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The Twain Times
A weekly newsletter from Mark Twain Elementary School
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Mark Your Calendar |
November
11/7-11th - Magnet Awareness Week
11/8 - Name that Book Informational Meeting, 3pm
11/9 - Early Dismissal, 12:30pm
11/11 - Square 1 Art order forms are due!
11/11 - Monthly Staff Appreciation Luncheon, 10:30 am-12:45 pm
11/11th-21st - Fall Food Drive benefiting Kids Meals Houston
11/14-18th - Mark Twain Book Fair
11/15 - Storybook Parade, 9am
11/16 - Book Fair "Family Fun Night", 5-7:30 pm
11/17 - +Book Club "Raising Happiness" by Christine Carter, 8:15am
11/17 - Pershing Open House for Zoned Families, 6pm
11/19 - Soccer Tournament, 1-5:00pm
11/23 - 11/25 - Thanksgiving Holiday, NO SCHOOL
11/29 - Picture retake day
11/29 - Dual Language Recruitment Meeting, 6:30pm |
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Thank You to Our
2011-2012
Corporate Sponsors
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Tom Sawyer Level
Huckleberry Finn Level
Toni Rodriguez Salon
Samuel Clemens Level
Aunt Polly Level
Becky Thatcher Level
Evans and Mossman CPAs
smossman@jbecpa.com
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 | November 8, 2011 | |
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Dear Parents,
The Texas Education Agency recently released the list of schools receiving Gold Performance Acknowledgments. The Gold Performance Acknowledgment system acknowledges districts and campuses for high performance on indicators other than those used to determine accountability ratings. I am happy to report that Twain received this acknowledgment in 6 out of 7 categories. The only category we did not achieve this recognition was in student attendance. As an Exemplary school we met the criteria listed below. I am very proud of the efforts of both the students and the teachers.
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TAKS (2010-11) All Students and each student group meeting minimum size |
Meets 90% standard for each subject | |
ELL Progress Indicator (2010-11) TELPAS or TAKS All ELL Students ≥ 30 |
60% at or above criteria OR Meets Required Improvement | |
Commended Performance (2010-11) (including all TAKS) if meets minimum size: * All Students and * Econ. Disadvantaged |
Meets 25% standard for Reading/ELA and Mathematics |
The next few weeks are very busy at Twain with some exciting activities. I know how difficult it is to juggle work with the many activities we have, but I hope that it will work out so that you can join us!
- MAGNET WEEK - November 7-11, tours at 1:00 p.m. except Wednesday (9:00 a.m.)
- Early Dismissal - Wednesday, November 9th, 12:30pm
- Parent Teacher Conferences - contact your child's teacher to schedule. We will accommodate all parents wishing to conference!
- Student Led Conferences - Wednesday, November 16th
- Book Fair - November 14-19 on the stage
- Storybook Parade - 11/14 at 9:00 a.m., students are encouraged to dress like their favorite character or bring a book, poster or prop from a book.
- Family Fun Night - November 16th
Finally, I must thank Sam Smith and the Dad's Club for coordinating the Dad's Campout. What a wonderful event. It was quite a sight seeing those tents go up on the playground! I stopped by Saturday morning and everyone I saw said that it was great fun. Thanks to all that helped and attended (including those moms helping with the tents). Memories to be cherished for years to come!!
Melissa Patin
Principal
mpatin@houstonisd.org
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| Message from our PTO President | | |
Dear Mark Twain families,
Just a reminder that this week is Magnet Awareness Week throughout the Houston Independent School District. HISD provides parents with a wide variety of choices in public education through its magnet programs. Tours of individual schools with magnet programs (including Mark Twain) will take place from Monday, November 7 through Friday, November 11. After November 11, parents should phone individual schools for a schedule of tours and other events that will be conducted through early January. HISD will begin accepting applications for its magnet programs on November 7. All applications must be postmarked no later then January 6, 2012 for guaranteed consideration in the first round. For more information about HISD magnet schools, their locations, and contact information, as well as applications forms, visit www.houstonisd.org/magnet.
Also, let us give a TREMENDOUS thanks to Sam Smith and all the dads who helped make the Annual Dads' Campout a HUGE success! Though it was cold, the schoolyard was packed with tents and the children had a blast with the Dads...and I know many moms enjoyed their night off as well!
Don't forget that next week is the Mark Twain Book Fair at Mark Twain! There will be book shopping all week and a special Family Fun Night on Wednesday, November 16 from 5:00 - 7:30 pm. If you have any questions, contact Blythe Grossman (blythegrossman@yahoo.com). Please sign up to volunteer for the Book Fair at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/book962. Thank you in advance for your support.
Have a great week!
Deanna Sheaffer, President
Mark Twain PTO: United We Build Community
deannasheaffer@yahoo.com
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| Name that Book Informational Meeting, 11/8 at 3pm | | |
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| Square 1 Art Order Forms Due Friday, 11/11! | |
The deadline to order your custom Square 1 Art products is fast approaching! All orders with payment need to be turned in by Friday, November 11th. Look for the big yellow box in the PTO Workroom! Remember the Squickers sent home with the order form are yours to keep! Ms. Patin is going to announce a special incentive tomorrow during announcements! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at twb42701@yahoo.com or 713/857-3731.
Thank you, Tracey Bailey
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| Book Fair Update, 11/14-18, Mark Twain Cafeteria | |
We need lots of volunteers make this year's Book Fair a success.
Please sign up to help at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/book962
This year's Bookmark Contest winners are:
- Kindergarten - Alexander Illenyi
- First Grade - Caroline Jackson
- Second Grade - Dylan Daniel
- Third Grade - Haejun Lee
- Fourth Grade - Chloe Herrera
- Fifth Grade - Zane Knipe
***Anyone who wants their bookmark entry can find them in a box in the parent workroom.
Schedule of Events for the Book Fair:
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| Storybook Parade, 11/15 at 9am | |
Students are invited to come dressed as their favorite storybook character OR carry a poster about their favorite book. We'll start at 9:00 AM so come in costume ready to go! Mrs. Patin, Twain's Grand Marshall will lead the procession of teachers and students. Parents are invited to line the "parade route" and cheer for the participants. Participants will change into school uniform after the parade.
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| +Book Club, 11/17, 8:15am | |
+Book Club, "Raising Happiness" by Christine Carter
Thursday, November 17, 8:15 am in the School Cafeteria
Join the PTO's Parent Enrichment team for a dynamic discussion of Christine Carter's Raising Happiness. The author's thoughtful, witty and compassionate approach to parenting is informed by both her experience as mother and her research at the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkley. Share your thoughts on this book and find out what other parents in our community think of Carter's 10 steps for raising more joyful kids and happier parents.
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| Pershing Zoned Family Open House, 11/17 at 6pm | |
Pershing's Zoned Families Open House will be held Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 6:00pm in the Pershing Middle School Auditorium. This is a great opportunity for zoned families to meet the Pershing faculty, staff and families. Learn about the exceptional programs and departments Pershing has to offer. Following the session all parents and students will be invited to tour the school. We look forward to meeting you!
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| Help Needed for Fall PTO Community Service Project! | |
 Mark Twain's PTO is holding a fall food drive benefiting Kid's Meals, Inc. Please review the information in your child's Tuesday folder or click here to see how you can help. We are asking for specific food donations from each grade level:
- Kindergarten - Brown paper lunch bags and plastic sandwich bags
- First Grade - Loaves of Wheat Bread
- Second Grade - Fresh fruit (Apples, Oranges, Bananas, Pears)
- Third Grade - Fresh Fruit (Apples, Oranges, Bananas, Pears)
- Fourth Grade - Individually wrapped Healthy Snack Foods (Raisins, Granola Bars, Applesauce, String Cheese, Trail Mix, etc.)
- Fifth Grade - Juice Boxes that are 100% Juice or Milk Boxes that don't need to be immediately refrigerated
Food will be collected in the main hallway by the office and each teacher will have collection bags in their classroom. You are also welcome to provide support through monetary donations.
HELP ASSEMBLE SACK LUNCHES - Saturday, November 19, 11-1, join us in the school cafeteria to assemble the lunches that are to be distributed.
Thank you in advance for your participation and generous donations! Questions? Contact Alva Allen, alvaallen@sbcglobal.net or 713.447.9944.
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| Soccer Tournament, 11/19 | |
 The Mark Twain Annual Soccer Tournament will be held at the school on Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm. All kids K-5th are encouraged to participate. No soccer experience necessary. This is a free, fun event for all kids! We need parent volunteers for this event! To volunteer or for more information, contact Liliana McKean at lmckean1@comcast.net.
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| Sally Foster Online Fundraiser until 11/29/11 | | |
 Sally Foster is AVAILABLE online for you, your family & friends!Use the email feature found in the Seller's Section at www.SallyFoster.com to order gifts and wrapping paper or send ordering information to your family & friends.40% OF EVERY PURCHASE GOES DIRECTLY TO MARK TWAIN! MARK TWAIN ELEMENTARY school's number is 54491. Our Sally Foster® fundraiser is available online year round but this campaign will run through the month of November. Click here to see the Sally Foster flyer for Internet Shopping for Mark Twain 2011.
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| Magnet Awareness Week is Here! | |
Mark Twain Elementary Literature Magnet Tours will be held the week of November 7th-11th at these times ONLY:
Monday, 11/7: 1-2 pm
Tuesday, 11/8: 1-2 pm
Wednesday, 11/9: 9-10 am
Thursday, 11/10: 1-2 pm
Friday, 11/11: 1-2 pm
To find out information about tours after Magnet Awareness Week, please contact Jackie Black: jblack@houstonisd.org
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| The 2011-2012 Printed Student Directory Has Arrived! | |
All families who registered their contact information online by the deadline will be receiving one free printed directory. This directory will be sent home in your oldest child's backpack; please look for it this week.
If you wish to purchase a printed directory, the School Store will be selling them for $5 each (quantities are limited). And, don't forget, you can use the online directory at www.marktwaindirectory.org. if you have registered your contact information online.
Thank you to all the families who registered their contact information and purchased ads for the directory. More than 85% of Mark Twain families registered their contact information for the student directory. And, 19 teachers will be receiving $25 Target gift cards since 90% or more of the families in their class registered. Click here to see the list of teachers. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Shah at twaindirectory@hotmail.com.
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| Save the Date for Huckleberry Bash, 2/10/2012! | |
Each spring the Mark Twain PTO holds The Huckleberry Bash, our annual auction and largest fundraiser. The event features live and silent auction items created and/or donated by students, parents, teachers and the community. The Bash will be held February 10, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Reliant. The theme for this year is "Lights! Camera! Bash!" Last year, over 400+ people attended and supported our school by purchasing hundreds of auction items and tickets to social events hosted by Twain families and/or teachers. We hope to see even more families participate this year so mark your calendars now!
What is Bash? Click here to learn more about this annual adults only fundraiser.
There are many ways that you may help out with Bash:
- Hosting a social gatherings (parties)
- Donating items (or funds for items) anything big or small
- Soliciting donations from businesses that you frequent
- Volunteers for any number of roles necessary to put on the event
Click here to see detailed information in the letter. Click here to print out a donation form.
Completed donation forms can be placed in the Huckleberry Bash box in the Parent Workroom or emailed to us. Questions? Feel free to email us at dkoenig@TheLittleGym.com or jnkschultz@sbcglobal.net.
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| Drink Pouch Brigade®! | |
Turn your used drink pouches into MONEY for our School. We have placed a drink pouch recycle bin in the cafeteria by the lost and found closet. Please encourage your children to deposit their empty pouches there after lunch and feel free to bring your pouches from home. Pouches need to be empty and clean with no straws. Besides turning the pouches into money for the school 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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| Parent Involvement Day Celebration, November 17, 2011 | |
The Parent Engagement Department of School Support Services cordially invites you to join us at our annual HISD Parent Involvement Day Celebration on Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 9am - 12pm, at the Delmar Stadium Field House, at 2020 Mangum Rd., Houston, Texas 77092, to recognize the value of parent participation in a child's education. We believe in creating a culture of trust through action and have collaborated with many internal departments as well as external community members to provide educational materials and resources at this event.
Promptly following the celebration, 12-1 pm, HISD Deputy Chief Academic Officer Alicia Thomas will provide an overview of and answer questions about the state's new testing program, known as the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). The STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) exams will affect this year's ninth-graders by counting as 15 percent of their final course grade. The same is also true for middle school students taking high school courses that require EOC exams.
HISD teachers are preparing students in elementary, middle, and high school for the new rigorous tests, but we need your help. Parents are encouraged to stay and attend this informational session.
Questions: Contact Kelly Cline, Parent Engagement, 713-556-7290
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| Champion Energy Special for Twain Families | | |
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| Breakfast in the Classroom |
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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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Rewards Programs
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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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| Community News and Events | | |
Earth Day Houston 2012 4th Annual Art Contest
Earth Day Houston 2012 is Saturday, April 7, 2012 and all third- through eighth-grade students in the Houston area may submit artwork to our office by January 31, 2012. Earth Day celebrates our planet's wonders. Show what you see when you think of clean air, water, and land. Picture how our land and humankind protects and nourishes each other. Use a plain white sheet of paper that is 11 x 14 inches. Put your name, grade, school, and teacher's name on the back. Please mail or take the art to: Art Contest - Air Alliance Houston, 2409 Commerce Street, Suite A - Houston 77003. Prizes will be awarded for the overall winner as well as first, second, and third place winners from each grade. We will return all art to the teachers.
Be a Bellaire Cheerleader for the Day!
Open to all girls ages 5-12. Join us for a fun day of cheerleading on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Bellaire High School Multi-Purpose Room, 5100 Maple Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for the attached flyer and registration form. Questions? Contact Gina Taylor at ginataylor41@att.net.
Bellaire Recycles Fest
A variety of events are planned for this annual recycle fest on November 5, 2011 from 9am-1pm at the 7008 S. Rice Blvd. near the Bellaire City Hall. Click here to view the full flyer with detailed information.
Also, eARTh Art and Photo Contest for ages 5 - 18. Click here to see attached flyer for more info.
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