NOVEMBER 19, 2024 | ISSUE 15 | PTO | CONTACT

Thank you to the PADRES Campout crew, Roberts admin team and the many volunteers for making the campout such a success! Photo: Fiona Bell.

IN THIS ISSUE

Update on Ms. Epps
Staff Member of the Week: Barry McVea, Crossing Guard
New Teacher of the Week: Alexis Nelson, 1st grade
GT results for K–2 available week of Dec. 2–6
Contact Registration for middle school or private school document requests
Fifth grade fundraisers: two more Roberts Tuesdays at Common Bond; buy a Pajama Day wristband for Nov. 22. Sign up to help distribute wristbands
No Running Club Nov. 25–29
HISD partnership offers telehealthcare appointments for students
PADRES softball registration open, game Dec. 8
Spirit Night at Mendocino Farms Dec. 10
Winter Festival, Dec. 13: sign up to help or sponsor a table
RE Auction and Gala early-bird tickets on sale
Join a new Roberts kindergarten Girl Scouts Troop
Soccer camp at Roberts with Lamar HS players Nov. 23
School Choice timeline: applications open Dec. 10
Roberts Elementary Tours for K–5th
Middle school tours through Feb. 6
Fundraise for Roberts with Minted cards

UPDATE ON MS. EPPS

We’re happy to report that Ms. Epps is home and recovering well! She misses all of the students, and can’t wait to be back in school to see them (should be sometime in December). If your child would like to send a nonperishable note, card, or gift, please feel free to drop it off to reception at Roberts. The office will make periodic deliveries to Ms. Epps.

STAFF MEMBER OF THE WEEK: Barry McVea, Crossing Guard

Hi! I am the crossing guard at Greenbriar and Addison. I have lived in Houston all of my 74 years of life, and been with Roberts for 16 years. I have an associate's degree in fashion design, and retired from being a designer for Macy’s. I am Christian and love pets—I have two Afghan dogs! In my free time, I like to do upholstery work (I am self-trained!) and do interior decoration. I love the Roberts community!

NEW TEACHER OF THE WEEK: Alexis Nelson, 1st Grade

I am truly grateful to be a part of the Roberts team this year as a first-grade teacher! I officially started my teaching journey in 2020 but have known since I was a young girl that teaching was my passion. I have a love for learning and take pride in sharing that love with my students and colleagues.

I stem from a large immediate family, raised in a very small community. I was not exposed to diverse cultures or experiences, but I knew from a young age that my purpose was to make meaningful difference in this world. How? Teaching small humans how to be incredible, kind, and confident through genuine experience, self-exploration, and love!

My love for learning hasn't stopped. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Literacy Studies. I absolutely love teaching students how to read and providing them with a gateway to endless knowledge and possibilities.

Outside of the classroom I can be found with my two miniature Australian Shepherds, Finn and Vada. We LOVE to hike, travel, and paddle board!

G/T RESULTS AVAILABLE

First round G/T testing results will become available for K–12 students the week of Dec. 2–6. Second round testers will receive results the week of Jan. 20–24. The Office of School Choice application window for the 2025–2026 school year runs Dec. 10–Feb. 12.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND PRIVATE SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

Middle school and private school application windows are opening. For report cards and other school documents requests, please email RobertsRegistration@houstonisd.onmicrosoft.com and allow 2-3 business days to fulfill the request.

5TH GRADE FUNDRAISERS

The 5th grade class is raising money for special year-end events.

Pajama Day: Wear pajamas to school Nov. 22 with a wristband purchased for $1 at morning drop-off gates Nov. 20–22 (Wed–Fri). Please bring exact change. Volunteer to collect funds and distribute wristbands by signing up here.

Common Bond: Each Tuesday in November, mention Roberts Elementary when you buy from Common Bond at 2278 W. Holcombe Blvd. and Roberts' 5th grade class fund will receive a share of the price! Some Common Bond specials: $1 mimosas every day, $2 croissants after 2 p.m., half off baked goods 8–9 p.m!

HISD PARTNERSHIP FOR STUDENT TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENTS

HISD has partnered with Hazel Health to offer telehealth appointments for students at no out-of-pocket cost to families (insurance will be billed where available). Contact Ms. Lee for any questions.

HISD has partnered with a third party to provide telehealthcare to students.

NO RUNNING CLUB PRACTICE NOV. 25–29

Running Club will have no practice during Thanksgiving Break. We will see runners back at practices on Dec. 2.

UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS

SPIRIT NIGHT: MENDOCINO FARMS, DEC. 10

Please mark your calendars for Spirit Night on Dec. 10 at Mendocino Farms!

PADRES SOFTBALL REGISTRATION OPEN

The Roberts Dad's Softball Tournament will take place Sunday, Dec. 8, at Reckling Field, noon–6 p.m. Register to join a team—there are only 48 spots across the four teams, and when they are gone, they're truly gone. So check your calendar and book your spot now.

ROBERTS WINTER FESTIVAL DEC. 13

Roberts' community winter festival takes place Dec. 13. Join us for the 2nd Annual Winter Festival featuring Faculty Caroling!

Please sign up to help out or sponsor a family table and show off your holiday traditions!

RE AUCTION AND GALA TICKETS ON SALE

Join us on March 1, 2025, and help us Save the GALAxy! A limited number of early-bird tickets are on sale now—grab yours with code earlybird2025.

We don't want to alienate anyone, so check out this Pinterest board for costume ideas. Costumes are encouraged (but not required), and cocktail attire is always welcome!

And don’t forget: the Roberts PTO, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your tickets and purchases are tax-deductible!

Want to do more? Calling all RE Auction party hosting enthusiasts! Please host a party to help us raise money for our beloved school.

Email Afton & Maryam with any questions: auction@robertspto.org.

JOIN THE ROBERTS KINDER GIRL SCOUTS TROOP

A new kindergarten Girl Scout troop is forming at Roberts. Register today or contact Ruby Salazar at rsalazar@sjgs.org with questions.

ROBERTS SOCCER CAMP NOV. 23

Lamar High School soccer players will host a camp for up to 28 3rd–5th graders on Roberts Elementary grounds 10–11:30 a.m. Nov. 23. No soccer experience is needed, but parents must sign up for players to participate. Bring water, a ball, and a great attitude!

SCHOOL CHOICE TOURS AND DEADLINES

Roberts Elementary School Tours for K–5th Grade Students

Roberts Elementary is hosting school tours for prospective K–5 students. Tours run from 9–10 a.m.; all participants must check in with valid ID by 8:55 a.m.

Tour Dates:

Fri, Dec. 13
Fri, Jan. 17
Fri, Feb. 21
Fri, Mar. 21
Fri, Apr. 11
Fri, May. 16

MIDDLE SCHOOL TOURS

Attention all 5th grade families: Houston ISD Magnet Tours have begun! Middle schools across the district will hold weekly informational sessions and usually site tours for interested students and their families at 1 p.m. every Thursday between Oct. 10 and Feb. 6. This is a great way to learn more about a campus while school is in session. The School Choice Phase 1 Application Deadline is Dec. 10.

Pin Oak Middle School, HISD's premiere foreign language magnet middle school, is pleased to announce our 2025–2026 tour dates! Parents interested in learning more about our outstanding programs are invited to join us for one of our guided tours, lasting approximately 45 minutes. Due to limited space, pre-registration is required, and each tour will accommodate only 50 participants. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore all that Pin Oak has to offer—secure your spot today!

TOUR PERSHING FINE ARTS MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL

Interested parents should sign up for Pershing magnet tours. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start so that you may sign in with the school. Parking is available in front of the school on Blue Bonnet or in our Stella Link parking lot. Please enter the school through the main entrance on Blue Bonnet.

FUNDRAISE AND SAVE HOLIDAY CARDS

Minted holiday cards offer a discount and fundraising donation to the Roberts PTO if you use the code FUNDRAISEROBERTSPTO when buying.