The Needham Public Schools Joint Committee on Health and Safety (the "Committee") was established to help advise the Superintendent's efforts to ensure the safe and healthy operation of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Committee meets regularly to review local health metrics; allow staff members and public health professionals to have candid discussions and conversations about healthy school conditions for learning and working; and to advise the superintendent on the implementation of health and safety protocols, policies, and programs.
Membership on the Committee includes Needham Public Schools staff, teachers, & school administrators, Town of Needham Public Health Board members & public health officials, School Committee Chair, and a representative from the Harvard Graduate School of Public Health. A summary of data presented and key items discussed is made available in the links below.
Membership on the Joint Committee on Health and Safety:
Alan Geller, Harvard School of Public Health
Robert Partridge, Needham Board of Health Chair
Kathleen Ward Brown, Needham Board of Health Member
Tim McDonald, Town of Needham Public Health Director
Alan Stern, NPS School Physician
Susannah Hann, NPS Health Services Director
Jill Krajewski, NHS
Mike Hirsh, NHS
Marcy Spink, Newman
Steve Farrell, Newman
Jean McDavitt, NHS
Caren Firger, Broadmeadow
Mark Healey, Middle Schools
Mary Lammi, NPS
Connie Barr, School Committee
Dan Gutekanst, NPS
There are links below to reports that update the Joint Health & Safety Committee with data to inform their discussions about when we should reopen or close schools. The data includes average daily cases in Needham and surrounding areas, positivity rates (14 day average), as well as health and safety protocol adherence within the Needham Public Schools. The most recent report is at the top of the list and earlier reports are posted here chronologically for your reference:
COVID Update for June 13, 2022
COVID Update for May 31, 2022
COVID Update for May 23, 2022
COVID Update for May 16, 2022
COVID Update for May 2, 2022
COVID Update for April 11, 2022
COVID UPDATE for April 4, 2022
COVID UPDATE for March 21, 2022
COVID UPDATE for March 7, 2022
COVID UPDATE for February 28, 2022
COVID UPDATE for February 14, 2022
COVID UPDATE for February 7, 2022
COVID UPDATE for January 31, 2022
COVID UPDATE for January 24, 2022
COVID UPDATE for January 10, 2022
COVID UPDATE for January 3, 2022
COVID UPDATE for December 20, 2021
COVID UPDATE for December 6, 2021
COVID UPDATE for November 22, 2021
COVID UPDATE for November 1, 2021
COVID UPDATE for October 12, 2021
COVID UPDATE for September 27, 2021
COVID UPDATE for September 10, 2021
COVID UPDATE for August 5, 2021
COVID UPDATE for July 29, 2021
Joint Health & Safety Committee Update to School Committee on June 15, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for May 24, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for May 17, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for May 10, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for April 26, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for April 12, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for April 5, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for March 29, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for March 22, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for March 1, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for February 22, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for February 8, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for February 1, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for January 25, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for January 11, 2021
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for December 14, 2020
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for December 7, 2020
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for November 30, 2020
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for November 23, 2020
COVID Update to Joint Health & Safety Committee for November 16, 2020