Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter
School Year 2013 - 2014
Greeting, Mailing List and Calendar

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October 

29th  Math Night 5:30 PM

29th  Pershing First Look 6 PM

30th  Early Dismissal

30th  Parent-Teacher Conf 

31st  Free Dress Day-Halloween

 

November 

1st  Art A La Carte (K-2nd) 8 AM

1st  Corporate Sponsor Breakfast

4th  Art A La Carte (3rd-5th) 8 AM

4th - 8th  Magnet Awareness Wk

4th - 8th  LDC Tours 1 PM

5th  Election Day

7th  Parent Enrichment Book Club

8th  Dad's Camp Out

11th - 15th  Book Fair

13th  PTO Meeting 6 PM

15th  Family Fun Day

18th  +Talk 7 PM

20th  Early Dismissal 

22nd  Dual Language Info 8 AM

22nd Monthly Staff Appreciation

27th - 29th  Thanksgiving Holiday 

In This Issue
Math Night
Dad's Camp Out
Pershing First Look
Online Fundraising
Art A La Carte
Book Fair
Name That Book
Twain Library Heroes
Parent Enrichment
School Store
School Directory
Yearbook Orders
Dual Language Program
Seussical The Musical
Spooky Spaghetti Winners
VIPS
Locks of Love
Be A Cheerleader For A Day
TX Voter ID Law
Online Magnet Application Info
Child Find
BTFE
+SNAX
+TALK
Turkey Trot
Calendars and Other Info
Thank You to our 2013 -2014 Corporate Sponsors
  

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Candelaris

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October 29, 2013

Dear Parents,

  

The first nine weeks of the school year came to a close on Friday and I have to say I am quite pleased with how the year has gone thus far. The teachers are working hard to provide the highest quality instruction and an environment that encourages students to grow academically, socially and emotionally. My visits to the classrooms have been so inspiring that I actually came home one day and decided to download a book one of the classes is reading!

 

Last week I sent out a Living Tree message about parking at Sheltering Arms being restricted. I know this was disappointing news for a number of you that were parking in that area. Parking around the school is limited, so please be mindful of the signage and the neighbors surrounding the school. The constable has been present most mornings as a reminder that when parking on the streets we should not park too close to the corner and we should never block someone's driveway. The carpool lane, particularly between 7:30-7:45, is a good option in the morning.   I have met with city officials to discuss ways to improve traffic flow, signage and school zones around the school.   As information is provided I will pass it along.

 

The weeks between now and the Winter Holidays are packed with events most of which rely heavily on parent participation. I hope that you will look at your busy schedules and find ways to volunteer for some of these events. They are a lot of fun and benefit the children and school community.

Reminders:

  • Our attendance goal is 98% - please make every effort to have your child at school each day unless they are not feeling well. Attendance is taken at 9:30 a.m. each day.
  • The bell has been fixed so that it rings at 8:00 a.m. computer time. Children should be in their classrooms at this time.
  • Please do not bring dogs or cats into the building!!
  • Please do not feed the feral cats that are living out back by the dumpsters! We have seen evidence of raccoons and opossums which may be attracted by the food. We have asked for assistance dealing with this issue.
  • There are plans to have a sidewalk built along the carpool lane for those that travel this way. A contractor came out on Thursday.

Events:

  • Tues, Oct 29 - Math Night - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Wed, Oct 30 -Early Dismissal - 12:30 p.m. Parent/Teacher Conferences (teachers will accommodate any parent unable to attend on this date)
  • Thurs, Oct 31 - Free Dress Day - we had such a big turnout for Spooky Spaghetti Supper that I am giving everyone a Free Dress Pass. No costumes, please!
  • Fri, Nov 1 - Corporate Sponsor Breakfast - 8:00 a.m. in the library
  • Nov 4 thru Nov 8 - Magnet Awareness Week- Our magnet program is the Literary Development Center which benefits all students at Mark Twain. We are proud of this program and the families that it brings into our community. Tours are everyday at 1:00 p.m. during Magnet Week.
  • Tue, Nov 5 -Election Day - we are a polling location (no tours)

Have a great week.

Melissa Patin

Principal

MA+H NIGHT TONIGHT
A Twain Tiger In King Arthur's Court
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED


A Twain Tiger in King Arthur's Court
TONIGHT, October 29, 2013, 5:30-7:30pm

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 enjoy the fun for any amount of time you can. All ages welcome.

Volunteers are still needed! No math mastery required. PLEASE follow this link to sign up if you can:Sign Up Here


If you have any questions, please contact Irene Chang  icchang@prodigy.net or Megan Rose meganrose72@gmail.com

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. 

 DAD'S CAMP OUT

Mark Twain Dad's Club 6th Annual

 

Dad's Camp Out 

 

Please join the Mark Twain Dad's Club for pizza, movie, activities and sleeping under the stars at our school!!!

 

Friday Night, November 8th - check in between 5:00 and 5:30 PM

 

You can pitch a tent on the school playground, campout under the pavillion, or sleep in the cafeteria (sleeping bags only in cafeteria) or just come for dinner and fun.

 

$10/dad's, $5/kiddos.

 

Register or sign up to volunteer online at www.marktwainpto.org

 

Contact Kelly James at kmattj62@gmail.com or (832)606-8536

PERSHING FIRST LOOK

Pershing Middle School Pandas 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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ONLINE FUNDRAISING FOR MARK TWAIN

Dear Mark Twain Parents and Friends, 

 

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  Mark Twain's Book Benefit Link to access the site. (Be sure to bookmark your favorite sites with the Mark Twain link.) 
  2. Since Amazon is such a widely used retailer, please see the specific link for their site Mark Twain's Amazon Funraising Link.
  3. Click on the link for the online retailer of your choice.
  4. Complete purchases as you normally would.
  5. 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 links for their online shopping. Supporting Mark Twain has never been so easy!!!

 

Isn't Online Fundraising better than going door-to-door selling or asking co-workers and family to buy something from a fundraising list? 

ART A LA CARTE
Hello, Parents!
 
Please join me in the cafeteria after morning drop-off for Art A La Carte tutorials on Friday, November 1st for K-2, as well as Monday, November 4th for 3-5. Looking forward to seeing my Volunteer Coordinators, AALC volunteer teachers for November, as well as any   interested parents! 
 
"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see"

Edgar Degaspumpkin

  
Sonal Patel, Arts Enrichment Director, Mark Twain Elementary
 MARK TWAIN BOOK FAIR 2013

Paws For Reading"Paws for Reading"

 

November 11th-15th

Hours:

Monday-Thursday:

7:30 AM - 4 PM and

 

Friday: 7:30 AM - 12 PM

 

Save the Date:

FAMILY FUN NIGHT - Thursday Nov 14th from 5-7 pm

 

We will have books, games, crafts, animal visitors, Firehouse Subs, raffle items, free dress passes, and much more!

 

We need lots of volunteers to help with Book Fair and Family Fun Night, please sign up on the link below: Book Fair SignUpGenius

 

Contacts: Jennifer Fernandez at jennifer@newcombscientific.com or Holly Lee at hollyzlee@yahoo.com

 
NAME THAT BOOK
Name That Book sign-Ups

Name That Book 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. 

 

 

TWAIN LIBRARY HEROES

Library Heroes Adopt A Shelf 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
  
PARENT ENRICHMENT
Book Club
child-ghost-costume.jpgBook Club Meeting Thursday, November 7th 8:15 AM in the cafeteria.  This month we will be discussing "Safe kids, smart parents" by Rebecca Bailey.  Dr. Bailey is a family psychologist who has worked with many victims of abduction.  The book discusses how to talk about this serious subject with our children and strategies to help keep them safe. 

 

As with all parent education events, you do NOT need to have finished or even to have read the book to participate.  Come share a cup of coffee and some interesting conversation with your fellow Twain parents. 

 

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 SCHOOL STORE

Backpack

Back Pack

PTO School Store

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 

 

Friday Mornings:    7:45 - 8:15 AM

&  

Friday afternoons:  3:00 - 3:30 PM

 

Contact Camora Kuo for more info camora.kuo@gmail.com

 

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SCHOOL DIRECTORY

School Directory The 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 Yearbook Orders being accepted now. 

 

Yearbook price is $40

 

Yearbook with Personalized Nameplate = $45

 

Order online at:  Yearbook Order Link 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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 DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM

 

Halloween costumes Any family interested in the  Dual Language Program (Spanish/English) available at Mark Twain is invited to an informational meeting on November 22nd at 8 AM in the cafeteria. For additional info contact Rita Garcia-Prats at ritagarciaprats@gmail.com

 

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 SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL Jr               
Seussical JrMany thanks to the cast, crew, and families that helped to make Seussical a HUGE success!  With two sold out shows and many generous donors of time, talent and money, we were able to raise over $4,500 for Mark Twain's Odyssey of the Mind program.  Tonya Crombie and Tina Hulten did an amazing job with the cast as did Chuck Reynaldo with the scenery and props. 
 
Oh, the thinks we can think . . .

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SPOOKY SPAGHETTI CONTEST WINNERS

Spooky Spaghetti CarnivalPumpkin Contest 
1st-  Arian Diaz
2nd- Alexander Agosta
3rd- Ella Malinsky
Honorable- Sofia Rassin
Creative- Ellie Plummer
Best Carved- Aiden Escobar
Painted- Graydon Colvin

  Spooky T Costume Contest
K-1st
1st- Kate Swales
2nd- Alex Zak
3rd-Devika Kurup

2nd-3rd
1st-Dylan Rowan
2nd-Elle Abaza
3rd-Sydney Varner

4th-5th
1st-Kalli Davidson & Cole Johnson2011_Spooky_logo
2nd-Henry Hafner
3rd-Natalie Mafrige
 
Booth Winners
1st - Cake Walk - Ms. Isgur's, Ms. Reed's and Ms. Blake's Classrooms
2nd - Bats in the Belfry - Ms. Sigmon's Classroom
3rd - Pumpkin Bowling - Ms. Nathan's Classroom
4th -  Cotton Candy - Ms. Barrera's Classroom

Thank you all for entering, You All are Winners to us!
VOLUNTEER IN PUBLIC SCHOOL

HalloweenHow 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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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 (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.
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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TEXAS VOTER ID LAW

Note change to TX Voter ID Law described at this

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

 

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ONLINE MAGNET APPLICATION INFO

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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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). 

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.

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+SNAX

Following is sometimes the boldest form of leadership. In this hilarious and highly-relevant 3-minute TED Talk, "How to Start a Movement," Derek Sivers show us it's one thing to be the "shirtless dancing guy" - the leader who starts something radical. It's another to stand up and dance with him.

 

 

Watch "shirtless dancing guy" and the leaders who helped him on this  Vimeo.  

 

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+Talk

We are excited to introduce a new +Talk on mental health.

 

Details:

Title: EVERYBODY's GOT SOMETHING! Reframing mental health as a
+Community.
Speaker: Dr. March Laviage, Clinical Psychologist & President, Texas Psychological Assn.
Date: Monday, Nov 18, 2013
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Mark Twain Elementary -- Thank you, Melissa Patin, for hosting!

As you know, we always have our +Ears to the ground listening for trending issues keeping adults and kids up at night. Mental health has emerged as a hot topic that is so essential yet so challenging to discuss.

Please join us in promoting +Talk II to your +School communities.  

Poster Attached Here!
 

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
  

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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.