Are you ready to get involved? We would LOVE to have you! Whether you have a little time or a lot, there is a place for you. Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form on our NEW PTO website, and we'll help get you plugged in. You don't have to know where you fit yet—that's what we're here for!

For those I haven't had the chance to meet, I'm so honored and excited to serve as your PTO President this year, and I know we're going to have a ROCKIN' year! Our family has been at Twain since 2018, and we have three daughters—a freshman at Bellaire High School, a sixth grader at Pin Oak Middle School, and our final Twain Tiger in fourth grade.

And to all of our families who are brand new to Twain—we are so glad you're here. If you're feeling a little nervous, overwhelmed, or wondering how elementary school works, I've been in your shoes! It wasn't all that long ago that I was the new parent trying to figure it all out...and I'm still standing! Please reach out, ask questions, and know there are so many people here who are happy to help.

Our family is incredibly proud to be a Twain Tiger family, and my hope is that you find that same sense of belonging here. This really is a special community, and we're so glad you're part of it!

Here's to a ROCK STAR year together!! 

Mallory Rissmiller
PTO President

GET VIPS READY!

Planning to volunteer at Twain this year? Whether you're helping in the classroom, chaperoning a field trip, attending a class party, or lending a hand at an event, all volunteers must be VIPS approved each school year.

VIPS registration is now open for 2026–2027!

⭐ Visit houstonisd.org/vips
⭐ Complete the brief training video
⭐ Complete the background check located below the completion certificate
⭐ Watch for an email from HISD confirming your approval

Important: VIPS must be renewed every school year. If you completed the process before August 10, you'll need to submit it again for the 2026–2027 school year.

FIND YOUR PLACE AT TWAIN!

Ready to get involved? We'd love to have you!

Whether you have an hour to give, want to help in your child's classroom, or are ready to join an event committee, there's a place for you at Twain.

Visit our Volunteer Hub to tell us what you're interested in and explore current volunteer opportunities.

Give. Share. Cheer on our Tigers!

Our Friends & Family Fundraiser is a fun and easy way for families, friends, and our community to support the Mark Twain PTO and the programs that enrich our students' experience at Twain.

Using the GetMovin FundHub platform, students can collect tax-deductible donations online, track their progress, and work toward exciting rewards at the individual, family, classroom, grade, and school-wide levels!

And the best part? We'll celebrate together with a school-wide Fun Run for ALL students—because every Tiger is part of the fun, regardless of fundraising!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Fundraiser: September 4 – October 4
Fun Run: September 25

More details coming soon—get ready to RUN, Tigers! 

NEXT STOP ON THE TWAIN TIGERS WORLD TOUR! 🌎

Pack your appetite and join us for one of Twain's favorite com

munity traditions! Our International Potluck is an evening to celebrate the cultures, flavors, and families that make our Twain community so special.

Bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy an evening of food, friends, and flavors from around the globe!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Wednesday, September 23
6:00 PM • Twain Cafeteria

More details and sign-ups coming soon!

Questions? Contact our Cultural Exchange Directors:
Elizabeth Wagner, Farrah Najmuddin Lang & Danielle Ward-Griffin

CALLING ALL 5TH GRADERS!!

Want to help capture the memories that make this year at Twain unforgettable? Join the Yearbook Club and be part of the team creating the 2026–2027 Mark Twain Yearbook!

Yearbook Club members will get hands-on experience with photography, graphic design, writing, editing, and page design while building creativity, teamwork, and leadership skills. Best of all, you'll help tell the story of our Twain Tigers World Tour!

WHO CAN APPLY?

⭐ Current 5th graders in good academic standing
⭐ Students able to attend weekly Wednesday meetings from 3:00–4:00 PM, beginning September 2
⭐ Students interested in photography, design, writing, editing, technology—or simply being part of a creative team!

APPLICATIONS DUE AUGUST 21

Students may apply online or submit a written application to the Yearbook Dropbox in the main office.

The application includes a short essay sharing why you'd like to join, what you can bring to the team, and your ideas for this year's Twain Tigers World Tour theme.

What a way to kick off the school year! From Coffee Around the Flagpole to our parent engagement events throughout the week—and an incredible first PTO meeting—our Twain community showed up in a BIG way!

We welcomed 117 people in person and another 70 online at our first PTO meeting. That's 187 Tigers coming together to connect, get involved, and help make Twain an amazing place for our kids.

Thank you for showing up, meeting new friends, and starting the year with so much Tiger Pride. Now that's some good news worth celebrating!

We loved connecting with so many Twain families during Parent Engagement Week, so let's keep it going! 

Save the date for our monthly First Friday Parent Coffee - a casual chance to grab a cup of coffee, meet other Twain parents, and stay connected with our community.

NEXT COFFEE 
Friday, September 4 • 9:00 AM
Betsy's

Our campus got a little rock star treatment this summer! From fresh mulch, power washing and exterior paint touch-ups to sprinkler repairs, a refreshed teacher parking lot and coming soon new water fountains, plus landscaping improvements on the way!

The PTO is honored to help fund these campus improvements and invest in a school environment our students, teachers and families can be proud to call home. Twain is looking good!

Looking for Twain gear, spirit wear, personalized goodies, or a special way to celebrate your Tiger? We've got you covered! Visit the Twain Marketplace to explore all the ways to shop, show your Tiger Pride, and support our school.

SCHOOL STORE
Stock up on Twain essentials, school gear, and more.

SUGAR LAND INK SPIRIT STORE
Show your Tiger Pride with spirit wear for the whole family.

LET JEN DO IT!
Shop personalized Twain favorites and custom goodies.

BIRTHDAY GRAMS
Make your Tiger's birthday extra special with a birthday celebration at school!

Did you know we're looking for parents to help bring new clubs to Twain? If you have an interest or talent you'd love to share with our Tigers, we want to hear from you!

Service Club • Chess Club • Art Club • Drama Club • And more!

Have another great idea? All ideas are welcome! Visit our Clubs page to explore current clubs and learn how you can help start something new at Twain.

Don't wait until the end of the year to order your 2026–2027 Twain Yearbook! Purchase your copy now to take advantage of early-bird pricing and guarantee you'll have all the memories from our Twain Tigers World Tour to look back on for years to come. 

Tiger Tracks – Good News Edition is all about celebrating the people, moments, milestones, and everyday wins that make our Twain community so special!

Saw a kind moment on campus? Want to shout out a teacher or staff member? Have a student accomplishment, team victory, community achievement, or simply something that made you smile?

Big wins, small victories, and everything in between—we want to celebrate it!

NEVER MISS A BEAT! 

From school events and PTO meetings to parent gatherings and special Twain traditions, stay up to date with everything happening in our community.

Have news, an event, or an announcement for a future edition of Twain Times? Submit your content through our website and we'll help get the word out!