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School Dismissal Manager

Broadmeadow Families,

Want to learn more about the future of Pollard Middle School? Please mark your calendars for these upcoming meetings. More details will be shared in future newsletters and can also be found on the project website.

Saturday, November 15, 9:00-10:30am
Pollard Open House: Tours and Q&A

Join the Needham PPBC/SBC & Needham Public Schools for an Open House: Tours & Q&A event on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Pollard Middle School. Get an up-close look at the current facility and use this opportunity to ask questions directly to the School Building Committee (SBC)! The Pollard Middle School Project is currently in the feasibility phase, with the SBC studying seven different options for site (Pollard or DeFazio) and grade configuration (6-8 or 7-8). For full project details and documentation, visit https://tinyurl.com/NPSPollardProject

Monday, November 17, 6:30pm
Public Hearing on the Pollard Middle School Project

A public hearing on the project will be held at Pollard Middle School and on Zoom. This is another opportunity for the public to provide input on the project prior to the School Building Committee (SBC) vote on a preferred option at the end of November. Key decisions will include determining renovation or new construction, the grade configuration, and the site selection.

Want to stay informed? Sign up for weekly emails on the project.

 

 

Do good. Be kind.

The Needham Community Council is ready to support families with Thanksgiving meals. Families in need can reach out directly to the Council at 781-444-2415 to reserve a meal. There is also an option for larger families to receive the ingredients for a meal that they can prepare themselves. Families will need to be active food pantry recipients or have a letter from me or a guidance counselor. Please feel free to reach out to me, Chanit List, Sofie Jelden, Katie Lizotte or Jacqui Murphy if you need support with this process.

Additionally, the Broadmeadow School has worked to support families by providing gift cards to families in need. In partnership with our amazing PTC, we can support Broadmeadow families via our administration staff and counseling team in response to requests for support with food and day-to-day expenses. As the winter months approach, this need within our community tends to grow.

 

If your family is in need of support including addressing food insecurity, holiday gifts, or another type of assistance, please feel free to contact me, or another member of our counseling team. All requests are confidential.

Andy Garlick

Principal

[email protected]

 

Chanit List

Assistant Principal

[email protected]

 

Anne Cline-Scott

Special Education Coordinator

[email protected]

 

Mary Beth Arigo

Nurse

[email protected]

 

Sofie Jelden

K-2 Counselor

[email protected]

 

Katie Lizotte

3-5 Counselor

[email protected]

 

Jacqui Murphy

Connections Counselor

[email protected]

As November is often a time for reflection and thanks, we are once again creating a giant Gracias the Turkey on the Media Center window. Every student will be given a feather to cut out, decorate, and return to the office. The idea is for them to reflect on things that they are thankful for and decorate the feather in whatever way they wish to represent that. This project is totally voluntary. All feathers must be received by the end of the day on Wednesday, November 19th. After that, every student will have an opportunity to estimate (without going over), how many feathers Gracias is wearing. We will announce the winning estimators from each grade level when students and staff gather in the PC for our Thanksgiving sing-along on Tuesday, November 25th.

If you would like your child to be photographed on Thursday, November 13, please complete this form. If your child in being photographed for the first time, please click here to complete an online order. If you are requesting a retake because you were not happy with your original photos taken in September, please be sure to return your original package on Thursday, November 13. Please reach out to the office ([email protected]) with any questions.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we continue to navigate these challenging times, I want to reach out personally to share how the Needham Community Council is preparing to support our community in the months ahead.

Even before the possibility of reductions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, our Food Pantry was serving more than 370 households each month. Now, with expected changes to SNAP, we know that number will grow — and we are already taking steps to meet the increased need.

We’re expanding our capacity to purchase more food and increasing pick-up times so that every neighbor who turns to us will find the support they need.

Many of you have asked how you can help — and that spirit of generosity is what makes Needham so special. Here are a few ways to make an immediate impact:

• Make a financial contribution. Big or small, every gift matters and gives us the flexibility to purchase exactly what is needed, when it’s needed most.

• Donate your cans and bottles at the Recycle & Transfer Station shed. Every contribution supports our Cans for Calcium program, which helps us provide milk and dairy products to families in our Food Pantry.

• Private Fundraisers – host a party at your home, or have kids hold bake sales, collect spare change, or set up lemonade (or hot cider) stands, with proceeds benefiting the Food Pantry.

• Host a food drive in late Winter or Spring, once we have space available after the holiday season. (We’re so grateful for the many groups already organizing food drives for November and December!)

Together, we can ensure that no one in Needham goes hungry. Your partnership — whether through donations or spreading the word — truly makes a difference.

Sincerely,

 

Sandra Robinson (she/her)

Executive Director

Needham Community Council

570 Hillside Ave

Needham, MA 02494

W 781-444-2415 x 2120

C 617-922-3482

[email protected]

www.needhamcouncil.org

School Committee Office Hours on Thursday, November 13th at 5:00PM at 1330 Highland Ave. Join Vice Chair Alisa Skatrud and Member Matthew Spengler for School Committee Office Hours. This is a great opportunity to connect directly with members of the School Committee, share your thoughts, and ask questions about the Needham Public Schools. https://www.facebook.com/share/19wvg8PBT5/

• Community members who visit Broadmeadow must enter and exit through the front door. Please ring the bell to your left when you arrive. All visitors must check-in at the office and sign our visitor log.
• After ringing the bell, families who arrive to drop off student materials are asked to label all items with their student’s full name and teacher name and place them in the bin on the office counter. The office will facilitate getting materials to the student’s classroom.
• Families who arrive to pick up students early will be asked to wait outside for their child to exit the building.

Andy Garlick, Principal

Chanit List, Assistant Principal

Sofie Jelden K-2 Guidance

Katie Lizotte, 3-5 Guidance

Jacqui Murphy, Connections Guidance

Any adult who volunteers at a school event will be required to complete the CORI review process at least 4 days in advance of their visit. Completed CORI and Confidentiality forms (linked below) can be dropped off at the office or emailed to Roberta Redpath.

 

• CORI FORM: Please complete both sides of the CORI form being sure to include the last 6 digits of your social security number. A copy of a license or passport is also required order for the CORI to be processed.
• CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT: In addition, please return a copy of a completed confidentiality form with your CORI documents.

In order to assure that you (and/or other adults in your family who do not have an online portal account) are set up to receive these important email communications, we urge you to log into your account on the PowerSchool parent/guardian portal and make sure that all adults who should receive email are set up as “contacts” who receive emails. While adding or reviewing these contacts, please also take the time to add or update cell phone numbers for parents/guardians and anyone else who is identified as an emergency contact. All of these tasks can be accomplished by viewing the instructions provided in this VIDEO or by referring to the following instructions:

1. Log into your account on the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

2. Click on “Forms” in the left-hand margin.

2. Under the “All Forms” tab, click on Student Information

3. Scroll down to the “Enter Contacts” section.

• Review contacts and update information. (click on the blue pencil to edit/update the contact)

• Be sure to add or update emails and cell phone numbers if necessary. IMPORTANT: If you would like the receive all school email communications, please select the option “Receives Mail” when adding an email address

4. New contacts may be added by clicking on the “ADD” button located under the “Enter Contacts” section. IMPORTANT: Please make certain that if the contact wants to receive all email communications, to select the option “Receives Mail.”

Please note that If you have not created a Parent Portal account, or if you have forgotten your login or password, please email Roberta Redpath for assistance.

COMMUNICATION

• Urgent information- always call the main office and inform the staff and they will find me

• Nonurgent information- email or phone call

• The nurse will inform a parent when a medication is given but the child does not need dismissal (tylenol, ibuprofen, inhaler) so you know when to administer the next dose if indicated

• The nurse typically will NOT inform a parent of health visits unless vital information needs to be shared

KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME IF:

• Fever greater than 99.9 degrees within the past 24 hours; student should be fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of fever reducers

• Vomiting within the past 24 hours

• Uncontrollable diarrhea within the past 24 hours

• Unable to tolerate usual diet

• Unable to sustain concentration for full school day

• Uncontrollable coughing that interrupts sleep and/or disturbs usual activity

• ER visit in past 24 hours

• Narcotic use

• Unable to manage secretions (sneezing, runny nose)

• Rash- new

• Pink eye with discharge

• Not “themself”

• Illness Guidelines

INJURIES

Please let the nurse know about:

• injuries including stitches, sprains, strains, concussions, broken bones, anything requiring a splint, boot, crutches or cast, exclusion from physical education and/or recess.

• A note from your child’s provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, hospital) is required if he/she needs exclusion from physical education for more than 2 consecutive classs or needs any accommodation (elevator, limits at recess, quiet rest in health office)

• A note from the provider is also required when limitations are lifted.

MEDICATION

Please let the nurse know if:

• Your child takes a daily medication at home

• Your child needs his/her medication administered during the school day and I will direct you to the required forms which are on the Needham Public School website.

• You gave your child a pain reliever OR asthma medication before school

• All medication needs a doctor’s order and parental permission INCLUDING over the counter medications such as antihistamines, eye drops, sunscreen and bug spray

• Medication Policy

PLEASE DO NOT:

• Send medication into school in your child’s backpack- excludes epipens and inhalers

NURSE EMERGENCY CARDS

Now on the SNAP parent portal; please set up your account

SNAP PARENT PORTAL DIRECTIONS

REQUIRED

Copy of physical exam within the past 13 months of school entrance

Copy of physical exam at grade 4

Immunizations up to date unless medical or religious exemption (documentation required)

SCREENINGS~ starting September 16th

Kindergarten-5th grade- vision

Kindergarten-3rd grade- hearing

Height and weight (BMI)- 1st and 4th

PARENTS MAY OPT OUT OF HEALTH SCREENINGS

Mary Beth Arigo RN, MSN, CPNP

Broadmeadow School Nurse

[email protected]

781-455-0448 Ext. 51309

 

FAX 833-298-1217

Needham High School's Softball Team in conjunction with Needham Softball and Baseball will be hosting our annual Fall Softball Clinic on Wednesday, November 19th from 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM at McLeod Field due to the rain. Girls between 1st and 8th grade can get in some extra practice and coaching from young athletes that were in their shoes just a few years before. Please contact Rachel Horman [email protected] with questions and register today: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/456621

The League of Women Voters of Needham invites you to their Fall Forum to meet Katie King, Needham’s new Town Manager! Join them on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Needham Public Library from 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM. League member Vicki Krupp will interview Ms. King, followed by an opportunity for audience questions. This community event is free and open to the public—come and learn about Needham's future. Questions? Please visit the website here: https://lwv-needham.org/fall-forum-features-new-town-manager/ or email [email protected]

The Needham Community Farm is hosting its "Lett-uce" Party Fundraiser on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Come to the Village Club (83 Morton St, Needham MA) from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM to dance the night away with your friends and neighbors. This festive fall party is a fundraiser for the Needham Community Farm. All are welcome to join us for a night of dancing for a good cause. Get your tickets now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lett-uce-party-tickets-1574513224439?

Celebrate Needham’s sports teams and show your town pride during the fall season by joining the Needham High School Student Council’s annual Bonfire on Tuesday, November 25th, from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at the Needham High School Upper Lot. This is a great community celebration, and all ages are invited and welcome to attend! For more information, visit the NHS Student Council website at https://sites.google.com/students.needham.k12.ma.us/nhs-student-council/home.

The Community Center of Needham is hosting a Gymnastics Varsity Workshop! This popular program offers classes for boys and girls from preschool (age 4) through 5th grade and is taught by the gymnasts of the Needham High School Girls Varsity Gymnastics team. Classes are held on Saturday mornings in December and January at the Needham High School B-Gym for only $75. Mark your calendars: registration opens on Friday, November 7th! Classes fill up quickly, so be sure to register early starting December 6, 2025 on the website: www.needhamGymnastics.com. You can also reach out to Gary DeMaria at 781-727-8718 for more information.

Show your School Spirit and support the athletes by ordering a NEEDHAM ROCKETS yard sign from the Needham Touchdown Club! This is an ongoing sale, and you can get immediate delivery right to your yard. All students, families, and residents across ALL SCHOOLS are encouraged to participate and show their pride! Order your yard sign online today at touchdownclubneedham.org. For questions, you can contact [email protected].

Stay informed about the Pollard Middle School Project! Sign up for our mailing list to be notified about upcoming meetings and important updates. You can sign up on the project website, where you will also find future meeting dates, FAQs, project documents and much more:

tinyurl.com/NPSPollardProject