News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Monday, 2/23  

Tuesday, 2/24

Wednesday, 2/25  Early Dismissal, 12:30 pm, Parent Conferences
Thursday, 2/26  3rd gr Production of 101 Dalmatians, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, 2/27  Go Texan Day
Saturday, 2/28  Roberts Auction (adult only, ticketed event)

Monday, March 2
Tuesday, March 3    NTB Competition
Wednesday, March 4  Spring Picture Day
Thursday, March 5  
Friday, March 6  PTO Meeting, 8:10 a.m.


3rd grade production:
101 Dalmatians
This week our 3rd graders will perform Disney's 101 Dalmatians.  The show begins Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Audience members will be asked to wait to enter until sound check is complete. The house will open at 6:15.  If you need wheelchair seating, please contact Ms. Ballard in advance by email at jballard@houstonisd.org

You will receive a schedule and costuming information in the Tuesday folder. All costumes are being provided and must be returned after the production.

Early dismissal, Wednesday, 2/25
This Wednesday we will dismiss early at 12:30 p.m., and the afternoon is designated for Parent Conferences.  Here are a few tips for a productive parent and teacher conference:

1. Think about and write down questions in advance. If you think your child's teacher might need some time to gather information to answer your questions, send the questions in advance so the teacher may prepare.
2. Ask you child's teacher to clarify anything you don't understand.
3. Hearing good things about your child feels good. Hearing your child may be struggling with something at school may hurt. If you begin to feel hurt or defensive, take a moment to communicate that with the teacher, and look for a way to work together to help your child be more successful. No one is perfect in every way, and sometimes school is hard.
4. Assume good intentions. No one teaches because it is easy. It is hard work, and we have an incredible teaching staff. They are here to partner with you, and they care as much about your child's success as you do.

Go Texan Day!
On Friday we will celebrate Go Texan Day! Go Texan Day is a day to celebrate as the rodeo pulls into town.  Children are invited to wear their favorite go Texan gear, jeans, boots and a western shirt. 

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Monday, 2/16  
Tuesday, 2/17
Wednesday, 2/18  District Spelling Bee; Kinder & 1st gr Fieldtrip
Thursday, 2/19  SDMC Meeting; Community Meeting, Pershing Middle School, 6:00 p.m.
Friday 2/20

Monday, 2/23  
Tuesday, 2/24

Wednesday, 2/25  Early Dismissal, 12:30 pm, Parent Conferences
Thursday, 2/26  3rd gr Production of 101 Dalmatians, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, 2/27  Go Texan Day
Saturday, 2/28  Roberts Auction (adult only, ticketed event)

Wednesday, March 4  Spring Picture Day


What's the Difference Between Stanford, IOWA and STAAR?
Parents often have questions about the major assessments their children will take each year. For many years the district has administered Stanford 10, a norm-referenced achievement test.  This year, for the first time, we will administer IOWA to all elementary students as the replacement norm-reference test.  Norm-reference tests are written to show spread in academic achievement, and helps school administration and parents see how children are performing as compared to students across the country.  A percentile rank of 50 shows that a child is performing at an equal level to the average student across the U.S.  Students performing above the 70th percentile are performing above average, and children performing below the 30th percentile are performing significantly lower than the average. In HISD, Kindergarten students are administered the IOWA in December, and 1st-5th graders will take this assessment in May.

STAAR is the acronym for the state exam administered to 3-5 graders at the elementary level to see if the child is meeting minimum standards of performance.  This test is identified as a criterion reference assessment, meaning it only tests the objectives defined for each grade level to be taught to mastery.  In other words, it doesn't have a spread of questions that tests above and below grade levels items.  Third graders will take Reading and Math, 4th graders will take Reading, Writing and Math, and 5th graders will take Reading, Math and Science in April.   


New Math Standards
For the first time, our students will be tested on the new Math standards, some of which were previously considered 6th and 7th grade math standards.  

Under the new math standards, process is a focus, when traditional instruction focused more on product.  Students are being held accountable for non-traditional algorithms, something most parents are not familiar with.  If you find yourself scratching your head to help with homework, please feel very comfortable to stop and write a note to the teacher. Traditional algorithms are important, but students in Texas and in much of the country's public schools, are expected to know a variety of strategies for multiplication and division.  

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Monday, 2/9 
Tuesday, 2/10  
Wednesday, 2/11  State of the Schools Address, 12:30
Thursday, 2/12  4th gr Austin Trip
Friday 2/13

Monday, 2/16  
Tuesday, 2/17
Wednesday, 2/18  District Spelling Bee
Thursday, 2/19  SDMC Meeting; Community Meeting, Pershing Middle School, 6:00 p.m.
Friday 2/20

Wednesday, 2/25  Early Dismissal, 12:30 pm
Thursday, 2/26  3rd gr Production of 101 Dalmatians, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, 2/28  Roberts Auction (adult only, ticketed event)


New Fruit & Veggie Bar
Our 5th grade Girl Scouts worked closely with the HISD Food Services Department to get new fruit and veggie options for our Cafe.  Beginning Monday, students will have more options for fresh fruits and vegetables as a part of the tray lunch, or available as a la carte items.  Options will include oranges, green apples, golden delicious apples, pears, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes and bell peppers.  The fresh fruit and veggie station is available on a trial basis.  


Community Meeting
Next week, on Thursday, February 19th, HISD officials will be hosting a meeting to discuss area overcrowding issues for residents in the Roberts, Twain and West University school zones.  The meeting will take place at Pershing Middle School, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  

State of the Schools Address

On Wednesday, February 11th at 12:30 p.m., Dr. Terry Grier, Houston ISD Superintendent, will be a providing an update and vision for Houston ISD schools.  You may follow along live on the HISD website at www.houstonisd.org or follow @HoustonISD on Twitter.

Reading Goals

Teachers finished mid-year reading assessments in January.  Did your child meet her mid-year reading goal?  How is he progressing toward the year-end reading goal.  Ask your child about her progress.

News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Monday, 2/2 
Tuesday, 2/3  100th Day of School; 3rd gr Field Trip; Progress Reports go home
Wednesday, 2/4  School Tour, 9:00 am
Thursday, 2/5
Friday 2/6  PTO Meeting, 8:10 a.m.; Grief and Loss Parent Ed, 9:00 a.m.

Monday, 2/9 
Tuesday, 2/10  
Wednesday, 2/11  
Thursday, 2/12  4th gr Austin Trip
Friday 2/13


Wednesday, 2/25  Early Dismissal, 12:30 pm



Are you a registered volunteer?
To chaperone a field trip, or assist in the school, you must complete this process.  It takes 1-2 weeks, so please help us by taking care of it as soon as possible.  Here is how:

How can I become a VIPS?All volunteers must register online and pass a criminal background check before they can participate as a volunteer. Please follow the steps below to become a VIPS:

Step 1:	Register online at www.houstonisd.org/vipslogin.
Step 2:	Once you have registered, you must go in person to the school of interest and show proof of identification.
Step 3:	Identification information will go into our database for processing by the Volunteer Coordinator at each campus.
Step 4:	The criminal history background check can take 2-3 weeks to complete.
Step 5:	Once you are CLEARED to volunteer, you are eligible to volunteer throughout HISD.

What type of identification is accepted?
● Texas Driver’s License
● Official Passport
● Texas Identification Card
● Official U. S. Military ID
● Driver’s License (issued by any state in the U.S.)
● Matricula Consular
● Identification Card (issued by any state in the U.S.)
● Resident Alien Card