Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter

School Year 2013 - 2014

Wishing You A Happy Thanksgiving

Join Our Mailing List and Calendar

November

26th Extended Day Pickup by 4:30PM

27th - 29th Thanksgiving Holiday

December

Wk 2nd K-2 NTB Qualifying Tests

2nd - 12th Toys For Tots Drop Office in School Office

3rd NTB Sign Up Deadline

6th - 13th Kindergarten Stanford Testing

7th Soccer Tournament

11th PTO Meeting 8 AM

12th 4th Grade Music Program 7 PM

13th Deadline to Find Your Things In Lost & Found

Week of 16th Take/Adopt Things from Lost & Found

19th Field Day

20th 4th & 5th Grade Bashby Contributions Deadline

20th Monthly Staff Appreciation/Holiday Breakfast

20th Lost & Found Items will be removed and disposed.

23rd - Jan 6th Winter Break - No School

January

6th Teacher Work Day

7th First Day Back To School

8th PTO Meeting 6:30 PM

In This Issue

Extended Day Early Dismissal

Pick-Up Soccer Tournament

Lost & Found

Jump Rope For Heart

Toys For Tots

Twain Triathlon

The Great Bashby!

Bashby Baskets

Bashby Wine & Whiskey Pull

School Store-Gift Cards

Online Fundraising

BTFE

Twain Library Heroes

School Directory

Yearbook Orders

VIPS

Locks of Love

Online Magnet Application Info

Child Find

Dance and Hip Hop Junior Clinic

Be A Cheerleader For A Day

Girl Scouts

+SNAX

Turkey Trot

WUSA

Calendars and Other Info

Thank You To Our 2013-2014
Corporate Sponsors

Platinum Level

Gold Level

EBANKS, HORNE, ROTA, MOOS

Silver Level

Texas Citizens Bank logo

Village_plumbing_logo

Community Partners Level

gc3_logo_houston

The Lice Place

TheLicePlace.com

Vivaldi Music

VivaldiMusicAcademy.com

Candelaris

Candelaris.com

November 26, 2013

Dear Parents,

This past week the Mark Twain community came together to help one of our own families that had lost everything in a house fire. As an IB school, action is an important aspect of our philosophy. The overwhelming response through donations and manpower was truly evidence of action in our community. We are the models by which our children will learn, and I am so proud to see us adults modeling the Learner Profile. The selfless acts of kindness that I witness everyday are a testament to the type of community we are. I am truly grateful for the work that the parent community does to support the development of the Learner Profile and IB program as a whole.

I had the pleasure of visiting the second grade classrooms on Friday afternoon for their Poetry Feast. It was wonderful seeing the children share their Thanksgiving poems and to hear both children and adults share what they are thankful for - teachers, families, and school community. I too, am thankful for Mark Twain. I am grateful for having a committed, caring staff, students that are kind and excited about learning, and for the parents that entrust those children to us. May you all have a beautiful Thanksgiving Holiday. Be safe, be happy!

December is right around the corner so please mark your calendars for the following events.

November 27th - 29th	Thanksgiving Break
December 6-13	Kindergarten Stanford
Saturday, December 7th	Soccer Tournament 10:00-2:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 12th	Fourth Grade Music Program 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 19th	FIELD DAY

Monday, December 23 - Monday, January 6th WINTER BREAK - No School

Again, so proud that we live the IB Learner Profile.

Thank you, have a great week!

Melissa Patin

Principal

EXTENDED DAY EARLY DISMISSAL
Pick up your Son/Daughter from Mark Twain Extended Day Care by 4:30 PM Today, November 26th Back To Top

NAME THAT BOOK

Name That Book (NTB) Dates

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 www.houstonisd.org/Page/96206

Click Here for K - 2nd Grade NTB List

3rd - 5th Grade Event Site and Book List http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/93279 Click Here for 3rd - 5th Grade NTB List

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

PICK-UP SOCCER TOURNAMENT

soccer_ball The Dual Language Program at Mark Twain would like to invite everyone out to a friendly pick-up style soccer tournament on December 7, 2013 from 10 AM - 2 PM.

Twain family and friends will be divided into teams depending on their ages. K-2nd grade, 3-5th grade, and parents (Co-ed).

Tournaments T-shirts and snacks will be sold, and all profits will go to the 5th Grade Gift Fund.

For more information contact Rita Garcia-Prats at ritagarciaprats@gmail.com.

LOST & FOUND

Lost & Found

LOST AND FOUND CLOSET IS FULL!

Please come and check the Lost and Found closet located in the school cafeteria before Friday, Dec 13th. The clothes rack is set up in the hallway outside of the cafeteria temporarily this week.

You are welcome to take/adopt anything left in the Lost and Found closet or on the rack during the week of Dec 16th, the last week before Winter Break.

Any items left behind will be removed and disposed on Friday, December 20th, the last day of the school.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

It takes heart to be a hero!

On November 22nd, Mark Twain began 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.

TOYS FOR TOTS
Toys for Tots Houston Independent School District December 2 - 12, 2013 Toy Drop Off Location Mark Twain Elementary Front Office If you have any questions, please contact Denise Rodriguez at drodrigu@houstonisd.org

TWAIN TRIATHLON

Twain Families,

A big thanks to all of you who registered for the Twain Triathlon last week! The excitement is certainly building and as a result, not only do we already have 80+ participants, we are going to have another round of registration at onset of the New Year! In order to compete among grade levels, not just individually, encourage other families to join. Each class needs 5 participants to develop a team!

As you head into the holidays, we would like to remind you to not only focus on the cherished time with family and friends, but also on ways to stay healthy and active! With the abundance of food and delicious treats at hand, we encourage you to get outside and ride your bikes, go for a walk or run, engage in a game of football rather than just watching it on TV, or just dance!

Also, don't forget to take your sponsorship forms to your family members while you visit and ask them to help support you and your school in what will be a great accomplishment! Extra sponsorship forms may be found in the drawer labeled Triathlon in the parent workroom if needed!

Thanks so much and Happy Thanksgiving,

Your Triathlon Team

The Triathlon will take place on Sunday, March 9. For questions contact Monica Agosta at magosta69@gmail.com.

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!

BASHBY BASKETS

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 complement get-away/trip donations. 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. Please donate NEW ITEMS ONLY. The assignments per grade are:

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

Donation boxes labeled for each grade level's basket theme are located in the rotunda for accepting donations.

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

THE GREAT BASHBY WINE & WHISKEY PULL

Back by popular demand...the Wine Pull with a Gatsby Twist!

This year we are including Whiskey to go along with the theme. We are looking for donations of wine and whisky (preferably $15 value or higher) or simply donate cash/gift cards for purchasing. During the Bashby event you will be able to pay Pay $20 to get an unrevealed bottle of wine or whiskey. You may drop off your donations during the next PTO meeting, to the home of Chastiti Horne (3606 North Braeswood) or contact Dan Crowder for pick up.

Contact Dan Crowder for more information dfcrowder@thecrowderlawfirm.comor 713-503-5308.

SCHOOL STORE - GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE
Contact Camora Kuo for more info camora.kuo@gmail.com Back To Top

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:

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.
Click on the link for the online retailer of your choice.
Complete purchases as you normally would.
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).

Click on image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per Day through 7/17/2014.

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
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 Back To Top

YEARBOOK ORDERS
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 Back To Top

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.

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.

ONLINE MAGNET APPLICATION INFO
Online Magnet Application information is available at http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/75072 Back To Top

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

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

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

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

As we gather with family and friends this week to celebrate Thanksgiving, we are reminded of how thankful we are - for you.

We are thankful for a +Community willing to:

Take a +Risk and join the +Movement.
Take a look in the mirror, knowing that real family, school, and community change begins in each of our hearts and minds.
Spark a new +Discussion around what it means to stand up and speak up - with dignity and respect.

We are thankful for children, parents, caregivers, educators, and coaches dedicated to working collaboratively to promote peace through action, from home to homeroom, from home plate to the boardroom.

As our families share this special holiday together this week, we will be giving thanks for each of you, for the change we've already sparked together as a +Movement, and for the dynamic +Change that is still yet to come!

Sarah & Trish

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

�2013 +Works

http://www.blog.positivethinkingworks.org

For more information, visit www.positivethinkingworks.org.

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

Click here for Flyer

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!

CALENDARS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO

2013 - 2014 Mark Twain Academic Calendar

HISD Lunch Menus: http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/68611

HISD Lunch Payment Online: https://www.parentonline.net/Public/Login.aspx

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

Grades 3 - 5 LDC Blog: http://wwwmarktwainldc35.blogspot.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 - send information to our PTO President, Tony Houck at tvhouck@msn.com for approval, copy twaintimes10@yahoo.com.
For Staff - send information to Ms. Patin for approval at mpatin@houstonisd.org, copy twaintimes10@yahoo.com.
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.