FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT...
APRIL 2014 DISTRICT DISPATCH
The grand opening of our new high school performing arts auditorium on Tuesday evening, March 4, 2014, was a huge success. Almost every seat in the new auditorium was full for the pops concert at 7:00 p.m. and the vocal and instrumental students put on a great show. A special thank you goes out to our music teachers: Amanda Brandon, Eric Wyler, and David Clark. I was particularly impressed by how good the acoustics were. The tone clarity was very impressive. Before the pops concert, several local pianists played the piano while school officials led interested people on tours of the new auditorium. Those pianists were Vicki Grote, Nancy Dose, Judy Pingel, Jay Christensen, Steve Beck, and Jim Ross. Each of them did an excellent job. I believe it is also noteworthy to recognize the members of our local school board and facility committee who put in a lot of time and effort to help make this dream a reality. The school board members include Bill Bracker, Becky Constant, Neil Darrington, Keith Petersen, and John Rasmussen. The members of the facility committee are as follows: Dennis Bardsley, Steve Fanslau, Craig Hough, Sandy Hough, Gary Larsen, Rick Larson, Brian Leaders, Michelle Luett, Bonnie Nuzum, Denise Parish, Dan Pedersen, Lila Stephens, Roy Tiarks, and Richard Torneten.
Our elementary school was one of fifty elementary schools in the State of Iowa that had student artwork on display at the 2014 Youth Art Month Student Art Show at the Iowa State Historical Building in Des Moines during the month of March. This annual event celebrates the rich visual arts tradition in Iowa school districts and encourages students to be creative. Over 250 works of student art were on display. Our elementary art teacher, Liz Lyons, did a great job promoting this event locally and was very pleased when she learned that five of our students had artwork selected for display. Those five students are Carter Davis, Paige Mahan, Chris Gardner, Delaney Ambrose, and Bradey Funk. Congratulations students and thank you, Mrs. Lyons, for all of your hard work!
The members of the Underwood Dollars for Scholars organization will host their third annual fried chicken fundraising dinner at UMBA Hall from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2014. This event will feature fried chicken, a baked potato, green beans, and ice cream. The cost will be $10.00 for ages eleven and up, $5.00 for ages five to ten, and will be free for ages four and under. Take-out orders will be welcome. A silent auction and raffle will be held during the event. Donations of completed baskets or items such as gift cards will help fund scholarships for graduating seniors from Underwood High School. Questions regarding the silent auction should be directed to Sandy Redshaw at 712-566-9574. Thank you for your help in supporting this worthy event!
Spring break is just around the corner. There will be a 1:30 p.m. early dismissal on Thursday, April 17, 2014; no school on Friday, April 18, 2014; and no school on Monday, April 21, 2014. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 22, 2014.