The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
April 14, 2015 

  

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Dear Mark Twain Parents and Families,

 

I hope you all got to come out on Saturday to enjoy the International Festival. Once again, Sara and Shahid Iqbal and their team of volunteers did an outstanding job educating many of us Texans on the cultures around the world that are represented at Mark Twain. It was a fabulous event. Thank you! 

 

I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of the PTO Nominating Committee - Megan Rose (chair), Dave Edwards, Holly Lee, Moya Varner, Natalie Sieler, Sumi Ono, and Sarah Callahan Baker - for their hard work, thoughtfulness, and dedication throughout every phase of the nominating process.  They  prepared and received board approval for the 2015-2016 PTO Executive Slate and General Board. I also want to thank those of you willing to serve and dedicate your time and efforts to benefit the children of Mark Twain.  

 

Congratulations to the Odyssey of the Mind teams that represented Mark Twain well at the State competition. Four teams participated with one third place finish. Kudos to them!

 

Now is your last chance to support programs at Mark Twain with the Paddles Up fundraising campaign or purchase a metal silhouette of your child for the school's fence. Our children and our school benefit tremendously from every dollar raised.  Please consider making a gift this week.  Both fundraising programs will remain open until Monday, April 20.

 

Important test dates:
  • Monday, April 20
    • STAAR Math 5th grade
  • Tuesday, April 21
    • STAAR Math 3rd & 4th grade
  • Wednesday, April 22
    • STAAR Reading 3rd & 4th grade
    • STAAR Science 5th grade
  • May 4-12
    • Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) for grades 1-5

Enjoy the beautiful week! I cannot thank you enough for all that you do for our school, children and community!

 

Tony Houck

Mark Twain PTO President

tvhouck@msn.com
Teacher Appreciation Week
April 27 - May 1   

Let's make sure the teachers and 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 your child - along with your room parent's direction - to make cards, bring flowers from your garden, share baked goods, or something that is special to your teacher. 

In the coming weeks, your room parents will provide you with specific information on how you and your class can show your teacher how much you care.

Hearts of Appreciation: Heart_of_appreciation

The "Hearts of Appreciation" are a way for students to tell teachers and staff what they mean to them.  Please fill out as many as you wish for your teacher, favorite ancillary teacher, and support staff member at the school. Look for a copy of the heart in next week's red folder.  Click here to print a copy.  Complete your hearts, cut them out and bring them to the PTO workroom anytime before April 24.

For questions, please contact Jennifer Hyman at jennyhyman@gmail.com.
Book Drive a Success

 

Together, the Mark Twain community collected over 35 shopping bags and 3 large containers of books for the Books Between Kids Book Drive. 

 

All the books were delivered and will be distributed to those in need. Thanks for all the wonderful donations.

 

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.
Pershing Middle School
Upcoming Events:

Family Night for Incoming 6th Graders
Thursday, April 16 at 6:00 pm

Please join other incoming Pershing families for Family Night. This is an opportunity for you to:

  • choose your electives for the 2015-16 class year
  • buy uniforms
  • order school supplies 
  • meet the Instructional Specialists and Counselors
  • get your Summer reading list
  • meet other Pershing families and more

Ice Cream Social to Welcome Incoming 6th Graders 

Wednesday, April 29 at 6:00 pm
 
Join your new classmates for free ice cream and a chance to get acquainted.

 

Accelerated Math and Science Placement Test 

Saturday, May 2

 

The placement test is for incoming 6th graders who have not taken the test. Please contact the school at (713) 295-5240 for time and location.  

 

Order a School Supply Pack for Your Incoming Pershing Student Now 

 

All parents of incoming Pershing students can save time and money if you pre-order school supplies today. The supplies will be pre-packaged and ready for you to pick up before school starts.  Please click here to view a supply list.  

 

To place your order by check, download an order form here,  complete and return the form with your check by May 28 to one of the red PTO boxes located outside the Pershing office and the Pershing school store.

 

OR

 

To place your order online with a credit card, visit www.epipacks.com and use school ID: PER363. Online orders will be accepted through June 16. 

 

For questions, please contact Carole Mafrige at cmafrige@swbell.net. 

  

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The final day of spring break brought the family together one last evening. These were rare days she cherished with her college-junior daughter who would be heading back across the state, and her high-school-junior son, who would be buckling down in a few weeks to face end-of-year finals ... and begin his own college search.

Centered in the kitchen, the family gathered, all hands on deck.  A pot was boiling for pasta, a salad was being assembled, and the dog was barking to be let out - again.  The scene was chaotic but brought back wonderful memories and made her smile.
 
"I can't wait to be on my own and out of here," said her son.
 
"I thought the same thing," her daughter said.  "And now," she said, with her hands outstretched, "this is what I miss the most - and so will you."
 
Each day, in ordinary moments, we have the opportunity to build family connections.  Let's build a base that draws us together - and lasts beyond the chaos. 

............................................................
JOIN THE +MOVEMENT:
www.positivethinkingworks.org

VISIT OUR +HUB:
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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.