AUGUST 26, 2025 | ISSUE 3| PTO | CONTACT

The PADRES committee gets to work benefitting our Roberts students, staff, and grounds! Find your niche in the PTO today at robertspto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteering.

• Message from Principal Epps
• Important Roberts Reminders
• Running Club registration takes off
• Piano at Roberts, deadline to sign up Aug. 29
• New staff member spotlight: Emma Lamont
• Grade-level coffee socials Saturday, Sept. 6
• Join our inaugural PTO Spaghetti Supper Sept. 12
• Fall International Garden Cleanup Sept. 14
• Get involved in the PTO and meet the chairs
• Get your glam on with the Auction committee
• Lace up for the Fun Run committee
• Connect with Community Partnerships
• Upcoming Rice athletic events

Join us for Curriculum Night on Thursday August 28th, from 6:15-7:30PM. Doors will open at 6PM. During this event teachers will walk through grade-level curriculum, academic expectations, and important information integral for success this year. Reminder that this is an adults-only event.

The campus email address has changed to RES@houstonisd.onmicrosoft.com. Moving forward, please use the RES email address for general inquiries, sending absent notices, and CC'ing about dismissal changes. The previous email address (RobertsRegistration@houstonisd.onmicrosoft.com) will deactivate on August 31, 2025.

Roberts Running Club registration for the 2025-26 year is now live!

Running Club practices on the paved track around the soccer field from 6:45 to 7:10AM, once or twice weekly. The running club has two main race events throughout the year, Run of Pi and Mustang Rally. We request a $35 registration fee for each runner to help cover costs of the team shirts and events.

Stay tuned for our official practice start date! You can complete registration for your runner now.

The Roberts Piano Program with Mr. Cole is beginning to accept 1^st-5^th grade students. Any students interested in this program must commit to a full year of lessons and practice. They also need to maintain sound conduct and a good academic standard- otherwise, they will not be allowed to continue in the program.

All lessons are scheduled during the school day, during one of their grade-level recess times.

1st grade - 4th grade lessons are 20 minutes in length and 5^th grade lessons are 30 mins in length, all once a week. This piano program has limited space and requires an additional commitment from home. We do not want spots taken by students who are only attending the lessons and otherwise not practicing daily.

• There will be a $400.00 fee per year per student ($200.00 per semester), CASH ONLY.

• We are requesting that any student who signs up for this program have a piano or keyboard for use outside school.
• 1st – 5th grade continuing piano students will have priority in registration.
• Kindergarten Piano Lessons will begin in the Spring semester. Registration will open up in December.

Please complete this form and submit payment via Tuesday folder or drop off at reception. Payment for the semester or the entire school year is due at the time of enrollment. The deadline to submit the form and fees is August 29, 2025. Lessons will begin the week of September 9th. Please direct any questions to Ms. Tran at Kristina.tran@houstonisd.org.

Hello, Roberts Elementary Family! I’m so excited to join this vibrant and diverse community—I can’t wait to meet all of the students and families!

With over 20 years of experience teaching bilingual learners in the U.S., Spain, and the U.K., I’ve had the privilege of working with students of all ages and backgrounds. Throughout my journey, I’ve focused on supporting academic achievement, personal growth, and cultural understanding.

I hold a master’s degree in English Studies from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teacher Training from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. I’ve also earned additional certifications in Teaching, Translation, and Proofreading from various colleges and institutions.

Over the years, I’ve served as a Bilingual Instructional Coordinator, leading programs that promote language development and academic success. I’ve also had the opportunity to direct European Union “Erasmus” projects, helping schools across Europe connect, collaborate, and share innovative teaching practices. One of my favorite parts of the job has been organizing student immersion trips to the U.K. and Ireland—visiting places like London, Bristol, and Dublin—to give students meaningful, real-world experiences that broaden their perspectives and learning.

In the classroom, I enjoy creating inclusive, hands-on, and tech-integrated learning environments that spark curiosity and build confidence. My goal is to make learning meaningful, collaborative, and engaging while preparing students to thrive in a global society.

I’m truly excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to learn, grow, and celebrate success together with our amazing Roberts family!

Please join us on Roberts playground on Saturday, September 6th for class coffee socials! PALS, KG & 1st grades from 9am-10am, 2nd & 3rd grades from 10am-11am, and 4th & 5th grades from 11am-12pm. Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee truck will be on site with the caffeine, and we’ll have juice, water and muffins for the students. Come on out to meet new friends and catch up with old ones! Sponsored by the PTO.

Join the Roberts PTO on Friday, September 12th at 6pm for our first ever family Spaghetti Supper and PTO Informational under the basketball court! Bring the kids, feed them, and let them play! Learn from the PTO committee chairs how you can help the school through the PTO. Pay what you want or don't. Please RSVP so we know how much food to order!

The garden committee is hosting its annual Fall Garden Cleanup and would love to see you there! Join us Sunday September 14th, from 9am - 12pm.

We'll be prepping the vegetable beds for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students who will begin planting in September. Coffee, water, and donuts will be served. Please RSVP here if you are able to make it!

Bring your gardening gear: gloves, pruning clippers, etc. We have extras if you don’t have any. Please note that the building will be closed for the weekend, so there will be no bathroom access. Water bottles are a good idea!

Families with 3rd and 4th graders: the garden committee is still seeking parent liaisons for each for the following classes to help your kids plant and harvest this fall.

• Ms. Luera (3rd Grade): 2 volunteers needed
• Mr. Martinez (4th Grade): 2 volunteers needed

No green thumb or prior experience needed! All supplies provided. Thank you to everyone that has already volunteered! Please contact internationalgarden@robertspto.org for any questions.

Give a little time, make a big impact - join a PTO Committee!

Check out thePTO committee descriptions! For all volunteers, 2025-2026 VIPs clearance is required.

Hey y'all! I'm Lindsay Howard, mom to a set of twins in the first grade (Aurora and Lukas) and one of the new editors of the FrontPage. I also co-chair the School Supplies committee and have roped my wife Jami into these committees as well. Because what are marriages for if not being voluntold to do things by your spouse?

In her welcome as PTO President, Michelle said Roberts was the most exceptional school in Houston and I wholeheartedly agree. It doesn't take long after walking onto campus to get a feel for Roberts' magic. I love our inclusion, our diversity, and our community. It is simply the best (cue Tina Turner) and I am happy to give back in absolutely any way I can.

Last year was our first year at Roberts and I knew I wanted to be involved, but wasn't sure how or where I could really be helpful. So, I kept the stakes low and dabbled in a little of everything when needed- shelving books in the library with Ms. Nelson, making copies in the workroom, helping with crafts at the Campout, handing out water at the FunRun, slinging pizza at the carnival, you name it.

Truly no matter the amount of time you have available or skill set you possess, there is a way for you to get involved at Roberts and be a part of the magic making.

If you've got suggestions for us at the FrontPage or photos from Roberts events, we'd love to have them! Send them our way at newsletter@robertspto.org or submit them online. Keep your eyes peeled for a fresh new look for the FrontPage coming soon, courtesy of my co-chair Ana Hübbe. Alternatively, if the idea of sorting and delivering boxes of school supplies around Roberts warms your heart, please let me know and I will happily harass you to come volunteer at the end of the summer.

Cheers to another great year of Roberts magic and I hope to see you around at school events soon!

Our fabulous Auction Soirèe is February 28, 2026, and it takes a village to pull off a Global Glam event this spectacular! Now is the time to join the committee! Come for the fun, stay for the friends, and help us globetrot our way to celebrating 90 years of Roberts Elementary!

Help make one of our biggest fundraisers a success! We’ll kick off right after Winter Break, with pledging starting January 26 2026 and ending with a fun school-day race on February 6th. Our goal is $125,000—and we need your help! Even just a few minutes during those two weeks makes a big difference.

Sign up to join us on the committee. Or drop us an email. For general Fun Run info, head to https://robertspto.membershiptoolkit.com/overview.

Let’s make this year’s Fun Run the best yet!

Do you own a business or have family or friends that do? Let the PTO know so we can connect and support our community! We are interested in both in-kind or monetary donations.

Contact Regina Stetkevich at commmunitypartnerships@robertspto.org or fill out this form today to connect with hundreds of families and grow your business with Roberts!

Visit our sponsors page to see the benefits!

Get ready for a fun-filled year of cheering on the Rice Owls! These family-friendly events offer discounted tickets and a great way for Roberts students, families, and staff to enjoy college athletics- right in our own backyard.

Mark your calendars and get your tickets for these upcoming events!

• Rice Women’s Soccer vs. Memphis on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 11AM
• Rice Football vs. UCONN on Saturday, October 25, 2025 Time TBA. Don't Forget Owl Walk takes place before kickoff!

Stay updated and connected on Roberts Elementary events and discussions.