Dear Mark Twain Families,

We are starting Week 3 STRONG!

This week, we will have make-up testing for NWEA MAP as well as DIBELS phonics testing for K–2 students. Student reports will be sent home with progress reports next Friday, September 4.

⏰ Every Minute Matters

We are doing better with tardies—thank you! Please remember that arriving on time is important for both learning and conduct. Our teachers begin teaching right away, and every minute at Mark Twain matters.

Tardies impact conduct.

Tardy counts start over at the beginning of each six-week grading period. 

📌 A Few Reminders

• We are unable to deliver forgotten items to students during the school day, including lunches, water bottles, and treats.
• 2:30 p.m. is the final early pick-up time before dismissal. Please plan to arrive closer to 2:20 p.m. due to afternoon traffic.
• Please check ParentSquare for the beginning-of-year forms and complete any outstanding items.

⭐ Something to Celebrate!

Our Texas Education Agency (TEA) rating is a 92!

We celebrated this exciting accomplishment on Friday with popsicles and music, and it was wonderful to have so many volunteers join us. Thank you to our PTO for helping make the celebration possible!

This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our incredible students, teachers, staff, and families.

We truly have the BEST families, staff, and students!

Thank you for helping us start another great week at Mark Twain!

Michele Rawson

To be open to the world, we need to understand it.

Therefore, we provide students with opportunities for sustained inquiry into a range of local and global issues and ideas.

Developing this approach to learning leads to a depth of understanding that is essential for our world today. (IBO.org)

Questions? Contact:

Kathleen Blakeslee, IB Coordinator

GENERAL VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Reminder that any type of volunteering at Twain requires VIPS approval through the school district.

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.

We have openings for helping in the Cafeteria and the Library, so please sign up, even if you only have a few minutes a day!

ONGOING FUNDRAISERS

1. Mabel's Labels - Go to Mabel's Labels, select Mark Twain and start shopping!

2. Minted - 20% off your entire order! 

               Use Code: FUNDRAISEMARKTWAIN

3. Box Tops - Your normal grocery shopping can help support Twain. Download the app to see hundreds of different products (not just cereal!) that can help out: Box Tops for Education

Give. Share. Cheer on our Tigers!

We're getting closer to the September 4 kickoff of our Friends & Family Fundraiser.

This year, we're challenging our Twain community to come together toward a $100,000 school-wide goal.

Using the GetMovin FundHub platform, there will be plenty of fun along the way:
🎁 Student rewards for fundraising milestones
🏆 Individual, Family, Classroom, & Grade-Level challenges
🏃 A Fun Run celebration for ALL students on Sept 25
🎨 4th & 5th graders can unlock a Color Run!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

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

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 community 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!

No entry fee...just bring a dish from your country/culture to share!

Homemade or store-bought dish ok (please indicate any common allergens)

Feel free to dress in cultural wear or sports jerseys.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Wednesday, September 23
6:00 PM • Twain Cafeteria

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

T-Shirt Art Contest 

Spooky Spectacular, Mark Twain Elementary's Fall Festival.

All students are invited to submit entries to the Spooky Spectacular T-Shift Contest!

The overall winner will see their artwork on the front of the 2026 Spooky Spectacular t-shirt and will receive several grand prizes (one wristband to Spooky Spectacular, one meal ticket, and one Spooky Spectacular t-shirt).

One winner from each grade level (Kinder through 5th) will be recognized and receive a prize!

Submissions are due on September 14th!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR (more details to come!)

Saturday, October 24
10:00 AM - 02:00 PM • Twain Campus

Thank you to all who made the Parent Information Night such a success. It was a great chance to meet Room Parents, to see other potential volunteer opportunities, and to learn about Teachers' classroom expectations.

SAVE THE DATE — FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Q&A Coffee with Ms. Rawson & the Admin Team
After Drop-Off • Mark Twain 7:45AM IN THE CAFETERIA

Start your morning with coffee and conversation! Join Ms. Rawson and the Admin Team after drop-off for an informal Q&A—a great opportunity to ask questions, hear from our school leadership, and connect with other Twain families.

Then, keep the coffee flowing! 

After the Q&A, head over to Betsy’s at 9:00 AM for our monthly First Friday Parent Coffee. Grab another cup, meet new parents, catch up with friends, and enjoy a casual morning with our Twain community.

Little kiddos are always welcome!

We hope you’ll join us for one—or both!

NEXT FIRST FRIDAY TWAIN FAMILY 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.

Submit your first day of school photos to share!

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!

Want an easy way to support our amazing teachers and staff? Shop the Amazon wish list by clicking on the link below - help keep the teacher workroom stocked with snacks and other much needed items.

Every purchase, big or small, helps keep our teachers fueled and appreciated!

First Pershing Boys Lacrosse Practice:

Monday, September 21st 4:30-6:30PM

Pershing Middle School fields off Stella Link

pershinglax@gmail.com for registration and information

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!