AUGUST 19, 2025 | ISSUE 2| PTO | CONTACT

Roberts International Garden in bloom. Join our fall garden social and cleanup September 14th!

• Message from Principal Epps
• Updated Robertsemail
• Campus NWEA testing
• Request Gifted and Talented testing by Aug. 25
• Piano at Roberts
• New staff member spotlight: Jaelyn White
• Grade-level coffee socials Saturday, Sept. 6
• Join our inaugural PTO Spaghetti Supper Sept. 12
• Fall International Garden cleanup Sunday, Sept. 14
• Getinvolved in the PTO
• Upcoming Rice athletic events
• Save the date: annual Roberts Gala and Auction Feb. 28, 2026

We invite you to 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 you through grade-level curriculum, academic expectations, and important information needed to support your child’s success this year.

Because this evening is designed for parents to focus fully on the information being shared, we kindly ask that students not attend. This is the only adults-only event of the school year, and we truly appreciate your understanding and support in making arrangements so you can attend without your child(ren).

If you are unable to attend, your child’s teacher will email you a copy of the presentation.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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.

We will begin our campus NWEA testing starting Tuesday August 19th, please see the schedule below.  Make sure that your student is present and ready to test each day.  We will begin testing promptly at 8:00 am. This testing sets the benchmark for where students are currently performing in each subject area (reading, math, and science) as the school year begins.

August 19th – Math NWEA Beginning of year testing for grades 2nd through 5th; Kindergarten and 1st grade will test the week of August 19th through the 22nd.

August 20th – Reading NWEA Beginning of year testing for grades 2nd through 5th.

August 21st – Science NWEA Beginning of year testing for grades 2nd through 5th.

Please email Ms. Zatzkin at ezatzkin@houstonisd.org if you have any questions about NWEA testing.

The Gifted and Talented Testing Request Link is now available! Families must submit a request for Gifted and Talented testing using this link by 11:59pm on August 25, 2025. No additional requests for testing will occur after this date. 

2^nd grade students who have not been identified as G/T yet do not need to request testing, as they will participate in universal testing.

The GT request link and Roberts testing dates can be found here.

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 September 6, 2024. Lessons will begin the week of September 9th. Please direct any questions to Ms. Tran at Kristina.tran@houstonisd.org.  

Hello Roberts Family,

I’m so honored to be named New Teacher of the Week, and even more excited to officially introduce myself! My name is Jaelyn White and I’m thrilled to be joining the Roberts team this year as a 3rd grade math and science teacher.

I’m a proud graduate of Texas Southern University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in General Education EC–6 and Special Education EC–12. I’m originally from Dallas, Texas, and I’m also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

This is my first year teaching and I couldn’t be more excited to start my journey here. I’m passionate about helping students grow, both academically and personally, and I’m committed to supporting them in reaching their full potential.

Thank you all for the warm welcome—I’m looking forward to a fantastic school year filled with learning, growth, and community!

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, 4th, and 5th 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
• Ms. Lara (5th Grade): 1 volunteer needed

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

Want to stay in the know? Join a PTO committee at Roberts!

Do you like to make copies? There's a place for you! Build & create things? There's a place for you! Own a business? There's a place for you! Make spreadsheets? There's a place for you! Manage projects? There's a place for you!

Check outPTO committee descriptions today! For all volunteers (both returning and new), 2025-2026VIPs clearance is required.

Our PTO Committee Chairs welcomed the new school year with a happy hour and community with friends new and old. Come join us, no need to wait until the first PTO meeting on September 5th! If something interests you, get involved in Roberts now by emailing!

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 andget your ticketsfor 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!

RE Families - Save the date for the 2026 Auction Soirée! This year's theme is GLOBAL GLAM!! As we celebrate the 90th anniversary of Roberts Elementary, we'll be globetrotting our way to fun on February 28th! Stay tuned for more details, and if you want the inside scoop, join the committee!

Stay updated and connected on Roberts Elementary events and discussions.

Roberts Elementary PTO 

6000 Greenbriar Drive 

Houston TX 77030