Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter

School Year 2013 - 2014

Twain Times 

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In This Issue
Reminders From Mrs. Patin
Seussical Jr. Musical
Red Ribbon Week
Bash Update Meeting
Computer Cleaning
Middle School Forum
Math Night
Name That Book
Online Fundraising
Twain Library Heroes
Persing First Look
School Directory
Yearbook Orders
Locks of Love
VIPS
Lamar Cheer & Dance Clinic
Be a Cheerleader For A Day
TX Voter ID Law
Magnet Applications
Child Find
BTFE
+Snax
A +Artsy Evening
Turkey Trot
Calendars and Other Useful Info
CALENDAR

October

 

23rd Wear Your Monster Mash Shirt

23rd Bash Update Meeting

24th Wear Crazy Socks

24th Seussical Jr First Show 6 PM

25th Seussical Jr Last Show 6 PM

25th Wear Your Favorite College Shirt

25th  Monthly Staff Appreciation Luncheon 10:30 am - 12:45 pm

26th Computer Cleaning

28th  Middle School Forum 6:30 PM

29th  Math Night 5:30 PM

29th  Pershing First Look

30th  Early Dismissal with Extended Day Coverage

30th  Parent-Teacher Conferences  

 

 

 

 Thank You To Our 2013-2014
Corporate Sponsors 

  

Platinum Level

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold Level   

  

 
  
  
  
HoustonOrthodontics
  
  
 Stormy Hayes-Knipe logo 
  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver Level   

  Brochsteins_logo

 

Texas Citizens Bank logo 

 

Village_plumbing_logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Partners Level

 

 

gc3_logo_houston

     

The Lice Place

TheLicePlace.com

 

 

 

 

Pure_body_studio_logo

 

Vivaldi Music

VivaldiMusicAcademy.com 

 

 

 

 

Candelaris

Candelaris.com

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 
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October 22, 2013

Dear Mark Twain Families,

 

Spooky Spaghetti was a HUGE success on Saturday! A "Spooktacular" thank you to the dynamic duo, (who really outdone their selves with all of the handmade décor) - Elecia Wheeler and Jennifer Griffith - the entire Yummy Mummy Spooky team, all parent, teacher, staff and student volunteers, Mrs. Patin, and our Plant Operator, Mr. Lucky and his crew for all your hard work and dedication to our school. The kids had a blast! I loved seeing all the creative costumes and the pumpkin decorating contest. It was amazing to see the entire Mark Twain community come together for a night of fun, singing, dancing, games and good food!

 

  • Thank you to Kathryn Schultz and Tiffany Hawkins for organizing a wonderful Kinder Pizza Party two weeks ago. What a wonderful Mark Twain tradition.
  • A big thank you to Sarah Callahan Baker for planning the Informational Coffee for prospective Mark Twain families. We had a great turnout.

A few reminders for the week:

  • Suessical the Musical Jr. will be presented this week by our very own Odyssey of the Mind Troup. There will be two performances. One on Thursday, October 24th and a second on Friday, October  25th. Tickets are available now at the rotunda, or will be available at the door. Come out and support our kids. They have put their hearts and souls into this event.
  • All fliers and forms for the Red Folders must be submitted to Tony Houck (PTO or Parent information) or to Mrs. Patin (school staff information) for approval before the forms will be placed in the Red folders. Please request approval and have forms ready by Monday at Noon.  All copies should be made in sets of 28 for 36 classrooms, and collated horizontally and vertically. If you have any questions, please contact our weekly communications folder director, Emily Alvarez at ewwpanama@gmail.com.
  • For those of you thinking about your child's next step to middle school, Monday, October 28th is our Middle School Forum at 6:30 pm in the cafeteria. I strongly encourage any fourth and fifth grade parents and students to attend to learn more about middle school options.  Representatives from Pin Oak, Pershing, Johnston, Lanier and more are confirmed to attend.  For more information, please contact Sue Deigaard at sjd@alumni.rice.edu.
  • Please mark your calendars for Math Night which will be on Tuesday, October 29th from 5:30-7:30pm. Enjoy a night of games and family fun for all ages!

 

Have a great week!

 

Tony Houck

Mark Twain PTO President

tvhouck@msn.com

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IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MRS. PATIN

Dear Parents,

 

Late yesterday I received word that Sheltering Arms will be restricting access to their employee parking lot and will be locking the gate between their parking lot and the sidewalk entering the Mark Twain property behind kindergarten. Please do not drop your children off in this location. They will not be able to enter the school grounds from that area.

 

Parent-Teacher Conferences are Wednesday, October 30th - Teachers will be scheduling conferences on Wednesday and throughout the week to accommodate those parents wishing to meet.

 

The tardy bell rings at 8:00 AM - we have reset our clocks to match the time on computers.   If you arrive after the bell you must get a tardy slip in the main office.

 

Middle School Forum - Monday, October 28th

 

Math Night - Tuesday, October 29th

 

Spooky Spaghetti Supper was a grand success. Thanks to Elecia Wheeler, Jennifer Griffith and the team for their hard work in making it a memorable experience for the Mark Twain Community.

 
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SEUSSICAL JR. MUSICAL

Seussical the Musical Jr comes to Mark Twain Elementary School
  
THIS WEEK - THURSDAY AND FRIDAY ONLY!
  
Tickets are only $5!

  
This fun-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/after school and will be available for purchase at the door. You can also purchase tickets or make a donation to Oddyssey of the Mind online at https://www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/register.asp?m=216&c=81.
  
All proceeds will benefit the Odyssey of the Mind program at Mark Twain.  For more information, contact Deanna Sheaffer at deannasheaffer@yahoo.com or at 713-419-9477.

 

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RED RIBBON WEEK

 

RedRibbonAgainstDrugsWe wore Red on Monday and Mismatched Shoes on Tuesday to show our support for leading a Drug Free life.

 

Show your support:

 

Wednesday, Oct. 23rd - Wear Your Monster Mash Shirt
"Mash Out Drugs"

Thursday Oct. 24th - Wear Crazy Socks
"Sock It To Drugs"

Friday, Oct. 25th - Wear Your Favorite College Shirt

"Live Your Dream - Only Possible If You Are Drug-Free"
  
A Healthy Me is Drug free. 
 
Contact Ms. Rawson, MRAWSON1@houstonisd.org, if you have any questions.

 

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BASH UPDATE MEETING

Please join us for a Bash update meeting on Wednesday, October 23 at 6:30 PM at the home of Kim Marosis (3522 Merrick Street). If you are on a committee or want to join a committee come get updates, exchange ideas and help us get ready for the greatest Gatsby event!  Contact Kim Marosis at kimberly.marosis@triadresources.com for more information.

 

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COMPUTER CLEANING

Computer CleaningMrs. Patin has requested help to clean Twain's computers.  We will need to remove the covers on the desktops, and give them a good cleaning.

 

It is too much work for one to accomplish in a timely manner.

 

All are invited to come get your hands a little dirty. No technical skills needed.

 

Computer cleaning will be completed Saturday, October 26th at 9 AM.    Breakfast will be provided. 

   

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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 5:30-7:30 PM
  
Math Night is a family night of games and activities that invite children to explore how fun the math around us can be.
No RSVP necessary, come for any amount of time you can.
All ages are welcome.

Calling all princesses, wizards and knights! Come to Math Night to join our quests -
  • Merlin's Potions
  • 12 Knghts of the Round Table
  • Lancelot's Crusade
  • Medieval Mazes 
  • and many, many more!  

LOTS of volunteers are still needed, no math mastery required.

         

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NAME THAT BOOK

Name That Book sign-ups

Sign-ups for Name That Book (NTB) are now available in the library. You and/or your child may go in and sign up for either K-2 or 3-5.
  

If you have questions about NTB, contact our school Librarian Mr. Deering or Kyrsten Crawford at kyrsten.crawford@gmail.com.

 
HOLIDAY ONLINE SHOPPING

 Dear Mark Twain Parents and Friends, Back To Top

 

As we move into the holiday shopping season; PLEASE take a moment to update your links for your favorite online retailers.  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!!!

 

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!!!

 

TWAIN LIBRARY HEROES
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! I cannot stress enough how important it is for the shelves to be in order , and this requires requires they be "read'"!
 
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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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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SCHOOL DIRECTORY

SchoolDirectoryThe directory is up and running and everyone should have online access. Login to the online directory at https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/directory-login.a5w

Login with your mobile device at https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/mobile-login.a5w

Questions or issues contact Alva Allen at twaindirectory@hotmail.com
  

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YEARBOOK ORDERS

Yearbook Orders being accepted now. 

 

Yearbook price is $40

Yearbook with Personalized Nameplate = $45

 

Order online at:  https://www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/register.asp?m=216&c=77 

or pay by check (payable to Mark Twain PTO) - attach check to order form and drop in Yearbook mailbox - located in Parent Workroom

 

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LOCKS OF LOVE
LOCKS OF LOVE
Event Coming To Mark Twain

Are you interested in making a HUGE difference in a child's life? If so, please join us in donating to Locks of Love (http://www.locksoflove.org/).
  
Who can donate? We are looking for Mark Twain girls, their moms, sisters, teachers, staff to donate their beautiful locks for a wonderful cause.
  
When?  We will schedule "cutting event" in late May.
  
How?  You will need 10" of hair to make a donation so start growing now.
  
Why?  Because there are thousands of children who suffer from long-term hair loss and we have the ability to make a difference. Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hair pieces for these children. So if you have hair and it grows, you can help!
  
Ready to commit?  If you are 100% committed to participating in this event, please email your name, age and phone number to Ilse Rassin.
  
Interested?   Great! You have plenty of time to think about it while your hair grows. Plus, there will be ways to help even if you choose not to donate hair.
  
Questions?  More info to come as the date approaches, but if you have questions now, please email
Ilse Rassin (ilserassin@gmail.com) or
Luisa Puerto (alpuertogomez@gmail.com).
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:

 

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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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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TX VOTER ID LAW

Note change to TX Voter ID Law described at this

link --> http://hisdacademics.org/2013/09/23/texas-voter-id-law/

 

Tenga en cuenta que cambiar la Ley Electoral TX ID descrito en este link.

 

注意改变德克萨斯州的选民身份法"在这个环节

 

ملاحظة تغيير لTX القانون رقم الناخب صفها على هذا الرابط

 

 

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MAGNET APPLICATION ONLINE SYSTEM 

Online Magnet Application information is available at http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/75072

 

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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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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 the Bonus Sweepstakes images below to enter for a chance to win eBoxTops for Mark Twain.  Note that PO Box addresses are typically not accepted for online Bonus Sweepstakes and will be marked void should you win eBoxTops for Mark Twain.  Each eBoxTop is worth $0.10 (10 cents). 

 

BTFE Ghostly
 Click on image above to enter.  One (1) Entry per person/email address per day through 10/31/2013.
BTFESendCheer
Click on image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per Day through 7/17/2014.
                                               

 

 
+SNAX                                                                                 
Add a description

This is all your fault ... 

 

It hadn't been an easy start to seventh grade. Her child was struggling to find a group of good friends, and it was really hard to watch.

A group of older friends had given her strong advice over the years, in particular, "No group sleepovers in middle school!" They talked openly of their kids sneaking out "back in the day," riding their bikes all over town, drinking beer, pranking, and getting into all kinds of trouble. "Spare yourself and your child the agony," they said. "Be smarter than we were."

As her child's invitation to a group sleepover stared out from her inbox, she pondered the situation in a way she thought was rational. "I know these parents. I like their child, and the kids invited seem nice. Maybe just this once we'll say yes."

The minute she saw her child the morning after the party, she knew something was wrong. She thanked the hosts and backed out of the driveway. "How was it?" she asked, as they turned the corner headed for home. Her child's eyes grew wide, and the tears flowed. He had seen something extremely degrading on someone's cell phone at the party and was very upset and confused, part of his innocence now lost.

Before she could gather her thoughts much less her words, he looked her right in the eye - and let her have it. "This is all your fault because you broke your own rule!"

And all she could say was, "You are absolutely right, and I am so sorry."

 

- See more at: http://blog.positivethinkingworks.org/#sthash.7dGyUvTE.dpuf

 - Send an email to aware@positivethinkingworks.org if you want to be on their +SNAX mailing list.
 

+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. 
  
A +Artsy Evening
+Supporters: 
We have had several inquiries about bringing kids to +Artsy, and we appreciate the interest very much. Our +Events are geared toward adults (with the exception of our Spring +Concert). That said, upper-elementary+ students are welcome. 
  
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
  
SAVE Your +SEATS TODAY by RSVP to aware@positivethinkingworks.org
  
+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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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. 
  
Register now at HoustonTurkeyTrot.org for the 10K, 5K, Wheelchair or Kids Run/Walk!

More information available at www.HoustonTurkeyTrot.org or by contacting Renae Virata at 713-669-5380 
or rvirata@shelteringarms.org
  
 
CALENDARS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO
 
  
HISD Lunch Calendar English Espanol
HISD Lunch Menus: http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/68611
HISD Lunch Payment Online: https://www.parentonline.net/Public/Login.aspx

PTO School Store Volunteers Always Needed!  Please consider volunteering for a 30 Minute shift Weeday mornings 7:45 - 8:15 AM and Tue, Thur or Fri afternoons from 3 - 3:30 PM.  Contact Camora Kuo at camora.kuo@gmail.com to volunteer.

 

Join Cub Scout Pack 34 now!  The Boy Scouts of America teaches skills such as leadership, communication, and organization.  If you want to join or have any questions please email Cubmaster Sean O'Connor at oconnorhook@gmail.com

 

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VIPS Approval--need to volunteer or go on field trips: http://marktwainpto.org/membership/vips-approval/
  
HISD Parent Student Connect Login (daily grades, progress reports): https://psc.houstonisd.org/ParentStudentConnect/Login.aspx
 
Nov 11th-15th Book Fair, contact Holly Lee (hollyzlee@yahoo.com) or Jennifer Fernandez (jennifer@newcombscientific.com) for information.
  
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

UIL is being led by Mrs. Rota SROTA@houstonisd.org and 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. 
For more information check out:
Mark Twain Elementary PTO website marktwainpto.org 
Mark Twain Elementary School website houstonisd.org/Twaines
HISD website houstonisd.org

 

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.