Dear Underwood Families, The 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party was so much fun! Thank you to the over 40 families who participated and to Lisa Wong and Kerry Curran for organizing again this year. Dr. Talukdar and Ms. Lacey reviewed the contest submissions yesterday and winners will be notified ASAP! As an added bonus, this festive event supported our Underwood community and raised several hundred dollars for our Holiday Gift Card Drive. Ms. Mann, Underwood’s Literacy Specialist, presented at our virtual PTO meeting earlier this week about supporting literacy at home and the importance of interactive read alouds at all ages. Click here to see her fantastic presentation, complete with a list of recommended books for your home library on the final slide. The week before Thanksgiving we showed Underwood staff our gratitude by stocking the staff room with snacks READ MORE
The Hoot
Letter from the Principal Talukdar
Dear Underwood Families, December is already whizzing by and, before we know it, we will bring 2021 to a close. I have been incredibly impressed with our efforts to maintain a safe and healthy school environment. Our staff are 100% vaccinated, 71% of our students have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, over 85% of our students are participating in weekly pool testing, families are conducting daily health assessments, and students and staff continue to abide by our Covid-19 healthy and safety guidelines throughout each school day. Although Covid-19 rates across the Commonwealth and variants remain a concern, I am grateful we have navigated these challenging times in a productive manner together. Indeed we have demonstrated our commitment to each other in many ways. Parents and caregivers have generously donated food, clothing, and boots in order to support READ MORE
Owl of the Month – Lacey Rochford
Since we can’t all meet in person at school, we wanted to highlight a different Underwood staff member each month so you can get to know the community from home! This month we’ll get to know Nurse Carrie! 1. What is your name? Lacey Rochford, although I got married this summer and will eventually change my name to Lacey Grimm 😉 2. What is your role at Underwood?Executive Assistant 3. Where did you grow up?I was born and raised in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 4. What is your favorite Underwood tradition?My favorite Underwood traditions are anything that brings the community together, such as the Fall Picnic, the Spring Carnival, Color Day, and the 5th Grade vs. Teacher kickball or basketball game. 5. Do you have a favorite winter activity?I love downhill skiing and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate by a fire. READ MORE
From Desk of Nurse Carrie – December 2021
Dear Underwood Families, Cold and flu season is upon us. We can all help by keeping our children home when they are sick. Not only does this help to diminish the spread of illness, it helps reduce negative outcomes for those who are more vulnerable and at greater risk for more serious symptoms when exposed to germs. There are students at Underwood School who can react strongly if they are exposed to illnesses such as strep throat, influenza or respiratory infections. When there is a known exposure for these students, we as a community can help minimize the health impact for them. We are asking for your help with the following: Report diagnosed strep throat, influenza (flu), RSV and other respiratory infections to Nurse Carrie Students with strep throat may return to school after taking an antibiotic for at least READ MORE
Holiday Gift Card Drive
It is that time of year again when the Underwood family joins together to help members in our community who could use a little boost around the holidays. The Underwood PTO will be collecting gift cards or donations to buy gift cards for our Holiday Gift Card Drive through Monday, December 13th. 100% of any funds donated will be used to purchase gift cards. All cards donated will be distributed to Underwood families in need, for their direct benefit. Gift cards for area grocery stores, pharmacies, retail stores and gas stations are all useful. Donations to purchase gift cards can be made:– via check mailed to Underwood PTO 101 Vernon Street, Newton, MA 02458– Venmo @underwoodpto (Adam West)– Paypal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/underwoodpto. Please specify the Holiday Gift Card Drive in the notes! Please send any gift cards to: Underwood PTO Attn:Gift Card Drive at 101 Vernon Street, Newton MA 02458, READ MORE
Underwood After School Updates!
Underwood After School’s Annual Musical: Annie Jr When: January 3rd through March 18th Rehearses Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 4:00PM-5:30PM Open to 2nd through 5th-grade students First Rehearsal: Monday, January 3rd Dress Rehearsal: Thursday, March 17th Performance: Friday, March 18th Not enrolled in after school? No problem! Email us today about signing your child up for our production! Email us at info@underwoodafterschool.org for more information! If your child does not attend after school, you can enroll them for at least 2 out of our 3 practice days. You can also learn more about Underwood After School Program at underwoodafterschool.org. Already enrolled in UASP? Log into your parent portal to sign your child up! UASP February Vacation Camp – Winter Wonderland Tuesday February 22nd-Friday February 25th 8:30-5:30PM $85 per day, 2 day minimum Open to all students Underwood After School Program will be READ MORE
Annual Gift Card Drive
It is that time of year again when the Underwood family joins together to help members in our community who could use a little boost around the holidays.The Underwood PTO will be collecting gift cards or donations to buy gift cards for our Holiday Gift Card Drive through Monday, December 13th. 100% of any funds donated will be used to purchase gift cards. All cards donated will be distributed to Underwood families in need, for their direct benefit. Gift cards for area grocery stores, pharmacies, retail stores and gas stations are all useful.Donations to purchase gift cards can be made via check mailed to the same address, Venmo @underwoodpto (Adam West) or Paypal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/underwoodpto. Please specify the Holiday Gift Card Drive in the notes! Please send any gift cards to: Underwood PTO Attn:Gift Card Drive at 101 Vernon Street, Newton MA 02458, or email underwoodpto@gmail.com to coordinate a drop-off. Your READ MORE
Owl of the Month: Nurse Carrie
Since we can’t all meet in person at school, we wanted to highlight a different Underwood staff member each month so you can get to know the community from home! This month we’ll get to know Nurse Carrie! 1. What is your name? Nurse Carrie (last name Gately) 2. What is your role at Underwood. I am the school nurse. 3. Where did you grow up? Newton Corner:) 4. What is your favorite Underwood tradition? Understanding Our Differences because I was a coordinator for 10 years when I was an Underwood parent and I met a lot of inspiring people and enjoyed watching the kids learn. 5. Do you have a favorite Fall activity? Enjoying the crisp air either by walking with a friend or playing outside with my 2 grandchildren. 6. Please share one piece of advice with the Underwood community. If you are annoyed with READ MORE
Letter from Principal Suzie – November 2021
Dear Underwood Families, What a beautiful fall we are enjoying so far, with temperatures so warm it is hard to believe we are part way through November. As you know through participation in recent parent-teacher conferences, students are well into their routines here at Underwood. This week we held our first virtual All School Meeting (ASM) during our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) time on Wednesday. During our weekly SEL block, we all engage in activities that build a sense of community within and across all grade-levels, teach and reinforce social/emotional skills, establish connections between all adults in school and children, and foster an environment where students feel as though they belong, are safe, and can have fun. ASM is a time when the entire K-5 community joins together and, due to COVID restrictions, we will do so via Zoom. Our READ MORE
New England Camp Fair is Saturday, November 13th!
Did you know that many summer camps start registration in NOVEMBER? The 4th annual New England Camp Fair will take place this Saturday, November 13 from 11am-2pm at Underwood Elementary School in Newton, MA (101 Vernon St, Newton, MA 02458) and is sponsored by the Underwood PTO! Showing up with your prospective campers is a HUGE help to the PTO (lots of attendees=happy camps!) and we do have a few hour-long volunteer opportunities on Saturday and would love your help: https://docs.google.com/…/1_hKLfYtuqbZB2vUmZcyQ…/edit… Come meet 20+ day and overnight camps, including traditional sleep-away options and sports, arts, STEM, and special interest-focused camps! The New England Camp Fair is FREE for kids and their grown-ups, and features free coffee and donuts (while supplies last!) Learn more here: https://www.newenglandcampfair.org/
November is Family Literacy Month!
Family literacy month is an opportunity for families to learn and read together. Family literacy is about family members enhancing reading and writing skills through activities that they may do together. Check out the calendar of ways to celebrate literacy throughout the month (printed copies are available at the Underwood Infobox). Try one, try some, try them all! Over the course of the month, be sure to take a moment to snap a selfie (or photograph) with your family reading or participating in one of the daily activities, and then send it to Ms. Stacey Mann, Underwood Literacy Specialist! At the end of the month, we will display the photos to celebrate family literacy at Underwood School. Thanks so much for your participation! Please let Ms. Mann know if you have any questions at faneuils@newton.k12.ma.us
Shop with AmazonSmile, Send .05% to Underwood
AmazonSmile helps combine your support for the Underwood PTO with your everyday online shopping. It’s a simple and automatic way for you to support the PTO every time you shop, at no extra cost to you. Underwood will earn 0.5% on eligible purchases! AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop with AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. We invite you to support the Underwood PTO at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-2562184. Note: Purchases must be made on smile.amazon.com! FAQs How READ MORE