The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
May 3, 2016  

  

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Mark_twain_pto_logoDear Parents,

Last week we celebrated Staff Appreciation Week at Mark Twain. The outpouring of kind words, deeds and gifts was overwhelming. On behalf of the teachers and staff I want to thank you for making it a special week for all of us. Your support is always felt and greatly appreciated.

Last Friday afternoon the district announced that all HISD events were cancelled for the weekend. It was disappointing for those of us at Mark Twain since we had the Father/Daughter Dance and Triathlon scheduled. Several parents were curious as to why I did not allow the events to proceed given that there was talk on Twitter  that principals could decide to hold events despite the public announcement. Please know that if I could have held the events, I would have. Having said that, I am a rule follower and will not go against a district directive. The safety and well-being of the students in HISD are always first and foremost in the minds of those that make the decisions.

The good news is that we have rescheduled both events. The Father/Daughter Dance will be Friday, February 13 from 7:00-9:00 pm and the Triathlon is tentatively rescheduled for Sunday, May 22. We are waiting on one final confirmation regarding the Triathlon date but we are confident we can make it happen. My thanks to the entire community for being flexible, patient, and understanding.

Summer school will be held at Mark Twain June 1-30 from 8:00 - 3:00 pm. Summer school is provided for students not meeting promotion standards and those students that may need the additional academic support. If you have questions as to whether your child falls into one of these categories, please contact your child's teacher.  

Extended Day registration forms for Fall 2016 are available in the front office and online. Remember, your spring balance must be paid in full before registering for the next semester. For questions please e-mail Stacey Karr at skarr@houstonisd.org.
 
Important dates:
  • Friday, May 6: VIPS Breakfast. All Twain volunteers are invited to the library at 8:15 am for breakfast hosted by Twain staff to thank you for all you do for our school.
  • Monday, May 9: STAAR, 3rd & 4th grade Math
  • Tuesday, May 10: STAAR, 3rd & 4th grade Reading
  • Wednesday, May 11: STAAR, 5th grade Science
  • Friday, May 13: Father-Daughter Dance at 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday, May 17: Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A
  • Wednesday, May 18: PTO Meeting at 8:15 am
  • Sunday, May 22: Twain Triathlon (tentative date)
  • Tuesday, May 24: 5th grade graduation
  • Tuesday, May 24: Last day to purchase a leaf for the IB and LDC Anniversary Giving Tree
  • Wednesday, May 25: Last day of school
Have a great week!
Melissa Patin
Principal
 
Order School Supplies Now for the 2016-17 School Year

The order form for School Supply Packets for the 2016-17 year will be sent home in Tuesday's red folders on May 3.  The front office has more order forms or you can download an order form here. You can also order online on the PTO website.  The packs are $45 each and will contain all the supplies requested by teachers. 

Order now to ensure availability and lowest price. Please contact Kathleen Fenoy at kathleenfenoy@yahoo.com with questions.

NEW DATE: 
Father/Daughter Dance
Friday, May 13
7:00 - 9:00 pm
in the cafeteria

The Mark Twain Dad's Club will host the rescheduled Father/Daughter Dance! Children must be accompanied by a father, 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.

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.

 
Soar Into Summer with New Reads
Week of May 16 

Worried about your kids being bored this summer? Get a head start by stocking-up on new books before it starts.

During the week of May 16, stop by the Barnes & Noble at Vanderbilt Square, 3003 W. Holcombe Blvd or visit bn.com  to purchase new adventures for your entire family.

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, May 17 for a special kid-friendly shopping night at Barnes & Noble
When you make an in-store purchase, mention Mark Twain Elementary, ID #11695467, and a portion of the proceeds will come back to our school.
  • To have your purchase benefit Twain when ordering online, from the payment page, scroll to the very bottom and choose "Check this box if it is a Bookfair Order". Enter ID #11695467.
  • If signed in to your bn.com account, from the Checkout screen, click on the Change button in the Payment section to get the full payment screen and the bookfair ID field.
Join us for a
Mark Twain Spirit Night 
Tuesday, May 17  

Chick-fil-A 
3101 W Holcombe Blvd
5:00 - 8:00 pm
A portion of your purchases will benefit our school. 
Last Chance to Order Yearbooks

Yearbooks will arrive later this month and be delivered to your  child's classroom.  If you haven't ordered, there is still time. Click here to order a yearbook today.
TENTATIVE NEW DATE 
Twain Triathlon 2016
Sunday, May 22   
 
Please view at the course map here and if you live anywhere close by, please consider standing outside your home for an hour or two the morning of the race. At 7:45 am, set up a lawn chair, bring out the neighbors, cheer on our students and help ensure their safety! The first students enter the Weekley YMCA pool at 7:45 am so students will begin bicycling by shortly after.

Full details at twaintri.org.

Please sign-up to volunteer here. If you prefer a specific block to line, please note that in the comment section.

Also, look for a food truck in the carpool lane that will sell breakfast tacos. Bring your family and have breakfast while cheering on our student athletes!
 

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.

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.
Pershing Girls Lacrosse
Summer Clinic 2016
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. OPEN TO GIRLS IN GRADES 3-8
Register before July 31

August 13-14, 2016
8:00 am - 12:00 pm 
 
Pershing Middle School
3838 Blue Bonnet Blvd
 
$75 (includes lunch, use of team equipment, & pinnie)
 
BRING: Water bottle, athletic shoes or cleats, lacrosse gear, if owned  (lacrosse stick, goggles, mouth guard

To register or for more information, please visit www.pershinggirlslacrosse.com or download a registration form here.

Click here to view a 2016-2017 school supply list.
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.