Happy Summer! We hope you are staying healthy and cool as we head into these next few months! Take care of yourselves and we’ll see you in the Fall! COVID-19 Vaccine: The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for people ages 12 and up. People 18 and older can get any currently authorized COVID-19 vaccine. You can find an available appointment at vaxfinder.mass.gov. You can find more information about COVID-19 vaccines here. COVID-19 Safety: Although most COVID-19-related restrictions have been lifted in the state of MA, some restrictions are still in place. Be sure to pay attention to the current COVID-19 mask requirements and travel recommendations. Individual businesses may also have their own COVID-19 measures in place. You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, READ MORE
Category: News
PTO Newsletter – June 10th, 2021
School CalendarFriday, June 11th – Spring Fling Outdoor Family NightThursday, June 17th – 5th Grade GraduationFriday, June 18th – Juneteenth Observed – NO SCHOOLTuesday, June 22nd – Last Day of School! Letter From the Principal Dear Underwood Families:As I reflect on this past year, I realize how much we have accomplished together. What a difference a year makes! I thank the Underwood Community for the tremendous support you have given to me in my first year as principal in Newton, which happened to also coincide with being the most unusual year of my career. I have felt privileged to work among so many wonderful people. I begin by saluting every member of the Underwood staff who are thoughtful, caring, and collaborative professionals. No day is ever the same in an elementary school, and this year made it all the more unique. READ MORE
Events this Week!
Hello Underwood Community!! Happy June! We hope you all enjoyed the long (rainy) weekend! The good news is that sun is in the upcoming forecast!! PTO Community Virtual Meeting Tonight 6/1 7:30pm Tonight is our final general PTO meeting of the year. We will be voting on the PTO board for next year. Please join us to get your voice heard! Please join us at the following Zoom link: Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 937 335 2198 (Passcode: 956516) One tap mobile: +13126266799,,9373352198#,,,,*956516#Upcoming Events! Friday, June 4th 7-9pm: We Are “Back” Yard Concert for Adults Have you registered yet?! This is going to be the most fun you’ve had since the Covid lockdown. Underwood parent and amazing singer/songwriter Will Dailey. Join us in a BYOB back yard bash hosted by the Goldworms and Luethys in their connected properties. No sitter? No problem! The West Suburban YMCA READ MORE
June Social Events!
Hello Underwood Community!! It is hard to believe that June starts next week and summer is around the corner. What a year it has been! We’re really excited to close out the school year with two great community events. One just for us grown ups, and one for all! Friday, June 4th 7-9pm: We Are “Back” Yard Concert for Adults Grown ups let loose to the live music from Underwood parent and amazing singer/songwriter Will Dailey. Join us in a BYOB back yard bash (come on, we’ve earned this!) hosted by the Goldworms and Luethys in their connected properties. No sitter? No problem! The West Suburban YMCA is offering childcare, $30/child from 6-9 pm. Check out more event and childcare details here. Friday, June 11th 5-8pm: Spring Fling for Underwood Families Join us to celebrate the end of a roller coaster of a school year with the outdoor READ MORE
Kindergarten Info Night Presentation – May 17, 2021
Welcome to Our Incoming Kindergarten Families! Thank you for joining us for Virtual Kindergarten Information Night on May 17th! Principal Talukdar’s presentation is below for those who couldn’t make it. Kindergarten Visit Day will be held Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from 1:30pm-2:30pm at Underwood.The Kindergarten team and supporting staff will host a visit day for students only, which will offer an opportunity for children to “practice” being a kindergartener. While students are in the classrooms, parents and caregivers will remain outside of the school in the tent area to make connections with other Underwood families. Click here for Principal Talukdar’s Info Night Presentation
K-2 Creative Arts & Sciences: Kemp Harris!
Kemp Harris is Coming to Underwood (Virtually!) on May 26th The Underwood PTO is bringing Kemp Harris to virtually visit Underwood’s K-2 students (in-person and DLA) on Wednesday, May 26th as the spring Creative Arts and Science enrichment program! Storyteller Kemp Harris brings his experience as composer, musician, children’s author, actor and teacher to the classroom. His storytelling program includes developmentally appropriate stories that incorporate music and audience participation. He enjoys keeping the oral tradition of “telling” alive. Stories range from traditional tales, African folk tales and original stories. A former Newton Public School teacher, Mr. Harris taught Kindergarten and 1st grades for 38 years. He wrote the children’s book/song, “Snow” and has performed as a storyteller and musician at festivals, schools and libraries across the country, performing on stage with Taj Mahal, Gil Scott-Heron and blues artist, Koko Taylor. READ MORE
Letter from the PTO Presidents – May 2021
Note: This newsletter will be published monthly throughout the school year, for a total of 8 issues. It will include columns as they are submitted by Underwood Principal Suzie Talukdar, PTO Co-Presidents Amy Davis and Laura Goldworm, and the school staff. It will also include a school calendar, and school and district-wide news. Please visit underwoodschoolpto.org to keep up with the latest news. For questions, email underwoodpto@gmail.com. Letter From the PTO Presidents Dear Underwood Families, We are in the home stretch of the school year and with vaccine rates in Newton soaring and spring weather in full swing, we are excited to have a whole slate of outdoor events planned to celebrate the end of this wild school year. There is lots to tell you about, so we will get right to it! Naco Taco/Ice Cream Truck Night – May 18th Join us for Taco READ MORE
Virtual Bingo Night – April 9th!
Join the Underwood community for a Virtual Bingo Night on Friday, April 9th at 6:30pm! Bingo Night is presented by the 5th Grade Graduation Committee and all proceeds will go towards the 5th grade graduation. There will be 6 Bingo rounds and the winner of each round will be awarded a $5 Gift Card from one of these nearby favorites: JP Licks, Learning Express, Yogurt Beach and Target. Each Bingo Sheet has 6 Bingo Playing Cards. You can play one card each round or play all the cards on your sheet in any round you choose. One Bingo Sheet is $5 and each additional Bingo Sheet is $3 each or you can purchase a Bingo Booklet (6 Bingo Sheets=36 Cards) for $15. We will then conclude the night with a few raffles with the potential to win bigger prizes. Your raffle number will be found on your READ MORE
FORJ Solidarity and Support
We are sharing the following resources and upcoming community events on behalf of Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ) in light of this week’s tragic events in Georgia. As Dr. Talukdar wrote in this month’s Newsletter, the Underwood community must do all that we can to support our community members of Asian descent, and continue to strive to achieve an Underwood community that is anti-racist. Underwood PTO Dear Asian American Pacific Islanders Communities, We stand in solidarity with you. We create spaces for the AAPI community to voice fears, grievances and hopes. We reflect deeply on how we can do our best to dismantle racism, sexism and colonialism. We advocate to see that AAPI history and contributions are always taught in our schools. We deconstruct our own bias so that we don’t perceive others through stereotypes. We do not tolerate hate and continually look for ways to impede its progress. We work READ MORE
Whoo(Pie) We Love our Teachers!
Hello Underwood Families! We’re so excited for the Whoo(pie) Wagon food truck to visit Underwood on Wednesday 3/24 for Teacher Appreciation Week! Not only are we purchasing the amazing delicious treats for our teachers, we’re also extending the opportunity for families to purchase as well. 10% of all proceeds will support the Underwood community via the PTO. Orders can be placed anytime before 9am on 3/24 and picked up between 12:45-2:15 that afternoon: https://www.bestfoodtrucks.com/boston-food-trucks/the-whoo-pie-wagon/the-whoo-pie-wagon/61946 Sweet Sixteen Challenge: Word on the street is that the Whoo(pie) Wagon whoopie pies are so good that you might want to order one of each. It is hard to say which is the best, so in the spirit of March Madness, we’re setting up a SWEET SIXTEEN challenge! Challenge participation – first round deadline 3/18: Go the entry form and choose one flavor for each of the 8 brackets in Round 1 (you’ll definitely READ MORE
Winter Walk and Roll
Winter Walk & Roll Week, February 8-12, 2021 Newton is celebrating Winter Walk & Roll Week Feb 8-12. Participate in a way that works for your family – walk to school, to a park, or around your neighborhood or house. Other ways to participate Decorate a paper boot and hang it in your window. Look for other boots on your walks. Play Winter Walk BINGO from Massachusetts Safe Routes to School or “I Spy”. Practice Walking like a Penguin, https://youtu.be/LHaWGibGwyk Tips for Winter Walking Allow for extra time to get to your destination. Slow down and watch for ice. Wear sturdy shoes or boots. Remember your hat, gloves and mask to stay cozy. Dress in bright colors and add something reflective to be seen by drivers. Walk like a penguin. Arms out for balance, feet apart with READ MORE
Underwood PTO Events This Week!
Hello Underwood Families! We’d like to share a couple of timely reminders with you: TONIGHT! Monday, February 1st, 7pm Superintendent Fleishman and a member of the Newton School Committee will meet with our community virtually on Monday, February 1st at 7pm to provide any updates, answer questions, and connect with Underwood parents and guardians. Please submit any questions to underwoodpto@gmail.com ahead of that evening and use the following link to attend: Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 937 335 2198 Passcode: 956516 One tap mobile: +13126266799,,9373352198#,,,,*956516# Today through Friday 2/5 – FOUR MORE DAYS TO ORDER! Valentine’s Day Duckies!Send your child’s classmates and teachers some adorable Valentine’s Day Duckies! Order are available through Friday, February 5th! The mini-rubber ducks will be distributed to students and staff at pick up next week!, Don’t miss out and order via this form today! Thursday 2/4 Underwood Night at Bertucci’s! Pizza, pasta, kids meals, desserts and the Big Papi READ MORE