Week of September 24th

Underwood School Family, 

Last week to enjoy the month of September...

Elective Letter website  - First - fifth grade families, click on this link to view your child's elective letters to see what they are going to be doing in their electives that started last week. Or check out our website - https://www.wcpss.net/underwoodes 

Grounds Day -- Set for October 6th -- 9:00 am -12:00pm at Underwood Elementary. We need your help to spruce up some of our bushes, clean up litter and rebuild some of the garden structures. 

Hurricane Relief efforts -- Underwood is collaborating with 19 other magnet schools to provide Hurricane Florence relief efforts. So if you are willing Underwood Staff and Families are donating -- Canned Meats (pop tops preferred). We will have a box in the front office to collect these Canned Meats. On Friday September 28th we will be deliverying to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. 

READEVOLUTION --- Please be sure you have worked with your child to login to the Readvolution website.  https://readvolution.cenagage.com/wake

Login- WakeID (all students have an ID-  K-2 students ID was written on the paperwork home

Password-  WakeID password (student number). 

See letter in Tuesday folders for more information about our partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes. If you have any questions, please contact Alexandria Judge-Lenkeit- ajudge-lenkeit@wcpss.net

Revised WCPSS Elementary Report Card information (an additional letter will go out to families). 

• No overall ELA or Math Grade
• There will be four ELA grades based on the clusters (Language, Reading, Speaking & Listening, and Writing).
• There will be five Math grades based on the domains. The domains vary based on the grade levels

School Family Picnic - Come out and join our school family on September 27th from 5:30 - 7:00, bring dinner with you, pick up something at one of the Five Points restraunts or take it advantage of one of the food trucks -- Big Mike's BBQ, Mr. A's Beignets, and Kona Ice! 

Save the dates:

September 27th -- School Family Picnic 
September 28th -- Regular school time 
October 1st-  Unicorn Trot staff breakfast @ 8:00 
October 2nd -- Interims go home 

October 5th--  Fall Pictures
October 6th --  Grounds Day (9am-12pm)
October 12th-  Pep Rally (time K-2- 2:30 and 3-5- 3:00)
October 19th - Unicorn Trot (regular school time) 
October 31st - Make up day (elective schedule)
November 12th - No School (Veteran's day) 
November 20th - Early Release (students dismiss at 1:15) 
November 21-23 - Vacation and holidays 
November 27th - School Improvement Meeting 
November 27th - Giving Tuesday 

Second week of school

Underwood Families

Happy second week of school! We are off to a great start this school year, our school community is exhibiting PRIDE in all settings and those that aren't we are providing practice to teach those skills.

Thank you to all that came to the Open Houses this week! Thank you to our PTA and Foundation leaders that shared with our families the way they support Underwood. Here is the link to the presentation on Thursday's School Family meeting -- #smallschoolbigtalent presentation. Here is the link to more information about our Unicorn Trot - 2018 Unicorn Trot.

Bus evaluation practice: Each year transportation has the buses conduct a bus evacuation drill for bus safety.  In the event that the students may need to get off the bus quickly students practice exiting the back of the bus once a school year.  Underwood will have its annual bus evacuation drill on Monday September 10th  when the buses arrive at school.  School staff members will be there to help the students practice and then go to class as usual.



Upcoming Events:

September 11th -- BOG (Beginning of Grade) 3rd grade 
September 12th--  First day of Electives

September 19th -- No School 
September 25th--  Interims Go Home

September 27th -- School Family Picnic 

September 28th -- Early Release 

First Week of School

We had a successful first week of school! It seemed like the students were engaged and excited to be back at school, but for some it was hard getting back into a school routine (it will get better)! Rest, relax and enjoy the three day weekend. We welcome all of our kindergarten students on Tuesday, September 4th. 

This week we have focused on school-wide expectatations for PRIDE. Mrs. Mbalia and Mr. Shillings met with each grade level to go over dismissal, lunchroom, playground, bathroom, and hallway expectations.

P - Practice self-control
R - Responsibility is key
I -  Identify safe choices
D - Demonstrate respect
E - Excel in school (or in the setting)

In addition to our PRIDE reviews, our school has recommitted to Conscious Discipline as we are following the recommended Framework for full implementation, which is a 3 year process.  This year's Conscious Discipline efforts will include:

• Master Instructor Amy Speidel trained all teachers on August 23rd and August 24th focusing on the purpose and why behind the Powers/Skills/Structures of Conscious Discipline.  Thank you PTA for funding this professional developmental opportunity!
• Our CDAT Team (Conscious Discipline Action Team) will be meeting monthly to guide our implementation journey based on data, staff feedback and interest from our August training.
• Brain Smart Starts will be taking place on each bus upon arrival in the morning and before leaving each afternoon.  This four step process includes an activity to unite, disengage stress, connect and commit.
• School Family Assemblies (whole school) will be taking place quarterly this year.  Assemblies include:  celebrations, connection and a strategic mini-lesson tied to social-emotional learning.
• The staff will have the opportunity to view and reflect on the Conscious Discipline Trauma Webinar series to learn more about the effects on trauma on children, their developing brain and ways to support social-emotional learning.
• 4 staff members will be attending the NCaeyc Conference in September where Dr. Becky Bailey, the creator of Conscious Discipline, will be presenting the keynote speech.
• Conscious Discipline staff structures have been "re-energized" to allow staff to experience the power of CD on a daily basis too!  Thank you to Rachel Frasier for all her efforts over the summer to make this happen.  

Open House for Fifth Grade-September 5th - 5:30-6:00 

Open House (Grades K-4)-September 6th- 5:30-7:15

5:30 - 6:00 

Session 1 with classroom teachers

6:05 - 6:35 - 

School Meeting (PTA/Foundation/Mr. Shillings) in the multipurpose room.
 Also sign up for PTA, Foundation and other events while you are there! 

6:45 - 7:15 - 

Session 2 - repeat session with classroom teachers 

We wish you well as we all get back into our school routines. Here is an article that many parents can relate to when their children are trying to get back to their school routine. Wishing you well!

Make it a great week!