Volume 122, No. 16 April 15, 2005		Notes From Dave Calendar PTO President's Column Articles	Underwood News School System News Community News For Your Information

When we return from April vacation, I will be working with the staff to organize the school for next year. In addition to placement of students, we will be discussing the use of our personnel resources. In order to make the most thoughtful decisions, it is essential that I have accurate and up-to-date information about the numbers of students we expect in each grade. If you are not planning to return to Underwood next year, please call me at school. If you know of a family who will be attending Underwood for the first time next year, or a family who is intending to return to Underwood, it is important for them to contact the school as soon as possible. Please help us make the best use of our resources by providing the essential information in a timely manner. If you have any questions about this, please call me at school.

I want to thank all of the parents who volunteered time to support the annual Outreach Committee Bookfair. This is such a wonderful event for children. It is a joy to watch children as they peruse, select and read a new book. Not only does this event create special memories for children, it also raises a significant amount of money to support worthy causes. A special thank you to committee chairs Meryl Appelbaum and Sheila Connor for their hard work in leading and coordinating this fantastic event..

A reminder that Thursday, April 28th (the first Thursday following April vacation) is an early release day where all children will be dismissed from school at 12:30.

The staff and I wish you a very enjoyable April vacation. Now that winter is finally behind us and the weather is warmer, we can enjoy those beautiful spring days and the splendor of New England. We hope your vacation is wonderfully restful and relaxing.

Sincerely, Dave

PTO MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
At the PTO meeting last week, Janet Springfield, Dave Ettlinger, Sarah Collins and Annette Rand discussed the educational and classroom effects of the budget cuts. Increasing class sizes decreases a teacher’s opportunity to develop a personal relationship with each child and reduces his/her ability to provide individual attention to children. A reduction in the librarian’s time at Underwood lessens the time and attention she can give to special projects and means the library is not open every day. Both changes have significant effects on our children’s learning experience. The PTO greatly appreciates the teachers taking so much time to discuss these issues.

For more information on the relationship between smaller class sizes and the effect on education, see "Research Shows that Smaller Classes Lead to Student Gains" on the NEA website at http://www.nea.org/classsize/aerastudy03.html

The Class Size Action Committee, led by Underwood’s David Yavin, continues to advocate for more closely examining the school budget to find ways to be more efficient and provide more funding for teaching positions. If you are interested in supporting this effort, please contact Bill or Nate.

The next PTO meeting is Thursday, May 12th at 8:30 a.m. and the last PTO meeting of the year is Wednesday, June 8th at 7:30 p.m.

IT’S ALL IN THE FAMILY
The PTO is thrilled to announce that David Parmenter has agreed to be PTO Secretary next year following in the footsteps of Jennifer Parmenter (winner of the Best Female Guitarist/Bass Player Award). There are a number of other PTO committee chairs that are still open for next year, including Creative Arts and Sciences, 5th Grade Liaison, Printer Cartridge Coordinator, Spring Fair, and Equity Committee Representative. Please call or e-mail Bill or Nate if you are willing and interested in being a committee chair.

RUMORS AND GOSSIP

• There is a rumor spreading about something different and/or special happening at the annual spring playground cleanup. The cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, May 14th
• Rumor has it that there has been some contention in the Clark household following the Talent Show awards last week. The grapevine reports that there were some grumblings within the house after Tracy Clark walked away with the Best Performance by a Parent of Sam Clark Award.
• Only 36 days until the Spring Fair
• Rumors abound about people starting to plan special performances in next year’s Talent Show to compete for the Best Song Sung for Tina Yavin Award. David claims he is looking forward to the competition.

SPRING FAIR IS MAY 21ST
Warning! Now is the time to volunteer for the Spring Fair. Volunteers will not be accepted after Memorial Day. Please contact Rahil Nizamuddin at rnizamuddin@rcn.com for the primo volunteer positions. Team captains for Set Up and Tear Down are still needed.

Have a Great Spring Vacation!!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns. Send us an e-mail at nathan.gibson@comcast.net (questions) or bill@calare.com (concerns).

Sincerely, Nate and Bill

SPRING FAIR 2005 (LESS THAN 60 DAYS AWAY...)
TICKER TAPE ANNOUNCEMENT
Preparations for the 2005 Underwood Spring Fair are well under-way!

Thanks to the parents who have volunteered to be Team Captains. A Team Captain is someone who is responsible for running a specific activity for the fair - being one brings huge points from our kids. Activities include: manning the grill, running the silent auctions or organizing our ever popular games. We still need a few more Team Captains for Set Up/Tear Down, Games and the Bake Sale. Please give me a call at 617 795 0234 if you would like to help out.

If you want to help by volunteering, please contact Carrie Gately at ACGately@aol.com – she is the Team Captain for Organizing our Volunteers and, having done this before, will make your volunteering a wonderful memory to cherish.

If you would like to help via contributions to the fair – please drop off a contribution to the Underwood PTO in the PTO mailbox.

All help is appreciated. This has been a long winter, and with your help and effort, we can make our Spring Fair on May 21st a fun, warm, community event.

NEWTON COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS FOR CHILDREN
& THE QUALITY FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN GRANT
"Teaching Young Children to Resist Bias": A Workshop for Educators and Parents of Young Children in Preschool through Grade 3, Presented by Michael Feldstein.

Join us for this interactive workshop to learn how children develop anti-bias perspectives; how to respond to children’s comments and questions about human differences; and strategies for fostering and encouraging anti-bias behaviors.

Michael Feldstein is currently a 5th grade teacher at Horace Mann Elementary School and a former EMI (Empowering Multicultural Initiatives) instructor. He is committed to educating children about respect for human differences and fostering development of anti-bias behaviors.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 10, 2005
WHERE: Mason Rice Elementary School, 149 Pleasant St., Newton Centre
TIME: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
RSVP: Beverly Mobilia @ 617-559-6065 or email Beverly_Mobilia@newton.mec.edu or Jackie Casto @ 617-559-9090 or email Jackie_Casto@newton.mec.edu

Certificates for 2 OCCS credit hours or 2 PDPs will be available. This workshop is supported by grants from the Department of Education.

PROCEDURES FOR ELEMENTARY LATE BUS SERVICE
FOR BOSTON STUDENTS
Elementary late bus service is only available on Tuesdays. Late bus service begins at 2:30 p.m. and will only go to elementary schools where late bus service has been requested. Since the route varies from week to week, students will be dropped off either at home or an after-school program, provided it’s within the bus route area. Students will arrive back in Boston between 3:15 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their child is met at the designated stop.

The Boston Family's Responsibility - When a student plans to stay after school, parents must inform the Newton METCO and school office in writing or by calling no later than 10:00 a.m. on the day the late bus is required. One note should be given to the bus monitor and one to the school secretary. Once the bus route is established, additional students will not be added to the route.

If a student is involved in a regularly scheduled after school activity, parents can request that he or she be placed permanently on the late bus. Parents must provide the METCO office with a schedule of these activities. In addition, it is the parent’s responsibility to arrange supervision between the time the after-school activity ends and the bus arrives at the school. Pick up times will change from week to week.

If parents need to know the approximate time the bus will arrive at the school or in Boston, they may call the Newton METCO office after 11:30 p.m.

The Newton Family's Responsibility - Newton resident parents inviting Boston students to visit should write a note to the school. At the end of the visit, the Newton resident should bring the Boston student back to the school and wait until the bus arrives. Resident parents may call the Newton METCO office after 11:30 p.m. to find out the approximate time the bus will arrive at the school.

NEWTON FREE LIBRARY EVENTS
Joanne Langione Dance Troupe
Dancers from this local Dance School will present a musical journey through dance.
Saturday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m. Drucker Auditorium.

Spring Story Times
All programs are drop in. No registration is required.
For more information, please call 617-796-1370.
Pajama Story Time (Ages 4 and up)
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.: May 5, 12, 19, 26

Super Sleuths!
For Children in Kindergarten and 1st Grade
Guess the story mystery and sharpen your wits by doing activities for young detectives.
Wednesdays at 4:15 p.m. May 4, 11, 18, 25
Registration Required

ClubZoom
Children will partake in activities from the Public Television Show ZOOM.
Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. May 3 and 17
Ages 7 and up Registration Required

Fun with Folktales-Birds
Children will hear some delightful tales about birds from around the world, create a craft and talk about their favorite stories.
Thursday, May 19 at 4:15 p.m.
Ages 7 and up Registration begins Monday, May 9

World Cultures—Kenya
Children will hear stories from Kenya, create a craft, and enjoy a tasty treat.
Thursday, May 26 at 4:15 p.m.
Ages 5 and up Registration begins Monday, May 9

Meet the Author—Susanne Santoro Whayne
Join Ms. Whayne as she reads from her adventurous picture book tale Petropolis. Children will get to ask questions and create a craft.
Tuesday, May 24 at 3:30 p.m.
Ages 4 and up Registration begins Monday, May 9

Science Tuesday—Mallory Bagwell’s Geodomes
Teams will study and build a huge structure.
Tuesday, May 31 at 3:30 p.m.
Ages 6 and up Druker Auditorium Sponsored by the Friends of the Newton Free Library

The Prehistoric Follies A Play Performed by the Once Upon a Time Players
The Children’s Library Play Reading Group will present this funny dinosaur play written by Jane Tesh
Tuesday, May 24 at 4:00 p.m.
Ages 4 and up Druker Auditoirum

Science Tuesday—Mallory Bagwell’s Geodomes
Teams will study and build a huge structure.
Tuesday, May 31 at 3:30PM
Ages 6 and up Druker Auditorium Sponsored by the Friends of the Newton Free Library

NEWTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT
RABIES CLINIC DATES SPRING 2005
Mon., May 9, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Wed., May 11, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 14, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

All clinics will be held at Fire Station #4, 195 Crafts Street, Newtonville Cats and dogs must be caged or leashed and escorted by someone over age 14. Fee: $10

TUTOR IN YOUR HOME
Call Tutor In Your Home today, When schoolwork goes the wrong way! Our many years of experience in teaching and educational consulting have developed the right way to motivate, the right way to teach, to be understood, and to be remembered. We tutor special ed., such as ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, and gifted. We also tutor regular ed. and test preparation. All subjects and ages are taught. Newton parents can now receive 25% off the first lesson.. Call 781-492-8700 or log on to http://www.TutorInYourHome.com

NANNY/BABYSITTER
Dartmouth student and Underwood alumna is looking for a full time live-out nanny or part-time babysitting job for this summer. I have my driver’s license and feel comfortable driving into the city. I can organize and plan activities, including trips to museums, beaches and parks. I am enthusiastic, fun and responsible. References from current and/or past Underwood families available. For more information please email me at school: claire.m.dunning@dartmouth.edu

BUGS AND BOOKS
On Sunday, April 17, Bugworks will bring live insects to Newtonville Books! Learn about these fascinating invertebrates in a hands-on, interactive program, while we also discuss books, both fiction and non-fiction, that feature bugs as characters. Come visit with the bugs, then browse for the perfect bug book!

Sunday, April 17: A one-hour Bugworks Bugology class for children in grades K-5. We'll learn about insect anatomy, life cycles, predator/prey relationships, and more! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a bug? We'll discuss works of fiction where boys and girls become insects for a day! We'll also discuss great reference books to have on hand when you need to know that bug fact fast, and books that will help you learn how to keep bugs as temporary pets. Pre-registration is required. Admission $5/child; adults are welcome to attend free of charge (or browse for books while your child attends the bug program). Time: 2:00 - 3:00; program limited to 30 children.

ARTS IN ACTION
Arts in Action vacation programs at the New Art Center in Newton. We are now accepting registrations for the April School Vacation and Summer sessions. This exciting program includes classes in Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Sculpture and Drama for children in grades K-5. Children can be dropped off any time between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. and will take four arts-based classes until 2:30 p.m. Students may also enroll in the Extended Day program from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

The spring vacation program is Tuesday April 19 – Friday, April 22; and currently there are still spaces in all eight one-week sessions during the summer. Children love this program because of the engaging projects they make and the new friends they meet. Parents love this program for the high-quality arts education and outstanding faculty. Our teachers provide individual feedback in a creative and positive environment. The New Art Center is a nonprofit community art center that has been dedicated to supporting artistic creation and education for over 25 years. Parents can register online at www.newartcenter.org or by phone by calling the New Art Center at (617) 964-3424. The New Art Center is located at 61 Washington Park in Newtonville.

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR JEWISH STUDIES
The Sunday School for Jewish Studies is now registering students for the 2005-2006 academic year. Located at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, classes meet once a week and offer a comprehensive curriculum for children in grades Kindergarten through 9. Bar/bat mitzvah training is available and family programs are offered throughout the year. For information and registration, call 617-264-8855.

A STEP AHEAD BASKETBALL "SPRING HOOPS"
Brown Middle School / Newton MA
April 19-21 / 1-5:30 p.m.
Refer a new friend and save $15

A Step Ahead Basketball is Proud to Welcome back Walter McCarty to the Boston area. ASA and "Walta" will be forming a partnership that will be sure to bring you an exciting and fun week(s) of camp.
Who: Boys and Girls ages 9-17
Dates: Week 1 - July 11th – 15th / Week 2 – July 18th – 22nd
Location: Boston Latin High School
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Summer Basketball Clinics (June 27th – August 26th)
1. Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton.
June 27th – July 1st and July 5th – 9th
Boys and Girls ages 7-15.
To register visit the JCC website at http://www.lsjcc.org/
2. Cabot Park in Newton
July 11th – 15th / Our first ever Girls camp ages 7-14
July 18th – 22nd / Boys and Girls ages 7-14
July 25th – 29th / Boys and Girls ages 7-14
August 1st – 5th / Boys and Girls ages 10-17
August 8th – 12th / Boys and Girls ages 10-17
August 15th -19th / Boys and Girls ages 10-17

Refer a new friend and save $15 / sign up by May 1st and receive 10% off tuition. Transportation from Newton to Boston Latin can be provided for an additional fee. Full and Partial Scholarships available. For more information visit our website at http://www.asahoops.com or contact director Brendan Smith at 617-909-5990 or Email him @ coachb@asahoops.com

CAMP ROLLERBLADE
Four-day inline skating camp/ $199/ July 18th - 21st/Arsenal Park, Watertown/ 9 am-12 for students entering 1st - 6th grade. Option to add 1-4 pm class for advanced students if there are enough registrants. 12 hours of instruction in all. Certified instructors will teach recreational inline skating through skills training, games, and light competition. Emphasis on beginner skills including stopping, striding (skating forward) and turning. Older and more advanced students may be introduced to the basics of "street" or "aggressive" skating based on skill. E-mail Jennifer Staller at or call 617-782-8028. Online registration at www.CampRollerblade.com.

BASKETBALL CAMP FOR GIRLS
Liz Leonard, Newton South High School Girls Varsity Basketball Coach, and Nicole Conway are holding a basketball camp for girls entering grades 3-8 this summer. It's July 18-21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Brown Middle School. For more information, contact: catch22basketballcamp@hotmail.com.

Credits and Contacts
Editors: Lynn Goldsmith, Dominique Astier
Art Director: Clif Stoltze
HTML: Kevin Newman

The Underwood Newsletter is published biweekly on Fridays. Please email items of interest to the editor, Lynn Goldsmith, at: Lynn@ptnt.com, or if necessary, place them in the PTO newsletter file in the Underwood office.

Deadline for all submissions is 3:00 p.m. the Friday before the week in which you want the items to appear. While we do not endorse any individuals or businesses, we will happily publish ads from nonprofit organizations or for-profit individuals or businesses that offer a direct service to the children in our community and non-commercial ads from parents of Underwood children.