News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Monday, March 30  STAAR Testing-4th gr Writing, Day 1
Tuesday, March 31  No morning tutorials; STAAR Testing-4th gr Writing, Day 2 & 5th gr Reading 
Wednesday, April 1
Thursday, April 2  
Friday, April 3  Spring Holiday-No School

Monday, April 6  Student Coalition Meeting, 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, April 7
Wednesday, April 8
Thursday, April 9  Kinder Music Performance, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 10  PTO Meeting, 8:10 a.m.

Tuesday, April 14-16  5th gr Camp


Big Thanks!
We had such a great weekend!  Rice Baseball Bash was so much fun, and the Community Night was a huge success!  Thanks to the many volunteers that made these events possible, and thanks to those of you who came out and enjoyed the events.

Theatre Guild
We are looking for those who wish to get involved in supporting our theatre program as we prepare for the 5th grade production of Shrek, The Musical.  Any level of skill is welcome! We are looking for people that know how to sew for some easy alterations, and those who have mastered glue.  Email Ms. Ballard if you can spare any time to help out at home or at school.

Intent to Return
By now you should have received the Intent to Return form in the mail.  Please return the original form, along with the required documents to ensure your child is placed in a class for the 2015-16 school year.  If you intend not to return, please send the form and let us know where your child will attend school so that we can prepare school records and the year end withdrawal papers.

Please remember, residency is defined as the only place you live.  Renting an apartment in zone, while living in a home with a homestead in another location, is not residency within the zone.  Families found attempting to establish residency with an apartment lease, while living outside the zone, will not be enrolled for the new school year.  We will work with you to ensure your child can finish this school year and has a smooth transition to the school in your actual attendance zone.  Please contact me if this applies to your family.

News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Monday, March 23  Return to School
Tuesday, March 24
Wednesday, March 25  Jr. NTB Competition
Thursday, March 26  Kinder Registration, 8:30-10:30 a.m.; SDMC Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, March 27  Kinder Registration, 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Rice Baseball Bash
Saturday, March 28  Spring Community Night, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, March 30  STAAR Testing-4th gr Writing, Day 1
Tuesday, March 31  STAAR Testing-4th gr Writing, Day 2 & 5th gr Reading
Wednesday, April 1
Thursday, April 2  
Friday, April 3  Spring Holiday-No School


Community Events This Week!
This week we have two great opportunities to come together as a community.  Join us Friday night at the Rice baseball game.  Roberts students will throw out the first pitch and we will have a children's play area. Tickets can be ordered through the Tuesday folder or at Reception, and will be available at the RE Will Call table before the game on Friday.

Saturday night is our Spring Community Night.  This is a free event and is always a great time for all.  Bring your blanket or outdoor chairs,  and join us for the movie Nanny McPhee. There will be free food and free popcorn, and you will have the option of purchasing candy and drinks from our 5th graders to benefit their year-end celebrations. The movie will begin at dusk.  


STAAR Testing
With State testing just around the corner for our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, we often get questions from parents about how they can help.  Your child and his teacher are hard at work preparing to ensure Robert's students feel confident and are successful.  

You can help reduce test anxiety on the day of test.  Try these:

• Make sure your child is well-rested and gets a good night's sleep.
• Make sure your child has a healthy start with a good breakfast.  Avoid foods that are high in sugar or might upset the stomach.
• Don't offer a cram session the night before the test.  This will only increase anxiety.
• Encourage your child to read all questions carefully, and encourage doing "best work".  

Road Construction/Traffic
I drove the neighborhood yesterday and I am happy to report they are almost finished with the road repaving around Roberts.  That should relieve some of the traffic ails many of you have endured.  I have also asked faculty to be on duty at 7:35 for supervision. Please make every effort to have your child at school before the 7:55 a.m. bell rings to give them the best start each day.

HPD and HISD Police are assisting with ensuring drivers are following traffic laws in the area.  Here are a few tips to ensure you are adhering to traffic laws:

• It is illegal to let passengers out of vehicles on Greenbriar.  
• Please adhere to the posted speed and watch out for pedestrians.  
• Do not attempt to use the center turn lane on Greenbriar as a north bound traffic lane.
• Parking along the fire lane in the Circle Drive is strictly prohibited.  There is a $300 fine when ticketed for doing so.

Early Withdrawals

Please know that students withdrawing prior to the end of the school year will not receive a final report card, and will need to re-enroll for the new school year if the plan is to return for the 2015-16 school year.  We cannot hold spots for students who withdraw early.  We strongly encourage planning travel so that children are able to complete the full school year and are not withdrawn early.

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Monday, March 9  
Tuesday, March 10    Kindergarten Round-up Information Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11  School Tour, 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 12  1st gr Program, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, March 13  Hat Day-5th gr Fundraiser

March 16-20  Spring Break

Monday, March 23  Return to School
Tuesday, March 24
Wednesday, March 25
Thursday, March 26  Kinder Registration, 8:30-10:30 a.m.; SDMC Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, March 27  Kinder Registration, 8:30-10:30 a.m.; Rice Baseball Bash
Saturday, March 28  Spring Community Night


Big Thanks, PADRES!
Our PADRES (Dad's club) worked all day Saturday to replace the existing covered dismissal area, in preparation for the expansion that will occur over Spring Break.  This took a lot of heavy lifting, but saved us a tremendous amount of money.  Thanks!


Intent to Return/Proof of Residency
In the coming weeks you will receive a letter from Roberts asking about your plans for next year.  This will help us plan as we complete our preliminary budget for the upcoming school year.  We do this every spring, and appreciate your quick response. 

You will be asked to provide several documents to serve as proof of residency in the zone, or in HISD if you are attending on a Magnet Transfer.  No student will be placed in a class for next year without new proof of residency.  All families are asked to provide the following documents:

• Current utility bills including Electricity, Gas, Water and Telephone/Cell phone bill showing residential service with name and address of residents; and
• Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) statement showing Homestead Exemption for current year; or 
• Lease Agreement (if applicable) If you are currently leasing a home or apartment please bring the entire typed lease agreement. All lease agreements are subject to verification. Also required is a receipt showing your current month's paid rent or the back and front copy of your cancelled check from your financial institution.  You will be expected to provide a new lease agreement when the current lease expires.

If you enrolled as a zoned student and have moved, no longer living in the Roberts attendance zone, your child will be allowed to finish the school year at Roberts.  We will help you arrange enrollment in your new zoned school for the 2015-16 school year.  Any student currently enrolled who now lives outside of the Houston Independent School District (i.e. Fort Bend, Humble, Alief, Pearland) will be withdraw per HISD Board Policy.

Residency is defined as the one and only place a student lives and sleeps every night. Renting an apartment in the zone while continuing to carry a homestead exemption and live in a home outside of the attendance zone is not an established residence in the zone.  If you find yourself in this position, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your situation. Families who provide false information are in violation of Texas law as noted:

(h)  In addition to the penalty provided by Section 37.10, Penal Code, a person who knowingly falsifies information on a form required for enrollment of a student in a school district is liable to the district if the student is not eligible for enrollment in the district but is enrolled on the basis of the false information.  The person is liable, for the period during which the ineligible student is enrolled, for the greater of:

(1)  the maximum tuition fee the district may charge under Section 25.038;  or

(2)  the amount the district has budgeted for each student as maintenance and operating expenses.

Our recent increase in zoned enrollment does not allow us to offer new transfers.  To ensure space availability for students who live in the Roberts attendance zone an HISD Police Officer will be making home visits to verify residency when the provided documents are not sufficient to prove residency.

Traffic Safety

I have been contacted almost daily by neighbors, parents and teachers who are witnessing very dangerous situations around campus.  

• It is extremely dangerous to stop your car in moving traffic and let passengers exit the vehicle in the street.  This is happening almost daily on Swift Blvd and Greenbriar.
• It is extremely dangerous to allow your child to cross in the middle of the block. Children should cross only at crosswalks, and preferably with the help of our crossing guards.
• Honking, exceeding the school speed limit and cutting in front of other cars because you are late is unacceptable.  Please make every effort to leave your home early enough to get your child to Roberts before the 7:55 bell.  You should expect that traffic is ALWAYS heavy in our area.
• Please do not park in or block driveways.  Our neighbors will call the Constable and you will be ticketed or towed.

If you are not familiar with our traffic recommendations or drop-off and pick-up procedures, please refer to the Family Handbook posted on our website.

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
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.

Monday, March 9  
Tuesday, March 10    Kindergarten Round-up Information Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11  School Tour, 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 12  1st gr Program, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, March 13  Hat Day-5th gr Fundraiser

March 16-20  Spring Break


School Auction
Big thanks to everyone!  Saturday night was a huge success!  A special thanks to our Auction Chairpersons, Liz Singleton, Julie McFarland, Meredith Beebe, and Valerie Tompson, as well as the many volunteers who made the night possible.  Great music, great food, great friends of Roberts!

Our annual auction is a significant PTO fundraiser that ensures classrooms have new technology and support materials, and that our teachers are provided with important professional development to enhance our IB program.  When we work together great things are possible!


2015-16 Kindergarten Early Registration
On Tuesday, March 10th at 6:00 p.m. we will host a meeting to provide information about our Kindergarten Early Registration process for the upcoming school year. Prospective parents will tour the campus and will learn more about the program.  We will discuss the required documentation and the process for registration.  Families with incoming Kindergarten students should attend.

Invite your neighbors to learn more about Roberts and the registration process!


Spring Picture Day
This week we will take class and individual pictures.  If you have not already turned in your order, please send that back to school tomorrow.  Order forms were in last week's Tuesday folder.  



Road Construction Update
Over the weekend, crews began working on Swift Blvd. and School Street.  The road is passable, but has been textured for the new road surface to be put down.  We expect the road to remain open throughout the week, but please watch for updates through School Messenger.