The Twain Times

Mark Twain Elementary School

December 2, 2014

Thank You To Our

2014-2015

Corporate Sponsors

Gold Level

Silver Level

Texas Citizens Bank logo

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Community Partners Level

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The Lice Place

TheLicePlace.com

Candelaris

Candelaris.com

Dear Mark Twain Families,

I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. The 2015 Huckleberry Bash is right around the corner! This year's theme is "Twain in the Fast Lane," so see if your favorite leather pants still fit and get ready to rock the night away! I have already heard about some amazing classroom creations and exciting new auction items. If you can volunteer, donate an auction item, or buy a table, contact Bash co-chairs, Chastiti Houck chorne@ethlaw.com or Madonna Bauch madonna5@comcast.net. There is a lot to do and we need your help. Remember to Save the Bash Date - February 13, 2015.

We will soon migrate to a new library system so please return library books by the end of the week.

Student Led Conferences are December 10 for grades 1-5. Please look in the Tuesday folder for scheduling information.

Kindergarten students will be administered the Iowa Test of Basic Skills December 5-11.

We celebrate Mark Twain's birthday on December 5. Pancakes will be served in the cafeteria between 7:30-7:45 am with a taste of huckleberries (courtesy of Alan Ryan's family).

Remember to purchase your gift cards from the School Store. The cards make great last minute gifts, or use them to buy from many local vendors. A portion of the proceeds goes directly to the PTO. It couldn't be easier to raise some funds for our school.

Have a great week!

Tony Houck, PTO President

tvhouck@msn.com

Art a la Carte

Join us for the December Art a la Carte tutorial for K-5. Meet in the cafeteria at 8:00 am on Thursday, December 4.

Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist -Rene Magritte

The Pin Oak Middle School

Pegasus Dance Company

proudly presents

DANCE and HIP HOP Junior Clinic 2014

Saturday, December 6

9:00 am to Noon

Pin Oak Middle School

4601 Glenmont Dr., Bellaire, TX 77401

$25 (T-shirt and snack included)

Girls and Boys grades Pre-K - 5th Grade:

Learn dances from the Boys and Girls from the

Pin Oak Pegasus Dance Company

The Junior Clinic Dancers are invited to perform with the Pegasus Dance Company for a special holiday event at Barnes & Noble directly after the clinic.

Barnes & Noble Dance Performance

1:00 - 1:30 pm

3003 W Holcombe Blvd.

Vanderbilt Square, Houston, TX 77025

For more information, please contact Misty Wagers at mwagers@houstonisd.org or Jorge Sanchez at jsanch13@houstonisd.org or 713-295-6500 ext. 390

Jump Rope For Heart

Mark Twain is thrilled to support the American Heart Association through the Jump Rope For Heart program. Students can jump rope, learn about the heart and how to keep it healthy, while helping to raise money for the American Heart Association.

Donations are due to Coach Jody's office by Friday, December 12. Please visit heart.org or email jbourque@houstonisd.org to learn more.

Parent Enrichment

Friday, December 12 at 8:10 am
in the cafeteria

Join Louise Hayes, Ph.D., a retired special education teacher specializing in learning disabilities and founder of Brain Growth and Repair, as she explores and educates us on brain development, how it works (and sometimes doesn't) and how to make it work better.

Her work, Brain Growth and Repair is based on the brain-mind-body approach which is the perception that as we maximize the cooperation of brain, mind and body, through movement, touch, and intention, we bring about intended change.

Brain Growth and Repair teaches movements to encourage our brain to grow those connections at any age. Visit braingrowthandrepair.com to learn more.

Did you know that Parent Enrichment has set up a Living Tree group? If you want to be added to this group for meeting reminders and updates, please email kahlavet@gmail.com.

Magnet Applications

Magnet applications are due Friday, December 19.

You may apply online at www.hisdchoice.com or turn in a paper application to the school or schools you want to attend.

Dual Language Applications for Mark Twain are available at the front desk and due by Friday, December 19.

If you are zoned to Mark Twain, there is no need to fill out a Magnet application. For more information, please contact Janelle Wade at jwade@houstonisd.org or (713) 295-5230.

Register for the

Mark Twain Track Team

Calling future track stars! Registration is open for the 2014/2015 Mark Twain Track Team. Practice will be held once a week after school for 30 minutes beginning in January, with a goal of attending at least one Spring tournament. All interested 3rd, 4th and 5th graders need to return a registration form to Coach Jody by December 19. Click here to download the registration form.

Twain Triathlon: Save the Date! Triatholon

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Mark Twain will team up with the YMCA to produce a bigger and better Triathlon in 2015. We look forward to working with YMCA staff to train our Twain Tigers, build endurance, and promote swim stroke development through swim lessons. This work will culminate in a Fun Run through the YMCA on April 25, 2015 and Twain Triathlon on May 3, 2015.

If you are interested in being an integral member of the Triathlon Planning Committee, we need to hear from you! Please email magosta69@gmail.com for information.

For more information about Mark Twain Elementary, visit marktwainpto.org or houstonisd.org/Twaines. To receive the Twain Times e-newsletter, please sign-up here. For submission guidelines, visit marktwainpto.org/communications.