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Principal’s Message |
Greetings Tiger Families!
Tomorrow marks the start of February, and the beginning of Black History Month. This month is a time to highlight and initiate sustainable and meaningful opportunities for our students, and ourselves, to learn about Black and African American experiences and contributions.
Did you know that February was chosen as the timing for Black History Month because two key figures in the emancipation of slaves and the abolition of slavery - Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas - have birthdays in the second week of February?
During his commemoration of Black History Month in February 2016, President Barack Obama said "Black History Month shouldn't be treated as though it is somehow separate from our collective American history or somehow just boiled down to a compilation of greatest hits from the March on Washington or from some of our sports heroes. It's about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America.”
We look forward to celebrating Black History Month at Twain and are grateful for the important contributions made within our community and beyond.
Please have a restful and peaceful weekend.
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, February 3: Anchor Day Schedule
Tuesday, February 4: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, February 5: Even Day Schedule
Thursday, February 6: Odd Day Schedule
Friday, February 7: Even Day Schedule
Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration
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FCPS’ Chief Equity Office invites the community to an Inaugural Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration on Wednesday, February 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event begins with a light reception, followed by a formal program, “From the Threads of Our Past to the Fabric of Our Future.” The program will honor the enduring contributions of Black history and culture while envisioning a future rooted in equity and excellence. It will include inspiring performances, personal stories, reflections, and opportunities to connect and celebrate. The event is open to the entire community.
For more information, contact Nina Thomas, senior manager for Professional Learning and Cultural Responsiveness.
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National Junior Honor Society |
Calling all Students! 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 found in Schoology. 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.
Survey Closing Soon: SR&R and Cell Phone Policy
Click here to take the parent/caregiver survey for proposed options relating to FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage. The survey will be closing on Monday, February 3. Thank you for sharing your feedback and helping shape policies that reflect and support our community!
Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities Seeks Nominations for First-Class Awards
First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate the inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and be committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset.
Nominate an administrator, staff member, student, or community partner who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close Wednesday, February 19.
✨ Ensuring every student experiences an equitable school community is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2.
Transition Corner
Rising 8th Grade:
Counselors will visit History 7 classes on Monday, February 3, to present 8th grade course options to students. Students will be given a paper course selection planning sheet to help them map out their course preferences prior to making final selections on the Google form they will receive in their school Gmail accounts that afternoon (email will come from Mr. Fitzgerald). Course selections must be submitted by Friday, February 14. Mock schedules with student course preferences will be mailed home the week of March 3 with instructions on how to make changes/corrections. Change/correction requests are due by Friday, March 14, 2025.
Rising 9th Grade:
***Please subscribe to your child’s base high school News You Choose messages for the most up-to-date information about 9th grade transition. You can enroll here. Unsure what school your child will attend in 9th grade? Click here to access the FCPS boundary locator.***
Lewis High School
Lewis High School counselors visited Twain on Friday, January 24, 2025, for rising 9th grade academic advising. Students were advised how to enter their course selections in SIS for the 25-26 school year. The deadline for course entry is Friday, February 28, 2025. Students received a copy of the presentation slides in their FCPS Google email accounts. More information about Lewis Course Selection and 9th grade transition can be found on the Lewis Academic Advising site: https://lewishs.fcps.edu/student-services/academic-advising-0.
Edison High School
Edison High School Director of Student Services, Deborah Guillen, will visit Twain on Monday, February 3, 2025, to present course selection information to all 8th grade students through their Health & PE class period. During the presentation, students will learn about core and elective course offerings for 9th graders, as well as receive a hard copy course selection book to take home. Edison counselors will return the following Tuesday and Wednesday, February 4 and 5, to meet with students individually to make course selections, again through their Health & PE class period. Information about Edison transition and course selection can be found on their Academic Advising/Course Selection site: https://edisonhs.fcps.edu/student-services/academic-advising.
Hayfield Secondary School
Hayfield Secondary School counselor Eric Williams visited Twain on Friday, January 31, 2025, for rising 9th grade academic advising through Learning Seminar. During this presentation, students learned about required courses and elective options, as well as how to make their course selections for 9th grade. The presentation slides will be shared next week for anyone who missed or would like to review again. More information about Hayfield Course Selection and 9th grade transition can be found at the Hayfield Academic Advising site: https://hayfieldss.fcps.edu/student-services/hs-academic-advising-and-course-selection.
Please continue to check back for more transition updates this winter.
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. Please click this link to join us!
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WPwqllFaRBmBl_rPAgmQHw
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.
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.
Free Webinars and Events for Families
In February, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host the following webinars and events for families:
Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.
Upcoming Family Academy Events
You are an important part of your child’s education! The Family Academy compiles FCPS classes, webinars, workshops, and programs to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.
✨ Fostering trusting partnerships with families is included in Pillar B of the FCPS Strategic Plan: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships.
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