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Principal's Message |
Greetings Tiger Families!
It is hard to believe that we are only 2 days away from completing the 2nd quarter – the first half of the school year has flown by! As students finish their assessments and bring the quarter to a close, they can sometimes experience additional stress as they strive for the highest grades possible. At Twain, we work to grow our students’ executive functioning skills that can help them stay organized while also sharing with them strategies for prioritizing their wellness as they stretch to reach their academic goals. FCPS offers a variety of resources for our students, including these “Eight Easy Ways to Bring Balance into Your Life.”
Due to the teacher workday on Wednesday, our weekly schedule is altered. Please remind your students that when we return to school on Monday, we start with an even day rather than an anchor day.
Have a restful and warm weekend.
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, January 27: Even Day Schedule
Tuesday, January 28: Odd Day Schedule–Last day of 2nd Quarter/1st Semester
Wednesday, January 29: Student Holiday – Teacher Workday
Thursday, January 30: Odd Day Schedule-First day of 3rd Quarter/2nd Semester
Friday, January 31: Even Day Schedule
Calendar Reminders
Quarter End/Lunar New Year/Teacher Work Day
Tuesday, January 28, is the last day of the second quarter. It is a full school day.
Wednesday, January 29, is Lunar New Year and a teacher workday. There will be no school for students.
See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
SIS ParentVUE End-of-Quarter Closure
The Gradebook in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed for the end of the quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.
Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.
Congratulations, Ms. Vivian-Beck, on your FCPS Cares Award!
 Last week FCPS Human Resources visited Twain to celebrate Ms. Vivian-Beck, who was the Region 3 FCPS Cares Award winner in November. A colleague nominated her and shared, amongst other details:
"Mrs. Vivian-Beck is the CRT (Crisis Resource Teacher) for our school and CSS (Comprehensive Services Site) Program. Much of her job is de-escalating behaviors and providing a safe place for students who are dysregulated and need a calming influence or just a place to cool down. Her intuitive abilities often result in her knowing just what a student needs.” “It is her love and care for all students and the extra love and care for those who have not yet experienced success that makes her a top candidate for FCPS CARES this month and every month."
If you would like to nominate a Twain staff member for this honor in the future, you can do so by clicking on this LINK . It will take just a few moments and will uplift the person being recognized.
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National Junior Honor Society |
Twain NJHS is accepting applications for new membership. Applications will be due by Fri. Feb. 7th. Students must have a B grade average, good behavior, performed service, 2 recommendations, and fill out the Google Form Application. Students will be informed in March if they have been accepted by our Faculty Council to join Twain’s NJHS. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. DeHaven, akdehaven@fcps.edu, or Ms. Roddey, saroddey@fcps.edu.
International Night
SCA is hosting this year's International Night on Thursday, February 20th from 6-8 pm in Twain's Cafeteria and Gym 1! We would love to have as many students and families participate or come watch as possible. Students can:
- Create posters to share pictures and information about their country
- Bring cultural food to share with everyone else
- Show off traditional clothing in our fashion show
- Perform a cultural song, dance, or other activity
Students should sign up using the Google form in the All School course on Schoology by Friday, January 31st if they want to participate!
Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
Rising 7th-12th grade students are meeting with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.
School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
🎓 Graduation Requirements and Planning
Planning which courses to take next school year — and in future years — must be given considerable thought. Students and families should review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond.
The Middle and High School Curriculum webpage may also be helpful. Students and families should refer to their school’s website for their school-specific course catalog and course selection information.
Academy Open Houses Continue
 FCPS high school academies open houses for interested students continue into February. Open houses are a great opportunity to visit classrooms, labs, instructors, and academy counselors. Academy elective courses provide students with a variety of career experiences, including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses. Students can explore more than a dozen career fields through FCPS academies!
Watch this video to learn more about academy programs. View the calendar of Academy Open Houses. For questions, email Bonnie Wannett.
✨ Availability of, accessibility to, and student enrollment in coursework in the arts, STEAM, career and technical education, trades, technology, and world languages is one measure of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity.
What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse
FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.
What can families do?
- Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink.
- Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.
- Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage.
- Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors.
- Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”
Get more information on opioid awareness.
PTA Updates
PTA General Membership Meeting
Please join us on Tuesday, February 11th at 7:30pm for our next general membership meeting. This will be a virtual meeting format. Stay tuned for the Zoom link!
Nominate a Staff Member of the Month
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 January 31st.
Spirit Night at Rose Hill McDonald’s
THANK YOU to the families that participated in the Twain PTA’s first fundraiser of the year this Thursday at McDonald’s. We appreciate you and look forward to further supporting our Twain students and staff with this influx to our PTA budget.
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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