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The Twain Times
A weekly newsletter from Mark Twain Elementary School
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Mark Your Calendar
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October
10/18 - Individual School Photos for Kinder-4th Grade Students
10/18 - 10/21 - 5th Grade at Camp Olympia
10/20 - Workroom Volunteers meet to help teachers
10/21 - Garden Meeting, 3:15-4:15pm in Ms. Rawson's room, 4th grade hallway
10/22 - Spooky Spaghetti, 4-8pm
10/25 - Middle School Forum, 6:30pm
10/27 - Workroom Volunteers meet to help teachers
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Thank You to Our
2011-2012
Corporate Sponsors
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 | October 18, 2011 | |
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Dear Parents,
It is finally beginning to feel like fall in Houston and as we head into the second 9 weeks I want to encourage you to come to school and see for yourself all of the wonderful activities and learning that is taking place. The heart of the school is the classrooms and wonderful things happen every day inside those doors. This week we will be gearing up for the Spooky Spaghetti Supper, which is our Fall Carnival. The majority of the staff will be there on Saturday and I hope to see all of you.
- We are trying to obtain cameras for every classroom so if you have an old camera that you would like to donate, please let your classroom teacher know. If he/she already has one we can certainly pass it on to another teacher. Students love seeing their work products displayed and having cameras in the rooms will enable the Yearbook Committee to include more pictures from all of the classrooms. Good things happen every day and this will enable us to capture those wonderful moments on film!
- Field trip donations are still very much needed! If you are able, please donate. The classroom teachers can provide the suggested donation amount for your grade level or stop by the office.
- The teachers work very hard to promote a +campus. There are signs posted around the building and in the classrooms that incorporate the +Works campaign with our Learner Profile. Please review these with your children and remind them that we have these same expectations afterschool while playing on the playgrounds or at Extended Day and at all events (including the upcoming Spooky Spaghetti Supper).
- Students may wear their Spooky Spaghetti t-shirts any day in October!
- Students are no longer allowed to climb to the top of the spider on the large playground. This includes afterschool.
- The fifth graders go to camp this week. It is a wonderful opportunity for the students to continue their learning but in a beautiful outdoor environment. We hope they have a wonderful time!
Have a wonderful week!
Melissa Patin
Principal
mpatin@houstonisd.org
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| Message from our PTO President | | |
Dear Mark Twain Families,
Spooky Spaghetti is here! I hope all of you are planning to attend our annual fall event on Saturday, October 22 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. It is sure to be a SPOOKTACULAR time! You can purchase your tickets and wristbands before and after school this week. Don't forget about all the fun Spooky activities including the pumpkin decorating and costume contests. Lots of help is still needed - we are still looking for volunteers to sell tickets, serve spaghetti, provide desserts (for Sweet Shop and Cake Walk), and clean up. Many thanks to Jenny Hanks and Allyson Plummer for leading the "Scream Team" and organizing such a fun family event!
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and I hope to see you at Spooky Spaghetti!
Best,
Deanna Sheaffer, President
Mark Twain PTO: United We Build Community
deannasheaffer@yahoo.com
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| Spooky Scoop | |
Spooky Spaghetti is this Saturday, October 22nd from 4-8pm
Spooky Riddle of the Week:
Q. What do ghosts & goblins love to play on Halloween?
Spooky Spaghetti is just days away! Are you prepared? Get fired up and signed up!
Mark Twain will be all aglow this Saturday, October 22 from 4-8pm. Guigliani's to-die-for spaghetti supper will be served from 5-7:30 pm.
Ticket Sales
Tickets and wristbands will be on sale before and after school this week. Cash and check only. Avoid long lines and sell-outs by getting what you need in advance. Tickets and wristbands will be for sale at the event and we will be taking cash or charge only. No checks on Saturday.
Cake Walk & Sweet Shop
- Bring your creepy cakes/cupcakes for the Cake Walk to the office conference room on Friday 10/21. These will be given to the Cake Walk Winners.
- The Sweet Shop is sponsored by our teachers, but they need your help to keep the Sweet Shop stocked. Please bring individually wrapped baked goods to Ms Patin's office on Friday 10/21.
- Saturday morning drop-offs for either booth can be left in the Parent Workroom.
Booth, Pumpkin, & Costume Contests
- The class with the most fangtastic booth will win a $50 Lakeshore Learning gift card. Think outside the box when designing and constructing your booth!
- Bring creatively decorated pumpkins to the cafeteria on Friday, October 21 for judging. These submissions will be enjoyed by everyone as centerpieces at the spaghetti dinner. Pumpkins can go home with you at the end of the event.
- Prizes will be awarded to the most imaginative costumes worn at Spooky so get creative! Meet at the DJ booth at 7pm to enter.
Volunteer Opportunities
Please sign up to help sell tickets, serve spaghetti and clean up. Sign-up sheets are located on the bulletin board in the Parent Workroom, or contact Jenny Hanks at j_hanks@att.net or Allyson Plummer at allysontplummer@yahoo.com.
Coolers
Have a cooler we can borrow? Please drop off your labeled coolers to the Parent Workroom 10/21 & 10/22. These can go home after the event or picked up on Monday.
Safety & Housekeeping Notes:
- Confetti eggs are only to be broken apart in the hands of the purchaser! Those caught smashing eggs on the heads of others will be taken to the dungeon!
- Invisible ink, poppers and confetti eggs are restricted to outside use. Those found violating this rule will meet a similar fate.
- Please be safe, smart and good stewards. We are all ambassadors of good will and hospitality (Twaintality?) at this community event!
- Parents, please attempt to keep tabs on your children. Tell your kids to go to the DJ booth if they get separated from you.
- A first aid kit will be available in the parent workroom.
Monstrous Thank You's to Spooky Spaghetti Sponsors:
Corporate: Right Step Spirit Lodge, Absolute Glassworks, Austin Landscaping, Bayshore Surveying, Brochsteins, Crowder Law Firm, Fajita Pete's, French Cuff Boutique, Greenpark Compound Pharmacy & Gifts, Partners in Building, Stormy Hayes-Knipe/Greenwood King Properties, Texas Citizens Bank, TR Salon, and Village Plumbing and Home Services.
Spooktacular In-Kind: The Chocolate Bar, Houston Print Factory, Gugliani's, Lakeshore Learning and Fajita Pete's.
Riddle answer: Hide & Shriek!
*Spooky Spaghetti is a Mark Twain Elementary PTO fund raising carnival that necessitates parent participation and is open to the public. "Spooky" is a highly anticipated day for the students and a community building event. Please get involved and invite your neighbors!
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| Dad's Club Needs Your Help! | |
Our duty as Dad's Club is to provide the Haunted House, Security and Clean up for one of the school's biggest events. The HH Crew will arrive at 10:00 AM on Saturday the 22nd and leave when the house is finished (4-5 Hours). That same crew will alternate operating the Haunted house from 6-8. Security will be 2-3 volunteers working 1 hour shifts from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Clean up will work from 9:00 PM on to help break down the HH and all other spooky items. Please email me (samsmith@fnf.com) to help or go to our web based sign up page at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/spooky16 to sign up for a shift. We really need a good turn out to make this run smooth.
Questions? Contact, Sam Smith, Cell: 713-240-8282 or samsmith@fnf.com
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| Digital Cameras Still Needed! | |
A HUGE Thank You to all that have responded. We are still in need of digital cameras for the classrooms.
We want this yearbook and future yearbooks to be filled with classroom pictures! The teachers will enlist the help of the students to capture classroom activities. The kids will be able to look through their yearbook and say "I took that photo". Having the students involved in the process will provide them a deep sense of accomplishment and "ownership," while allowing them to tell a story through their eyes.
If you can donate a camera that you no longer use or would like to contribute to purchase a new camera for your classroom, please contact the yearbook staff at marktwainyearbook@yahoo.com. The cameras are to remain the property of Mark Twain Elementary.
Thank you so much for supporting our school yearbook!
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| Attention: All Green Thumbs Garden Meeting | | |
 Attention all Green Thumbs! (or even those who just wish they were)
If you are interested in volunteering and helping in the garden this year please come to our informational meeting Friday (Oct. 21) from 3:15 to 4:15pm in Ms. Rawson's room. If you would like to be involved but you can't attend please contact Michele Rawson at mrawson1@houstonisd.org. Thanks so much!!
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| Save the Date: Field Day 12/16/11 | | |
Our annual Field Day will be on Friday, December 16th!
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| Turn In Your Entertainment Books! | |
 If you have not done so already, please turn in your Entertainment Book and any money as soon as possible! Each book costs $25 and contains hundreds of money saving coupons. 50% OF EVERY PURCHASE GOES DIRECTLY TO MARK TWAIN! If you would like to buy the entertainment book, the purchase instructions are attached. If not, please send the book back to the school ASAP.
Prizes for those that sold books will be coming soon!
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| Pershing Spaghetti Dinner and Showcase, October 20th from 6-8pm | |
Please join us for Pershing Middle School's annual Spaghetti Supper and Showcase of Fine Arts on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 6-8pm. This is a great opportunity for you and your child to visit our campus. Entertainment will be provided throughout the evening featuring our talented Fine Arts students and a delicious spaghetti dinner will be served in the cafeteria. To buy dinner tickets or find out more about this event please visit our website www.pershingms.org.
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Middle School Forum, October 25th at 6:30pm
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Mark Twain's Annual Middle School Forum will take place on Tuesday, October 25th at 6:30pm in the Mark Twain cafeteria. Please join area middle schools and dual language middle schools for an informational evening. Confirmed schools so far are Pershing, Pin Oak, Lanier, Johnston, Hamilton, Young Women's College Preparatory Academy, and Young Men's College Preparatory Academy. Each school will make a brief presentation and afterwards they will have tables set up with all of their information. Representatives will be available at that time to answer any questions you might have.
Students are welcome and encouraged to attend. For questions about this event, please contact Leslie Roffwarg at lesliegr@alumni.utexas.net.
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| Save the Date: Book Fair at Mark Twain, November 14-18th | | |
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| Name that Book (K-2 or 3-5) | |
Students interested in trying out for the Name that Book Teams (K-2 or 3-5) should begin reading the books! Book Lists for both teams are available in the Library. Competition will be in the spring (dates TBA). Interested students will take a qualifying test (7 students per each team) in November or December (exact dates TBA). Additional information can be found at http://marktwainpto.org/files/2011/07/NamethatBookTeamFAQs.doc.pdf.
PLEASE NOTE: Sample questions for K-2 are available in the library.
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| Don't Forget to Order your Birthday Grams! | |
Do you want to make your child or a teacher feel special at school on their birthday?
 Then sign up for a Birthday Gram to be delivered to their classroom! Information and forms are available in the Parent Workroom or may be completed online. Click here to order online now! (Please allow 4 days notice if ordering online.)
All proceeds go towards the 5th grade end of year activities. Please support Mark Twain's 5th grade classes this year!
Questions or interest in helping to deliver B-day Grams please contact: Bea Davies at (713) 667-4644, beadavies@yahoo.com OR Marta Fonseca at (713) 667-3394, ed-n-marta@att.net.
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| Join SchoolHouse Partners for FREE! | |
 SchoolHouse Partners is a local resource for home services and repair needs. Using SchoolHouse Partners supports Twain Elementary at no additional cost to parents. Membership is FREE. Click here to join now. Questions can be directed to info@myschoolhousepartners.com.
When a designation is made Mark Twain will receive 20% of what SchoolHouse Partners earns from referral fees paid by the maintenance provider. When families join SchoolHouse Partners they can make a difference in the world of education.
Questions? Contact Mike Heinzman - 281.555.5586 or Jamil Higley - 713.725.7297 or visit
www.myschoolhousepartners.com
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| Art Fundraiser Well Underway! | |
 We have finished collecting all the wonderful art created by your children. The artwork has been sent to Square 1 Art. Order forms will be distributed the last week of October, so keep a look out for them. You will then be able to order a variety of great items and gifts with your child's unique artwork on it. If you have any questions, please contact Tracey Bailey at twb42701@yahoo.com or 713-857-3731.
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| Box Tops for Education | |
 As you are getting breakfast ready and packing lunches, don't forget to clip the Box Top coupons found on hundreds of participating products. Each coupon is worth $.10 and will earn cash for our school. Last year, Mark Twain received over $2,000 from the Box Top coupons that were collected throughout the year.
The goal for the 2011-2012 school year is for each student to turn in 30 Box Top coupons,which is a total of 21,600 coupons. You can help by simply cutting the coupons and bringing them to your child's classroom or PTO workroom. There will be a designated Box Top container in both locations. Don't forget to get the kids involved in finding and clipping the Box Tops and by asking family and friends to save the coupons as well.
Not sure where to find Box Top coupons? Look on General Mills cereal, Pillsbury products, Betty Crocker products, Hefty products and more. Click here for a complete list of products.
The class that collects the most Box Tops throughout the year will win a pizza party as their reward! Thanks for helping and keep clipping! It's a free and easy way to earn money for our school. |
| Rewards Programs | | |
Help with Fundraising through Rewards Programs. The PTO is grateful to participate in programs which reward our school based on the customer loyalty and patronage of our families. A percentage of the proceeds spent are donated back to the school! For detailed information, visit our PTO website rewards page at: http://marktwainpto.org/fundraising/rewards-programs/
Here are some highlights:
- Box Tops - Clip these box tops and turn them in; see related article in this week's Twain Times.
- Kroger Rewards - Link your Kroger card to Mark Twain Elementary
- Randall's - Designate Mark Twain as a beneficiary on your Remarkable card
- Target Rewards - Go online to link your Target card to Mark Twain #98794
- Balance Meals To Go - They will give 10% of all purchases made by Mark Twain families back to Mark Twain Elementary. Balance Healthy Meals To Go, is a new store in the Braes Heights Shopping Center on Bellaire Blvd. Balance makes individually portioned healthy meals and snacks for take-away. To ensure Mark Twain receives proper credit, tell the store "I attend/work for Mark Twain!" at the register while checking out. www.balancemealstogo.com Phone: 281.501.1968
- School House Partners - Use a School House Partners home maintenance service provider and designate Mark Twain as your school. This local owned business connects homeowners to dependable, pre-screened home maintenance providers; painters, plumbers, landscapers, most everything pertaining to home maintenance. Schools receive 20% of what SchoolHouse Partners earns from referrals fees paid by the home maintenance provider.
- Office Depot - Link the Twain Elementary code #70097851 to your Office Depot reward card and the school gets 5% back.
- Champion Energy Services - Special Rates for You and a $25 Donation to Mark Twain Elementary School. With your switch to Champion Energy for your residential electricity service using the promo code MARKTWAIN, you will receive a special rate. In addition, Champion Energy will make a $25 donation for each enrollment and renewal. Click here: http://www.championenergyservices.com/promo.asp?promo=MARKTWAIN
- Bouquelle Cleaners - A percentage of the purchases made by Mark Twain families and Staff will be donated to Mark Twain Elementary PTO. Bouquelle Cleaners, (Schnelle Family) has been providing dry cleaning and laundry services for 14 years in the Bellaire area located at 5118 Bissonnet (HEB Shopping Center); Bellaire, TX 77401 or call 713-666-3450.
- Drink Pouch Brigade® - Every year BILLIONS of drink pouches end up in dumpsters and landfills across America. TerraCycle, Capri Sun® and Honest Kids® are working together to put an end to this awful loss of resources. As an eco-friendly innovator, TerraCycle converts the drink pouch material into unique from tote bags and pencil cases to plastic lumber and pavers! TerraCycle is proud to team up with the largest producer of drink pouches in the country, Capri Sun, and a young organic entry into the market, Honest Kids, to help address this problem! Together with your help we CAN make a difference! For information, contact Liliana McKean at lmckean1@comcast.net
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| Workroom Volunteers Needed - Everyone Welcome | |
We would like to help our teachers in the workroom with tasks such as laminating, cutting, gluing etc. We will meet each Thursday at 8:00 am in the teacher workroom. A big thanks to all who came last Thursday. The teachers really appreciate the help! Contact Shelley Rota for any questions at shelleyrota@hotmail.com.
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| Community News and Events | | |
The Sally Ride Science Festival at Rice University will be on October 22! This is a fun event primarily for 5th-8th Graders that is meant to encourage girls interest in science fields. There is a street fair, an inspiring talk from a prominent scientist (sometimes a female astronaut), and workshops digging into different science fields, from robotics to veterinary medicine. For more information or to register go to www.sallyridefestivals.com.
The 2011 Turkey Trot will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, 2011 (Rain or Shine) at the Dillard's Galleria store Westheimer @ Post Oak. Benefiting Sheltering Arms Senior Services, this race/walk includes a 10K and a 5K Competitive Run / Walk. Deadline for online registration is 7 p.m., Sun., Nov. 20. Click here to see the brochure or visit: www.HoustonTurkeyTrot.org.
Special offer from Scholastic Books and Kellogg's Brand cereals - This fall, give your child the opportunity to choose and own books through a special offer from Scholastic Book Clubs and Kellogg's! Buy two specially marked Kellogg's products at Walmart and enter the 16-digit codes and receive a FREE book or $5.00 off a book order at Scholastic. Visit www.scholastic.com/kellogg for more information about this special offer and to redeem your $5 Book Coupon(s).
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