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.