Roberts Elementary School

On Monday, March 9 we welcomed back Maureen Harrington, to share her new book Ivy and her Rose Bud to the Roberts School. She met with all students in grades K-5. Students heard her inspiring story that shared the power of kindness, friendship, and inclusion.

Join us for our much-anticipated concert on Friday, March 27th! This exciting event will showcase the incredible talents of our students, divided into two performances:

K-2 Performance: 10:00 AM - 10:35 AM

Intermission: 10:35 AM - 10:45 AM

3-5 Performance: 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

During the intermission, K-2 parents will exit the gymnasium and 3-5 parents will enter. Any K-2 parent who has a child performing in the 3-5 performance will remain in the gym. This will ensure that every spectator has a seat to enjoy the show.

STEM Night was a huge success! Students had a great time participating in various hands on activities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Thank you to everyone who came together to organize such a wonderful event!

ELA (March 23–April 17)

Grade 3- 4/7, 4/8

Grade 4- 3/31, 4/1

Grade 5- 4/9, 4/10

Math (April 27–May 22)

Grade 3- 5/12, 5/13

Grade 4- 5/7, 5/8

Grade 5- 5/5, 5/6

STE (April 27–May 22)

Grade 5- 5/14, 5/15

Current Grade 5 families will receive an email next week detailing the Middle School assignment process for the 2026/27 school year. We will still be using a lottery to determine placements, with exemptions for sibling preference, specialized programming, special education programming, and EL services. A Middle School Lottery Information session will take on Tuesday, March 31 at 6 p.m.

We all know that technology can be such a gift and also create big challenges for kids and families for a variety of reasons. Below are some recommendations and tips to help you navigate the realities of kids and technology.

• Set and enforce daily or weekly screen time limits and curfews

• Turn off all screens during family meals and outings (This includes parents! Remember, what you model is more important than what you say)

• Set a good example for your kids of healthy screen habits

• Encourage your child to engage with other activities that do not involve screens, such as sports, music, art

• Learn about and use parental controls to block or filter internet content

• Turn off screens and remove them from bedrooms 30-60 minutes before bedtimes

• Familiarize yourself with programming to make sure it is age-appropriate. Organizations such as Common Sense Media have programming ratings and reviews to help you navigate this.

• Ask your child regularly what programs, games, and apps they have watched or used during the day

• Teach children about online privacy and safety

• Encourage using screens in ways that build creativity and connection

• Consider your child’s maturity and habits. The right plan for one family might not be a good fit for another.

  
  

You can also visit https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time for more guidelines. As always, let us know if you have any questions or would like to talk more about this issue.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday life – it can support learning and also raises important questions about responsible use, privacy, and critical thinking .This session will help families better understand how AI is shaping the world around us and how caregivers and schools can prepare students to navigate new technologies with confidence, curiosity, and strong values.

This talk will examine challenges in kids’ lives like bullying, friendship skills, and mental health, and how the ways kids use screens, gaming, and social media can impact these. Learn research-based and practical approaches for family life that can help children develop emotional resilience, healthy social skills and friendships, and sensible screen and social media habits.

The Roberts School continues to partner with the Medford Police Department (MPD) to ensure our students are safe during arrival and dismissal times. Please see the Roberts School traffic guidelines below:

• Vehicles dropping students off may only use the designated area on Park Street. Students are reminded to enter/exit a car's right passenger side and follow the crossing guards directions.
• PARKING ON THE SIDEWALK IS NOT ALLOWED (Additional signage has been added).
• Please be respectful of our neighbors and DO NOT block their driveways.
• ONLY school buses, approved vans, or those requiring handicap access may use the Court Street bus area for loading and unloading (Additional signage has been added).

• During arrival (8:00-8:45 ) and dismissal (2:15-2:45) the traffic pattern is one way around the school. Court Street (one-way); Park Street (one-way from the Fellsway to Salem Street).
• Tainter Street (from Court to Park) is only accessible to school staff. Vehicles may continue to take a left at Tainter (from Court) to Fulton Street.
• The Park Street loop entrance and the parking lot entrance on Court Street will be closed to all traffic. Parents and guardians MAY NOT park in the Park Street loop with their child, and wait for the bell. This area is designated as staff parking.

Below are the Medford Public Schools Illness Guidelines as a reference for determining whether you should keep your child home if they aren't feeling well. Information on Covid timelines can be found on our nursing website: RES Nurse Website.

GENERAL ILLNESS : Students/Staff may return to school/work when:

COVID-19 POSITIVE TEST, SYMPTOMS: Please call your school nurse to discuss your return to school guidance based on the most current district, state, and national guidelines.

FEVER-FREE without medicine for 24 hours.

VOMITING OR DIARRHEA has not occurred during the last 24 hours and small meals are able to be tolerated.

ANTIBIOTICS: 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotics for any physician diagnosed illness, such as an ear infection, pink eye, strep throat, or pneumonia.

School breakfast and lunch will be FREE for all students in the Medford Public Schools. Each student can receive one breakfast and one lunch free of charge. Additional meals are available for purchase. Payments may still be made via check (preferred) or cash submitted to cafeteria personnel in the schools. Or you can sign up for an account at family.schoolcafe.com to manage student meal accounts online.

The breakfast program operates from 8:10 - 8:25 a.m. Students should go directly to the cafeteria upon arrival to school. School breakfast includes fruit or vegetables, whole grains and protein.

If your child requires medical meal accommodations, please contact the Food Service office at 781-393-2241 or meals@medford.k12.ma.us.

We encourage all families to participate in our school breakfast and lunch program this year!

Please keep in mind there is one official way to call in an absence:

(781) 393-2155 then press 1

If you call the absence in this way, we will input this and you can avoid receiving the messages from the school district.

This time of the year can be busy and schedules and routines often change as a result. It is best to try to minimize changes for children, and this also means to keep attendance in school consistent. If dismissal routines are changing for any reason, please alert the classroom teacher.

Our adjustment counselors, Ms. Susan Labelle (slabelle@medford.k12.ma.us) and Ms. Catherine Gamache (cgamache@medford.k12.ma.us) are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child's attendance.

March 16- PTO Meeting

March 18- Day of AI Parent Workshop

March 23-27- Book Fair

March 25- Day of AI Parent Workshop @ 5:30-7:30

March 27- School-Wide Concert

April 14- Dr. Elizabeth Englander Parent Workshop

The mission of the Rockin' Roberts PTO is to establish a close relationship between the Roberts Elementary School and parents by providing opportunities for the community to be more involved through: communication, family/student programs, fundraising, and opportunities to volunteer​.

PTO Executive Committee

Executive Chair: Rebecca Gutwin

Co-treasurers: Kelly Davis & Eric Robinson

Secretary: Krishna Casey

You can contact the PTO via email at Medfordrobertspto@gmail.com

Please be reminded that dogs are not permitted on school property during arrival and dismissal. We kindly ask for your cooperation in adhering to this policy to ensure the safety and comfortability of our school community. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the main office.

Check out the new Medford Public Schools mobile app, which will help students and families stay up to date with news updates, lunch menus, the school calendar and more. Download the mobile application today from the App Store or Google Play Store.