The Twain Tiger Times
November 2026
Kirkman Corner
Hello Tiger Family,
November has arrived at Mark Twain Elementary, bringing sweater weather and crisp autumn air on the playground. November is always a special time in our building as we pause to reflect on everything we are grateful for—starting with our incredible Tiger students, families, and staff!
With Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences right around the corner, we are eager to sit down with you to celebrate your child’s hard work, growth, and achievements so far this year. These conversations are such a vital part of our school year because true learning happens when home and school work together. We look forward to sharing their successes, setting new goals, and continuing this journey alongside you.
Thank you for being such an essential part of the Twain family. Happy November, Tigers! 🧡🖤
Theresa's Tidbits:
1. Setting Our Tigers Up for Success and The Importance of Sleep: We want to gently remind our families about the vital role adequate sleep plays in your child’s school day! When Tigers get a full night's rest, they come to school ready to focus, manage their emotions, and engage deeply in their learning. You can support your student at home by:
- Set a Consistent Bedtime: Keep sleep and wake times steady throughout the week.
Remove Electronic Distractions: Store phones, tablets, TVs, and gaming systems outside the bedroom at night and away from student access.
Verify & Check-In: Do a quick evening check to ensure your child has powered down and settled in.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our Tigers rested, healthy, and ready to learn each day!
2. Chillier Temps: Please make sure to send a jacket/coat with your Tiger each day. The colder temperatures have officially set in.
3. Fall Conferences: Please sign up for fall conferences as soon as you can. They will be held November 12th and 18th. Directions to sign up are listed below. We look forward to seeing you at conferences.
4. No School Days:
Tuesday, November 3rd: Election Day
Monday, November 9th: District Holiday
Wednesday, November 18th: Parent/Teacher Conferences 7:40 a.m. - 7:10 p.m.
Wednesday, November 25th - Friday, November 27th: District Holiday
5. PTO Change Drive is Coming Up: From November 10th through November 12th bring your money before or after school to the PTO table set up in front of Twain. There will also be an opportunity to give during conferences on Thursday, November 12th. The class that raises the most money will get a reward TBD. The funds raised through the Change Drive support our teachers (classroom supplies, Delight Cart, conference meals, field trip assistance) and our school community (movie nights, ice cream socials, etc.).Scroll down to the PTO section to sign up to help!
6. Clothing Donations needed for Nurse's Office: We are in desperate need of pants (preferably sweat/elastic waist type) sizes 5-12 youth to restock our supply in the nurse's office. Some larger sizes would be appreciated as well, but we don't need large numbers of those. We also could use underwear at this time. These donations are greatly appreciated when accidents happen and students need a change of clothes.
Thanks for all you do to help support our Twain Tigers!. As Tigers, we will bring the light and love to all we do. We are all in for ALL Tigers! Please never hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns to express or ideas to share. We love to hear from you. Looking forward to an awesome school year!
Tigers together🧡 🖤,
Theresa Kirkman
Twain Elementary Principal
As the weather turns colder, a warm, healthy meal is a great way to start the day! We invite your children to join us for breakfast daily. A warm, nutritious morning meal helps keep students energized, focused, and ready to learn throughout the chilly morning. Help your child start their day off right!
All students can enjoy a healthy, nutritious breakfast at school entirely for free! This service is available to every student regardless of household size or income. Our doors open at 7:30 AM, please join us!
Please note this applies to breakfast only; lunch will continue to be charged based on eligibility. We look forward to seeing your children for breakfast!
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
We’re excited to continue our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) partnership with families again this year at Twain! PBIS is all about teaching positive behaviors, celebrating great choices, and making sure our Tigers feel successful, supported, and ready to learn every single day.
Building on what we did last year, each month we’ll share our Mark Twain Monthly Focus—a core skill we’ll be practicing together across our building. Keep an eye out for these in our newsletter, on TalkingPoints, and through Blackboard.
We’d love for you to join us in practicing and talking about these skills at home, too. Together, we can keep helping our Tigers shine!
Amy Clair, Twain Student Family Advocate
Medicaid Changes for Refugees AND link to food pantries below:
As a result of new legislation, H.R.1, refugees who do not have a Green Card will lose access to Medicaid on October 1, 2026. Current Medicaid members who will be impacted by this change will receive a notice from HHS.
Refugee service providers can remind current Medicaid members to make sure:
HHS has their current address
pay attention to their mail
respond to any request for documentation from HHS immediately
gather documents so they are prepared to respond to an HHS request for documentation.
Refugees who lose Medicaid on October 1, can obtain healthcare at free medical clinics throughout the state. Click here for a statewide directory of free medical clinics. Additionally, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide healthcare to those without insurance. Payment at FQHCs is based on income, also called a sliding fee. Please click here for the directory of FQHCs in Iowa.
The Bureau of Refugee Services has also compiled a statewide directory of food pantries. You can access the directory here. The Bureau of Refugees Services will share more information about Medicaid changes, as it becomes available. If you have questions, please call 515-344-3675 or email BRSRefugee@hhs.iowa.gov.
Next Meeting
When: Thursday, November 5th
Time: 5:30 pm
Where: Twain Library
Join us for our next meeting. Director Mitch Lingo will join us for a conversation around the the district's budget reduction and boundary analysis work. All families are invited to attend to listen and share your questions, concerns, ideas. We will have someone to support with childcare, so you are welcome to bring your children. Here's the link to the full meeting agenda. We'd love to have you!
PTO Change Drive
Easiest fundraiser EVER! We need 1-2 volunteers to run the Change Drive table before and after school each day, November 10 through November 13. This means getting the table and containers out of the office and setting them up in front of the school. Then your job is just to smile and be encouraging to kids who come up and put coins in their grade-level container. See? Easy!
If you are willing to volunteer to collect change, please sign up here: Coin Drive Sign UP
Everyone else.....please bring your money and support our fundraiser! Thanks in advance for your support!
Feed the Teachers for Conferences
On November 12th, PTO will need help to feed our wonderful teachers during conferences. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DAFA729ABFD0-66721044-copy/13038290#/
Reminders
1. Keep collecting those Hy-Vee receipts! Drop them off in the elementary office.
2. Email us anytime at marktwainelementarypto@gmail.com for more information.
Follow PTO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109614672461941
Mark Twain Elementary School
Email: kirkman.theresa@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Page/2438
Location: 1355 Deforest Avenue, Iowa City, IA, USA
Phone: 319-688-1165
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109614672461941