Mark Twain Early Learning Center

This week’s Standout School is Mark Twain Early Learning Center.

Named in honor of famed American writer Mark Twain, the school first opened its doors in 1954 after the closure of Musser School, welcoming students from the same attendance area.

Mark Twain played a key role during a period of districtwide change in 1982. As the district addressed enrollment and facility needs, students from Sherwood and Blair schools were reassigned, with Mark Twain welcoming many of those learners.

Nearly 70 years after it first opened, the building entered a new chapter. Beginning in the 2023–24 school year, Mark Twain became the district’s second Early Learning Center.

Thankful for the St. Joseph School District Foundation and this mini grant in support of our preschool students!!

Thank you to the St. Joseph School District Foundation for awarding a $500 Standout School Mini Grant to Mark Twain Early Learning Center. 🎉 Your investment supports meaningful learning experiences for our youngest learners.

We also appreciate Geneo's Pizza and Pub for providing a delicious pizza lunch for our entire staff today. 🍕 Your generosity helped make the celebration even more special.

Congratulations, Ms. Bridgette!

The St. Joseph School District is proud to announce Bridgette Whetsel as Mark Twain’s Standout Staff. Bridgette exemplifies the district’s theme, We believe in St. Joseph, through her compassion, dedication, and commitment to others. She consistently creates a welcoming, well-prepared learning environment, invests her time and personal resources to support student success, and looks out for students beyond her own classroom by helping ensure their basic needs are met. Bridgette is also a positive influence among her peers, offering encouragement, collaboration, and a sense of community through her involvement and leadership. Her kindness, reliability, and genuine care for students and staff alike make her a shining example of what it means to represent Mark Twain and the St. Joseph School District with pride.

Congratulations, Ezrehn!! We are so proud of you!!

The St. Joseph School District is proud to recognize Ezrehn Minter as Mark Twain Early Learning Center’s Standout Staff member. Ezrehn demonstrates perseverance, positivity, and a strong commitment to learning each day. He arrives at school ready to engage, approaches challenges with determination, and consistently communicates his needs through a combination of verbalization and expressive communication. Ezrehn is actively involved in both his classroom learning and therapeutic services, showing focus and enthusiasm throughout the school day. He models respect, courage, engagement, communication, and problem-solving in his daily interactions, making him a wonderful example of the values we believe in at Mark Twain Early Learning Center and across the St. Joseph School District.

Thank you to our friends at Brookdale Church for providing a Pop-Up Hot Cocoa Bar for our wonderful staff on this cold Monday morning!

You’re Invited! ✨ Join us for four special evenings at inspireU - completely free thanks to the generous support of the Leah Spratt Charitable Trust.

📅 Dates: Nov. 20 | Jan. 22 | Mar. 19 | May 21
🕠 Time: 5:30–8 PM
📍 521 Felix St., St. Joseph, MO
💰 Cost: Free!

Enjoy hands-on activities, family fun, and the chance to experience the magic of inspireU together.

🌟 Happy School Psychologist Week! 🌟

This week we celebrate our incredible School Psychologist, whose care, dedication, and expertise help support the hearts and minds of our students every single day. 💛

At Mark Twain Early Learning Center, we are so grateful for the way you guide our teachers, families, and children through challenges with compassion and understanding. Your work helps ensure every child feels seen, heard, and supported in their learning journey.

Thank you, Amanda Mayher for all that you do to make our school community stronger, brighter, and more resilient! 💫

🌟 Huge Shout-Out! 🌟
A big thank you to one of our own, Mrs. Nicole, and her wonderful church family at The River Church, for their generous food donations! 🥫❤️

Your kindness and support help us continue to care for our students and families in meaningful ways.

🍎🎃 Parent-Teacher Conference Week & Fall Fun! 🎃🍎
What a perfect way to wrap up an amazing quarter at Mark Twain ELC! Our week was full of connection, celebration, and community — from parent-teacher conferences to our Fall Festival and costume fun! 🍂👻

A huge shout-out to our incredible PTA and all the parents who spoiled our staff with snacks and goodies all week long — we appreciate you so much! 🙌 And a big thank you to McAlister’s Deli for providing the delicious chili that warmed our hearts (and bellies)! 🍲❤️

We’re so thankful for our wonderful students, families, and staff who make Mark Twain ELC such a special place to learn and grow! 🌟

🎃 Pumpkin Exploration in Ms. Trudy’s Class! 🎃
Our curious learners at Mark Twain ELC had a gourd time investigating the parts of a pumpkin! They explored the inside, identified each part, and discovered the pumpkin’s life cycle—from seed to sprout to pumpkin! 🍂🧡 Hands-on learning makes science so much fun!

Friendly reminder for our dress-up this week!

☕💛 A huge thank you to John Anderson with Shelter Insurance! 💛☕

Our Mark Twain Early Learning Center staff started the day with smiles at the start of the week thanks to John Anderson and Hazel’s Coffee Truck! We’re so grateful for the delicious coffee and treats — what a wonderful surprise to keep our team fueled and appreciated. 🙌

Your kindness and community support mean so much to our staff and students. Thank you for thinking of us and helping us start the day on such a positive note! ☀️