The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
February 10, 2015 

  

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Dear Parents, PTO Logo 2010

 

The Houston Independent School District will hold a community meeting on Thursday,  February 19 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Pershing Middle School. HISD representatives will outline their plan to reduce overcrowding at our campus. A number of measures will be presented, including potential program enhancements and limiting the number of non-zoned students.   Please attend to give your input before a final proposal is presented to the HISD Board in March.

 

As previously stated, we are on Magnet probation. This means that if our non-zoned student enrollment does not reach at least 20% of our total student enrollment, we will lose magnet funding in a phase-out plan. Current magnet students will be able to remain at Mark Twain through fifth grade. Our Magnet program is our Literary Development Center and we are committed to maintaining the integrity of that program regardless of our Magnet status.   

 

February is Black History Month: Historian Carter G. Woodson established the week of Feb. 12-18, 1926, as Black History Week, selecting it because it included the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. In 1976, as part of the U.S. Bicentennial, Black History Week was expanded into Black History Month. This is a wonderful time to teach your student about African American culture while spending time together. Read more about ideas for learning and celebrating.  

 

Gentle reminders.

  • Mark Twain has a dress code. Please follow the dress code except for Free Dress days, which are the last Friday of each month. Mark Twain event t-shirts can be worn on Fridays.
  • School begins promptly at 8:00 am. Those first few minutes of the day are so important and set the tone. Please make sure that you allow plenty of time in the mornings so you arrive to school on time.
  • If your child's immunizations are not up to date it is critical that you take care of this as soon as possible. Nurse Hill has been reaching out to many of you - please adhere to the timelines she sent last week.
  • Kindergarten Roundup is Friday, March 6 at 9:00 am in the cafeteria. Children will have the opportunity to visit a kindergarten classroom and become familiar with the school. All zoned families with an incoming kindergartener are welcome to attend. If you know someone in the neighborhood, please pass along the information. Click here to learn more.

I hope to see you all at the Huckleberry Bash on Friday!  

 

Have a great week,

Melissa Patin

Huckleberry Bash 2015

 

Please join us for the Huckleberry Bash!  Come dressed in your best rock and roll attire and get ready to Rock and Roll All Night! Enjoy great food catered by BB's Caf�, live entertainment, a master DJ, dancing and open bar sponsored by Audi Central Houston. Bid on your favorite items and parties in the silent auction and prepare to outbid your friends on some amazing items in our live auction. To purchase tickets online, please click here.
Order a Yearbook!

The deadline to order your 2014-2015 Mark Twain Elementary Yearbook is extended to February  19. Please stop by the table in the front rotunda Tuesday, February 17 - Thursday, February 19 to order your yearbook.  Download your order form here or place your order online.
Parent enrichment meeting
Discussion on TED Talks
Friday, February 20 at 8:10 am
Mark Twain cafeteria

We've selected two TED Talks on parenting.  Watch them at home on your own time and join us to have an in depth discussion about the topics.  The links are below.  Plan on 30 minutes of viewing time.
 
Watch here: Jennifer Senior: For parents, happiness is a very high bar
"The parenting section of the bookstore is overwhelming - it's "a giant, candy-colored monument to our collective panic," as writer Jennifer Senior puts it. Why is parenthood filled with so much anxiety? Because the goal of modern, middle-class parents - to raise happy children - is so elusive. In this honest talk, she offers some kinder and more achievable aims."
 
Watch here: Bruce Fieler: Agile programming - for your family
"Bruce Feiler has a radical idea: To deal with the stress of modern family life, go agile. Inspired by agile software programming, Feiler introduces family practices which encourage flexibility, bottom-up idea flow, constant feedback and accountability. One surprising feature: Kids pick their own punishments."

March:  No meeting,  Enjoy Spring Break!

April 10:  Speaker: Tonya C. Crombie, PhD,  "Happiness and Strengths: Factors that lead to lifelong happiness and clues to identifying your child's (and your own) strengths"

May 8:  Speaker:  Amy Fuller, PhD, topic TBD

For questions or suggestions regarding the parent enrichment group please email Moya Varner [email protected] or Kahla Malinsky at [email protected]. Did you know that the parent enrichment group now has a living tree page?  If you would like to be added to the group for updates please email [email protected].

Math + Science Night
Thursday, February 26, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

WE NEED YOUR HELP - PLEASE VOLUNTEER! 

We need your help to make this event a success and spark our kids interest in math and science. We promise - no science or sophisticated math background is required.  It will be a fantastic event with over 12 different math and science activities for our kids to complete.  Table Leaders will give you clear instructions at the start of your shift. 
Please click here to sign up

Math Night and Science Night will be combined this year for one incredibly exciting evening! For questions, contact Irene Chang at [email protected] or Megan Rose at [email protected].
Mark Twain Elementary School
Houston Texans Kids Triathlon Team

Registration is open for the 4th Annual Houston Texans Kids Triathlon to be held on April 19.  Click here to register. Mark Twain will receive $10 for every child that registers as part of the Mark Twain Elementary School team.  Please  write "Mark Twain Elementary School" in the space next to Team Name on the registration form. For questions, contact Deanna Sheaffer at [email protected].

Triatholon
SAVE THE DATE:  
Mark Twain Triathlon Sunday, May 3 

Early Bird Registration will begin on Monday, March 2. Watch for more details in the coming weeks.



Training Opportunities 
 

The YMCA has expanded their 7-Week Hands-On Training Programs to accommodate more than 700 kids. Please CLICK HERE to see the offering of times and locations. Please remember, these programs are open to everyone, but they do require registration for the Houston Texans Kids Triathlon. The Triathlon usually sells out quickly.

In addition, the YMCA is offering a new series of 3-Hour Hands-On Clinics - also at no cost. These programs are designed for the first-time triathlete and are not as intensive as their 7-Week cousins, but they do a great job of getting kids prepared for the big day. CLICK HERE for details and to see the complete listing of times and locations.

NOTE: The YMCA swim training will require a swim test before beginning. If your child needs remedial swim training, here is an option:

What: Swim Training
When: M, W, F, and Sat from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Where: Bellaire Town Square Family Aquatic Center (heated pool).
Coach: Richard Butler (coach for St. Pius HS and the Bellaire Barracudas Swim Team)
Cost: $15 for a drop-in rate or $80/month for 2 swims/week (pick any days).
Contact: Bellaire Aquatic Center (713) 662-8249

UIL Texas
Congratulations Twain UIL Team! 

The UIL team competed on Saturday at Wheatley High School.  The largest competition of this year and Twain took the 2nd place sweepstakes award.  Congratulations to all the winners and participants.


Oral Reading - English
Payne Houck - 1st place Blue Division
Presley Houck - 3rd place Red Division

Creative Writing
Taylor Peden - 2nd place

Social Studies
Natalie King - 6th place

Spelling - 5th grade
Jack Rota - 5th

Art
Zoe Moss - 5th place
Caitlyn Davies - 1st place

Twain wins team award in Art.
 
Ready Writing - 5th grade
Dian Yu - 4th place

Storytelling - English
Payne Houck - 2nd

Impromptu Speaking - English - K-2nd grade
Taylor Peden - 3rd place

Impromptu Speaking - English - 3-5th grade
Camilo Riascos - 6th place

Impromptu Speaking - Spanish - K-2nd grade
Felipe Riascos - 1st place

Impromptu Speaking - Spanish - 3-5th grade
Sarah Nitsun - 2nd place
Nicolas Puerto - 1st place

Solo Acting - K-2nd grade
Payne Houck - 1st place

Listening
Morgan Peden - 6th place
Leo Solitare Renaldo - 3th place
Zoe Moss - 1st place

Twain wins team award in Listening.


Pin Oak Middle School Cheer Squad

Proudly Presents

     

Junior Cheer Clinic 2015 

Saturday, February 28 

9:00 am - Noon 

 

Maximum Capacity: 200

First Come, first serve

 

Girls and Boys: Kindergarten - 5th Grade

Cheer, Dance, Fun, and Games

$25 if registration/payment received by February 27 

$35 at the door if space available

T-shirt and snack included

 

Click here to register online.

 

For more information contact Cindy Cook

713-295-6500 ext. 327 or [email protected] 

 

9:00-9:30 - Registration

9:30-10:00 - Warm up and stretch

10:00-10:30 - Learn Cheer

10:30-10:45 - Snack Break

10:45-11:45 - Learn Cheer Dance

11:45-12:00 - Show Off for Parents

 


 

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