The Twain Times

Mark Twain Elementary School

April 5, 2016

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Corporate Sponsors
2015 - 2016

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Dear Parents,

Spring has sprung and we begin with some great news. Our Name That Book Team (K-2) took first place at the tournament. Their hard work and love of reading paid off! I want to congratulate also our Twain Track Team. According to a number of sources, our track team not only did well on the track, but displayed attitudes and profile of an IB student, cheering on their teammates and even students from other schools.

Last week I attended a planning session on accountability. This meeting allowed us to look at changes in the state accountability system and data specific to the school. Historically we do well on state measures and are within points of being in the top quartile in all areas of distinction in our comparison group of 40 schools from across the state. The teachers and students have been working very hard this year and I anticipate another great year.

One area that I need your help with is attendance. Our attendance rate last year was 97.2% which placed us in quartile 3. Our current attendance rate is 97% which translates to an estimated funding loss of $90,000, not to mention loss of instructional time. Attendance really does matter. I need your help in making April and May good attendance months. Please help me by keeping the following in mind.

Attendance is taken at 9:30 am each day. Students MUST be on campus at that time to be counted present. Try to avoid scheduling appointments during the morning hours if at all possible. Mornings are key instructional times.
Excused absences are for the following reasons: illness of student, death in the family, hazardous road conditions, emergencies and special circumstances needing approval by the principal.
Parents are required to submit a note when a child is absent (within three days).

Important dates:

National Walking Day - Wednesday, April 6. Walk to school with your children and we will walk with them the rest of the day.
PTO Meeting - Wednesday, April 13 at 8:15 in the library.
The VIPS Breakfast is rescheduled from Friday, April 8 to Friday, May 6 from 8:15 - 9:30 am.

Have a great week!

Melissa Patin

Principal

Don't Miss Their Special Day...

Order a Birthday-Gram Today

Order today for delivery to your child's classroom on their special day. Click here to order online or download an order form to pay by check. Proceeds benefit 5th grade commencement activities.

A Birthday Gram is $20 and includes a classroom "Happy Birthday" serenade performed by 5th grade students just after morning announcements, a crown, light-up necklace, picture, and a special gift presented by 5th grade students.

Does your child have a birthday in June, July, or August? Surprise them on their � Birthday - the day 6-months after their last birthday.

Please submit your Birthday Gram at least one week prior to your child's birthday. We cannot guarantee last minute Birthday Grams will be delivered on the date requested.

For more information or to help deliver Birthday Grams contact Dyan Gutierrez at dgutierrez519@hotmail.com or Missy Nichols at mynichols3@gmail.com.

Calling all 5th Graders and their Parents:

Join the �5th Grade Coin Challenge�

April 6 - 27

Activities such as Regal Ranch are paid for through 5th grade fundraising, mostly through birthday gram sales. Over the years, costs have risen and we need your help.

Large empty water bottles are in each 5th grade classroom. The children are asked to fill their classroom bottle with coins, any US currency, or checks made payable to Mark Twain PTO. At the end of the challenge, the class with the most money will receive free dress the week of May 2.

Please encourage your children to search for spare change or do an extra job around the house to earn money. We appreciate your support!

Mark Twain Camp Out

Friday, April 8 at 5:00 pm

Mark Twain Playground

The Mark Twain Camp Out is hosted by the Dad's Club and is always a fun time. Pitch a tent, 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.

We need lots of help to make the camp out run smoothly. Please sign up here to volunteer. It's easy and doesn't take much time. For questions, please contact Mike Feighl at twaindadsclub@gmail.com.

Parent Enrichment

Speaker Amy Fuller, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S

Smart but Scattered:
Executive Skills and ADD/ADHD

Friday April 15, 8:00 am in the cafeteria

All are invited to join

It's hard to see your talented and bright child struggle with simple tasks and following instructions. Whether your child has ADD/ADHD or not, learning about executive skills can help you help your child manage more effectively.

Dr. Amy Fuller, local marriage and family therapist and fellow Twain parent will lay out the basics of ADD/ADHD with an emphasis on the role of executive functioning skills.

Mark Twain Elementary

14th annual International Festival

Saturday, April 16

1:00 - 4:00 pm 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

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

Willow Wahoos Swim Team

Summer 2016 Pre-registration

Saturday, April 9, 8:00 - 10:00 am

at the Texas Swim Shop
10429 S. Post Oak Road

Calling all Twain Tigers! Join your friends on the Willow Wahoos Swim Team. Their experienced coaches encourage neighborhood youngsters to develop an appreciation for competitive swimming in an environment that stresses good sportsmanship and skill improvement.

To be eligible, a child must be five years of age by June 1. Swim team practice will begin weekday afternoons May 2 and weekday mornings May 26 through June at the Willow Pool, 10500 1/2 Cliffwood.

Willow Pool members: $100 first swimmer; $75 for each sibling
Non Willow Pool members: $150 first swimmer; $100 for each sibling

Registration Form
Membership Form

For 2016 Willow Pool Swim Lessons, please click here. For a complete 2016 practice and meet schedule and for more details, please visit willow-pool.org.

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

Decorate your bikes, tricycles, scooters, and wagons and celebrate the nation's independence while walking, marching, or riding in the parade.

As a fundraising and promotional effort, this year BPHA is distributing yard signs at $40 each to donors who want to show their neighborhood support. For more information on donation and volunteer opportunities, please email us at 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.