Partnering for Progress: Fall Updates from Robles Elementary 

Dear Robles Bobcat Families,

Thank you to all of our families who participated in our recent conferences. We appreciate your partnership and the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and goals for the school year. Together, we can ensure every student continues to grow and succeed.

We are excited to share that our Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) scores from the beginning of the year are trending up across all grade levels. These first scores serve as our baseline. Students will be assessed again in December and April to measure growth. It is important to note that the benchmark goals increase over time, as students are expected to continuously grow throughout the year.

One of the best ways you can support your student at home is by encouraging daily reading. Reading each day helps build decoding skills, strengthens fluency, and develops a lifelong love of reading.

In addition to reading, we are also focusing on math fluency. You can help your student by practicing math facts with flashcards. Each grade level has a specific area of focus:

• 1st Grade – Addition facts

• 2nd Grade – Subtraction facts

• 3rd Grade – Multiplication facts

• 4th Grade – Division facts

• 5th Grade – Mixed math facts

Each month, on the first Friday of the month, we celebrate Bobcat Day. At the end of the day, students who had no discipline referrals for the prior month are able to sign up for a fun 45-minute activity as a reward. Activities vary and may include dance parties, board games, outdoor sports, or clay modeling—just to name a few! While it’s a short time, it’s an exciting way to celebrate our students’ positive choices and hard work.

We are also looking forward to our annual classroom spelling bees this fall. More information will be shared soon regarding the district spelling bee in December.

Please mark your calendars for some upcoming events:

• Quarter 1 Attendance Reward – October 17th. Students with fewer than three absences, late arrivals, or early departures will be invited to attend this special celebration.

• Bobcats of Excellence Assembly – October 20th. We are excited to recognize students who exemplify excellence in academics, behavior, and leadership.

• Red Ribbon Spirit Week – The week of October 27th. We will celebrate with fun dress-up days and activities to promote healthy, safe, and drug-free choices.

Thank you for your continued support in making Robles Elementary a great place for our Bobcats to learn and grow. Together, we can help our students reach new heights this school year.

With Bobcat Pride,

Dustie Gunn, MAED, MBA
Principal

Robles Elementary School

Understanding Arizona’s A–F Letter Grades and the Importance of Attendance

Each year, schools across Arizona receive an A–F letter grade from the state. These grades provide families and communities with a snapshot of how schools are performing. They are based on two main factors:

• Student achievement and growth on state assessments

• Student attendance

Both pieces are critical to how our school is graded and, more importantly, how our students succeed.

Did You Know?

• A student is considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of the school year—that’s about 18 days total.

• Both excused and unexcused absences count toward this total. Vacations, illness, medical appointments, or unexcused days are all included.

• Even if assignments are completed at home, missing classroom learning and participation still impacts achievement.

Why Attendance Matters in State Grades

The Arizona Department of Education uses chronic absenteeism as a key part of the school’s letter grade. Schools with higher absentee rates are rated lower, even if students are performing well on assessments. This is because attendance is directly tied to long-term academic growth and student success.

Why Attendance Matters for Students

When students are in school regularly, they:

• Stay on track with reading, writing, and math skills.

• Build strong study habits and responsibility.

• Participate in activities and discussions that can’t be made up at home.

• Form friendships and connections that help them feel part of the school community.

Missing just two days a month adds up to over 18 days a year—enough to be considered chronically absent.

Every Day Counts!

Arizona’s A–F letter grades reflect more than test scores—they reflect how often students are present and engaged in learning. By making daily attendance a priority, families help their child succeed in school today and prepare them for future success.

📌 Parent Tips for Building Strong Attendance Habits

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine to make getting to school on time easier.

• Plan appointments after school hours whenever possible.

• Avoid vacations or trips during the school year.

• Talk with your child about the importance of being at school every day.

• If challenges arise, reach out to the school—we are here to help.