The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
November 17, 2015 

  

Thank You To Our

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2015 - 2016 

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Mark_twain_pto_logoDear Mark Twain Families,
 
It is Book Fair week at Mark Twain! Book fair week is what we are all about at Mark Twain -  Literacy!

Wednesday is the Story Book Character Parade at 8:15 am. I always enjoy staying for the parade and watching everyone with their costumes and favorite books. My personal favorites are usually the teachers. Some of them really go all out! Stay afterwards for Preschool Story Time in the cafeteria and to hear Twain's own teacher Mr. Rush give a reading from his new book, Wonderfully Weird.

Please join us also for Family Fun Night on Thursday from 5:00-7:00 pm. Meet local author Chris Cander and enjoy teacher storytelling, face painting, great food, ice cream and games.

All of the students ran in the Boosterthon Fun Run last Thursday to raise funds for Huckleberry Park. It was a great event. Almost all of the students completed 35 laps and all seemed to have a great time. Thank you and your families for supporting the Fun Run and the new park. Don't forget to collect and return your students' outstanding pledges.

Minutes from each of our PTO meetings are available at marktwainpto.org for all to read. They may be posted about a week following the meeting. 
 
Important Reminders: 
  • Early Dismissal on Wed, November 18 at 12:30 pm.
  • Spring 2016 Extended Day registration begins on Wednesday. Email Stacey at skarr@houstonisd.org for more information.
I hope you all have a terrific week! Go Twain Tigers!

Jennifer Hyman
Mark Twain PTO President
 
"Paws for Reading" Book Fair
November 16 - 20
in the cafeteria

Mark Twain's "Paws for Reading" Book Fair will celebrate 25 years of the Literacy Development Center. We need lots of volunteers to help with Book Fair and Family Fun Night. Please sign up to volunteer here.

Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm 
Wednesday from 7:30 am - 1:00 pm (early dismissal)
Friday from 7:30 am - 12:00 pm

Storybook Parade
Wednesday, November 18 at 8:30 am
on school grounds

Your child can dress as his or her favorite storybook character and join the parade of teachers and students.
 
This year we welcome younger siblings and neighbors to watch the elementary school kids parade around the school and then join us for a Preschool Story Time in the cafeteria. Hear Twain's very own 1st grade teacher, Mr. Gerren Rush, read from his new book, Wonderfully Weird. Plus, listen to a special guest reader, browse the fantastic selection of childrens' books and buy some holiday gifts.
 
LDC's 25 year Anniversary Party
and Family Fun Night 
Thursday, November 19 
5:00 - 7:00 pm

Don't miss local writer Chris Cander. The local author of 11 Stories and Whisper Hollow will read from and sign her children's book, The Word Burglar. Enjoy Twain teacher storytelling, face painting, great food from Twain sponsor Firehouse Subs, ice cream, games and more!
 
For information, contact Book Fair Co-Chairs: Jenny Tcharmtchi at jtcharmtchi@gmail.com or Camora Kuo at camora.kuo@gmail.com.
Huckleberry Park

Congratulations to our Twain Tigers for doing their part to raise money for Huckleberry Park!  I hope that they enjoyed the Big World Recess journey and the high energy Fun Run.  Oh, did we mention that they reached their GOAL and got pledges of more than $70,000?!  That means that a Gaga Pit will be installed over Winter Break.

Please collect your pledge money and return it to your teacher(s).  Our Count Day is Thursday, November 19 and we want to be sure that all of the pledged money is turned in by then. Contact huckleberrypark@yahoo.com for more information.
Name That Book
Qualifying Exam
Friday, November 20

The 3-5 grade Name That Book qualifying exam will be Friday, November 20 in Ms. Gee's room.

It will start at 3:30 pm and  finish no later than 4:30 pm. Students can bring a snack to eat before the exam. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Gee or Brandy McDaniel at brandymcd@gmail.com.

Save the Date for
Huckleberry Bash 
Friday, February 12, 2016 
7:00 pm - 12:00 am

Mark Twain Elementary
Literacy Development Center  
25th Anniversary

Dinner and Auction
benefiting students of
Mark Twain Elementary

Julia Ideson Library
550 McKinney Street
Houston, Texas 77002

Dress as your favorite author or literary character.
Huckleberry Bash
Volunteer Meeting  
Monday, December 14 at 6:00  
at the home of Brittany Weisser 
3506 Dumbarton Street

It's not too late to join the Huckleberry Bash committee!

Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the school and have fun doing it. We have positions available for both large and small time commitments.

Interested but can't attend the meeting? Please email Madonna Bauch at madonna5@comcast.net or Brittany Weisser at brittany.weisser@gmail.com.

Mark Twain Track Team

Calling future track stars!  Registration is open for the 2015-2016 Mark Twain Track Team.  Practices will be held Tuesdays and/or Fridays after school beginning in January 2016. 

Spots are limited and students will be chosen based on athletic ability.  Tryouts will be held in December.  All interested 3-5 grade students need to return a registration form to Coach Jody by Friday, November 20.

Box Tops

Thanks to everyone for sending in your Box Tops!

Twain earned $425 for the fall submission.  Keep on clipping Box Tops and turn them in anytime - they really add up.  Our school will get a check next month for the Box Tops we returned. That cash can be used for whatever our school needs.  And remember, there will be a Popsicle party for the class that turns in the most box tops by April 1, 2016.

Sign up at boxtops4education.com to enter current contests.  It doesn't take long, and it can earn a LOT of extra eBoxTops for our school.  There is a current promotion at Sam's Club when you buy 3 participating products, you will receive 100 eBoxTops.

HEB has a current promotion to register on our school team.  Go to boxtops4education.com to sign up for Mark Twain Elementary so we can get extra eBoxTops.  And, if you sign up for emails, we will get bonus eBoxTops.

Support Mark Twain While You Shop

The Mark Twain PTO is grateful to participate in national programs which reward our school based on your purchases of grocery store items, holiday cards, clothes, and more.  These programs cost you nothing but can help Twain earn dollars each year.
 
At smile.amazon.com, you'll find the same shopping as Amazon.com. On your first visit to AmazonSmile, select Mark Twain as your charitable organization. Every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.
 
Are you thinking about ordering from Shutterfly, Nordstrom, Gap, or Target? Start shopping at 4ourschool.com, select Mark Twain Elementary, pick a retailer, and shop usual. Twain will earn up to 5% in donations from your purchases.  
 
If you have a Target® Visa® or Target® Card, visit target.com/tcoe to designate Mark Twain Elementary #98794. 

Randalls_logoIf you have a Randall's Remarkable card, add Mark Twain Elementary #1085 as your charity of choice by filling out the Good Neighborhood Form. Return the form to any Randall's store or the PTO workroom.


 
Don't Miss Their Special Day... 
Order a Birthday-Gram for the 2015-2016 school year 

Order today for delivery to your child's classroom on their special day. Click here to order online or download an order form to pay by check. Proceeds benefit 5th grade commencement activities.

**A Birthday Gram is $20 and includes a classroom "Happy Birthday" serenade performed by 5th grade students just after morning announcements, crown, light-up necklace, picture and a special gift presented by 5th grade students.

Does your child have a birthday in June, July, or August? Surprise them on their ˝ Birthday  - the day 6-months after their last birthday. And don't forget the birthdays of your teacher and aids.

Please submit your Birthday Gram at least one week prior to your child's birthday. We cannot guarantee last minute Birthday Grams will be delivered on the date requested.

For more information or to help deliver Birthday Grams please contact Dyan Gutierrez at dgutierrez519@hotmail.com or Missy Nichols at mynichols3@gmail.com.


The Pin Oak Middle School
Pegasus Dance Company
proudly presents
 
DANCE and HIP HOP Junior Clinic 2015
 
Saturday, December 5 
9:00 am to Noon
Pin Oak Middle School
4601 Glenmont Dr., Bellaire, TX 77401
$25 (T-shirt and snack included)
Download a registration form here 
 
Girls and Boys grades Pre-K - 5th Grade:
Learn dances from the Boys and Girls from the
Pin Oak Pegasus Dance Company
 
The Junior Clinic Dancers are invited to perform in our annual Spring Show on Wednesday, April 29, 2016 in the Pin Oak Gym from 6:00-7:00 pm.

For more information, please contact Brittany Reilly or Jorge Sanchez at 713-295-6500 ext. 390, breilly@houstonisd.org, or jsanch13@houstonisd.org.
West University Softball Association
West University Softball Association (WUSA), the largest recreational girls' softball league in Texas, is proud to announce the opening of the spring softball season. 

Register today to secure a spot for the spring season. Registration ends January 5, 2016, and practices begin the weekend of January 16. All girls who register will tryout and be placed on a team. We hope you can join us! Registration and more information about Spring Ball 2016 are available online at wusa.org. 

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.