APRIL 23, 2024 | ISSUE 30 | PTO | CONTACT

Greens thriving in our International Garden, where some classes are beginning to harvest!

IN THIS ISSUE

Sibling enrollment and neighborhood enrollment for 2024–25 now open
Teacher of the Week: Ms. Estrada (1st grade)
Parents RSVP: IB Portfolio Picnics, May 21–23
PTO budget available at reception
Committee chair interest 2024–25 sign-up
iKids 2024–25 onsite after-school care registration
Roberts Carnival needs volunteers Saturday, Apr. 27
Last call for Mother–Son Dance Apr. 26 and BINGO Apr. 28
Drop Everything And Read REviews: prizes available if you submit by Apr. 26!
Run in Coach A's final Mustang Rally, May 17
Running Club receives a $4k STEM grant!
HISD Wraparound Services can provide food, clothing, and school supplies

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

Ms. Mary Estrada, 1st grade

Hi, Roberts community! My name is Mary Estrada, and I have been at Roberts for 14 years teaching 1st grade. I earned a business degree from the University of Texas at Austin and worked in the financial industry in marketing and training and development. My teaching career all started when I volunteered in my daughter’s kindergarten class at Poe Elementary. I was fortunate enough to be offered a first-grade teaching position there. Now almost 20 years later, I am still teaching. I absolutely love teaching first graders, who are naturally curious about the world, and watching them grow as readers, writers, mathematicians, and IB learners. I value my team, the students, and the Roberts community. My husband Robert and I have two children, Chloe and Alex, who bring me tremendous joy. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, trying out new coffee bars and restaurants, reading books, going to musicals, relaxing in the pool and traveling in the summer. I love Roberts and look forward to several more years of teaching.

STUDENT-LED CONFERENCE AND PORTFOLIO PICNICS (1ST–5TH GRADES)

May 21–23, 2024

Roberts' annual Portfolio Picnics offer a chance for students to share their IB portfolios and reflections on the school year with parents and loved ones. Please make a date with your child and bring a picnic lunch and blanket to share together on the front lawn of Roberts. This is a special opportunity for parents and their children to eat lunch together and review the students' IB portfolios. We are hoping every parent will be able to attend this very special event! We are also offering one evening Portfolio Picnic on Thursday, May 23 from 5:45 P.M. to 6:45 P.M. If you have multiple children, we encourage you to attend the evening picnic!

All parents must RSVP to attend. Please complete this form by May 17.

Picnics take place over your child's lunchtime. Please refer to the table below and sign up for either Block A or Block B.

PTO BUDGET

Per Article 9.7 of the PTO Bylaws, the proposed 2024-2025 Budget for the Fiscal Year starting July 1, 2024 is available at reception to review and will be voted on at the May 3rd PTO meeting. Please direct any questions to budget@robertspto.org.

BE A PTO COMMITTEE CHAIR 2024–25

Seeking 2024–25 committee chairs to direct PTO programs and events! Most committees will have at least two co-chairs. Please sign up if you are interested in helping direct our volunteer energy. Your leadership and time will make a huge impact. For questions or assistance selecting a committee, email volunteer@RobertsPTO.org.

iKIDS ONSITE AFTER-SCHOOL CARE 2024–25 REGISTRATION OPEN

Introducing iKids U at Roberts Elementary School for the 2024–25 school year! iKids U is an on-site, all-inclusive, and customizable after-school program. Students will have the opportunity to select an optional “enrichment” activity, one-on-one instruction, or just “stay and play” with friends. iKids U offers a variety of after-school selections from 1 to 5 days per week with part-time and full-time options. There is something for every child, including Art, Robotics, Science, Sports and more! Registration is now open.

iKids will be hosting a meet-and-greet table at the upcoming RES Carnival on Saturday, April 27. Come by to enter a drawing to win a complimentary enrichment class.

For more information, please visit www.ikidsinc.com, call 713-665-5200 or email support@ikidsinc.com. We look forward to seeing you after school in iKids U!

ROBERTS CARNIVAL SATURDAY APR. 27 10 AM–2 PM

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CARNIVAL!

We need everyone to pitch in to make this event successful. If you are a parent or teacher, please sign up for a volunteer shift at the carnival.

DONATE TO CARNIVAL BOOK SALE!

We need used books for the Carnival Kids' Book Sale! Drop off at Reception now until April 25.

LAST CALL: MOTHER–SON DANCE APR. 26 AND BINGO APR. 28!

Moms—those dads rocked it out at the Dance With Your Daughter, so let's show them what we can do! Sign up for the Roberts Elementary Mother–Son Dance on Friday, April 26. Suggested donation: $75.

Or join us for bingo at Marquis II on Sunday, April 28, 4–6 p.m. Drinks are included and you can win cash prizes! Suggested donation: $20.

Donate here and email auction@robertspto.org to get on the list. All funds go to the PTO and the library remodel!

DROP EVERYTHING AND READ DAY: SUBMIT REVIEWS FOR PRIZES

If your child celebrated D.E.A.R. Day with a read-at-home challenge, be sure to submit your contest form and book review (Google login) by April 26 to be eligible to win prizes—bookmarks, invitations to the D.E.A.R. celebration later this year, yummy grade-level prizes, a book REview featured in the Roberts Front Page, and a spot in the May Good News REview!

EIGHTH ANNUAL MUSTANG RALLY MAY 17

The Mustang Rally is an annual quarter-mile footrace hosted by the Roberts Running Club and open to all Roberts students. Register now for Coach A’s farewell Mustang Rally! Come out to see how fast you can run and celebrate Coach A!

Friday, May 17 at the Rice University track and field stadium
Gates open at 4:00 p.m.; races start at 4:30 p.m. and will run through 6:30 p.m.
Races by grade and gender—1 lap around the track (400m/0.25 mile)
$20 per entry (includes a Mustang Rally t-shirt and medal)
Runners must be accompanied by an adult

E-mail Esther Sung at runningclub@robertspto.org for more info or to volunteer!

Running Club Wins $4,000 STEM Grant for Roberts!

After the Running Club made a great showing at this year’s Run of Pi 5K and 1K fun run in February, the Houston Engineers Week Committee awarded Roberts Elementary a $4,000 STEM grant! Thanks to all the runners and parents who came out to make this year’s run a huge success!!!

Find out more about what wraparound services can do or fill out a student assistance request form. If you have any questions, or need assistance getting the form filled out, please contact the Roberts Wraparound Resource Specialist, Audrey Jefferson, at Audrey.Jefferson@HoustonISD.org, or call 713-295-5272.