June Superintendent's Update
Dear Needham Public Schools Families:
As we conclude another successful and busy school year, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your partnership and support. It is a privilege and honor to work with your children, and we're so proud of all their accomplishments. Enjoy a well-deserved summer break, and we look forward to seeing our students refreshed and ready for a new school year on August 27th.
This last newsletter of the school year includes several important updates.
Happy summer break!
Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent
Needham Public Schools
dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us
• It's Time for Pollard!
Did you know that the Town of Needham is planning to rebuild Pollard Middle School? Did you know that we are considering building a new or renovated 6-8 middle school that will be designed in the next year and, if approved by the voters, will open in 2031 or 2032?
We’re excited to reimagine the future of Pollard Middle School—and we want to hear from you!
As we begin planning a reimagined middle school facility, your voice as a community member is a vital part of the process. Join us for a Listening Session to meet the architects, learn where we are in the planning process, and share your thoughts, questions, and concerns.
This is an opportunity to help shape the vision for a school that supports our students and community now and into the future. We hope you’ll join the conversation at the morning or afternoon session and share your ideas, concerns, and hopes for this critically important community project. There will be a follow up community session on September 10th at 6:30 p.m. hear project updates and continue the conversation.
Join the architect HMFH, the Town of Needham, and Needham Public Schools staff for Listening Sessions this Summer to hear and provide community feedback on the Pollard Project. These sessions will take place at the Pollard Middle School Auditorium on the following dates:
Wednesday, July 9th 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (or join via Zoom)
Wednesday, July 9th 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday, September 10 at 6:30 PM
It’s time for our middle school students to experience an educational program that provides the space, resources, and learning atmosphere that will propel their growth and futures!
Join the conversation about Pollard!
• Strategic Actions for SY25-26
With thanks to administrators and staff, we have prepared a draft plan for the 2025-2026 school year with Actions that support our 2026-2030 Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Needham Graduate: SY25-26 Actions on the Strategic Plan. The school committee will consider this plan at their next meeting.
• 10 Minutes with..
The Class of 2025!
• Class of 2025 Graduation
Congratulation to the students of the Needham High School Class of '25 who graduated this month on Memorial Field. At the ceremony I shared a message with students and parents "Keep it simple." We are incredibly proud of them and wish them continued success as their futures unfold. You can find more details in the Graduation Ceremony Program.
• Retirement
Join me to applaud our teachers and staff who are retiring this year. We celebrated them and their 587 years of dedicated service at the Needham Golf Course recently. You will find information about our retirees in the Retirement Program.
• Cell Phone Use in the Needham Public Schools - New Rules for September
• Follow the District
I'm excited to announce that you can now find me on Instagram, Bluesky, and X. Follow along for updates and more:
- Instagram: @NeedhamPublicSchools
- Bluesky: @NeedhamSchools.bsky.social
- X (formerly Twitter): @NPS_Supt
- Facebook: @NPSSchoolCommittee