The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
May 26, 2015 

  

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Dear Parents,

 

As I write this I am looking out my window at the remnants of the overnight flooding. I realize that many of you in our community had significant water in your homes and my heart goes out to all of you. The Mark Twain community stands behind you, beside you as you deal with the aftermath. We are here for you in whatever way help is needed.  

 

School events and activities for the week have been adjusted and teachers will be communicating any changes to parents through Living Tree and emails. Graduation will be held Wednesday night as planned and the 5th grade trip to Regal Ranch has been rescheduled for Thursday.  

 

Thursday, May 28 remains the last day of school.  There will be no extended day and dismissal is at 3:15 pm. There will be no school on Friday, May 29. HISD was granted a "make-up day waiver" from the Texas Education Agency.     

 

Please also check the lost and found closet in the cafeteria and the table on the opposite wall for unclaimed items.  All will be donated on Thursday morning. 

 

The end of a school year brings about mixed emotions - joy that it is over and a certain sadness saying goodbye to friends and colleagues. To those of you moving on from Mark Twain I wish you the best and encourage you to keep in touch. If you are returning in the fall, look for a summer postcard with details on our Back to School Rumble scheduled for August 20.

 

Have a wonderful summer!

 

Fondly,

Melissa Patin

Principal

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Dear Mark Twain Parents and Families, 

 

Wow! What a night! Rockets win and most of us are up all night watching the lightning and the water rise. My heart goes out to all that felt Mother Nature's wrath and had plenty of dry vac'ing to do today. Stay strong, and do not be afraid to ask for help. This community comes together as no other and a lending hand is never far away.

 

Happy last week of school! I want to say Congratulations to all the graduating 5th grade students and parents! Thank you for your incredible hard work, service, and dedication to the school these past 6 years. We will miss you, but wish you the very best on your new Middle School adventure.

 

It's hard to believe that school is coming to a close... summer is here! As you are finalizing your summer plans and vacations, please keep in mind that the Back to School Rumble!!! (Supply Sale, Volunteer Fair and Teacher Meet and Greet) will be August 20. It is a great way to have your kids ready to go for the first day of school. Speaking of that; please, please make sure your children are in attendance on the first day, August 24. It is imperative with HISD's new waiver reduction enforcement, to ensure your child has a spot.

 

Well, this is my last President's letter to the Twain Times. It has been an eye opening two years and I have cherished every minute. What an honor to serve such a great school, great administration and staff, and a great neighborhood. I have said in a previous letter, but I will reiterate...A great school makes a great community. There is no truer statement that I can say about Twain. Thank all of you, for putting up with my unorthodox style and my flip flops. I really need to thank all of the past PTO presidents for getting the ship righted and sailing straight. All I did was hold on to the tiller and tried not to run it aground. Please afford the incoming President, Jennifer Hyman, the same support that I received, and we will all be proud to have active, caring, lifelong learners...Twain Tigers!

 

I wish you all a wonderful summer with family and friends!

 

Tony Houck

Mark Twain Outgoing PTO President

tvhouck@msn.com

  

Summer Reading

 

"Every Summer Has a Story" is HISD's campaign to keep your child's mind moving forward this summer. HISD is teaming up with the Houston Public Library and myON, a digital library where students can access free books that are just right for their reading level and interests.

 

With help from myON, your child can win prizes by reading 10 or more books this summer.

 

Every student in HISD, except seniors, will receive a myON login before the end of the year. When your child logs on to www.myON.com/login, they will be able to access thousands of books. If your child reads at least 10 books between May 15 and Sept. 4, he or she will be entered to win an iPad mini. Two students - one in PK-5 and the other in grades 6-12 - who read for the most minutes nationally will each win an iPad mini. Ten runners-up in each group will receive $50 gift cards. And finally, if they rate and review books they have read, they may win a $100 or $50 gift card.

 

Students will also have access to iStation over the summer, an online skill-building reading program that students use in class. Your child's teacher can provide you with login information.

 

The public libraries listed below will also give your child credit for books they read over the summer, and they can earn additional incentives, as well as participate in various activities related to science and math.

Order 2015-16 School Supplies 

The Mark Twain PTO provides the annual supply packet sale as a service to our families. The school supply packs for every grade will contain all the supplies requested and required by the teachers for the 2015-2016 school year.

Purchase online here or at the School Store with cash, check or credit card. Please order by May 29, 2015 as prices are subject to change. For a link to supply lists for all grades, please click here.


Go to 4ourschool.com for your summer purchases, including books for summer reading.

4ourschool.com is a great way for Mark Twain to raise money while students are on summer break.  Twain has raised more than $1,200 through parents using this website.  4ourschool.com donates a percentage of purchases made at Amazon, Gap, Gymboree, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, and many other online retailers.  If you have not already used this site, visit 4ourschool.com and search for Mark Twain.  Click through to the on-line retailer of your choice and shop as you ordinarily would.  A percentage of your purchases will be credited to our donation account.  It is that easy!    


Nurse's Notes: End of Year Tasks   


If your child has an "as needed" medication in the clinic, medication pick-up will be during school hours through Wednesday, May 27. If your child takes a scheduled medication please pick it up on May 27. At that time you can discuss with Nurse Hill if you want your child to receive the medication on the last day of school.   If you do not pick up the medication by May 27, it will be disposed of appropriately. If you cannot pick up the medication yourself you will need to call Nurse Hill during school hours to make an alternate arrangement. Nurse Hill will not be available after school on Thursday, May 28 and will not be available on Friday, May 29.

  

If your child will require medication next year please download and complete a Medication Order, Asthma Action Plan or Food Allergy Action Plan as appropriate for next year. The forms can be found in the front office or Nurse Hill's office. HISD policy requires a new order for every new school year. The medications, even over-the-counter medications, will require a prescription label that matches the doctor's order.

 

Student Physicals

HISD wants to make sure that students who participate in extracurricular sports stay healthy, so the district is teaming up with Methodist Orthopedics and Sports Medicine to provide a low-cost annual physical for students.

 

For $15 (cash only), your student athlete can consult with a doctor between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, May 30, at NRG Center, 8400 Kirby Drive, 77054. Doctors who will be on site include specialists in internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics. They will be able to provide additional clearance for athletes as needed.

 

A UIL Physical Evaluation Medical History Form and Houston Methodist Consent Form must be completed, signed by a parent or guardian, and brought to the event. Download the form at www.methodistorthopedics.com/methodist-orthopedics-events.

 

Enter through Gate 3 with a parking voucher and parking is free in the orange lot. Download the parking voucher at www.methodistorthopedics.com/methodist-orthopedics-events.

 

Braeswood Place Homeowner's Association 

July 4th Parade and Carnival

 

Parade

Decorate your bikes, trikes, scooters, and wagons! Show your American pride while walking, marching, or riding in the parade.

  • Line up for the parade will begin at 8:45 am at Turnberry Circle at Edloe
  • The parade will start at 9:00 am at Turnberry Circle and end at Mark Twain Elementary.

Carnival  

  • 9:00 am-12:00 pm at Mark Twain Elementary
  • Enjoy face painting, carnival games, a petting zoo, fun DJ, trackless train, and much more!

Volunteers are needed to work booths for 1, 2, or 3 hours. To volunteer, please email Brenda Blackwood at bpha@sbcglobal.net.

 

Pershing Girls Lacrosse
2015 Summer Clinic
Saturday, August 15 - Sunday, August 16
8:00 am to 12:00 pm each day
Pershing Middle School Softball Field

Join the Pershing Girls Lacrosse coaches and players for this fun, instructional clinic on the basics of how to play girls lacrosse. We will introduce the concepts of cradling, catching, tossing, ground balls, and simple game strategies using offensive and defensive maneuvers  

 

OPEN TO GIRLS IN GRADES 3 - 8
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
COST: $100 (includes use of team equipment)
BRING: water bottle, athletic shoes or cleats, lacrosse gear (if owned)

Please register before July 31.

Click here to download a registration form and find more 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.