The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
February 16, 2016  

  

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2015 - 2016 

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Dear Parents, Mark_twain_pto_logo

What a tremendous Huckleberry Bash we had on Friday. The Julia Ideson Library was a beautiful setting to celebrate the 25th anniversary of LDC. My understanding is that we raised a considerable amount to upgrade our library, update our LDC libraries and of course build our classroom libraries. Brittany Weisser and Madonna Bauch did a tremendous job organizing this year's Huckleberry Bash. To them and to all of the many volunteers, attendees and donors, my thanks. Your generous donations make such a difference!

In the coming months the classroom teachers will work with our librarian, Ms. Burgert and our LDC teachers, Pansy Gee and Erin Diaz, to generate our wishlist of books. Take a few minutes and talk to your children about their interests and what books they like to read. If there is a need, we will try to fill it.

Mark Twain has a strong relationship with Rice University's School Literacy and Culture program which unites teachers, administrators and parents around a  belief that all children deserve a high-quality early literacy education. Many of our teachers attend the program's exceptional workshops and teach the Writers in the Schools (WITS) Program held each summer.

I have listed a few opportunities offered through Rice. Visit literacy.rice.edu and follow the link to parent resources.

Making the Classics Rock!
Learn how to pair children's literature with classical music in ways that are emotionally resonant.Tuesday, March 29, 4-6 pm. in the SLC Offices at IBC Bank. Tuition is $45.

Branching Out: Creating an Outdoor Learning Environment Using a Child's Perspective.
Outdoor play is just as important to a child's development as learning to read and write. Learn how to prepare simple and effective, outdoor activities for children ages two through five. Tuesday, April 5, 10 am. to noon and 4-6 pm at the SLC Offices at IBC Bank. Tuition is $45.

Creative Writing Camp
Open to all students who will enroll in grades K-12 in fall 2016. Students receive 40 hours of high-quality classroom instruction over two weeks with real authors and professional teachers, a printed publication or portfolio of student's best writing, and a camp t-shirt. Workshops end with a performance and/or reading.

News: 
  • Congratulations to Francisco Martinez our Bilingual Teacher of the Year and Patty Lopez, our ELL Teacher of the Year.
  • "I Have a Dream" music program will be Thursday, February 18 at 6:30 pm.
Have a great week!
Melissa Patin, Principal 

Post-Bash Sales

Spots are still available for several kid and adult socials. A few class creations, school treasures, and great packages with discounted starting bids are available as well. Checkout packages like a trip to Cabo and a Rockets suite that are up for grabs. The post-bash auction is open until Friday, February 19 at 12:00 pm. Visit bidpal.net/huckleberrybash.

If you won an item (other than class creations), pick up your item(s) at Brittany Weisser's home at 3506 Dumbarton daily this week from 8:30-9:30 am or 6:30-8:00 pm. Please call (678) 938-0003 if you have any questions.

If you won a classroom creation, contact Claire Reeves at [email protected] for K-2 or Camora Kuo at [email protected] for 3-5 before picking it up in the rotunda.

If you won a social, school perk, or school treasure, there is nothing to pick up but the event organizers will be in touch prior to the event.

Receipts can be found on your BidPal app. If you would like your receipt emailed to you, please email [email protected] and the Bash team will get it to you as soon as possible.

Corporate Matching:  Many companies will match your charitable donations.  If you made a gift through "Fund A Need" or "Paddles Up", your gift may qualify.  It is an easy way to double or even triple your contribution to the school.  For more information, please contact [email protected].

Mark Twain PTO
Board Nominations


Twain parents - we need you!  Yes, you!   When my daughter started at Mark Twain I was mystified how people were elected to the PTO Board... let me tell you what I learned ...they simply said "I want to help".

It is that time of year where we select and elect a new PTO Board for 2016-2017 and we want to include everyone who wants to help out - jobs are available on the Executive Board, Board of Directors, plus the folks who want to serve on different committees - Bash (how awesome was Friday night?), Spooky Spaghetti, Book Fair, etc.  

Last Tuesday, the PTO elected a "nomination committee" to help find parent volunteers to serve on the PTO.  The committee members include Laura Bumgarner, Anne Lam, Holly Lee, Erin Salisbury, Kathryn Schultz, Lindsey Sheinbein, Brittany Weisser, and Moya Varner.

A letter will go home in today's Tuesday folder that details the timeline for the nomination process for the Executive Board and Board of Directors. Nominate yourself, nominate your friends, your spouse...we only know about the people who speak up! 

In March, the PTO Board will vote on a new Executive Board.  In April, the PTO will vote on the Board of Directors.  There are over 50 spots to fill so please consider volunteering. 

More information about PTO job descriptions can be found here. We are here to answer any questions - thank you and we look forward to working with you. 

Moya Varner,
PTO President Elect
[email protected]
Math and Science Night:
"Inventors from the Past"
Thursday, March 3
5:30 - 7:30 pm  
in the cafeteria

Join us for this free family event at Mark Twain. 
This year, our children will be challenged with both math and science activities for all ages.  This will culminate in the "LEGO Inventions Challenge" where prizes will be available for their creative ideas.

To support Math and Science Night, please consider the options below:
  • Give a contribution to help purchase supplies
  • Donate a bag of LEGOs
  • If you work for a science or engineering company, donate company give-away items such as stickers or pencils that can be used as door prizes.
Donations can be left in the PTO work room.

Please contact Jason Dyer at [email protected] or Jinny Sisson at [email protected] for additional information.
 
 
Yearbook Pictures Needed    

We need pictures of your child and his or her classmates involved in classroom activities. Event pictures are always welcome as well.

Please download the Balfour Image Share app to add pictures straight from your phone or upload your pictures here.

Note: Our project # is 626207 and no password is required.

Time is Running Out - Order a Yearbook Today

To order a nameplate with your child's yearbook, submit your order before Sunday, February 28.

Click here to order your yearbook.  The link includes directions to order online with a credit card or download an order form to pay by check. For questions, contact Tracey Reeves or Liz Sanders at [email protected].

Huckleberry Park

Half of the trees for Huckleberry Park have been sponsored.  Only the first 15 donors at the $2,500 level will have a tree with an inscription on it.  Thank you to Mark Twain parents Deepa and Philip Alapat for recently sponsoring a tree!

Gifts of all sizes are needed and appreciated.  Donations can be made payable to "Huckleberry Park" and can be given to Liz in the front office or made online at huckleberrypark.org.  We need to raise approximately $200,000 this spring in order to complete Phase 1 this summer. Phase 1 includes upgrades to the drainage system, hardscape and landscaping work, improvements to the jogging track, and installation of artificial turf on the Great Lawn.



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.