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Principal's Message |
Greetings Tiger Families!
Over the past few weeks our Twain music program (band, orchestra and choir) participated in their respective assessments, which occur each spring and hold significance comparable to the SOL exam for our music programs. This assessment process caps off months of hard work and dedication through class, co-curricular rehearsals, and practice time at home. To receive a Superior Rating, not only does the ensemble need to demonstrate flawless technique and musicianship to highly regarded and knowledgeable judges, but they need to show the ability to work and collaborate as young musicians to bring a piece of music to life.
The Intermediate Band received a rating of Excellent and the Advanced Band received a rating of Superior. The Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestra ensembles received the highest mark of Superior. Finally, Twain’s Choirs performed the several difficult pieces they have been working on at Tuesday’s District X Choral Assessment and all singers received straight Superior ratings on stage and in sight-reading! We are so very proud of all of our musicians’ hard work!
If you have a Twain musician in your home, thank you for supporting their passion and talent. If you know a Twain musician, please congratulate them on their wonderful achievements!
Thank you to our band director, Mr. Kluttz, our orchestra director, Mr. Garfield-Levine, and our choir director, Ms. Tolpa for the tireless work you to do foster our young musicians! In addition to being a desirable co-curricular activity for so many of our students, research strongly suggests that music education has a significant positive impact both on student cognitive function and well-being. You can learn more about that connection by reading this article from the University of Southern California.
You can learn more about fine and performing arts programming on the FCPS website as well as our Twain website.
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, March 18: Anchor Day Schedule
Tuesday, March 19: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, March 20: Even Day Schedule
Thursday, March 21: Odd Day Schedule
Friday, March 22: Even Day Schedule
Monday, March 25 through Friday, March 29: Spring Break / School Closed
Monday, April 1: Teacher Workday / Student Holiday
Tuesday, April 2: Staff Development Day / Student Holiday
Twain MS Office Closed During Spring Break
Our office will be closed during spring break and will reopen on April 1st. As a reminder, spring break is March 25th through March 29th and students also have holidays on April 1st (FCPS Staff Development Day) and April 2nd (FCPS Teacher Workday).
FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form Opens March 18th
On Monday, March 18, Twain parents/guardians will be sent an email containing a link to complete the online FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the VDOE-mandated Performance Evaluation Program for principals and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include how the principal demonstrates/impacts instructional leadership, school climate, management, communication and community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, and professionalism within the school.
The questionnaire will be administered between March 18 and April 5. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your feedback matters!
Please note, this survey is different from the FCPS Engagement Survey that was sent out on March 3rd. The FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form is specifically geared towards Twain Middle School, and ultimately, Principal Mough. Your participation in the survey is greatly appreciated as we constantly strive to maintain the areas where we are already thriving and improve in the areas where it is necessary.
PTA Updates
Tiger Night
Tiger Night is here. All Twain students are invited to attend tonight, March 15th from 6-8 PM. Tickets are available at the door for $5. Concession will be on sale including pizza, chip, soda, and slushies. This very popular Twain student social has something for everyone! Activities include a glow dance, basketball tournament, Improv, karaoke, board games, video game, and minute-to-win-it games.
8th Grade Dance Interest Zoom Meeting
Are you interested in helping with the 8th Grade Dance? The PTA is looking for interested volunteers to join the 8th Grade Dance Committee. We’ll hold a zoom meeting on March 19th at 7:00 pm. Email Linda Pinkney at mtmspresident@gmail.com for the zoom link.
PTA Nominating Committee
The PTA Board is looking for ONE more PTA members to serve on the nominating committee. This committee's responsible is take nominations from eligible persons for each vacant office on the PTA Board for the 2024-2025 school year. The committee will be voted in at the PTA on meeting on March 20th. Please contact Linda Pinkney at mtmspresident@gmail.com, if you are willing to serve on the nominating committee
PTA Meeting in March
Our next PTA meeting will take place on March 20th at 7:00 PM. We’ll hold this meeting via zoom only. There is no in--person meeting in the library this month. Contact Linda Pinkney at mtmspresident@gmail.com for the zoom link. No Parent Strategy Session this month.
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!!
Join a Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs
A community conversation addressing the opioid crisis within Northern Virginia and Fairfax County Public Schools will be held Monday, March 18, 6:30-8 p.m., in the auditorium at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Please enter through Door #14.
All attendees will receive a free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
This discussion will provide families, staff, and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl. The material discussed is suitable for students in grade 6 and higher. Together, as a community, we aim to explore collaborative strategies to minimize the impact of these harmful and sometimes fatal substances.
Language interpretation services are available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed. Learn more about the event and register online.
Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is promoting STEM through our annual flagship outreach event, Techstravaganza, and we would like to invite Twain’s students to attend! Techstravaganza is a free, public, hands-on STEM activity fair for elementary and middle school students in Northern Virginia. In previous years, we've hosted more than 4,500 students and 70 labs presenting STEM activities. Our exhibitors range from TJHSST clubs and our own TWIST volunteers to organizations like NASA SCaN, Art of Problem Solving, George Mason University, American Society of Naval Engineers, and the National Air and Space Museum. This year, we will be holding the 20th annual Techstravaganza on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at TJHSST. Admission is free and food will be for sale. Here is the registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav24. More information about the event can be found on this website at TJTechstrav.org.
Girls Basketball Camp
The John R. Lewis HS Girls Basketball Camp is BACK this summer!
The Lady Lancers will be hosting their summer camp this year from July 15th-July 19th, 2024. Some highlights of last year's camp included:
- Daily scrimmages
- Individualized skill work based on athlete need/development
- Working with current Varsity HS athletes
- Daily team bonding activities
- Daily prizes
- New Lewis HS t-shirts!
If you would like to attend this year's camp, please secure your spot by clicking here to complete the Google Form.
 Buy your Twain yearbook today!
Go to yearbookordercenter.com
Use our code #: 8606
Last day to order: April 19th
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