Dear Underwood Families,
I hope you had a wonderful summer. The change of pace that summer brings often allows time for relaxation and fun, and I hope all of our families found time for both. As September approaches, I expect many children are ready to return to school. The beginning of a new school year is always filled with energy, excitement, and optimism. This year is no exception, and we look forward to welcoming students back in the coming weeks.
The first day of school is Tuesday, September 4th. Students in grades 1-5 and kindergarteners in Group A will attend school on that day. All students will be released at 12:30. Wednesday, September 5th will be the first day for kindergarteners in Group B. Kindergarteners will be released at 12:30 while students in grades 1 – 5 will be released at 3:00. Starting Thursday, September 6th, kindergarteners in Groups A and B will attend school until 12:30. The first full-day for kindergarten will be Monday, October 1st for Group A and Thursday, October 4th for Group B.
While many teachers were working in the building this week, the Underwood staff will officially return on Wednesday, August 29th. We look forward to greeting all families at our Visitor’s Day on Thursday, August 30th. If you are able, please stop by the school between 2:00 and 2:45 PM to meet your child’s teacher, connect with other families, and see the classrooms.
As a reminder, for the first week of school students should meet their teachers on the blacktop for a reverse dismissal. All classroom teachers will meet children outside and lead students in just after 8:20 AM. Classroom teachers will have their signs so they can be easily recognized. Beginning Tuesday, September 11th students will enter the building when the doors open at 8:20 and meet their teachers in their classrooms.
In the first weeks of school we have a number of important events. Please mark you calendars!
- Visitor’s Day – Thursday, August 30th from 2:00 – 2:45 PM
- First Day of School for Grades 1 – 5 & Kindergarten Group A – Tuesday, September 4th
- First Day of School for Kindergarten Group B – Wednesday, September 5th (Kindergarteners in Group A do not attend school on this day)
- Principal’s Coffee – Friday, September 7th from 8:30 – 9:30 AM
- Back to School Picnic – Thursday, September 13th at 5:30 PM
- Curriculum Night – Thursday, September 27th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM (Parents only)
- Picture Day – Wednesday, October 3rd
Please also note there are two holidays in September. There will not be school on Monday, September 10th in honor of Rosh Hashanah. There will also be no school on Wednesday, September 19th in honor of Yom Kippur.
Finally, in addition to the early release days on Tuesdays, we will have six early release days throughout the year. Parents and caregivers often find it helpful to know these dates early in the school year so they can plan accordingly. Again, students are released at 12:30 on early dismissals, and lunch is not served. This year the early release days will be:
- Thursday, September 27th
- Thursday, November 1st
- Wednesday, December 5th
- Wednesday, February 6th
- Thursday, March 21st
- Thursday, May 9th
As we begin this school year, I want to thank you in advance for all the time, energy, and support that you will give your child, the staff, and the school. I look forward to working with you and our staff throughout the year to provide the best educational experiences for our children. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Kathleen M. Smith