The Twain Times

Mark Twain Elementary School

April 19, 2016

Thank You To Our

Corporate Sponsors
2015 - 2016

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Dear Mark Twain Families,

As I sat in my home yesterday wondering what news I should share, I realized that many of you were nervously listening to the weather and watching Brays Bayou closely. Whatever news I might have had seemed trivial as you waited out this rain, hoping to stay dry and safe. My heart is with you - please let me know if you need anything - whether tangible items or just emotional support, know that the school community is with you.

Kindergarten registration was to begin Monday. For those that were scheduled on Monday, we will call you early today to let you know when to come in and register. We will work everyone in over the course of the next few days.

At the PTO meeting last Wednesday, I shared with those present the recommended changes to the instructional day for 2016-2017. Next year we will have 440 minutes of instruction daily. Several options were discussed and presented to those present as well as the faculty and staff. The schedule for the next school year will be 8:00 am- 3:20 pm. This is an addition of 5 minutes to the end of the school day.

Information of waivers for the upcoming school year was also presented to the PTO membership present on Wednesday. We will again ask for the SDMC (Shared Decision Making Committee) to take the place of the Faculty Advisory Committee and for a curriculum waiver that allows us to implement our IB program without the constraints of the HISD scope and sequence.

In addition I will ask for 2 Professional Development Days. One for the Fall semester and one for the Spring semester. The proposed dates will be Monday, November 28 and Monday, February 20 (President's Day). The staff has reviewed the waivers and approved them. All waivers are subject to further approval.

Lastly, please remind your child to always lock their bike or scooter securely to a designated bike rack while they are in school.

I hope that all of you made it through the evening safe and that the waters recede. Please let me know if you need anything.

Fondly,
Melissa Patin
Principal

Twain Triathlon 2016

Please volunteer! We need a lot of people to stand along our 3 mile bike course to ensure the safety of our students. If you have a middle or high school student who needs volunteer credit hours, we would love to have their help.

Sign-up here to volunteer for a time and location that works for you. Thank you! Triathlon Chairs, Monica Agosta and Penny Linsenmayer

Staff Appreciation Week

April 25-29

Please join the PTO in showing our appreciation to Mark Twain's wonderful teachers and staff.

The PTO will provide treats throughout the week and we have numerous opportunities for families to get involved. We encourage your child - with your room parent's direction - to make cards, bring flowers from your garden, share baked goods, or something that is special to your teacher. Let's show the teachers and staff at Mark Twain how much we appreciate all they do for our children!

The PTO will sponsor "treats" each day of the week:

Monday - Bagels and coffee for the staff
Tuesday - A lunchtime dessert bar.
Please sign up here to send home-baked cookies/cakes on Tuesday, April 26
Wednesday - Faculty Meeting Snack Fest
Thursday - Breakfast tacos
Friday - Catered luncheon

Hearts of Appreciation: Heart_of_appreciation

The "Hearts of Appreciation" are a way for students to tell teachers and staff what they mean to them. A copy came home in your student's red folder last week. Fill as many hearts as you wish with words of thanks, poems, or pictures for a special teacher, favorite ancillary teacher, and support staff member at school.

Please cut out the hearts and return them in your red folder or to the PTO workroom by Thursday, April 21. The hearts will be displayed throughout the building during Staff Appreciation Week. Extra hearts are in the PTO workroom or click here to download a copy.

Father/Daughter Dance

Saturday, April 30

6:30 - 8:30 pm
in the cafeteria

The Mark Twain Dad's Club will host the annual Father/Daughter Dance! Children must be accompanied by a father or a grandfather, uncle, etc. This special evening includes a DJ, snacks, and souvenir picture buttons. Cost is $25 per father/daughter couple and $5 per additional child.

Register online here.

4th and 5th grade girls are encouraged to help decorate between 4:00 - 5:00 pm on Saturday, April 30. Parents are encouraged to drop off a snack donation in the PTO workroom on Thursday or Friday before the dance.

For more information, please contact Mike Feighl, Dad's Club President at mike.feighl@worthaminsurance.com or text/call (713) 515-8714.

Last Chance to Order Yearbooks

Yearbooks will arrive in May and be delivered to your child's classroom. If you haven't ordered, there is still time. Order your yearbook online here today.

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.

Support the LDC and IB Program
at Mark Twain Elementary

Donate to the "LDC & IB Anniversary Giving Tree" to support these wonderful programs! The "LDC & IB Anniversary Giving Tree" commemorative leaves will be offered until Tuesday, May 24 as a way for families to show their gratitude and support of the wonderful programs that Mark Twain Elementary offers.

In celebrating the 25th anniversary of the renowned Literary Development Center (LDC) Program and the 10th year as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, the Mark Twain PTO is installing a custom-mounted metal relief of an "LDC & IB Anniversary Giving Tree" at the entrance to the school. Commemorative leaves on the tree will only be offered during significant anniversary years.

Please support these programs and consider a tax-deductible donation. For families that donate $500 or more, your show of gratitude will be displayed at our school with a commemorative leaf.

Donations can be made online or you can download a donation form and return it with payment to the PTO Workroom mailbox labeled VP of Membership.

For questions, contact Megan Rose at meganrose72@gmail.com.

Mark Twain Elementary PTO is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Huckleberry Park

We are close to our deadline and goal for Phase 1. We need $100K to complete our goal. If we do not meet our goal, we'll need to spend $20,000 to install grass as a temporary solution. Then we would have to scrape away that $20,000 worth of grass to install Turf. Let's just raise $100,000 now and skip the grass! Please help us meet our goal:

Skip a meal out and donate that money to Huckleberry Park
Increase your previous donation to get to a Paver, Tree or Bench sponsorship
Buy a Yard Sign for an Incoming Kindergarten family
Share a Corporate Sponsor contact - with your input, we'll make a grant request
Share a Charitable Foundation contact. Your personal support will help spotlight our grant request.

Visit huckleberrypark.org to make a gift today or learn more. Please contact huckleberrypark@yahoo.com for more information.

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.