April 12, 2026
This week marks an important milestone for our 3rd–5th grade students as they take their first STAAR assessment of the season. On Tuesday, April 14, students will showcase their learning on the ELA test. We are confident in their preparation and excited for them to shine.
To help create a focused testing environment, our campus will be closed to visitors on Tuesday. This means there will be no lunch visits or private strings lessons on this day. We appreciate your understanding and support as we prioritize a calm and distraction-free setting for our students.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our PTO for sponsoring last week’s STAAR Pep Rally. What began as a small idea quickly grew into something truly special. Thank you to Ms. Hatton for introducing the idea and to Ms. Grosso for coordinating such an incredible event. The rally evolved into the Houston Texans’ media launch for the Tackle the STAAR program, featuring linebacker E.J. Speed as a special guest. With multiple media outlets in attendance, the energy was unforgettable, and most importantly, our students were energized, encouraged, and ready to take on the challenge ahead.
As we approach testing day, one of the most important things we can do together is support our students emotionally. Here are a few simple ways families can help reduce test anxiety at home:
Keep routines calm and consistent the night before and morning of the test
Focus on effort over outcome, reminding your child that doing their best is what matters most
Encourage rest and positive thinking, helping them feel confident rather than pressured
Your encouragement makes a powerful difference.
We are also nearing the final stretch of the school year, with just seven more Mondays to go before we begin our summer school session. Let’s continue working together to keep our students motivated, confident, and proud of their growth.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
-Principal Carter
We were honored to welcome Director Jose Longoria to Parker Elementary for a special rehearsal with our Parker Mariachi Band. Mr. Longoria is an award-winning performer and educator, the current Director of Mariachi Studies at the University of Houston, and the director of Mariachi Imperial de America.
With Mariachi Imperial de America, he has performed internationally in Canada, China, India, and Armenia, and has earned recognition at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as well as the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. In 2022, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed July 19 as Jose Longoria Day in honor of his cultural contributions to the city of Houston.
A true legend in mariachi music, Mr. Longoria took time out of his busy schedule to support and inspire our students. We are incredibly grateful for the expertise, passion, and authenticity he brought to our Parker Mariachi program.
