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.