News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Monday, April 27  
Tuesday, April 28  Progress Reports; 4th gr Fieldtrip; IB Art Show, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 29  Student Coalition Meeting, 11:45; 
Thursday, April 30
Friday, May 1  PTO Meeting, 8:10 a.m.
Saturday, May 2  Carnival

May 4-8  Teacher Appreciation Week
Monday, May 4  IOWA Testing, gr 1-5
Tuesday, May 5  IOWA Testing, gr 1-5
Wednesday, May 6  IOWA Testing, gr 1-5
Thursday, May 7  IOWA Testing, gr 1-5; Kinder Field Trip (Warner, Miller, Punch)
Friday, May 8  IOWA Testing, gr 1-5; Kinder Field Trip (Waterman, Bowman, May)
Saturday, May 9  Roberts 1.5 Foot Race


Your Voice Survey-Opens May 1
Watch for information in the Tuesday Folder next week about the District-wide Your Voice survey. Please take the time to offer your feedback on the work we are doing at Roberts. Participation rate is one way the District measures our effectiveness, so please make your voice heard! 

You will receive one survey for each school you have a child enrolled in this current school year.  The one you receive in the Tuesday folder is only survey related to Roberts Elementary.  Each survey has a code that can be used to complete the survey online, or you may complete the paper survey provided.  The unique code is to ensure you complete the survey only once for Roberts Elementary.  Please do not return the paper survey to school.  To maintain the integrity of the survey, we cannot accept it.

You can learn more at http://www.houstonisd.org/YourVoice 

SAVE THE DATE
Kinder 
Wednesday, 5/13  5:00-6:00 p.m

Grades 1-5 
Monday, 5/18  Lunch or Evening
Tuesday, 5/19  Lunch
Wednesday, 5/20  Lunch

Spotlight on IB:

What is Portfolio Picnic?

Parent-teacher conferences have been a standard practice, and the primary means of communication between school and home for decades.  Many educators, however, know the benefits of incorporating student-led conferences in that communication loop.  Student-led conferences are one way we can support students in developing ownership over their learning, and support the development of reflection as a learning practice. 

Teachers are preparing students for the student-led conferences that will be held through a Portfolio Picnic during the week of May 18th.  Each person has a role in the student-led conference.  For the student, the job is to lead the review and discussion of the work in their portfolio.  The parent’s role is to listen and review the work, and then participate in the reflection questions.  If your child gets stuck during the conference, here are a few questions that may help:

· Which pieces reflect one of your strengths?

· What challenges do you have in this subject?

· What are you most proud of?

This is also a time for students to set individualized learning goals for next year.  This is a time for parents to listen and coach, but not set goals for the student.

This year parents will have several options to accommodate your work schedule.  For children in grades 1-5, we are offering three days during the child’s lunch period, as well as Monday evening, May 18th.  Kindergarten Portfolio Picnic is schedule just prior to the promotion ceremony on May 13th, from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

For both daytime and evening Portfolio Picnics, we invite you to bring a blanket and picnic meal to celebrate the conference.  It is a special time for your child, and I hope it will be a special time for you.

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Monday, April 20   STAAR Testing - 5th Math
Tuesday, April 21   STAAR Testing - 3rd, 4th Math
Wednesday, April 22   STAAR Testing - 3rd & 4th Reading, 5th Science
Thursday, April 23   2nd gr Fieldtrip; SDMC, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, April 24   Father Daughter Dance (ticketed event)

Monday, April 27  
Tuesday, April 28  Progress Reports; 4th gr Fieldtrip; IB Art Show, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 29  Student Coalition Meeting, 11:45; 
Thursday, April 30
Friday, May 1  PTO Meeting, 8:10 a.m.
Saturday, May 2  Carnival

Testing This Week
Our 3rd-5th graders will be taking state exams this week.  See the schedule above.  Here are a few things to remember:

• Get a good night's sleep and have a hearty breakfast.
• Don't try to cram, these tests are meant to see what your child has learned throughout the year.  Last minute, late night study sessions may increase worry.
• Tests will begin immediately after announcements.  Students may not enter the classroom after testing has begun.  Please plan accordingly to avoid begin tardy.
• If you notice anxiety, let your child's teacher know so that he or she may help relieve the worry.

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Monday, April 13  
Tuesday, April 14  5th gr Goes to Camp
Wednesday, April 15  
Thursday, April 16  5th gr Returns
Friday, April 17  Staff Appreciation Luncheon; Kids Night Out, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, April 20
Tuesday, April 21   STAAR Testing - 3rd, 4th & 5th Math
Wednesday, April 22   STAAR Testing - 3rd & 4th Reading, 5th Science
Thursday, April 23   2nd gr Fieldtrip
Friday, April 24   Father Daughter Dance (ticketed event)


Save the Date 
IB Art Show - Tuesday, April 28th, 6:00 pm
Roberts Carnival - Saturday, May 2



Teacher Requests

As you may know, one of the District's core initiatives within the Strategic Direction is to ensure a highly effective teacher is in every classroom.  The Roberts Community is so incredibly lucky to have a campus full of highly effective teachers.  There is no teacher on our campus that struggles to offer sound instruction, and a well-developed structure of support exists for teachers new to our campus. 

With that in mind, please let me share with you my thoughts on the often pursued “teacher request”.  I strongly believe requesting teachers builds a culture of favored and disfavored teachers that is toxic to a school community.   Often these impressions of teacher effectiveness are anchored by false opinions and rumors.  We do not accept teacher requests.  I will continue to stand firm on that and request that you honor it as well.

So, how will we make class assignments?  The teachers and administration will work to build strong groups of children that make sense together.  We will consider personality, behavior, academics and social development.  After groups have been formed, I will assign those groups to teachers. 

If you would like to share special characteristics that should be considered, you are welcome to submit that in writing to me.  You may do that by email or by leaving a letter in the office for me to review between now and the last day of school. 

Please let me thank you in advance for working within the system.  Your trust in our faculty is greatly appreciated.


Theatre Guild
As we gear up for our final production, Shrek, The Musical, we are still looking for volunteers to help with costumes.  This week our team will be working everyday, Monday-Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. You don't need any special skills.  We need help with sewing, cutting and ironing.  Just drop in!

News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
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.

Monday, April 13  Tuesday, April 14  5th gr Goes to Camp
Wednesday, April 15  
Thursday, April 16  5th gr Returns; SDMC Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17  Staff Appreciation Luncheon; Kids Night Out, 6:30 p.m.


SPARK School Park Program
Great news!  We were notified on Friday that we have been selected by SPARK School Park Program to help us update our playground and community greenspace.  SPARK, founded in 1983 by Eleanor Tinsley, works with schools to develop school playgrounds into community parks.  

A team of school and community people will be working on the design and fundraising.  Last week, students and teachers were able to give input on what they want for the new playground.  Watch for more information!

Library Upgrades
Over the last three years we have made annual investments in improving and updating our library.  Together with the PTO, we invested $13,500 last year, and will add another $10,000-$15,000 this year.  

As we make plans for this year's library purchase, we must make decisions about whether or not to invest in additional ebooks, or if the entire amount should be used for hardbound books. 

Second grade is learning about decision making, and I had the opportunity to share with them the many hard decisions that go into our school budget and the allocation for resources. I have tasked them with researching ebook vs. hardbound book, and they will write persuasive letters to help me in making that decision.