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Principal's Message |
Greetings Tiger Families!
October 14th through October 18th was Digital Citizenship Week. At Twain, we strive to partner with students and their families to help our young people navigate the complexities that come with living in our digital age. Having the world at our students’ fingertips creates so many possibilities while also creating some challenges to work through together. The FCPS Media Balance and Wellbeing Toolkit offers tips and resources to help our young Tigers effectively and responsibly balance the benefits and pitfalls of online activity. This includes pointers on how to develop healthy technology habits (like limiting technology use before bed) and ways parents can actively monitor and mediate student technology use (like developing technology self-regulation strategies). As a part of the FCPS cell phone storage pouch pilot this school year, we have seen an increase in student in-person interaction with each other, focus on learning in class, and a decrease in distractibility and social media-centered conflict.
Some other valuable resources available to families can be found on the Digital Equity and Inclusion website, where families can learn how to:
- Find Free WiFi
- Borrow a Computer
- Visit Fairfax Access Locations
- Take Free Tech Classes
- Sign up for an ACP Internet Discount
Go Tigers!
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, October 21: Anchor Day Schedule
Tuesday, October 22: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, October 23: Even Day Schedule
Thursday, October 24: Odd Day Schedule
Friday, October 25: Even Day Schedule
October 21 – 25 is National School Bus Safety Week
National School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program and an excellent way for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators, and other interested parties - to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety you can check out more resources about bus safety here.
Calendar Reminders: Quarter End/Early Release, Diwali/Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day, Student Holidays
Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter and a two-hour early release for students.
Friday, November 1, is a holiday for Diwali, Dia de los Muertos, and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.
Schools will be closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday.
FCPS Outstanding Employees Nominations are Now Open!
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 8th.
If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Mejia at bpmejia@fcps.edu.
TJHSST Applications Open Monday 10/21
Is your student interested in applying to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology for the 2025-26 school year? If so, the application goes live on Monday, October 21, at 4:00pm. Students, not parents/guardians, must initiate the process by visiting the TJHSST Freshman Application Process page on the admissions site: https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-admissions/freshman. The last day a student can begin a new application is Wednesday, November 13. All applications are due, without exception, by Friday, November 15, at 4:00pm. Eligibility requirements, application details, and the Freshman Round Calendar can all be found at aforementioned link. Students were sent this information on Thursday to their FCPS Gmail accounts. If you have any questions, please reach out to TJ liaison counselor Ms. Pilotti at lmpilotti@fcps.edu at 703-313-3740.
Health Information and Emergency Care Forms
The Health Information Form and the Emergency Care Information form provide valuable information regarding student health conditions. These forms are critical in the early identification of students who may need healthcare support in the educational environment. Along with the development of Healthcare Plans (HCP) and Action Plans, the Public Health Nurses (PHNs) utilize the information contained in the HIF to develop teaching strategies for FCPS staff in order to support student wellness and safety.
These forms are required for all students. Enrolling parents/guardians who have a SIS ParentVUE account may submit them electronically by using the Online Verification/Update packet.
For families without SIS ParentVue accounts, forms can be located on the General Registration Forms page.
PTA Updates
PTA General Membership Meeting
Thank you to those who joined and participated in our PTA General Membership Meeting on Tuesday night! We talked through several important priorities and helped set the stage for hosting even more successful events in the future!
Join us for the next PTA meeting on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:30 pm via Zoom. All are welcome to attend! The virtual meeting link will be published closer to the date.
Nominate a Staff Member
Congratulations to Ms. Carolina Soto for being named the PTA Staff Member of the Month for October! Ms. Soto was awarded a traveling trophy, a prime parking spot in front of the school, and a gift card to a local restaurant. Please congratulate Ms. Soto for making a difference at Twain!
You can nominate a teacher for November by filling out this Staff Member of the Month Form. Nominations are due before October 30th.
PTA Mini Grants
Congratulations to Ms. Angelee DeHaven and Ms. Barbara Van Lear for being awarded PTA Mini Grants this Fall! The PTA is pleased to help support the Civics department on their 8th grade trip to the US Capitol to compliment their learning of the Legislative Branch and functions of Government and also separately support funding supplies for activities of the Strategies for Success/Personal Development class that help reduce anxiety and stress for those participating students.
Teachers and Staff will be given the opportunity to apply for a second round of PTA Mini Grants in February 2025. This is just another way your membership to the PTA provides valuable resources to the students and staff at Twain MS.
Join the PTA
Mark Twain MS PTA Store: Join the PTA for the 2024-2025 school year or Renew your Annual Membership. Your membership goes to support the programs and events sponsored by the PTA.
Twain PTA 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 Twain PTA.
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