Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter
School Year 2013 - 2014
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November 

19th  NNAT for Kinder & 5th Gr.

19th-21st Triathlon Registration

20th  Early Dismissal

21st  Picture Re-Takes

22nd  Free Dress Day

22nd  Dual Language Info 8 AM

22nd Monthly Staff Appreciation

22nd  Jump Rope For Heart Campaign Starts

25th  Name That Book (NTB) Meeting

26th Get Fit Friday(on Tuesday!)

27th - 29th  Thanksgiving Holiday 

 

December

Wk 2nd  K-2 NTB Qualifying Tests

3rd  NTB Sign Up Deadline

12th  4th Grade Music Program

19th  Field Day

20th  4th & 5th Grade Bashby Contributions Deadline

In This Issue
Twain Triathlon
Picture Re-Takes
Dual Language Program
Jump Rope For Heart
Name That Book
Get Fit Friday
Bashby Baskets
The Great Bashby
School Store-Gift Cards
Online Fundraising
BTFE
Twain Library Heroes
School Directory
Yearbook Orders
VIPS
Locks of Love
Book Fair
Storybook Parade
Online Magnet Application Info
Child Find
Dance and Hip Hop Junior Clinic
ARTICLE HEADLINE
Girl Scouts
+SNAX
Turkey Trot
WUSA
Calendars and Other Info

 

 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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November 19, 2013

Dear Mark Twain Families,

 

We had a very exciting week of books, books, books... and more books at Mark Twain!    I hope you and your kids will had plenty of opportunities to stock up for everyday reading, gifts for the holidays and even get something for your teachers and classrooms.  Mrs. Patin  led the Storybook Parade on Thursday, and it was a blast seeing all of characters from great literature, young and old. I think I even saw a svelte "Cheshire Cat" from Alice in Wonderland.    Also, I want to give a HUGE thank you to Holly Lee, Jennifer Fernandez and all of their volunteers for all their efforts that made this a wonderful event. 

 

A few shout outs/ reminders for the week:

  • Magnet Week was a great success!  I want to thank Sarah Callahan Baker for coordinating PTO volunteers to assist Janelle Wade and Mrs. Patin with welcoming future Mark Twain families and helping with the school tours.  It is wonderful to show off our IB and LDC programs, our amazing teachers and beautiful facilities.
  • A BIG thank you to Heather Barrow for coordinating the Thanksgiving Food Drive.  All donations will benefit Houston based Kids Meals.  Kids helping kids is a great way to celebrate this season!      
  • 20th   Early Dismissal
  • 21st   Picture Makeup
  • 27th - 29th  Thanksgiving Holiday

Wow! We have had an action packed fall semester... The Back to School Rumble, Classroom Parties, International Pot-luck Dinner, Math Night, the Friends & Family and Corporate Campaigns, Spooky Spaghetti, Community and Spirit Nights, Dad's Club Campout, the Thanksgiving Food Drive, the Book Fair and the list goes on and on...  I am very grateful for all the parent volunteers, amazing teachers and staff and our wonderful leader and Principal, Mrs. Patin.  Your support and dedication to our children is truly what makes Mark Twain so special.

 

Cheshire Cat

Since Mrs Patin is gracing the Twain Times next week, I just wanted to say I hope you all have a restful and happy Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends!

 

 

Peace and Blessing to all,

 

Tony Houck

Mark Twain PTO President

tvhouck@msn.com 

TWAIN TRIATHLON
Twain Triatholon Open registration for the first ever Twain Triathlon will be held in the school rotunda this week (11/19 - 11/21) during drop-off and pick-up times Tuesday-Thursday! The Triathlon will take place on Sunday, March 9, but we need all who are interested to register and start training and collecting sponsors!
  
Registration is $25 and will help to cover the costs for the event, your child's race bag, race bibs, timing bracelet, and additional goodies, all to be provided the day before the race. Your registration packet will include a course map, triathlon distance requirements, and more information on how you and your class can win awards as you compete within your grade level and within your age group! You will also have the opportunity to secure prizes with the amount of donations you secure! 
In addition, you will be able to purchase your "Triathlete in Training" shirt for $10.
We look forward to seeing you next week!
Your Triathlon Team!
  
For questions contact Monica Agosta at magosta69@gmail.com.
  
PICTURE RE-TAKES 11.21.2013
Picture Retakes

Picture Re-Takes

Thursday, November 21, 2013

 

In order to re-take pictures, students will need money or picture packet from this last picture day.

 

Picture money envelopes are available in the Twain Office upon request.

 

Click on Flyer below for prices of the various packages.

 

 Picture Re-Take Flyer  

 

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 DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM

If you are interested in learning more about the dual language program (Spanish/English) available at Mark Twain, please join us in the cafeteria at 8  A.M. on November 22, 2013 for an Informational Coffee.  Mrs. Martinez, dual language coordinator, will answer questions about the program and the process of applying.  You will also have the opportunity to set a date for your child to be tested for next year's placement.  If you are unable to attend on this date, please contact the school office after November 22nd to set up test date.

 

Please pass along the information to neighbors and friends who might also be interested. 
 
If you have any questions you may email Rita Garcia-Prats ritagarciaprats@gmail.com

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JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

Twain Jump Rope For Heart Jump Rope For Heart It takes heart to be a hero! 

  

Beginning November 22nd, Mark Twain will be participating in the annual Jump Rope for Heart campaign!  Students will join millions of other children across the country in a meaningful opportunity to learn how jumping rope is good for the heart and to help save lives. 

 

Help your child get involved! If deciding to participate, help your child raise money to help others who have cardiovascular disease, including kids. You can start now and visit americanheart.org/jump to set up a Web page and e-mail friends/family to make secure donations.   Or use the collection envelope your child will receive.  Whether or not you and your children decide to participate in the fundraising portion of this "event," all students will have the chance to participate in jump rope activities during Physical Education class at the end of our Jump Rope for Heart campaign.

 

Special Notes:

  • Your child will receive thank-you gifts based on the donations he or she collects (or you can elect not to receive them.) 
  • Our school will also earn physical education equipment.
  • For the safety of our children, we ask that your child not go door-to-door or ask strangers for donations.
  • Collection envelopes are due December 16th and are to be turned in to Coach Jody.

Contact Coach Jody at JBourque@houstonisd.org for more information.

 

NAME THAT BOOK

Name That Book Name That Book (NTB) Dates

 

November 25: a brief meeting will be held in the library after school (~3:20) for interested parents and students

December 3: Last day to sign up for NTB qualifying test

Week of December 2: K-2 qualifying test

Week of February 3: 3-5 qualifying test 

March 3 - March 7: K-2 Event

March 25 - April 4: 3-5 Event

 

The team will have 6 weeks to prepare for the EVENT.  Weekly meetings will be held at a date, time and location, to be announced.

 

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Event Site and Book List

 

 

 

3rd - 5th Grade Event Site and Book List

 

 

For questions, email Kyrsten Crawford at kyrsten.crawford@gmail.com or speak with our Librarian, Mr. Deering.

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GET FIT FRIDAY

Get Fit Friday Jog & Run Rise and Shine!  

Our second Fit Friday will be held on a Tuesday this month!  

 

On Tuesday, November 26th, all students, faculty and parents are welcome to jog or walk the track before starting their day!  The fun starts 7:30 in the morning!

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BASHBY BASKETS
Bashby Basket 4th And 5th Grade Baskets

We are accepting monetary donations of cash or check.  You can give them to your room parent or leave a check in Madonna Bauch and Liz Sander's PTO box in the PTO workroom.  All money due by December 20th.   We will use the money to purchase airline gift cards to fill in other baskets for the fundraiser. No gift cards, please.  Please Contact Liz Sanders for questions:  lizsanders7777@sbcglobal.net

 

 

Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd And PALS Baskets

 

We have decided on ONE basket per grade this year.  

 

The assignments per grade are:

  • Kindergarten:  Crayola Basket:  items from Crayola including art paper, crayons, marker, watercolors etc...
  • 1st Grade: Barbie or Super Hero Action basket:  donate Barbie dolls, clothes or accessories or Action Figures or accessories
  • 2nd Grade:  She's a Soccer Mom Basket: Starbucks coffee card, Kolache gift card, travel cup with soccer ball, soccer score pad, pen, clipboard
  • PALS:  Lego Basket
  • 3rd Grade:  Tisket a Tasket a Literary Basket:  Books for elementary school ages

 

Starting, Monday, November 18, we will have boxes labeled for each grade level's basket theme in the rotunda for accepting donations.

 

Please contact Madonna Bauch (K-2nd) madonna5@comcast.net or Liz Sanders lizsanders7777@sbcglobal.net 

 
THE GREAT BASHBY!

Please mark your calendars for a roaring good time and join us at The Great Bashby!  If you'd like to join the committee, make a donation or be a sponsor of Bash, please contact Kim Marosis at kmarosis@clearpointco.com or Chastiti Horne at chorne@ethlaw.com. 

 

We'd love for you to "like" the Huckleberry Bash Facebook page so you can get Bash updates and sneak peeks at great donations!

 

Like us on Facebook    Click Here for Flyer

 

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 SCHOOL STORE - GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE


 Gift Cards Available At School Store

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

 

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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  http://bookbenefit.org/marktwain/ 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 http://www.amazon.com/?tag=bkben0013-20.
  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? 

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

Hello everyone. I am Jacqueline Leggington, this year's Box Tops For Education Coordinator.  We're going to have a great year. Make sure you don't forget to "Clip those Corners", and your child's class could be this year's winner.  The biggest winner is Mark Twain Elementary, the more Box Tops we turn in the more we earn. So let's remember, "Clip those Corners", and "Let's Turn to Earn".

I can be reached at btfe.marktwain@yahoo.com. 

 

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 bonus offers
  
Visit Randall's 2Ways2Earn.com to see more bonus offers..  

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 Nature Valley
Click on image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per day during through 11/17/2013.
BTFESendCheer
Click on image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per Day through 7/17/2014.

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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
  
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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VOLUNTEER IN PUBLIC SCHOOL

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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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.
MARK TWAIN BOOK FAIR 2013

Thank You to Southwest Book Company for donating the books for the raffle and Houston Orthodontics for donating the Kindle E-Reader for the raffle.

 

Paws For Reading"Paws for Reading" Bookmark Winners 

  

Kinder-Madelyn Rabinovich

1st-Hannah Reichel

 2nd-Griffin Schultz

3rd- Evan Banchs

4th- Sylvia Zhao

5th-Gloria Xie

 

Overall winner- Jennifer Hamad, 5th Grader

 

"Paws for Reading" Raffle Winners

 

Yazan Numan-Basket of Books

Jasmine Frank-Basket of Books

Kevin Creed-Basket of Books 

Morgan Kuo-Kindle E-Reader

 

 

Bookmark Contest Winners Poster

  

STORYBOOK PARADE 11.14.2013

Storybook Parade2013
Storybook Parade2013
Storybook Parade2013
Storybook Parade2013
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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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DANCE AND HIP HOP JUNIOR CLINIC

The Pin Oak Middle School

Pegasus Dance Company

Proudly Presents

 

DANCE and HIP HOP Junior Clinic 2013

 

Saturday, December 7th

9:00 A.M. to NOON

Pin Oak Middle School

4601 Glenmont Bellaire, TX 77401

 

Girls and Boys grades Pre-K - 5th Grade: Will learn dances from the Boys and Girls from the Pin Oak Pegasus Dance Company!

 

The junior dancers will be invited to perform in Pin Oak's Annual WINTER SHOW on:

Thursday, December 12th 6:00-7:00PM

 

$25.00 (T-shirt and snack included)

 

For more information, please contact

 

Misty Wagers mwagers@houstonisd.org

713-295-6500 ext. 390  

Click Here For Flyer

 

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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.

 

$50 Registration Fee  

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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GIRL SCOUTS
GIRL SCOUTS WANT YOU!
All girls in kindergarten through 5th grade are eligible to become a leader in our community through Girl Scouts.  Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The Girl Scouts of Braes Oaks Community hosted a membership rally Monday October 28th at West U Methodist Drummett Building. If you missed this rally, do not despair!  You can still join!   Please email gsbraesoaks@gmail.com and let them know you are interested in joining Girl Scouts, and they will put you in touch with the right troop leader.

 

+SNAX                                                  
+SNAX

When you're in a power struggle with someone, it's a lot easier to talk about that person than it is to talk to them. By talking about the person, you don't resolve the issue - you avoid it.

Let's say you hear from a co-worker that someone in the office isn't happy about the way you handled something recently. The gossip going around is inaccurate and paints you in a bad light. What are your options?

 

You can deepen the power struggle by talking to your co-worker about the person gossiping, or you can say, "Thanks for letting me know," and move away from that conversation without saying anything negative. You can then find the person allegedly gossiping and speak with them directly about the situation. You might start the conversation like this: "It's come to my attention that you're unhappy about the way I handled ________. I'd like to give you the opportunity to say that to me directly, so we can talk about what happened and clear the air."

 

After answering your co-worker's questions peacefully, you might end the conversation this way: "Thanks for taking time to speak with me about this. In the future, I hope we can talk to each other and keep this conversation open."

.........................................

 

Imagine a family, a school, a workplace where talking to people and not about people is the expectation for adults - and children.

 

©2013 +Works

http://www.blog.positivethinkingworks.org    Like us on Facebook

 

For more information, visit www.positivethinkingworks.org.

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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
  

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WUSA

West University Softball Association It's Time to Play Ball for WUSA.

 

WUSA spring softball registration is now open for all girls age 4-15. This will be another exciting year for WUSA beginning with its annual Father/Daughter Dance and Opening Day Parade and Carnival. 

 

Players are encouraged to register early. Deadline is January 7, 2014.  Tryouts will be held on January 11, 2014.  All registered players will be placed on a team. To learn more or register, visit wusa.org. Come out and join in the fun!

 

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CALENDARS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO
  

 

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

 
  
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
  
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.

  
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 copy twaintimes10@yahoo.com on your request to have something published in the Twain Times.   It is your responsibility for sending the posting and attachments to twaintimes10@yahoo.com.  It is not Mr. Houck or Ms. Patin responsibility to forward emails to twaintimes10@yahoo.com.
    • 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.