The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
March 8, 2016  

  

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Dear Mark Twain Parents and Families, PTO Logo 2010
 
What an action packed and wonderful Mark Twain weekend. We had 5 Mark Twain teams compete against private, public, and charter schools from all over Houston at the regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament on Saturday. The teams practiced diligently for more than 5 months on their long-term and spontaneous problems in preparation for the competition. I was amazed to see the students display so many principles from the IB learner profile - they were inquirers, thinkers, open-minded, reflective, caring, good communicators, and risk-takers. A HUGE thank you to Twain parent Zeph Moss, the coaches and all the other parent volunteers who make the OM program so successful year after year.
 
All teams are commended for their incredible hard work and efforts. Two of our teams will go on to the Odyssey of the Mind state tournament. Congrats teams and coaches!
  • Vehicle Team- Anna Maria Sanchez, Claire Duval, Elu Yustein, Michael Hamad, Morgan Peden, Retvin Pant, Sophia Foye (Coached by Margaret Sanchez and Patrick Foye)
  • Balsa Team- Alex Rein, Garrett Smith, Libby Reeves, Lucas Ferro, Noor Boustani, Nora Topek (Coached by Sam Smith and Keely Smith)
I invite all of you to the PTO meeting on Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 pm in the library. We will review fundraising results from the Huckleberry Bash and get an update of important school events from Ms. Patin.

Please save the date for the Twain Triathlon on Sunday, May 1. Early bird registration ends on Friday, March 11. Visit twaintri.org to register and learn more.

Lastly, the community is invited to join us at Huckleberry Park on Sunday, March 20 from 2:30-4:00 pm for Popsicles in the Park - a fundraiser hosted by members of the Braeswood Place Mothers of Young Children. 

Important Dates
  • Wed, March 9 - PTO meeting, 6:30 pm in the library
  • Sunday, March 13 - Daylight Saving Time - move your clocks forward one hour
  • March 14-18 - Spring Break
  • Friday, March 25 - Spring Holiday - no school
I hope you enjoy Rodeo season and a wonderful Spring Break. I look forward to seeing you back, energized and ready to finish the year!

Jennifer Hyman
Mark Twain PTO President

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
2016 Twain Triathlon
Sunday, May 1 

LAST WEEK TO REGISTER USING THE EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
 
Now in it's third year, 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.

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.

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, and many others!
Triathlon Training

Weekley Family YMCA
Thursdays, March 24 - April 28
3:30 - 4:30 pm

Open only to Twain students of 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. Email Jon Kidwell, Healthy Living Director at jonathan.kidwell@ymcahouston.org or call (713) 664-9622 for more information. 
 
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!
 
Join the Mark Twain Tri Team for the
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 participant. 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.