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Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter
School Year 2013 - 2014 |
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Twain Times
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CALENDAR
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October
17th Picture Day
19th Spooky Spaghetti 4 - 8 PM
25th Monthly Staff Appreciation Luncheon 10:30 am - 12:45 pm
28th Middle School Forum 6:30 PM (Note Date Change)
29th Math Night 5:30 PM
29th Pershing First Look
30th Early Dismissal with Extended Day Coverage
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Thank You To Our NEW 2013-2014
Corporate Sponsors
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Platinum Level
Gold Level
Greenwood King
Silver Level
Community Partners Level
The Lice Place
TheLicePlace.com
 Vivaldi Music VivaldiMusicAcademy.com 
Candelaris Candelaris.com   |
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October 15, 2013 | |
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Dear Parents,
We had a very nice turnout for the All Parent Meeting last Wednesday. I have provided a link to the power point (Click Here for Slides) if you would like to view it. I asked parents to write down any questions and have shared those questions and responses below.
- Schools zoning, Traffic control and safety, particularly at Stella Link. On Thursday I met with a group of individuals at Ellen Cohen's office and we are part of a pilot program that will address the school zone areas. As we get more details about the specifics I will let you know. We have also looked into the signage around the school and have plans to change the signage so that it makes more sense and hopefully will improve the traffic control around the school.
- The fence on Braes is leaning and the dirt is being washed away. We have placed a work order so that HISD can assess the situation.
- What is the school doing to improve science performance? We have purchased StemScopes which is a program developed by Rice University. In addition, the teachers are planning with our science lab teacher to integrate their efforts. Science Night is another opportunity for parents and students to enrich their science experience.
- If you are interested in being a science or math helper for a class, please let your teacher know. We are incorporating more lab experiences in our classrooms and some teachers have asked for parents to gather materials for these activities.
- What can be done to minimize the chances of bullying at recess. We have decided to continue our relationship with the +Works program and are incorporating some of the ideas from the new +Play Well concept. Our recess committee meets periodically to discuss issues that arise regarding recess. The + Works program provides opportunities throughout the year to hear from speakers and experts on issues relating to bullying and developing and maintaining + relationships at home, school and in the community.
- It was suggested that I remind parents that attendance is taken at 9:30 each day. Appointments should be made later than that if at all possible. The bell rings each day at 8:00 a.m., Mark Twain time, which for many of you is about 2-3 minutes ahead of your time. Please plan accordingly. Students that arrive after the bell should get a tardy slip from the office.
- HISD recently was awarded the Broad Prize for Urban Schools - go to http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/104349 to learn more about the Broad prize.
- Many parents expressed concern about our library being in danger of closing. We have no plans to close our library! We value our library and our librarian!
- Can we build a sidewalk between the carpool and the library parking lot? A representative from Risk Management has walked the area with me and a request is being made.
- As the school population grows, will we add more magnet staff to continue the program? The majority of the funds we receive for Magnet is used to fund positions. We currently fund two teachers for the Literary Development Center and at this time do not have plans to add another teacher. As we move forward we will continue to examine these issues.
- HISD has a grounds department that takes care of our grass. There is a schedule as to when it gets mowed.
- Picture Day is Thursday - students may wear special outfits for the pictures.
I hope to see all of you at the Spooky Spaghetti Supper on October 19th.
Melissa Patin
Principal
mpatin@houstonisd.org
Twain School Website http://www.houstonisd.org/Twaines
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| Picture Day | | |
Individual Picture day is Thursday, October 17th! Students may wear special outfits for the pictures. Payment due at time of picture taking.
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| Spooky | | Spooky Spaghetti
Spooky Spaghetti is our annual fall festival and fundraiser. Mark Twain will be all aglow on Saturday, October 19 from 4-8 PM during Spooky Spaghetti. Candelari's to-Die-for spaghetti supper will be served from 5-7:30 PM.
Money raised goes right back to Mark Twain to provide additional program support in the school. Wear a costume, play games, jump/slide on the inflatables, eat dinner and have a blast!
Spooky Tickets
Tickets and wristbands will be on sale before and after school the week before Spooky. Credit Cards are now accepted as well as cash and checks. Avoid long lines and sell-outs by getting what you need in advance. Tickets and wristbands will be for sale at the event and we will be taking cash or charge only. No checks on Saturday.
Volunteers Needed!!!
★★★ To sign up, go to:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0A4EAFAA29A02-spooky/1694457 ★★★
Wow, Spooky Spaghetti Is Only A Few Days Away! We Are Looking For Volunteers For Ticket Sales, Setup, Cleanup, And Kitchen Help. If You Have Not Signed-Up Yet, Please Do So Now. We Need 100% Participation From All Parents, To Make This Fall Fundraiser Successful! It Is A Great Way To Meet Other Parents, And Your Kids Will Be Thrilled! See you all, October 19th! Thanks again, Elecia Wheeler, Spooky Co-Chair
Spooky Spaghetti is happening this week!
Help Needed for ALL POSITIONS:
★Setup 8am-coolers, tables, generators, and etc.
★Setup 12:30 Cafeteria decorations & Booths
★Kitchen Help 5 - 6 PM Serve & Collect Tickets
★Kitchen Help 6 - 7 PM Serve & Collect Tickets
★Kitchen Help 7 - 8 PM Serve & Collect Tickets
★Ticket Sales 4- 5 PM
★Ticket Sales 5 - 6 PM
★Ticket Sales 6 - 7 PM
★Ticket Sales 7 - 8 PM
★Cleanup 8:00 PM -? the more the merrier!
To volunteer, please contact Elecia Wheeler and Jen Griffith @ ewheeler9@att.net
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| SEUSSICAL JR. MUSICAL | |
 Mark Twain Odyssey of the Mind presents Seussical Jr.
This full-filled musical production brings all of your favorite Seuss characters to the stage in a show appropriate for all ages.
Thursday, October 24, 6 PM
& Friday, October 25, 6 PM
Tickets are for sale in the front rotunda before and after school. All proceeds will benefit the Odyssey of the Mind program at Mark Twain.
Tickets are only $5 each. The production will have a 2-night run on Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25 at 6:00 pm. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Mark Twain Odyssey of the Mind program.
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| MILLIONAIRE CLUB WINNERS | |
All Twain Tigers that participated in the Millionaire Club 2013 Summer Reading Program are winners of a great summer reading experience.
This past summer, as an incentive to increase participation, Mark Twain held a drawing for a pair of iPod shuffles, one for a boy and one or a girl. All you needed to do was to submit a Millionaire Club Reading Log that is signed by their parent, caregiver or teacher.
The winners of the iPod Shuffles were:
Audrey Conklin- Ms. Brown- Kindergarten
and
Elliot Anderson - Sra. Rangel - 1st Grade
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| UNIVERSITY INTERCOLLEGIATE LEAGUE (UIL) | |
The Mark Twain UIL team had an outstanding performance at the University Intercollegiate League (UIL) tournament on October 12th. There were events ranging from math and music to art and oral interpretation.
The team is being led this year by Mrs. Rota SROTA@houstonisd.org
and Mrs. Dennis JDENNIS3@houstonisd.org. Mrs. Rota is primarily coaching 2nd and 3rd graders. Mrs. Dennis is leading the 4th and 5th graders. If you want more information, contact the appropriate coach for your grade level.
Students from 2nd to 5th grade competed at the UIL tournament. Below are the names of our winners.
★Twain won 2nd place overall!★
Creative Writing
Finalist - Kate Rota
1st place - Leo Solitare-Renaldo
Dictionary
2nd place -Katherine Willcockson
Impromtu Speaking
Finalist - Annie Zhu
2nd place - Shirley Zhu
Listening
2nd place - William Deacon
Maps, Graphs, and Charts - Team Award
Finalist - William Deacon
2nd place - Kathering Willcockson
1st place - Jacob Nguyen
Number Sense - Team Award
1st place tie - Annie Zhu and Shirley Zhu
Ready Writing - 3/4 grade
1st place - Madeleine Schlegel
Ready Writing - 5/6 grade
2nd place - Shirley Zhu
Social Studies-Team Award
Finalist - Shirley Zhu
2nd place - William Deacon
1st place - Annie Zhu
Solo Acting
1st place - Jennifer Hamad
Spelling 3/4 grade
Finalist - Prisha Multani
3rd place - Elaan Narang
2nd place - Alex Borsos
Spelling 5/6 grade
3rd place - Isaac Arun
2nd place - Jacob Nuygen
Storytelling K-2
Finalists - Kate Rota, Olivia Dennis, and Leo Solitare-Renaldo
A round of applause to our Coaches Mrs. Rota & Mrs. Dennis! Great job everyone!
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| MIDDLE SCHOOL FORUM | |
Choosing a Middle School
Mark Twain PTO will host a Middle School Forum for Twain families on Monday, October 28 from 6:30-8 PM. Students are welcome to attend this session. Middle schools will share briefly about their programs and application criteria, and then parents and students can visit booths to learn more about each individual school. The following HISD schools have been invited:
T H Rogers
Pershing
Pin Oak
Lanier
Johnston
Hamilton
Girls' Prep
Boys' Prep If there is a school you would like to see that is not on the current list please let Sue Deigaard sjd@alumni.rice.edu know and she will invite them. Date on PTO calendar is wrong. The Middle School Forum will be Oct. 28 6:30 PM - 8 PM in the Twain cafeteria.
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| MATH NIGHT- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! | |
 A Twain Tiger in King Arthur's Court
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
5:30-7:30pm
Come one, Come all! Come expand your math minds and enjoy an evening of family fun with the Twain community at our annual Mark Twain Math Night. All ages are welcome to join in our quests:
- Merlin's Potions
- 12 Knghts of the Round Table
- Lancelot's Crusade
- Race to the Holy Grail
- Amazing Mazes
- Raffle Prizes
- and many, many more!
Lots of volunteers are needed, no math mastery required.
Please follow this link to sign up:
No RSVP necessary, come for any amount of time you can.
James Coney Island will have hot dog dinners for sale, Ben & Jerry's ice cream will be out with their ice cream cart, and both of these generous supporters are donating a portion of proceeds back to Mark Twain.
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| PERSHING FIRST LOOK | |
 Attention 5th grade parents. You and parents from other
zoned schools are invited to get an inside look at your child's
middle school. Pershing Middle School First Look will take
place on the evening of Tuesday, October 29,2013 from 6-8pm
at Pershing , 3838 Blue Bonnet.
This event allows parents to take a tour of the school, meet
Principal Kim Heckman and hear from your child's counselor.
Plan to have your questions answered and enjoy the opportunity
to meet other parents with children already in attendance.
We hope you will come and see firsthand what makes Pershing,
your zoned middle school, a great choice for next year.
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| TWAIN LIBRARY HEROES | |
 Thanks to Kyrsten Crawford who brought her mom from Phoenix and helped with the Easy section! A big thank you to Natalie Sieler who came by on Friday morning and cleared the Non-Fiction cart; by Friday afternoon it was full again. And thank you to Rene and the crew that came in a the end of the day Friday! Suzy Brown was in and noted how badly the shelves needed to he "read". I cannot stress enough how important it is for the shelves to be in order , and this requires requires they be "read'"!
Anyone who can adopt a section of the library and read the shelves for that section would be a library hero! Take a few minutes a couple of times a week and give it a go! New faces are always welcome! Thank for all of your support! Glenn Deering, GDEERING@houstonisd.org, Library Media Specialist, MLS, 713-295-5230
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| +SNAX | |
Look at your family, your school community, your child's class, team, cast, or troop. How do people treat each other? Do you wish it were different? Ask yourself a few questions ...
Are the adults in the group modeling positive, upstanding, peaceful behavior? When adults make mistakes - like being overly aggressive, like humiliating, excluding or labeling people - does the group expect them to reflect and change? Are people in the group encouraged to come forward to discuss concerns - or are they treated badly for daring to question the status quo? Do ideas and information flow freely among stakeholders?
We live in a bullying society because too often it is too difficult for too many of us to speak up to the strong, provocative people in our lives. If we're honest, we will see that we create the environments in which we live, learn, and work by our action - and our inaction. As excruciating as it can sometimes be, we must talk to people and not about people, in a peaceful manner. We must find our +Voice. It's complicated, yet so simple at the same time.
Let's get real and ask each other: Whom do we want to be as a family, a team, a school, a community? How are we going to get there? Are we willing to speak up for peace and progress? And if so, what is the most constructive way to take action?
+Works (pronounced Positive Works) is a parent-driven, grass roots, nonprofit organization serving as a catalyst for positive community change on adult and student bullying and other trending issues keeping adults and kids in our neighborhoods up at night.
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| A +Artsy Evening | |
 Houston Playback Theatre:An audience member tells a story, chooses actors to play the roles - and then watches as their story is immediately and artistically recreated.
Music Doing Good:
Core artists collaborate in a world-class musical entertainment experience.
Alley Theatre: Actors read from a zany and compelling new children's play debuting Spring 2014.
This +Artsy Evening is going to be SO cool! A little theatre. A little music. And a lot of +Fun Wednesday, October 23 at St. Paul's School located 5501 Main, Houston TX 77004 +Works (pronounced Positive Works) is a parent-driven, grass roots, nonprofit organization serving as a catalyst for positive community change on adult and student bullying and other trending issues keeping adults and kids in our neighborhoods up at night. Back To Top |
| LAMAR CHEER & DANCE CLINIC | | | Rebecka Dueñez (Mark Twain Alumni) and her Rangerette Dance sponsor, Tara Williams, are inviting you to a Cheer and Dance Clinic that will be held on October 26th at Lamar High School.
On Saturday morning starting at 8:30 a.m. the young Cheerleaders and Dancers will learn cheers and a dance to perform at the Football game on Saturday night (6 PM/Delmar Stadium) when the Lamar Redskins take on the Madison Marlins.
Click Here For Flyer & Registration
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| BE A CHEERLEADER FOR A DAY | |
Bellaire High School Cheerleaders invite you to a fun day of learning cheers and dances. Lunch, picture with the Cardinal mascot and a party favor will be provided.
$45 if registered by Nov. 8, $50 after Nov. 8
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Bellaire High School, Multi-Purpose Room
5100 Maple Street, Bellaire, 77401
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Performance starts at 1:30 in the Auditorium
Open to all Girls in Kindergarten-8th Grade
Register by Nov. 8 to be sure to receive the cheer t-shirt. Due to ordering deadlines, late registration and walk-ins are not guaranteed a t-shirt. Space is limited and once we've reached capacity we may not be able to accommodate walk-ins. Please sign up early!
Checks made payable to BHS. Please mail registration form(attached here) and check payable to BHS to:
Gina Taylor, 809 N. Third Street, Bellaire, TX 77401.
Forms must be postmarked by Nov. 8 to qualify for early bird discount.
Sorry, no refunds after you've registered.
Questions? Contact Gina Taylor at ginataylor41@att.net
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| UPWARD BASKETBALL | |
Upward Basketball is a very positive, non-competitive league with emphasis on teaching fundamental skills, teamwork and sportsmanship. There is 1 practice a week and 1 game on Saturday morning (Dec - beg. of Feb). You can register online right now at www.wubc.org/upward.
There is a mandatory evaluation coming today 10/15. This is simple and quick. The teams are picked to have equal talent as a whole. Please email me if you have any questions after reading the info below.
Upward is a ministry of West University Baptist and Crosspoint Church to the community. Sign up now and I will see you in October at one of our evaluation nights! Click Here for Flyer
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| NAME THAT BOOK | | Name That Book 3-5
"Oggie Cooder" is being REMOVED from the 3-6 Name That Book ("NTB") list because it is out of print. There will not be a replacement title, so this year's 3-6 Name That Book List will only have 34 titles.
If you have questions about NTB, contact our school Librarian Mr. Deering or Kyrsten Crawford at kyrsten.crawford@gmail.com.
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| NEW DIRECTORY LINK COMING SOON | |
 Follow the instructions to confirm your family information for the printed directory. Be sure to assign a teacher to each of your Twain Tiger Students and enter your initials as the last step. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE NEW DIRECTORY PROGRAM, please email Alva Allen at twaindirectory@hotmail.com
Check your SPAM, Junk Email, Promotion or Social files/tabs
for email from twaindirectory@hotmail.com for your Directory Update Link. Please note that you can "OPT OUT" for primary or secondary address, phone or email being displayed in the Online or Printed directory. Back To Top |
| TX VOTER ID LAW | | |
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| MAGNET APPLICATION ONLINE SYSTEM | | |
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| VOLUNTEERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (VIPS) | |
How can I become a VIPS?
All volunteers must register online and pass a criminal background check before they can participate as a volunteer. Please follow the steps below to become a VIPS:
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Step 1: |
Register online at www.houstonisd.org/vipslogin. | |
Step 2: |
Once you have registered, you must go in person to the school of interest and show proof of identification (see Ms. Cisneros at the front desk) | |
Step 3: |
Identification information will go into our database for processing by the Volunteer Coordinator at each campus. | |
Step 4: |
The criminal history background check can take 2-3 weeks to complete. | |
Step 5: |
Once you are CLEARED to volunteer, you are eligible to volunteer throughout HISD. |
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| CHILD FIND | | |
Child Find is an ongoing process to locate, identify, and evaluate as early as possible all children with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services. Houston ISD has produced Child Find informational flyers in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The flyers are designed to be disseminated on your school's website or can be printed and shared with parents and others who have a child with a disability or who they suspect has a disability.
Flyers
Access the flyers by clicking on the links below:
English Flyer Spanish Flyer Vietnamese Flyer
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| FUNDRAISING THROUGH ONLINE SHOPPING | | |
Dear Mark Twain Parents and Friends,
Back to School shopping season is upon us! Mark Twain has partnered with BookBenefits.org to take advantage of cash benefits available to non-profits. Our school will receive a donation of 5% of your total purchases made on sites such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Toms, Groupon, iTunes and over 37 online retailers!!!
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to ensure that Mark Twain gets credited for your purchases on these sites:
1. Go to http://bookbenefit.org/marktwain/ to access the site. (Be sure to bookmark your favorite sites with the Mark Twain link.) Since Amazon is such a widely used retailer, please see the specific link for their site http://www.amazon.com/?tag=bkben0013-20
2. Click on the link for the online retailer of your choice.
3. Complete purchases as you normally would.
4. BookBenefits.org will send Mark Twain PTO a check quarterly with our contributions.
Spread the word to your friends and family and encourage them to use the BookBenefits.org links for their online shopping. Supporting Mark Twain has never been so easy!!!
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| BTFE BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION | |
Our goal this school year is $3,000. Keep clipping those Box Tops For Education coupons from participating products for submission to your Twain Tiger's classroom!
Also, please register at btfe.com to support Mark Twain Elementary in Houston Texas!
Visit Kroger's RewardYourSchool.com to see the 10 eBoxTop offer when you buy five (5) of the participating cereals.
Visit Randall's 2Ways2Earn.com to see the 20 EBoxTop and 8 eBoxTop offers. You must login to this website to activate the offers prior to making your purchase.
 | | Click on image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per day through 10/31/2013. |
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 | | Click on image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per Day through 7/17/2014. |
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| TURKEY TROT | | |
21st Annual TXU Energy Turkey Trot
The 21st Annual TXU Energy Turkey Trot benefiting the Sheltering Arms Senior Services and Neighborhood Centers will be held on November 28, 2013.
More information available at www.HoustonTurkeyTrot.org or by contacting Renae Virata at 713-669-5380 or rvirata@shelteringarms.org
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CALENDARS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO | | |
The Mark Twain Track Team will be returning for the 2013-2014 school year. More information will be coming in November and December.
Art A La Carte is an art curriculum that was purchased, and is supported by the Mark Twain PTO. For additional information contact Sonal Patel, 240.888.6732, sonalpatel628@gmail.com
Marathon Kids Challenge - Run/Walk 26.2 miles over six months, in quarter or half mile increments thru March 20, 2014.
The Mark Twain Triathlon is tentatively scheduled for March 2014. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact: Monica Agosta magosta69@gmail.com |
For more information check out:
Forward questions to twaintimes10@yahoo.com. If you have information you would like to include in the Twain Times please follow the following procedures:
- For Parents - forward information to our PTO President, Tony Houck at tvhouck@msn.com for approval.
- For Staff - forward information to Ms. Patin for approval at mpatin@houstonisd.org
- Details needed for Twain Times:
- Each Volunteer needs to send a copy of the approved email to Rita Lee at twaintimes10@yahoo.com. It is your responsibility for sending the posting and attachments. It is not Mr. Houck or Ms. Patin responsibility to forward emails. Please only send your postings to twaintimes10@yahoo.com, not to any other email.
- Provide text for your listing in the email or in a WORD document.
- Please consider using bitly.com to shorten any web addresses or a URL.
- If you want a flyer included, it must be submitted in PDF format.
- If you want a logo or image to appear in your listing, provide it in jpg, gif or png format. Go to this link http://bit.ly/1fxcCDH for guidance on logos and images.
- If you want the logo or image to be linked to a website, please include the website address for your image or logo in your email.
- If you want the logo or image to have a caption, please specify text for caption.
- If you want a video link, provide the URL for the video
- Submission deadlines for all approved articles are Thursdays by 5pm for the Twain Times that will be issued the following week.
- Note that we will not include student full name unless we have parent permission.
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