WELCOME BACK!

Hello Underwood Families!

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! I hope you all had a fantastic summer.

My name is Hope Rush, and I am thrilled to be your new elementary principal here at Underwood. For those who may not know, I grew up right here in Underwood, attended school, and graduated as a proud Comet! After spending 24 years in the Bismarck-Mandan school systems, I am excited to return to where my passion for education began! 📖

I’ve been married to Jeremy, my high school sweetheart, for 27 years. We have three wonderful children: our son who lives and works in Bismarck, our middle daughter who is a senior in college in Fargo, and our youngest who is a junior in high school in Bismarck.

I’m excited to dive into this year with all of you to ensure our students thrive and succeed. But remember, we can’t do this without your support! As the saying goes, “It takes a village,” and we are eager to work together with you, as you are your child's first teacher.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. I would love to connect with you!

Looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Warm regards,

Hope Rush

Principal Underwood Elementary School

All of our Underwood staff have been hard at work getting our school and classrooms ready for our students. Below is some important information for our 1st Day of school on August 21st:

MORNING DROP-OFF AND RECESS LOGISTICS

Morning Recess Start Time: 8:00 am

1. Arrival Before 8:00 am:

   • Students will wait in the main entryway in the Commons.
   • They will be dismissed to go outside to play at 8:00 am.

2. Eating Breakfast at School:

   • Students should enter through the Commons and go to the lunchroom for breakfast.
   • After finishing breakfast, they will be dismissed to go outside to play.

3. Arrival at 8:00 am-8:25 am:

   • Drop off in the drop-off zone on the side of the gym.
   • Students can go directly outside to play.

4. Bus Riders:

   • Students will enter through the Commons entrance.
   • They can either go to breakfast in the lunchroom or go outside to play, depending on their preference.

Note: Ensure your child is aware of these procedures to make their transition smooth and timely. We will have staff available to help learn this new routine as well!

SCHOOL INITIATIVES

As part of our commitment to improving reading scores this year, we want to highlight the crucial role that regular attendance plays in your child's learning journey.

Two key factors that predict a beginning reader's success are:

1. Alphabetic Knowledge: Understanding the names, shapes, and sounds of letters.
2. Phonemic Awareness: The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words.

To ensure that your child benefits fully from our reading programs and learn these skills, it's essential for them to attend school on time and every day they are well.

Additionally, reading impacts the brain in profound ways. Engaging with stories and characters helps develop emotional intelligence and empathy by encouraging perspective-taking. When readers imagine characters as real people with unique viewpoints, they experience increased brain activity beyond just language centers. This deep engagement supports overall cognitive growth and emotional development.

Your support in ensuring consistent school attendance and reading with your child at home is vital for your child's progress in these areas. Thank you for partnering with us to enhance your child's educational experience.

PARENT PARTICIPATION

If you are looking for a way to participate in school, please reach out to your child's teacher. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with you this year!

Tuesday, August 20th

4:00-6:00 pm

Come and Meet your student's teacher,

Bring supplies & see the classroom,

Help to start the year off right!

We believe that effective communication between our staff and families is essential for student success. As we work to keep you informed and engaged, we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or feedback. Your input helps us support your child’s education and ensures we can address any issues promptly. Together, we can create a positive and productive learning environment for our students.

Communication Policy

To ensure effective and respectful communication within our school community, we ask that you follow the established chain of command when addressing any problems or concerns. Here is the recommended process:

1. Class or Activity Concern: Start by bringing your concern to the attention of the teacher or staff member responsible for the class or activity in question. They are often best positioned to address issues directly related to their area.

2. Principal: If the matter is not resolved or if you feel the issue needs further attention, please contact the principal. The principal is available to assist with more complex or unresolved concerns.

3. Superintendent: Should the principal be unable to assist or if the issue remains unresolved, the next step is to reach out to the superintendent. The superintendent can provide additional support and guidance as needed.

We believe that maintaining open, respectful communication is crucial for working together effectively. Following this chain of command helps ensure that your concerns are addressed in a timely and organized manner.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Email: Principal- hope.rush@underwoodschool.org

Website: underwoodschool.org
Location: 123 Summit Street, Underwood, ND 58576
Phone: (701) 442-3201