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The Twain Times
A weekly newsletter from Mark Twain Elementary School
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Mark Your Calendar |
December
12/15 - Parent Enrichment: Holly McDonald--children's play therapist, 8:15am
12/15 - Jump Rope for Heart deadline
12/16 - Field Day, 8:30am
12/16 - Forms for sibling Incoming Kindergartners due
12/19 - 1/2 - NO SCHOOL
January
1/3 -School begins
1/3 - PTO Meeting, 6:30pm, babysitting provided
1/4 - +Talk, Awty International School
1/13 - Bingo Night, 6-8:30pm
1/17 - Berryhill Spirit Night
1/19 - Parent Enrichment, Speaking in Tongues
1/20 - Monthly Staff Appreciation Luncheon
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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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December 13, 2011 | |
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Dear Parents,
This week we have Field Day scheduled for Friday, December 16. We are hopeful that the weather will be good. If we have inclement weather we will reschedule for the spring and will notify parents through the ConnectEd system (telephone). Please make sure that your children dress appropriately for physical activities, particularly their footwear.
Last Thursday evening our 4th grade students performed in the Broadway mini musical Annie. It was a truly inspirational performance and I would like to extend my congratulations to all the performers, and our phenomenal music teacher, Janet Bardin.
Thursday night we asked that pictures be taken before and after the performance out of respect for the performers. Our Twain publicity representative was there and those pictures will be made available to any parent that may want a copy. In addition, we videotaped the afternoon performance and those tapes will also be made available for a small fee.
In January, I will be sending out a short survey to parents asking for feedback on how you think the year has gone thus far. Many of the systems and programs we have in place have not changed in many years. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and encourage honest, constructive feedback.
The Winter Holiday gives all of us two weeks to enjoy family and friends. I hope that all of you have a safe and glorious break!
Melissa Patin, Principal
mpatin@houstonisd.org
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| PTO President Message | |
Dear Mark Twain families,
On behalf of the PTO, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to the Mark Twain community for a wonderful holiday season. As we approach the winter break, I am reminded that this year is almost halfway over. Let me take a moment to highlight some of the wonderful things that have happened through the Mark Twain PTO to date.
We build positive relationships with the community! Mark Twain Elementary continued our collaborative efforts with +Works (a nonprofit anti bullying organization) and the Adopt A Monument program (an initiative with the Houston Arts Alliance to promote cultural awareness and preserve specific works of art). We also partnered with KIDS MEALS to contribute over 650 prepared lunches ready to be delivered to impoverished children in Houston and donated funds that should provide lunches for at least 650 more.
Our Mark Twain PTO Teacher Appreciation and Hospitality team has been hard at work to show our teachers and parents how appreciated they are. We welcomed teachers back to school over the past few months with weekly snacks, monthly luncheons and teacher treats. And before the holiday break, each teacher will receive a holiday gift from the PTO. Parents have also been treated to coffee and breakfast treats for various school meetings and a delicious array of edibles at the monthly PTO meetings. In addition, the PTO provided ongoing support to the Mark Twain community through communications such as the website/Twain Times/weekly communication folders, recruitment activities, the Middle School Forum, our school store, parent education seminars, the school directory and much more.
We have had very successful community building events. We kicked off the year with the International Pot Luck Dinner in September and many participated in their Class "Get to Know You" parties. In October, Spooky Spaghetti was another tremendous success that not only exceeded expectations but also fundraising goals. In November, many families participated in the Dad's Club Campout, Mark Twain Book Fair and Annual Mark Twain Soccer Tournament. Throughout the fall, Mark Twain families have joined for fun evenings to support our school at monthly restaurant nights out where each business gave a portion of Mark Twain sales back to our school. Events like these are a great opportunity to visit with other Twain families and create that Mark Twain Community Spirit! Look for more fun events like this in the spring.
And there's so much more! Our community has been very supportive of the school through our various fundraising activities. The Square 1 Art Fundraiser was a huge success with over 45% participation from Mark Twain families. And our Friends & Family and Corporate Sponsor campaigns both surpassed their monetary goals this year.
Thanks to all of you for your help and contributions.
As you can see, we are a productive and busy PTO. We have many exciting events coming up in the New Year including Bingo Night (January 13), a Parent Enrichment documentary viewing of "Speaking in Tongues" (January 19), the Huckleberry Bash (February 10) and our International Festival (February 25). We would welcome any help with these events and more. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like additional information on how to get involved. My hope is that everyone has a safe and relaxing Holiday season.
Thank you for all you do to make Mark Twain Elementary a special place for our children.
Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a wonderful new year -
Deanna Sheaffer, PTO President
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| Parent Enrichment, 12/15, 8:15am | |
B-Mod: The Principles of How We Learn, Twain Cafeteria
Parents, do you find yourself wondering whether your children ever listen to you? Do you ever wish you could get your kids to change those annoying habits of theirs? Do you think to yourself that if you could just find the right combination of rewards and consequences that life with your children would be more pleasant?
Fear not! Holly McDonald--children's play therapist--will show you the way through behavior modification techniques! During her talk she will explain how children learn, how to shape their behavior and how to create behavior modification contracts that work. You will come away from her presentation with new parenting tools, ready to enjoy the holidays with your family!
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| Appreciate the Speech and Special Ed Teachers! | |
Group Gift for Speech and Special Ed Teachers!
Interested in contributing toward a group gift for the speech teacher or special ed teacher? Drop off a check in the parent work room box labeled "Appreciate a speech and/or special ed teacher". Checks should be payable to Megan Rose or contact Megan at meganrose72@gmail.com
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| Baking for "MOORE" - Bake Sale, 12/13-16 | |
Gift Breads Available Tues - Fri, December 13 - 16th
The 4th grade is having a BAKE SALE to raise money to donate to the Houston Arts Foundation for Mark Twain's adopted sculpture - Henry Moore's Large Spindle Piece.
Various breads - pumpkin, banana, cranberry - are available and beautifully wrapped ready for you to give to your neighbors, friends, and family.
Your $10 donation includes raffle ticket for a handsomely outfitted picnic basket. Cash or checks written to Mark Twain PTO.
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| Incoming Kindergartners for Fall 2012 | |
Attention parents -- Do you have a sibling entering Kindergarten next fall (2012)? Click here to print this form. Please fill it out, and bring it to Jackie Black. Do you know of any neighborhood incoming Kindergartners not at Mark Twain yet? Please have them contact Jackie Black as well. Questions? Jackie Black: jblack@houstonisd.org.
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| Check for Lost and Found Items before the Holiday Break! | |
With the colder temperature, the lost and found is overflowing. Please check for your children's lost belongings on the various tables and racks. We also need some volunteers to commit to helping on a regular basis with organizing the closet and delivering lost items. Please contact Kathleen Fenoy kathleenfenoy@yahoo.com if you are interested in helping out.
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| Mark Twain Family Bingo Night, 1/13 | |
Mark your calendars for Mark Twain Family Bingo Night!
Date: Friday, January 13, 2012
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Place: Mark Twain Cafeteria
Please join us for a night of fun and excitement for the whole family! Pizza, soft drinks and desserts will be available for sale and fabulous prizes will be awarded to the winners of each game!
Bingo Cards will be sold for $1 each (grand prize bingo game is $2 per card). Each player may play up to five cards at once per game. Blotter markers will be available for $1 each.
All children participating in bingo games must be accompanied by a parent, per state bingo rules.
Please contact Nancy Oncken at noncken@yahoo.com or Kristen Barker at kbarker@WULFE.com for volunteering opportunities. If you are interested in donating individually wrapped desserts or canned soft drinks to this event, please contact Nancy or Kristen.
Don't miss this family fun event!
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| Field Day Update, 12/16 | |
4th Grade Central Idea: Systems are established to gain perspective and achieve community goals.
- Field day will be on Friday, December 16th
- Parade of classes will begin at 8:15am.
- Events for grades K - 2 will be held from 8:30 am to 11:00 am.
- Events for grades 3 - 5 will be held from 11:50 am to 2:20 pm.
- There will be spectator areas for parents and guests who wish to watch their children participate in the events.
- PARENT VOLUNTEERS-We need at least one volunteer per class to assist your child's class during events on field day. A few parents can also split up that responsibility.
- 4th Grade will be selling healthy snacks and collecting donations on Field Day in the front rotunda. Donations will be given to charities decided by the winning classes.
We would like to encourage you to bring fresh fruit and healthy snacks on field day. The reason is that fresh fruit and healthy snacks make you feel good. They also give you a lot of long lasting energy, it helps you do your best, and it can boost self-esteem. Fresh fruit is better for you than junk food. It does things for you like gives you energy and makes you feel healthy. Junk food gives you energy, but when that energy quickly runs out, you don't feel very well.
Parents, there will be a snack valet on the stage where you can drop off coolers and class snacks that are labeled. Feel free to drop items off at 7:30am or later. Tables will be labeled by grade level and 4th grade students will be there to help. There will also be healthy snacks for sale in the front rotunda.
Please bring reusable water bottles. Ban the bottle!
Remember to bring healthy snacks such as:
Fresh Fruit, Raw Vegetables, Granola/Cliff Z-Bars (without peanuts), Yogurt, Cheese Sticks
Please contact Mrs. Zirczy's Class with any questions. Thank you and have a great day! -Mrs. Zirczy's Class (Nutrition)
This year's Field Day won't be a normal Field Day! It is in the Winter, so you have to know what to wear! Check the weather! For shirts, you should wear layers and a sweatshirt (if necessary). Pants and a jacket might be necessary too! You should wear tennis shoes. No cleats or sandals! Grades 3 - 5 will play tug-of-war. You may wear gloves but baby powder will also be provided. Protect yourself from the sun! Wearing sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses can help! We want to encourage you to be safe. Field Day can be both fun and safe! - Mrs. Rawson's Class (Safety)
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+Talk II, Child Development, 1/4/2012 | |
+TALK II CHILD DEVELOPMENT: WHAT'S NORMAL FOR THE AGE?
To get ahead of America's bullying crisis, we need to be informed about the issue from many angles. This includes understanding normal behavior for a child's particular age. When we know a negative, bullying-related behavior is normal, we can deal with it as a parent, educator, or coach in a more effective and positive manner. Knowledge is the path to progress and peace. Bring your questions and join in a discussion with our experienced panel of mental health, pediatric, and educational experts to discuss Child Development: What's Normal For The Age?
+DATE: January 4, 2012, from 7:00 - 8:30PM
+VENUE: The Awty International School, 7455 Awty School Lane, Houston, Texas 77055
+PANEL: * ELIZABETH NEWLIN, MD, Medical/Program Director Adolescent Treatment Program, Menninger Clinic and Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine
* WILLIAM J. HOGAN, JR., MD, FAAP, Texas Children's Pediatric Associates
* MRS. ROBIN LOWE, Principal, Pershing Middle School, HISD
* MS. DEBRA FISCHER, Director, St. Paul's School
ALL ARE WELCOME! ADMISSION FREE to +Roundtable schools parents/staff:
* St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
* Mark Twain Elementary School
* St. Paul's School
* Pershing Middle School
* Durham Elementary School
* St. Michael Catholic School
* Kolter Elementary School
* Roberts Elementary School
* The Awty International School</strong>
ADMISSION $5 for other members of our community!
Come to this +Talk, the second in a series of five this school year, and find out why it is important that we ALL - Dads, Moms, teachers, coaches, principals, students - take time to get informed in order to get AHEAD of bullying and create +Upstanding Communities.
For more information, please contact: Sarah Fisher, CEO, +Works, aware@positivethinkingworks.org
www.positivethinkingworks.org
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| Jump Rope for Heart - due 12/15 | |
It takes heart to be a hero! Beginning November 18th, Mark Twain will be participating in the annual Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser! Students will join millions of other children across the country in a meaningful opportunity to learn how jumping rope is good for the heart and to help save lives.
Help your child get involved! If deciding to participate, help your child raise money to help others who have cardiovascular disease, including kids! You can start now and visit americanheart.org/jump to set up a Web page and e-mail friends/family to make secure donations. Or use the collection envelope your child will receive. Whether or not you and your children decide to participate in the fundraising portion of this "event," all students will have the chance to participate in jump rope activities during Physical Education class at the end of our Jump Rope for Heart campaign.
Special Notes:
*Your child will receive thank-you gifts based on the donations he or she collects (or you can elect not to receive them.)
*Our school will also earn free physical education equipment.
*For the safety of our children, we ask that your child not go door-to-door or ask strangers for donations.
*Collection envelopes are due December 15th and are to be turned in to Coach Jody.
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| Please Support the 5th Grade Fundraiser! | | |
 The 5th Grade classes are selling 16 oz. acrylic cups with lids and straws (BPA Free) with the Mark Twain IB logo surrounded by the ten IB profiles (thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, reflective, inquirers, and knowledgeable).
These are great for Stocking Stuffers, parents, grandparents and friends. Show your support for Mark Twain and drink more water at the same time!
They are $7.00 each (tax included). We have them in blue and red. BE SURE TO GET YOURS BEFORE WE RUN OUT! All proceeds go towards the 5th grade end of year activities.
Please support Mark Twain's 5th grade classes this year!
Questions 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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| 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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| Box Tops for Education - 2 Ways to Earn | |
1) Clipping Box Tops Coupons
Please continue clipping Box Top coupons. 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 approximately 25,000 coupons. You can help by simply cutting the coupons and sending them to school with your child. There is a designated Box Top container in each classroom. 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 to view a complete list of products where Box Top coupons can be found.
The class that collects the most Box Tops throughout the year will win a pizza party as their reward!
2) Earning eBoxTops when shopping online
Shopping online for the holidays? Visit the Box Tops for Education Marketplace to get your shopping done and earn Box Top points for Mark Twain at the same time. There are over 175 participating retailers giving various eBoxTops points to our school with every qualified $10.00 purchase made online. When you shop online, you'll become a Box Tops Online Power Earner. As an Online Power Earner, you will receive 10 Bonus Box Tops for every 100 eBoxTops you earn. Make sure you bookmark the Marketplace and return every time you want to shop online. Go to btfe.com/marketplace where you can view the 175 participating retailers.
Questions, please contact Amy Allen at amy.allen@comcast.net or 281.501.3544.
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| Holiday Offer from Champion Energy Services | | |
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| After School Program Information/Forms | | |
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| Dates and Deadlines for Magnet and Dual Language Programs | |
Below are important upcoming dates for both the Magnet and Dual Language programs. Click here to view the flier.
- Magnet Applications Accepted November 7 through January 6, 2012
- Dual Language Applications Accepted November 7 through January 6, 2012
- Dual Language Informational Coffee November 29, 2011
- Parent Notification for Magnet March 23, 2012
- Parent Notification for Dual Language March 23, 2012
- Parent Response Deadline for Dual Language April 9, 2012
- Parent Response Deadline for Magnet April 9, 2012
- Kindergarten Round - Up April 19, 2012
*For more information about Magnet, please contact Jackie Black: jblack@houstonisd.org
**For more information about Dual Language, please contact Gracie Martinez: gmartin6@houstonisd.org
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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 | | |
West University Softball Association (WUSA) Spring 2012 Registration
Time to get registered for a great Spring season of WUSA softball! Online registration is now open. A great season of fun and competition is only a click away. Go to http://www.wusa.org/index.php/welcome
West University Little League (WULL) Spring 2012 Registration
Registration will be open until January 2nd. It is open to all boys and girls who are age 5 and older on or before April 30, 2012, and who live within West University Little League boundaries. For more information, visit http://www.westull.org/
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.
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