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Principal's Message |
Greetings Tiger Families!
May is designated Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Twain we not only believe in raising awareness of about mental health issues, but also emphasizing that it is important to show up for one another. Each day at Twain we endeavor to “Take care of ourselves, take care of each other, and take care of our school.” This includes doing whatever it takes to improve the mental health and wellness of ourselves and those around us. This awareness month provides a chance to stand with our community and show that no one struggles alone. Everyone is invited to speak up against mental health stigma. Learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website.
Studies show that regular physical activity as well as engagement in the full experience of school improves mental health, reduces stress, and increases a sense of belonging in students’ community. Last Friday night I was excited to see our students, families, and community show up at Hayfield to support our students at the annual Kingstowne Cup basketball games. The enthusiasm and spirit was noticeable, and certainly contributed to the first victory for our boys team in the seven years this rivalry game has been played. Congrats to Coach Firebaugh, Coach Murphy, Mr. Amato and the team for this momentous feat and thank you to all of our students who participated in both games, the halftime activities, the singing of the National Anthem, and for transforming the Hawk’s Nest into a Tiger Den!
Have a wonderful and safe weekend.
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, May 4: Anchor Day Schedule
Tuesday, May 5: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, May 6: Even Day Schedule - Reading SOL, Modified Bell Schedule
Thursday, May 7: Odd Day Schedule
Friday, May 8: Even Day Schedule
Modified Bell Schedule for May 6 Reading SOL
4th period: 7:30 - 10:30 - Reading SOL
6th period: 10:35 - 12:35 - Lunch
2nd period: 12:39 - 1:25
8th period: 1:29 - 2:15
Please check out the Twain Website for more information about our SOL Testing Days
After School Program
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1st Block
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2nd Block
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Monday, May 4:
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2:30 - 3:35
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3:35 - 4:40
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Tuesday, May 5:
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No After School
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Program
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Wednesday, May 6:
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2:30 - 3:35
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3:35 - 4:40
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Thursday, May 7:
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2:30 - 3:35
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3:35 - 4:40
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Friday, May 8:
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2:30 - 3:35
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3:35 - 4:40
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Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open for FCPS summer camps and learning opportunities.
Career and Technical Education camps, and Fine and Performing Arts camps, will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS schools.
Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.
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Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing.
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CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps.
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Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
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Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theatre. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well.
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Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive camp for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp. Read about last year’s camp.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Special Education and STEM Teacher Job Fair
FCPS will host a virtual instructional job fair for those interested in special education and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teaching positions on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to noon. Join us for networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from FCPS schools. Special Education Information Sessions will take place at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Learn more about the job fair and register to attend.
Family Information Phone Lines
FCPS family information phone lines are available in nine different languages. An FCPS employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.
Call the phone line with questions about your child’s education or FCPS, and someone will help connect you to resources or arrange for you to speak to the appropriate school employee. Learn more about family information phone lines.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!
In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at our school — a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
Jewish American Heritage Month
May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Twain Parent Coffee on Technology Use Presentation
On April 24, Twain held a parent coffee focused on student technology use. Topics included:
- Strategies for parents to help students use their phones, social media, and school laptops safely and responsibly
- Ready made resources parents can use for technology management
- SR&R Expectations and consequences for Twain students relative to technology violations
- Modeling of key digital resources for parents
View Twain’s Parent Coffee – Technology Use presentation
This information can also be found on the Twain MS Website
Twain Community Night – Thursday, May 14, 2026, 6-8pm
The Mark Twain Middle School PTA looks forward to joining the Mark Twain administration, teachers, and staff in welcoming the greater Twain MS community to this annual family event. Twain Community Night is open to current and new students including rising 7th graders from our pyramid elementary schools. This is a fun evening for both students and parents to meet your future teachers, see the school and participate in fun activities. Stop by the PTA tables in the cafeteria to say Hello, participate in the raffle, enjoy our concession stand, and grab fresh spirit wear!
Does your local business want to participate as a sponsor or donate an item to our raffle? Email mtmspresident@gmail.com for more information. We love opportunities to promote our community!
Moving?
If you are moving, please update your address with us as soon as you’ve moved. If you are moving during the current school year and your student’s last day will be prior to May 22, you can find the withdrawal process on the Registrar’s Corner page of the Twain Website. If you are moving and your student’s last day will be May 22 or later, please follow the process below to submit the Student Intentions for Next School Year form.
Student Enrollment SY 26-27:
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For students returning to Twain, any forms which need updating will be indicated in future correspondence leading up to Tiger Fest in August.
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If your rising 7th or rising 8th grader will NOT attend Twain next school year, or your rising 9th grader will not be attending FCPS for high school, please complete the Student Intentions for Next School Year form and submit it to Christina Spencer cmspencer@fcps.edu as soon as possible.
- If transferring to a non-public (private) school, please indicate the location and whether it is religiously or non-religiously affiliated.
- If transferring to a DODEA/American school outside of the US, select the option for “Public School Division in the US”
- If attending a non-DEDEA school in another country, select “I do not intend to enroll in any public or nonpublic school next year” and name the school/country in “Other”.
Obtaining Student Records for School Transfer:
Should you indicate that your child(ren) will NOT attend Twain/FCPS for the 2026-2027 school year, the submitted form serves as your official withdrawal notice and no further action will be required. If their last day in attendance will be prior to the last day of school, June 17, you must still communicate their attendance.
Once you have registered your child(ren) at another school:
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Rising 7th and 8th Graders: The new school should be advised by you to send an official request for student records to your child’s previous school. For rising 8th grade students, that’s Christina Spencer cmspencer@fcps.edu at Twain. Rising 7th - If you notified the elementary school prior to the end of the school year that your child would not go to Twain, the new school should be referred to the elementary school where your child’s file will remain.
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Rising 9th Graders: If you notified us prior to June 17 that your child will not attend FCPS for 9th grade, the new school should be advised by you to send an official request for student records to Christina Spencer cmspencer@fcps.edu. If you did not notify us prior to June 17, they should be referred to contact the high school where your student would have attended if they remained in FCPS.
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