From the Desk of the Superintendent...
November 25, 2018
DECEMBER 2018 DISTRICT DISPATCH
Our certified enrollment is down slightly this year. The number of resident and open enrollment “in” students we are serving stands at 806.6. That is a decrease of one student from the 2017-18 school year when we served 807.6 students. Looking back, we served 779.36 students in 2016-17 and 779.91 students in 2015-16. (Partial weighting applies in situations such as a homeschooled student who takes a class at the high school.) The aforementioned number reflects students for whom we receive state funding because they live within the boundaries of our school district or they attend Underwood as a result of open enrollment. In addition, four-year-old boys and girls in prekindergarten qualify for partial weighting.
“Rain, rain, go away! Come again some other day!” That was the mantra of the Underwood Marching Eagles this past fall. With numerous rained-out rehearsals and even a rained-out field show in Clarinda, this season provided challenge after challenge for the Marching Eagles. However, they rose to the challenge and had a very successful year. The color guard and the drum line outscored many of the larger schools in the area and the marching band earned a Division I rating at all of their competitions, including a third straight Division I rating at the Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) State Marching Festival. In addition, three color guard members competed in the Iowa School Drill Team Association (ISDTA) Solo Color Guard Competition. Senior Aleia Sollazo earned a superior rating and juniors Ashlyn Torneten and Tabatha Magnuson earned excellent ratings. Very significant vocal music honors were achieved this fall by Manny Rodgers, Savannah Smith, Emily Wagner, Luke Warden, and Leah Wilson. Manny was selected to be a member of the very selective All-Iowa Middle School Opus Choir and performed in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium at Iowa State University on November 15, 2018. In addition, Savannah, Emily, Luke, and Leah were selected to be members of the prestigious Iowa High School Music Association’s All-State Choir and performed in Hilton Coliseum at Iowa State University on November 17, 2018. Congratulations, instrumental and vocal music students!
Special fall season sports honors were awarded to several Underwood student athletes. In cross country, Bryce Patten qualified to participate in the state cross country meet held in Fort Dodge. In volleyball, Macy Vanfossan earned first-team all-conference honors and Zoey Rus garnered second-team all-conference accolades. In addition, Lauren Brown, Peyton Cook, and Erica Rowe were awarded Western Iowa Conference honorable mention volleyball recognition. In football, first-team all-district honors went to Jalen Humphrey, Nick Ravlin, Kyler Rodenburg, and Connor Ryan. Second-team all-district football recognition was awarded to Easton Eledge, Blake Hall, and Landon Nelson. Academic all-conference and all-district recipients included Nick Ravlin, Connor Ryan, Danny Tiarks, Zach Soar, Isaac Heilman, Justin Rosas, Meghan Funk, Katelin Tierney, and Jozie Sudmann.
Don’t forget that the members of the Underwood Dollars for Scholars organization will be having their annual fundraiser dinner featuring a “Soft Shell Taco and Nacho Bar” in the high school commons from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, during the home basketball game against Treynor. You need not attend the game to enjoy the meal. In addition to soft shell tacos and nachos, the meal will include beans, rice, ice cream with candy toppings, and a drink for $7.00 per plate. All proceeds will help fund college scholarships for students graduating from Underwood High School. It is the goal of the Underwood Dollars for Scholars organization to help as many students as possible make their dreams of attending college a reality.
On behalf of the employees of the school district, the school board members, and my family, I wish each of you the very best during this holiday season.
