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Principal's Message |
Greetings Tiger Families!
I hope this message finds the Twain community having experienced a positive and restful Thanksgiving. Amidst the excitement and stress of the winter holiday season, we are committed to making sure attendance, academic and behavior expectations remain high throughout the next two weeks.
A point of emphasis we have made this week with our students is the importance of them representing themselves, their families, and their school positively not only while here at Twain, but also while out in our amazing community. John Wooden, one of the greatest basketball coaches in history, has many powerful quotes. One of my favorites popped up in my daily quote calendar this week.
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
Each and every day, inside school and outside school, our young Tigers have the opportunity to showcase their character and make sure their reputation matches who they truly are. Thank you for partnering with us in the holistic education of our students – which is a hallmark of Twain being an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP) school.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, December 9: Anchor Day Schedule
Tuesday, December 10: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, December 11: Even Day Schedule
Thursday, December 12: Odd Day Schedule
Friday, December 13: Even Day Schedule
Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Twain MS from December 9-13 and online until December 22nd! It will be open during school hours, plus Thursday evening from 5-7pm before and during the choir concert. All purchases benefit our school library. We accept cash, check, credit cards, and e-wallet. Come discover the joy of reading!
Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times
At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.
The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.
Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.
Attend a Boundary Review Community Meeting
Boundary Review Community Meetings provide a great opportunity for families, staff, and community members to share their thoughts and questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.
The Region 3 meeting will be held on Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 a.m., at Mount Vernon High School in the cafeteria. Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to register or view other community meeting dates. Also, sign up to receive our School Boundary Review newsletter.
Attendance Is Important Every Day!
The weeks surrounding winter break often include more empty seats in classrooms. Every hour of every school day is a unique opportunity for students to learn, connect, and grow. Let’s nurture a rock-solid attendance habit.
A big thank you to:
- 🌟 Students who show up daily and the parents/caregivers supporting them.
- 👩🏫 Teachers who create a welcoming environment for learning.
- 👨💼 Administrators who provide a safe and engaging place to grow.
- 👏 Bus drivers, support staff, and volunteers who help our learners.
If you or your child need support, please contact a school counselor, social worker, or family liaison. If your child is not feeling well, please refer to our guidance on when to keep your child home. Find more attendance resources.
Webinar on Overcoming School Resistance
Does your child resist going to school or refuse to go? If so, join the Family Resource Center’s School Resistance webinar on Friday, January 10, 10-11:30 a.m. The webinar will explore how to take care of yourself in the heat of the moment and set supportive boundaries at home. Register in advance.
✨ Student attendance is one measure of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024
Twain parents/guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Ms. Angela Ramacci, Twain’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) at ARamacci@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2024.
The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Twain will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Ms. Ramacci at ARamacci@fcps.edu.
Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.
Full-Time Referral Form (PDF)
PTA Updates
Spirit Night!
Friday (12/6) at Panera, 4-8pm
Join us at Panera Bread in Kingstowne this Friday, December 6th from 4:00 – 8:00pm. Panera will donate 30% of the sales to Twain PTA. Eat good food and support the PTA!
Volunteers needed for the Twain Book Fair
Volunteers are needed to help Ms. Howard and Ms. Silver in the library for the Scholastic Book Fair happening Dec 9 – 13. Please add your name to the SignUp Genius so they know to expect you: Twain MS PTA: PTA Volunteers for Twain MS Scholastic Book Fair
Mark Twain’s Birthday Celebration THANK YOU!
Many thanks to the wonderful volunteers who donated their time and cupcakes for the Mark Twain Birthday Celebration that happened on Monday, Nov 25th. During the celebration, all students and staff were treated to a complimentary cupcake organized by the PTA. We could not have done it without you! We value your support!
Thank YOU for making this day a memorable and yummy day for our students and staff.
Nominate a Staff Member of the Month
Congratulations to Ms. Saxena for being named the PTA Staff Member of the Month for November! Ms. Saxena was awarded a traveling trophy, a prime parking spot in front of the school, and a gift card to a local restaurant. Hear what was shared about our science teacher:
“My child will not stop talking about how amazing of a teacher she is. She is great at explaining whatever topic it is that they’re learning. She’s incredible at including all of her students in experiments, and her experiments are very fun and engaging.”
Please congratulate Ms. Saxena for making a difference at Twain!
Nominate a teacher or staff member for the PTA Staff Member of the Month Award here: Staff Member of the Month Form. Nominations are due before December 31st.
PTA General Membership Meeting
Reminder: There is no PTA meeting in December! Your Executive Board, Chairpersons and Committee Members wish everyone a wonderful holiday season.
Remember to check the FCPS calendar to be aware of adjusted schedules and student holidays on the horizon.
Join the PTA
Did you know? PTA Membership is valid for one year. If you joined the PTA for the 2023-2024 school year, please renew your membership for the 2024-2025 school year. PTA dues provide for many of the events and programs, including teacher mini-grants, Tiger Nigh and staff appreciation events.
Visit the Mark Twain PTA site
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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