The sudden hush over local parks and pools, spike in pedestrian traffic and lines of yellow buses can only mean one thing: School is back in session.
“I’m looking forward to having the building full of the students’ energy again after a quiet summer,” said Needham High School principal Aaron Sicotte. “Each year is a new opportunity and a fresh start for everyone, and it’s exciting to see students take full advantage of that each fall.”
“We are so excited to have our students back!” echoed Pollard Middle School principal Tamatha Bibbo.
Before students hit the hallways on Wed., Sept. 2, Needham Public Schools’ leaders spent the summer preparing for the major goals and projects that will mark the 2026–2027 school year.
“It’s an exciting year for us at the elementary level because we are finally implementing our new literacy curriculum, ARC, which is the culmination of a several year literacy review and pilot,” said Mitchell Elementary School principal Greg Bayse.
Professional development over the summer prepared teachers to implement the first units this coming fall. Bayse added that teachers are also learning new assessment methods to accompany the literacy program and new teaching modalities.
Bayse noted the elementary schools will also focus on deepening teachers’ data analysis and response skills, and will be taking a closer look at data that indicates students’ sense of belonging.
“We are asking ourselves the hard questions about how our community works for everybody in pursuit of our vision,” said Bayse, adding, “Needham has made great strides and progress in that area, but there are still people who feel disenfranchised … So how do we continue to draw the circle wider?”
Pollard Middle School hosted community meetings in June, July and August centered around the ongoing Pollard Project. Needham secured approval for schematic designs and a pledge for up to $80.6 million in reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority on Aug. 26. The project team is now turning their attention to November’s general election, where a majority vote will decide if the Pollard Project will have the local dollars it needs to move forward.
In the upcoming school year, NPS will continue implementing Canvas as its primary online Learning Management System, despite a security scare in May. Canvas will take the place of Google Classroom as the tool teachers will use to share materials and capture student grades, said Sicotte. The platform will work in tandem with PowerSchool, which will continue to host official student information.
Implementing Canvas will be one of NHS’ main goals in the 2026-2027 academic year.
“Last year, teachers spent time learning the program and moving their materials into the platform,” Sicotte said. “This year, they will begin using it for assessments and materials. Next year, we will bring families in and give them access to the program and content.”
“This work will help us streamline classroom learning and connect our student work to our Portrait of a Needham Graduate,” said High Rock principal Jessica Downey.
The Portrait of a Needham Graduate, NPS’ educational framework, will continue to be the north star for projects in the upcoming year. Bayse noted that, at the elementary level, NPS leaders will be considering how to connect the Portrait of a Needham Graduate to the “day-to-day” of academic life.
More than projects and milestones, NPS leaders are looking forward to welcoming the students who will join their school communities for the upcoming academic year.
“We can’t wait to welcome our new High Rock students, guide their transition into middle school, and build a strong, supportive community together,” said Downey.
“Our core value statement emphasizes that Needham High School is a ‘caring community striving for personal growth and academic excellence,’” Sicotte said. “We will make sure each student feels that caring community every day as they pursue their own growth and achieve success in their classes. Students should get involved, give it their all and leave their mark on NHS as they have an outstanding high school experience. We’ve got their back as they do!”
NPS superintendent Dan Gutekanst noted that, apart from a few late buses, the first day of school was “superb.” “Our faculty and staff have been busy preparing for weeks for students to arrive, and they were excited to greet students as soon as they walked through the doors,” he said. “I visited all of the schools and several classrooms today and saw eager students at every level ready to learn.”
“Our nutrition services staff prepared fresh and healthy meals at each school, and students at High Rock told me they could not believe the good food choices!” Gutekanst added. “It’s been a great day.”
Save as PDF