Photo of the Needham Elementary community garden.

Students play on the outdoor musical instruments.

Photo of the Needham Elementary entrance in the fall.

Mission

Needham Elementary School is a community committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment that fosters mutual respect and academic excellence. We challenge students to make creative, meaningful, and reflective contributions, and to succeed with integrity. Our students are inspired to be life-long learners and to become at home in the world.

Principal's Message

Winter Weather

Dear Families: When temperatures are below 20 degrees, we will hold recess indoors. Additionally, we will allow students to come into the Multi-Purpose Room before school (starting at 7:45) when the temperature is below 20 degrees. Please make sure your child has warm clothing, gloves, a hat and snow pants if he/she is planning on playing in the snow. If you need assistance securing any of these items, please let us know. Thank you! Jenny McKenna Principal

November 29th Information Night Rescheduled

The Information Night scheduled for Thursday November 29th has been rescheduled to Thursday January 31st from 5:30-6:30 pm. The topic being highlighted will be the Social Emotional Learning program at Needham. We hope to see you there!

Student Production of Camp Stowaways

Join the Needham Students for their production Camp Stowaways by Tracy Poverstein. December 21st 6:00 pm at Needham Elementary.

Parent Information Night on October 11

Please join us for a Parent Information Night from 5:30-6:30 pm on October 11, in the Needham Multipurpose Room. We will talk about our new teachers, academic programming and goals for the year.

Student Safety

We have received questions from parents over the past few days about a possible suspicious person in a van in the Needham neighborhood. As soon as we heard this, we immediately contacted law enforcement and our school security specialist to look into the matter. We did learn that five weeks ago, some children in the neighborhood did report to their parents that they were concerned about a man in a van they had seen in the neighborhood before school started. To date, there have been no police reports filed regarding such an incident. We always take this kind of information seriously, and have requested extra patrol presence from Durango Police Department. We will be sending home information about student safety this Friday in classroom newsletters. If you have questions, information, or want to report any suspicious person or activity, please contact Durango Police Department by calling 970-385-2900 or visit their Facebook page.

Social Emotional Learning News

Greetings Families! This year has been a blur and it is hard to imagine that we are approaching Winter break. I would like to give an update on the proactive and preventative skills your children have been developing during their lesson time with Mrs. Sablosky, Social/Emotional Interventionist, Mrs. McCue, Mindset and Behavior Teacher, and myself, Mrs. Kautter, School Counselor.

News From the Art Room!

Square 1 Art gifts have arrived! I will be organizing and sorting and sending them home with your student as soon as possible! Please let me know if you would rather pick up items yourself and I will contact parents with orders that are too big to fit in backpacks safely. Please let me know if you have any questions. kpatrum@durangoschools.org or 970-247-4791 ext 3626 Thank you and I hope you love the art!! Karen Patrum

Specialty Gourmet Beef Boxes from Durango 9-R

Ever wondered how different school lunches are today? Here in Durango 9-R, our schools pride themselves on serving up the freshest, locally sourced, most nutritious options for students. Specialty Gourmet Beef Boxes Families can now also participate in the farm-to-school program and support the ongoing efforts of the school district to maintain this program in its schools. Special and just in time for the holidays, the district is offering Specialty Gourmet Beef Boxes. These are the fine cuts of our own, locally sourced beef, including favorites like NY Steak and Ribeye. Check out the many gift box options, and spoil yourself and your loved ones with some fine meats for upcoming holiday meals and celebrations. There are options for any budget, starting at $50! But quantities are limited so be sure to order yours today before they all sell out! Available while limited supplies last, just in time for the perfect holiday meal or gift.