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Principal's Message |
Good afternoon Twain Families,
As you likely saw in our communications earlier this week, we recently conducted our required lockdown drill on Wednesday. We also have conducted two building evacuations and next week we will do a bus evacuation drill. Our students and staff have done an amazing job taking these safety processes seriously and with an attention to detail. There is no greater responsibility we have than keeping our Tigers physically safe and also feeling emotionally and psychologically safe in their learning environment. If you would like to learn more about the FCPS Office of Safety and Security you can check out the resources and information at this webpage. Also, if you would like to review some of the FCPS initiatives related to student and staff wellness, you can see that information here.
I am excited to see what lies ahead as Fall officially begins next week. I continue to be encouraged by the learning I see in classrooms, the energy of our students, and the engagement of our families.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, September 18: Anchor Day Schedule
Tuesday: September 19: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, September 20: Even Day Schedule, Altered: 4, 2, 6, 8
Thursday: September 21: Odd Day Schedule
Friday: September 22: Even Day Schedule
Reading VGA, Sept 20
On Wednesday, September 20, all students will complete the Reading Virginia Growth Assessment through their 4th period Learning Seminar classes. Please be aware that on that day, the bell schedule will be 4th, 2nd, 6th, 8th so it’s important that students arrive to school on time. Please ensure your student is able to get a good night’s sleep Tuesday night and arrives to Twain on Wednesday morning with a fully charged laptop. If you have any questions about the Reading VGA, please reach out to our Testing Coordinator, Sara Joy Lebowitz at SJLebowitz@fcps.edu.
Back-to-School Preventative Health Practices
Flu season is quickly approaching, and communicable diseases continue to be present in our schools. We are committed to providing students with the education and support to help them succeed while maintaining a safe environment for in-person learning. Families and staff are encouraged to engage in the following health practices to prevent the spread of illnesses.
- Make an appointment to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine (with rare exceptions). Flu vaccines are widely available at doctors’ and pediatricians’ offices, grocery stores, and pharmacies.
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you have not done so already. An updated COVID booster for the 2023-2024 season should be released in the coming weeks and will more effectively target the current circulating strains of the virus. Find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster in your community by visiting: vaccinate.virginia.gov or call (877) VAX-IN-VA or (877) 829-4682.
- Check with your students’ healthcare providers to make sure they are up to date on their required school entrance immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form.
- Check for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. Parents/caregivers are advised to keep their children home if sick and get them tested for COVID-19 to stop further spread from occurring. Employees are also advised to stay home and get tested when feeling sick.
- Don’t forget to wash hands regularly, avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and limit the time children spend in large group settings with contagious individuals whenever possible.
The most up to date information regarding COVID-19 school health practices is available on the Health and Safety Guidance Document webpage.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy.
PTA Updates
Tiger Night Student Social
Save the date for our first Tiger Night Student Social - October 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Tiger Night is a Twain student only social that has something for everyone. Some of the activities include, Minute to Win It games, Basketball Tournament, board games, video games, Improv, Karaoke, and a dance. Tickets will be on sale the week of the event. More details to follow.
Join the PTA
It’s not too late to join the PTA. The PTA is primarily funded through our membership dues, so every person who joins provided valuable resources to help us support the students and staff at Twain. Join now at MTMS Member Hub
Nominate a Staff Member
Know a great staff member at Twain? Each month the PTA awards one of our hard-working staff member the honor of being the Staff Member of the Month. In addition to a gift card to a local restaurant, the Staff Member received a prime parking spot and a cool trophy! We need your nominations. Please tell us about a Staff Member at Twain that you feel deserves this award and why by filing out this form
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) Introduction
Each school pyramid has a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) to provide substance abuse prevention, education, and intervention services. Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists are part of the FCPS Office of Student Safety and Wellness. Like other members of the mental health team (school social workers, school psychologists, and school counselors), SAPS do not provide treatment services, but we support students while they are in the buildings. Key roles of a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist:
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug education for students, parents, staff, and Fairfax County community stakeholders.
- Intervention services upon violation of the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook or referral for suspected substance use involvement.
- Assessment of a student’s level of substance use and, if appropriate, subsequent referrals to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board for additional services or other community resources as appropriate.
- Individual and group interventions for students. Prevention services for students, staff, parents, and Fairfax County community stakeholders.
- Most importantly, building and maintaining positive relationships with students to provide support and encouragement.
Resources:
Free Virtual Parent Support Group
Free Online Narcan Training for Opioid Overdoses (English & Spanish)
Free Lock Boxes for Medications & Firearms
Spiritual Support by Phone for Adults
Spanish Podcast: Tips on How Parents Play an Important Role in Substance Abuse Prevention
Juvenile Court Parent Support Group
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
For further Information & support:
Shawn Elliott, BS, QMHP-C
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
sbelliott@fcps.edu
AVID Tutors Needed
Attention families - looking for a flexible and part-time position at Twain MS? FCPS is hiring AVID tutors for the 2023-2024 school year. AVID tutors work with small groups of approximately 5-7 students during the school day in an academic elective class called Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). These groups use questioning strategies to help students develop a variety of college preparatory skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Tutors earn $18.42 per hour and should either be a college graduate or currently enrolled in college. If interested, please email your resume to Lisa Shields at LBShields@fcps.edu or AVID@fcps.edu.
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