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Principal's Message |
Greetings Tiger Families!
As we started the second quarter this week, it has been eventful here at Twain! Yesterday, we had our annual “Friends Gather” Thanksgiving potluck with our AVID and RISE students. The time together between students and the staff they personally invited to join them was not only delicious but inspirational. I could clearly see the impact our dedicated staff is having on our students, as well as the impact those same students are having on our staff. We are truly fortunate to serve the student body and community that we do here at Twain.
This morning, we held our annual Veterans Day Celebration, where we honored approximately 30 Veterans from our community and 50 military connected students. Our talented music program provided music for all to enjoy, our student government created patriotic signs and families and staff were able to connect in a brief reception in our library following a parade through our halls. Mark Twain said, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” We are thankful this Veterans Day, this Thanksgiving season, and throughout the year, for the courage shown by those that choose to serve, and the families that serve alongside them.
Happy Veterans Day Tigers!
Sincerely,
Matt
1st Quarter Report Cards
Today, we distributed 1st quarter report cards to students during 8th period and we hope it serves as a good conversation starter at home about how the first quarter of the school year went. We hope your student has experienced many successes through the first 9 weeks of school and hope they can build on that momentum going forward. If you and your student see areas where improvement is needed, consider having them stay after school to work with a teacher, use their agenda to write down important assignments and dates, and create a home/school calendar to better manage their time.
Grades are available through ParentVUE (there are temporary blackouts around grading periods), so please take advantage of this tool to help monitor how your child is doing in school. Here are some ways to make sure you are connected:
The Student Information System (SIS) Parent Account Access allows parents access to teacher grade books, attendance information, course history and other useful information.
New Users:
Please use the parent account registration page to register your account. You will need an activation key to log in for the first time. o Please contact the school if you need a new activation key or are having issues logging onto your ParentVUE Account. Please include your name, email address, student's name, students ID number and a short description of what the issue is.
Returning Users:
Please go to https://sisparent.fcps.edu to log in to your ParentVUE Account.
Trouble logging in?
If you are unable to log into ParentVUE, contact the school to verify that your correct email has been added into SIS:
If you have never logged into ParentVUE: 1. Call the school to add your email into SIS – it takes at least 24 hours to update in SIS. 2. Once added into SIS, the school can send out an activation key to the email you have provided. This activation key will include your username, password, and directions for how to log in.
If you forgot your username: 1. Contact the school to verify what your username is.
If you forgot your password: 1. Reset your password using the “Forgot Password” button on the ParentVUE login screen
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, November 13: Anchor Day Schedule
Tuesday: November 14: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, November 15: Even Day Schedule
Thursday, November 16: Odd Day Schedule
Friday, November 17: Even Day Schedule
Outstanding Employee Awards
Greetings Tiger Families & Students!
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.
Annual 5K Fun Run
Join us on November 18th at 9:00 AM for a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the bonds within our Twain community and come together like a close-knit family. It's our pleasure to invite you to our 3rd Annual 5K Fun Run.
To participate, wear your Team Twain colors and assemble at the front parking lot of Twain at 9:00 AM sharp. The race will officially start at 9:15 AM.
To register for this exciting event, kindly fill out the registration form located here: https://forms.gle/oYhuC7RLFECSJdr67 (also found in All Student Schoology Course). Please note that a $10 registration fee is required, payable through MySchool Bucks. It's important to mention that all the proceeds generated from this event will be dedicated to supporting the Twain Cross Country and Track and Field Teams.
For our young participants under the age of 18, parents are kindly requested to sign a waiver on the morning of the event to ensure their child's participation. Your presence and support are greatly appreciated. We look forward to a memorable day of fun and togetherness!
PTA Updates
Spirit Night at McAlister’s
Eat good food at McAlister’s Deli on November 14th and support the PTA. McAlister’s will match 20% of total sales from the dining room, pick up, carry out or curbside ALL DAY!! No flyer or promo code needed. McAlister’s Deli is located at 7704 Richmond Hwy. ***Please note, any orders placed through their website for delivery will NOT count towards the PTA’s fundraising total.
Mark Twain’s Birthday Celebration
A fun tradition at Twain is the annual observance of Mark Twain’s birthday, where each and every student and staff members is given a complimentary cupcake during lunch. We will be celebrating “Cupcake Day” on November 30th. We are asking for your help by donating homemade or store-bought cupcakes, helping to deliver cupcakes at lunch, and collecting cupcake donations in the Kiss N Ride. We are asking for regular sized cupcakes. so that everyone gets the perfect size of cupcake. No minis. Allergen free cupcakes will also be provided. Sign up to help out by clicking this link.
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.
Staff Member of the Month
Congratulations to Ms. Besecky, a 7th Grade History Teacher, for being named the Staff Member of the Month for November. Ms. Besecky was awarded a gift card to a local restaurant, a reserved parking spot, and a trophy. Thank you, Ms. Besecky for making a difference at Twain.
PTA Membership
Our members make a difference. Your membership dues helps the PTA support the students and staff at Twain. Every person who joins provided valuable support to help the PTA help the students and staff. PTA Membership is yearly, so if you joined last year, your membership needs to be renewed this year. Visit this website to join today. https://mtms.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true
International Night
Twain’s SCA is hosting an International Night at Twain on Wednesday, December 6th from 6-8pm to celebrate the many cultures and heritages we have at Twain! Students can participate in any way they choose, including a fashion show of cultural clothing, a cultural showcase of traditional performances, a potluck featuring cultural foods, and/or creating a poster with information about a country. To sign up, they need to complete the Google Form on the All School course on Schoology by Friday, November 17th. Students who are participating and their family members will get in for free, and anyone else can buy a ticket for $3. Please contact Colin Murphy (cpmurphy1@fcps.edu) if you have any questions about signing up or participating.
We welcome all Twain Families to follow our Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look of all upcoming Twain events!
@TwainMiddle
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