The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
February 17, 2015 

  

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Dear Parents, PTO Logo 2010 

 

This past Friday many of us attended the Huckleberry Bash - it was a grand success!  It was nice to see so many parents and staff members coming together to support our school community. On behalf of the teachers and staff at Mark Twain, I thank you for your generosity and support. I would also like to extend a special thank you to our Bash coordinators Chastiti Houck and Madonna Bauch. They worked tirelessly with countless volunteers to pull off a truly magnificent event. In a few days you will see some of the auction items that are still available displayed in the front hallway. Take a look - you may just find something special for yourself or your child!

 

Reminders:

  • There are visitor tables in the cafeteria for parents that want to join their child for lunch. Students are allowed to invite one friend to the table with them.
  • Pets are not allowed in the school at any time. Please refrain from bringing dogs or cats into the building.
  • The field is used by Extended Day at 4:15 pm every day and on Fridays at 3:15 pm. Please plan accordingly.

Wednesday, February 18: Exhibition Parent Meeting for 5th grade parents at 8:00 am in the cafeteria. Ms. Blakeslee will give an overview of the Exhibition process for 5th grade students.

 

Thursday, February 19: Community Meeting at 6:00 pm at Pershing Middle School led by an HISD representative. The proposal for overcrowding will be presented with an opportunity for questions. If you are unable to attend, but have questions, please email your questions to me at mpatin@houstonisd.org. I will present the information from the Community Meeting at our next PTO meeting which is Wednesday, March 11 at 8:00 am.

 

Wednesday, February 25: Early Dismissal - please pick up your child/children at 12:30 pm. The playground is not available for students to play on after dismissal.

 

Thursday, February 26: Math + Science Night -  join us from 5:30 - 7:30 pm for a great opportunity for your children to engage in fun and exciting science and math activities.

 

Friday, February 27: Go Texan Day - students are invited to wear western wear to launch the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

 

Have a great week!

Melissa Patin 

Principal   

 
Order a Yearbook!

The deadline to order your 2014-2015 Mark Twain Elementary Yearbook is February  19. 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 moya.varner@gmail.com or Kahla Malinsky at kahlavet@gmail.com. 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 kahlavet@gmail.com.

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

Unravel the myths and the mysteries at The Party at the Parthenon: Math + Science Night 2015!

Take the Olympic Challenge!
Experience a "Starry Night" in the HMNS Discovery Dome
Join the Great Lego Contest and many, many more!

James Coney Island will sell hot dog dinners and generously donate a portion of proceeds to Mark Twain.

*LEGO DONATIONS ARE STILL BEING COLLECTED IN THE PTO WORKROOM.*

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST WITH ACTIVITY BOOTHS AND SERVE AS GREETERS. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP. For questions, contact Irene Chang at icchang@prodigy.net or Megan Rose at meganrose72@gmail.com.

Dear Twain Parents, Nurses Corner

 

Due to the recent multi-state measles outbreak, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC has sent recommendations to all health care providers including School Nurses.  

  • ensure patients are current with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
  • recommend MMR vaccine for all persons over 6 months of age prior to travel.
  • suspect and isolate persons who exhibit the symptoms of measles. 

In light of the severity of measles, please ensure that your children's immunizations are up to date. If I contact you regarding immunizations, please respond promptly. I would like to encourage Twain families who have abstained from immunizing their children to please reconsider.

 

Additionally I have arranged for the Harris County Public Health Immunization Mobile Unit or "Troubleshooters" to visit Mark Twain on Monday, March 30 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. This is a vaccination service for all children with no health insurance, with health insurance that does not cover vaccines or those children enrolled in CHIP or Medicaid. A parent or guardian must be present with the child's immunization record. If the child has CHIP or Medicaid then please present the card at the time of service. The child does not have to be enrolled in Mark Twain to receive services from "Troubleshooters". Please take advantage of this service, tell your friends and family about it too.

 

There are no current cases in Texas associated with ongoing multi-state measles outbreak. The greatest risk is for those unvaccinated individuals traveling to international attractions or to countries where measles remains endemic. The measles symptoms start with mild fever, persistent cough, drippy nose, sore throat and/or reddened eyes followed by a rash and high fever. Measles can cause ear infection, croup, bronchitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, abnormal bruising or bleeding, miscarriage, birth defects and death.

 

If you suspect that your child has measles DO NOT bring your child to school, DO NOT go to your Doctor immediately, DO NOT go to the hospital immediately. Instead, keep your child isolated at home and immediately call your Doctor's office or the Harris County Public Health 24/7 Information Line (713) 439-6000 and follow the instructions for when and where to take you child for medical care. Both the Doctor's office and the Hospital will want to make arrangements to limit their other patients' exposure to measles.

 

Thank you,

Andrea T. Hill RN

School Nurse, Mark Twain 


RUN FOR THE ROSE
T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST

Calling K-5th graders! The Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation wants you to participate in their annual t-shirt design contest. The winning design will be on all infant and toddler shirts for the 13th Annual Run for the Rose on Sunday, April 12 and featured on their website throughout the year. The winner will be introduced at the Run for the Rose post-race party in NRG Arena.

Deadline is March 9. To learn more, contact sallye@drmarnierose.org or visit http://bit.ly/1CXz3SO.
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 deannasheaffer@yahoo.com.

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

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 ccook1@houstonisd.org 

 

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/Twaines. To receive the Twain Times e-newsletter, please sign-up here. For submission guidelines, visit marktwainpto.org/communications.