The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
March 24, 2015 

  

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Dear Parents,

I hope that you all had a wonderful Spring Break with your children.  It is great seeing everyone back at school.  From my walk around the school yesterday I know that a lot of you traveled and many of you relaxed at home.  I visited Ms. Clayton's class where the children were writing about their break.  The one thing in common was that the children enjoyed the time off!  

Next week we will administer the first round of STAAR assessments.  STAAR - the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness - is the state-mandated testing program for students in grades 3 through 12. In elementary school, assessments are designed to evaluate progress and to make sure children are meeting grade-level expectations.

Fourth graders will take the writing test on Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31.   Fifth graders will take the reading test on Tuesday, March 31.   Please make sure that your children arrive at school well-rested and full of confidence! Please allow plenty of time for them to eat breakfast if they did not do so at home. We have an incredible group of young scholars at Mark Twain and I know they will do a great job.  If  you have questions related to testing, please contact Michele Rawson or your child's teacher.

As most of you have heard, the HISD proposal on overcrowding has been postponed for the upcoming school year.  I will keep you informed of new developments.  In the meantime, please return your address verification forms to the office.

Registration for incoming kindergarten students will begin on Thursday, March 26 at 8:30 am.  

Have a great week!
Melissa Patin
Principal

LOST & FOUND

Please claim your lost items from the closet in the cafeteria by Thursday.  Unclaimed items will be donated on Friday morning, March 27
.

Mark Twain Book Drive - Final Week

 

Donate your Pre-K - 5th grade gently used or new books in  the front rotunda or kindergarten hallway March 23-27. All books will benefit Books Between Kids.

 

Books Between Kids is a non-profit organization founded in 2012 to serve Houston's at-risk children by providing them with books to build their own home libraries.

 

Contact Amy Allen, Mark Twain PTO Community Outreach Director, at amy.allen@comcast.net with questions.

 

Pershing Middle School -
The Right Choice


Please join Pershing Middle School's Principal and current parents at an informational coffee and learn more about your middle school. 

 

Friday, March 27 at 8:15 am 

at the home of the  

Diano Family at 3819 Durness.

 

Find out why Pershing may be the best choice for your 4th or 5th grader.  To learn more, contact Ilse Rassin at ilserassin@gmail.com

 

Nurse's_corner
The Harris County Public Health Immunization Mobile Unit will visit Mark Twain Elementary on Monday, March 30 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.

The unit will provide vaccination services 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, please present the card at the time of service.

The child does not have to be enrolled at Mark Twain to receive services.
Mark Twain Triathlon
Sunday, May 3  
Last Two Weeks to Register!

Open to Mark Twain students and K-5th grade
students residing in Braeswood Place
$45 for Mark Twain students, includes t-shirt
$55 for non-Mark Twain students, includes t-shirt

Register at www.twaintri.org 
Registration ends on Friday, April 3.

The Triathlon will take place at the Weekley Family YMCA and Mark Twain Elementary.  All information, and course maps at www.twaintri.org.

To learn more, contact Monica Agosta at magosta69@gmail.com or Penny Linsenmayer at plinsenmayer@gmail.com.

12th Annual Mark Twain International Festival  
Saturday, April 11
1:00 - 4:00 pm in the cafeteria

International Flags

Hi, Hola, Bonjour, As-Salaam O Alaykum, Gruezi, Ahlan, Konnichi Wa,

Join us for the upcoming International Festival! Here are some examples of how you can help:
  • Host a country table (bring some flags, maps, souvenirs, pictures, postcards, things your country exports, food samples, and such)
  • If you or your child have a talent to share (traditional dances, singing, instrumental performances, martial arts demonstration), contact us
  • Be part of the team that will organize this event                             
You DO NOT have to be from another country to help! Having a special interest in one is perfectly sufficient.

To sign up for a performance or to host (or co-host) a country display, contact Shahid Iqbal, Cultural Exchange Director at internationalactivitiesmt@gmail.com. Please include your full name and the name of your country.  Shahid may be able to put you in touch with a fellow citizen of your country, so let him know if you need that information.

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At the kitchen table
On the beach
In the conference room
At the water cooler
In the bleachers
In the car
Some people still sit back
afraid
allowing gossip to leave an empty, helpless feeling
that "I could've said ..." deposits heavy
on a heart
But not all people
Because it's true that people are changing
Times are changing
Parents, teachers, grandparents, coaches, students
can see the opportunity
and the importance of finding one's voice
There is hope
People are finding courage
and feeling empowered to stand up
and say this is not OK
for the first time
and then the second
And then they're telling their kids
and their students
and their players
and each other
how good it feels to use the one +Voice
they knew deep down
they had
and to be the person they know
they want
to be.
............................................................
Five years ago this month, we stopped crying in our coffee and created +Works at our own kitchen tables to better understand and get ahead of bullying in our school communities. Since then, we've seen, heard and felt the change you, our +Supporters, and so many others believe is possible. It's been quite a +Journey, and we thank you from our mothers' hearts for joining us.  - Sarah & Trish
............................................................
JOIN THE +MOVEMENT:
www.positivethinkingworks.org

VISIT OUR +HUB:
http://positiveworks.uberflip.com/h/
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.