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Principal's Message |
Greetings Tiger Families!
This week we celebrated Digital Citizenship Week, with some learning about responsible use of technology and a spirit week to bring awareness to the power and the pitfalls of technology in our lives – especially in the lives of adolescents. This has been an opportunity for students to reflect on how their digital habits can impact their social and emotional well-being. Our hope is to continue to partner with families in educating our young people on how to prioritize the self-esteem, confidence, and mental health of ourselves and others by using technology in a way that demonstrates positivity and maturity. We encourage all families to regularly talk about technology with your students and monitor their social media activity. If you would like to explore more information on this topic, you can visit Common Sense Media for ideas on how to talk to your children about digital well-being.
Tonight, we are excited to partner with our Edison Pyramid friends (Edison HS, Clermont ES, Rose Hill ES, Cameron ES, Franconia ES, Mount Eagle ES & Bush Hill ES at the first ever pyramid night at 7:00 pm at Edison HS stadium. This is a great opportunity for our students to show their Twain Pride, connect with former friends at their elementary schools, and experience their future high school experience at Edison. We anticipate tight parking, so for any students who want to join us on the track at 6:40 pm to be recognized before kickoff, please plan to arrive early. Gates open at 6:00 pm. All middle and elementary school students who attend the game must be accompanied by an adult into the game and cannot just be dropped off.
Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to see many of you at Edison this evening.
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, October 23: Anchor Day Schedule
Tuesday, October 24: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, October 25: Even Day Schedule
Thursday, October 26: Odd Day Schedule
Friday, October 27: Even Day Schedule
Federal Impact Aid Surveys Now Open
Impact Aid forms are now available in SIS ParentVue. It is important for parents to fill out a form for each FCPS enrolled child as Impact Aid programs and grants assist local school districts with federally connected students. We are required to ensure that the parents of all Twain students submit an Impact Aid.
You must log into SIS ParentVue on a computer as the form is not accessible in the mobile app. Once you log in, a pop up will appear that will allow you to start the process for submitting the form. You can also access the steps to follow on the FCPS website.
Online forms will be available for submission through the end of January, 2024, however, FCPS has requested that any parents who do not submit their forms through SIS ParentVue by October 31 be sent a paper form so we humbly request that you log in to SIS ParentVue as soon as possible and submit yours.
Outstanding Employee Nominations
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Twain Middle School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the linked Google forms below (simply click on the award title to access the form). You may nominate an employee in one or more categories.
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a couple of sentences or paragraphs about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Principal
Eligibility: Be within the first 3 years of their assignment as principal in FCPS
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Family Liaisons
Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 17th.
If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Mejia at bpmejia@fcps.edu.
PTA Updates
Tiger Night Student Social Thank You
A huge thank you to the Tiger Night Co-Chairs, Stefani Steelman and Sarah Rodgers for throwing a fun-filled Tiger Night Student Social last Friday night! We had over 350 students attend this event. Thanks to the amazing staff and volunteers who donated their time and supplies to make this event a huge success. Whether you helped to sell tickets, donated items, set-up or cleaned-up, ran the minute-it to win-it games, or chaperone the event, we couldn’t have done it without you. We can’t wait to do it again in the Spring!
Staff Member of the Month
You can nominate a teacher for November by filling out this form. Nominations due before October 30th.
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 entry form has instructions and more details. Click here for the entry form. Please reach out to Michelle Schafer (schafer.michelle@gmail.com) with any questions.
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 It’s never too late to join and your support is vital!!
Drug Take Back Day
Drop off unused or expired medications at the locations on the attached flyers. Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 28 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Drug Take Back Day Flyer
Thomas Jefferson HS Applications
Applications open October 23 for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2028 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). Students should visit the TJHSST admissions website and familiarize themselves with the process.
The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting Monday, October 23, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 17, at 4 p.m. Please allow 24-48 hours for the math course to be verified by the school counselor. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information. Please contact TJ liaison counselor, Leslie Pilotti, at lmpilotti@fcps.edu with any questions you may have about the application process.
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