The Twain Times
Mark Twain Elementary School 
May 17, 2016  

  

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2015 - 2016 

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Mark_twain_pto_logoDear parents,

This Friday, May 20 marks the sixth year that the Mark Twain 4th grade class will provide a hard-earned check to the Houston Arts Foundation to help conserve sculptor Henry Moore's Large Spindle Piece as part of the Adopt-a-Monument program.

Due to the weather, the City of Houston cancelled the official event so our fourth graders will instead hold an assembly on Friday morning to celebrate their contribution to the Houston Arts Foundation.

The Adopt-a-Monument program is sponsored by the Houston Arts Foundation and provides an organization or school the opportunity to raise funds to help conserve specific works of art within Houston's collection of more than 400 pieces. Mark Twain Elementary was the first school in HISD to partner with the Adopt-a-Monument program. This year's 4th grade class held a bake sale and raised more than $2,120 which was matched by corporate sponsor Simmons & Company International.  

In adopting Henry Moore's Large Spindle Piece, located in Eleanor Tinsley Park, Mark Twain 4th graders are living the IB Learner Profile. The Adopt-a-Monument program encourages curiosity and concern. Students inquire about how artists create, and about the need for conservation. As they become more knowledgeable, they learn to be responsible and caring for their local environment.  This accomplishment empowers the students and connects them to their city. We look forward to continuing our support for Houston's public art.

Upcoming Events
As the end of school draws near we'll have a flurry of activity. Your child's teacher will communicate with you regarding specific classroom events.
  • Join us for a PTO Meeting on Wednesday, May 18 at 8:15 am.
  • 2016 Exhibition: Join us on Thursday, May 19 at 6:00 pm for a unique experience as our fifth grade students host the 2016 Exhibition - the culmination of everything our students have gained at Mark Twain. It is a celebration of their experiences as inquiry based learners, a dynamic collaboration with others and an opportunity for them to share the concepts learned over the past 6 years. The theme this year is Who We Are.
  • The Twain Triathlon is Sunday, May 22. Volunteers are needed and appreciated. Please sign up here to volunteer.
  • On Monday, May 23 at 8:00 am in the cafeteria, parents will host a Retirement Reception for Ms. Gee, Ms. Isgur and Ms. Jackson in the cafeteria.
  • Graduation for fifth grade students is Tuesday, May 24 at 6:30 pm. There is limited seating so we ask that you plan accordingly. We will offer babysitting in the library for toddlers (if potty trained) to age 12.
  • Some teachers will change classrooms next year and will need assistance moving materials on Thursday, May 26 and/or Friday, May 27.  If you can volunteer for a time slot convenient for you between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm either day, please sign up here.
     
  • Summer School is June 1-30, 8:00 am - 3:10 pm.
  • The Back to School Rumble will be Thursday, August 18. You will receive a postcard by the second week of August with your child's class assignment and specific information about the Rumble.
Important Reminders:
  • Drop off is at 7:15 am - please do not leave your child unattended at the carpool entrance in the morning. In carpool, please watch for students and adults crossing the lane at any time - look carefully before pulling away from the curb.
     
  • SPARK Park Hours - The playground is open to the public during non-school hours. School hours include all school events. If you use the playground during non-school hours please throw away all trash. Also, please do not ride bicycles or skateboard on the track or pavilion. Thank you for helping us take care of our SPARK Park.
  • 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.
  • Recently, Target ended the Take Charge of Education program in which it donated one percent of REDcard purchases to help the school of your choice. Thank you to all the Mark Twain families who supported our school through this program. This year alone, our school earned more than $1,000. For more information, please click here.
Have a great week!
Melissa Patin
Principal
 
Order School Supplies Now for the 2016-17 School Year

Get ahead of the game! Order your School Supply Packets now for the 2016-17 year. Find an order form in the front office, download an order form here or order online here.  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.
Soar Into Summer with New Reads
May 16-22

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.  When you make an in-store purchase, mention Mark Twain Elementary or use ID #11695467 to make a purchase online by May 27 and a portion of the proceeds will come back to our school.
Join us for a 
Shopping Night
with kid-friendly activities Barnes&Noble 
Tuesday, May 17  
4:30 to 7:00 pm 
 
Activities will include a duct tape bookmark craft, guest readers, and a literary game with free-dress pass prizes.

We need volunteers to help Twain students with the bookmark craft and literary game.  All the supplies and the instructions will be provided.  Please click here to sign-up for a 45 minute shift.  
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. 
Twain Triathlon 2016
Sunday, May 22   
 
Tri, Tri again! We are very pleased to announce that the Twain Triathlon has been rescheduled to Sunday, May 22. If you are registered and UNABLE to attend, please contact Monica Agosta at magosta69@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Also, with the change of date, we are now in greater need for volunteers than ever before. Please consider volunteering for a short period of time. Sign-up here.

Full details at twaintri.org. Thank you! Monica Agosta and Penny Linsenmayer

Healthy Snack Sale
benefitting Huckleberry Park
Monday, May 23 from 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Near the front entrance of Mark Twain

Bring your cash or checkbook and buy a Healthy Snack and some $1 Raffle Tickets! Raffle tickets will be for sale in the school store.  Three winners will be announced in the next Twain Times.

Raffle Items include 1) CRUSH-IT! The adjustable high powered bat plus foam ball, plus 2 extra balls, 2) Nightzone Light Up Jump Rope, Scented Rainbow Gummy Wristlet with Smiley Face Jewel and Sparkle SPF 30+ Sunscreen and 3) Boosterthon Gyro Ball

Thank You to Tomfoolery Toys, Heather Hochberg-Garrett, and Boosterthon for donating the raffle items.

Art a la Carte
Call for Supplies

If you taught a lesson for Art a la Carte in your child's class, thank you! We loved seeing parents and kids walking out of school with art cars, skyscapes, mobiles and color wheels.

Please take a moment to check that you returned the class folder to the brown cabinets in the PTO workroom. We are working to get everything organized to finish out the year and start in the fall with a bang!

For more information, please contact Katie Trowbridge, katietrowbridge@gmail.com or Kinsey Wall, kinsey.wall@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 Update! 

The park project team met with HISD officials about the current condition of the park and how they can help address it.  Due to heavy erosion on the field, old building material is starting to surface on the playground making it more hazardous to play on.  Ms. Patin called an emergency meeting with HISD to address the issue. 

HISD agreed to remove the pieces of cement and rubble and do what is necessary to make the field safe in the interim.   The plan moving forward is to come in behind them with phase 1 in the summer/fall to address the drainage, complete the grading, and install the infrastructure needed to secure the field. 

HISD agreed also to fix the existing sprinkler system and provide the sod for the field.  We are extremely happy with this decision. We will not need to spend our park funds on the sod that will be removed for turf at a later date as fundraising progresses.

Also, we will again partner with Boosterthon to organize a Fun Run scheduled for September 9, 2016.  We look forward to Boosterthon's new program and we know the kids are going to love it!

We are doing amazing things with block walking!  We have received 9 yard signs, 5 pavers, and a bench in the last couple of weeks.  The momentum is picking up in the neighborhood, and that is a beautiful thing!  Keep up the good work, and thank you to all who have picked up door hangers and have walked your blocks.  It is paying off! 

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

Attention Parents of Incoming Pershing Students!
Save time and money by pre-ordering school supplies now. Supplies are pre-packaged and
ready to pick up before school starts.

New this year - Online Ordering Only
Place your order online at  www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks 
Enter School ID: PER363
Deadline to order is June 16, 2016

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

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.