April 24th

Communication

Arrival and Dismissal: Parents, be sure during morning arrival that you go through the carpool line. We have seen an increase of students being dropped off at the stop sign or the bus loop, which is unsafe for our students. Also during dismissal, walkers please be sure that you are walking with your child(ren) as there is a lot of traffic near the bus loop and the carpool loop.

Critical Thinking

SSA Nomination - April 26 (4:15 pm) is the due date for SSA nominations.  If you receive a parent nomination, please forward them to us by that time, no later. If you have any students you think would benefit from this process, please contact their parents to make sure they're aware and direct them to the Wake Co. website: http://wakeacceleration.weebly.com

Collaboration

Creativity 

Wake ID Icon - Communications department has created a WakeID global icon for the school websites. This icon will replace the Webmail and Google Apps icons. We will apply the WakeID icon to your school website. This update will be completed by next Wednesday.

April 17th

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Critical Thinking

Ciara Cooke - Congratulations to Ciara on being appointed to the lead Secretary of Brier Creek Elementary. Although, we are sad to see her leave our school, but we know that she will do a fantastic job at Briar Creek. Due to the current open position her last day at Underwood will be this Friday the 21st.

Teacher Placement - If you have a preference or recommendation for the type of teacher for next year's class, be sure to put in writing (with specific qualities) and send it to Mr. Shillings. After classes have been created by teachers of the sending grade, these recommendations will be considered by admin over the summer. 

Collaboration 

Annual WCPSS Student Surveys for grades 4&5 - school engagement and "grit"(approx 10 minutes) and focus of 4th grade is extracurricular activities and advanced courses (5-6 minutes). Each survey is available in both English and Spanish and each student can access their survey in either language using the following link: http://surlogin.wcpss.net/. Students must take these surveys at school, as the link is not accessible outside of the WCPSS computer network. students will have to use their PowerSchool ID number to access their survey. The surveys will remain active from March 20th to May 26th, so please ensure that all grades 4-5 and 7-12 students have the opportunity to complete the survey at school before May 26th.  Results will be tabulated by school and reported out this summer. 

Communication 

Weekly Messages -  Classroom teachers and specialists will continue to communicate with families at a minimum one message a week. Please contact classroom teachers if you have specific questions regarding your child's progress. It has been great seeing many teachers using Twitter and Blogs to showcase your students work. 

Creativity 

Animoto -- A great way to tell a story. Colby and Emily interviewed me with six to seven questions and this is what they created facilitated by Tanya. 

Want to be king Animoto original story and art by Greer 

April 3rd

Communication

PTA / Grants -- 34 iPads (arts 20/jenny 5 (through Donor's Choose)/PTA funds 4. , 4 iPods, 1 Mac book, 1 iMac, ...and a new Media/Lab/Lounge make over! We are continuing to focus on providing students and teachers with new devices to increase our opportunities to collaborate, be creative, think critically and increase communication skills!

Report Cards - Report cards go home on April 7th. If the student is not present at school on Friday, the report cards will go home in their Tuesday Folder on the 18th.

Reflections breakfast-Join us on Tuesday morning at 8am in the Media Center to celebrate all participants in the Reflections program.  A light breakfast will be provided.

Collaboration

Foundation - Thank you to those that supported the Foundation Gala. We had a very successful fundraising event. Thank you to the Foundation Board members led by Steve Mangano.

Critical Thinking

Wake Portal - Be sure to bookmark the portal site https://wakeid.wcpss.net and sign in using your new password. Students will go to https://wakeid.wcpss.net and log in with the normal process but they will need to use their student ID number as their password. Students in grades 4-12 will then be prompted to reset their password.

Creativity

April is School Library Month! It is with great pride that Instructional Technology and Library Media Services invites you to join us in celebrating the essential role our school libraries and school library media coordinators play in transforming learning and supporting student achievement. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has sponsored School Library Month since 1985. This year’s theme is School Libraries Empower Students.