Dear Underwood Families, The last month has been challenging for all of us, but we are so grateful that the Underwood community continues to navigate the changing Covid landscape with such compassion, patience, and courtesy for others. Thank you to our incredible teachers and staff for continuing to make this a great year for our children and pitching in when colleagues are absent. While the next couple of months will be quiet in terms of in-person events, it will make it that much sweeter when we gather this spring outdoors as a community! The Underwood Spring Carnival is COMING BACK on June 3rd, 2022! The Spring Carnival is a beloved Underwood tradition and the favorite event of the year for many kids and parents alike, featuring inflatables, games, music, food, and a teacher dunk tank! Thank you to everyone who READ MORE
The Hoot
From the Desk of Principal Talukdar, January 2022
Dear Underwood Families, Can you believe that Monday, January 31 marks the 90th day of school and is this year’s date for our “Halfway Day” celebration? In the past, students have chosen to celebrate halves in some of the following ways: Wearing two different shoes Wearing half of their hair in a ponytail or braid Spiking up or styling half of their hair Rolling up one sleeve or pant leg Decorating half of an old shirt. Although none of this is required, these are just some ways to mark this momentous occasion and have some fun with each other. All are welcome to join in if interested. As February approaches, we take time to reflect on two important occasions, Lunar New Year and Black History Month, both beginning this year on February 1. Lunar New year is the observance of READ MORE
Owl of the Month – Stacey Mann
1. What is your name? Stacey Faneuil Mann 2. What is your role at Underwood? Literacy coach…I work with students and teachers in grades K-5. 3. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Newton, actually right up the street on the corner of Park and Cotton! I am a Ward school, Bigelow and Newton North High School graduate myself! I love how this keeps me grounded and invested in our learning at an even deeper level. 4. What is your favorite Underwood tradition? Hmmm…this is a tough one as we have so many wonderful traditions here. But, I really love our March Book Madness celebration. I love seeing the students’ reactions to which books win every week and celebrating the final winner! 5. Do you have a favorite Fall activity? I am a huge NE Patriots fan, so my favorite fall READ MORE
Letter from the PTO Co-Presidents
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
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