The Twain Times

Mark Twain Elementary School

January 19, 2016

Thank You To Our

Corporate Sponsors
2015 - 2016

PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER

Dear Mark Twain Families,

Yesterday marked Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, an American federal holiday. The day honored Dr. King, a clergyman, civil rights leader, and Nobel laureate. He is one of the most admired men in history and to this day his work inspires us to create and sustain a peaceful world.

As a No Place for Hate campus we strive to create an environment that celebrates diversity and promotes tolerance. Please take a few minutes when you are in the school to look at our Peace Wall in the C Wing. It is just one of the school-wide activities that we do to promote peace in our school community.

Important News and Information:

Don't forget to pick up your Science Fair boards at the School Store. White or black boards are on sale in limited quantities for $4. The Store is open Monday - Friday from 7:45 - 8:15 am and 3:00 - 3:30 pm (closed Friday afternoons).
Please keep in mind that students should not be dropped off before 7:15 am. Although there may be staff members on campus they are not available to supervise students. From the carpool line you will be able to tell if staff are in the cafeteria. If you do not see anyone, please wait with your child until someone arrives.

Many students have been staying after school to play on the playground. The playground is not available on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday after school due to Extended Day and Track practice. The playground is available on Monday and Wednesday afternoons until 4:00 pm. Students may never be left on the playground unsupervised. Parents must be with their children and they must monitor their children during this time.

Wednesday, January 27 we will have a special parent presentation on our MindUP program. Please join us at 6:30 pm in the cafeteria. Childcare will be provided for ages 3 years and above.

Have a great week!

Melissa Patin

Principal

Mark Twain Bingo Night

Friday, January 22

6:00 - 8:00 pm
in the cafeteria

Get ready for a fun night of bingo at Mark Twain! This is a cash-only event; we recommend that you bring your $1 bills.

There will be cool prizes and food for purchase from Luchi and Joey's taco truck and Papa John's pizza truck.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We need volunteers to set up and hand-out the bingo cards, as well as other positions. Click here to sign up to volunteer or email Allison Rudin at alirudin@gmail.com, Lindsey Sheinbein at lindsey@sheinbein.net or Rachel Jacobs at rachelcjv@att.net.

Huckleberry Bash 2016
Friday, February 12

Tickets on sale at

bidpal.net/huckleberrybash

Follow the Bash

**Personalized t-shirt order forms are due by the end of the day Tuesday, January 19 to the Bash box in the PTO workroom. Download an order form here.

IN-KIND DONATIONS

Donations for our biggest school fundraiser, the Huckleberry Bash, are due by Friday, January 22.

You can download an in-kind donation form here.

Please return your donation forms to the Huckleberry Bash drawer in the PTO workroom or e-mail your form to madonna5@comcast.net or brittany.weisser@gmail.com.

Examples of in-kind donations include a certificate from your favorite local business, tickets to a sporting event or a physical item that a business wants to donate like a vase, purse, or jewelry. The possibilities are endless! Thank you in advance for your contribution to Mark Twain.

Important Dates to Remember:

AUCTION PREVIEW:

February 4 (3:30-7:00 pm) and February 5 (7:30-8:30am)

Join us in the cafeteria to preview all the items that will be auctioned off at this year's Huckleberry Bash. This will be the only opportunity to view the offerings in person!

ONLINE AUCTION:

Opens February 5 at 9:00 am
Closes February 12 at 3:00 pm

This year, we will offer all silent auction items through an online auction at http://bidpal.net/huckleberrybash. You can send the link to friends, grandparents, neighbors, aunts and uncles, and anyone else you choose. Bidding will open on February 5 at 9:00 am and stay open for the week leading up to the actual auction event.

At 3:00 pm the day of our event, the online auction will close. Anyone who attends the auction will be able to continue bidding through the close of the event via mobile bidding (not on this website); those who do not buy tickets will be held to the high bid they have entered.

"Pages from the Past" HUCKLEBERRY BASH AUCTION and DINNER:

February 12 from 7:00 pm - 12:00 am
Julia Ideson Library, 550 McKinney Street
Come dressed as your favorite author, literary character, or just as yourself - someone who loves to read!

The auction portion of the evening will utilize mobile bidding, so please remember your smartphones! For those that do not have phones, we will have limited bidding kiosks available. Silent auction items will continue to be available for those attending the event. Class creations, child socials, adult socials, teacher socials, school perks and treasures, big board, and live auction will ONLY be available to those attending the event.

Cash for Bash
January 25 - February 5

Cash for Bash is back! In line with this year's literary theme, we will raise Money for the Minds. The GRADE LEVEL who raises the most money will be given a DONUT PARTY!

From January 25 until February 5, a collection area will be located in the front rotunda. We'll have opportunities to donate during carpool as well. So look under those couch cushions and between your car seats for extra change because every little bit counts!

New players may start at anytime.

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.