Mark Twain Elementary School Newsletter
School Year 2013 - 2014
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April 29, 2014

Dear Mark Twain Parents and Families,

 

This is Teacher Appreciation Week at Mark Twain!  I just love seeing all the beautifully decorated doors, "Hearts of Thanks" in the hallways, and the creativity of all the kids. I want to thank Jennifer Hyman (VP of Staff Appreciation), the room parents and all parents for your efforts to make this week so special. The strong relationship between the parents, teachers and administration is what makes Mark Twain so great and a wonderful place for our children to learn and grow!

 

I want to invite you all to the next PTO meeting on Wednesday, May 14th at 8 AM in the cafeteria. We will be voting on the 2013-14 PTO Board of Directors and finalizing summer PTO plans.

 

Coming Soon!

 

May 2 - Movie Night in the cafeteria 5:30 -7:30 PM 

 

May 3 - 5th grade Car Wash 9 - 11 AM Volunteers still needed. Please sign up at www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BA5AD2CA64-parent   

 

May 10 - Dad's Club Father Daughter Dance 7-9 PM 

 

May 16 - VIPS Breakfast 8:30 - 9:30 AM 

 

May 16 - Odyssey/UIL/Robotics Night 6 - 7:30 PM in the cafeteria. There will be performances, fun games, pizza, prizes and more!

 

The Second Annual Dad's Club Rocket Launch has been postponed. We will let you know when it is rescheduled.

 

Enjoy the weather and get ready for the roller coaster ride of activities in May!  I appreciate all that you do for our school and community - it makes a BIG difference in the lives of our children!

 

Tony Houck

Mark Twain PTO President

tvhouck@msn.com
YOUR VOICE SURVEY

HISD Your Voice May Survey The Your Voice survey will be conducted again this May.   

 

Click Here for a brief overview of the survey.  Your paper survey will be sent in the Tuesday Folders on May 6th.  If you decide to fill out the paper copy, please mail it in.  Do not return to the school or your child's teacher.   

 

The handout provides a link if you choose to fill it out electronically.  Thank you in advance for providing your feedback to HISD and to the school. 

 

Melissa A. Patin

Principal

Online Fundraising and 
Calendar Links
  
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In This Issue
Appreciation Week
District UIL
Soles 4 Souls
School Store Volunteers
Birthday Grams
Houston Astros
Library Media Center
Lost & Found
5th Gr Recorders
Extended Day Payment
Strings Program Payment
BTFE
Parenting Today's T(w)eens
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

Houston Chronicle, Houston a Stronghold of School Choice, April 26, 2014
STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK

Staff Appreciation Week - April 28-May 2   

 

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 the 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
MOVIE NIGHT
Movie Night

Movie Night

 

Do you like movies? Do you want to support the Henry Moore sculpture and the Adopt a Monument Program? Well here's your chance.

 

On May 2, 2014 we will be holding a movie night. We will play Despicable Me 2. You can bring your own sleeping bags and pillows.

 

In addition, we will be selling concessions. Pizza is $2 a slice, popcorn is $2, candy prices vary due to a wide variety of candy choices. Of course if you want a whole meal $5 dollars can get you 2 slices of pizza and a drink.

 

VIP seats will be available for $15. The benefits are 2 slices of pizza, a drink, candy, popcorn, and a reserved seat.

 

Also, parents, if you can donate candy or volunteer for a job we would appreciate it.

 

On top of everything else, raffle tickets will be available for $1. We will be raffling off a Despicable Me 2 basket and two one week free dress passes!

 

All proceeds will go towards the preservation and upkeep of the sculpture. Outdoor works of art subject to damage from wind, water, and graffiti. By coming to movie night you are helping to keep the sculpture looking beautiful, so that everyone in Houston can enjoy it! To see more works of art from Henry Moore you can visit: www.henry-moore.org 

 

Thank you for donating and supporting the Henry Moore sculpture!

 

Matthew Fu and the Fourth Grade Students

5TH GRADE CAR WASH
5th Grade Car Wash and Bake Sale
Saturday, May 3rd
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Mark Twain

Get your car cleaned by 5th grade students dedicated to beautifying Houston one car at a time and enjoy some delicious snacks! We cannot wait to see you there. 

 
For more information contact Leslie Strug at lesliestrug@yahoo.com
DISTRICT UIL
Help Twain Compete for a District UIL Title!

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.

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
2014 FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE

Father Daughter Dance Saturday, May 10, 2014

7 PM - 9 PM

Mark Twain Dance Hall (Cafeteria)

 

The Mark Twain Dads Club invites all Mark Twain girls and their fathers to the annual Father/Daughter Dance! Children must be accompanied by father (or a substitute such as a grandfather, uncle or cousin)

 

This special evening includes a DJ playing some great dancing music, snacks and a souvenir picture button!

 

Cost is $25 per father/daughter couple and $5 per additional child.  Click Here To Register! 

 

Snacks Needed

 

Snack donations are needed for the Dance.  Please deliver snacks to the cafeteria on Saturday, May 10th between 4 PM and 5 PM.  Non-perishable snacks can be left in the Parent Workroom on Friday, May 9th.  No candy please.   

 

*4th and 5th grade girls are encouraged to help decorate between 2 PM -5 PM.  

 

Contact Kelly James, Dad's Club President at kmattj62@gmail.com if you have any questions. 

LOCKS OF LOVE
LOCKS OF LOVE EVENT - MAY 27, 2014

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 (http://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?  Tues, May 27th at 3:30 in the Mark Twain Cafeteria

How?  You will need 10" of hair to make a donation   

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 or Luisa Puerto.  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 ).

5TH GRADE EXHIBITION exhibition EXHIBITION exhibition EXHIBITION
Help Houston's Homeless, Donate In Front Rotunda to The Star Of Hope Apr 30 - May 2
Help Houston's Homeless, Donate In Front Rotunda to The Star Of Hope,
Apr 30 - May 2

2014 Exhibition Newsletter
 
ARTICLE HEADLINE

School Supply   

To Pay by Credit Card, Please Order Online at:

 www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/supplypacket 

 

Cash, Check and Credit Card payments are accepted at the school store. 

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 has been postponed. 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.
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

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's2Ways2Earn.com to see more bonus offers.

For more information, contact Jacqueline Leggington at btfe.marktwain@yahoo.com
BAYOU CITY SUMMER CLUB

Bayou City Summer Club Bayou City Summer Club

 
Summer is almost here, and the Bayou City Summer Club still has limited space available. We are conveniently located in the M
useum District, just a block away from the Children's Museum at 5541 Caroline.

With weekly learning themes, fitness activities, art sessions and field trips your children are sure to have a fun and enriching summer with us!

Camp is from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday. You may sign up weekly or all summer.

Visit our website, call or e-mail for more details!  Click Here for More Information and Registration Form.
www.bayoucitysummerclub.com

For more information, contact Stacey Karr at 832-422-6063, bayoucitysummerclub@gmail.com 
PARENTING TODAY'S T(W)EENS
Positive Works Talk
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
Choose your pain

 

Working up the courage to speak up can be quite painful. But not speaking up at all can make us feel even worse. 

 

When we speak up, we are at least acknowledging to ourselves and to others that an issue needs attention and that we are willing to be involved, actively, in resolving the problem.

 

Not speaking up can make us feel weak, bitter, tired, and unhappy over time. And in our experience, that is not a very positive place to be.

 

What do we tell each other as friends when facing those everyday "to-speak-up -or-not" decisions? Sometimes we simply say: "Choose your pain." Choose the pain you will feel in your run-up to speaking up. Or choose the pain of holding it all in while you wait for someone else to do what you know you could and should - do yourself, knowing what you know.

 

The difference between the two kinds of pain is, of course, the gain we experience when we dare to make a difference by choosing positive action over non action.

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