Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter
School Year 2013 - 2014
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February 4, 2014

Twain WeatherBug &  

Calendar

WeatherBug Button
 Calendar as of 2/4/2014

 

Online Fundraising
Links
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   Twain will receive 5% of your purchase price if you use these links to make your online purchases.
In This Issue
The Great Bashby
Name That Book
Art A La Carte
Parent Education
Triathlon Training
Chinese New Year
Science Night
Bingo Night
Box Tops For Education
Vivaldi Music Academy
HLSR Carnival Tickets
Calendars and Other Info

 Thank You To Our

2013-2014
Corporate Sponsors
  

Platinum Level

    

  

 

Gold Level   

  

 
  
  
    
 
  Stormy Hayes-Knipe logo  
EBANKS, HORNE, ROTA, MOOS 
   

 

Silver Level   

  Brochsteins_logo

 

Texas Citizens Bank logo   

 

Village_plumbing_logo  

    

 

 

     


 

 

    

 

    

 

 

Community Partners Level

 

gc3_logo_houston   

The Lice Place

TheLicePlace.com 

 

Oakington Logo   

Pure_body_studio_logo
 
Vivaldi Music Academy
 

 

 

Candelaris

Candelaris.com 

 

 

 

  

 

Dear Parents,


The month of January has come to an end and with it, hopefully the cold weather.  Looking back I realize that there was only one full week of school the whole month.  As we head into February, I am hopeful that the weather will cooperate and that my teachers and the children stay healthy.   

 

In response to the questions about making up the weather days, the school district released a statement on Friday.  The district's 2013-2014 academic calendar adopted by the HISD Board of Education, designates the Spring Holiday (April 18, 2014) and Memorial Day (May 26, 2014) as makeup days.  To make up the days lost due to wintry weather last Friday and this Tuesday, HISD schools will now be open April 18 and May 26 for students, faculty and support staff. 


The Texas Education Agency mandates procedures for setting calendars and for designating and publicizing makeup days, and the public has an extended opportunity in advance of adoption of the calendar to comment on those days. The 2014-2015 calendar is posted on this website: Click here for the pdf

Several parents asked about why we had an Early Dismissal day after having had two days off for the weather.  Those days were scheduled before the start of the school year and are district wide Early Dismissal days. While it would have been nice to have the children all day, we did have a very successful Staff Development afternoon with a focus on math.

 

Last week we hosted 25 visitors from the Haidian District in Beijing and they were thrilled with what they saw at Mark Twain.  A big thanks to the teachers for graciously welcoming visitors to their classrooms and to the parents that acted as tour guides and played host on that day.

Art Night was a grand success last Thursday and there were hundreds of families in attendance.  Thanks to everyone that helped with the event and to those of you that attended.  These special events that involve the students are an important aspect of our school life and I encourage everyone to participate when possible.

On February 12th we have a PTO meeting at 8:00 a.m. At this meeting  I will take a few minutes to go over our final accountability report from the state in addition to updates on  school business.  At the end of the meeting I will provide the latest information on changes to the Dual Language program. 

 

Have a great week. 

Melissa Patin

Principal

mpatin@houstonisd.org 

Twain School Website www.houstonisd.org/Twaines 

 

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THE GREAT BASHBY
Bashby Header TOP
"Time to Drink Champagne and Dance on the Table"  The Great Gatsby

Event Tickets,Great Bashby Shirts, and Prime Parking and Event Seating Raffle Tickets This Week!  
Purchase as many raffles tickets as you'd like for a chance to win a Prime Parking spot and 2 Prime Seats at your child's school events! You do not have to be present at the Bash to win; however, the winner will be drawn that night!   

  

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 Like us on Facebook to preview exciting Auction items!!

  Don't miss the excitement!   

 

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 are on sale now in the front rotunda or online at this link 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.

 

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.

 

Sponsors    

Thank you to our Sponsors -  Click Here for Listing!  

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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  

 

Contact Kyrsten Crawford at kyrsten.crawford@gmail.com or speak with our Librarian, Mr. Deering if you have any questions.

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ART A La Carte
Hello, Parents!
Please join Jenny & I in the cafeteria after morning drop-off for Art A La Carte tutorials on Thursday, February 6th for K-2, as well as 3-5. Looking forward to seeing my Volunteer Coordinators, AALC volunteer teachers for February, as well as any   interested parents! 
 
As always, there will be delicious coffee and bagels provided. Many thanks for keeping art alive and well in all of our children!

Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together. -John Ruskin
 
Sonal Patel,Arts Enrichment Director
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

 

Please label your album to indicate Grade and Class/Teacher OR Event. Contact Laura Solitare, Mark Twain PTO Yearbook Director at twainyearbook1314@gmail.com or lgsolitare@gmail.com 

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PARENT EDUCATION
UT Health Children's Learning Institute
Mark Twain Elementary  Parent Education Presents: 

"Back to Basics: How You Can Help Your Child be a Successful Learner"
Thursday, February 6th at 8:15 AM in the Cafeteria

 

Featuring

 

Linda Ewing-Cobbs, PhD
Neuropsychologist
Director, Dan L. Duncan Children's Neurodevelopmental Clinic
Professor, Children's Learning Institute, a part of The University of Texas Medical School at Houston

 

Anson J. Koshy, MD, MBE
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician
Dan L. Duncan Children's Neurodevelopmental Clinic
Assistant Professor, Children's Learning Institute, a part of The University of Texas Medical School at Houston

 

Rosanna Polifroni, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Dan L. Duncan Children's Neurodevelopmental Clinic
Children's Learning Institute, a part of The University of Texas Medical School at Houston

 

The Dan L. Duncan Children's Neurodevelopmental Clinic is part of the Children's Learning Institute at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. The clinic is dedicated to enhancing children's opportunities for successful living by providing them with individualized, research-based assessment and clinical services. Our team works closely to provide continuing care for each child's developmental, psychological and education needs. Through diagnosis, referral for recommended interventions, and periodic follow-up, we address each child's needs throughout childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. www.childrenslearninginstitute.org

 

For more information about the program contact Tonya Crombie tonyacrombie@comcast.net
TRIATHLON TRAINING

Houston Kid Triathlon Triatholon

Triathlon Training Opportunities!!

 

 

With the Twain Triathlon quickly approaching, with the Houston Kids Triathlon to follow in April, we are happy to announce a number of training opportunities for our students!!

 

Thursday, February 6, 3:30-5:00 at Twain

The Houston Kids Triathlon is offering an Intro to Triathlon program just for Twain after-school on Thursday, February 6  3:30-5:00.  They will show a short video of last year's race, have a mock transition race.  The students will learn some valuable triathlon tips and there will be some prizes given away as well.

 

YMCA 7 week Triathlon Training 

Begins Week of Feb. 10.   Please check with your local YMCA for details

 

Sunday, March 2 @ Pershing  

For Twain Triathlon Registrants, 2-4 pm

Bicycle World will be on site to not only review your child's bike and helmets for safety, fit, and condition, but also to educate everyone on how to transition between triathlon events, ride safely on the road, and enjoy their triathlon experience. You will not want to miss this!

 

Practice and build your endurance for running right at Twain!

4 laps around the Twain track on the playground is equal to a half mile. This is the distance of the run in the triathlon. So use your recess time to train!

 

 

Counting down to Twain's Triathlon on Sunday, March 9!

AND

Registration is now open for the  

3rd Annual Houston Kids Triathlon

to be held on  

April 12-13, 2014.   

 

Click here to register  

www.houstonkidstriathlon.org/register-to-race-soon.html  

 

Mark Twain Elementary School will receive $10 back for every child that registers as part of the Mark Twain Elementary School team.  Please just write "Mark Twain Elementary School" in the space next to Team Name on the registration form. 

If you have any questions regarding the Twain Triathlon, contact Monica Agosta at magosta69@gmail.com.  If you have any questions regarding the Houston Kids Triathlon contact Deanna Sheaffer at deannasheaffer@yahoo.com.

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GARDEN & POND WORKDAY

Garden/Pond Workday

February 7th at 3:15

Please email Jinny Sisson at J_sisson@netzero.com with questions.

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CHINESE NEW YEAR
Come Celebrate Chinese New Year inside the Loop with the Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion School PTO (MCLIMS)!

Saturday, February 8th from 11AM-3PM. 
FREE ADMISSION - Click Here For Flyer

Dragon Dance and other Cultural Performances, Food Trucks, Asian Specialty Store, Games, Bounce Houses, Face Painting, Tattoo Artists, Bellaire Fire Truck, and more!

MCLIMS is located at 3600 Avenue B, Bellaire, TX 77401 (Avenue B and Bissonette)

For more information go to MCLIMSPTO.org. Presented by Vision Optique.
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5TH GRADE CAMP

Attention 5th Grade Parents

 

Camp and Exhibition Meeting

Friday, February 14th

8:15-9:00

Cafeteria

 

Look for camp information to come home in the Tuesday folder.

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KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP

Kindergarten Round Up

All ZONED families with incoming Kindergartners are invited to Kindergarten Round-up on February 21.  Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Children will have a chance to visit a Kindergarten classroom while parents learn more about the school.  Registration packets will be available as well as a sign-up for a registration appointment.  Registration appointments begin the week of April 28.   

 

Mark Twain Elementary is expecting maximum capacity again next year and encourages zoned families to secure their spots as early as possible.

 

Please call the Mark Twain Office with any questions at 713-295-5230. To RSVP,  

contact Sarah Callahan Baker at callhanbaker@hotmail.com.   

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SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT
Science Fair With Eye ProtectionIf 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
PERSHING MATH AND SCIENCE PLACEMENT TEST
Pershing Middle School Accelerated Math and Science Placement Test For 5th Grade Students

5th Graders come show your math and science skills by taking the Accelerated Math and Science Test.  No registration needed.


Saturday, February 22, 2014
or
Saturday, March 1, 2014

9 AM, Pershing Cafeteria

Click Here For Flyer.  For questions call 713-295-5240
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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. 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. 
  
For more information contact Rita Garcia-Prats at ritagarciaprats@gmail.com.

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SCIENCE NIGHT - 
Explore The Extraordinary!

 

Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 13th 5:30 - 7:30 pm for this fun filled event.

 

To volunteer or get more information contact Megan Rose at meganrose72@gmail.com.

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BINGO NIGHT

Mark Twain Bingo LogoBINGO 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 

SCHOOL STORE
Buy your regal cinemas Gift Cards at the School Store!
Jan2014School Store Movie Gift Cards
Get That Gift Card From The School Store!   
Jan2014School Store Birthday Cards

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). 

BTFE GoGurt Sweepstake
Click on Image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address through 2/10/2014.


BTFESendCheer
Click on Image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per day through 7/17/2014.
Please register at btfe.com to support Mark Twain Elementary in Houston Texas! Visit Kroger's RewardYourSchool.com to see bonus offers and Randall's 2Ways2Earn.com
to see more bonus offers.
Jan2014 BTFE Offer
HEB has a bonus offer expires today!  Purchase ten (10) BTFE products in a single transaction and get $6 BTFE certificate for Mark Twain Elementary. 

For more information, contact Jacqueline Leggington at btfe.marktwain@yahoo.com
VIVALDI MUSIC ACADEMY
Vivaldi Music Academy
Dream Big.  Be Creative.  Play Music. 

Vivaldi Music Academy is a new music school in the Bellaire/West University area on Gramercy Street.  Our school is owned and operated by a renowned Houston Symphony violinist, Zeljko Pavlovic.  

Vivaldi Music Academy offers private instruction in piano, violin, guitar, cello, voice and more, group lessons in guitar and choir, ensemble lessons in jazz ensemble, classical ensemble and rock band, and early childhood music development classes with Kindermusik in ONE location! Whether it's Kindermusik for your toddler, a performance-driven program for your teen, or something in-between, the exceptional staff at Vivaldi Music Academy can instruct, nurture, and help instill a passion for music that leads to academic and social success.
Click Here to learn more about our music programs.

For questions, contact Courtney Park, Suzuki Program Director at courtney@vivaldimusicacademy.com or 713-858-9617
LOVE AND LOGIC
Love & Logic Parenting the Love & Logic Way

This series of courses offers solutions for families of children from early childhood to beyond adolescence. This parenting program is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately!

Learn Solutions For:
  • How do I get them out of bed on time?
  • How can I stop my children from bickering and fighting?
  • How do I get my children to help with the chores without arguments?  
$35 DROP-IN FEE, Optional Workbook $10.  Classes on February 5, 12 and 19 at:
  • The Post Oak School, 4600 Bissonnet St @ Ave B from 6:30 - 8 PM, Or
  • St. Mark's Church, 3816 Bellaire Blve at Noon
No childcare provided.  You must register with Phylis Tomlinson,  phylistomlinson@gmail.com, 713-661-6688 x176 or 713-668-6558 prior to attending.
+SNAX
Add a description
The Heard Mentality  

One parent started a class-wide, group email about a tough teacher. Before long, another parent piled on, and then another and another, while the majority stood by watching to see where this negative tide would eventually, if ever, come to shore. With no opportunity to discuss their concerns with the administration, the class community's collective negativity had built up over time and resulted in a wave of toxicity that ultimately oozed out into a very public space. 

 

In positive, upstanding communities, the ideas and feelings of people at all levels of responsibility are respected and considered. That doesn't mean everyone gets their way all the time. Leaders, after all, are elected, appointed, or hired to make decisions. Decisions, by design, often leave some people disappointed. 

 

That said, community members need to be heard; and the likelihood of being heard increases when we speak up in a positive manner that has the community sincerely in mind.

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

+REFLECTION: Look at your family, school, team, business, and community and ask yourself: Are people generally talking to people, or about people? Where do people go with their ideas and concerns - to the source, or to the parking lot, Facebook page, or email? Is there a system in place for sharing ideas and concerns? And if so, is it truly helping to build a sense of positive, upstanding community?

 

©2013 +Works

www.blog.positivethinkingworks.org     

For more information, visit www.positivethinkingworks.org.

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HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo HLSRHalf 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

 

HISD Lunch Menus: www.houstonisd.org/Page/68611 
 
HISD Lunch Payment Online: www.parentonline.net/Public/Login.aspx
  
VIPS Approval--need to volunteer or go on field trips: marktwainpto.org/membership/vips-approval/

Grades 3 - 5 LDC Blog: wwwmarktwainldc35.blogspot.com     

HISD Parent Student Connect Login (daily grades, progress reports): https://psc.houstonisd.org/ParentStudentConnect/Login.aspx  
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.
    • 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.