Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter
School Year 2013 - 2014 |
| January 21, 2014 | |
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Dear Parents,
This week Mark Twain will be hosting a delegation of 25 educators from the Haidian District of Beijing, China. This visit is part of an exchange program coordinated through the Mayor's office. They will be meeting with me to hear about school administration, practices and extra-curricular activities. The group will then tour the building and visit classrooms. Our guests will be here Wednesday afternoon, January 22nd, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. It is an honor to be chosen as one of the host schools and a wonderful opportunity to share our programs and practices with the international community.
Last week I received a report on our attendance figures for the year thus far. Our goal (and the district's goal) is 98%. Our current year to date attendance rate is 97.07%. Low attendance rates can impact our school budget, so please help by making appointments after school if at all possible. Attendance is taken at 9:30 AM each day, so it is important to have your children at school at that time. Please read Nurse Hill's message about the flu season - if your child is sick, then please keep them at home!
The school budget was reconciled in December and we did receive additional funds based on our enrollment. These funds will be used in a number of ways including funds for library books, science and math materials, and technology. After school tutorials begin in January and funds will also be used to compensate teachers for their time.
Several of our teachers attended IB Training this past weekend. One of our commitments as an IB School is to ensure that teachers receive ongoing professional development. The PTO continues to support this commitment by providing funds for training and consultants. In addition to our IB Training, teachers are required to develop Individualized Professional Development Plans as part of the teacher appraisal system. Teachers often choose to observe their peers and share best practices as part of their plans. We are fortunate at Mark Twain to have outstanding teachers with a breadth of experience and skill that work collaboratively to share that knowledge and skill.
Have a great week.
Melissa Patin
Principal
mpatin@houstonisd.org
Twain School Website www.houstonisd.org/Twaines
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| MARK TWAIN SPIRIT NIGHT | | |
January 21st - Gugliani's 4990 Beechnut 
No need to cook! Come join your Mark Twain friends for dinner at Gugliani's (4990 Beechnut) on January 21st.
A percentage of the proceeds from the evening will be sent back to the school. Please let your server know that you are dining for the Mark Twain Spirit Night. Check out the Gugliani's menu online: www.guglianis.com See you there! Back To Top |
| THE GREAT BASHBY INVITATION AND SPONSORS! | |
GET YOUR HUCKLEBERRY BASH TICKETS!
Ticket sales continue in the front rotunda, Kinder hallway and on-line at this Online Ticket Purchase Link. Check out our Facebook Page to preview exciting Auction items!! Don't miss the excitement!
Ice-Cream Social to raise money towards Airline Gift Cards!!!
Parents, Can you bring $5.00, $10.00 or more to school towards our School Fundraiser by Friday, January 24th? We need your help! The class that raises the most money in our grade level will receive an ice-cream social. I scream! You scream! Your kids will definitely scream for ice-cream! Please give the money to your room parent in charge or into Madonna Bauch/Liz Sanders box in the PTO workroom. Checks payable to Madonna Bauch. Label your check with Grade and Teacher, so your class gets credit!!!
VIP Parking and Program Seating Raffle New and exciting raffle this year...One lucky family will win "PRESIDENTIAL PARKING & 2 RESERVED SEATS" at each of their children's programs for the 2014-2015 school year beginning September. Raffle tickets go on sale February 3rd in the front rotunda for $100/piece. Wine Pull With A Gatsby Twist You may drop off your donations to the home of Chastiti Horne (3606 North Braeswood) or contact Dan Crowder for pick up. Contact Dan Crowder for more information at dfcrowder@thecrowderlawfirm.com or 713-503-5308. Host a Bash Social Fill out the Bash Socials donor form and return it to Carlotta Ramirez no later than Friday, January 24, 2014. You can contact Carlotta Ramirez at cramirez@mfah.org. Forms are available in the Parent Workroom, on the PTO website or at this Link Volunteers Needed If you would like to help in any way - decorations, reservations, auction set up, check-in, clean up or take a shift at the Wine Pull or Big Board . . . contact Kim Marosis at kmarosis@clearpointco.com . Thank you to everyone who donated items for the Bash Baskets! We no longer need items and have removed the labeled boxes from the rotunda. We do need cash/check donations towards purchasing airline cards. These cards will be coupled with other big ticket items at the bash. Check out The Great Bashby January 21 UPDATE for more detailed information! Back To Top
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Join Our Mailing List
and Calendar
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January
21 TWAIN SPIRIT NIGHT!
22 Science Night Planning Meeting
24 Last Day to submit Bashby Socials Donation Forms, Bash Basket Donations and Auction Items
24 Monthly Staff Appreciation Luncheon
25 Track Team Registration Due
29 Early Dismissal
30 Art Night
31 Fit Friday
31 Free Dress Day
February
4 Grade 3-5 Name That Book Qualifying Test
6 Parent Enrichment
12 PTO Meeting 8:15 AM
14 The Great Bashby! & Valentines Day
19 Early Dismissal
21 Science Fair Project Due
21 Monthly Staff Appreciation Luncheon
21 Kinder Round-Up 8:30 AM
25 Judging of 5th Grade Science Project Finalist Judged
26 Judging of 4th Grade Science Project Finalist
27 Judging of 3rd Grade Science Project Finalist
25-27 K-2nd Science Projects on Display in Hallway
Feb 27-Mar 5 Dual Language 1st - 5th Grade Stanford/Aprenda Test
March
1 Soccer Tournament
9 Twain Triathlon
13 Science Night
28 Bingo Night
April
1 4th Grade STAAR Writing Test
1 5th Grade STAAR Math Test
2 4th Grade STAAR Writing Test
2 5th Grade STAAR Reading Test
22 3rd & 4th Grade STAAR Math Test
23 3rd & 4th Grade STAAR Reading Test
23 5th Grade STAAR Science Test
May
5-9 1st - 5th Grade Stanford/ Aprenda Test
13 Make-up Stanford/Aprenda Test
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Online Fundraising
Links
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Mark Twain will receive 5% of your purchase price if you use these links to make your online purchases. No private information is transmitted to Mark Twain, just a check every quarter based on 5% of the collective purchases you make using the links above.
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Thank You To Our
2013-2014
Corporate Sponsors |
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Platinum Level
Gold Level
EBANKS, HORNE, ROTA, MOOS
Silver Level
Community Partners Level
The Lice Place
TheLicePlace.com
 Vivaldi Music VivaldiMusicAcademy.com 
Candelaris Candelaris.com  
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LETTER FROM SCHOOL NURSE HILL
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Dear Parents,
While we welcome a New Year and a new semester it is important to remember that we remain, unfortunately, in the midst of flu season. Keeping all of Mark Twain's students and staff safe and healthy is my priority. With that in mind here are a few flu season reminders for your whole family.
Avoiding the Flu
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
- Don't touch your eyes, nose and mouth especially while out in public.
- Avoid or limit your contact with people who are sick.
If you and/or your child are sick:
- Stay Home! (For 24 hours after your fever is gone)
- Cover your cough/sneeze, throw out used tissues then wash your hands!
*While flu vaccination is a personal choice, the CDC and most doctors recommend the flu vaccine as the number one way of avoiding the flu.*
Flu Symptoms
Body aches, chills, fatigue, maybe fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, headache, vomiting and diarrhea.
Treatment for the Flu
- Rest at home, drink lots of fluids.
- Most people do not require a doctor's appointment unless they become dehydrated or wish to take an Antiviral medicine.
- Occasionally it is necessary to go to the Emergency if you or your child develop fever with rash, trouble breathing, bluish skin tone, severe dehydration, confusion, not waking up.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call or visit me at the school.
Let's stay healthy this year!
Andrea Hill
Twain Elementary Nurser
AHILL8@houstonisd.org
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| YEARBOOK | | |
Photos Needed!
Electronically upload any 2013-2014 School Year classroom or Twain function photos into Mark Twain Elementary's Community Shutterfly site that can be found at this link:
https://marktwainyearbook.shutterfly.com/
Password: tigers
To add pictures you'll need a Shutterfly account (setting up an account is free, quick & easy).
Please label your album to indicate Grade and Class/Teacher OR Event. Without the label information, we can't use your photos. Contact Laura Solitare, Mark Twain PTO Yearbook Director at twainyearbook1314@gmail.com or lgsolitare@gmail.com
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| SCIENCE NIGHT - | |  Explore The Extraordinary!
Science Night Planning Meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 22, 8:00 AM in the Cafeteria
Science Night 2014 will "Explore the Extraordinary!" Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 13th 5:30 - 7:30 pm for this fun filled event.
Volunteers are needed to help coordinate exhibits, publicity, registration and dinner. Anyone interested in helping our students explore the extraordinary world of science, please meet in the cafeteria after drop-off at 8 AM on Wednesday, January 22nd or contact Megan Rose at meganrose72@gmail.com.
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MARK TWAIN TRACK TEAM
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Calling future track stars!
Registration is now open for the 2013/2014 Mark Twain Track Team. All interested 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders need to return a registration form to Coach Jody by January 25th.
Click Here For Registration Form
Jody Bourque, JBOURQUE@houstonisd.org
Physical Education Teacher
Mark Twain Elementary
713-295-5230
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| ART NIGHT | |
Hello, parents!
Art Night is a fun family event created by our very own Ms. Cowan! You can come to Mark Twain after school and let your children create inspired artworks! There will be Art Cars!!! Origami!!! Painting Fluorescent!!! Painting Picasso!!! Clay!!! And so much more!
This year it will be held on Thursday, January 30th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
We are looking for volunteers to help set up, sell Candelari's pizza slices and drinks, and help supervise the art tables. There will be 10 fun-filled stations that the children can use their art passports for to enter into the raffle at the end of the evening!
I am asking for brown paper grocery bags to be held onto and delivered into the Parent Workroom by the end of next week. Each child will take one at the entrance of Art Night. This bag will hold all of the art works safely throughout the evening.
This is a great event with a very small time commitment. If you are interested in helping, please contact Sonal Patel, Art Enrichment Director at sonalpatel628@gmail.com, or 240-888-6732.
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| NAME THAT BOOK | | |
3-5 NTB Event
The NTB qualifying test for Grades 3 - 5 will be Tuesday, February 4th. Students will meet in Ms. Vamvakias' room next to the library immediately after school. You may send them with a snack. The test will begin at 3:30 pm.
K - 2 NTB Event
The K - 2 NTB event will be March 3 - 7. For more information about the Name That Book reading incentive program please click on the following link http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/93027
Parents need to be aware that coaching the team will be a shared effort among the parents. Contact Kyrsten Crawford at kyrsten.crawford@gmail.com or speak with our Librarian, Mr. Deering if you have any questions.
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| KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP | | |
All ZONED families with incoming kindergartners are welcomed and encouraged to attend the 2014 Mark Twain Kindergarten Round Up February 21st.
Check-in starts at 8:30 AM with the program starting at 9 AM. Please bring proof of residency - two recent copies of utility bills or lease agreement with most recent rent receipt attached.
Contact Sarah Callahan Baker at callhanbaker@hotmail.com with any questions.
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| GET FIT FRIDAY | | |
 Fit Friday will be held on Friday, January 31st! 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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| PICK-UP SOCCER TOURNAMENT | | |
Soccer tournament has been rescheduled. Please mark your calendar!
The Dual Language Program at Mark Twain would like to invite everyone out to a friendly pick-up style soccer tournament. It will be held at Mark Twain on Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 10 AM-2 PM.
Twain family and friends will be divided into teams according to their ages. K-2nd grade, 3-5th grade, and parents (Co-ed).
More information on how to sign up to play and t-shirt sales dates to follow.
Profits from tournament T-shirts and snacks will go towards the 5th grade Gift Fund.
We will need parent volunteers to be coaches, referees, sell concessions and T-shirts. Thanks in advance for your support.
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| 1st WHITE HOUSE STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL | | |
Lights, Camera, Education!
If you're a student, we want you to make a short film -- and have the chance to show it right here at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the first-ever White House Student Film Festival.
The topic? Technology in classrooms. We're looking for awesome student filmmakers to show the power of technology in classrooms in a short film. Film due January 29, 2014. Film needs to be 3 minutes or shorter. Rules for Submitting can be found at WhiteHouse.Gov/FilmFest or http://1.usa.gov/1d8rjLR |
| BINGO NIGHT | |
 BINGO night is Scheduled for March 28th.
We look forward to seeing you then for lots of BINGO fundraising FUN!
If you are interested in helping the BINGO Night team, please contact Laura Bumgarner at Laura.L.Bumgarner@wellsfargo.com
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| TWAIN TRIATHLON | |
 The First Twain Triathlon will be held on Sunday, March 9th.
Don't forget to ask family and friends 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!
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| SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT | |  If students have questions or need help Ms. Reese will be holding "open lab" Science Fair Tutorial, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-4:15.
Please remember that Grade 3-5 projects are due February 21st. K-2nd graders will be doing a project with their class, ask your teacher if you'd like to know more.
Attached is a copy of the Science Fair Packet (Click Here For Packet) for your reference.
Like last year, the top three projects from each classroom will go on to the judging phase. Top projects will be judged:- February 25th - 5th Graders,
- February 26th - 4th Graders, and
- February 27th - 3rd Graders.
Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade Projects will be exhibited in their hallways between February 25th and February 27th.
If you have any questions, contact Becky Reese, Science Lab Teacher
Mark Twain Elementary, rreese@houstonisd.org |
SCHOOL STORE
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Let's go to the Movies! Get That Birthday Gift Card From The School Store!
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| BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION | |
Click Here for Box Top Collection Sheets.
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. Each eBoxTop is worth $0.10 (10 cents).
 | | Click on Image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per day through 1/26/2014. |
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 | | Click on Image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per day through 7/17/2014. |
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+SNAX
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 Working Up To It.
Are you working up to speaking up?
It's all well and good. It's well because something in your gut tells you action needs to be taken on an issue that matters to you and to others. It's good because you are working through the scenarios - the different options you have for speaking up - and working up your nerve to do and/or say something in a positive way.
Sometimes we work up to it for hours, sometimes days ... sometimes years ... because it's not easy, especially the first time. And we're all different.
The important thing is we are going to speak up eventually, when we're ready. And that is awesome.
.........................................
©2013 +Works
http://www.blog.positivethinkingworks.org 
For more information, visit www.positivethinkingworks.org.
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HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO
| | Half Price Carnival Tickets
It's that time of year again. Attached here is a flyer detailing how to order your tickets. Please feel free to pass it on to any family, friends or co-workers. If you have any questions please contact Cathy Biediger at cathy@biediger.com or 713-851-8839
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CALENDARS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO
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For more information check out:
Forward questions to twaintimes10@yahoo.com. If you have information you would like to include in the Twain Times please follow the following procedures:
- For Parents - 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.
- 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 for guidance on logos and images.
- If you want the logo or image to be linked to a website, please include the website address for your image or logo in your email.
- If you want the logo or image to have a caption, please specify text for caption.
- If you want a video link, provide the URL for the video
- Submission deadlines for all approved articles are Thursdays by 5pm for the Twain Times that will be issued the following week.
- Note that we will not include student full name unless we have parent permission.
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