Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter
School Year 2013 - 2014 |
| March 11, 2014
| |
|
Dear Mark Twain Parents and Families,
Well, the Twain parents did it again. The 1st Annual Twain Triathlon was on Sunday and was a huge success. More than 200 kids of all ages swam, bike and ran through the neighborhood. A HUGE thank you goes out to Chrissy Abaza, Penny Linsenmeyer and Monica Agosta for putting together the grand event. We also need to thank Pershing for opening up their school and providing volunteers; Houston Police Department for having more than 30 officers present; Ms. Patin and many of her staff to give up a Sunday to make sure all was in order; Firehouse 37 for the EMS presence; over 50 volunteers in the community to ensure all was safe in the neighborhood. The list could go on and on. It was so exciting to see the smiling faces of the kids to complete the race after months of training. It makes me proud to live in a neighbor that really embraces the wellbeing of our kiddos.
Also, once again, The Twain Odyssey Teams had a great showing at the regional tournament, with three teams advancing to the State Tournament. Hats off to the whole crew, kids and parent volunteers on a job extremely well done.
Science Night is this Thursday, and it should be a crowd pleaser. It (as does everything else) seems to get bigger and better every year. A chemistry show, gyroscope from NASA and much more. Come on out and let your children's mind explore.
Spring Break can never come soon enough for students. I think we all deserve a week off. Take time and recharge with your children and come back refreshed and ready for the final push of the school year. And as always, thank you for your incredible dedication and contributions to our school. Mark Twain is a very special place for our children to learn and grow into responsible and reflective citizens of the world. Go Tigers!!!
Tony Houck
Mark Twain PTO President
tvhouck@msn.com
|
PLATELETS NEEDED
|
|  Dear 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 713-792-7777. <-- NOTE Revised Phone Number
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
| |
|
|
Thank You To Our
2013-2014
Corporate Sponsors
|
| |
Platinum Level
Gold Level
EBANKS, HORNE, ROTA, MOOS
Silver Level
Community Partners Level
The Lice Place
TheLicePlace.com
Candelaris Candelaris.com  
 |
|
|
SCIENCE NIGHT
| | 
Science Night 2014: Explore The Extraordinary!
Thursday, March 13th 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Where does electricity come from? What happens when you freeze a flower? How does NASA control the movement of the International Space Station? 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.
Explore 13 Activity tables in the Cafeteria: - NASA Gyroscope
- Health Museum
- Roller Coaster Challenge
- Polymer Balls
Chemistry Show at 5:40, 6:20 & 7:00
in the library (limited seating)
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.
|
BOOK DRIVE
| | |
 Mark Twain Annual Book Drive Benefiting Books Between Kids...
Calling all Book Worms are you ready to do some spring cleaning for a cause? We are collecting books for Books Between Kids through March 28th in the front rotunda. All books will be donated to at risk students in local Houston area schools.
Our goal is help assist in creating home libraries for at risk children in time for summer reading . Please consider donating any gently loved or new books to our drive! Every book counts!
If you have any questions, please contact Heather Barrow at heather@rtlogo.com.
|
| 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
|
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
| | |
Fifty students from Mark Twain participated in the OM tournament this weekend. The competition was extremely tough this year and all Twain teams did really well. We are especially proud of:
 Problem 1 Vehicle Team: August Gross, WenXuan Zhou, Johannes John, Amara Freedson, Annie Zhou, Madeline Mossman and Yusuf Ozgel who won 6th place
 Problem 3 Classics Team: Jennifer Hamad, Natalie Mafrige, Owen Crombie, Patrick O'Connor, Philip Hulten, Shirley Zhao and Thomas Schultz who won 3rd place and the
 Problem 5 Theatrical Team: Amanda Crombie, Chase Anderson, Gaby Loredo, Jack Rota, Nathan Wilson and Sophia Rassin who won 4th place.
All three of these teams qualified for the State Tournament and will be competing again in April. In addition, the Problem 3 team won an OMER Award which is given in recognition of individuals or teams who demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship, exemplary behavior, or exceptional talent. OMER Awards are only given when teams have done something special, therefore receiving this honor is a great achievement for our Problem 3 team.
There were an additional five (5) Teams who successfully presented their solutions at the regional tournament:
 Problem 4 Balsa Wood: Augie Loredo, Tucker Shaeffer, Gregory Lee, Nathaniel Lee, Lindsay Shepperd, Elif Ozgel and Sierra Ondo
Problem 5 Theatrical: Caroline Crowder, Lauren Lee, Ria Arabandi, Ariana Diaz, Eddie Wang, Lazo Mohammed and Zoe Moss
 Primary Team 1: Zachary Moss, Elias Yustein, Rowan Freedson, Adam Wilson, Adam Wilson and Kevin Yan
Primary Team 2: Faraz Iqbal, Ismail Gobba, Sophia Stavens, Emmery Rose and Lucas Malinsky
Primary Team 3: Isai Balamurugan, Austin Lan, Micheal Hamad, Dhruv Gupta and Saachi Gupta
We also want to extend a thank you to the four (4) Twain faculty members who served as judges at the tournament:
- Ms. Blakeslee,
- Ms. Clayton,
- Ms. Chapin, and
- Mr. Bonn
The kids were so excited every time they spotted one of their teachers wearing a funny judges hat. Your presence made the tournament more fun and exciting for all of the kids. We also thank the volunteers who spent the entire day working at the tournament: Teresia O'Connor and Jennifer Wilson and countless other parents who volunteered to work 2-hour shifts during the day. Twain can not participate without these judges and volunteers and we are so grateful for their time and generosity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
TWAIN TRIATHLON
| |
 The Tri team would like to congratulate all students who participated in this fabulous event! We had 157 students brave the cold and rain. For many, this was their first ever Triathlon!! Way to go Twain Tigers!!! We are so PROUD of you!
This event would never have taken place without the help of ALL - Parents, Teachers, Volunteers from the community and local schools, etc..! Everyone worked so hard to not only pull this together, but to pull it off almost seamlessly despite the weather! This never would have happened without the help of all of you and we can't thank you enough! We hope that this is just the first of an annual event and fundraiser that not only promotes health and wellness, but helps our school to maintain its equipment and playgrounds so that all children have the opportunity to keep physical activity a big part of their life.
Some children made us some Thank You Posters that read, "Thank you for inspiring us to do BIG things!" Well, this all started because we were inspired by THEM!! And in the words of our beloved parent and author Brene Brown, we CHOSE to DARE GREATLY, push forward, and produce a moment in each of these kids' lives they won't forget. To see them overcome fears and push themselves out of their comfort zones, and achieve something great....well, there just aren't words.
Congratulations to ALL! Your Tri Team |
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
| |
|
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)
Back To Top
|
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.
|
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.
|
| BIRTHDAY GRAMS | | |
Parents: Please submit requests for Birthday Grams 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! |
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
Back To Top
|
HOUSTON KIDS 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. Back To Top
|
Buy your Regal Cinema Gift Cards at the School Store!
|
Get That Gift Card From The School Store!
|
| 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).
to see more bonus offers.
|
 | | Click on Image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per day through 7/17/2014. |
|
|
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!!
|
+SNAX
| |
 You are amazing.
You are a mom, a dad, a guardian, a principal, a coach, a teacher, a librarian, a receptionist, a bus driver, a nurse. You are an encourager, a confidante, an example.
You are valued more than you will ever know.
You are part of a +Movement of parents and educators locking arms to help our children grow to be resilient, productive, and the best whole people they can be. And because this +Movement is about reflection and a new kind of action in our communities, it takes real courage to be part of it.
For this, we acknowledge you - the adults who stand with us and who embody as a group what it means to be a +Community Courageous.
.........................................
©2013 +Works
www.blog.positivethinkingworks.org
For more information, visit www.positivethinkingworks.org.
Back To Top
|
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.
For questions, contact Courtney Park, Suzuki Program Director at courtney@vivaldimusicacademy.com or 713-858-9617
|
|
CALENDARS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO
| | |
|
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.
|
|
|
