Welcome to the Twain PTSA
After school enrichment program

Are you looking for some fun and enriching activities for your child after school? Twain PTSA is offering a variety of after school programs each session. Whether your child wants to learn a new language, express their creativity, challenge their mind, or improve their health, there is something for everyone at Twain.

We hope your child loves the after school programs at Twain. If you need anything, email us at afterschoolprograms@twainptsa.org		  

Useful links & info

Join the PTSA as PTSA member
Link to update your student grade info
Parent chaperone sign up form for Chess club
Parent chaperone sign up form for STEAM club
ASP Program rules for enrolled families


Need financial support?

Join our awesome after-school programs with the support of the PTSA Student Assistance Fund. It is very easy. Just email Mrs. DeWalt to apply. We will do our best to cover some or all of your registration fee, depending on your situation and the funds available. Please note that the fund is also used for other scholarships and programs and it is on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to secure a spot in advance?

You can volunteer as a parent leader for a program and get a spot for your child. As a parent leader, you will still pay the program fee, but you will have a guaranteed space in the class. Send us an email via afterschoolprograms@twainptsa.org.

More questions?

Check out our FAQ at the bottom of the page to see if your question has been asked before.

Before jumping into the enrollment...
Few things you would want to know. :)

Main differences between this year 2023 and last year 2022?

    New registration & payment system via 6crickets!
For this year's Twain PTSA After-School programs, we have switched to 6crickets.com for registration and payment. This website offers a more user-friendly way to manage your kids ASP program.
    Refund/Cancel is easier with program vendor via 6cricket.
You can request a refund or cancel your registration easily through 6cricket with the program provider. No need to contact Mark Twain PTSA, as we are not in charge of this. But please check each provider’s cancellation policy before you register.
    Class will be cancelled if no parent chaperone present.
Each class must have a parent chaperone. Parent chaperones must be PTSA members and LWSD-approved volunteers. The main duties of the chaperone are to make sure the students are safe and where they’re supposed to be. At least two adults are to be present at all times (one being the instructor). If, for any reason, there is no chaperone for the class, we will have to cancel the class.


Things that are the same but you should still pay attention to
  • Enrolling in any program requires that you volunteer as a chaperone at least once for each program you enroll in. (Sign Up form is available on Nov 6th.)
  • To ensure the safety of our students and staff, all chaperones need to be approved LWSD volunteers
  • Please update your student’s grade level in Student Info. Some programs are only for certain grades, and you won’t be able to register if the grade level is wrong.
  • After-School programs are only available to families with a current PTSA membership. Join or renew your PTSA membership today.

Enter the PTSA member page here - Registration will end at Dec 15th, 12pm (PST)
Program registration page is only viewable by PTSA members. Join or renew your PTSA membership today

 

 

 

 

Program info

  Mark Twain Chess Club --- Winter session: Jan 9 – Mar 19, 2024 (10 weeks)
No class date: 01/23/2024
Time: Every Tuesday - 3:45pm-4:45pm
Location: Mark Twain Cafeteria
Age/Grade: Age 5-12yr / Grade K-5
Studenet/Instructor ratio: Min 10, Max 30. Our ratio goal is between 12-15 kids per instructor.
Tuition:$210
During our first class we will be assessing all of the students to see what level everyone is at. Based on these assessments, we will have multiple groups. This will also give us an idea what key chess strategies we will be learning throughout each session. 15 minutes of practice play, 20 minutes of engaging lesson, 20 minutes of tournament time, 5 minutes clean up / check out
     
  Mark Twain STEAM club --- Winter session: Jan 8 – Mar 25th, 2024 (10 weeks)
No class date: 01/15, 02/19
Time: Every Monday - 3:45pm-4:45pm
Location: Mark Twain Mobile classroom 307
Age/Grade: Age 7yr~12yr/Grade 2-5
Studenet/Instructor ratio: Min 6, Max 15. Our ratio goal is between 6-8 kids per instructor.
Tuition:$367.50
Join us for a series of fun and creative activities that introduce you to the basics of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) fabrication design world. You will learn how to use a 3D pen, a laser cutter, and 3D CAD software to create your own projects. This series is specially designed for families of Mark Twain Elementary School students who want to explore the art & technologies in a new way.
  1. 3D Pen: Build a name plate, Geometry, Lively layers and Towering achievement
  2. Laser cutting: Designing puzzles, Designing animals, Designing Boxes.
  3. 3D CAD: TinkerCAD intro. Animal Remix, into the details.


Frequently Asked Questions

1   Q: What are the requirements for running PTSA after school programs at Mark Twain?

A: PTSA after school programs are allowed at Mark Twain due to PTSA sponsorship. Our PTSA insurance policy states that in order to run our programs the following requirements must be met:
  • Every program must have a PTSA adult member chaperone present at each class
  • All chaperones must be approved volunteers with a current background check by the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and members of the Mark Twain PTSA
  • All chaperones must witness any accidents, take attendance, contact parents/guardians if needed, and make sure each student is signed out by an adult at pick up.
2   Q: How do I register my child for an after school program?

A: Registration will be on a first come first served basis via online registration at Mark Twain School portal at 6crickets.com and only available for PTSA members. Open enrollment will end three business days before the first session or when maximum class enrollment is reached prior to the deadline. Students may only be enrolled in classes by their parent or guardian. Payment for classes can be made via 6crickets online payment system. If you do not have internet access or need assistance, please contact the After School Program Coordinator.
3   Q: How will I know if my registration is confirmed?

A: You will receive an official confirmation email from 6crickets once your registration and payment are processed. Please do not attend the class unless you have received the confirmation.
4   Q: What happens if a class is cancelled or missed due to weather or other reasons?

A: PTSA may cancel a program due to low enrollment, parent chaperone is no show or unforeseen circumstances. In that case, you will either get refund or online course instead based on policy provided by program providers. If a class is missed due to weather or other reasons, PTSA will try to make up the class if possible. However, there are no refunds for missed classes.
5   Q: Can I cancel my child's enrollment and get a refund?

A:Yes. You can request a refund or cancel your registration easily through 6cricket with the program provider directly. No need to contact Mark Twain PTSA, as we are not in charge of this. Please check each provider’s cancellation policy before you register.

6   Q: Can non-Twain students participate in PTSA programs?

A: Yes, non-Twain students who live in the Twain attendance area and are eligible to attend Twain can join PTSA programs on a space-available basis. Twain students have priority over non-Twain students in case of over-enrollment. Non-Twain students have to follow the same rules and fees as Twain students.
7   Q: What is the waitlist for a class?

A: The waitlist is a list of people who are interested in joining a class that is currently full. If a space becomes available in the class, the space will be offered to people in the waitlist based on when they were added to the list.
8   Q: How likely is it that a space will become available in the class?

A: It is unlikely that a space will become available, as most people who register for a class tend to attend it. However, your request helps us gauge the level of interest in a program and helps with our planning.
9   Q: How can I guarantee a spot in the class?

A: You can volunteer to be the parent leader for a program that does not have one. As a parent leader, you will help coordinate the class communications between the families and the program provider regarding the student attendance or any concerns from both parties. You will also secure a spot in the class for yourself. If you are interested in being a parent leader, please contact us at afterschoolprograms@twainptsa.org
10   Q: What is the behavior policy for after school programs? 

A: We insist that students respect the instructor and parent volunteer, and act in an appropriate manner. If your student has behavior issues which are disruptive to the class, we will issue a warning. If there is a second incident, we may be forced to terminate your student’s participation in the program (no refund)
11   Q:How do I pick up my child after the program?

A: Please pick up your students from the covered area between the gym and the library right after each class. If you are late by more than 10 minutes, we will give you a warning. If this happens again, your child may be dropped from the program without a refund. If you have made other arrangements for your child, such as walking home alone or being signed out by a sibling under 18, you need to let us know in writing.
12   Q: Do I need to sign up as a parent chaperone to secure the class registration?

A:Yes, you do. For the safety of our students, we require one PTSA parent volunteer for each class. Please be ready to assist with one class and to be a backup chaperone for another class per session. If you don't sign up to chaperone, your enrollment can be cancelled.
13   Q: How can I become a parent chaperone or volunteer for a PTSA program?

A: You need to be approved by the Lake Washington School District and be a current member of the Mark Twain PTSA. You can apply for Lake Washionton District approval online at LWSD Volunteer Process or get an application form from the school front office. You can join the PTSA member by filling out a registration form from the PTSA Membership Application here.
14   Q: What are my duties as a parent chaperone?
A: You are responsible for chaperoning the class on your scheduled day, taking attendance, contacting parents if a student or instructor is absent, witnessing any accidents, handling any misbehavior or late pick-up issues, and making sure each student is signed out by a parent or guardian. More detail
15   Q: What should I do if I cannot attend my scheduled day as a parent chaperone?

A: Please notify the backup parent chaperone and the program parent lead as soon as possible. It is important that there is always one parent chaperone present for each class. If no chaperone is available, the class will be cancelled. If you miss your scheduled day without informing anyone, your child may lose their spot in the program and you will not receive a refund.
16   Q: Is the program fee eligible for Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)?

A: Some parents have claimed the ASP receipts for the dependent care tax credit, but the eligibility of an program fee for the Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) depends on your tax situation. You should talk to your tax professional about how to get reimbursed from that account. If you need the provider Tax IDs for tax purposes, you can find them in your 6cricket receipts. To do that, you can follow these steps from 6cricket website. Where is the TAX IDs.
17   Q: What is the Student Assistance Fund?

A: The Student Assistance Fund is a fund that the PTSA board has created to help students who need financial assistance to join our after-school programs (ASP) or other scholarships and programs.
18   Q: How can I apply for the Student Assistance Fund?

A: You can apply for the fund by sending an email to Mrs. DeWalt, our school counselor. She will assess your situation and let us know how we can support you.
19   Q: How much can I get from the Student Assistance Fund?

A: The amount of money you can get from the fund depends on several factors, such as the number of overall requests, the amount of fund remaining, and the level of need of each student applicant. The fund can cover either a partial or a whole amount of the registration fee for the ASP or other scholarships and programs.
20   Q: How soon can I get the money from the Student Assistance Fund?

A: The fund is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so the sooner you apply, the better. We will try our best to process your request as quickly as possible and let you know the outcome.
21   Q: How can I support the Student Assistance Fund?

A: You can support the fund by making a donation to the PTSA or by participating in our fundraising events (Corporate matching, Shop & support and more). Your generosity will help us provide more opportunities for our students. Thank you for your support!