The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
March 1, 2016  

  

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Dear Parents, Mark_twain_pto_logo

Spring Break is fast approaching and the school calendar is chock full of events.   We try to make sure that you are given ample notice of events by sending out a monthly calendar and through posts in the Twain Times. Please take a few minutes and read through the Twain Times carefully so that you will not miss any of our wonderful activities.

The third nine weeks grading period ends on March 11 and as we head into the final cycle we will begin planning for summer school. Students not meeting the promotion standards below may be recommended for summer school.
 
Grades 1 and 2 Promotion Standards
  • Students must pass the High Frequency Word Test - recognizing and reading words that appear very often in written and spoken language. 
  • State requirement of overall yearly average of 70 or above and local requirement of an average of 70 or above in reading, other language arts, mathematics, and science or social studies. 
Grades 3 and 4 Promotion Standards
  • State requirement of overall yearly average of 70 or above and local requirement of an average of 70 or above in reading, other language arts, mathematics, and science or social studies. 
Grade 5 Promotion Standards
  • Students must pass STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) in reading and mathematics. 
  • State requirement of overall yearly average of 70 or above and a local requirement of an average of 70 or above in three of the four core courses: Language arts (average of reading and English), mathematics, science, and social studies.
Important Dates:
  • Wed, March 2 - International Festival new volunteer meeting at 8:00 am in the cafeteria
  • Thursday, March 3 - Math and Science Night
  • Friday, March 4 - Kindergarten Round Up
  • Friday, March 4 - Parent enrichment cancelled
  • Wed, March 9 - PTO meeting, 6:30 pm in the library
  • Friday, April 8 - Dad's Camp Out **New date
Have a great week!
Melissa Patin
Principal

Volunteers Needed:  
Math and Science Night
Thursday, March 3

Just an hour of your time can help make Math and Science night happen.  We need your help with set-up and a wide range of activities from Lego building to making slime. 

 
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.  Your children will be challenged with math and science activities for all ages. Don't miss the "Lego Inventions Challenge" where prizes will be awarded for creative ideas.

To support Math and Science Night, please consider donating a bag of leftover LEGOs or if you work for a science or engineering company, donate 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 or Jinny Sisson for additional information.
 
Kindergarten Round-Up
Friday, March 4
8:30 am check in
9:00 am program begins
Mark Twain Elementary cafeteria

All ZONED families with incoming Kindergartners are welcome and encouraged to attend the 2016 Mark Twain Kindergarten Round-Up.

Children will have the opportunity to visit a Kindergarten classroom and get acquainted with the school while parents receive an overview of the Kindergarten year at Mark Twain.

Please download the Intent to Enroll form and bring your completed form to the Round-Up. You will be given a registration packet and have the opportunity to sign-up for a registration time in April. Registration is done in-person on a designated day at the school.

Please RSVP to Sarah Callahan Baker at callahanbaker@hotmail.com. If you cannot attend the Round-Up but are interested in attending Mark Twain in the fall, please contact Denise Rodriguez at drodrigu@houstonisd.org to schedule a registration time.  

We expect maximum capacity next year and want zoned families to secure their spots as early as possible. Please help spread the word to other zoned families.

For questions, call the Mark Twain office at (713) 295-5230.
 
Mark Twain PTO Board of Directors Nominations
Due by Wednesday, March 9 

Do you want to add your name for consideration for the Board of Directors?  Your spouse's name?  Your friend's name? 

Please fill out an nomination form and leave in the folder in the PTO workroom or at the Front Office by Wed, March 9.

More information about PTO job descriptions can be found here. We are here to answer any questions.  The nomination committee members include Laura Bumgarner, Anne Lam, Holly Lee, Erin Salisbury, Kathryn Schultz, Lindsey Sheinbein, Brittany Weisser, and Moya Varner.  

Thank you and we look forward to working with you!  

Moya Varner,
PTO President Elect
Friday, March 11 at 8:15 am
in the cafeteria

All are invited to discuss Denise Roy's book. Roy defines momfulness as "the spiritual practice of cultivating a mindful, compassionate, mothering presence," and outlines six spiritual lessons: developing true presence, practicing embodiment, paying attention, cultivating deep compassion, recognizing the sacred in all things and understanding the value of community.

2016 Twain Triathlon
Sunday, May 1 
Early Registration through March 11
 
Now in it's third year, the Twain Triathlon promises to be bigger and better than ever.  The Twain Triathlon is a unique opportunity for your child to promote wellness in a challenging and fun way.  Each participant will complete events in swimming, biking, and running.

$45 Early Bird Registration through March 11
$50 Regular Registration March 14 - April 1
$60 Non-Twain students March 14 - April 1

Visit twaintri.org to register and for complete information.

We need lots of volunteers to make this a successful event for our kids.  Please volunteer to help us prepare for the event and/or help during the event.  To volunteer please contact Monica Agosta at magosta69@gmail.com or Penny Linsenmayer at plinsenmayer@gmail.com.

Triathlon Training

At Mark Twain Elementary
Monday, March 7  
3:30 - 4:30 pm
Free 
 
Coach Jody will offer techniques and pointers that will prepare your child for our very own Twain Triathlon on May 1. Please have your child bring their helmet and race day shoes to practice transitions. For more information, contact Coach Jody at jbourque@houstonisd.org.

Weekley Family YMCA
Thursdays, March 24 - April 28
3:30 - 4:30 pm
Open only to Twain students - all ages
Limited to 30 students
$50 YMCA members / $60 non-members

Mark Twain has partnered with the YMCA to provide triathlon training leading up to the Mark Twain Tri. The 6 1-hour trainings will go over the 3 disciplines of the triathlon (swim, bike, run). In addition, this will provide an opportunity for participants to practice in the pool, practice transitions, and learn the best practices from a USAT Coach. Half of the proceeds will support YMCA Youth Scholarship Programs and half will support the Mark Twain PTO. Visit ymcahouston.org/weekley-family/ or call (713) 664-9622 for more information. 
 
Huckleberry Bash

All socials with unsold spots are still available for purchase  through Friday, March 11. Visit bidpal.net/huckleberrybash.

Don't miss the 5th grade graduation pool party, the ALL GRADES family back to school pool party at Colonial Pool, teacher socials by grade level, and many others for kids and adults!
Huckleberry Park

Are you looking for a special way to honor a loved one?
 
Make a gift to Huckleberry Park to honor a loved one, friend, colleague or pet. Visit huckleberrypark.org to purchase a paver, tree, or bench as a gift that will keep on giving for years to come!
 
Houston Texans Kids Triathlon
April 23 and 24
at NRG Stadium

Take part in the Houston Kids Triathlon and participate on the Mark Twain team. When you register, list Mark Twain as your team and our school will receive $10 back for each member of the team. Last year we had 42 students on our team. Former students and friends can also sign up for the Mark Twain team.

The Junior Division (ages 6-10) will race on April 23 and the Senior Division ages (11-14) will race on April 24. Race age is determined by the age of your child on Dec 31, 2016 so any children born in 2005 or earlier will be in the Sr. Div even if they haven't turned 11 yet.

Free 7 week training program available at various YMCA's for registered participants only. Learn more and register at: houstontexans.com/kids/triathlon/home.html.

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.