The fall semester at ROBS was full of excitement and growth: intellectually, physically, spiritually, morally, and socially. In the classrooms, on the athletic fields, and on stage, students engaged in meaningful learning, embraced challenges, and grew in confidence and character. From innovative academic approaches to competitive athletics and artistic performances, this semester exemplified life at ROBS.

Academics

This year, ROBS introduced Project-Based Learning (PBL), a teaching method developed by the Buck Institute of Education through which students gain knowledge and skills by investigating and responding to an authentic and complex question, problem, or challenge. PBL is different from "doing a project" to show your learning - in PBL, the project is the learning. The project serves as a vehicle for teaching the important knowledge and skills students need to learn, with real-world connections underpinning the experience. 

In third grade, the PBL unit tied into their study of the book Because of Winn-Dixie and was driven by this question, “As caring citizens, how can we use what we learn about character traits to help shelter animals find loving homes?” Students applied their study of the book to identify character traits and support their ideas with textual evidence, connecting literature to the real-world needs of shelter animals. Students then wrote friendly letters from the perspective of adoptable shelter dogs and concluded their project by creating blankets and supplies to support Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP). Through this project, students honored their literacy skills through empathy and service.

In fourth grade, the PBL unit began when students were tasked with designing a pedestrian bridge to connect both sides of Memorial Park; a guest engineer helped to introduce the project and explain the goals. Students collaborated in groups, flexing STEM skills like measurement, volume, and cost analysis, to create their very own in-budget designs. At the culmination of the project, an experienced TXDOT representative visited campus to provide feedback to the students on their final models and proposals. Working on this real-world – or more accurately, “real-city” – project contextualized otherwise abstract concepts, supporting deeper and more enduring understanding.

Athletics

ROBS enjoyed a spirited and competitive fall athletic season, with many teams finishing with winning records and several advancing to conference championships.

• Cross Country: The seventh and eighth grade girls’ team won the HJPC Conference title, while the seventh and eighth grade boys and the sixth grade boys each earned third place finishes.
• Field Hockey: The program remained strong across all levels, with a season highlight being the eighth grade team’s nail-biting penalty-shootout victory over Kinkaid, the eventual HJPC champions.
• Football: The sixth grade team completed an undefeated season, allowing just one score all year. The seventh grade team finished 4–2, showing steady growth and continual effort. The eighth grade team advanced to the Division II championship game after the final play in their game against Presbyterian resulted in a touchdown securing their spot.
• Girls’ Volleyball: Sixth and seventh grade teams finished the season with outstanding records, while the eighth grade team advanced to the HJPC championship match, finishing as conference runner-ups.
• Boys’ Volleyball: The teams demonstrated impressive growth and progress, highlighted by the eighth grade team earning the second seed and narrowly falling short of victory in the HJPC semifinals.

Across all teams, students embraced challenges, demonstrated teamwork and perseverance, and set the tone for a stellar winter season now underway!

Performing Arts

ROBS students shined on stage this fall, sharing their outstanding musical and theatrical talents with the community.

• Orchestra: December concerts featured the sixth grade Beginning Orchestra, seventh grade Intermediate Orchestra, and eighth grade Advanced Orchestra. Performances ranged from Ode to Joy and Jingle Bells to Christmas Symphony and selections from The Nutcracker Suite, showcasing growth, confidence, and musical excellence.
• Choir: Choir students presented a festive concert including sixth grade performances of It Feels Like Christmas, Somewhere in My Memory, and Hot Chocolate. The Premier Choir delivered expressive harmonies in pieces such as Christmas Time Is Here and One Small Child, concluding with a dazzling combined choir finale of Christmastime.
• Fall Musical: Seventh and eighth grade Theatre students brought Rock of Ages to life in an energetic production filled with powerful vocals, excellent comedic timing, and dynamic performances, highlighting creativity both onstage and behind the scenes.

Each performance reflected the students’ dedication, collaboration, and joy in their artistic expression.

Onward

This fall offered countless opportunities for growth and connection across academics, athletics, and the arts. We are beyond grateful for the dedication of our students, faculty, and families who make ROBS a vibrant community. Go Raiders!