Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter
School Year 2013 - 2014
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February 25, 2014

Dear Mark Twain Parents and Families,

 

I hope you all had a wonderful time and put on your best Gatsby at the Bash . . . The Great Bashby was really My Kinda Party!!! Another huge round of applause goes out to our Bash Co-Chairs, Kim Marosis and Chastiti Houck, and their entire crew for their dedication and hard work to plan the largest fundraiser of the year! And thank you again to Mrs. Patin, the teachers and staff, our Corporate Sponsors and all the parents and students for their volunteer efforts and contributions to make this a successful event. All proceeds from the Bash will go towards IB / PYP training, more library books, technology in the classrooms, arts enrichment programs, campus security and staff appreciation. ** Post Bash items and socials will be available Tuesday 2/25 through Friday 2/28 at the school for anyone who was not able to come on the 14th.

 

At the February PTO meeting, we voted and approved the 2014 Nominating Committee. Many thanks to Camora Kuo (Chair), Sara Iqbal, Linda Barcot, Lindsey Colvin, Jenny Clymer, Megan Rose and David Edwards for agreeing to serve in this capacity.   The Nominating Committee will be responsible for recruiting members of the Mark Twain community to serve on the PTO Board for the 2014-2015 school year.

 

Nominating Committee Deadlines:

April PTO meeting
present executive slate (officers) to the PTO Board for approval
May PTO meeting
present entire slate to the PTO Board for approval

  

If you are interested in serving on the Board, please feel free to reach out to any of the Nominating Committee members.  There will also be a nominations form sent home in the weekly folders, available on our website and in the Twain Times in upcoming weeks that you can fill out as well.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

 

Kinder Round-Up for zoned families was this past Friday. It was another successful event with 71 kids and their families showing up. Looks like another big year at Twain. Sarah Baker and her crew did a fabulous job.

 

The First Annual Twain Triathlon is coming soon!!! It is slated for March 9, with bike checks scheduled for next Sunday, March the 2nd. Get your kids geared up and ready to swim, bike and run. See details below.

 

The Soccer Tournament and Science Fair are both right around the corner. See details and volunteering opportunities below.

Enjoy the beautiful week and thank you for your support!

Tony Houck

Mark Twain PTO President

tvhouck@msn.com 
Online Fundraising
 & Calendar Links
  
In This Issue
Announcements
Triathlon Volunteers
Post Bash Sale
Yearbook Photos
Birthday Grams
5th Grade Recorders
Social Winners
Soccer Tournament
Pershing Test
Triathlon Training
Name That Book
Parent Enrichment
Get Fit Friday
Science Night
Bingo Night
Gift Cards
BTFE
HOLA Water Polo
Vivaldi Music Academy
+Courage
+Play Well Event
HLSR Carnival Tickets
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 

 

 

 

  

 
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM MRS. PATIN
  • The PRIMARY ELECTIONS for the Democratic and Republican parties will be held here at Mark Twain's campus on March 4, 2014.
  • Congratulations to the Mark Twain UIL Team for their Second Place finish at the competition last Saturday.
  • HISD just released the promotion standards for this year and a copy will be in the Red Folder today.
  • Dual Language Students will be administered the Stanford test for Grades 1-4 and Aprenda for grade 5 on February 27-March 3rd.  
  • Fifth Graders will be going to camp on March 4-7.
TWAIN TRIATHLON VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Twain Families,

The Mark Twain Triathlon is only two weeks away!!! In order for everything to run smoothly and safely, we are going to NEED YOUR HELP! Please consider where and how you may volunteer! Your child does not have to be a participant in the Tri for you to volunteer. In fact, this is a great chance for your child to come cheer on his/her classmates in a great event!

If your house is directly on the 3 mile bike course, please consider volunteering for that block and encourage other families to come out and provide support. You may even want to organize an early morning block party with coffee and breakfast treats! The Tri participants will need to hear and see your encouragement as they complete this course! 

Please click on the link below to view volunteer positions! Thank you in advance for your help! 

 
POST BASH SALE
If you missed the Great Bashby, don't fret!  Post Bash sales began today Tuesday, February 25 in the front rotunda and hallway by the nurse's office. 

Come bid on some great school perks, kids + adult socials, teacher socials and a few fun items. 

Just like at Jay Gatsby's house, the party never ends!
YEARBOOK PHOTOS NEEDED

The yearbook needs event photographers for the Soccer Tournament, Triathlon, Science Night, and bus loading for the 5th Grade Camp Out.  We are looking for a few parents who will commit to taking photos at these upcoming events and then uploading the photos to Shutterfly.    

 

Please visit Sign Up Genius to volunteer to take photos at one or more of these events.  

 

Yearbook Event Photographers Sign Up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA4A92BA57-event.  Once you sign up, we'll contact you with info on how to upload your photos to Shutterfly. 

 

If you have any questions, please contact Laura Solitare - Mark Twain PTO Yearbook Director: lgsolitare@gmail.com

 

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BIRTHDAY GRAMS
Parents: Please submit requests for March Birthday Grams this week. We are also happy to process orders through the end of the school year now. 

Click Here for Order Form or pick one up from the PTO workroom.  You can pay by check, cash, or credit card at the school store. Also, online orders are accepted. 
Thank you so much for supporting 5th grade!
Rachel Ezell & Leslie Strug.  Questions: rpezell@yahoo.com

5TH GRADE RECORDERS

5th Graders are starting their unit on learning to play the  instrument called the recorder.  Your child may purchase a recorder  at the school store.  They are $6.00.  

 

Contact Mrs. Bardin, jbardin@houstonisd.org if you have questions. 

ICE CREAM SOCIAL WINNERS
Announcing the Winners of the Ice-Cream Social!!!!!!!!

Thank you for all the donations made towards the Huckleberry Bash.  The classes for each grade level who donated the largest sum are as follows:

Kindergarten:  Ms. Brown

1st Grade:  Ms. Blake

2nd Grade:  Ms. Hughes

3rd Grade:  Ms. Moore

4th Grade:  Mr. Bendfeldt

5th Grade:  Ms. Porterfield
 
Congratulations to all our winners!  Ms. Patin will choose an appropriate day and time to celebrate with an ice-cream social!   
PICK-UP SOCCER TOURNAMENT

soccer_ball

Please join us for a day of soccer fun for the whole family on March 1st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mark Twain. 


We will be dividing players into 3 groups:
  • Kindergarten-2nd Grades will play a 15 minute game starting at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.;  
  • 6th and up will play a 15 minute game starting at 10:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m., and 1:20 p.m.;  
  • 3rd-5th Grades will play a 15 minute game starting at 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 1:45 p.m.
Please come dressed to play and stay as long as you can.  Concessions will be for sale, but bring plenty of water.

Tournament t-shirts will be on sale for $10 after school and sales will continue before and after school while supplies last.  All proceeds will benefit the 5th Grade Gift Fund.  

We are still in need of parents to help referee and coach during the tournament. If you would like to help, please contact Rita Garcia-Prats at ritagarciaprats@gmail.com.

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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, March 1, 2014

9 AM, Pershing Cafeteria

Click Here For Flyer.  For questions call 713-295-5240
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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!!

 

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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NAME THAT BOOK

K - 2 NTB Event

The K - 2 NTB event will be  

March 3 - 7.   Contact Kyrsten Crawford at kyrsten.crawford@gmail.com or speak with our Librarian, Mr. Deering if you have any questions.

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PARENT ENRICHMENT BOOK CLUB
Parent Enrichment Book Club, Thursday March 6th at 8:15 AM in the cafeteria.  We will be discussing:

The Smartest Kids in the World:  And How They Got That Way by Amanda Ripley

 

How Do Other Countries Create "Smarter" Kids?  In a handful of nations, virtually all children are learning to make complex arguments and solve problems they've never seen before. They are learning to think, in other words, and to thrive in the modern economy.  What is it like to be a child in the world's new education superpowers?  In a global quest to find answers for our own children, author and Time magazine journalist Amanda Ripley follows three Americans embed­ded in these countries for one year.

 

Grab a cup of coffee and participate in enlightening discussion and socialize with fellow Twain Parents.  As with all Parent Education events, you do NOT have to read the book in order to participate. 

GET FIT FRIDAY

The next Get Fit Friday will be Friday, March 7th.

The students and staff are welcome to wear their favorite Houston Texans gear in a chance to win a special visit from the team!  So arrive early and jog a few laps while supporting the Texans.  

 

For questions, contact Jody Bourque JBOURQUE@houstonisd.org.  

SCIENCE NIGHT - 
Science Night 2014
Science Night 2014:  Explore The Extraordinary!

Thursday, March 13th 5:30 - 7:30 pm 

  • Live Chemistry Show
  • NASA Gyroscope
  • Weather Museum & Health Museum  
  • Roller Coaster Challenge

James Coney Island dinner and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream for sale. 

 

HELP NEEDED:  We need your help to make this night a success.  If you can spare an hour to help at a table (no science experience needed) please click here:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4DAAAC292-mark5 

 

For more information contact Megan Rose at meganrose72@gmail.com.


 
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
Click on Image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per day through 2/28/2014.


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.  

For more information, contact Jacqueline Leggington at btfe.marktwain@yahoo.com
HOLA WATER POLO

Want to become a stronger swimmer?  

 

Develop a team spirit?  

 

Bask in the glory of scoring the game winning goal?  

 

Then come join HOLA Water Polo! After one season with HOLA Chupacabras, you will be as strong as an ox and as fast as a shark! For our spring season we have teams for 10 Year Old and Under, 12 Year Olds and Under, and 14 Year Old and Under.  

 

We practice at Lamar High School from 6-8pm on specific dates. For more information email Coach Eamon Kelly at ECKelly90@gmail.com. We'll see you there!! 

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
+COURAGE
PlusCourageContest

 
+PLAY WELL EVENT
+Playwell +Works

HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo HLSRHalf Price Carnival Tickets
 

It's that time of year again to order your Half Price Carnival Tickets.   

 

Click Here For Flyer by Alicia Laidler at Alicia.Laidler@chevron.com or 713-235-5022.   

 

Click Aqui Para Aviso en Espanol de Alicia Laidner, Alicia.Laidler@chevron.com o 713-233-5022.  

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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.