Mark Twain Union Elementary School

646 Stanislaus Ave

Angels Camp, CA 95222

August 2022

Dear Badger Families~

Welcome to the 2022-23 School Year! I am very honored & excited by the opportunity to join the Mark Twain Family.  As your new principal, it is my mission to motivate, inspire each and every member of our school family towards continual excellence as students, educators, parent-partners, community-based partners and life-long learners. The 2022-23 school year will be my 26th year in education. I am excited to draw upon my diverse experiences which include teaching, counseling and Special Education. I am also willing to keep learning how to best support our children. 

As we start 2022-23, my commitment is to:   

1) Provide open, honest and regular communication with staff & parents 

2) Eliminate obstacles to student growth & parent involvement that are within our control 

3) Make decisions that are in the best interest of all children 

4) Never give up- we will make it happen for each child!

Class Lists

• Will be posted outside the office on Friday August 12th

• Our fantastic Badger Boosters will be selling Cowabunga Ice Cream and swag.

• If your child needs a backpack, we will also have some available.

First Day of School

• Our first day of school is Wednesday  August 17, 2022

• Please feel free to join me afer drop off for Coffee & Connections in the cafeteria

• TK-K Bell Schedule is 8:10-2:10

• This year, every Friday will be an Early Release Day to allow for Professional Development

Our phenomenal teaching staff includes many familiar faces and some new ones as well

TK-K Tessa Pyle

Kindergarten Jana Taylor

1st Tamsen Lenoir

1st/2nd KelLee Felix

2nd Dia Eaves

2nd Jessica Bottomley

3rd Chandra Martinez

3rd Amber Sherrow

4th     Marisol Rodriguez

4th/5th     Bailey Reese

5th           Justin Miller

5th/6th     Dani Diebold

6th           Olivia Birdwell

Title 1     Tami Hildebrand

RSP     Michelle Duncan

SDC     Cora Broglio

SDC     Ryan Morgan

7th ELA            Laura Duren

8th ELA            Sonya Garrison

7th/8th Math     Josh Bailey

7th/8th History Jeff Airola

7th/8th Science Ken Swanner

7th/8th PE        Jordan Gomez

RSP/SDC Molly Teale

Counselor         Lori Oliver

Counselor         Linda Springer

Back to School Nights 

• Tuesday August 30th TK-6th Back to School Night

• Thursday September 1st 7-8 Back To School Night

Back to School Night will be in person and for parents only. More details to come. 

Picture Day

• Thursday September 1st for all grade levels

Opportunities to Get Involved

We look forward to working with all of you and encourage you to consider how you can be engaged in, and partner with the school. We have varying opportunities for parents to participate in their child’s school experience, TK thru 8th grade - and want you to know that even as kids get older, they still want and need you to be present and involved. We have a strong and dedicated group of parents in our Badger Boosters. They are involved throughout the year in school-wide improvement projects, including academic and enrichment support for teachers and students, that we hope you will consider joining. 

Mark Twain is bursting with potential to far exceed expectations and to produce learners and leaders who refuse to be average, who overcome obstacles, and blaze trails that make great impacts in our community and beyond. As I become a member of the Mark Twain Family, I am personally challenged, inspired and motivated to grow our school by growing every staff member and every child, every day, based on their unique learning styles.

It seems appropriate that in this transition we pause to assess where the school has been, where we are now, and what we see as our priorities in the future.  As we begin this new school year, I have several ideas which will allow me to listen to the many voices at our school, learn from you and create connections for working together. My hope is that we will use these conversations and a new beginning to develop a shared set of priorities and a plan for accomplishing them.

 To our students, I cannot wait to meet all of you! I hope that you are excited for this coming school year. It is going to be a meaningful and fun year. We will be learning together to achieve the highest accomplishments.

 In closing, please know that my door is always open to you. I wholeheartedly welcome your conversations and positive input. I look forward to celebrating our collective successes during the 2022-23 school year. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns  at (209) 736-6533 or at lshaw@mtwain.k12.ca.us. I look forward to working with you and assisting each student to meet his or her personal goals.

Enjoy the last relaxing days of summer!

Lisa Shaw