting there was a Transportation Report and an Opening of School Update. School Committee also approved the FY24 Budget Guidelines and an October 2022 Special Town Meeting Warrant Article Funding Request for Emery Grover Construction. download packet > watch meeting > Approve 2023-2025 Unit A Collective Bargaining Agreement School Committee is excited to launch the year with a new contract with the Needham Education Association. SC really appreciates all the input and collaboration from the negotiation participants. Details can be found in the SC packet. The Collective Bargaining Agreement was approved unanimously. Superintendent’s Comments On 9/28 at 6:30 pm Dr. Gutekanst will participate in a gun violence prevention panel with representatives from the MGH Center for Gun Violence Prevention. Further info will be sent by email. Dr. Gutekanst thanks MA State Representative Denise Garlick for championing a statewide bill (H 596) that will allow for school operations savings and efficiencies. This bill finally passed after many years of work with Anne Gulati, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations and other NPS staff. Transportation Report Shane Marchand, Director of Transportation presented an update about school transportation. The same number of buses are running this year but a few routes have been consolidated at Sunita Williams to free up a driver to allow for coverage during illness. Hiring bus drivers continues to be a struggle but they have 4 new drivers who are off to a good start. Buses are running with the windows open for improved air flow. A few hiccups from the first couple days: One Bus didn’t start on the first day of school even though it passed inspection the week before. Some runs are taking longer due to consolidated routes and more stops, but the typical bus route is less than 30 minutes. Some runs are running behind in the afternoons. They are working on streamlining these issues and expect improvement. Some variation in ridership for individual schools but essentially flat ridership overall compared to previous years. They are bringing back the Middle School Late Bus starting Sept 20, on Tues/Wed/Thurs for High Rock/Pollard. There will be one bus that will travel the whole town starting at 2:50pm. This will allow students who normally ride the bus to stay for extra help after school and still take a bus home. Further communication will be forthcoming about the route and where late stops will be located. Most students will need to get off the bus at a different stop from their usual one. In the past, this bus has been well utilized throughout the town, with 25-55 kids each day. It can be challenging for students and drivers to figure out where to stop as each day has different riders. Currently there is no waitlist for any bus route, but students are still signing up and some routes are full. Primarily using MySchoolBucks for registrations, but can still register with paper forms. New this year: implementing a multifunctional school activity bus (MFSAB) that can be used for smaller athletic groups or school clubs that do not require a full school bus & bus driver. This is a minibus that will be driven by staff who have been trained by the transportation department. Only coaches and NPS faculty/staff can apply for approval to drive the bus. This minibus can only hold 14 students and driver. They are currently registering and training drivers and working out final logistics of this program. Opening of School Update Teachers arrived on Monday 8/29 for 2 days of meetings and classes began on Wednesday 8/31. Central administration has visited all the schools and many classrooms over the last week and things are off to a great start; students are engaged and busy throughout the district. Dr Gutekanst feels the school buildings were well prepared for the start of school this year; the Town Manager’s planning and increased staffing has allowed for improved maintenance & custodial services. Nutrition Services has a new director, Danielle Collins. This year, NPS is providing free breakfast and lunch for all students through a state sponsored program. Over 100 new staff, 70 are professional staff (teachers & administrators). Enrollment as of today is 5600 students, increased from last fall, and a bit higher than projections. Most of this increase is in Kindergarten. Kindergarten enrollment is up 51 students from last year, which is significantly higher than projected. Students continue to enroll as new families move into the district, official enrollment numbers will be available in October. Staff and students are still getting ill with COVID-19. Please stay home if you have symptoms. Schools are a Mask Friendly environment, some students and staff are still choosing to wear masks but they are not required. Staff will continue to monitor & follow state COVID-19 guidelines. NEDP has a waiting list at every school. Action Items Approve FY24 Budget Guidelines – approved in unanimous vote Approve October 2022 Special Town Meeting Warrant Article Funding Request for Emery Grover Construction – Estimators anticipate a funding shortfall despite what was approved for the Emery Grover Project at the May Town Meeting. SC intends to request additional funds to meet any shortfall. Exact amount to be requested is not yet known as construction bids are due October 6th; the final amount will be added to the article prior to Town Meeting – approved in a unanimous vote. School Committee Comments SC Members toured Nubian Square in Roxbury with METCO leaders last month and encourage interested community members to visit and learn more about this very interesting area of Boston. The next School Committee meeting is September 20 at 6:30pm.

At the June 7 School Committee meeting the Broadmeadow School Improvement Plan was presented and a draft of a new policy on Student Data Privacy was discussed. download packet > watch meeting > Superintendent’s Comments Dr. Gutekanst congratulated this year’s approximately 430 graduating seniors Students enrolled in the Greater Boston Project joined School Committee to discuss their capstone project, which will provide free period products at the high school and middle schools starting next fall. The service is being provided through Aunt Flow and will be funded through the Town’s budget. A detailed presentation of the project can be found in the meeting packet starting on page 9. Broadmeadow School Improvement Plan Principal Andy Garlick was joined by a group of students, parents, and teachers to present the Broadmeadow School Improvement Plan. A detailed presentation can be found in the meeting packet starting on page 46. The Broadmeadow School Council sought feedback from the entire school community — students, staff, and families — to assess past goals and develop a new three-year plan. Surveys were provided to all stakeholders, and the following areas were identified as priorities: Meeting the social and emotional needs of students, many of whom are feeling more anxious and disconnected Focusing on community-building events such as all-school meetings and the buddy program Supporting academic growth for all learners Continued work on DEI initiatives Less emphasis on technology-related instruction The plan includes action steps in seven goal areas: Continue to embrace Broadmeadow’s diverse community and foster an environment in which all members feel welcomed and essential. Students will develop skills needed to be active and informed members of their community. They will acknowledge and appreciate the diversity of their world, town, school and classroom, and will learn how to sustain positive relationships with other members of our school, commonwealth, nation and world community. Support students and educators by developing a shared vision of students’ experiences, school behavior expectations and common values. Create opportunities and provide targeted instruction in order to meet the needs of diverse learners at Broadmeadow. Students will continue to develop as mathematical thinkers and problem-solvers who seek to engage with the world around them. Students will continue to develop as lifelong readers and writers who engage in deep discussions about literacy and communicate clearly in both spoken and written form. Social Emotional Learning - Students will develop effective social-emotional skills so that they succeed across a variety of settings. School Committee Policy – Student Data Privacy Policy School Committee discussed a draft of a new policy related to Student Data Privacy. It will complement the existing student records policy while addressing new issues related to the use of online vendors who provide services to the district. The intention is for the policy to provide broad guidance and transparency, while details of implementation will be handled at the school level through student handbooks. It is important for school practices to be consistent with school policies. The policy will be voted on at a future meeting prior to the start of the next school year. The proposed text of the policy can be found in the meeting packet on page 56. Action Items Three action item were approved by unanimous vote: Renewal of Legal Services Agreement (3-year contracts with two law firms) Contract for Space – Early Childhood Program (3-year lease at Congregational Church) FY’23 Revolving Funds Fees — note: there were minor fee increases in order to fund scholarships Information Item The tentative 2022-23 School Committee meeting calendar is included at the end of the meeting packet. School Committee Comments SC members called attention to the much-welcome return of in-person community events throughout the district, including graduation, school fairs at Newman and Sunita Williams, and the return of third graders to the Needham History Museum. The next School Committee meeting is June 22 at 5:00pm.

At the May 17 School Committee meeting, there was an announcement of three grant awards from the Needham Education Foundation, a report from the Needham High Student Advisory to the School Committee, information on the Sunita Williams School Improvement Plan, and an update from the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). download packet > watch meeting > School Committee Updates Chair Matthew Spengler issued a statement about the shootings in Buffalo. He stressed the need for open communication around race issues. Connie Barr reported an update on the Joint Health and Safety Subcommittee. COVID cases in Needham are at 7% positivity rate down from a high of 15% in January but slowly climbing. Hospitalization rates are very low. Michael Greis provided an update on Emery Grover. With Town Meeting approving the funds, planning is moving forward at an accelerated pace. Additional studies will move forward as well. Superintendent’s Comments Dr. Gutekanst asked that families complete the family survey. Survey results will be used to guide future work by District and School Committee. Dr. Gutekanst asked Michael O’Brien and High School Principal Aaron Sicotte to provide an update on the upcoming prom season. Information is being provided for students and families around substance use and abuse. Appropriate decisions should be made by both parents and students. Needham Education Foundation Spring Grant Awards Robert Murphy from the Needham Education Foundation announced three grant awards totaling $18,434 for its spring grant cycle. This round of grants supports innovative and enriching programs that will benefit students in every Needham Public School: Students in grades 3-6 at all five elementary schools and High Rock, and their families, will learn healthy and safe strategies for navigating an increasingly digital world from Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a nationally-recognized expert on the topic. Awarded to: Abigail Hays (Broadmeadow PTC Co-President), Emma Navales (Newman Elementary School PTC Co-President), and Frederica Lalonde (William Mitchell School PTC Co-President) Students taking Spanish classes at Pollard Middle School will soon have engaging fiction and non-fiction Spanish language books in their classrooms to help motivate them to read in Spanish and boost their confidence in their developing Spanish reading skills. Awarded to: Amy McKenna, Maura Lia, Jackie Edwards, Megan Murphy, and Susan Connolly, Pollard Spanish Teachers Needham High School Social Studies teacher Laura Magno will participate in the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Heart Mountain Educator Workshop in support of efforts to revamp the way Japanese American incarceration during World War II is addressed within the tenth grade Social Studies curriculum. Awarded to: Laura Magno, Needham High School Social Studies Teacher. The grants were accepted unanimously by the School Committee. Needham High School Student Advisory Report This is the last of several reports the (SASC) has provided the School Committee this school year. The SASC meets regularly with the principal to discuss school issues, concerns, and ideas with the high school administration. Members include Lea Gruen, Hannah Keselman, Dilin Meloni, Max Scott, Danielle Sockol and Evan Tsingos. The 9th grade class recently finalized its t-shirt design and is in the process of having the shirts produced. It’s also planning to hold an event, like a bake sale, before the end of the year. The 10th grade class held a successful car wash to raise money for future events. In May and June, it is looking to partner with a few local businesses, such as Abbotts and Hearthstone Home, to continue to raise money and create a sense of community. Lastly, the class is planning end-of-the-year popsicle and bake sales, and has begun to plan for the Junior Harbor Cruise in the coming year. The 11th grade class is preparing for its final event of the year, Junior Harbor Cruise, to which it has sold 300 tickets. The AP test taking period has concluded as well. The 12th Grade class is approaching its final days of school and preparing for final exams. They will soon be celebrating senior week with a Harbor Cruise, Class Day, Senior Picnic, prom, and graduation. Students continue to be satisfied with the mask policy. As more time passes, students have realized the silver linings of COVID policy, including classroom breaks, group activities outside, and other mental health check-ins. The Underclassmen Semi-formal tradition returned on May 13 at Mosley’s on the Charles. Student Council will be holding a car wash on June 18, which will be the first event run by the 2022-2023 members. In all, for the first time in two years, the conclusion to the school year will be fairly typical, with students experiencing finals for the first time in a while. Sunita Williams School Improvement Plan The Sunita Williams School Council has worked collaboratively this past year to advise Principal Michael Kascak and develop and maintain the School Improvement Plan. In accordance with M.G. L. Chapter 71, Section 59c, the Superintendent has approved the Sunita Williams School Improvement Plan. Principal Kascak provided background about the plan. Equity, diversity and inclusion are three concepts that are driving many of the objectives of the school improvement plan. It is also connecting objectives to The Portrait of a Needham Graduate wherever applicable. There are also specific logistic issues, primarily the recent pandemic, which impacted this plan. Students were able to successfully move fully into the new campus in the Fall of 2019. The challenges inherent in the pandemic prevented students from completing a full first year in the new building. District-wide Full-Day Kindergarten Programming, as well as a collaboration with Curry College in launching a new teacher training residency program were also greatly impacted while still moving forward. The update included references to PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) which were formally implemented this school year. Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Update The Special Education Parent Advisory Council Co-Chair Jill Yanovsky and Programming Co-Chair Jenn Scheck-Kahn provided the School Committee with an update on initiatives and events during the 2021-22 school year. SEPAC is a state-mandated group representing students that receive an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). It is composed of 30 parent officers including liaisons from every school, and serves over 1,000 Needham students - 18.3 percent of the total student population. They provided SEPAC’s goals for the school year and discussed specific projects and partnerships. SEPAC is seeking a new district-led disability awareness curriculum to replace the current parent-led curriculum (UDA). It provided the guidelines for the preferred program. SEPAC is also requesting consistent and transparent reporting of disciplinary information, particularly as it relates to special education students and students of color. Action Item The School Committee unanimously approved a number of policies, including: BG School Committee Policy Development EEA Student Transportation Services Revision EEAE/EBBD School Bus Safety Program EEAEA School Bus Driver Examination and Training Revision 2 EEAEA-1 Drug & Alcohol Testing EEAEC Student Conduct EEAFB Multi-Function School Activity Bus Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, the School Committee voted unanimously not to participate in the School Choice Program (Chapter 76, Section 12b) for the 2022-2023 academic year as required by the 1993 Education Reform Act, due to programmatic and space limitations. The next School Committee meeting is June 7 at 6:30pm.

At the May 10 School Committee meeting there was a report on Needham High School performance and achievement, and the Mitchell School Improvement Plan was presented. download packet > watch meeting > Public Hearing on School Choice The state requires an annual public discussion to see if the School Committee would allow students from other towns to choose to come to Needham Schools (tuition would be provided by other towns). There were no public comments, and the issue will be voted on at the next meeting. Public Comments An 8th grader commented in favor of allowing summer community service of rising 9th graders to be allowed to count towards the community service graduation requirement. A parent expressed concerned about the procedure for a suspension hearing for a NHS student. School Committee Updates Chair Matthew Spengler thanked Town Meeting for support of the articles related to NPS, especially the appropriation of construction funds for the Emery Grover project. Superintendent’s Comments Dr. Gutekanst acknowledged that Covid cases are increasing in schools, impacting student attendance. About 80% of families are filling out the daily attestation form, but that should be 100%. Those in the home-testing program should continue to test twice a week. The Joint Committee will meet next Monday, May 16. NHS Report on Performance & Achievement Needham High School Principal Aaron Sicotte provided an update on performance and achievement, including information about SAT, the ACT, and Advanced Placement exams as well as artistic, athletic, and co-curricular student accomplishments. A detailed report is included in the meeting packet, starting on page 13. NHS students showed continued strong performances on SATs, ACTs, and APs. Overall the number of students taking the tests is a bit lower due to many colleges being test-optional during Covid. There are over 150 clubs at NHS. There was recognition in areas including fundraising, Unified Sports, music (MICCA), art (Gold Key), academics (AP and National Merit Finalists), speech & debate, science & robotics, and Best Buddies. Mitchell School Improvement Plan Mitchell School Principal Greg Bayse, along with parent Joelle Schatz, presented the Mitchell School Improvement plan. A detailed report can be found in the meeting packet starting on page 31. The plan looks at four major areas, identifying areas of high leverage and areas for growth: Academic Growth Cultural Responsiveness Social Emotional Learning Family Engagement The make-up of students and families at Mitchell has evolved. Currently, 13% of students are not Needham residents: 30 are part of the METCO program and 30 are children of employees. In addition, Mitchell receives students who live in group homes in Needham. These leads to a strong focus on family engagement, community building, and fostering a sense of belonging for all students and families. Areas of High leverage Academic Growth Implementation of Early Bird Dyslexia screener Re-launch of individual teacher data meetings Redeveloped MTSS Child Study Team (TAT) Cultural Responsiveness Equity work has become part of the social fabric of Mitchell Mitchell staff diversity continues to increase Expansion of formal racial literacy curriculum Social Emotional Learning Developed SEL curriculum scope and sequence Extensive programming targeted towards our Boston-resident families and students Family Engagement Launch of BReal Parent Group to work on issues of representation and belonging Restructuring of the PTC board to increase representation and engagement Areas of Growth Academic Growth School-wide launch of new math curriculum Continued reinforcement of Tiered interventions for all academic areas Cultural Responsiveness MEquity will be focusing on equity “problems of practice” Increase mentoring programs for new BIPOC staff Increase support for BIPOC students Increase forums for talking about diversity and equity Social Emotional Learning Evaluation of SEL and guidance programming to ensure models meet student needs Roll-out of enhanced 2nd Step Curriculum Family Engagement Evaluate communication protocols for efficacy Review parent programming to ensure access points for a diverse group School Committee Policies Revisions to several School Committee policies were reviewed. The majority focused on updating transportation policies. Of note is a policy that allows students with two households on different bus routes to pay just one bus fee instead of two— the existing policy requires payment for each bus route. Superintendent Evaluation Process The evaluation will be led by previous SC Chair Connie Barr. It will be based on feedback from current and outgoing SC members based on standards from both DESE and the Superintendent's goals, and will also include a self-reflection from Dr. Gutekanst. School Committee Comments The SEPAC Awards will be held on Thursday, May 12 Free tours are being given of Nubian Square in Roxbury, ending at METCO headquarters. The district leadership team's August meeting will also take place in Nubian Square Gallery 450, a student art gallery, opened at NHS, supported by an NEF grant The next School Committee meeting is May 17 at 6:30pm.

The 2022 Annual Town Meeting concluded on Monday, May 9. Among the over 40 articles voted on by Town Meeting Members were several that impact Needham Schools. A full list of warrant articles, including video presentations and FAQs, can be found on the Needham town website. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES: Article 10: FY '23 Operating Budget (approved) The school operating budget (primarily salaries and expenses) of $87,277,798 was approved within the town's operating budget. This represents a 4.4% increase over the previous year's budget, and includes an increase of 25.82 Full Time Equivalents (FTE) — almost all of whom are already employed by Needham Public Schools, but whose FY ’22 costs are covered by temporary COVID-19 grant funding; this funding is no longer available for FY ’23 but the positions remain necessary for continued student support. The detailed budget report is available on the NPS website. Article 20: High School Tennis Court Design (approved) The High School tennis courts have fallen into disrepair and are not able to be used by the NHS tennis teams. This article appropriates $50,000 for a study to evaluate the current condition of the courts and provide design options for both a resurfacing project and a full renovation. Once a solution is determined, additional funds will be requested to either repair or replace the courts. Article 21: Emery Grover Renovation (approved) In October 2021, Special Town Meeting appropriated $1,475,000 in design funding, and this article now provides $19,400,000 in construction funds, including necessary renovations to the Hillside School so it can be used as swing space during construction. Given rising inflation, market conditions, and supply chain issues, it is likely that additional funds will need to be appropriated at Special Town Meeting this fall. The project is funded through a combination of Community Preservation Act funds, cash, and debt. Article 22: Hillside School Heating Repairs (approved) While Hillside is no longer being used as a school, it is still in use as swing space, including during the upcoming Emery Grover renovation. The current heating system has failed and and needs to be repaired to both allow the building to be used as office space and to prevent damage to the structure from freezing. $275,000 was appropriated to pay for the repairs. Article 23: General Fund Cash Capital (approved) This article , which appropriates funds for one-time smaller capital improvements, included several school-related projects, including: Roof Top Unit Replacement at Broadmeadow & Eliot Schools ($817,750) School Copier Replacement ($53,275) School Furniture & Musical Equipment ($25,000) School Technology Replacement ($437,000) Article 24: Pollard School Locker Room Retrofit (approved) $1,068,500 was appropriated to update the Pollard locker rooms to better meet the needs of today's students. The locker room area will not be affected by any proposed future renovations to Pollard. Article 26: Library Space Utilization Study (approved) This article appropriates $60,000 engage a professional space planner to determine if the Library's interior space can be better arranged to accommodate high volumes of students and tutors who use the study rooms and study areas during the school year. Town Meeting Warrant > Watch 2022 Town Meeting: Night 1 > Night 2 > Night 3 >

At the April 26 School Committee meeting there was an update on Full Day Kindergarten and Eliot School improvement plan, as well as information on preparing for Town Meeting. download packet > watch meeting > School Committee Chair and Subcommittee Updates Welcome to our newest School Committee member, Alisa Skatrud! Superintendent's Comments Needham Public Schools will continue to distribute at home COVID tests to the school community and will continue with the daily attestation form. Consent Items The School Department received grants for FY2021/22 totaling $6,717,203 for many areas including COVID-19 related intervention support for students, Summer School Expansion & Engagement, National School Lunch Program, and School Nutrition Supply Chain Assistance. Establish Jessica Rose Quinter Memorial Scholarship FY22 Budget Transfers Accept Donations All items were adopted. Full Day Kindergarten Update A recap and update on Full Day Kindergarten was given. 2015-6 – Study 2016-9 – Planning 2019 – Launch 2020 – COVID 2021 – Hybrid learning & maintaining the Core 2022 – Recovery to get back on track The Full Day Kindergarten program was built around the following core principles: Social emotional development Cognitive development & general knowledge Language & communication development Physical development and well-being Approaches to learning Core components include interdisciplinary centers (adopted from Boston Public Schools Focus on K2 curriculum), whole group activities, storytelling, Math (pilot program at Eliot) and ELA components. The Science Curriculum focuses on Community in September-November, Animals & their Needs (shifted from Animals and their Habitats – worms went home to every Kindergartner last year!) in November-February, Construction in February-April and finishes with Earth from April to June. Science curriculum has framework through grades K-12 to help teachers shift from teaching kids about science to teaching them how to do science. Eliot School Improvement Plan The Eliot School Improvement Plan reflects the Portrait of a Needham Graduate competencies: Create confident mathematicians who possess a curiosity of how math is embedded in the world around us Develop lifelong readers and writers who can engage in deep discussions about literacy, and can communicate clearly and effectively in both spoken and written form Create and implement structures to support tier 2 and tier 3 intervention in Literacy and Math for students using the Response to Intervention (RTI) or Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) model and applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies Develop Eliot students to be community members and empower them to make positive changes Continue to embrace Eliot’s unique culturally diverse community and make every member feel welcomed and essential Create a partnership with families based on trust, strong communication and collaboration Grades 2 & 3 piloted Illustrative Math (IM), and that will now be adopted by grades K-5 throughout Needham. IM is a rigorous, coherent curriculum which provides equity across the district. IM has daily warmups, and encourages student led strategies. Professional development will continue to help strengthen their tier 1 instruction. There is a new strategic approach to creating and implementing structures to support Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions in Literacy and Math for students using the Response to Intervention or Multi-tiered System of Supports model. Next year a new foundational skills literacy block will be created for second grade. A math foundational skills intervention block will also be added to fourth grade. Eliot students will be encouraged and empowered to make positive changes within their community. Affinity groups were piloted and more will be created and implemented for diverse populations to increase school belonging. Non-dominant holidays and traditions that represent different cultural groups at Eliot will be celebrated and provide further education to the school community. Action Item 2022-2023 Elementary, Middle School and High School Handbooks were approved unanimously. The next School Committee Meeting is May 10, 2022.

At the April 5 School Committee Meeting there was a discussion of the Needham High School Student Advisory Report, Proposed 2022-2023 Elementary, Middle, and High School Handbook Changes, and the High Rock School Improvement Plan. School Committee also voted on the Facilities Master Plan Choices. download packet > watch meeting > School Committee & Superintendent Comments The superintendent introduced Kiana Brunson, the new principal for Sunita Williams Elementary School, starting in June. Ms Brunson has previously worked for over 14 school years in Boston/Dorchester. The chair recognized committee member Aaron Pressman for his service to the school committee over the past ten years, and he was lauded by his colleagues. NHS Student Advisory Report NHS student leaders presented on their spring activities and initiatives, including proposals to address student stress, study skills, and access to school counselors. NHS Principal Aaron Sicotte spoke about newly drafted policies in the NHS Handbook. These policies will be voted upon on April 27th. High Rock School Improvement Plan Principal Jessica Downey and Liz Wellburn, ELA Chair 6-8, presented on the High Rock School Improvement Plan. Ms Wellburn discussed how they team chose a new novel for the core curriculum to replace The Breadwinner, which focused on Afghanistan but no longer felt relevant. Five books were chosen to pilot by cluster and students were surveyed about the choices. Connections to other areas of the curriculum were brought in to the unit, which students really enjoyed. Ms. Downey noted that students returning to school after pandemic shutdowns demonstrated social/emotional gaps in learning. Pivoted to a focus on personal interaction skills, not just accelerating academic growth. Received funding for more guidance support. Needed to use a push-in model; old model of small lunch groups wasn’t practical with distancing protocols. Current class had not been in school full time since fourth grade. Vote on Facilities Master Plan choices The Superintendent recommend that the committee narrow down the choices to two, which are the most educationally sound, the best overall for students and less expensive. He stated that these two plans will meet four goals: address infrastructure, space and program needs 6-8 and Mitchell allow for right sized Mitchell on its campus will provide significant classroom capacity for the future. Elementary enrollment steady, but new zoning mandates (housing density near transportation hubs) and potential for universal preschool might cause enrollment to go up less expensive options overall School Committee members expressed strong support for options C and D, which include moving sixth grade to the Pollard campus, building a new 3-section Mitchell, and doing so in a timely fashion. The recommendation was passed unanimously. The next School Committee meeting is April 26, 2022.

At the March 15 School Committee Meeting there was a Discussion of the School Facilities Master Plan, an Emery Grover Project Update, and an Update on Health & Safety. download packet > watch meeting > School Committee Chair and Subcommittee Updates: Next year Needham will have 38 students at Minuteman High School The overall mood at high school is happier since going mask-friendly, with lots of positive energy from both students and teachers. Superintendent’s Comments: Dr. Gutekanst thanked the NEF for sponsoring the Trivia Bee, which was in person for the first time in 3 years, and was a fun and successful event. Consent Items Establish NHS Class of 1980 Erik Brinkhause Hockey Scholarships FY23 Budget Transfers Donations All consent items were adopted by unanimous consent. School Facilities Master Plan Discussion There was a review of the possible options for the School Master Plan, see the SC Packet for a detailed summary of the 4 options, A, E, C, and D. Members from Dore and Whittier reviewed the goals of the projects and how each option fulfilled those goals. Specifically they want to address the physical space needs at Mitchell and Pollard, address overcrowding throughout the elementary and middle schools, and minimize the impact of construction across generations. Architects reviewed the site plan for Mitchell and how various size options would be laid out on the site; It would be difficult to meet parking requirements for 5 section school, there would be very little green space remaining, and it would have a large impact on the neighborhood. A 4 section building would allow for a bit more green space and more parking, and would still have room for growth. The cost estimates provided do not include MSBA funding but the timelines provided are based on a MSBA model. MSBA would likely not reimburse any temporary options (i.e. the modulars needed in Options A and E). There is concern about the extended timeline required for options A and E, and what kind of maintenance needs and costs would be incurred by continuing to use the current Mitchell and Pollard buildings for so long. Upgrades have been made at Pollard, but Dr. Gutekanst commented on how renovations are needed for Programmatic space (science, the arts, special ed). Mitchell’s needs include both Programmatic space as well as infrastructure needs. The longer the projects are drawn out, the more other buildings have aged and will need maintenance, and costs will likely continue to rise. There was discussion among the School Committee members and Dr. Gutekanst about the idea to eliminate options A and E, based both on time and financial constraints. A vote will be considered for the next meeting about whether to eliminate any options prior to sending their recommendations forward to the town. Emery Grover Project Update Timeline for Hillside Project (swing space for Emery Grover): the town will soon accept bids, with a plan to complete construction by December, 2022. Staff could then transition into the space over winter break, and construction on the Emery Grover building can begin in January 2023 with anticipated completion August, 2024. Blueprints were provided with floor plans for the renovated Emery Grover building. Each level will have a conference room and restrooms. Student learning and Student Services are planned to be together on the Garden level, Transportation, Nutrition, HR, and Community Education will be on the first floor, the Superintendent’s offices, IT, and Finance will be on the 2nd level, and the 3rd floor will have a large conference area with capacity of almost 100 people. All levels will be handicapped accessible with an elevator contained within the building and ramp access from the parking lot. Update on Health & Safety Updates were provided by the Superintendent as well as the student representative, Dilin Meloni. It’s estimated that about 75-80% of students and staff are choosing to be mask-free for at least a portion of the day, and there has been a significant morale boost among students. There is an anticipated improvement in some literacy learning as now younger students are able to see teachers' mouths move when they speak, and an expected benefit for both ELL students as well as World Language classes. Teachers have noticed that students are louder now that they are speaking without masks, so the hallways are noisier. Staff and administrators will continue to keep a close eye on mental health and behavior as they transition away from mask wearing. The Joint Committee for Health and Safety will continue to meet throughout the spring. Dr. Gutekanst encouraged families to continue with at-home testing on Sunday and Wednesday, and the daily attestation will continue for now. As of March 15 the COVID-19 Dashboard will include positive results from both lab and at-home tests, and will be updated weekly instead of daily. Action Item FY22 Nutrition Services Retention Plan: As a sign of appreciation for all their hard work throughout the pandemic and continuing into the future, the School Committee approved a one-time retention payment of $750 to each Nutrition Services staff member, with the money coming from Non-operational funds. It is anticipated that there will continue to be challenges to retain and hire Nutrition Services staff members for some time. Vote on School Committee Policies: due to the need to change some language in Policy BG it was not considered for approval, but the main motion to approve the revisions and rescissions for the School Committee Policies were approved 6-0-0. School Committee Comments This weekend is the high school musical, “Newsies,” to take place at Newman Elementary. A Capella Go is Friday, March 25 at the High School. The High School Dance Team placed 3rd in states and 3rd in New England at recent competitions. The next School Committee Meeting is April 5, 2022.

At the March 1 School Committee Meeting, there was a Needham High School Advisory Committee Report, the Newman School Improvement Plan presentation, and discussion of School Committee policy revisions. download packet > watch meeting > Superintendent Comments Dr. Gutekanst introduced NHS senior, Pietro Rozzo, and recognized him for winning the state D1 diving championship the previous weekend. Needham High School Advisory Committee Report Members of the NHS advisory committee presented an update on recent and upcoming events and activities. School Committee members asked questions about the student mental health outreach survey that was recently distributed by the student council and about the upcoming changes to the masking policy. Newman School Improvement Plan Principal Jessica Peterson, Assistant Principal Andrea Vargas, and members of the Newman school council presented the school improvement plan. During the presentation, Ms. Peterson used the Portrait of a Needham Graduate as a framework to highlight some of the main focus areas of the improvement plan. 1. Creative Thinkers and Problem Solvers The school (and district) utilize the Second Step program for teaching social-emotional learning and addressing mental health. The program teachers students to use language and skills to communicate when they encounter problems. 2. Communicators and Collaborators The school recognizes the need to be partners with families. The PTC’s new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee is working on providing resources to parents to support the racial literacy curriculum and to contribute toward making the school more inclusive through working with families. 3. Socially and Culturally Responsive Contributors The racial literacy curriculum has brought the need for the home/school partnership to the forefront. It is not just about the lessons being taught through the curriculum, but allows us to understand how experiences we are having all the time relate to it. There is more focus on how to be a more inclusive community as a whole – in gender, religion, etc. This is leading to a look at the overlap in the curriculum in all subjects. 4. Responsible and Resilient Individuals Through the use of Inner Explorer (an online, interactive mindfulness guide), classroom teachers are helping students learn how to focus and how to ignore distractions around them. 5. Empowered Learners When looking at the MCAS report, it shows an increase of 10-15 points for a number of subgroups. In trying to determine the reason for this, it appears the smaller class sizes last year, due to Covid restrictions, as well as the consistent curriculum across classes district-wide, led to this increase. Math coaches are working more with individual teachers, doing data meetings, as well as helping pilot the Illustrative Math program, which provides more visual math learning rather than verbal, in an attempt to not lose as many students to long explanations of math problems. By asking students “what do you notice? What do you wonder?,” this program provides lots of entry points for students, and encourages them to ask these questions across all areas of life. School Committee Policies Discussion The School Committee Policy Subcommittee presented their recommendations of updates to a number of policies that are outdated, redundant, or need revisions. Some edits were suggested by School Committee members. The new changes will be presented at the next School Committee meeting to be voted upon at that point. Next School Committee meeting is Tuesday, March 15, 2022

At the February 15 School Committee Meeting, there was a discussion of the Needham Education Foundation Winter Grant Awards, the Needham High School Improvement Plan, and an Update on Health & Safety. The School Committee also approved the 2022-2023 School Calendar. download packet > watch meeting > Public Comments Some community members spoke in favor of going mask optional in schools as soon as possible. Others were concerned about vulnerable members of the community who will be at risk when the mask requirement is lifted. Concerns were raised about discrimination against students who continue to wear masks. Several questions were asked about what metrics the Joint Health & Safety Committee will use to decide if masks need to be reinstated in the future. School Committee & Superintendent Comments Both the School Committee and the Superintendent have received many e-mails and comments regarding the school mask policy, some strongly in favor of removing masks and others strongly in favor of keeping masks. They appreciate the active engagement on these issues and want to remind the community that there are many varied perspectives. They wish students, families, and staff a happy and safe February vacation. NEF Winter Grant Awards Jennifer Collings and Sally Theran of the Needham Education Foundation Winter Grants Committee presented 6 Winter Grant Awards totalling $32,541.00. American Sign Language and the Deaf Community at Pollard - this will fund a part time teacher, curriculum development, and launching a new ASL elective for 8th graders Broadway Master Class for Middle School Students (High Rock & Pollard) - a professional Broadway performer will give an after school master class, including group-based acting exercises and games, Q&A, and a brief performance. Technical Theatre Workshop Series (Pollard & High School) - will bring in local performers to teach students about sound, lighting, costumes, sets, stage management, and new technologies in the theater industry. High School Ceramics Workshop for Advanced Ceramics Students - students will learn Raku, an ancient japanese pottery technique Children's book author Ty Allen Jackson will give a presentation to all elementary students at Newman - Students will be inspired by his stories of black superheroes, lessons about money, and beliefs about the importance of reading and literacy. SWES grant to purchase 34 ukeleles for Sunita Williams Elementary School - this will provide a new musical experience for SWES students and an alternative and inclusive way to make music for students in the Early Learning Center (ELC) program. Similar grants have already been given to other elementary schools. More details can be found on the NEF website. Reminder about an important upcoming NEF fundraiser: Trivia Bee on March 10. The School Committee will be sponsoring a student team. Needham High School Improvement Plan Aaron Sicotte, Needham High School Principal and Danielle, member of the NHS Student Council presented the Needham High School Improvement Plan. The last SIP was presented in Feb 2020, however the COVID-19 pandemic upended those plans. Their focus was forced to change during hybrid schooling last year and this year is still not completely back to normal. Current areas of emphasis: 1. Social-Emotional Learning Needs are broad, varied and more extreme than before Focus on building a safe sense of community Hired an additional personal counselor Professional development to broaden strategies for relationship building & connections 2. Teaching and Learning Generally, during the pandemic, they found that courses covered the key points of content that are covered in a typical year. Emphasis on key concepts and deep learning Tiers of support in the classrooms and beyond Curriculum reflective of the broader society around us Professional development to broaden strategies for relationship building & connections 3. Interdisciplinary Learning 9th grade IP program has been well received and will continue 10th grade IP program will start next year Adding new classes to the Program of Studies that will focus on the intersection of concepts and skills from different disciplines 4. Technology Integration Technology was essential to provide hybrid & remote school during the pandemic Google Classroom now used by all teachers Zoom classes & live streaming may continue in some circumstances They use a variety of programs to enhance access, engagement, and learning 5. Schedule Review X-block has become a very well liked part of the schedule. X block is designed to provide time within the school day to provide academic support. This time also allows students to get together to collaborate on projects during the school day. Sunset clause in the teachers contract will revert back to the pre X block schedule after this year unless contract is modified. In the midst of negotiations to determine the schedule for next year. NHS Student council sent out a mental health survey to HS students today, and have 500 responses so far. They are still analyzing the responses. So far 46% of students say they feel that they have someone to talk to or reach out to for support within the school. 84% of students said they have someone to talk to outside of school. Concerns about the amount of work, rigorous classes, and high stress/high pressure school environment were frequently raised. Mr Sicotte advised students and parents to prioritize mental health when choosing courses for next year and not to overload their schedules. Ending the mask requirement is a polarizing issue among NHS students. There are many students on both sides of the issue. There is a lot of concern about judgment or stigma between those who continue to wear masks and those who remove their masks. Student council is discussing how to promote and support a judgment free "mask friendly" community. Update on Health & Safety Dr. Gutekanst presented an COVID-19 update. Slides can be found here. Almost 35,000 home tests have been distributed. 64% of students are participating in at home diagnostic testing, 76% of staff. 15 individuals have notified the district of positive tests since the start of the home testing program. 80% of students are participating in the in school symptomatic testing program, so far no students have tested positive at school. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are dropping in MA . 89% of all students (preschool - 12) have received at least one vaccine dose. The district continues to coordinate vaccine clinics with local partners. Due to the history of COVID-19 spikes after holidays and breaks, and to give time for staff to prepare and transition, the current recommendation is to end the school mask mandate and transition to a “mask friendly” policy on March 7th in grades K-12. Preschool students and staff will continue to mask for now as most of those students are too young to be vaccinated. Plan is to reinforce personal choice on masking. Students should feel supported to continue to wear masks if this is their choice. Unvaccinated students are strongly encouraged to wear masks but it will not be required. Federal mandate requires masks for school transportation and health offices, so masks will continue to be required on school buses & in health offices. Daily health attestation will remain in place Hygiene, ventilation, and visitor protocols will remain in place Emphasized that Sick individuals should stay home District is working to support vulnerable students and staff Families will need to talk with their children regarding their plans for masking or not. Staff will not be policing whether students are complying with their family’s wishes. Students who test positive for COVID will need to wear masks for 5 days after they have been cleared to return to school. Approval of 2022-2023 School Calendar School Committee unanimously approved the 2022-2023 school calendar. The Next School Committee meeting will be March 1, 2022.