LET US HEAR FROM YOU

School P= hone: &= nbsp; &nbs= p; (713) 942-1460 = ; &n= bsp;

After Sc= hool Program: (713) 524-8430

Office Hours: &n= bsp; = ; 7:15 am – 4:15 pm

Web Site= : &= nbsp; &nbs= p; http://es.houstonisd.org/riveroakse= s

E-mail:<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:3'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; sgo= lden@houstonisd.org

PTO webs= ite: &= nbsp; &nbs= p; http://www.riveroakspt= o.org

CALENDAR ITEMS

September 12	Second Grade Play Date, 8:30 am
September 18	Picture Day
September 21	Sally Foster/Entertainment Book/Otis Spunkmeyer orders due
October 10	ROE Fun Run
November 6	Fall Frenzy

From the desk of Mrs. shenker

Now that we have moved through the proc= ess of opening school, our attention shifts toward teaching and learning. A primary focus of our campus instructional plan will be to increase the percentage of our students recei= ving commended performance on their state assessments. Commended performance standards represent mastery of grade-level content and are correlated with college and career readiness. It should be the minimum expectation for all our students. Our early childhood (K-2) teachers have the important work of building the foundation for this critical learning. We will also explore ways to stretch= our students that have already mastered their grade-level content. I look forwa= rd to another exceptional academic year!

I hope that you will take the time to v= iew President Obama’s address with your child. What a learning opportunit= y to explore the timeless themes of citizenship, responsibility, perseverance, a= nd respect! A number of our teachers are eager to incorporate President Obama’s message into future lessons. As instructed by the district, a= ny use of these materials will be accompanied with an opt-out option for paren= ts.

Like many elementary schools, we made t= he decision to refrain from a live viewing. The first logistical issue involved the limitations of our available technology for a clear, school-wide delive= ry. In addition, the district required that we allow parents a chance to opt out o= f a live viewing. Specific opt-out documentation had to be obtained and alternate learning activities provided to those children opting out. = The short time at our disposal to meet these requirements, technology issues, a= nd our desire to minimize discomfort to children due to the opting-out process= led to our decision.

I know that carpool flow has been an is= sue in the past several weeks. The Harris County Constable has recently given the following directives:

-Please do = not make a left turn off Kirby into the circular driveway.

-Please ref= rain from blocking traffic flow on San Felipe by continuing to circle the buildi= ng in a clockwise motion until the carpool lane is clear.

I will work with a group of school, par= ent, and community representatives to address our ongoing traffic concerns.

Once again, I look forward to a wonderf= ul year at River Oaks. It is a pleasure getting to know you and your children.=

ROE Fun Run

Runners, Start Your Engines! ROE FUN RU= N 2009 – Saturday, October 10^th.

For all of you new to ROE, this is a tr= uly FUN event for the entire family…an ROE tradition of a school wide running event! All family members are encouraged to attend. The day begins with a l= ight and fun stretch followed by everyone running one lap together! Moms, dads, and anyone 6^th grade and older compete in a lap race. Each grade will then compete against their classmates. This can get very competitive, but we cheer on everyone to the finish line! A wheel barrow ra= ce, moon walk, and our favorite DJ Tommy Blaze will be back with great music and games—including the traditional Hoola Hoop^® competition—and there’ll be plenty of food and drink for everyo= ne.

Volunteers are needed! Sponsors are needed! To find out more, go = to www.ROEFUNRUN.com. Or call me at 713.444.7120.

Mark your calendars: Oct 10^th (note: this is not the original run date and the flyer that went ho= me last week had an incorrect date-sorry!).

-Natalie Cordova

Fall Fundraiser / Sally Foster

Sally Foster/ Entertainment book/ Otis Spunkmeyer
The Fall Fundraiser is in full gear. Additional ord= er sheets are located at the end of the K hall in the rotunda. There is a shortage in supplies for the H= ouston area, so we may need to improvise with order forms. Thanks to Paul Mu= eller there is help now on the web,@ http://roepto= .org/sally-foster-fundraiser/. I think most of your questions can be answered there and if not please cont= act me, murphtak@comcast.net. Thanks for your support.
-Laura Fertak

ROE Auction-THE FALL FRENZY

Save the date!= November 6 is the night to be groovin' at this year's FALL FRENZY! This is yo= ur chance to support ROE with its largest fundraising event. This year we will fall back to the '70s as you enjoy dinner, dancing, bidding and just a lot of fun without the kids! It's a casual event sure to be fun for all! Pl= ease save the date as we hope to see you there!

Calling all Second Grade Fam= ilies:

Join us at the park for a relaxing morn= ing of playing and socializing on Saturday, September 12th from 8:30 am until 10 a= m, at Karl <= st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Young Park on Stella Link at Tartan. Too early? Maybe, but we want to beat the heat and aren’t your seven year olds up already? If 8:30 am is too early please join us when you can. We are bringing the doughnuts so just pick up your own morning coffee, juice, milk, whatever and join in the fun. If necessary, the rain date will be Saturday September 19th.

-Janann Pittman and Nguyet Vo, Second G= rade PTO Reps

Do you have a GREEN THUMB?

If so, we need you! We are looking for a volunteer (or a small group of volunteers) to maintain the six potted plant= s at the entry to the school. If you know the difference between a weed and the plants that are supposed to be in the pots and if you have a few minutes to= spare each week as you run into and out of the school, you are the perfect person= for this. We are not looking for a large time commitment or a set schedule but = we would like to make the entry to the school as beautiful as what goes on ins= ide. Please let me know if you can help out.

-Janann Pittman, j.pittman@earthlink.net or 713-885-0634

Science Lab/Nature Center

Dear ROE Community, as we begin our 3rd week of school, our kids are excited to once again begin using our Nature Center as an outdoor lab! Our parents have been a BIG help in enhancing our center with new furniture, redone butterfly and hummingbird habitats, and lots of = girl power from our local girl scouts and their leaders. Thanks! We will begin rather regular usage of the center to conduct investigations, observe and e= njoy the plant and animal life, clean up and take care of the center and wildlif= e, and ‘grow’ its capabilities. Please send a written note with yo= ur child if there is some reasons he/she cannot be in the nature center. (allergies, pollen season etc.) Also, please note, open-toed shoes are not = allowed in school but are especially ill-suited for the Nature Center. Finally, many eco-friendly parents have expressed an interest with the Nature Center. Suggestions such as coming on a weekend/after school to pull weeds, water plants, make compost, pick up recycled materials for drop off, or maintaini= ng the various beds have been made. All help is welcome! Donations of garden t= ools are always appreciated too. Please let the office know if you are visiting during school hours. And let me know if you’d like to participate in = any of the above activities so you can be properly recognized.

I can be reached at pharry@houstonisd.org. Looking fo= rward to a great year with your talented kids. Thanks.

-Paul Rainn, Science Specialist

Kindergarten Representative

The PTO Board is comprised of officers = and representatives from each grade level. The Board meets once a month on Wednesday evenings. The primary responsibility of the grade level representatives is to communicate and encourage involvement from their grade level families at ROE.

If you are interested in filling this position of Kindergarten Rep, please submit your name and one paragraph describing why you’d be a good fit in this role by September 11^t=
h (Please give your information to the front office staff. They will put is i= n my mailbox,)

It appears that this is going to be a g= reat kindergarten group. I’m happy to report I already have 2 interested parties. Written ballots will be sent out soon.

-Diane Cimino, PTO President