Comets Corner

Mr. Keith Tonn, Principal

Important Contact Information:

Main Office Phone: (586) 439-6900

Fax: (586) 439-6801

Absentee Line: (586) 439-6990

This is a 24-hour recorded line, please leave your child's reason for absence and length of time out. Absences reported to this line ensure the most timely and accurate record.

School Administrative Assistant:

Mrs. Dawn Vezzetti

Email: dawn.vezzetti@fraserk12.org

Building Hours - 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

School Hours: 8:35 am – 3:30 pm
First Bell: 8:30 am
Instructional Bell: 8:35 am
Students must be in class by 8:35 am or they are marked tardy.

Mission Statement:

Guiding our Comets to be compassionate, curious, creative citizens who will positively impact the world.

Email: Keith.Tonn@Fraserk12.org
Website: https://www.fraser.k12.mi.us/Page/21
Location: 30601 Calahan Rd, Roseville, MI 48066, USA
Phone: (586) 439-6900
Twitter: @Keith_Tonn

The first-grade classes began using the Mystery Science program. They have been making observations of the sun and shadows throughout the day and across the seasons. They use their observations to understand patterns that occur throughout the day. In the activity Moving Shadows, students use flashlights and paper gnomes to explore how moving the position of a light makes shadows move. During another activity, Sun Finder, students create a mobile paper model of the sun and earth to illustrate the position of the sun throughout the day. Science is quickly becoming one of the favorite parts of the day in first grade!

As part of the MTPC Walk-a-Thon, the top 10 earners were rewarded with a special luncheon. On Friday, October 18th they were rewarded with lunch from McDonalds, followed by games in the 21st Century Room with Mr. Tonn. It was a great time! We appreciate all of their efforts.

We are looking forward to having our teachers meet with you and your child during Twain's Student Led Conferences. During this time, students will showcase their goals and academic progress. It is important to include your child in these conferences so that they can take ownership of their academic plan for the year.

Conference dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, October 23rd from 4:30 to 7:30 PM

Thursday, October 24th from 1:00-3:30 PM & 4:30-7:30 PM

Classroom teachers sent conference invitations by Thursday, October 10th. If you did not receive your notice for any reason, please click HERE to find the link to your child's teacher's Sign-Up Genius.

We look forward to seeing everyone at conferences. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We continue to celebrate Red Ribbon Month! This year's theme is “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free.” Red Ribbon Month is a month during which people, schools, and communities unite and take a visible stand against drugs. During HEART class students have been focusing on healthy habits and choices. Students have pledged to live a drug-free life. Red Ribbon Awareness Bracelets will be worn by all staff and students throughout the month to show that we pledge to make good choices. Students in grades 4-6 were encouraged to participate in the poster contest.

On Tuesday, October 15th 5th-grade students from across the district showcased their talent at the Song Flute Concert. Looking forward to seeing them grow as many of them join band this year.

We are excited to embark on the creation of our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan—a roadmap that will shape the next five years of excellence in Fraser Public Schools. This plan will continue to focus on our strong traditions of excellence by staying committed to our core values and beliefs - Innovate, Learn, Lead.

We will be holding a Community & Parent Meeting to kick off the strategic planning process on October 29th at 6 pm in the Fraser High School Media Center. All are welcome to attend!

Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves. And fostering a love of independent reading leads to a wide variety of benefits—including academic success and improved mental health.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair:

Dates: Oct. 21st – Oct. 25th

Location: Mark Twain Media Center

Family Event schedule and location: Open Late Oct. 23rd 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

There’s even more info on our school’s Book Fair homepage:

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/marktwain2021

While you’re there, set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. Then share your eWallet link so friends and extended family can add funds.

When you fund an eWallet, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a giving initiative called Share the Fair™. Your contributions directly support our students who need help buying books from the Fair.

Many of us still remember the rush of finding the perfect book at a Scholastic Book Fair. I hope you’ll join your child at our school’s Fair and share a reading experience they’ll remember forever.

Need one more reason to visit the Book Fair? Every purchase at the Fair benefits our school!

After a jam-packed bus ride, Twain 6th graders were ready for a fun-filled day at camp! We had beautiful weather for our nature walks and interactive activities. Students enjoyed the camp's rock-climbing wall — all encouraging one another to keep climbing. All students had the opportunity to be a "zipper" to help pull up their classmates. Some got the special job of "slacker" — making sure there was no slack in the line!

We learned about various animals such as the snow owl, red fox, and bobcats! We had two separate events involving animals: the nature walks and the animal superpowers presentation. Our Twain students were participating and impressing the Camp Howell staff on their background knowledge through all the presentations!

Most students participated on the zip line. A few really built up their courage to try, and they ended up loving the zipline more than any other event! Camp Howell staff Paige was super informative and the kids learned the importance of making sure their harness was on properly.

Overall, the sixth grade had an excellent time at camp and our grade bonded even better than before! After all these team activities, sixth grade is ready to take on the rest of the school year stronger and closer than ever.

Mark Twain Spirit Wear is now available to purchase. Students and families can choose from a variety of styles and colors with the logos above. The sale runs through October 25th. Checks should be made out to Mark Twain Elementary. All orders should be submitted to the main office. Order forms are linked below.

• Parade: A short Halloween Parade will take place beginning at 10:00AM on Thursday, October 31st. Weather permitting, we will parade out the main doors and around the building. Our Y5s and kindergarten students will lead the parade around each classroom and then outside around the building. All are welcome to come and watch our costume parade outdoors!

• Classroom Activities: Classrooms/grade levels will be planning for Halloween activities and celebrations individually, either before or after the parade. If teachers request parent volunteers to help facilitate the classroom activities, all volunteers will have to submit a Background Check.

• Costumes: Students may come to school in costume on Thursday, October 31st. They can stay in costume for the duration of the day. Costumes need to be school appropriate and cannot depict violence or excess blood/gore. No fake weapons are allowed in school (i.e. toy guns, swords, blades, etc). Costume masks can be worn for the parade, but not throughout the day. For costumes that have short skirts/shorts, leggings or pants need to be worn underneath.

This year, we're working hard to advance student success by reducing chronic absenteeism. At the end of each month, our team will be reviewing student attendance and will be setting up meetings with families whose students have missed 10% of our school days. During these meetings, we will be creating success plans in an effort to help improve student attendance.

Students who miss two days of school in September often go on to become chronically absent. To maintain satisfactory attendance and to create good attendance habits that can last a lifetime, students should strive to miss no more than nine days per year (or less than one day per month).

As you know, School Picture Day was Tuesday, September 17th. If your child was absent or needs their picture retaken, Lifetouch has been scheduled to return on Monday, November 4th.

The K-2 and 3-6 class that brings in the most items will receive a pizza party.

Twain's Student Council is once again hosting a Wreath Fundraiser. This has always been a very successful fundraiser for our student council and the wreath products are beautiful. Order forms were sent home with students last week. Extras are available in the office should you need them. Orders are due by Wednesday, November 6th and our delivery/pick up date at Twain will be Thursday, Dec. 5th (1/2 day).

*Please make checks payable to Mark Twain Elementary.*

As a parent of a Mark Twain Elementary student, you are a valued member of the Mark Twain Parent Club. Our official Facebook group is here: Mark Twain Parent Club. Please help us build the group by sharing with other Twain families and adding them to the group.

Contact MTPC: mtparentclub@gmail.com

We welcome the 24-25 MTPC Executive Board:

• President: Yolanda Perkins
• Vice President: Bethany Haley
• Treasurer: Megan Arnone
• Secretary: Amanda McDunnah

• 10/21 - 10/24 - Book Fair
  
• 10/23 - Student-Led Conferences from 4:30 to 7:30 PM
• 10/24 - 1/2 Day (12:00 Dismissal)
• 10/24 - Student-Led Conferences from 1:00 - 3:30 & 4:30-7:30
• 10/29 - District Strategic Planning Meeting @ 6:00 PM at FHS
• 10/31 - Halloween Parade
• 10/31 - Early Release (1:30 Dismissal)
• 11/4 - Picture Re-Take Day
• 11/5 - No School - Election Day
• 11/6 - StuCo Wreath Orders Due
• 11/7 - MTPC Meeting
• 11/11 - Dentist R' Us
• 11/14 - MTPC Skating Party
• 11/21 - Early Release (1:30 Dismissal)
• 11/25 - MTPC: Comets Eat Out - Jet's Pizza
• 11/25 - Winter Vocal Concert- Grades 4-6
• 11/26 End of 1st Trimester
• 11/27 - 11/29 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
• 12/5 - StuCo Wreath Delivery

Access the full District Calendar HERE at any time!

The State of Michigan will provide a free breakfast and lunch for all students who want them throughout the 2024-2025 school year. Although not required, we do ask that families complete the Education Benefit Form located HERE. By doing so you help ensure the school receives additional funding.