Revised due to error in calendar and Movie Night article.
 Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter
School Year 2013 - 2014
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April 22, 2014

Dear Parents,

Last Wednesday, we had a PTO/All Parent meeting in the morning.  I have included below highlights of the meeting. 

  • IB Update
    • HISD: 6 authorized PYP schools, 5 candidate
    • HISD: adding MYP and DP schools
    • TX: ~ 41 PYP schools
    • US: ~ 375 PYP schools
    • IB Americas: ~ 2,000+ IB schools (PYP, MYP, DP)
    • IB worldwide: ~ 3,700 schools > 1,116,000 students
    • Worldwide: 154% increase in PYP over the last 5 yrs
    • 5th grade is working hard on Exhibition - Mark your calendar May 22nd!
  • Preliminary Budget for 2014-2015
    • Total Basic Operation Funds $3,305,818.00              
    • 2013-2014 - $3,0789,052
  • State Accountability - Update
    • To earn a rating of "Met Standard", a campus or district must meet the performance target in EACH of the Indexes scored.
      • Index 1 Student Achievement   % of students passing state assessment
      • Index 2 Student Progress % of students who MET Progress & % who Exceeded Progress
        • Numerator = 1 point for each %age Met+ 2 points for each %age Exceeded
        • Denominator = 200 points for each student group (grades 4-5)
      • Index 3 Closing Performance Gaps
      • Index 4 Postsecondary Readiness (% Met Level III - 75% of students must meet Level III on two tests)
  • Voice Survey
    • The survey will be available between May 1-3.   This confidential, third-party survey will be conducted in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Parents will receive the survey via their child (Elementary) or direct mail (Secondary) for each school where they have an enrolled child with an option to complete the survey online or on paper. Students will receive the survey at school. All other groups will take the survey online.
    • Tuesday folders 4/30 submit between 5/1-5/20 pre-addressed/postage paid envelope.
    • Student survey - May 12-30 in Media Center (grades 3-5)
  • Summer School
    • Dates: June 3-June 26th 8 AM - 2:30 PM, Mondays - Thursdays
  • Shout-outs . . . .   
TEA Accountability
Met Standard
Niche Survey
Mark Twain  A+
Office Max TOY
Bobby Bonn
Early Leadership Literacy Academy
Nanette Musters
Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy
Madelyn Woody &
Elizabeth Murdoch

ELL Teacher TOY (Region III)
Jo Vamvakias
Bilingual TOY
Naty Barrera
Teacher of the Year
Bobby Bonn
HAABSE TOY
Gaylen Gunter

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark your calendars - Friday May 16th at 8:00 a.m. the staff invites all parent volunteers to a light breakfast honoring your volunteerism and generosity.

 

Have a great week,

 

Melissa Patin

Principal

mpatin@houstonisd.org 

Twain School Website www.houstonisd.org/Twaines 

Online Fundraising and 
Calendar Links
  
Join Our Mailing List
Join Our Mailing List
In This Issue
Bingo Night
Appreciation Week
Soles 4 Souls
District UIL
School Store Volunteers
Birthday Grams
Houston Astros
Library Media Center
Lost & Found
5th Gr Recorders
Extended Day Payment
Strings Program Payment
Locks of Love
BTFE
Weekley YMCA Fundraiser
Parenting Today's T(w)eens
Dance & Hip Hop Clinic
Cub Scout Camp
ADDventure Summer Camp
HOLA Water Polo
+SNAX
Vivaldi Music
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 

 

 

 

  

 

Twain In The News
news-journal.com Longview, Texas, March 31, 2014

Houston Chronicle, Education, March 30, 2014

KHOU.com, March 26, 2014
BINGO NIGHT

Mark Twain Bingo Logo

BINGO Night April 25th

 

We look forward to seeing you then for lots of BINGO fundraising FUN!   

 

We have tons of cool prizes including a RipStick, WiiU, Icee Machine, Lego Robotics sets, Craft Kits and more! Samples of the prizes are in the bookcase in front of the Library.

 

This event is cash only and dinner will be available for purchase from Firehouse and Ben and Jerry's. Invite your friends and neighbors(new families who may be coming to Twain Elementary next year) for an hour or two of BINGO and prizes.  

 

We need a few more volunteers to help us collect cash and pass out BINGO cards. I appreciate your help - this event raises an amazing amount of money for the school and is a fun end of year treat!If you are interested in helping the BINGO Night team, please contact Laura Bumgarner at Laura.L.Bumgarner@wellsfargo.com 

YEARBOOK VOLUNTEERS

Yearbook The Yearbook is in need of volunteers to help sort nameplates.  While we're still a few weeks away from receiving (and distributing) the actual yearbook, these little nameplates are here, and currently they are essentially unsorted - and we need to get them sorted by student last name, grade and teacher!!!

 

I could use 2 to 4 volunteers for about one hour on this Friday morning (April 25) - 8 AM - 9 AM.

 

Please email me if you could help lgsolitare@gmail.com 

 

Thank you, Laura Solitare

Mark Twain PTO Yearbook Director, 2013-14

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK

Staff Appreciation Week is April 28-May 2   

 

Calling All Bakers!!!

  

Please help celebrate Staff Appreciation Week for our AMAZING Mark Twain by signing up at this SignUp Genius www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090B4DA5AC28A31-dessert site.  We will have a Dessert Bar on Monday, April 28th during lunch for all of the staff to enjoy.  We would love your homemade baked goods!  Pies, cakes, cookies, brownies, and etc.  Please, NO store bought treats.  We can easily purchase these, but would rather a more personal treat for them!  All desserts need to be delivered to the PTO room by 10:30 on Monday, April 28th.  Please note what you will bring so we can have a variety.  If we have a few batches of brownies that is fine, but all of the same will not be as exciting.

 

Please make sure your teachers and the staff at Mark Twain know how much we appreciate all they do for our children!  The PTO will sponsor "treats" each day of the week.  We encourage you and your child to make cards, bring flowers from your garden, share baked goods, or something that is special to your teacher! 

 

 

Fill Out Some Hearts

The "Hearts of Appreciation" were distributed in last week's Tuesday Folder.  You can print more out by clicking on this Link

Please fill out as many as you wish, don't forget your favorite ancillary teacher or support staff member at the school! 

Hearts can be brought to the PTO workroom.  Please do not forget to cut out your hearts before sending to school!  Hearts can be sent anytime before Teacher Appreciation Week begins.

If you have any questions, contact Jennifer Hyman at jennyhyman@gmail.com
SOLES 4 SOULS

Shoe Drive Soles 4 Souls Mark Twain will be participating in the program Soles 4 Souls.  

 

We will be collecting

New or Gently-Worn Shoes   

 

These shoes will then be donated to the citizens of Haiti who are unable to obtain shoes without our help. We are asking each student to put their donated shoes in the box by their grade level hall. All shoe sizes and types are needed. We plan on continuing this program for the next two weeks.

2ND ANNUAL ROCKET LAUNCH - POSTPONED

Rocket Launch 2014 Dads Club Rocket Launch will NOT occur this weekend.  New date has not been determined. 

 

Here are some of the details:

 

You do not need to be a member of the Dads Club to participate with your son/daughter in the Rocket Launch.

 

You can register here ROCKET Launch Registration Site, but please note that the registration cites that it will occur on Saturday, April 26th . . . but it has been postponed and will not occur on this date.   

Entry fee for the event will be $10 per rocket, one rocket per child.

 

Dad's Club will provide Launch Pads, igniters and water. 

 

Rocket are readily available at many hobby stores or on-line at estesrockets.com  or similar sites.

The rockets must adhere to these guidelines:

  • 25 inches tall or less
  • Engines - Estes B4-4 or B6-4/325 ft. class
  • Handmade or purchased with 1/8 inch guide brackets attached (see attachment)
  • Can be decorated anyway you like
  • Walk-ups discouraged.

Rules...

  • Three rockets will be launched at one time
  • Closest to the designated targeted will move on
  • Prizes to be award for the top three most accurate landing.
Brackets will be determined by the number of entrants.
MOVIE NIGHT
Movie

 

4th grade is holding a movie night this year.

 

Where: Mark Twain Elementary school cafeteria

When: May 2nd 2014, 6-8pm

Why: To raise money to help The Large Spindle Piece by Henry Moore

Who: Everyone is welcome

 

We will be selling pizza, candy, popcorn, a variety of assorted sodas and water.  We will also have a raffle basket.  

 

V.I.P seating will be available for the additional cost of 15$. The V.I.P seating includes, 2 slices of pizza, 1 candy, 1 popcorn, and 1 drink of your choice.  With the purchase of V.I.P seating you may also have your name placed in each of the raffle baskets.

 

We will be showing the following movie Despicable Me 2. We hope to see you there.  

Night for Movie Banner

 

DISTRICT UIL
Help Twain Compete for a District UIL Title!

All students welcome to participate. Events of all types - academic, writing, and speaking.  Twain Tigers, please email Jennifer Dennis (jdennis3@houstonisd.org) or Shelley Rota (srota@houstonisd.org) to register for the open spots we still have for the District Meet.

10:30 - Section B
Art (4/5th Gr.) - WE HAVE AN OPEN (1) SLOT HERE

12:00 - Section C
Music Memory (5th Gr.) - WE HAVE TWO (2) OPEN SPOTS HERE
   
The District Meet is May 3 at Windsor Village Elementary.  Students may compete in 1 to as many as 4 events.  You can come for your event only or stay the day and support our team.  Events usually last about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
SCHOOL STORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDS
School Store Friday Volunteers

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!
Rachel Ezell & Leslie Strug. Questions: rpezell@yahoo.com
HOUSTON ASTROS

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

 

The Houston Astros are inviting students to come out to the ballpark to watch the home team play this season.  Mark Twain has received 100 tickets each to 8 different games in April, May and June and we are giving them away to students, parents and staff for FREE!   

 

If you would like to attend a game, please fill out this form and return to Coach Jody before your requested 1st game.   

 

Families can receive up to 5 tickets to each game, and tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.  Only requests for April games will be taken at this time.  May and June game requests will be taken beginning in May. 

 

This is an exciting time for the Astros, as it is a good chance to see the team's future stars start to develop on the big league team!  Enjoy a fun time at the field.  Complete and return a ticket request form to Coach Jody today!   

 

The games are as follows: 

 

Tuesday, April 29 (vs Washington Nationals)

Wednesday, April 30 (vs Washington Nationals)

Friday, May 30 (vs Baltimore Orioles)

Wednesday, June 4 (vs Los Angeles Angels)

Wednesday, June 11 (vs Arizona Diamondbacks)

 

Click Here for Form.

 

For more info, contact Coach Jody Bourque at jbourque@houstonisd.org.

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
Effective immediately, the Library Media Center will be open to students, teachers and parents for returns and checking out books on the following schedule:

Mornings

Monday - Thursday from 7:30 until 7:45

Afternoons

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 3:15 - 3:30.

For more information, contact Mr. Deering at gdeering@houstonisd.org.
LOST & FOUND

Parents,  

please come and check the Lost & Found closet located in the school cafeteria.  The clothes rack is set up in the hallway outside of the cafeteria.

   

There are several non-uniform items in the closet and on the rack.  All items will be removed and disposed off in the next couple of weeks. 

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. 

EXTENDED DAY FINAL PAYMENT

Extended Day final payments were due April 4th.   

 

If you have any questions about your balance, please e-mail Stacey Karr at skarr@houstonisd.org .

STRINGS PROGRAM PAYMENTS DUE

Violin Friendly Reminder:

 

Strings Program Payments Are Due!

 

Please send in your payment for Guitar, Cello, Violin.

 

Please contact me directly for current balance at vsanche7@houstonisd.org.

 

I will also be sending out individual reminder emails during this week.

 

Vicky Sanchez

Mark Twain Elementary

LOCKS OF LOVE
Locks of Love Event Coming To Mark Twain

EVENT COMING END OF MAY
 
Our Locks of Love event is here!!!

Hairdressers will be coming to Mark Twain to measure and cut hair.  Please join us for this amazing event as Mark Twain students, teachers, moms, sisters, and friends join together in making a HUGE difference in a child's life. 

It is 
TIME TO COMMIT!! 

Please email 
Ilse Rassin (ilserassin@gmail.com) or Luisa Puerto (alpuertogomez@gmail.comto sign up to join the Locks of Love team.  We need to know how many participants we have to ensure we have enough hairdressers so please email us if you are planning on participating.
 
Make a difference in a child's life and join us in donating to Locks of Love (www.locksoflove.org).
  
Who can donate? We are looking for Mark Twain girls, their moms, sisters, teachers, staff to donate their beautiful locks for a wonderful cause.
  
When?  The exact date will be given out soon.  We are planning for after school in late May
  
How?  You will need 10" of hair to make a donation (or close to that) 
 
Why?  Because there are thousands of children who suffer from long-term hair loss and we have the ability to make a difference. Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hair pieces for these children. So if you have hair and it grows, you can help!
  
Ready to commit? 
If you are 100% committed to participating in this event, please email your name, age and phone number to Ilse Rassin. There are ways to help even if you choose not to donate hair so send us an email if you'd like to help. 
  
Questions?  More info to come as the date approaches, but if you have questions now, please email Ilse Rassin ilserassin@gmail.com or Luisa Puerto  alpuertogomez@gmail.com.
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 Sweepstakes
Click on Image above to enter. One (1) Entry per person/email address per day through 4/30/2014.


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.comto see more bonus offers.

For more information, contact Jacqueline Leggington at btfe.marktwain@yahoo.com
HOUSTON CHILDREN'S CHORUS
Children's Chorus 
Rice Brochenstein PavilionThe Houston Children's Chorus will be performing at Rice University's Stude Concert Hall this Sunday, April 27, 5pm.

Follow this link houstonchildren.org/performances/gala

or go to the website to purchase tickets. Children's tickets are discounted to $10. To get this rate, type "STUDENT" into the promo code section as you checkout.  Tickets are also available for purchase at the door, prior to the concert.

Auditions are being scheduled for the 2014-15 season right now! Don't miss this opportunity for your singer to join this fantastic group!

Go to the website for more information.  

 

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

The Houston Children's Chorus is one of Houston's great cultural treasures.  Bringing together some of the finest young talent in the greater Houston area, the Chorus, through the dedicated vision of Founding Director Stephen Roddy, has become a recognizable institution and has captured the attention of audiences, critics and musicians both nationally and internationally for many years.

Every five years, the Chorus holds a gala, which is not only the year's largest fundraising event, but is also a time to come together in support of one of Houston's true cultural institutions.  By celebrating with us on this milestone evening, your presence will support the mission of the Chorus.  In addition to a dinner in the breathtaking new Brochstein Pavilion, the Chorus will present its annual Spring Concert in Stude Concert Hall; titled "Young at Heart," the program features many classic tunes that will certainly leave you smiling if not singing along (though softly, we ask).

WEEKLEY YMCA FUNDRAISER

Weekley Sprint Sprint for Spring on SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2014 in the same beautiful community its YMCA supports.  Register individually or save when you register as a team of five or more!   

 

All proceeds fund the Weekley Family YMCA Annual Campaign which provides scholarships to local families in need of valuable YMCA programs.

 

RACE OPTIONS:
  • 5K, Competitive
  • 5K, Non-competitive
  • 5K, Family Fun Run
  • 1K, Kids' Fun Run 
REGISTER ONLINE BY CLICKING HERE OR
  • Register in person at the Weekley Family YMCA
  • Mail registration form & waiver to: 

WEEKLEY FAMILY YMCA 
c/o Sprint for Spring Fun Run & Walk 
7101 Stella Link
Houston, TX 77025    

 

*Last day to register: April 25, 2014  


The course is shown here.
WEEKLEY YMCA Course
PARENTING TODAY'S T(W)EENS
Positive Works Talk
DANCE & HIP HOP CLINIC
Pin Oak Middle School will be hosting a Junior Dance and Hip Hop Clinic for boys and girls in grades PreK - 5th.  They will learn dances, play games, get a T-shirt, and a snack on Saturday, April 26th from 9am-noon.  The cost is $25.00. 

The Junior Clinic Dancers are invited back to perform in the annual Spring Show! Please contact Misty Wagers for registration information 
 mwagers@houstonisd.org.
CUB SCOUT CAMP
Twilight Camp
ADDVENTURE SUMMER CAMP
ADDventure Summer Camp

When: 
June 9-27, 2014 
12:30 pm - 4:30pm
 
Where: St. Francis Episcopal Day School
335 Piney Point Rd
 
 
Is your child struggling with ADHD?  Pre-registration now open at www.childrenslearninginstitute.org/ADDventure

The Dan L. Duncan Children's Neurodevelopmental Clinic is launching its first annual ADDventure Summer Camp!  The camp is geared toward children in grades 1-3 diagnosed with ADHD.

 

Campers will work with experienced psychologists and trained professionals in learning to follow instructions, complete tasks, develop problem solving skills, and improve self-esteem by developing competence in interpersonal, recreational, and academic tasks. Arts & crafts, sporting events, and individualized academic interventions will provide a blended mix of fun and learning.

Click Here For Flyer
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
Add a description
A Welcoming Place

It was Monday and she was late again, running her kids to schools two miles apart, a forgotten permission slip and traffic adding to her stress.  All she really wanted to do was to get her work-out in and just "breathe."

 

She rushed into her exercise class and felt all eyes upon her. Mats were out, and there didn't seem to be an inch to spare. Ducking her head, she quickly dashed to the back of the room, jangled by the morning rush, fumbling with her mat and water bottle.  She carefully stepped over several people who shot her "the look."

 

Whispering, she asked a fellow student, "May I squeeze in here?"

 

The woman looked up and said with such warmth, "Of course. I will always make room for you."

 

With gratitude evident on her face, she finally relaxed.  In that moment of simple kindness, she had found not only a place to stretch - but a warm, welcoming place to be.

.........................................
JOIN THE +MOVEMENT:

©2013 +Works

www.blog.positivethinkingworks.org     

For more information, visit www.positivethinkingworks.org.

 Back To Top    

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
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 twaintimes@gmail.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 twaintimes@gmail.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 twaintimes@gmail.com on your request to have something published in the Twain Times.   It is your responsibility for sending the posting and attachments to twaintimes@gmail.com .  It is not Mr. Houck or Ms. Patin responsibility to forward emails to twaintimes@gmail.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 Saturdays by Noon 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.