News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

Monday, 12/16  

Tuesday, 12/17  NTB Reading Day

Wednesday, 12/18  Community Exhibition, 6:30 pm

Thursday, 12/19  School Exhibition; Last day of Afterschool

Friday, 12/20  PJ Day; Class Holiday Parties, after 1:00 pm; No Afterschool Childcare; Lost and Found Clean Out

Monday, 1/6  Teacher Work Day

Tuesday, 1/7  Students Return

Magnet Application Deadline:  Friday, 12/20

If you have moved out of the Roberts attendance zone, or expect to move during the Spring semester, and wish to stay at Roberts next school year, you may wish to apply for a magnet transfer.  Students are not guaranteed a spot, but can be considered if space is available.  Students who move out of the attendance zone will only be allowed to continue at Roberts with a Magnet transfer.

Spotlight on IB:
Roles in the Exhibition
Role of Parent/Guardian and Community Members

Parents/Guardians and Community members will:

• have an understanding of the purpose and requirements of the exhibition
• support and encourage students and teachers throughout the process of inquiry
• help students to access resources--people, places, media and information
• provide expert subject knowledge where applicable
• encourage independent inquiry and respect ownership of the process
• support students' action efforts
• have an opportunity to reflect on and give feedback on the exhibition
• celebrate with the students by attending the staging of the exhibition

You are cordially invited to join us Wednesday evening, 6:30-7:30 to learn more about the global issues our 5th graders have been learning about and working to effect change locally.  We will begin with a short video and discussion in the Cafe, then all projects will be on display in the hallways.

Early Pickup

Please remember to plan accordingly if you are picking your child up early for an appointment.  It may take 10-15 minutes to get your child from class.  Please do not call ahead and ask the ladies in the office to call your students before you arrive.  We will not call students from class until you arrive.  

School Safety

Each year HISD tests the safety of campuses with what is called an intruder drill.  During this unannounced drill, an adult in plain clothes attempts to gain entry to a campus without being questioned. I received great praise for the level of safety on the campus and the diligence of our receptionist during our recent intruder drill.  On your next visit to the school, you may want to say thank you to Ms. Brown and Ms. vanRavenswaay at our Reception Office for their vigilance in ensuring a safe campus for your children.

News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

Monday, 12/9  Kinder Stanford 

Tuesday, 12/10  Kinder Stanford

Wednesday, 12/11  Kinder Stanford

Thursday, 12/12  Kinder Stanford; Student Coalition Mtg, 11:15 am; Piano Recital, 6:00 pm; 2nd gr Winter Show & Art Exhibit, 6:30 pm

Friday, 12/13  Kinder Stanford; Spelling Pre-Bee, 7:15 am; Book Talk, 11:30-12:30; Faculty Caroling, 6:00 pm;

Wednesday, 12/18  Community Exhibition, 6:30 pm

Thursday, 12/19  School Exhibition (watch for schedule)

Friday, 12/20  Book Talk, 11:30-12:30; Class Holiday Parties (after 1:00); Lost and Found Clean Out

What is Spelling Pre-Bee?

All students in grades 3-5 who are interested in competing in this year's spelling bee must qualify through the Pre-Bee.  This will be a written qualifier test using words from the Scripts National Spelling Bee list.  Teachers have copies of the student list.  The Pre-Bee will begin promptly at 7:15 am. on Friday, December 13th.  There will be no late admittance.

Algebraic Principles in Action

Everyday Math, the campus' primary math curriculum, is designed to develop algebraic principles in children as young as kindergarten.  You will find that students are often exploring properties of mathematics that serve as a foundation for the algebra they will learn later.

You may hear us often discuss the complex, multi-step problems children are expected to solve under the newer state assessment system, STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness). A couple of weeks ago we discussed a particular 3rd grade homework problem, that as adults we would solve with simple algebra.  The problem is similar to the problems we may find on STAAR for 3rd graders.  I thought it would be enlightening, and may even be helpful, to share this problem with you, and share the various ways it can be solved.  

Since I don't have the actual problem with me, it goes a little something like this...

Someone is growing vegetables in a garden.  She harvests 26 vegetables altogether.  There are 8 tomatoes. She also harvested peas and beans.  She harvested 10 more beans than peas.  

In this problem you have a total and one addend, with two unknown variables.  Since the value of one variable is dependent on the value of the other variable, we can set up equivalent expressions.   Since 3rd graders don't know how to apply many of the computations required in early algebra, we need to give them strategies for solving the problem in other ways.  As hardworking and devoted homework helpers (yes, you!), you may want to see a couple of grade-appropriate methods for solving problems such as this.

In any method for solving the problem, we want to first identify what we know and what we don't know. For this problem, here is what we know...

Total vegetables = 26

tomatoes = 8

peas = ?

beans = peas + 10

Next, we want to write a number model to explain the problem...

26 = t + p + b

So if we first subtract what we know from the total (26-8=18), it will leave us with a total for peas plus beans.  So if the total for peas plus beans is 18 we can apply a guess and check strategy now...

We can also solve this problem with a unit bar method.  By first subtracting the 8 units for tomatoes, and then subtracting the 10 units we know are beans, we are left with 8 units that are equally divided between peas and beans.  A unit bar method would look like this...

You can find helpful information online in the Student Reference Book at www.everydaymathonline.com. Each child has an ID and password, that can be found on the online password sheet sent home at the beginning of the year. 

Magnet Application Window

The deadline for submitting magnet applications for the 2014-15 school year is December 20, 2013.  For those interested in submitting applications for middle school, please be mindful of the deadline.  You may apply from the main HISD website at www.houstonisd.org 

Have a great week!

News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week
Monday, 12/2
Tuesday, 12/3  NTB Reading Day; 3rd gr Rehearsal Begins - Annie, 3:30-5:30 T&Th
Wednesday, 12/4  Haidian District of China Educator Visit, 8:00 am - 11:00 am); Magnet Tour, 9:00 am
Thursday, 12/5  Student Coalition Meeting, 11:15 am
Friday, 12/6  PTO Meeting, 8:10 am; NTB Book Talk, 11:30-12:30 am; Kinder SAT10 Begins

Just Around the Corner
Monday, 12/9
Tuesday, 12/10
Wednesday, 12/11
Thursday, 12/12  2nd grade Holiday Show and Art Exhibit, 6:30 pm
Friday, 12/13  Faculty Caroling, 6:30-7:30 pm

Much to be Thankful for...
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!  We have much to be thankful for at Roberts. As a community we have accomplished a great many things during this first semester of the 2013-14 school year that brought us together as a community to improve our lives, the education of our young people and to strengthen our sense of belonging.

63 HOURS OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT. 1 NEW IPAD CART. 1 NEW LAPTOP CART. 18 NEW CLASSROOM COMPUTERS. PADRES AUGUST WORK DAY. MEET THE TEACHER & ICE CREAM SOCIAL.  KINDER PLAY DATE.  FIRST DAY PARENT COFFEE. ANNUAL SCOUT FLAG RAISING CEREMONY. NEW KINDER CLASS.  PTO MEMBERSHIP DRIVE. EXPANSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL GARDEN. CERTIFICATION BY THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FOUNDATION AS A CERTIFIED WILDLIFE HABITAT. DAY OF SERVICE AT HOUSTON FOOD BANK.  3 TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEONS. PADRES PHYSIC GARDEN. FAMILY CAMPOUT. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL. MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT. 9 MAGNET TOURS.  1 CHINESE DELEGATION VISIT. UPGRADED SOUND SYSTEM. ELECTION DAY BAKE SALE. 3-YR IB PYP EVALUATION VISIT. FALL COMMUNITY NIGHT. 4TH GR SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!  BOOK FAIR. NEW A/C CHILLER. NEW NETWORK WITH WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS IN EVERY CLASSROOM. NEW FRISBEE GOLF COURSE. AND MAYBE, JUST MAYBE... A NEW GAGA BALL PIT.

Kinder Stanford Testing
On Friday, our Kinder students will begin taking the Stanford Achievement Test. Classroom teachers have given students the experiences they need to minimize frustration. This test is used as a baseline, and is not used for any purpose related to course grades or future class placement.

It is not necessary to prepare your child for this assessment, outside of anything your child's teacher may provide.  We do not want the children to worry about this test.

You can help your child by ensuring they are in bed on time, have a good breakfast, and are at school on time.  Students who arrive late will not be able to enter the classroom, and may not be able to make up the section(s) he or she misses.

All other grade levels will take the Stanford Achievement Test in May.

News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week

Monday, 11/25  Lost and Found Clean Out

Tuesday, 11/26  Lost and Found Clean Out - Anything left at end of day will be donated

Wednesday-Friday  THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Just Around The Corner

Monday, 12/2  

Tuesday, 12/3  NTB Reading Day; 3rd Gr Musical Rehearsal Begins, 3:30-5:30

Wednesday, 12/4  Magnet Tour, 9:00 am

Thursday, 12/5  

Friday, 12/6  PTO Meeting, 8:10 am; Book Talk, 11:30-12:30

Wednesday, 12/11  

Thursday, 12/12  2nd grade Winter Show & Art Exhibit, 6:30 pm

Friday, 12/14  Faculty Caroling, 6:00 pm; 

Wednesday, 12/18  Community IB Exhibition, 6:30 pm

Friday, 12/19  Class Holiday Parties (PM, Check with teacher for time); Lost and Found Clean Out - Anything left at end of day will be donated

January, 2014 

Monday, 1/6  Teacher Work Day

Tuesday, 1/7 Students report to school for Spring Semester

Wednesday, 1/29  Early Dismissal for Mid-Year Parent Conferences

Field Day - Canceled

We will need to reschedule Field Day again because of the weather.  We will look for a day in the Spring and let you know as soon as we choose a date.  

Spotlight on IB:

Exhibition and Action

Over the last few weeks, our 5th graders have been busy learning about global issues that impact us locally. They have asked really hard questions, and are diving into the complex answers.  As they have learned, they have designed ways to impact locally through action. 

Students have learned that there are three primary ways to act:

• Direct Service - giving your time/talent to someone in need
• Indirect Experience - channeling resources rather than working directly with an individual in need, such as clothing drives or working with organizations that support a community need
• Advocacy - making the public aware of a problem or need, through presentations or letter writing

Over the next two weeks, you are going to be asked to give your support.  Some of the requests will be about matters that you are passionate about, and some will be for things you may not have even known were issues that needed support.   You will find that these issues are deeply important to our 5th graders. They have strong beliefs about fairness and justice, and about wrong and right.  "Effective action can be a demonstration of a sense of responsibility and respect for self, others and the environment," (Making the PYP Happen). 

Student actions/events will be listed on the bulletin board on the hallway to the Cafe outside of my office. You will also receive information through the Tuesday Folder about the many requests for support.  Please review the many requests and consider supporting them in their efforts.  No one can support everything, but when we come together, each doing a little, a lot can get done.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week
Monday, 11/18  1st Day of Session II Specialties
Tuesday, 11/19  Book Fair, NNAT Testing, Kinder & Grade 5
Wednesday, 11/20  Early Dismissal, 12:30 pm
Thursday, 11/21 2nd grade Field Trip, Student Coalition Meeting, SDMC, 3:30 pm; Family Night at the Book Fair, 5:30-7:30 pm
Friday, 11/22  NTB Book Talk, 11:30-12:30

Just Around the Corner
Monday, 11/25
Tuesday, 11/26  Field Day
Wednesday, 11/27  THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Thursday, 11/28 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Friday, 11/29  THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Tuesday, 12/3  3rd Gr Musical Rehearsal Begins, 3:30-5:30
Wednesday, 12/4  School Tour, 9:00 am
Friday, 12/6  PTO Meeting, 8:10 am


Numeracy or Automaticity?
Educators often have strong views about approaches to teaching mathematics (well, strong views about how to teach most things I suppose).  Many educators believe, and there is research to support, that developing strong number sense is critical.  Everyday Math does a really good job of giving students opportunities to understand the base ten system, and gives them exposure to basic principles of numbers that make moving into algebra a little easier.  You will see that your children have many strategies for mental mathematics and can easily use variables when solving problems.  They may also have learned some nontraditional methods for double digit multiplication and division.  All of this work is designed to help students understand the components of large numbers.

Other mathematics programs focus on rote mathematics, with memorization of facts (addition or multiplication) at the core.  They encourage the use of traditional algorithms to solve problems and design the work to develop automaticity.  I am sure you remember the continued practice of your multiplication facts and the structured way you learned to multiply big numbers, or work through long division.

Everyday Math is designed so that after students develop understanding of the number sense they learn the traditional models for multiplying and dividing.  It encourages the use of the commutative property of addition and multiplication (a+b=b+a or a*b=b*a) for flexibly solving problems, and encourages the use of fact families for finding the answer to division problems.  Fact Triangles help students learn the reciprical nature of multiplication and division.

We find though that if we wait until students develop number sense, we often don't spend enough time on automaticity.  If we want children to understand how numbers work, and also work efficiently, we need to develop both numeracy and automaticity.

Automaticity takes time.  It requires regular practice, as does any skill we want to improve.  If you haven't built in time each day to practice addition flashcards, or multiplication flashcards, it is something that can greatly improve your child's mathematics skills.  Use the fact triangles provided by your child's teacher, or make a set of flashcards at home.  Capture a little extra time by practicing in the car.  It will make the ride home a little more fun, and may make errands go a little faster!

What is NNAT?
NNAT (Naglieri Non-verbal Ability Test) measures nonverbal reasoning and general problem solving abilities.  Directions are simplistic and the test assesses without regard to language ability.  There is no published review for this assessment.  This assessment is used by HISD as one component of the G/T identification matrix.  

Kindergarten and 5th grade students will be administered the NNAT on Tuesday morning.  It is essential students are at school on time, and are well rested with a good breakfast.

News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week
Monday, 11/11 
Tuesday, 11/12  District MS School Choice Fair @Roberts, 6:00-7:30 pm
Wednesday, 11/13  1st gr Fieldtrip
Thursday, 11/14  Staff Appreciation Luncheon; Student Coalition Meeting, 11:15-11:45; Schoolhouse Rock Live, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, 11/15  NTB Book Talk, 11:30-12:30

Just Around the Corner
Monday, 11/18 
Tuesday, 11/19  Book Fair; NNAT, K & 5
Wednesday, 11/20  Early Dismissal, 12:30 pm
Thursday, 11/21  SDMC, 3:30; Book Fair Family Night, 5:30-7:30 pm
Friday, 11/22

Tuesday, 11/26  Field Day
11/27-12/1  Thanksgiving Holiday

Evaluation Visit

As you may know, last week we welcomed a team of evaluators from IB.  The team was so impressed with the work they saw happening in the classrooms and the overall enthusiastic attitude of the entire faculty and parents.  It was truly a team effort. We will receive a much more complete report in a few months, but let me share a few of the things they said during our debrief.  

• The culturally diverse student body is considered a positive and important component of the school community by students, parents and faculty and lends itself to increased international-mindedness.
• The facility is aesthetically appealing and has a number of features that enhance learning such as the murals and artwork throughout the school, the International Garden, and Physics Garden.
• The classrooms are well-organized and well-designed to provide varying learning spaces that allow for flexible grouping. 
• District representatives are knowledgeable and supportive of the PYP.  They allow flexibility in spending and instructional philosophy.
• Commend commitment to weekly collaboration at all grade levels.
• Commend commitment to training.  Training record is consistent and ongoing.
• Evidence that inquiry is used throughout all aspects of the curriculum at all grade levels.
• Principal's Blog allows accessibility for parents and keeps District Office informed.
• Teachers' blogs keep parents informed about learning and the PYP.
• ICT has been well-developed and is apparent in a very short time.  The co-teaching model and troubleshooting is appreciate by staff, and there is evidence of a high comfort level with the work.
• Faculty demonstrates a positive commitment to the PYP and is eager to do the right thing, open to suggestions.

In the coming months we will receive the official report with detailed areas of commendation and recommendations for improvement.  Congratulations and thank you!

Schoolhouse Rock Live

Thursday evening, November 14th, our 4th graders will perform Schoolhouse Rock Live.  You will rock in your seats to some of your favorites, Conjunction Junction, Just a Bill, and many more. An email went out last week to 4th grade parents with call-times and costuming.  A reminder will be in this week's Tuesday folder.

The 4th graders have worked so hard, during school and after school.  I can't wait for them to perform for their parents Thursday evening.

3rd Grade Musical Just Around the Corner
Last week 3rd grade families received information for those students who are interested in learning stage craft, or are interested in principal roles or dance roles.  Please note that while there is no charge for this afterschool experience, it is not childcare.  Students will be expected to be engaged in the work.  This is a fantastic experience for students who show an interest.

And in case you didn't know, we have contracted with expert artists for instruction for our after school musicals.  In fact, Psophonia, who works with our dancers, is listed #4 as one of the Top 10 Contemporary Dance Companies in Houston by Houston Press magazine! http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2013/11/the_rest_of_the_best_houstons_21.php

Have a great week!

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week
Monday, 11/4  Magnet Tours, 9:00 & 1:00;
Tuesday, 11/5  Magnet Tours, 9:00 & 1:00, Election Day; Flu Shots (Students and Parents), Report Cards
Wednesday, 11/6  Magnet Tours, 9:00 & 1:00
Thursday, 11/7  IB Evaluation Visit
Friday, 11/8  IB Evaluation Visit
Saturday, 11/9  Fall Community Night, 5:00

Just Around the Corner
Monday, 11/11
Tuesday, 11/12   District Middle School Choice Fair, 6:00 pm at Roberts
Wednesday, 11/13
Thursday, 11/14   Staff Appreciation Luncheon; 4th Grade Schoolhouse Rock Live, Showtime, 6:30 pm
Friday, 11/15


Free Everyday Math Apps
The publisher of Everyday Mathematics, McGraw-Hill is once again offering five of its ten EM game Apps for free on the following dates:

November 4-8, 2013 
The following apps will be free and available via the iTunes App Store:
Addition Top-It
Monster Squeeze
Equivalent Fractions
Beat the Computer
Divisibility Dash

To learn more about the game apps go to: MHEonline.com/apps


Principal's Challenge
Can your child outscore me on Divisibility Dash?  Download the app and then let your child take a screenshot of the final score and add it to my door.

Election Day Bake Sale
Help us welcome our community on Tuesday with our Election Day Bake Sale.  Many voters come before work, during lunch, or on the way home, and love the option of picking up a little something at our Bake Sale.  Please consider baking or buying something for the sale.  Your donations can be dropped off at reception on Monday or Tuesday morning.  Proceeds go to the 5th grade End of Year fund.


Magnet Application Time
If you have a child in 5th grade, you may want to apply for admission to a Middle School Magnet Program. If you have a child currently attending Roberts on a Magnet transfer and have a younger child who will be entering kindergarten in the fall, you will need to apply within the first phase.

On Monday, the online application system will open.  Tomorrow I will send an email with directions for applying online, as well as the website.  Watch for that email tomorrow.  The deadline to apply for a magnet program in Phase I is December 20, 2013.  Most schools will not have space available after Phase I.


Enrollment and ResidencyMany times families move during a school year and are interested in staying at Roberts. The only way to stay at Roberts if you have moved out of the school attendance zone is to apply for a magnet transfer.  Magnet Transfers are granted by lottery, when space is available in the specific grade level.  The deadline to do that is December 20th.  No applications received after December 20th will be reviewed.

The question that often arises during enrollment relates to residency.  Residency is what qualifies you as an “in-zone” student.  So, what is residency?  Generally it is referred to as where you live and sleep every night, but there are more detailed and specific criteria.  

1. Does the parent/guardian who establishes residency own, rent or lease a home, condominium, apartment or living quarters within the attendance zone?

2. Does the family have furniture and personal effects in the attendance zone with no furniture or personal effects at a previous residence?

3. Does the parent/guardian receive personal mail in the attendance zone?

4. Are the parents/guardians registered to vote in the attendance zone?

5. Does the parent/guardian regularly live in the attendance zone and plan to live there indefinitely?  Have all licensed drivers in the household complied with DPS regulations for changing address?

News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week
Monday, 10/28
Tuesday, 10/29
Wednesday, 10/30  Early Dismissal Day, 12:30; Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thursday, 10/31  Field Day (No Halloween costumes. Athletic shoes required.)
Friday, 11/1  PTO Meeting, 8:10 am
Sunday, 11/3  Time Change - Fall back one hour

Just Around the Corner
11/4-11/8  Magnet Awareness Week (Check school websites for tour schedule)
11/7-11/8  IB Evaluation Visit
Saturday, 11/9  Fall Community Night, Movie at dusk
Tuesday, 11/14  4th Grade Musical, Schoolhouse Rock Live, 6:30 pm


Spotlight on IB:
What is Programme Evaluation?

In just a little more than one week, we will be welcoming the School Visit Team as part of the evaluation process for our IB Primary Years Programme.  After a full year of the self-study process, we completed the self-study report and sent support documentation to be reviewed.  The team has reviewed the documents we provided, and will be meeting will members of the school community and visiting classrooms to learn more about our work.  I thought you might enjoy learning more about that process.

excerpt from Guide to Programme Evaluation:
Programme evaluation in the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and
the Diploma Programme is both a requirement of and a service provided by the International Baccalaureate

Organization (IBO) for its authorized schools. The main purposes of programme evaluation are: 

• to assess the implementation of the programmes in each school 
• to assist the school in developing and maintaining dynamic programmes that reflect the philosophy and the programme standards and practices of the IBO. 

Programme evaluation is not a re-authorization of the school. It allows the regional office to work
closely with the school in its ongoing development of the programmes; it is also an opportunity for the
IBO to ensure on a regular basis that the standards and practices of the programmes are being maintained.
The IBO recognizes that its programmes are not static systems. They are essentially evolutionary,
requiring adjustment and development in the light of experience. The IBO supports schools in all stages
of development of the PYP, the MYP and the Diploma Programme by providing documentation,
information seminars and professional development events. For the PYP and the MYP, there are
organized visits by IBO staff and/or nominated, experienced practitioners.

Programme evaluation does not seek to appraise or assess individual teachers or students. It will be
successful in achieving its aims only if a multiplicity of stakeholders is included: teachers, programme
coordinators, administrators, students, parents, board members.

Programme evaluation occurs between three (3) and five (5) years after official authorization to offer the
programme, and every five (5) years thereafter. It involves three important stages: Self-study, School Visit, Evaluation Report.

Magnet Awareness Week
Your opportunity to learn about magnet programs across HISD is just around the corner.  Beginning November 4, daily until November 9, you will be able to tour campuses with magnet programs.  The window for submitting applications is from November 4-December 20.  Watch here on The Principal's Page and in your Tuesday folder for information about using the online application system.

If you have a student entering middle school, or a student entering Kindergarten, it is important that you submit your applications prior to the December 20th deadline.  Applications received after that date will be treated as Phase II applications and likely will not be considered.


10 Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference
from familyeducation.com

1. Talk to your child.  Ask your child if there is anything that he would like you to discuss with the teacher.
2. Be prepared. Jot down everything that you want to talk about at the conference.
3. Be on time.  Arrive promptly or a few minutes early.
4. Start off on the right foot. Begin with positive comments about the teacher of the classroom.
5. Stay on track.  Avoid lengthy discussion of topics that are not related to the purpose of the conference.
6. Listen to what the teacher has to say.  Be open-minded to suggestions from the teacher.
7. Stay calm.  Keep your emotions under control.
8. Tell your child what you discussed.  Take notes about what has been discussed to share with your child.
9. Show gratitude.  Express appreciation for the conference.
10. Stay within your conference time.  Do not stay beyond your allotted time.

News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week
Monday, 10/21
Tuesday, 10/22  NTB Reading Day
Wednesday, 10/23  Chinese Delegation Visit, 1:00-3:00
Thursday,10/24  Middle School Information Night, 6:30-7:30
Friday, 10/25  NTB Book Talk, 11:30-12:30

Just Around the Corner
Monday, 10/28
Tuesday, 10/29  NTB Reading Day
Wednesday, 10/30  Early Dismissal, 12:30 pm; Parent Conferences
Thursday, 10/31  Field Day (Teachers will share a schedule next week)
Friday, 11/1  PTO Meeting, 8:10 am

Shout Out!
Thanks to the many people that made Friday such a wonderful event!  A special thanks to our event Chairpersons, Anna and Emmanuela, our stage manager, Kelly, and the many families that agreed to host country booths or help by working the booths.

Chinese Delegation Visit
On Wednesday, 10/23 we will welcome a delegation of educators from Tongzhou District, a newly developing area of Beijing.  The delegation will visit Bellaire and Lamar High Schools, Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School, Roberts Elementary, T.H. Rogers and Young Women's Preparatory Academy.  The educators will learn about our administrative structure, extra curricular activities and will visit classrooms at Roberts.  I have invited a few parents to join us for tours, but if you are from Tongzhou, I would love to talk with you about possibly joining us on Wednesday.  Please email  me at r


Middle School Information Night
Thursday, 10/24, 6:30 pm @ Roberts, Cafe 
4th & 5th Grade Parents Invited

Choosing the Right Middle School 

You have so many wonderful choices for middle school!  Choosing the right school for your child may seem like a daunting task.  There are a number of online resources to help you with choosing the right school for your child.  I particularly like the checklist found on GreatSchools.net.

Here are a few things they recommend to a prospective parent for consideration:

· Do the classrooms look cheerful?

· Is student work displayed, and is it appropriate for the grade level?

· Do teachers seem enthusiastic and knowledgeable? (Notice whether they are asking questions that stimulate students and keep them engaged.)

· Is the principal confident and interested in interacting with students, teachers and parents?

· Do students act respectfully toward each other in class, during transitions and at lunchtime?

· Are facilities well maintained, the bathrooms clean and well supplied and do the grounds look safe and inviting?

· What is the school’s state rating?

Here is a list of MUST DO's when you are visiting a campus:

1. Go into the bathroom to see if it is clean and feels safe.

2. Ask to visit the cafeteria during the lunch period if it is not on the standard tour.

3. If you have an opportunity to talk with a teacher who doesn't currently have a class, ask what they think is the best thing about the school.

You may also want to talk with any students or parents who might be helping with the tour. How do the students feel about their school?  What is the best thing, and what is the most challenging?  Ask parents about the PTO.  An active parent group will help you stay connected at a time when it is difficult to stay connected with your child’s life away from home.

You can also do some of your research online before you go.  Visit the school website to learn about special offerings, extracurricular activities and special awards the campus may have received.  Visit the HISD website for the school profile.  It will tell you about academic standing, attendance, behavior, and enrollment.  You may also visit the Texas Education Agency website for a school academic profile. 

Middle School is a dynamic time in the life of your child.  While this decision is definitely a decision for parents, it is important your child is involved in that process.  

I would encourage you to visit schools first without your child.  Apply to many schools, then take your child to tour after you receive admission letters.  It may save some heartache if the first choice school really isn’t an option.   

If you want to take your child with you on the first round tours, all area Middle Schools will host tours in the afternoons during Magnet Week.  Removing your child during the afternoon for those tours will not impact your child’s attendance record.  I remind you though that absences to visit schools when official attendance is taken at 9:30 are unexcused.

Magnet Application Timeline

SCHOOL CHOICE OPEN HOUSE- November 2, 2013

Northwest Mall (9500 Hempstead Highway)

All Schools: 10:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m.

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED BEGINNING- November 4, 2013

Applications for all Magnet programs accepted online and on paper beginning November 4, 2013.

PARENT MAGNET AWARENESS WEEK-  November 4-8, 2013
Check with individual schools for tour times.

APPLICATION DEADLINE- December 20, 2013

Applications must be entered in online system or submitted on paper no later than December 20, 2013 for guaranteed consideration in the first round.  Applications submitted online or on paper after December 20^th will be accepted on a space-available basis. 

PARENT NOTIFICATION- March 28, 2014

Application status information sent to parents on March 28, 2014

PARENT RESPONSE DEADLINE- April 11, 2014

Parents must notify Magnet school of choice of student’s “intent to attend” by April 11, 2014.

NTB Book Talk

What is NTB Book Talk and how does it work?

Book Talks are opportunities for us to talk about the books on the NTB list.  We will discuss characters, plot, significant events, things that make the book unique, and similarities between the books.  Book Talks are not required, but it is highly recommended as preparation for the Competitive Team Selection Test and the official competition.  All Book Talks will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays.  A schedule is posted on my bulletin board.  To participate, students must have parent and teacher permission, and must make up any work missed while at Book Talk.   We will eat lunch during Book Talk, so students should bring a lunch, or get one from the cafeteria.  The Book Talk schedule and permission slip can be picked up from the office.

This week's Book Talk topics: 

1. Charlotte's Web
2. Half Magic
3. Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Follow...

News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week
Monday, 10/14
Tuesday, 10/15  NTB Reading Day
Wednesday, 10/16
Thursday, 10/17  Bullydozer Student Coalition, 11:30 am; SDMC Meeting, 3:30 pm
Friday, 10/18  Altered School Day, Dismissal at 12:30 pm; International Festival, 3:00-6:00 pm

Just Around the Corner
Monday, 10/21
Tuesday, 10/22  NTB Reading Day
Wednesday, 10/23
Thursday, 10/24  Middle School Information Night, 6:30-7:30 pm
Friday, 10/25  NTB Book Talk, 11:30-12:30 pm (Must have signed permission slip)


Altered School Day - October 18th
On Friday, October 18th we will have an altered school day.  Students will attend school from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.  We will dismiss at 12:30 so that we can set up our annual International Festival. This event is an important event for our community, and is a rich learning opportunity for your child.  Students should return to campus, with their parent(s), during the International Festival to take part.  The event begins at 3:00 p.m. and will end at 6:00 p.m. 

There will be no extended day or after school activities, and no HISD bus transportation.  If your child rides a private bus or attends a private after school program, you will want to confirm they will pick up at 12:30 p.m. 


Library Upgrades Part of Total Literacy Plan
At the end of each school year we inventory the library collection and review the statistics related to our collection.  For more than a year, we have stayed focused on the goal of updating our collection.  While we exceeded the criteria for Exemplary Program Development found in the Standards and Guidelines for Texas on number of books per student, our collection contained too many books that were out-of-date or never checked out.  

For many years our goal was to increase our collection size, so weeding was done in a very limited way.  As our collection grew it also aged (average age 1995), and we found that we were outgrowing our space. Last spring, with the help of HISD Library Services, we were able to weed our collection.  Since that time, we have been working systematically with District vendors, first by getting a full analysis of our current library collection.  With the full analysis complete, we began adding books to our collection.  Since June, we have invested $11,000 in print books.  In addition to our printed book collection, we added just over 100 titles to an ebook collection, tied directly to our IB Program of Inquiry. With another $4,500 in the current year budget, we will continue to add to our library collection this Spring.

An up-to-date collection that offers a wide range of books across the Dewey spectrum, is only one piece of our literacy plan.  A well rounded program teaches children to read across genres, ask questions about the world, find answers, and share learning with others.  Over the last three years we have implemented a school-wide research model, Independent Investigation Method (IIM), that provides a framework for the inquiry-based approach to learning that serves as the foundation for our IB Primary Years Programme.  At every grade level, Kindergarten through 5th grade, students learn how to develop critical questions to focus their research, find information that supports understanding for the topic, and articulate their findings in various formats.  Students are learning to use technology to not only find information, but also to communicate their findings. Within our ICT Scope and Sequence (Information and Communication Technology), in its third year of development, we have identified opportunities for students use technology in authentic ways within their IB Units of Inquiry.  Within many of our Units of Inquiry, students are learning to use technology to communicate information through digital art forms, tied directly to our Magnet Program goals.

Spotlight on IB:  

What is Action?

excerpt from Making the PYP Happen...

Action: how do we want students to act?  In the PYP, it is believed that education must extend beyond the intellectual to include not only socially responsible attitudes but also thoughtful and appropriate action.  An explicit expectation of the PYP is that successful inquiry will lead to responsible action, initiated by the student as a result of the learning process...

Action as Service.  The action component of the PYP can involve service in the widest sense of the word: service to fellow students, and to the larger community, both in and outside the school.  Through such service, students are able to grow both personally and socially, developing skills such as cooperation, problem solving, conflict resolution, and creative and critical thinking.  Moreover, these actions are ways in which the students exhibit their commitment to the attributes of the learner profile and to the attitudes that we seek to engender within the PYP classroom.  In fact, the actions that the students choose to take as a result of the learning may be considered the most significant summative assessment of the efficacy of the programme. 

Is it possible for students to identify appropriate action in which to engage?  In the PYP it is believed that not only is it possible for students to identify appropriate action, but also that teachers have a responsibility to enable them to choose their action carefully, to facilitate this action, and to encourage them to reflect on the action they undertake.  This is viewed as an important part of the students' active participation in their own learning. 

Effective action does not need to be grandiose.  On the contrary, it begins at the most immediate and basic level: with self; within family; within the classroom, the hallways and the playground.  Even very young children can have strong feelings about fairness and justice, and teachers can facilitate positive expressions of these opinions.  Effective action can be a demonstration of a sense of responsibility and respect for self, others and the environment.

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News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week
Monday, 10/7 
Tuesday, 10/8  NTB Reading Day
Wednesday, 10/9
Thursday, 10/10
Friday, 10/11  NTB Reading Day; PADRES Family Camp-out (ticketed event)

Just Around the Corner
Monday, 10/14
Tuesday, 10/15  NTB Reading Day
Wednesday, 10/16
Thursday, 10/17  SDMC Meeting, 3:30 pm
Friday, 10/18  Altered School Day - dismissal 12:30 p.m.; International Festival 3:00-6:00 pm


Altered School Day - October 18th
On Friday, October 18th we will have an altered school day.  Students will attend school from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.  We will dismiss at 12:30 so that we can set up our annual International Festival. This event is an important event for our community, and is a rich learning opportunity for your child.  Students should return to campus, with their parent(s), during the International Festival to take part.  The event begins at 3:00 p.m. and will end at 6:00 p.m.

There will be no extended day or after school activities, and no HISD bus transportation.  If your child rides a private bus or attends a private after school program, you will want to confirm they will pick up at 12:30 p.m.

Parent Conferences - October 30th
On October 30th we will have a District-wide early dismissal to allow parents and teachers to meet.  Teachers will be providing information on how to schedule a conference.  School will dismiss at 12:30 p.m.  There will be no after school activities or extended day.  HISD buses will run on the earlier schedule, and private providers have been notified.

School Improvement Plan
Each year, after a detailed study of our student performance data and a review of your feedback, we identify areas for improvement.  This year the District has asked us to provide improvement goals for five areas (reading, math, perception, safety and attendance).  Our school improvement plan is developed and adopted by the SDMC.

To ensure continuous improvement, Roberts Elementary will focus on the following School Improvement Goals:

1. Roberts Elementary will increase the percentage of students scoring at or above the 50^th percentile in SAT10 Total Reading from 84% to 90% and will increase the percentage of students scoring at Level III: Advanced performance on STAAR Reading by three percentage points at each grade level.
2. Roberts Elementary will increase the percentage of students scoring at or above the 50^th percentile in SAT10 Total Math from 91% to 93% and will increase the percentage of students scoring at Level III: Advanced performance on STAAR Math by three percentage points at each grade level.
3. Roberts Elementary will increase the percentage of students who Strongly Agree or Agree with the statement “The school is free of bullying” on the Your Voice survey from 64% to 75%. 
4. Roberts Elementary will improve the average daily attendance rate from 97.6% to 98%.
5. Roberts Elementary will reduce the number of discipline referrals and injuries during recess each month by 10%.

We can only do this with your help!


Spotlight on IB:
What is Exhibition?
an excerpt from Exhibition Guidelines

Introduction
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) exhibition represents a significant event in the life of a PYP school and student, synthesizing the essential elements of the PYP and sharing them with the whole school community.  As a culminating experience it is an opportunity for students to exhibit the attributes of the International Baccalaureate (IB) learner profile that have been developing throughout their engagement with the PYP.

In the students' final year of the PYP, which occurs in some schools at age 10-11 and in others at age 11-12, there are five unity of inquiry and the exhibition... Students are required to engage in a collaborative, transdisciplinary inquiry process that involves them in identifying, investigating and offering solutions to real-life issues or problems. 

Purpose
The PYP exhibition has a number of key purposes:

• for students to engage in an in-depth, collaborative inquiry;
• to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate independence and responsibility for their own learning;
• to provide students with an opportunity to explore multiple perspectives;
• for students to synthesize and apply their learning of previous years and to reflect upon their journey through the PYP;
• to provide an authentic process for assessing student understanding;
• to demonstrate how students can take action as a result of their learning;
• to unite the students, teachers, parents and other members of the school community in a collaborative experience that incorporates the essential elements of the PYP; and
• to celebrate the transition of learners from primary to middle/secondary education.

Central Idea 2013:  

The choices we make affect Earth and everything on it.

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming This Week
Monday, 9/30
Tuesday, 10/1  5th Grade, Houston Food Bank; NTB Reading Day; Progress Reports Go Home
Wednesday, 10/2  Magnet Tour, 9:00 am
Thursday, 10/3  Fall Picture Day
Friday, 10/4  PTO Meeting, 8:10 am; NTB Reading Day

Monday, 10/7
Tuesday, 10/8  NTB Reading Day
Wednesday, 10/9
Thursday, 10/10
Friday, 10/11  NTB Reading Day; Family Camp Out (ticketed event)


eBooks
Has your child utilized our new eBook resources?  To access the eBook collection, use The Launching Pad link on the Roberts website, www.houstonisd.org/robertselem.  Use the eSEBCO link under Research.

ID: hisdroberts
PW: password
Student ID Number/Employee Number

How Does Attendance Impact School Funding?

Regular school attendance is critical.  Missing just 10% of a school year may make it more difficult to learn read.  I don’t want any child to miss important instruction.  But, as the State continues to reduce school funding, I wanted to take a minute to offer a quick explanation of how attendance impacts budget. 

The state sets a per pupil funding amount.  School funding is determined by multiplying the number of students by the average daily attendance, and the product is multiplied by the per pupil allocation.  Simply, we only get 97% of the funding we are entitled to, if we only have 97% in average daily attendance. 

So how much is each percentage point of average daily attendance worth?  One percentage point of the per pupil allocation is worth about $26,137.    Everyday counts in keeping every dollar we are due.

I ask you to partner with me in ensuring we get every dollar possible to provide your children with the educational programs they deserve.  Our attendance goal this school year is 98%. 

1% = $26,137

Spotlight on IB
What is a Transdisciplinary Program?

An excerpt from The Primary Years Programme: A basis for practice...

The PYP acknowledges the importance of particular subject areas: language; mathematics; social studies; science; arts; personal, social and physical education.

...However, the PYP also recognizes that educating students in a set of isolated subject areas, while necessary, is not sufficient.  Of equal importance is the need to acquire skills in context, and to explore content that is relevant to students and transcends the boundaries of the traditional subjects. “To be truly educated, a student must also make connections across the disciplines, discover ways to integrate the separate subjects, ultimately relate what they learn to life” (Boyer 1995: 82).  Ernest Boyer proposed that students explore a set of themes representing shared human experiences such as “Response to the Aesthetic” and “Membership in Groups”.  He referred to these as “Core Commonalities”.  In the PYP, this idea of human commonalities shares the transdisciplinary themes.  Each transdisciplinary theme is accompanied by the extended description that explains what students will be inquiring into under this theme. 

An excerpt from Developing a Transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry…

The programme of inquiry is a matrix made up of the six transdisciplinary themes running vertically, and the age groups running horizontally.  Organizing the curriculum around the six transdisciplinary themes contextualizes the learning for students.  It enables them to experience a balance of subject-specific knowledge, concepts and skills in order to develop an understanding of the transdisciplinary themes.

The Six Transdisciplinary Themes

Who we are—An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.

 

Where we are in place and time—An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

How the world works—An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of the scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.

How we express ourselves– An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.

How we organize ourselves– An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.

Sharing the planet– An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.