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Principal's Message |
Good afternoon Twain families,
As an administrative team, and with the support of FCPS central office leaders, we have been assessing our attendance data to identify areas where we can improve. Across the division, and the country, chronic absenteeism rates have increased dramatically following the pandemic (chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school days. By the end of our 180 day school year, this would equate to 18 absences). Over the past four years, our chronic absenteeism rate at Twain Middle School has quadrupled. There can be many different obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal or family circumstances. That is why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!
Please encourage your student to arrive on time every day and maintain regular attendance until the last day of school. Together, we can work toward increasing school attendance rates and improving academic outcomes for all our students.
Below are some specific ways families can help encourage regular school attendance.
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind that complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- We are ready to support students who may be experiencing school-related anxiety. If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning. If you do not know your student’s counselor or administrator, you can find that information on our website at these links: student services & administration.
- Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
We are excited to partner with families to maximize opportunities for learning for our students each day while they are in school. You will find some FCPS information related to attendance later in this newsletter.
Please enjoy the three-day weekend, and we will see our Tigers back at school on Tuesday for an Odd Day (periods 1,3,5,7).
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, September 25: Holiday – No School Today
Tuesday: September 26: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, September 27: Even Day Schedule, Altered: 4, 8, 6, 2
Thursday: September 28: Odd Day Schedule
Friday: September 29: Even Day Schedule
Math VGA, Sept 27
On Wednesday, September 27, all students will complete the Math Virginia Growth Assessment through their 4th period Learning Seminar classes, except for students enrolled in Algebra and Geometry classes. Please be aware that on that day, the bell schedule will be 4th, 8th, 6th, 2nd 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 Math VGA , please reach out to our Testing Coordinator, Sara Joy Lebowitz, at sjlebowitz@fcps.edu.
After-School Program
Begins on Wednesday September 27th with our first day of late buses. The after-school program website has been updated and is ready for viewing - https://twainms.fcps.edu/activities/after-school-program
Please feel free to contact Twain’s After School Specialist, Dominic Amato at dfamato@fcps.edu or 703-313-3760 with questions.
No Place for Hate Committee
Community Members and Parents/Guardians Needed
Twain is reinstituting No Place for Hate (NPFH). This program focuses on building a learning community of inclusivity, respect and equity. The committee is made up of students, staff and parents/guardians who collaborate to create a few schoolwide activities. A presentation was made at Twain’s PTA meeting on Wednesday, September 13 that shared the purpose of this Committee and invited parents/guardians to join. If you would like to support Twain and the No Place for Hate Committee, please use the link below. Full committee meetings will be held once a month and on Monday afternoons. Students and staff will meet after school on Monday weekly.
If you have questions, please contact NPFH Coordinator, Luwanne Mebane LMebane@fcps.edu or Assistant Principal, Melissa Montgomery at MLMontgomery@fcps.edu .
No Place for Hate Parent/Guardian link: https://forms.gle/uWLQ3FPAMCdpgPFS9
 Attendance Matters
Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.
Did you know?
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10% (or about 2 days per month) can make it harder to learn to read.
- Attending school even if your student arrives late is valuable for their academic success.
PTA Updates
Tiger Night Student Social
October 13 from 5:30-7:30 PM (note the time change). 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 glow dance. Tickets will be on sale the week of the event.
The PTA is requesting volunteers to help with the event. We need help selling tickets at lunchtime, donating items for concessions, serving as event staff, and helping with set-up and clean-up. You can sign up to help right here.
PTA Mini Grants
Congratulations to Ms. Smith, Ms. Yeo, and Ms. Vivian-Beck for being award PTA Mini Grants this Fall. The PTA is pleased to help support the PE department, RISE, and the CSS Program. Teachers and Staff will be given the opportunity to apply for a second round of PTA Mini Grants in February. This is just another way your membership to the PTA provides valuable resources to the students and staff at Twain MS.
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 support to help the PTA help the students and staff. Join now at https://mtms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true
PTA Reflections Art Contest
Twain students are invited to create theme-based artwork in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts. This year’s Reflections Theme is "I am Hopeful Because...." Please submit your completed work of art with an artist’s statement to the MTMS Front Office before November 27, 2023. The first-place winners of our schools’ entrees will be forwarded to our County Council PTA for regional judging. The entry form has instructions and more details, but please reach out to Michelle Schafer (schafer.michelle@gmail.com) to receive a copy of the entry form or with any questions.
Twain PTA on Social Media
Did you know that Twain PTA is on social media? Follow us on Facebook at Mark Twain MS PTA and Instagram at twainmspta to stay in touch with what’s happening at MTMS PTA.
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