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The Twain Times
A weekly newsletter from Mark Twain Elementary School
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Mark Your Calendar |
January
1/3 -School begins
1/3 - PTO Meeting, 6:30pm, babysitting provided
1/4 - +Talk, Awty International School
1/6 - Magnet Application Deadline
1/9 - Art a La Carte Meeting, K-2, 8am
1/9 - Name that Book, 3-5th Qualifying Test, after school
1/11 - Early Dismissal, 12:30pm
1/11 - Bash T-shirt design contest deadline
1/11 - STARR Presentation, 8am and 5pm
1/11- Art a La Carte Meeting, 3-5, 8am
1/13 - Bash Socials deadline
1/13 - Bingo Night, 6-8:30pm
1/17 - Berryhill Spirit Day and 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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January 3, 2012 | |
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Dear Parents,
Welcome back! I hope that you had a wonderful break with family and friends! The teachers are back at work, rested and enthusiastically preparing their classrooms and lessons for the spring semester. We look forward to a productive new year! Please remember to mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 11th which is an Early Dismissal Day.
- Friday, January 6 - report cards
- Wednesday, January 11, 8:00 a.m. STAAR Presentation for parents in grades 3-5 (library).
- Thursday, January 12, 5:00 p.m. STAAR Presentation for parents in grades 3-5 (library)
Melissa Patin, Principal
mpatin@houstonisd.org
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| PTO President Message | |
Dear Mark Twain families,
Welcome back. I hope you and your family had a very relaxing holiday with family and friends. And I hope you are well rested and geared up for 2012! There are lots of things happening this year at Mark Twain Elementary. We will be having a PTO Meeting tonight, Jan. 3rd at 6:30pm. All are welcome and babysitting is provided.
Save the date for more upcoming events:
- Bingo Night (January 13)
- Parent Enrichment "Speaking in Tongues" documentary viewing (January 19)
- Huckleberry Bash (February 10)
- International Festival (February 25)
As always, we would welcome any help with these events and more. Watch the Twain Times and your e-mail for information. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like additional information on how to get involved.
Happy, happy new year!
Deanna Sheaffer, PTO President
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| It's Time to Plan your Bash Social! | |
Bash Socials are always a huge success at our biggest fundraiser of the year, The Huckleberry Bash. Bash Socials are a great way to have fun with your Mark Twain friends while contributing to the school!
Here's how you can get your Bash Socials started:
- Develop a party idea and plan your decorations, food, etc. around that idea.
- Think about the number of people you think would be appropriate for the party. Bash Socials can have as few as 4 guests and as many as 100+ guest.
- Choose your location. You can have a party at your home or you may need to reserve a party place (ex. Bowling alley, pottery store, gazebo at the park, etc.).
- Select a date for your party. You must have a date before submitting for auction catalog. If it is an outdoor event, plan a rain date.
- Fill out your party plan on the Bash Socials donor form. Be sure to list: all hosts, the theme for the party, the location, the date (and rain date), the beginning and ending times for the party and about what you think the cost per person or per couple. The form can be found on the PTO website (under Huckleberry Bash) or by emailing Susie Loredo at susieloredo@gmail.com Your completed donation form is due to Susie Loredo no later than Friday, January 13, 2012.
- You will be given a guest list after the Bash.
- Invitations for your party are your responsibility. You can send invitations via email, eVites, Paperpost, or hard copy invites.
- You and your co-hosts are responsible for underwriting the cost of the event.
- Have a GREAT time, meet new friends AND raise money for Mark Twain Elementary.
Please contact Susie Loredo if you need more information or if you already have a party in mind. You can email Susie directly at susieloredo@gmail.com
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| Bash T-Shirt Design Contest | |
Lights, Camera, Action! - Calling all Twain Artists we need your help! Please enter our Bash T-Shirt contest starting Tuesday, January 3rd. We will be accepting 4-5 color designs on white paper with marker, pastels, or crayon for this year's 2012 Bash. Think Hollywood, Red Carpets, Stars, and everything Glamorous!
All entries must be placed in the Contest Box located in the front rotunda by Wednesday, January 11th by 12 noon.
The winner will have their design printed on the shirts to be sold for the Bash Fundraiser at School. We will have one winner per grade Kinder-5. One Overall winner will named by Friday January 13th! Please turn in only 1 design per person with your NAME, GRADE and TEACHER to be considered for winner.
*Please write return on the back if you would like to pick it up in the Parent Workroom after the contest!*
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| Name that Book Team Testing Reminder, 1/9 | |
NAME THAT BOOK TEAM (3RD - 5TH): TESTING DATE REMINDER
The qualifying test for the 3rd - 5th Name that Book Team will take place after school on Monday, January 9th in Ms. Diaz's classroom. There will be one question for each of the 35 books on the NTB Reading List. Students should report to Ms. Diaz's classroom after school and will be finished by 4:15 - 4:30 p.m. A light snack will be provided to testing students. If your student has not previously signed up with Mr. Deering to take the test, please contact Mr. Deering or Penny Linsenmayer (plinsenmayer@gmail.com) so that we will have plenty of snacks and testing materials.
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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!
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.
Fabulous prizes will be awarded to the winners of each game!
Pizza and soft drinks can be purchased from the Papajohn's Pizza Truck. Look for Papajohn's preorder forms in your child's home folder and return them with payment as soon as possible to avoid long lines. A portion of the proceeds from pizza and soft drink sales will be donated to Mark Twain by Papajohn's.
Desserts will be available for sale in the cafeteria. If you are interested in donating individually wrapped desserts to be sold at the event, please bring them to the parent workroom on the day of the event and label them "Bingo Night".
Contact Nancy Oncken at noncken@yahoo.com or Kristen Barker at kbarker@WULFE.com for volunteering opportunities.
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| Spirit Night at Berry Hill, Tuesday, 1/17 | |
Come join other Mark Twain families on Tuesday, January 17th for dinner. Berry Hill will donate 20% of food purchased by Mark Twain families back to the school and kids eat free on Tuesdays. If you can't make dinner, enjoy lunch with your friends. Have fun and raise money for Mark Twain!
Click here to view the flyer.
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| Art a La Carte planning sessions, 1/9 | |
Please join me, along with other parent volunteers, for the January lesson planning sessions. We will be discussing January art a la carte lessons, looking at examples, and giving out the materials needed for the projects. These sessions will take place in the cafeteria at 8:00 am on the following days:
- Monday, January 9th for grades K-2
- Wednesday, January 11th for grades 3-5
If you are teaching any of the January lessons in your child's class; we would love to see you there!
Questions/concerns? Contact Suzy Brown at brown.suzy@comcast.net
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| Event DVDs for Sale | |
Mark Twain PTO is pleased to announce the creation of Mark Twain TV! A low-cost, creative and alternative fund raising endeavor, MTTV will videotape and produce DVD's of select Mark Twain events throughout the school year.
Our first projects are available now. "Annie", a delightful Mark Twain musical, filmed during the dress rehearsal for Kindergarten on Dec 8, as well as, the four different Strings Concerts from Dec 12, are available for purchase. The Strings Concerts are Kindergarten Violin & Cellos, Violin & Cello Beginners, The Guitar Program, and IAHC, or Intermediate, Advanced and Honors/Chamber Concert.
The DVD's are only $10 each. Please e-mail your order directly to ginger@gastonprods.com. We will process your orders and pick up payment at delivery! Make checks payable to Mark Twain PTO.
MTTV, EVP, Original Programming, Gaston Productions, Houston, TX USA
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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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| 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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| 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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| Keep Clipping those 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
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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| 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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