Category: News

Dear Underwood Community, I am writing to inform you that the annual 5th Grade vs. Staff Basketball Game this Friday is CANCELLED. This was a difficult decision made after much thought and listening to the concerns from many families regarding the uncertainty of the coronavirus and the basketball game. I know that the kids and faculty were as excited as I was about this event. At this time it is more important we take precautions and that everyone stays healthy. I am hoping that we can reschedule this for another time this school year but there is no guarantee as Underwood gets busier towards the end of the year. I will keep everyone posted. Thank you for your support and understanding. For those that prepaid for tickets and would like a refund, please contact the PTO at underwoodpto@gmail.com for assistance.  READ MORE

CANCELLED – On March 18, 2020, please come down to Bertucci’s to stay, eat, and build the Underwood community! Up to 25 percent of sales at Bertucci’s all day on March 18th will go to the Underwood School. You can dine-in, take-out, or get delivery from Bertucci’s – a pre-order form is provided below! All you have to do is present our flyer (below or available here). Or look for it in your student’s folder as the date approaches.

Cancelled until further notice from Newton Public Schools. Announcing the 2020 Underwood School PTO’s Creative Arts & Sciences Concert. The concert will take place on Thursday, March 26th at 9am at the Underwood School. The concert will feature the Women In World Jazz (see image below).  Women In World Jazz is an award winning, international ensemble, bringing together some of the finest world and jazz musicians, each with an extensive performing and teaching background in New England. Showcasing the music of women composers, poets, and lyricists from around the world, Women in World Jazz embraces diversity and the power of creation. Thank you to our PTO’s Creative Arts and Sciences Committee for bringing this program to our school.

On March 18th come on out to Yogurt Beach and support the 5th grade class! Use the codeword “UNDERWOOD” and a portion of every sale goes to the Underwood 5th grade moving on ceremony.

The kindergartners had a ball listening to Big Joe’s stories on February 13th.  His energy and animation kept the kids’ attention, and his stories about friendship and love (just in time for Valentine’s Day!) were engaging and interactive.  Big Joe’s puppets also were a huge hit.  Here are a few pictures of the kindergartners enthralled in one of his amazing tales!

Creative Arts & Sciences brought Gale Black Snake and James to visit 3rd Graders on February 5th. Gale Black Snake Woman and James are descendants of Native Americans. Gale and James present information that breaks down stereotypes of Native Americans, and provide information about native cultures and traditions. Students were thrilled to add another layer to the Native American unit they’ve studied. Through games, pictographs, stories and storytelling, Gale and James help students bring to life a part of their heritage.  

Please see the Feb. 4th notice below from City of Newton Health and Human Services Department.

At our next PTO meeting, 03/11/20 6:15pm, we will be voting on a small change to our bylaws. As they are written now, the PTO is required to have 5 regular members  meetings per school year. Due to the low attendance to those meetings in the past, we propose to change it to 3 meetings. We are hoping that having less and more substantial meetings will raise the attendance numbers. Existing: Section 1. Meetings. There shall be no less than five regular   meetings of the members of Organization during the school year at times determined by the co-presidents. Any special meetings of the Organization may be called by the co-presidents. The annual meeting of the Organization shall be the last regular meeting of the Organization of a school year. Proposed: Section 1. Meetings. There shall be no less than three READ MORE

Please see the notice below from City of Newton Health and Human Services Department.

March 9th – Underwood-Ward Task Force Updates Moving forward, all updates will be posted on the Underwood-Ward Task Force Website.  February 14, 2020 – Underwood Parent Representatives The Underwood Parent Representatives on the Task Force are: Laura Vaughn, Daniel Scales, and Ethan Solomon. February 14, 2020 – Update Dear Underwood and Ward families, We write to you to provide an update on the Underwood-Ward Taskforce following the recent meetings at both schools. Excellent questions were asked at both meetings and we appreciated the discussion. The taskforce will begin meeting in early March. Over the next few months, the group will meet several times to identify options for the future of the two schools. The work of the taskforce will conclude with a presentation to the School Committee in early June in which those options will be presented. To stay informed READ MORE

On Tuesday January 7th, Underwood 4th graders became Rock Detectives. The Museum of Science brought their Geology curriculum to life by transforming our students into geologists and utilizing six different tests to find out the differences between different types of rocks. See some photos from the presentation below.  Ms. Hull’s Class Ms. Bardin’s Class

Dear Fifth Grade Families,  As you know, our 5th Graders are graduating this year from Underwood and plans are well underway to prepare for this huge milestone. 5th Grade families are responsible for raising funds for these important right-of-passage events: The Moving On Ceremony The 5th Grade class gift to the school The final class gifts to the 5th Grade teachers The 5th Grade year-end party for our kids to celebrate together  Everyone is busy, so instead of having several fundraisers,  we now request direct donations from families to cover the expenses associated with making this such a fun and memorable part of your child’s last year of elementary school. We hope to receive donations from at least half of our 5th Grade families. We know families have other financial obligations, but we hope you will consider the 5th Grade Moving READ MORE