Test

The Small Stuff is the Big Stuff

NHS Senior Lucas Lear welcoming the faculty
and staff back to school in August

Students can be the most powerful teachers.

A few weeks ago, I invited Needham High School senior Lucas Lear to welcome the faculty and staff back to school at our annual General Staff Meeting.

Lucas, who is an athlete and the Disability Advocacy Officer for the NHS Best Buddies Chapter, is a highly respected student leader at the high school, and he spoke eloquently before an assembly of 800 staff - no small task. He was a little nervous and joked that while it was daunting to speak to the faculty, it was even more challenging to be a New York Giants fan in Boston!

In his address to our staff, Lucas reflected on his life with hemiplegia—a profound paralysis on his right side caused by a traumatic injury in infancy. After he spoke we gave him a rousing and well deserved standing ovation for his thoughtful and moving remarks which included this observation:

"What I've learned is that everybody is carrying something. Mine you can see. Most people’s, you can't. The kid who seems checked out, the colleague who seems short with you—you have no idea what their week looks like. So that’s my whole ask: Be there for each other—students, teachers, staff—the small stuff is the big stuff." With clarity and wisdom, Lucas expressed his hope for us—a charge really—as we began a new school year.

In the days following that gathering, our Needham Public Schools community honored Lucas’s words by lifting up our students and each other after we learned of the tragic loss of an 11th grade student.

In classrooms throughout the district I witnessed young people and staff struggling to comprehend a student’s sudden death. I observed NHS Principal Sicotte lead restorative conversations with grief-stricken classmates and teammates. I watched teachers and staff support confused and upset students and colleagues even as they grappled with their own emotions. I was moved by seeing football teammates embrace in high school hallways sharing their heartbreak and loss.

These were small but powerful acts of care, compassion and grace.

And I have been so appreciative of the outpouring of support from the broader community, particularly local school districts who reached out to offer condolences, the parents who generously supplied pizza and snacks and the police officers from across the state who arrived with their service dogs to NHS—bringing comfort during an immensely difficult time.

Confronting the untimely death of a student is the hardest and most painful thing for an educator to do, and, unfortunately, it is simply not within our power to keep a tragedy like this away. The best we can do is to act with empathy, patience, resilience and hope.

The best we can do is to be there for each other and to offer a smile or a hug because as Lucas taught us: “The small stuff is the big stuff.”

Looking Ahead to the 2026-27 School Year!

It's been a busy summer in the Needham Public Schools! While students and families have been enjoying a well deserved break, teachers, staff, and administrators have been working and learning throughout the summer to prepare for the new school year.  While we have also taken time to enjoy the beautiful weather and get away, we are focused in these last few weeks on final preparations and getting ready to welcome our students back on September 1st.

Arriving in each family's mailbox soon will be a copy of the 2026 Performance Report which captures student achievements and the successes and challenges of the past school year.  The report will tell the story about last year and highlight plans and opportunities for the coming year.  Here is a sneak preview of the report and our planned action steps for the 2026-27 school year:

413 + 1 = Exceptional Needham High School Graduates!

In June we held two important graduation ceremonies to mark the achievements of Needham students - past and present.

Members of the Class of '26 celebrate their graduation.

On June 8th 413 NHS graduates received their diplomas in a sun splashed ceremony on Memorial Field surrounded by thousands of friends, faculty, and family. Principal Aaron Sicotte presided over the graduation program which included heartfelt speeches by School Committee Chair Alisa Skatrud as well as two student speakers, Simi Basak and Marco Barbosa. (My remarks, which include advice from 6th graders to the graduates, can be found here: Graduation 2026)

An original member of the NHS Class of 1945,
John Hasenfuss, finally receives his diploma.

Later in the month, on June 29th, Principal Sicotte and I were honored to hold a second graduation ceremony, attended by School Committee Chair Alisa Skatrud and Vice Chair Michael Greis as well as friends, family and local veterans, for NHS Class of 1945 member John Hasenfuss who had just turned 100 years old!  John was deployed to the Pacific during World War Two and missed his senior year. He returned 82 years later to be awarded a diploma that recognizes not only his scholarship at NHS but a life well lived in service to his family, community, and nation. Thank you, John - and all who serve - for keeping our nation safe.

413 + 1 = Exceptional graduates from Needham High!

Congrats and Go Rockets!

Next Steps for the Pollard Middle School Project

Proposed Pollard Middle School Site Plan

Work on the Pollard Middle School project continues to move forward!

Over the last year, and under the direction of the School Building Committee (SBC) and Permanent Public Building Committee (PPBC), School Committee and other town boards, significant work has been done by the Pollard design team to prepare a schematic design to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) this summer.  If the MSBA approves the proposed design, the project is anticipated to receive a reimbursement of between 20% and 23% of the total project cost. A debt exclusion would still be necessary to secure the remaining funds, a measure that would be presented to Needham residents for a vote this coming fall.

(To learn more about the project, please visit the project website: Pollard Project Updates)

What's coming in the next month?

• Revised estimates for the project will be shared in June. Prior estimates have put the projected cost around $336 million.

• The School Committee and School Building Committee (SBC) will vote to approve a schematic design for the project.

• The design will be submitted to the MSBA for their review and approval.

The submission to the MSBA follows months of study and feedback to refine and finalize the building design, informed by feedback from educators, town leaders, and community members. In addition, traffic studies, tree assessments, zoning changes, and planning with public safety officials and the project's contractor, Bond Construction, have taken place.   As part of the effort to meet the educational program while considering the impact on taxpayers, reductions in the building's spaces, amenities, and square footage have been carefully considered, and the site plans have been developed to ensure the 

project fits nicely into the neighborhood.

Following the June submission, and assuming no MSBA directed changes, the project will be brought before the community in the fall as submitted.

What's happening over the summer and into the fall?

• Additional public meetings will take place at Pollard (and via Zoom) on June 30, July 22, and August 26 to keep the neighborhood and wider community updated on progress. Information about total cost and the impact on taxpayers will also be shared.

• In July the Needham Select Board will discuss and vote language for a debt exclusion question to be placed on the November 2026 ballot.

• Upon MSBA approval of the schematic design in August 2026, the Town of Needham and the MSBA will enter into a Project Funding Agreement that establishes the project cost and the amount of reimbursement to be provided by the MSBA.

• In October a Special Town Meeting will convene to consider the project and vote on whether or not to approve it. In November, Needham voters will have the opportunity to vote on a debt exclusion ballot question for the Pollard project.

Where can I learn more?

To receive project updates by email and learn more about the plan for a new Pollard that brings 6th, 7th and 8th grade students under one roof while meeting today's educational needs and providing flexibility for the future, please visit the Pollard website:  Pollard Project Updates. 

Many Faiths: One Community

The level of engagement, pride, and sense of belonging among students in the Needham Public Schools was highlighted recently when four student-led high school groups shared with the School Committee how their faith-based clubs are a way to express their religious identity, faith, and values. Student representatives from the Hindu Student Union (HSU), Jewish Student Union (JSU), Muslim Student Union (MSU) and Christian Student Union (CSU) provided the School Committee with information and context about their faith-based clubs and activities as well as how their religious and spiritual values are shared within the high school community for all students to participate in and understand.

Following are written excerpts from their presentation about the clubs:

• Jewish Student Union: Our club is incredibly impactful to the Jewish community among Needham, where we have consistently held meetings with over 30 Jewish students at the high school. In our biweekly meetings, we present slideshows on important current and historical events, and holidays that relate to Judaism. Additionally, we have interactive gatherings including art projects and food that relate to specific events on the Hebrew calendar. We also have had various meaningful discussions on the growing amount of antisemitism here in the US and globally. We had our second annual October 7th meeting, this year with a special guest, Rabbi Elyse Pincus Abrahams of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham. Students in our club had the opportunity to ask Rabbi Elyse about how to better navigate difficult conversations in the Middle East and how to approach each conversation with curiosity instead of animosity… We believe in the importance of a welcoming community, creating a space for all Jewish students to feel safe. (Excerpted from the remarks of JSU representatives Lily Fogelman and Sam Cornell.)

• Muslim Student Union: The MSU is a student-led club at Needham High School which aims to provide Muslim students with a sense of community and belonging… In Western societies, minority groups such as Muslims may feel isolated, making it one of MSU's main priorities to create an environment where students have a sense of connection, support, and representation. In addition to prioritizing community, MSU reinforces Muslim cultural practices and traditions while encouraging thoughtful discussions about modern-day challenges that Muslims globally face… Through MSU's capabilities, students have access to a "prayer pass", one that excuses Muslim students from their fourth period to go to the teachers lounge and pray the Dhuhr prayer... The MSU is committed to promoting unity, compassion, and understanding while ensuring that Muslim students at Needham High School feel supported and valued. (Excerpted from the remarks of MSU representative, Jana Ghbeis.)

• Christian Student Union The Christian Student Union is a club focused on providing a community for people who are interested in exploring Christianity or want to learn more about the subject… Currently, we are running a Cradles to Crayons clothing drive in partnership with Project 351 and are eagerly partnering with Avenue Church on various events. Our goal is to provide a safe space for people to learn and explore their faith. At each meeting, we normally complete a get to know each other activity, as well as a small lesson where we dive into an aspect of Christianity, and close with a prayer. Currently, we are learning about the different sections of Christianity and how they are similar or different. It is a great way to get to know people in the community and bond with people who have similar interests! (Excerpted from the remarks of CSU representative, Brianna Sickmier.)

• Hindu Student Union: HSU at Needham High School is a student-led organization that creates a welcoming space for students to learn about, celebrate, and share Hindu culture, traditions, and values while building community with one another. We meet regularly to discuss holidays, cultural practices, and the historical and philosophical foundations of Hinduism, while also providing a supportive environment for students of all backgrounds who are interested in learning more. Members especially enjoy the sense of community and the opportunity to connect with others who share similar traditions or are curious to learn more. Our club focuses on promoting inclusivity, cultural awareness, and respect through open conversations, activities, and collaborative events. Throughout the year, we celebrate major festivals such as Diwali and Holi within our club, organize educational presentations, and plan cultural and service-oriented events that bring students together. HSU continues to grow as a space where students feel represented, valued, and proud of their heritage. (Excerpted from the written remarks of HSU representatives, Nandini Niranjan and Isha Nair.)

At a time when religious and ethnic differences can often drive wedges between people, I am proud of the young people of Needham who choose to build connections and community instead!

Note:  Many thanks to NHS junior and School Committee student representative Jack Arvedon for pulling this presentation of the faith groups together!

Keeping Kids Safe

A year ago the district experienced an unprecedented situation with the arrests of three staff members  affiliated  with the Needham Public Schools. Over the course of three months in the spring, two teachers and one contracted employee for our before/after school child care program were arrested in three separate incidents for the possession and/or distribution of child sexual abuse materials (i.e., child pornography).  Working with state and local police during the ensuing investigations, we learned that no Needham students were involved or victimized by the horrific behavior of these three trusted staff members. The employees were quickly dismissed from their roles and their cases are currently being adjudicated in the courts.

Staff, families, and students were understandably shocked by the arrests and had many questions:  “Why didn’t you know about this illegal behavior?”... “How do you ensure that potential employees are not predators?”... “Is my child safe at school and in the community?”... “How can I help my child trust adults when things like this happen?” Even though we believed that it would have been impossible to know what these former employees were doing in their private lives, the questions were fair and required the district to reflect deeply on our practices, policies, and procedures.

Since last spring we have undertaken the following activities to ensure our students are safe, our employment practices sound, and policies and procedures are rigorously implemented:

• Partnership with ICAC The Massachusetts State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and working with local communities to combat online child exploitation and the use of child sexual abuse materials.  We have developed a positive working relationship with ICAC and recently invited ICAC officials to meet with private and public school leaders in Needham to learn about their work and to help us prevent online child exploitation.  The Town of Needham Police Department counts itself as a member of the ICAC network.

• Human Resource Assessment The district contracted with the UMASS Collins Center to review, analyze, and understand our practices and procedures related to recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new employees to assess our compliance with the law around, for example, conducting Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) and Sexual Offender Records Information (SORI) checks, among other responsibilities, to ensure student and staff safety and wellbeing. (Access the report here.) The assessment showed that the district’s compliance practices are extremely strong and that there was no reasonable way to determine whether or not any one of these three individuals was engaged in this illegal and abhorrent behavior. The assessment also gave us an opportunity to review other human resource programs and procedures to strengthen the overall experience for a professional and dedicated staff.

• Child Protection Units This year we are introducing Child Protection Units in grades K-5 to enable children to understand ways to stay safe; encourage them to speak to trusted adults when they are concerned about their bodily autonomy or personal safety; and understand safe and unsafe touches. This developmentally appropriate elementary level curriculum is designed to involve parents and empower children by teaching them how to seek assistance if necessary.

• Mandated Training Each year our staff is required to complete a training to remind them about rules guiding student privacy, special education, and other compliance issues.  This year we updated the training with a new interactive platform and ramped up additional modules to include additional responsibilities, including the role of staff in reporting concerning behavior in school.

• Supervision Practices The district has long been committed to supporting and supervising our teachers once they have been hired. We provide mentors for new teachers, and we have adopted state guidance and rubrics that provide a foundation for our evaluation procedures for teachers. Building administrators also receive support and training to assist them with their supervisory responsibilities. Additionally, we are one of a handful of districts that has a rigorous protocol for the review of those teachers who are in their first three years of service.  Professional status is granted to an educator in the Needham Public Schools after a thorough and detailed conversation and collaboration which involves the principals, district administrators, and the superintendent who meet annually to review each educator's growth and identify areas for improvement. Only after a thorough review and discussion of the supervisors’ notes and observations is a teacher awarded professional status.

These activities, procedures, and programs alone can’t guarantee that illegal and inappropriate behavior will not occur in the Needham Public Schools; there is simply no way to prevent that. However, rigorous hiring and vetting procedures coupled with strong staff supervision and thoughtful student programming will assist us to continue to keep our students safe - and focused on their wellbeing, learning and growth.