Community Conversations with Dr. Talukar: 
Let’s Talk About Race – Advantages and Disadvantages

You are invited to join members of the Underwood community on February 16th at 7pm as we examine systems of advantages and disadvantages based on race, and discuss how we can strive to become antiracists.  Presented by Suzie Talukdar, Ed.D., Underwood Principal and Amy Behrens, M.Ed., Families Organized for Racial Justice Co-Founder & Advisor, Parent Coach & Social Justice Educator

PTO Co-Presidents Letter – 2/2/23

Dear Underwood Families, Welcome to February.  We would like to begin this letter by reiterating Dr. Talukdar’s comments about the distressing news lately including the release of the video of Tyre Nichol’s killing and the mass shooting in Monterey Park on the eve of the Lunar New Year.  The Underwood PTO supports the mission of building a community of respect and empathy at our school based on awareness, understanding, and celebration of our individual differences and similarities.  Dr. Talukdar will be presenting at our virtual event on February 16, 2023 at 7pm: Community Conversations at Underwood: Let’s Talk About Race (Advantages & Disadvantages).  We encourage you to attend and bring your questions. Since our last letter to you in early December, the Underwood PTO has been working toward our goal of building community and supporting one another.  Returning to December, we are READ MORE

From the Desk of Principal Talukdar – 2/2/23

Dear Underwood Families: Recently, I have felt deeply saddened by yet another heartbreaking tragedy in our nation. As you are likely all too aware, the video of Tyre Nichol’s killing was made public this past weekend. Tyre Nichols was severely beaten by police officers after a traffic stop and died three days afterwards from the injuries he sustained. The week before, the nation also experienced heartbreak following news of yet another mass shooting during a celebration in California on the eve of Lunar New Year– a holiday celebrated by over 1.5 billion people across the globe that signals a new beginning for many, mainly focused around good fortune, happiness and health. The constant violence we encounter through the news and media images can take a heavy toll on all of us, and I recognize it has the potential to show READ MORE

Underwood Updates – 2/2/23

Upcoming Events From the Desk of Principal Talukdar Dear Underwood Families: Recently, I have felt deeply saddened by yet another heartbreaking tragedy in our nation. As you are likely all too aware, the video of Tyre Nichol’s killing was made public this past weekend. Tyre Nichols was severely beaten by police officers after a traffic stop and died three days afterwards from the injuries he sustained. The week before, the nation also experienced heartbreak following news of yet another mass shooting during a celebration in California on the eve of Lunar New Year– a holiday celebrated by over 1.5 billion people across the globe that signals a new beginning for many, mainly focused around good fortune, happiness and health. The constant violence we encounter through the news and media images can take a heavy toll on all of us, and I recognize it READ MORE

SEPAC EVENT: An Evening with Jennifer Natalya Fink

All Underwood community members are invited to join (virtually) the Newton SEPAC and Georgetown professor and disabilities studies scholar Jennifer Natalya Fink, author of All Our Families: Disability Lineage and the Future of Kinship, for a presentation about her book and work, with Q&A to follow. In All Our Families, Professor Fink examines why disability is often described as “a tragedy, a crisis, or an aberration” rather than an ordinary — 1 in 5 people have a disability — and a necessary feature of a healthy, vibrant society. All Our Families explores the roots of ableism ingrained in society, including efforts to eradicate disability and systemic inequities at the heart of our care economy, and advocates for “a reclamation of disability as a history, a culture, and an identity.” All Our Families urges all of us to embrace our disability lineage and build more genuinely inclusive READ MORE

All School Outing: Underwood goes to Boston! 

We are thrilled to announce an upcoming winter event! Underwood community please meet in Boston fo ice skating followed by hot chocolate and fun activities on Sunday February 5th.   2:00 pm -3:00 pm: Ice skate at the Kelly outdoor rink (1 Marbury Terrace, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130). Bring your own ice skates or get them at the rink.   3:15 pm- 5:00 pm: Meet at Spontaneous Celebrations Community Center (45 Danforth St. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130), a few blocks from the ice-skating rink, for hot chocolate, valentine cards decoration, and a dance party! Allergy friendly snacks will be offered.   Families can opt to attend both activities if interested in ice skating. Otherwise, they can only join the gathering at the community center.   RSVP: https://forms.gle/BmaB6yFB6MqVfqwA9  We look forward to seeing everyone! 

Underwood Updates – 1/3/23

Upcoming Events 1/16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No School2/2 – Early Release Day2/3 – Un-Prom @ the Newton ElksView Calendar  The Underwood Un-Prom is 2/3/23 Calling all grown-ups – don’t miss the first Un(derwood) Prom fundraising event! Join your fellow Underwood Community adults for a super-fun evening of music, dancing, and optional prom-wear. Dress theme is “Decades”, pick your favorite: 50’s 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s, & today! Wish you wore Molly Ringwald’s poufy sleeves or Olivia Newton John’s leather jacket? Now’s your chance!  Looking for an excuse to dust off your letterman’s jacket? Done!  Still fit into your prom tux or dress? Even better!  Dreaming of wearing an old bridesmaids dress? This is the night!  Prefer casual? You’re in!  Who: Underwood Community Grown-upsWhat: A very fun night of music, drinks, dancing, a silent auction and more!Where: Elks Lodge, 429 READ MORE

The Underwood Un-Prom is 2/3/23

Calling all grown-ups – don’t miss the first Un(derwood) Prom fundraising event! Join your fellow Underwood Community adults for a super-fun evening of music, dancing, and optional prom wear. The dress theme is “Decades”, pick your favorite: 50’s 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s, & today! Wish you wore Molly Ringwald’s poufy sleeves or Olivia Newton John’s leather jacket? Now’s your chance!  Looking for an excuse to dust off your letterman’s jacket? Done!  Still fit into your prom tux or dress? Even better!  Dreaming of wearing an old bridesmaid’s dress? This is the night!  Prefer casual? You’re in!  Who: Underwood Community Grown-upsWhat: A very fun night of music, drinks, dancing, a silent auction, and more!Where: Elks Lodge, 429 Centre St (above C&N Pizza)When: Friday, February 3rd, 7-11 pmCost: $50 per person donation (cash bar)RSVP: https://bit.ly/unprom2023

Gingerbread House Decorating Winners

Thank you to all the Underwood families that took part in our 3rd annual event! We had 57 submissions for the decorating contest! You can visit  Thanks to super-host and 3rd-grade mom Lisa Wong! And finally, thanks to our esteemed judges, Dr. Talukdar and Ms. Grimm!  AND THE WINNERS ARE…

Are You Interested in joining the Underwood School Council?

The School Council is a great way to get involved with important decisions that affect our children. Mandated by state law, the Council serves as an advisory board to the principal. Members include the principal, 2 faculty/staff and 2 parent/guardian representatives, and a community member. School Council provides a forum to discuss and advise the principal on issues that arise throughout the year, including programmatic matters; the school improvement plan; safety and building maintenance issues; and other relevant topics. During the 2022-23 school year, we will meet 3-4 times through June. The Underwood School Council is a separate entity from the PTO. School Council focuses on programmatic, operational, and budgetary issues, while the PTO provides social and community support and curriculum enhancement activities.  Parents/guardians are elected for 2- or 3-year terms to School Council. In NPS, we recommend staggered terms to avoid READ MORE

Letter from the Co-Presidents – December 1, 2022

Dear Underwood Families, Welcome to December!  We hope you had a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend!  As your PTO co-presidents, we are always grateful to be a part of this special school community and we are so thankful for all we have been able to accomplish with your help this fall.  Thank you!   Looking back to late October, we had two major events: our 1st Annual Trivia Night and our 4th Annual Fun Run.  We are thrilled to report that both events were great successes.  Our first-ever Trivia Night was held in the Underwood gym and hosted by the famous Gillette Stadium Announcer Mike Riley of Titan Trivia!  Mike did a fantastic job of engaging the kids (and adults) in several rounds of thought-provoking team trivia.  Turnout was great and we look forward to bringing you more events like this in READ MORE

Giving Day 2022

Dear Underwood families,   As the holiday season approaches, we are particularly thankful for our wonderful Underwood School community. Our events this school year, such as the Back-to-School Picnic, First Annual Trivia Night, Ball-in-the-House concert for students, and parent/caregiver socials have been a success because of you.  We are writing to ask that if you have not yet made an annual membership contribution and you are in the financial position to do so please consider donating to our Giving Tuesday drive. Giving Tuesday (11/29) is a day on which those able are encouraged to donate to nonprofit and charitable organizations in their community. (Many employers also offer matching gifts, so please check at your place of employement!) Our goal for this year’s Membership Dues Appeal is to raise $7,000 from 50 families. We are so thankful for everyone who has donated READ MORE