November 23rd

 Families, 

I continued to be thankful to serve a school community that supports each other, is helpful and looks for the best in all people. I wish you all the very best this week and hope that you take a few moments and share with those that you are thankful for having in your lives! 

VA/Plan A In-person and Asynchronous Info Wind Down Wednesday: Ms. Kronen, Mrs. Judge-Lenkeit, and I did a presentation about Asynchronous days, Virtual Academy and Plan A (in-person) to provide information about both options. Recordings found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OES4Ad4kC9GN_nGFc3Fhp-g3XlkXfp4H/view?usp=sharing 

WCPSS Wellness Training --- Open to all families, caretakers, and students - What? Supporting educators, parents, and caretakers by exploring the concept of resiliency and how to utilize wellness skills to restore balance to the mind and body. Wellness Training days and times.  

2020 Book Fair!

Underwood Families, your mission if you choose to accept it is . . . . to get ready for the 2020 Mission Possible Book Fair! Our first ever virtual book fair will begin Monday, November 30th. Be on the lookout for information on how to set up your family account, book fair themed events and ways to donate. 

Asynchronous Day 

This week on Wednesday will be our first district asynchronous day. Teachers will be taking attendance three times: morning meeting, Math (students are to do Dreambox for at least 30 minutes) and Reading (iStation for at least 30 minutes). Teachers have created a schedule for the day that could be followed, but for them to be counted at school these three things will need to be completed for attendance for the day. We use this data to make instructional changes and plans to support your child in ELA and math.  November 23 and 24 will be the next two days for your child(ren). 

Foundation - Be sure to connect on Facebook:  Underwood GT Magnet Elementary Foundation for a surprise announcement to come! We will be showcasing Underwood’s 35 year magnet history as we set our intentions on raising $10,000 between now and Giving Tuesday.  All donations are tax deductible as the Foundation is a 501c3.  The funds raised go directly to Underwood and provide flexibility in hiring/retaining needed staffing positions that aren’t provided by state and local funds.  VisitUnderwoodGives.givesmart.com to donate! 

PTA -- Thank you to all those that have donated to the PTA. Some of the funds raised by this event (and other donations) will be used to provide additional PPE for in-person, additional technology tools to be used for in-person and Virtual Academy, and additional items for individual use. To donate or find out more information about the PTA -- https://underwood.new.memberhub.store/.

Wishing you well!

Travis Shillings, Principal

November 17th

 Asynchronous Day 

This week on Wednesday will be our first district asynchronous day. Teachers will be taking attendance three times: morning meeting, Math (students are to do Dreambox for at least 30 minutes) and Reading (iStation for at least 30 minutes). Teachers have created a schedule for the day that could be followed, but for them to be counted at school these three things will need to be completed. 

Parent Checklist-  Are you having a hard time keeping track of what your child has or has not completed?  Review this weekly checklist with your child to ensure his/her success.  

 

In-person Dismissal starting on 11/16

All Carpoolers, Walkers or  YMCA will start loading at 3:40 

Wind Down Wednesday: Mr. Shillings will be doing a presentation about Virtual Academy and Plan A (in-person) to provide information about both options. Meet code is: https://meet.google.com/iox-tsbr-akn 

WCPSS School Board Meeting is today at 5:30 (work session is from 1-5) via https://www.youtube.com/user/WakeCountySchools. 

Foundation - Be sure to connect on Facebook:  Underwood GT Magnet Elementary Foundation for a surprise announcement to come! We will be showcasing Underwood’s 35 year magnet history as we set our intentions on raising $10,000 between now and Giving Tuesday.  All donations are tax deductible as the Foundation is a 501c3.  The funds raised go directly to Underwood and provide flexibility in hiring/retaining needed staffing positions that aren’t provided by state and local funds.  Visit UnderwoodGives.givesmart.com

to donate! 

PTA -- Thank you to all those that have donated to the PTA. Some of the funds raised by this event (and other donations) will be used to provide additional PPE for in-person, additional technology tools to be used for in-person and Virtual Academy, and additional items for individual use. To donate or find out more information about the PTA -- https://underwood.new.memberhub.store/.

Wishing you well! 

Travis Shillings, Principal

November 3rd

Underwood Families,

Here are some general updates for this week. I will continue to send out emails to families based on your learning settings. This email is for all Underwood Families: 

Report Cards - All students will be receiving their report cards for quarter one via email on Tuesday November 3rd by 5:00pm. You will notice that report cards look a little different than they usually do.  For the first quarter, your child will have comments only and no grades.  The comments should reflect how your child is progressing towards meeting the standards for the first quarter.  Additional information about your child's progress will also be shared at their Fall Conference.  Elective report cards will not be going home until the end of electives, December 8th.

2nd Elective Sign-up:  Elective registration is "live" and the form should be completed by Friday, November 6th.  Our second rotation of electives will be December 4th through February 26th.  Please read the google form information section thoroughly.  You will need to complete one form for each student.  All students, K-5, will have one elective (and continue with one special daily as well).  Electives are available to all students, whether in person or in virtual academy (with the exception of Trumpet, which is virtual academy only).  Sign up for electives here 

Wind Down Wednesday: Our interim school counselor, Brett Pesce, will be sharing a presentation titled: Life is Like Driving Down Wade Avenue --  No matter what you have going on these days, life is very much like driving up and down Wade Avenue!  Learn some parental coping skills and enjoy a bit of humor amidst all that is going on. Mrs. Pesce will be doing a brief PowerPoint and answering questions from parents. Join via Google Meet: on Wednesday night at 8:30pm:  https://meet.google.com/ced-ziui-ysj 

Virtual Academy/In-Person/Remote Learning - We have completed the first six days of in-person learning for our plan B students. We have procedures and processes in place to support the safety of students and staff. In the event that student(s) are in need to quarantine based on exposure or presumptive positive Covid Case may change in the temporary makeup of the remote learning and Virtual Academy classes to continue to provide all students with access to the standard course study for their grade level. This change may impact individual teacher schedules, if so, then the teacher will communicate to the families. 

**Bus Routes - Reminder that you are REQUIRED to submit a health attestation form for each child who plans to ride a yellow bus this school year. Students can't ride the bus until the form is submitted. Find online forms in English & Spanish at ]wcpss.net/busform.These are located on the WCPSS website http://webarchive.wcpss.net/school-directory/bus-routes/572.html 

Magnet Updates:

• Virtual Magnet Fair is this Saturday, November 7th from 9:00am-12:00pm.  A great way to explore the WCPSS Magnet Schools, especially for our 5th grade students going to Middle School next year.  Register here by clicking the Guest Registration button. 

• The Magnet Application window is October 15th-January 28th.  If you have a rising Kindergarten student, you will need to complete the application.  All 5th graders who want to continue in the GT (or any magnet) pathway, will also need to complete the application.   Contact Ashley Cooper, acooper4@wcpss.net, with any questions.

Spirit Night is November 11th from 12-9pm at Two Roosters Ice Cream Shop (215 E Franklin St #120, Raleigh, NC 27604).  Be sure to mention Underwood so our school can receive 20% of the sales proceeds that day.  

** YMCA - Afterschool - The Alexander YMCA has you covered after the bell rings!  Caring, trained counselors lead the program that complies with all state and local safety protocols.  Learn more about program changes and COVID pre-screenings to ensure the safety of your child.  Register today at: https://www.ymcatriangle.org/schools/underwood-elementary-after-school

Foundation - Please consider donating to the Underwood Foundation - http://www.underwoodfoundation.org/. The purpose of the foundation is to provide funds to close gaps in funding to ensure Underwood can maintain our staff and dynamic instructional programming. 

PTA -- Thank you to all those that have donated to the PTA. Some of the funds raised by this event (and other donations) will be used to provide additional PPE for in-person, additional technology tools to be used for in-person and Virtual Academy, and additional items for individual use. To donate or find out more information about the PTA -- https://underwood.new.memberhub.store/.

Wishing you well, 

Travis Shillings, Principal