Bridging the Generations: Engaging Underwood Alumni
Underwood Community comes through yet again!
A teacher’s perspective – “It’s empowering…”
As indicated in Steve Mangano’s blog post last week, the Foundation is about the teachers. We received these great words from one of our long standing Kindergarten teachers, Ms. O’Loughlin. As you can see being part of Underwood and having the Foundation has continued to motivate and engage her every day in better outcomes. At a time when public education is under fire, help us make a difference by donating today:
“Living in a neighborhood that invests in their school, thus their community, is a remarkable feeling. Running into people that you know don’t just support you because you’re a neighbor but because you are a teacher that works in the school that’s part of their world. It’s another level of relationship with the families that come to Underwood.
It’s empowering. It creates a sense of pride in what I do. I am respected as a professional. I am lucky enough to see it in the eyes of my neighbors. It therefore encourages me to want to grow and develop even further. When challenges arise, I am supported by these thoughts that I can handle it, I will figure out a way to make this work. I want to. It’s my school, community and neighborhood. They believe in me.” (Ms. O’Loughlin – Kindergarten Teacher)
Let’s continue to show our support and meet the community participation challenge by October 10th. Download a donor/pledge card today here.
Thank you,
Jodi Schwartz Long, Underwood parent and Foundation Board member
Deadline extended to October 10th- and a challenge we can all meet!
What is the impact?
I’ve been struggling to write a blog post about the Foundation and how it impacts my children, the school, our community. Then I realized, why not reach out and hear it straight from one of the teachers? Here is a wonderful quote from Underwood’s Dance Teacher – Ms. Rachel Frasier:
There are more great direct experiences from teachers that I’ve been hearing and that we will be sharing so you can see how your contributions are making a real impact at the school. How wonderful that through our first 4 months of fundraising we were able to maintain staff levels for the school – which was in jeopardy due to school funding. I realized that that does not just affect that one teacher. Understaffing affects the entire school community. A teacher is so much more than just their classroom. When one or two teachers are out of the equation, other staff must be pulled off their important responsibilities to do other tasks, or assist on lunch duty, or hall duty, juggling their time and spreading themselves thinner to maintain the integrity of the program. Knowing that we helped ensure that integrity and that we can have a direct affect on enhancing the program is a huge driver for my family as we determine what to contribute to the Foundation.
Simply, I feel humbled to be a part of the founding year for this Foundation. Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Jodi Schwartz Long – Underwood parent and Foundation Board Member
Information Session – Tuesday September 16th at 7:30am (with coffee)
We invite everyone to an Information Session on the Underwood Foundation on Tuesday, September 16th at 7:30am in the Underwood Elementary Media Center.
Foundation Board members including Jackie Jordan will be there to discuss the Foundation’s goals and priorities for this year. If you would like learn more or have questions about the Underwood Foundation, please attend. We have great momentum from the Spring’s successful fundraising, but there is so much more to do! Learn about the Founding Donors Plaque, alumni efforts, how funds from Spring 2014 are being used, securing your tickets for the Spring Event, and more! Together we are the solution!
A great start! What did the 2014 Spring fundraising cycle fund?
If you were able to attend the Spring Event this past May, you heard first hand from Jackie Jordan and Steve Mangano that the Foundation met the 2014 – 2015 fundraising goal of $90,000 by July 1, 2014! What an incredible start and affirmation to our teachers, administration and community of our dedication to the school. What did those funds enable?
Specifically your funding has enabled the Foundation to:
– Fund 10 months of employment for an Underwood teacher. This enabled the school to retain all of the great elective programs that make Underwood a strong diverse school
– Fund a teaching assistant position for the 2nd grade classes. This helps mitigate the larger class sizes this grade has this year and helps ensure all children are achieving their full potential at this critical grade year
– Fund $9,000 towards the start of an Endowment. This will ensure the future sustainability of the school
As you can see, the funds could not have come at a better time. Without the support of the Foundation Underwood would have been forced to make some real programming cuts as well as overburden the 2nd grade that could have impacted learning outcomes and/or teacher retention school-wide.
Thanks to all again for a great start! And now, as we kickoff our annual Fall fundraising you will hear more from us in the coming days.
Our Underwood Foundation Logo has been unveiled!
We were happy to unveil the logo for the Underwood Foundation at the “Underwood Under the Stars” Event this past Saturday May 31st! We love how it encompasses all the wonderful components of our school community and program into one image:
Look at this amazing list of Silent Auction Items for our event!
Thanks to all our silent auction item donors! Please have a look at this partial list of items and be ready to bid Saturday night. I know what I’ve got my eye on already! Make your wish lists ready and be ready to bid.
Vacations
The Umstead Hotel and Spa getaway
Hilton Head Condo getaway
Salter Path beach house rental
Hyatt House North Hills staycation
Hyatt House North Hills staycation
Marriott Courtyard Carolina Beach getaway
Marriott Courtyard Wrightsville/Wilmington getaway
Hampton Inn Glenwood South getaway
Marriott Grand Dunes Myrtle Beach getaway
Wintergreen Resort recreation passes
Louisville or Cincinnatti 21C Museum Hotel getaway
The Siena Hotel and Dinner at Il Palio staycation
Tickets
NC State vs. Old Dominion Football tickets
Marbles admission vouchers
Raleigh Little Theatre tickets for Blithe Spirit
Carolina Ballet tickets to a 2014-2015 performance
North Carolina Theatre tickets to The Little Mermaid
DPAC third row seats for Dirty Dancing
DPAC third row seats for Motown The Musical
US Women’s Open two weekly trophy club passes
Fun things to do
Raleigh Country Club round of golf for four
Old North State Club round of golf for four
Baltusrol Golf Club round of golf for three
Trump National Golf Club, NJ round of golf for three
Quail Hallow Club, Charlotte round of golf for three
Cloer Winery wine tasting for four people
Crank Arm Brewing brewery tour for four with beer
Dinner at the Audrey & Marchi Lopez Home with guest Dr. Jordan
Elizabeth Gardner tour of WRAL weather room
Annie Bell’s Catering meal prepared in winner’s home
Go Dirty Girl Mud Run two entries, two hats & t-shirts
Trolley Pub pub ride for six
Fun car ride in a Ferrari
Bella Monica dinner for four with wine parings
Cowfish bus seats and gift certificate
ZipQuest two person fully guided tour
Birthday Parties
eNeRGY Kidz & N. Raleigh Gymnastics birthday party
Gym Carolina birthday party
Orange Leaf Yogurt yogurt party for ten
Rainbow Room birthday party
Coach Scott birthday party for up to 20
Toys
American Girl Caroline doll and book
US Space & Rocket Center space camp gift pack
Learning Express toy plasma car
Corporate Graphic Inc. custom skateboard deck
Kid’s Camp or Class
Vision Martial Arts – two months
IMACS week of full day summer camp
The University Club week of golf or tennis camp
The Tumble Gym free month tuition/open gym pass
Cirque de Vol six week class
Wild@Art one week of summer camp
Coach Ledford Sports one week of basketball camp
Amber Goolsby four voice or piano lessons
Art
Keith Norval painting
Autumn Cobeland paintings
Autumn Cobeland print
Simon Griffiths Photography professional print
Stephanie Francis Photography Maine photograph
Photography
Two hour instructional session with Lauren Mann
Family portait session with Lauren Mann
Photos session with Jeannie Blinson
Look Your Best
Roberson DDS teeth whitening
McClure Orthodontics $2,500 off of treatment
Bevello Private Shopping Party
Scout & Molly’s Private Shopping Party
Eye Care Associates eye exam and materials
Four hair cuts at North Hills Sports Clips
Hayes Barton Nails pedicure
Lather Hair Salon professional shampoo, cut & style
Classes for adults
Pretty Handy Girl DIY Blogger design consult
Foundation Bar bartender mixology class
Golf lesson & video swing analysis with PGA pro
Core Results six one hour training sessions
Gifts
Videri Chocolate Factory gift basket
Diamonds Direct 14k .65 diamond stud earrings
Carolina Hurricanes signed photo of Mike Komisarek
Holly Aiken handbag
Cameron Village gift card
Deco Raleigh gift basket
Large framed Pinehurst Putterboy print
Membership
The University Club $200 membership fee
The University Club $200 membership fee
Services
Hansen Law Firm PLLC simple estate plan
Sweeps two hours of labor
Triangle Green Clean two hour house cleaning