The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
March 29, 2016  

  

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Dear Mark Twain Parents and Families, PTO Logo 2010

I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend and were able to spend some quality family time together.  It is hard to believe but we are in the last 9 weeks of the school year already.  These next 2 months will fly by and summer will be here before we know it.   

STAAR
We will administer portions of the STAAR testing program this week. Please send your child to school well rested and having had a good breakfast. The subject areas and grades that will test are: 
 
Tuesday, March 29 - 5th grade math and 4th grade writing
Wednesday, March 30 - 5th grade reading

PTO Meeting
I would like to invite you all to attend the next PTO meeting on Wednesday, April 13 at 8:15 am in the library to learn more about current happenings at Mark Twain Elementary.  Our agenda includes a school update from Ms. Patin and voting on the 2016-17 PTO Board of Directors.  The Nominating Committee has worked very thoughtfully and diligently this past month to review all nominations.  It will be exciting to hear about the new leadership team and give them our support.

Twain Triathlon
This is the last week to register for the Twain Triathlon.  This is a fantastic opportunity for our students. Don't miss it!  Register at twaintri.org by April 1.

Houston Texans Kids Triathlon
We are excited also to promote the Houston Texans Kids Triathlon at drop-off on Friday, April 1. Toro and two Texans cheerleaders will greet you in the carpool lane from 7:00 - 8:00 am. They will pass out Triathlon brochures to interested parents. When you register, put "Mark Twain Elementary" as your team and Twain will receive $10 for each child registered.  Learn more below.

Have a great week!
Jennifer Hyman
Mark Twain PTO President
 
SAVE THE DATE: 
Mark Twain Elementary 
14th annual International Festival
Saturday, April 16 
1:00 - 4:00 pm in the cafeteria
 
Volunteer Meeting:
All are welcome to attend and help. Join us on Wednesday, March 30
at 8:00 am in the cafeteria
 
Parents and students are invited to represent your country with a table display, traditional foods and performances AND the entire Mark Twain community is invited to enjoy the amazing experience.

Performance schedule:
1:00 Opening song by school band
1:15 Fiddle Tune (Elizabeth Cabral)
1:20 French Dance
1:25 China Dance
1:45 Peru Dance - Tuntuna
2:00 Spain Dance - Flamenco
2:10 Old English Folk Song
2:15 India Dance
2:30 Mexican Mariachi Band - Lanier MS
2:45 Pakistan Dance
2:55 Dual Language Class performance - Martinez
3:00 Lebanese Belly Dance
3:05 Korean Dance

We want you to be part of the festival.  Please consider hosting a country table and display flags, maps, souvenirs, pictures, postcards, and offer food samples or share yours or your child's talents with a traditional dance, singing, or performance.

To sign up for a performance or to host a country display, please email Sumi Ono at m.ohno21@mac.com.

2016 Twain Triathlon 
Sunday, May 1  
Register at twaintri.org 

Registration ends April 1

Now in it's third year, the Twain Triathlon is an opportunity for your child to promote wellness.  Each participant will complete events in swimming, biking, and running.

$50 general registration
$60 Non-Twain student registration

We need lots of volunteers to make this a successful event for our kids.  Please volunteer to help 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.

Box Tops
 
Thanks to your efforts, Mark Twain earned $950 from clipping Box Tops this year.

But, please don't stop clipping. The class that turns in the most Box Tops by Friday, April 1 will win a Popsicle party.  Turn in box tops in your classroom or to the Box Tops drawer in the Parent Workroom. For questions, please email Dominique Isenhower at disen@flash.net.
Mark Twain Camp Out
Friday, April 8 at 5:00 pm 
Mark Twain Playground 

The Camp Out last Fall was rained out but is now rescheduled! If you registered in the Fall, you DO NOT need to register again.

The Mark Twain Camp Out is hosted by the Dad's Club and is always a fun time.  Pitch a tent on the playground, grab some pizza and enjoy the activities and movie on Friday night and donuts and coffee on Saturday morning. If you don't plan to camp, just come for the food and fun. 

Cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child. Registration must be done online. Please click here to register and for more details. For questions, contact Mike Feighl at twaindadsclub@gmail.com.
Huckleberry Park Update

Huckleberry Park has raised $300K of the $450K needed to complete phase 1 of the playground project this summer. We are humbled by the generosity of our Mark Twain community.

Phase 1 includes making the playground level, fixing drainage, installing a cement mosaic wall, track changes, relocation of the gaga ball pit, creating berms, and turf installation.  Phase 2 of the project will include installation of new playground equipment, trees, landscaping, a sound garden, new gate, and donor walk.  

We are seeking support from the Braeswood Place community by going door to door to talk to our neighbors about Huckleberry Park. In addition, we mailed park brochures to 2,200 homes.  We submitted 50 grant applications to foundations and reached out to 93 corporate donors to ask for their support.  If you are interested in assisting us with our efforts, please contact us at huckleberrypark@yahoo.com.


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. List Mark Twain as your team and our school will receive $10 for each participant. Last year we had 42 students on our team. Former students and friends can sign up also 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.

Learn more and register at houstontexans.com/kids/triathlon/home.html.

July 4th Braeswood Place Parade and Carnival

Since 1995, the Braeswood Place Homeowners Association has organized a 4th of July parade and carnival. It's a great opportunity to enjoy a day of fun with family and neighbors. Everyone in the Mark Twain community is invited to join in!

The parade will begin at 8:45 am. Decorate bikes, wagons, tricycles, scooters, or strollers and bike, walk or march in the parade. Meet at Turnberry Triangle (corner of Edloe and Turnberry). The parade will head west on Turnberry, south on Braes, and end at Mark Twain Elementary. The carnival will follow at Mark Twain with lots of games, prizes, a DJ, and James Coney Island.

As a fundraising and promotional effort, BPHA will distribute yard signs to donors who want to show their neighborhood support. For more information on donation and volunteer opportunities, please email julysigns@gmail.com.

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.