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The Twain Times
A weekly newsletter from Mark Twain Elementary School |
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In This Issue
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PTO President's Letter
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Yearbook Update
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Father-Daughter Dance, 5/12, 7pm
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Vanguard GT Program Applications due May 11th
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TWAINBERRY Nomination Time
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+Book Club, 5/17 at 8:15am
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Spirit Night at Los Tios, Tuesday, May 22nd
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Volunteers Needed in School Library!
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Survey for Purchasing E-Readers for Twain Media Center
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School Supply Packets for Sale for 2012-13 School Year
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Twain Student Artwork on Exhibition
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5th Graders Photos on Display, FotoFence 2012, 5/22 2-4pm
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UIL Championship Update
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Congratulations to WUSA IMP Puma Softball Team!
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Parking Lots will be CLOSED Starting May 7th
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Twain Weatherbug Up and Running!
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Note from Nurse Stephens re: Medications
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Incoming Pershing Student Order Forms
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5th Grade Fundraiser Cups on Sale in School Store!
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Community News and Events: Willow Wahoo Swim Team, FotoFest, Join Cub Scouts Pack #34, Summer Camps, 4th of July Help Needed, After School Care Programs, YOU can Help with Education Funding in Texas!
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Order Your Birthday Grams
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Rewards Programs
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Mark Your Calendar |
May
5/7 - Parking lots to be closed this week!
5/7-5/15 - Stanford/Aprenda testing for grades 1-5
5/8 - All Parent Meeting, 6:30pm
5/11 - Vanguard GT Applications are due
5/11 - Deadline for ordering softbound yearbooks
5/12 - Dad's Club Father-Daughter Dance, 7pm
5/14-5/31 - Volunteers needed for School Library, any date/time
5/15 - Survey deadline for e-Readers
5/17 - +Book Club, 8:15am
5/18 - VIPS Breakfast, 8:30am
5/18 - Twainberry Nominations are due
5/20 - FotoFence 2012, 2-4pm
5/22 - Spirit Night at Los Tios, 4-9pm
5/31 - Last day of school |
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Thank You to Our
2011-2012
Corporate Sponsors |
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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May 8, 2012 | |
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Dear Parents,
Last week the parents at Mark Twain showed their appreciation for the teachers. On behalf of all of us at Mark Twain, thank you. The decorated doors, the notes, kind words and never ending food were all deeply appreciated. We extend a special thank you to Shelly Rota for coordinating this very special week.
Friday night was a proud moment at Mark Twain. Our Odyssey of the Mind students hosted an evening of fun activities to educate interested students and their families about Odyssey of the Mind and to raise funds to support the Walnut Bend OM team that will be headed to the World Competition in Ames, Iowa. What a powerful message these young students are sending. For these young people to look beyond their own disappointment at not making it to the next level and to reach out to help a local team that is advancing is a testament to the kind of children we have at Mark Twain. Good job in exemplifying the IB philosophy!
Tonight is the All Parent Meeting at 6:30pm and I hope to see many of you there for a wrap-up of our school year. In addition to hearing a few words from Deanna and me, Kathleen Blakeslee will be doing a presentation on IB.
- Stanford and Aprenda testing will continue for the entire week. If your child misses any portion of the test there will be a makeup. Make-ups are given in the afternoons throughout the testing window.
- The Human Growth and Development film will be shown on Monday, May 14th for students in grades 5. Fifth grade parents must return the letter sent home last week to allow for your child's participation. There are two different viewings - one for girls, one for boys.
- VIPS Breakfast is Friday, May 18th. Come and let us show you how much we appreciate you!!
Have a wonderful week and keep the May calendar handy - it is chockfull of events!
Melissa Patin, Principal
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| PTO President's Letter | | |
Dear Mark Twain families,
I want to thank our entire community for all of your contributions - whether it be financial and/or giving of your time - to support the ongoing needs of Mark Twain Elementary School. Last week, the PTO allocated funds to build a running track/path around the perimeter of the large playground (to be constructed this summer). I am so excited that we have the opportunity to create an outdoor track to be used by all students, teachers and parents to enhance physical education objectives and promote health, nutrition and fitness at Mark Twain Elementary. Please click here if you would like to view the Mark Twain Track Proposal that was presented last week at the PTO meeting that provides information on the goals of the track and the funding proposal.
The PTO now has completed the 2012-2013 Nominations Process - many thanks to Nominations Committee for their time and effort to recruit amazing parents to lead our PTO initiatives next year. Please click here to see a list of the 2012-2013 PTO Executive Slate/Directors. We are so appreciative of everyone's time and commitment to our school and children.
Don't forget that we have our last All Parent Meeting of the year tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. We will be providing updates on the state of the school, the PTO and our IB program. I hope that you will be able to attend (as always, babysitting will be provided).
Have a great week! Best, Deanna
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Yearbook Update | |
Hard cover yearbooks are sold out. BUT WAIT, if you did not purchase a yearbook and would like to, there is another option. A soft cover, wire bound option is available. The cost is $30 and it is cash only. Orders will be taken all this week and submitted on late Friday afternoon. Estimated delivery will be on Tuesday, May 15th. A sample is available at the school store.
If you did not receive your personalization plate, and ordered one, please come by the school store. If you ordered one and it is not there, please email marktwainyearbook@yahoo.com or call Laura at 713.256.0852.
A very special thank you to the Zamarron Family for their beautiful work on the personalized name plates. If you did not order a plate and would like to, you may contact Frank directly at 832.818.6000.
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Father-Daughter Dance, 5/12, 7pm | | |
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Vanguard GT Program Applications | |
Vanguard Gifted and Talented Program Applicationsare being accepted for the Mark Twain Vanguard Gifted and Talented program. Applications are due Friday, May 11, 2012 (for the testing period - June 18-21) for students in 1st grade - 4th grades. The applications are for students who did not apply in Sept. 2011 or Jan. 2012
Applications are available from Ms. Norris-Room C118 and for 4th grade from Ms. Blakeslee-G203. Click here to view the flyer.
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TWAINBERRY Nomination Time! | |
Twainberry nominations can be given to Mrs. Gee beginning April 30 and ends May 18. This is a celebration of third through fifth grade child authored writing. A Twainberry entry can either be an original narrative or a collection of at least 8 original poems.
About 10 Twainberrys are awarded per grade level. One entry per student. The writing should be a final draft (typing is not necessary, but appreciated). The "Non-negotiables" should still be honored. Illustrations, are not necessary nor considered in the selection. Please be sure the child's first and last name, grade and teacher are on the entry. They can be given directly to Mrs. Gee or placed in her box. Please do not leave them in her room.
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+Book Club, 5/17 at 8:15am | |
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Thursday, May 17, 8:15 am
School Cafeteria
Please join the PTO's Parent Enrichment team for a dynamic discussion of the classic How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk.
As summer approaches, we will learn a whole new set of skills to help us reach our children in ways that bring us closer together in mutually respectful ways. Come even if you haven't read the book! The discussion is always interesting.
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Restaurant Spirit Night, 5/22 at Los Tios | |
 Please join us for our last restaurant spirit night of the school year at Los Tios in Meyerland.
Tuesday, May 22nd
4-9pm dine in or take out
Click here to download the flyer to bring to the restaurant.
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Library needs End-of-Year Inventory Help! | |
Mr. Deering needs parent volunteers each day starting next week (after Stanford testing is completed) to put the shelves in order for the end-of-school inventory. Any amount of volunteer time is appreciated and needed! Just stop by, and Mr. Deering will direct you to the shelves that still need to be read and organized. Please contact Mr. Deering or Penny Linsenmayer (plinsenmayer@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
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Survey for Purchasing E-Readers for Twain | |
The Media Center is considering purchasing several e-readers. E-readers are increasing in popularity, and the technology is particularly enticing to young student readers. E-readers will maximize physical shelf space in the library. In addition, e-readers are more economical in that the content costs for loading a single title on multiple e-readers are less than buying an equivalent number of library-bound books. Many students appreciate the ability to adjust font size and highlight text for note-taking. Finally, the medium of the e-reader can entice even a reluctant reader to pick up and finish reading books!
The Media Center would dedicate six e-readers to holding the Name that Book Team titles for the 3rd - 5th grade team members (as well as other titles from Book Award lists such as Newberry books and the Bluebonnet list). Other e-readers would be available for general check-out by Twain students. Please note also that with a valid HPL library card, kids could download books and audio books to e-readers (parents would be responsible for monitoring the content of items downloaded from other institutions).
We have created a survey to measure interest in acquiring e-readers for the Media Center. Please click here or on the link below to answer the short survey questions. The deadline is May 15th.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6J3YPSH
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School Supply Packets for Sale for 2012-2013 | |
The order forms for school supply packets for next year will be going home in the Tuesday folders this week. The PTO sponsors this sale of supplies as a service to our families and the packets are sold at cost. Please remember that your child's supplies will be delivered to their classroom before the start of school ONLY if you preorder. You may turn in the forms by May 29th or order online at www.marktwainpto.org until August 15th. Please contact kathleenfenoy@yahoo.com with any questions.
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Twain Student Artwork on Exhibition | |
Congratulations to the following students whose artwork was on display at Roberts Elementary as part of the IB/PYP Art Exhibit last week: John Meyers, Natalia Grullon-Reyes, Nora Ouellette, Caroline Jackson, Kayla Krolls, Anna Bogler, Eddie Wang, Cole Johnson, Haejun Lee, Ian Hill, Sara Sweeney, Cyril George, Janiah Collins, Luis Valdes, Titus Vantreese, Colleen McLean, and Alejandro Snyder-Perez
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5th Graders Photos on Display at FotoFence 2012, Sunday, 5/20 2-4pm | |
FotoFence 2012 runs from May 12th - May 26th, 2012 - This Annual Literacy Through Photography Student Exhibition includes photography from our very own Mark Twain 5th graders. The opening reception, featuring student readings, music, snacks, and free family portraits, will be held on Sunday, May 20th 2012, from 2-4pm at FotoFest Headquarters, 1113 Vine Street, Houston TX 77002.
FotoFest's FotoFence student exhibition highlights student work created using the Literacy Through Photography (LTP) program. Houston area schools from 7 districts, including private and charter schools, will present photographs, writing, poster collages, digital video projections and 3-dimensional sculptures. These pieces represent personal, creative exploration, inspired by the themes self, family, community and dreams. We hope you will join us to celebrate LTP student success! FotoFence 2012 is FREE and the public is encouraged to attend!
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UIL Championship Update | |
The following students represented the Mark Twain Championship Team:
Annie Zhu, Shirley Zhu, Arianna Zhao, Emma Barrall, Jennifer Hamad, Alena Bujnowski, and Isabel Grimsinger
These students won the following district championship awards:
Impromptu Speaking: Annie Zhu - finalist
Ready Writing: Shirley Zhu - finalist
Storytelling: Arianna Zhao - finalist
Shirley Zhu - 2nd place
Solo-Acting: Jennifer Hamad - 1st place
Music Memory: Alena Bujnowski - 1st place
Spirit of UIL Award: Isabel Grimsinger
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Congratulations to the WUSA IMP Puma Softball Team! | |
 Congratulations to several of our 3rd grade Twain girls (with some coaching from two of our Twain Dads) who became the WUSA Intermediate Machine Pitch division tournament champions this past weekend. The team went undefeated in the tournament and pulled out the championship win! The Twain girls are: Ellie Plummer, Grace Parker, Rachel Barker, Taylor Kleiman and Grace Chaney. Congratulations to the team and their coaches: Coach Plummer and Assistant Coach Parker.
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Parking Lots to be Closed Starting this week! | |
Please be aware that construction on McGovern Park will start next week. Temporary fencing will go up this week, which will include closing off half of the Kindergarten lot and the Braes parking lot for the construction workers.
The McGovern campus will remain closed for most of the summer. They will send us regular updates throughout the period regarding their progress.
Again, there will be no parking in the Braes lot and limited parking in the Kinder lot. Please plan accordingly when dropping off or picking up your child at Mark Twain.
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Twain Weatherbug Station is UP and Running! | |
Thank you to all Mark Twain Parents who contributed to the fund to purchase our very own Twain Weather Bug Station! Because of the overwhelming support of our parents from the Bash and continued support throughout the year, our station is up and running!!
WeatherBug Schools® is a unique program that combines a fully automated Weather Tracking Station with online, standards-based learning to deliver a fascinating educational experience for every grade level. The weather station will give teachers real time access to weather data specific to Mark Twain, as well as lessons to help them use this tool to get the maximum benefit for our students. This program will also increase community awareness through partnerships with local news stations who can include our data in their weather forecast. It provides an exciting opportunity to boost learning across the curriculum.
You can also download the app to your smart phone to get up-to-date weather information. Visit: http://weather.weatherbug.com/ for more information and to sign up.
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Note from Nurse Stephens re: Medications | |
 Parents do not forget to pick up your child's medications from the school nurse the last week of school. We cannot keep them over the summer.
If they are not picked up by the last day of school, they will be destroyed. I know that medications are expensive, so please be sure to pick them up before the last day of school. I cannot send the meds home with the student. The parent must pick up and sign off that they received the medication.
Thanks - Nurse Stephens
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Incoming Pershing Student Order Forms | |
If you have a student going into Pershing Middle School next year you can preorder school supplies and uniforms. Click here for the school supply. Or you can order online at www.epipacks.com; school id: PER363. Click here for the uniform pre-order form. The deadline for pre-order is June 1st.
Information packets for new zoned students will be coming home in the next few weeks. So be on the look out!
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5th Grade Fundraiser Cups - On Sale Now in the School Store | | |
 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).
They are $7.00 each (tax included) and are being sold in the school store. We have them in blue and red. BE SURE TO COME BY AND 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!
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| Community News and Events | | |
Join the Willow Wahoo Swim Team
The Willow Wahoo Swim Team encourages neighborhood youngsters to develop an appreciation for competitive swimming in an environment that stresses good sportsmanship and skill improvement. We are members of the Southwest Aquatic League which includes: Bellaire, Southwest United, and West University. Willow has been competing in this league for over 20 years. Click here to view the flyer and are interested in joining the swim team.
Join Cub Scout Pack 34 now!
Mark Twain Elementary is the largest source of boys for Cub Scout Pack 34, based at St. Mark's Episcopal on Bellaire (between Stella Link and Edloe). Pack 34 is a very active pack with over 100 families, 4 camping trips per year, pinewood derby, scout fair, and too many other opportunities to list. The Boy Scouts of America just celebrated its 100th anniversary and the skills it teaches such as leadership, communication, and organization are more relevant than ever. All boys who will be entering 1st through 5th grades in the Fall of 2012 are welcome to join. If you want to join or have any questions please email Cubmaster Sean O'Connor at oconnorhook@gmail.com.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Click here to view the summer camps available at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.
4th of July Help and Volunteers Needed
Every year the Braeswood Place community hosts a 4th of July Parade and event here at Mark Twain Elementary. This year we are looking for some help to put on this great event. There are a variety of opportunities to help: from co-chairing, to coordinate volunteers, or to just volunteer a shift at many of the booths at the event. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Shelly Katz at shelly.katz75@gmail.com or 713-702-4005.
Summer Camp at Lamar High School
Lamar High School offers a summer camp. Click here for more information.
Old School After School Care and Tutoring in West University
Old School ASC is the best value in Houston. Parents can get quality daily care with the added value of individualized tutoring from Rice University Students who are excellent in Math, Science and Language. Tutors will work with your children daily Monday through Friday of each week. For more information, visit www.oldschoolasc.com.
St. Luke's After School Program 2012-13
Registration is happening now for the St. Luke's After School Program for the 2012-13 school year. Click here to view the outside of the brochure. Click here to view the inside of the brochure. The After School Care (ASC) program serves Houston-area children in Kindergarten through eighth (8th) grade and runs during the school year from late August to May, including some HISD in-service days and holidays. Please visit the website for more information at http://stlukessummercampasc.org/after-school-care/.
St. Luke's Summer Camp 2012
St. Luke's is beginning registration for their 2012 summer camp program. Click here for information and click here to view the dates and registration form. For more information, visit www.StLukesSummerCampASC.org.
How YOU can help support policies and funding for public schools
There are many ways to get involved and help raise education and take a stand re: funding for public schools. Take a look at this video from the House Appropriations Committee meeting regarding the funding cuts to public education in Texas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zMuIkjy2oo
Texas Ed Funding is a grassroots, non-partisan collaboration of individuals creating a community of support for Texas public schools. We are not a formal organization, non-profit or PAC. (We just needed to call ourselves something to have an email address and website.) And while our initial purpose was to support the issue of funding during the crisis last spring, we have evolved to collaborate to support other efforts that affect public education in Texas. Join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TexasEdFunding.
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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 | | |
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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