Needham School Accept $296K Grant To Support In-Person Learning

NEEDHAM, MA — Needham Public Schools accepted a nearly $300,000 grant to support the district’s new initiative to expand in-person learning.

The Needham Education Foundation awarded a $296,624 grant to cover the costs of bringing students in grades K, 1, and 2 back into school buildings full-time, four days each week. The grant will support the hiring of nine new teachers so that additional sections for grades K-2 can be added to accommodate small class sizes and physical distancing safety protocols.

Superintendent Daniel E. Gutekanst praised the grant:

“This unprecedented and exceptional grant from the NEF will allow us to bring back to school our most vulnerable and youngest learners who will benefit from the consistent care and attention they deserve and need from their teachers. As always, the NEF’s commitment to this community’s young people is unique and underscores the value that all of us place in education.” He added, “We are deeply indebted to the NEF Board for having the resources and the vision to think creatively and in partnership with the schools during these challenging times to prioritize the needs of our youngest learners.”

The grant is the largest in the organization's history. It is being awarded outside of NEF’s typical three yearly competitive grant cycles.