Category: News

Dear Underwood Families,   We hope you have enjoyed the start to this school year and were able to attend our annual Back-to-School Picnic!  The mission of the Underwood PTO is to support the provision of optimal growth opportunities for our students and to encourage communication, collaboration, and community among parents, staff, and neighbors. We accomplish these important goals through, among other things:  direct support to teachers and staff; Creative Arts and Sciences programming for students; budgeting for technology updates; community events such as the Back-to-School Picnic and Carnival; and support for other programs, such as Understanding our Differences, which support our goals. In 2023-24, the PTO is planning to provide nearly $50,000 in estimated support. Our budgeted breakdown of expenses this year for some of our key programs is:  We cannot support these initiatives without your help. Historically, our membership dues have READ MORE

Note from the NPS – Ayesha Farag, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education for Incoming Kindergarten Families Welcome to the Kindergarten Class of 2024! In order to register for kindergarten in September 2024,your child must turn five years old prior to September 1, 2024. This means that your child must be fiveyears old on or before August 31, 2024. To assist us with planning for the coming year, we ask that you complete a short online survey which canbe found here to let us know your plans for your child’s school registration. Providing this informationnow helps us to plan for staffing and support in your child’s potential school for the upcoming schoolyear. Even if you will not be registering your child to attend kindergarten in the Newton Public Schoolsor are unsure, information about your plans is incredibly helpful for our planning READ MORE

It’s here! The all new Underwood School Spirit Store! This all new print on demand store allows you to order the school spirit clothes and accessories you want, in the perfect sizes. Unlike a traditional school store we can offer a variety of styles, images, colors, and items – without have to hold onto inventory that might go unsold. You can check out the new school Store here and save 10% on any order placed in November with code welcome!

The Camp Fair Raffle features over $26,000 in prizes! Including: And so much more! See you Saturday!

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 2023-24 school year, we will meet 5-6 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 READ MORE

Back to school supply lists are now available! The PTO is excited to offer CORE supply bundles at a discounted costs. Learn more and purchase yours here. ORDERING ENDS ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 25th at 5PM!

As many of you know a task force has been convened to make recommendations on the future of the Underwood and Ward elementary schools.  Below is a note from the Ward PTO outlining a meeting they had regarding the proposed options and a timeline. To quote a parent in attendance, “I was blindsided by what they are proposing, and the timeline for how fast this could all happen.” A similar meeting will be held at Underwood on June 6th at 7pm and we encourage ALL families with children under 11 to attend (including those of you with kids not yet in school.) THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 7-8 in the Underwood Gym and is open ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS. Proposed changes could take place as early as the Fall of 2024 – impacting all children who are currently in the 3rd grade or younger.  We do READ MORE

In fall 2022, Mayor Fuller allocated $100,000 in ARPA funds to hire a Consultant for an Underwood and Ward Facility and Enrollment Study. Both Underwood and Ward occupy buildings that are nearly 100 years old, and both schools are experiencing enrollment declines that are beginning to impact the educational experience of students. Perkins and Eastman Architects has been selected as the consultant and a task force has been established. The consultant and the task force will work together over the coming months to help the district identify and examine options to address facility, educational, and enrollment challenges at Underwood and Ward. The task force will be meeting monthly and meetings are public. There will also be meetings with the staff and families at both schools, as well as community meetings and opportunities for staff, family and community input. To learn more about READ MORE

Don’t miss the annual 5th Grade vs. Teachers Kickball Game! Friday, May 12th at 3pm! All proceeds go to the 5th Grade Graduation activities! Purchase your tickets via venmo (@underwoodpto) or with cash. You can get tickets in-person afterschool on 5/10 and 5/11 afterschool or the Day of 5/12!

When: Friday, May 19th 6:30-8:30pmWhere: Underwood GymWho: All Underwood Families! Join us for the return of the famous Gillette Stadium Announcer Mike Rileyas he brings a new level of entertainment with a family-friendly music bingo and dance party night! Name that tune meets dance party USA! Participation of all ages is encouraged. Learn more and RVSP: bit.ly/UWD-Bingo