Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter
School Year 2013 - 2014
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March 04, 2014

Dear Parents,

 

The Shared Decision Making Committee ("SDMC") met last week and discussed a number of issues. Highlights of the meeting include the following:

 

Technology update: Laptop ordered for every classroom teacher. V Brick is on the way.  

 

The new TV is already installed in the front hallway. The V Brick will allow for announcements to be broadcast on Smart Boards. (Bash Paddles up for V Brick earned $12,000)

 

Science Fair: Mrs. Patin and Ms. Reese received lots of feedback regarding the packet. During the summer we will work with a science specialist/consultant to review the packet to see if any changes need to be made.   Science has been a focus this year and the school added StemScopes for grades K-5 as a curriculum resource from Rice University.

 

Accountability System:  Schools must meet all 4 indices to meet the standard. Indices are: Performance, Progress, Closing the Gap and College Readiness.  

 

Twain Demography:  Mr. Houck attended a meeting with HISD demographer. General information was shared, nothing specific to our area. For 2011-2012 there was a 21% growth in school aged children in our area. There are currently no plans for relief school or for rezoning. Our current class sizes are similar to schools in our area

 

Traffic update:   The City of Houston shared plans with Ms. Patin from other schools they have worked with. Mark Twain is scheduled for some time this spring.

 

SDMC minutes are posted on the Community Board each month.

 

This week......

Tuesday - Friday
Fifth graders off to camp
Tuesday, March 4Election Day - Mark Twain is a polling location
Wednesday, March 5 Second grade Inventors Showcase 8-10 a.m.
Friday, March 7
GET FIT FRIDAY - Wear Texans clothes or red, white or blue
Saturday, March 8
Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament
Sunday, March 9
Twain Triathlon

 

If you have technology available at your home, have your students log-in to iStation! Need help? Contact your child's teacher or Mr. Lowry.

 

Have a great week.

Melissa Patin

Principal

mpatin@houstonisd.org  

Twain School Website  www.houstonisd.org/Twaines  

PLATELETS NEEDED

Platelet bloodDear Friends,

One of our 4th Grade Students Andy, is currently receiving treatment at MD Anderson. 

If you can donate platelets or blood, call MD Anderson's Blood Bank at 713-745-7777. 

Please inform the MD Anderson Blood Bank that you are donating your blood or platelets for Andy (Patient Number 666675). 

If you are able to do so, your donation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so very much for helping our Twain Tiger Andy!

Melissa Patin
Principal
Online Fundraising
 & Calendar Links
  
In This Issue
Platelets Needed
Art A La Carte
Parent Enrichment
Texans GFF
Twain Triathlon
Yearbook Photos
Science Night
Bingo Night
Extended Day
International Festival
Birthday Grams
5th Gr Recorders
Houston Kids Triathlon
Gift Cards
BTFE
HOLA Water Polo
Vivaldi Music Academy
+Play Well Event
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 

 

 

 

  

 
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, March 6th  for K-2, as well as 3-5. Looking forward to seeing my Volunteer Coordinators, AALC volunteer teachers for March, as well as any   interested parents! 

 

To draw you must close your eyes and sing.
-Pablo Picasso

Sonal Patel
Arts Enrichment Director
Mark Twain Elementary
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 is on 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. 
TWAIN TRIATHLON
Triatholon The Twain Triathlon is HERE!

Join us in cheering on our athletes and supporting this huge event by participating in Spirit Week!! 

Monday - Friday: Race against other grade levels by bringing in your loose change!!! Run to find the large water jug in the rotunda with your grade level on it and drop in your coins!! The grade level that raises the most money will receive an award! All money will be go to the PTO in an effort to improve our playgrounds! 

Wednesday: Cheer on your classmates who will be participating in the Triathlon as they wear their triathlete t-shirts!! Wish them luck and give them a high -five for all of their hard work!

Sunday, March 9th : VOLUNTEER! Join a block on the bike route and cheer on your classmates as they pass by! We would love to see the entire course from start to finish lined with people supporting our students!!!! Make posters, get your cowbells out, and make some noise!!!! Also, line the track at Twain and applaud these athletes as they round the last leg of this event!

Join us for our post-race party, including YUMMY food from Breakfast Burritos Anonymous - Roaming Hunger food truck from 8-11AM!!!!!

So that we know what areas of the bike route will be marked with volunteers, please sign-up using the link below!

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0C4BAFAD23A75-mark

Thank you!!!

Your Triathlon Team Chairs,
Monica Agosta, Chrissy Abaza, and Penny Linsenmayer

If you have any questions regarding the Twain Triathlon, contact Monica Agosta at magosta69@gmail.com.
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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SCIENCE NIGHT - 
Science Night 2014
Science Night 2014:  Explore The Extraordinary!

Thursday, March 13th 5:30 - 7:30 pm   

 

This years Science Night is full of fun, new activities for the whole family.  Come by for a few minutes or a whole evening of exploration.   

  • Chemistry Show
  • NASA Gyroscope
  • Weather Museum
  • Polymer Balls

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

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! 

We need your help to spark our kids interest in science.  No science background required.  Table Leaders will give you clear instructions at the start of your shift.  Please sign up here:  www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4DAAAC292-mark5  

 

Questions??  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 
EXTENDED DAY
No Extended Day Care on Friday, April 18th

There will be no After-School program on Friday, April 18th. 

Please plan to pick up your Twain Tiger by 3:15 pm on April 18th.   
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

International Flags

Mark your calendars!

 

12th Annual International Festival

 

Mark Twain

 

April 12th   

1:00 - 4:00 pm

Come celebrate the diversity of the cultures and backgrounds represented in our school with a festival of performances and country displays.

 

We will have our first planning/informational meeting on Tuesday March 11th at 8:00 a.m. in the cafeteria. Please join us!

 

We are looking for:

  • Performers (can be children or adults): share your dancing, musical instrument, martial arts demonstration...
  • country displays (a table displaying maps, pictures, food samples, souvenirs and so on)
  • volunteers to serve on the planning committee

If you have ideas and would like to help organize this wonderful event, please come to the meeting on March 11th or contact Fabia Hill (832-315-4050 fabiahill@gmail.com)

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. 

HOUSTON KIDS TRIATHLON

Houston Kid Triathlon

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 Houston Kids Triathlon contact Deanna Sheaffer at deannasheaffer@yahoo.com.

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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).  

 

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.  


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

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
+PLAY WELL EVENT
+Playwell +Works

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.