Key Upcoming Dates:
April 5: PTO Social at the Social
April 6: Community Conversation: Newton METCO Presentation 7pm
April 15: Good Friday (No School)
April 18-22: April Recess
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Dear Underwood Families,
Thank you for making the 2022 Underwood Online Auction a smashing success! The auction raised over $10,000, which will cover nearly the entire Creative Arts & Sciences (CAS) budget for this year. Thank you not only to the generous business who provided items, but to Julie Chrzan, Jared and Tess Leeds, Victoria Peake, the Abram, Curran, Dao, Davis, Morgan, and Peterson families, and our Underwood staff for generously donating items and events to help make the auction a success!
Speaking of CAS, all Underwood students will experience three enrichment programs this spring, including Authorfest on April 12th. All grades will have an author visit the classroom in person or virtually that day (with the exception of Kindergarten, whose author, Emilie Boon, is visiting on May 18th instead). Thank you to our CAS Co-Chairs Christie Gibson and Heather Hanson, and our grade level coordinators for the enormous task of getting these programs selected and scheduled!
PTO Social at the Social – April 5th @ 7:00pm
Join the PTO Board for a casual adult night out at Social Restaurant and Bar at 380 Washington Street at 7:00pm on Tuesday, April 5th. Learn more about the PTO, meet other Underwood parents, and bring a friend!
Community Conversation: Newton METCO Presentation – April 6th @ 7:00pm
Join us for our second Underwood Community Conversation featuring Newton METCO Director Lisa Gilbert-Smith on Wednesday, April 6th at 7:00pm on Zoom. Learn general information about the Newton METCO program and its history and join discussions on how partnerships ensure that all students in Newton Public Schools flourish. Register at https://bit.ly/community2_2022. Thank you to the PTO VP of DEI Gretchen Weismann and METCO Liaison Agustina Moron for organizing this Community Conversations series!
*Save the Date* NewtonSERVES Day – May 1st
NewtonSERVES day is scheduled for Sunday, May 1st this year. Mark your calendars for our annual Underwood Garden spring cleanup!
*Save the Date* Underwood Night at the Movies – May 6th 6-8pm
The Underwood PTO is excited to sponsor a community night out at West Newton Cinema on Friday, May 6th. Stay tuned for info on how to sign up and what the movie will be – send your movie suggestions to underwoodpto@gmail.com!
*Save the Date* 5th Grade vs. Staff Kickball Game – May 20th
This year’s 5th Grade class will be challenging the Underwood teachers and staff to a game of kickball after school on Friday, May 20th. Look out for more details about this favorite Underwood tradition as it gets closer. If you are interested in volunteering during this event, please let us know at underwoodpto@gmail.com!
All our best,
Amy Davis and Laura Goldworm
PTO Co-Presidents
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FUEL Program Ongoing Food Donations
The Underwood PTO collects food donations on an ongoing basis to benefit the FUEL Program, which distributes a weekly bag of food to Newton families, including those in the Underwood community. We invite Underwood families to support our neighbors and fellow Newton residents by contributing non perishable items for distribution. Click here to find the list of accepted items (please do not drop off any items not listed).
Parent volunteers Nicole Peterson and Diane Martel collect donations of the above items at 34 Eldredge Street (blue house directly across the street from the school) or 14 Shornecliffe Road on the front porch. For the month of April we are encouraging each grade to bring a specific item to ensure a variety of donations – see below. Please direct any questions to Nicole at nmprairie@gmail.com.
April Donations
Kindergarten – Marinara sauce (24 oz, preferably in plastic) and Soup, hearty (10-15oz each)
1st Grade – Chicken (canned 12.5oz) and Tuna (canned)
2nd Grade – Cereal (10-12 oz) or cereal bars, and Crackers (10-15 oz box)
3rd Grade – Fruit (individual cups), Applesauce (individual cups or squeeze portions), and Fruit (15 oz cans of pineapple, fruit cocktail, pears, peaches or oranges)
4th Grade -Pasta (1 lb of any type, box or bag) and Rice (1 or 2 lb bag or box)
5th Grade – Macaroni and cheese, Beans, preferably bagged (black, pinto, etc.), and Peanut butter (18oz)