Dear Underwood Families, It is hard to believe we are already in week #5 of the 2021-22 school year. Words cannot describe just how exciting it is to have students back in the building, all five days a week, with school feeling just a bit closer to “normal” than last year. Visiting classrooms everyday, I am able to see first hand the joy students are finding in learning. We value the social emotional development of students and recognize the importance of having each child feel valued and a sense of belonging to the school community. Teachers are doing an outstanding job promoting our CARES values as they build relationships with their new students. You are also doing an AMAZING job! Your trust and support of our staff means more than you know. In addition, thank you for doing your part READ MORE
Category: News
Letter from The PTO Co-Presidents – October 7th, 2021
Dear Underwood Families, We felt so lucky to be able to hold our Back-to-School Picnic this year after skipping this event last fall. Turnout was incredible and seeing so many families enjoying the DJ, dinner, and each other’s company on the playground was a heart-warming reminder of how much has changed in a year. We are excited for the year ahead at Underwood, and are so appreciative of all Underwood families for engaging with our school and PTO and making our community events a success. Our Membership Dues Drive is off to a fantastic start and we are already over 25% of the way towards our goal of participation by 50 families. Thank you to everyone who has already made a contribution and let’s keep the momentum going! Thank you to everyone who hosted and attended the Back-to-School Grown-Up Cocktail Parties over the last month! It has been READ MORE
Food Truck Fundraiser: The Chubby Chickpea + Chillwagon on 10/15
Want to support the Underwood community AND not make dinner? Join us on 10/15/21 for two food trucks at Underwood that support the PTO’s initiatives. The Chubby Chickpea and the Chillwagon will be at Underwood from 4-7pm and a portion of proceeds goes directly back to the Underwood PTO. You can pre-order Chubby Chickpea here: https://www.bestfoodtrucks.com/shifts/76464-underwoodelementary-on-2021-10-15?r= and Chillwagon ice cream here: https://www.bestfoodtrucks.com/shifts/76517-underwoodelementary-on-2021-10-15
Health Assessment Tool for Underwood Families ’21-22
Nurse Carrie has provided a helpful tool to help Underwood grown-ups understand how to make the best decision about when to keep their child home, contact their PCP and obtain testing. The information is taken from a document that NPS (with the help of HHS) put out at the beginning of the year but she customized it for Underwood Families. She suggests that families can print it and hang it in an accessible place. Parents are often understandably confused about when they should or should not send their child to school in this age of COVID which we still find ourselves in. Health Assessment Tool For Underwood Families Does your student have any of the following symptoms? Fever (100F or higher) and/or chills Cough (not due to other known causes, such as a chronic cough) Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath New loss of taste or smell Muscle aches or body aches READ MORE
iWalk Day – October 6, 2021
Will you walk, roll, bike or bus this year? Choose what works for your family to celebrate International Walk to School Day this year! Held annually, this event joins together students from over 40 countries. Enjoy our walkable neighborhoods and say hello to the friendly crossing guards on your way to school on the 6th and every day. There will be stickers and bookmarks for the first 100 walkers/bikers/bus riders. Visit www.NewtonSafeRoutes for more information about walking, rolling, biking and taking the bus. On Oct. 6 and every day, practice walking safetly with your family: remember that crossing guards are there to keep your family safe on the way to school. Help them by waiting at the curb and only crossing when instructed. cross carefully at intersections without guards use pedestrian signals and crosswalks contact the city, PTO, or Underwood’s READ MORE
NPS District Update: COVID-19 Testing Sign Up
A note from Principal Suzie: COVID Testing Program – REGISTER NOW! One of the many layers of safety we have put in place in schools this year is COVID testing. I am happy to report that, as of today, nearly 50% of students of our students at Underwood are registered for our COVID testing program. If you have not done so already, I would ask you and your family to strongly consider opting into the testing program in order to meet our goal of 100% participation. In addition to helping to keep our school community healthy, one of the most important reasons to opt into testing is so that your student can stay in school, even if they are identified as a close contact. This new program is called Test and Stay. Test and Stay means unvaccinated asymptomatic close contacts exposed at school can participate in a COVID READ MORE
Back to School Picnic on September 23rd
Join us on September 23rd from 5:30-7pm for the annual back-to-school picnic! The Musical Bubble barge and DJ is coming back by popular demand from 5:30-7pm! There will be dancing, games, and BUBBLES! You can pre-order food from Trolley Dogs and Frosty Ice Cream here: https://www.bestfoodtrucks.com/underwoodelementaryor whole pizzas from C&N Pizza here: https://forms.gle/xhk4oZZgLUYGQWNdA Familes are also encouraged to bring their own food and picnic! We can’t wait to see you!
The Underwood PTO Family Directory
The PTO invites you to join our directory! The directory list will be used for school-wide email communications, newsletters, and notifications only. Registration and more information can be found here: https://forms.gle/ioxVTo9Jmy1kL4jL9 No student or family information will be shared outside of the Underwood School. You may request removal from the directory at any time. You will be able to manage your own contact information and privacy settings. The directory contains a listing of all students and faculty as well as contact details for families who choose to share their information. All families will have access to the directory regardless of the information provided and privacy settings. If you have questions, please email underwoodpto@gmail.comFor more information go to underwoodschoolpto.org/connect/online-directory/Don’t forget to join our Facebook group too! facebook.com/UnderwoodSchoolPTO/
In-School COVID Testing Update from NPS
Dear NPS Families, As shared in previous district newsletters and the August 2021 family webinar, Newton Public Schools will again offer COVID testing for students and staff during the 2021-22 school year. This year, NPS is participating in the state-sponsored multi-tiered COVID testing program, which will be administered by CIC Health. There are three testing strategies, which are as follows: Symptomatic Testing: This protocol (a rapid test), will be used for students and staff who develop symptoms while at school. Test and Stay (Close contact testing): This protocol (a rapid test) will be used to test unvaccinated asymptomatic individuals who have been identified as close contacts following possible exposure at school. Routine (Weekly) COVID Pooled Testing: This protocol (anterior nasal swab) will be used for the weekly COVID testing program. Here are specific notes about the testing and consent: Testing will occur at school during the READ MORE
First Day of School is tomorrow! :)
We are so excited to welcome your children back to school tomorrow, September 9, 2021. Unfortunately, the forecast indicates that it will rain and to avoid any confusion during the morning drop off, I have outlined a revised plan for the first day of school. Morning Arrival (9/9 Arrival Map): K-2: Line up under the tents At 8:05am, K-2 Teachers will greet their students with their large signs under the tent Grade 1 will line up closest to Eldredge, then Grade 2, then Grade K closest to the parking lot side of the tent. At 8:10am, Grade 1 & 2 Teachers will walk students into the building through the main entrance. Kindergarten will enter through the entrance by the parking lot. Grades 3-5: Line up in the gymnasium At 8:05am, 3-5 Teachers will greet students in the gymnasium with their READ MORE
Underwood Merch is Back
For the second year in a row, we have partnered with local business All Sportswear in Newton Highlands to provide Underwood gear to students and their grown-ups! Show your school spirit and support the PTO through this Fall Fundraiser! There are tee-shirts, sweatshirts, and PJ pants now available: View options and purchase yours here: https://all-sports-wear.myshopify.com/collections/underwood-elementary-school-fall-fundraiser
Back to School Backyard Socials
Calling all parents and guardians! We are so excited to start a new twist on an old Underwood tradition! In lieu of the old potlucks, we’re hosting grade-level outdoor socials for parents and guardians (yes, no kids allowed – please do not bring children!) These evening events will be held outdoors and hosted by families from your child’s grade(s). Each will feature light refreshments (think cookies and beverages!) The dates for each grade are below, please mark your calendar for your applicable grade(s). Keep an eye out for locations and other details in the coming weeks! Parties will be held 6-8pm: Kindergarten – Saturday 9/18 1st Grade – Friday 9/24 2nd Grade – Saturday 9/25 3rd Grade – Friday 10/1 4th Grade – Friday 9/17 5th Grade – Friday 9/24 Please RSVP to each grown-up party applicable to your student(s) READ MORE