We are so excited to welcome everyone back to Underwood on September 9th for the first day of school! In the meantime, we wanted to share these welcome back letters from all of the Underwood teachers. You can click on the pictures below to open the whole letter, which includes school supply lists for each grade. The letter will open in a new browser window and you can save it or print it from there! Kindergarten First Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade
The Hoot
Notes for Back to School
School Hours and Before School Programming We want to remind you that the school hours for the 2021-22 school year have shifted. The school day will run from 8:10 am until 2:50 pm. The exception is Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, we always have an early release at 12:20 pm. On-Time Students must arrive outside school by 8:05 am (please do not drop off children before 8:00, as there are no adults outside to supervise). The bell rings at 8:10am. We expect all children to be in their classrooms by 8:20am. Late Arrival Children who arrive late must go to the main office to fill out a late slip, which they bring to their teacher. Children who enter the classroom late consistently miss valuable learning time. Please ensure your children are at school on time by 8:10 am. Noteworthy Dates Below please READ MORE
Welcome Back from Dr. Sujan S. Talukdar, Principal
August 24, 2021 Dear Underwood Families, Welcome back to school! A special welcome to our incoming kindergarten families, our “New to Underwood” families, and our returning DLA families! I hope this letter finds you well and rejuvenated, particularly after such a challenging year. Summer is intended to be a time filled with laughter, relaxation and new adventures. My family enjoyed time together and took an exciting trip to Maui where my son went snorkeling for the first time. We met up with friends there and took time to explore the island and experience the culture. This year, my son (Jonathan, 13) will attend a new school and enter grade 7. This is an exciting time for my family. I know it will come with the many ups and downs of adolescence and middle school, all while navigating the challenges that READ MORE
See you in September!
School is out for the summer! We made it! Thank you to our entire community, including our Underwood families and staff members, for coming together to find many bright spots in this crazy year. We look forward to having our entire Underwood family back together in the building next year and we are already planning lots of fun events for the fall! In the meantime, please read below for a note from Mr. Gluck about caring for our Underwood garden over the summer. As a reminder, elementary school hours will be 8:10 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. (early release Wednesdays at 12:20 p.m.) next year and school begins on Thursday, September 9th. Click here for the 2021-22 School Year Calendar We wish you and your family a safe and happy summer! Underwood PTO Help Water and Weed the Underwood Garden this Summer! Mr. READ MORE
Health Updates from Nurse Carrie – June 25th, 2021
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
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
Spring Fling – June 11th
Let’s Celebrate the End of the School Year! With our full scale Underwood Spring Carnival on hold for a second year, join us for a Spring Fling outdoors at Underwood Playground on Friday, June 11th from 5-8pm to celebrate the end of the school year with the Underwood community! The PTO will be providing a children’s DJ, Bubble Barge, and lawn games for entertainment. Pizza by the slice and ice cream truck available for dessert! We hope to see you there! Click here to let us know you’re coming!
We Are “Back” Yard Concert – June 4th
Events Are BACK! Join us for a We are “Back”yard Concert featuring award-winning singer/songwriter (and parent of Underwood 3rd grader, Tallulah) Will Dailey. The concert will be hosted by the Goldworms and Luethys from 7-9pm on Friday, June 4th with a suggestion donation to the PTO of $20 per person. We are looking forward to this adult night out and have arranged Kids Night Out childcare with the WSYMCA – see below. Please register as space is limited due to COVID gathering limits! BYOB & masks! Registrants will receive the concert address via email. Suggested PTO Donation This concert ticket has a suggested donation of $20 per person, with 100% of donations going to the Underwood PTO. Donations can be made via:Venmo – @underwoodpto / John PapoutsisPaypal – https://www.underwoodschoolpto.org/fundraising/donate/Check – https://www.underwoodschoolpto.org/fundraising/donate/ WSYMCA Kids Night Out West Suburban YMCA will 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