Mark Twain Elementary
*Parent Bulletin * February 15, 2021*
Staff Shout Outs!
The Twain staff continues to work hard to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the Twain community. If at anytime during the year, you believe that a staff member deserves a shout out, please send me an email with what the staff member did to earn the shout out. The shout out will be shared with the staff in our weekly staff newsletter.
Message from Dr. Booker
Until at least some elementary students return to in-person instruction, we will continue to allocate 90 minutes every Wednesday as asynchronous time where teachers are not expected to directly interact with students.
Thank you to the families that took the time to complete the Instructional Setting Survey. Your responses will help with the planning of Twain's reopening.
This week I will be looking at the results of the survey and creating class rosters. My goal is to keep every student with their current teacher. However, there is a chance where this is may not be possible. In this case, I will contact you to inform you of the change.
Attention K-5 Families. The Distance Learning Achievement Report is now available on ParentVue. Once you have logged in be sure to click the “Assessments and More” tab on the left-hand-side of the menu bar.
Middle School Choice
5th to 6th Grade Middle School Choice- The Middle School Choice “season” kicked off on Wednesday, January 13. Please read the attached letter and Frequently Asked Questions, and see the MS Choice website for most current timeline.
Letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VTtlObYqBOkzOIzOceUR9_9cErb0dnn5sCNx9ogtsBo/edit?usp=sharing
FAQ: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EQ9n64HmSCZ_TpKwCGguan1vtvHvfy42Y8xRXBYikrk/edit?usp=sharing
Webpagehttps://www.lbschools.net/Departments/Middle_K8_Schools/school_choice.cfm
Parent Support for Canvas/Zoom/Chrome is now online…
The link below will take you to online tech support. Also, please do not change your child's password.
Library curbside pickup
Great news, Twain families! Every Wednesday, Twain ES will be offering curbside pickup for library books. We have many new books that have been waiting to be read! Please see below to find out how you and your child can borrow books from our library!
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
1) Art Education Supplies Pick Up
Twain PTA Art Education Program beginning in February! Educators from Inspyr Art Studio will be joining our class Zooms throughout February. Check with your classroom teacher for your lesson date and when supplies can be picked up. Our first lesson, in celebration of Black History Month, will introduce students to the life and work of Ashley Bryan and give students the opportunity to create their own art using water pastels and markers.
2) Community & Parent webinars
The families in our Twain community are important to us! This virtual schooling time can be very difficult for all, and we want you to know that you're not alone! Whether it's managing stress and uncertainty, adjusting to changes, or moderating your child's interaction - we want to support you as best as we can! Here's a few webinars that are available for all to attend:
> 33rd District Community events: https://33rdpta.org/connecting-community/
> IVA Parent Acedemy: Link to flyer attached below
3) PTA Volunteers Needed
We are already planning for the 2021-2022 PTA school year and we need volunteers to be a part of our board and committees next year. Just a reminder that anyone who is a member can volunteer, and that includes Dads, Moms, Guardians, Grandparents, Teachers, Friends, etc.
As a PTA, we are advocating for our children and the enrichment and success of all the students at Twain. If you or anyone you know is interested, please complete this Google form or feel free to reach out to any of the current board members and we will be happy to talk with you. Our current board members' contact information is located on our PTA website here.
The PTA has a new website! It's a work in progress so there will be additional information and updates occasionally. They have information about the Reflections program, Shopping Rewards program, how to join PTA, who to contact and also a link to the Parent newsletter, etc.
Previously Shared Information
District Plan
The Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education is deeply committed to the health and safety of students, families and staff. The school district continues to consider evolving guidance from state and local health and education agencies regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
View the 2020-2021 School Opening & Safety Plan for additional details:
Information regarding CORE 5
Dear Families,
Again this year your student will have the opportunity to use Lexia® Core5® Reading, an engaging computer-based program that has helped millions of students at all reading levels become better readers. The activities in Core5 support and build on our classroom curriculum and focus on developing essential reading skills in six critical areas: phonological awareness, phonics, structural analysis, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Here’s how Lexia Core5 Reading works:
Log in to Lexia Core5 Reading
The first thing your child will see this year is the auto-placement. Please do not help your child as this placement will ensure your child begins Core5 at a starting point that fits his or her needs. Starting fresh for the new year will provide your student the opportunity to review skills previous learned and ensure a successful start to the new year
Although students will each receive a customized prescribed number of minutes, to accelerate progress we are recommending all students use Core5 20 minutes daily.
Each student will receive a customized prescribed number of minutes to work online each week, please strive to meet these goals.
Progress and performance in the program are reported to teachers, so please do not help provide answers to your children. If they are struggling, encourage them to replay the directions, repeat the prompt and to try their best. The program will provide support if they are struggling.
Tips for Parents
Reward students for completing weekly Core5 minutes.
Please do not help your child by providing them answers while using the Core5 online program.
Encourage your child to take a break or choose another activity when they see a red apple.
If you have a question about your child’s username or password, please contact your child’s teacher directly. Lexia Customer Support is not able to provide families with teacher emails, student usernames, or passwords.
We hope you share our excitement about this program.
Communication
One of my professional goals this year is to increase my level of communication to the Twain community. The Parent Bulletin will be your main source for school- wide information and I will be emailing it out every week.
Other helpful sources of information include the LBUSD website (www.lbschools.net) and our school website (https://twain-lbusd-ca.schoolloop.com/).
The Twain office staff is available to assist you each school day via phone at (562) 421-8421. Our office is also open to the Twain community, by appointment only. If you require in-person assistance, please call the school office to make an appointment. Upon entering the school, you will have to go through a brief COVID screening.
Mark Twain Elementary
Email: pbooker@lbschools.net
Website: twain-lbusd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Location: 5021 East Centralia Street, Long Beach, CA, USA
Phone: (562) 421-8421
Twitter: @LbusdMark