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Principal's Message Greetings Tiger Families!

Thursday evening we celebrated our 2nd Annual Mark Twain Middle School International Night. We packed our cafeteria with student created visual displays and delicious food and enjoyed an exciting fashion and talent show. It was truly an inspiring evening that showcased the great diversity of our Twain community. I was particularly impressed with the courage and pride shown by our students to represent themselves, their families, and their various heritages in front of peers, families, and staff. Our student government, led by Mr. Murphy and Mr. Pfadenhauer, planned and executed this event, which has become a hallmark of our Twain calendar. Thank you to all who attended or supported this event in some way. Go Tigers – you are all welcome here!

Please have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, February 24: Anchor Day Schedule

Tuesday, February 25: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, February 26: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, February 27: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, February 28: Even Day Schedule

Twain’s After School Program Schedule

                        1st Block         2nd Block          Scheduled Cancellations

2-24-25            2:30 – 3:30      3:35 – 4:40     

2-25-25            2:30 – 3:30      3:35 – 4:40      No Open Gym & No Ping Pong

2-26-25            2:30 – 3:30      3:35 – 4:40     

2-27-25            2:30 – 3:30      3:35 – 4:40      No Drama Club

2-28-25            2:30 – 3:30      3:35 – 4:40     

Congratulations Ms. Pennebaker!

Our very own Ms. Kristen Pennebaker was selected as the Region 3 Outstanding Secondary Teacher! This means she is one of 6 secondary teachers in the entire county who has a chance to be named as the FCPS Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year in June at the FCPS Honors Event. Congratulations and good luck, Ms. Pennebaker!

Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Twain

Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

All students in grades 6-12, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 24. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 24, and Friday, March 7. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day.

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

Ramadan

This year, Ramadan will be observed from the end of February to the end of March. We have many students at Twain who will be fasting and some may prefer to not spend their lunch period in the cafeteria. During this month of Ramadan, Twain Staff members will host any student who is fasting and looking for an alternative location during their lunch. Any student interested in an alternative location for lunch should report to Student Services at the beginning of their lunch period (instead of the cafeteria) where they will find the location of the classroom they can report to.

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28

Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student. To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.

Upcoming 7th Grade Field Trips

We are excited to share that the 7th grade is going on two field trips this spring! The Science field trip will be to Lake Accotink and the History field trip will be to the DC Memorials. Each team will have a designated day to go on each field trip (see schedule below). In the next few days, your child will receive field trip packets in class. The permission form, emergency care form and fee on My School Bucks (separate for each field trip) are due on March 14, 2025.

We need lots of chaperones and would love for you to join us on either or both trips. If you are interested in being a chaperone, fill out the form in the field trip packets going home with your child or complete the Google Form on your child’s Science and/or History class in Schoology. Please do not hesitate to contact your student’s History or Science teacher with any questions.

Spartans:

 Science (Heusinkveld, Lutz, Svilich, Greenwood) field trip: April 7

 History (McLean, Bithorn, Lozano) field trip: April 22

Panthers:

 Science (Linton) field trip: April 8

 History (Marsh) field trip: April 23

Lancers:

 Science (Assadi, Zurita) field trip: April 9

 History (Foss, Henderson) field trip: April 24

Hokies:

 Science (Pigeon) field trip: April 10

 History (Besecky) field trip: April 25

TJHSST Bioinformatics Society BioCode Competition

Are you interested in biology or computer science? Do you enjoy competing and working with other students? TJHSST Bioinformatics Society is hosting its annual BioCode competition, with $100s in prizes, and workshops from college professors! To learn more and register, reach out to [email protected] with any questions, and we hope to see you there!

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

PTA Updates PTA General Membership Meeting

Please mark your calendars for our next meeting on March 11th. Zoom link will be posted in the coming weeks.

Spring Tiger Night

Tiger Night is coming on March 21st from 6-8 PM.  This very popular Twain student social has something for everyone! Activities include a dance, basketball tournament, Improv, karaoke, board games, video game, and minute-to-win-it games.  Concession will be on sale including pizza, chip, soda, and slushies.  Advance tickets will be on sale during lunches March 19-21 for $5. 

Volunteers and donations are needed!  A SignUp Genius will be published soon. Donations can be dropped off at the main office starting Wednesday, March 19 and ending Friday, March 21 by 3:00 PM.

PTA Nominating Committee

The PTA Board is looking for three PTA members to serve on the nominating committee. This committee is responsible for taking nominations from eligible persons for each vacant office on the PTA Board for the 2025-2026 school year.  Please contact Robin Christman at [email protected], if you are interested in serving on the nominating committee.

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 February 28th. 

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.

Become Unskippable: Practical Guidance for Talking With Teens

 

Student well-being is at the heart of everything we do. You each play a role in supporting our students, and that includes equipping their families with the resources they need. 

Please take time to review FCPS’ new Become Unskippable campaign. It offers practical guidance for parents and caregivers on how to talk to their teens about difficult subjects, including the dangers of fentanyl. 

Watch this video to learn more about becoming unskippable.

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
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Principal's Message Greetings Tiger Families!

This upcoming Monday, February 17th is a student holiday in celebration of Presidents’ Day. We hope that everyone has a positive three-day weekend. We will return to school on Tuesday with an odd day schedule (periods 1,3,5,7). Speaking of education and presidents…

“The future belongs to young people with an education and the imagination to create.” – Former President, Barack Obama

At Twain, we endeavor to support our students not only in meeting the state and federal requirements for their public education, but also to encourage a deep, creative, and problem-solving mindset. As an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, and an Advanced Academics Program Center we strive to prepare our students for their future educational and career aspirations within the context of a rapidly evolving society and economy. By placing an emphasis on imagination, inquiry, and innovation we know our Twain Tigers will leave their community, their country, and their world better than they found it. Thank you for your continued partnership in your student’s education.

Please have a wonderful long weekend.

Sincerely,

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, February 17: No School – President’s Day

Tuesday, February 18: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, February 19: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, February 20: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, February 21: Even Day Schedule

Twain’s After School Program Schedule

Monday, February 17th - School Closed for President's Day

Tuesday, February 18th – 2:30 - 3:35 1st Block Ends, 4:40 2nd Block ends with late buses leaving at 4:50

Wednesday, February 19th – 2:30 - 3:35 1st Block Ends, 4:40 2nd Block ends with late buses leaving at 4:50

Thursday, February 20th – 2:30 - 3:35 1st Block Ends, 4:40 2nd Block ends with late buses leaving at 4:50

Friday, February 21st – One block only from 2:30 – 4:40 - No late buses

🥖✨ Dine for a Cause! ✨

Join Twain NJHS at Panera in Kingstowne on Saturday, February 15th, from 4–8 PM to help us raise funds for our May service project!

Here's how you can support us:

🍞 Dine in or take out? Just mention the Twain Fundraiser when you order. 💻 Ordering online? Use promo code FUND4U at checkout.

Every bite makes a difference—thank you for supporting Twain NJHS!

Transition Corner Rising 8th Grade:

All rising 8th grade course selections must be submitted by today, 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

Rising 9th grade course requests must be entered into SIS Student Vue by Friday, February 28. Students were instructed how to input their course selections using the course codes provided on the Lewis Course Selection Sheet for 9th Grade (link) document. Instructions can also be found on the Lewis Academic Advising Site: https://lewishs.fcps.edu/student-services/academic-advising-0. If you have questions or need help, please reach out to Ms. Pilotti at [email protected].

Edison High School

Any student who was absent or missed course selection last week with their Edison counselor will be invited to a makeup session next Wednesday, February 19, here at Twain. Information about the rising 9th grade 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

All completed Rising 9th Course Selection Sheets (link) are due back to Ms. Pilotti in Student Services by Friday, February 28.  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.

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28

Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student. To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.

Please Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations

Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!

Starting Monday, May 19, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE. 

Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!

Protect Yourself and Your Community from the Flu

Fairfax County is experiencing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Read a letter from the health department. 

The health department suggests taking the following steps to reduce the spread of flu and other germs:

• Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others while ill, wearing a mask can help reduce spread.

• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.

According to the health department, to help prevent or reduce the spread of illness it is important for individuals who are sick to stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. Visit this Attendance webpage for guidance on when your child should go to school.

Students Invited to Share Their Voices at the 2025 Family Summit

The 2025 FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, March 15, at South Lakes High School. Visit the Family Summit webpage for more information. 

At the event, FCPS students will be invited to showcase projects and advocacy efforts around inclusivity in schools. This is a great resume-building opportunity, and students can earn service hours as well. Students may share their work in a share-fair environment using posters, essays, videos, songs, or art. They will interact with attendees through conversations about their work, ideas, and efforts to foster inclusivity in school communities. 

Students must use this Google Form to participate by Monday, February 17. A list of possible projects is also on the form. More information will be provided after the student’s submission is received. Please contact Manuel Gomez Portillo with any questions. 

Centering student voice is part of FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.

PTA Updates PTA General Membership Meeting

THANK YOU for joining us this past Tuesday for our February general membership meeting. It was great to hear from our Thomas Edison High School Administration team!

Please mark your calendars for our next meeting on March 11th. Zoom link will be posted in the coming weeks.

PTA Nominating Committee

The PTA Board is looking for three PTA members to serve on the nominating committee. This committee is responsible for taking nominations from eligible persons for each vacant office on the PTA Board for the 2025-2026 school year.  Please contact Robin Christman at [email protected], if you are interested in serving on the nominating committee.

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 February 28th. 

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 Night 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.

Buy your Twain MS Yearbook now!

Use our code 8606

Go to yearbookordercenter.com

Deadline to order online: April 19, 2025

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
Web | Twitter | YouTube

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Principal's Message Greetings Tiger Families!

This past week, February 3rd through 7th, was National School Counseling Week. The purpose of this week is to focus public attention on the unique contribution made by school counselors in schools across the country. The theme this year was “School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive.” Our talented and dedicated counselors work diligently to support our students’ academic, personal, social-emotional, and future planning needs. Counselors are often the first person students and families interact with as they enter a school and are essential to successful transitions to and from middle school and in partnership with families, support our students in navigating the myriad of challenges and the many successes that come with adolescence. In this way, they aide our students in thriving, not just surviving, in middle school.

Thank you, Ms. Balderston, Ms. Clinton, Ms. Dañosos, and Ms. Pilotti for your tireless efforts in helping our Tigers be the best they can be!

Please have a wonderful Super Bowl weekend.

Sincerely,

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, February 10: Anchor Day Schedule

Tuesday, February 11: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, February 12: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, February 13: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, February 14: Even Day Schedule

Monday, February 17: President’s Day – School Closed

Tuesday, February 18: Odd Day Schedule

Twain’s After School Schedule

Monday, February 10: Normal Programming

Tuesday, February 11: Normal Programming

Wednesday, February 12: Normal Programming

Thursday, February 13: Normal Programming

Friday, February 14: No After School

Ms. Gadson Honored at FCPS School Board Meeting

Last night at the FCPS school board meeting, Ms. Kim Gadson, our Technology and Engineering teacher was recognized for earning the Middle School Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Technology and Engineering Association. This recognition was part of the celebration for Career and Technology Education, Disability Employment and Adult Community Education Appreciation Month. We are proud of the amazing work Ms. Gadson does for our Tigers every day and are appreciative of this well-deserved recognition!

Ms. Pennebaker selected as the Edison Pyramid Outstanding Teacher of the Year!

On Tuesday at our faculty and staff work session we honored Ms. Kristin Pennebaker, one of our Algebra teachers, who was chosen as the Edison Pyramid Outstanding Teacher of the Year. Ms. Pennebaker now moves forward to be considered for the FCPS Region 3 Outstanding Teacher of the Year and we of course believe she should also earn this award for the talent and dedication she shares with our students here at Twain!

Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration (Note: Date Change)

FCPS’ Chief Equity Office invites the community to an Inaugural Black History Month Kickoff Celebration on Wednesday, February 19, 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.

✨ Dine for a Cause! ✨

Join Twain NJHS at Panera in Kingstowne on Saturday, February 15th, from 4–8 PM to help us raise funds for our May service project!

Here's how you can support us:

🍞 Dine in or take out? Just mention the Twain Fundraiser when you order.

💻 Ordering online? Use promo code FUND4U at checkout.

Every bite makes a difference—thank you for supporting Twain NJHS!

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!

Attention families of rising 9th graders! Administrators from Edison High School, Principal Amanda Burke, and the Director of Student Services, Deborah Guillen, will speak at our Twain PTA meeting to provide guidance on the Edison HS course selection process. This is a great meeting to attend and a good opportunity to make a connection with this high school team and ask important questions.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WPwqllFaRBmBl_rPAgmQHw

PTA Nominating Committee

The PTA Board is looking for three PTA members to serve on the nominating committee. This committee is responsible for taking nominations from eligible persons for each vacant office on the PTA Board for the 2025-2026 school year.  Please contact Robin Christman at [email protected], if you are interested in serving on the nominating committee.

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 February 28th. 

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.

Buy your Twain MS Yearbook now!

Use our code 8606

Go to yearbookordercenter.com

Deadline to order online: April 19, 2025

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
Web | Twitter | YouTube

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

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.

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, [email protected], or Ms. Roddey, [email protected].

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:

• Understand Executive Function Milestones and Challenges, and Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Upper Elementary (3-6)
• Comprendiendo el Trama en su Hijo (presented in Spanish: Understanding Trauma in Your Child)
• FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Part 1 Risk Prevention
• SibShops
• FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Suicide Prevention – Supporting Your Child

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. 

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
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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.

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, [email protected], or Ms. Roddey, [email protected].

 

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.

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
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Principal’s Message Greetings Tiger Families!

This coming Monday, January 20th, is a student and staff holiday to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolent, yet persistent, activism against racial discrimination during the Civil Rights Movement sets an inspirational example for all of us about how to overcome adversity, establish and stay firm in our beliefs, and to make our voice heard in a way that does not promote violence and serves the needs of others. 

FCPS is collaborating with Volunteer Fairfax for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Students and families can volunteer on Saturday, January 25, at Give Together at the James Lee Community Center. Projects will include food packing, creating care packages, environmental stewardship, and support for animal welfare. This event is free and open to the public but registration is required.  Of course, students and families can also elect to find their own way to give to others and honor the legacy of Dr. King.

 “The time is always right to do what is right.” – Martin Luther King, Jr., 1965

Certainly, these words are a model of what we expect of and teach our young Tigers every day.

Thank you for your partnership and please have a peaceful extended weekend.

Sincerely,

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, January 20: School Holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr Day / Inauguration Day

Tuesday, January 21: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, January 22: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, January 23: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, January 24: Even Day Schedule

Calendar Reminders Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Inauguration (Holiday)

Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday and the Presidential Inauguration.

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.

Help Restock Food Pantries

Stuff the Bus is a partnership between Fairfax County Government and local nonprofits. Now in its 14th year, Stuff the Bus continues to support food assistance efforts for families and households. Stuff the Bus has collected more than 220 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County. 

You can help stuff the bus at select locations beginning Saturday, January 18. Visit the Stuff the Bus webpage for locations and a full list of requested items.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. Schools monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.

View Fairfax County’s Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips. 

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact your school’s family liaison. You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:

• Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 

• Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

• Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

• Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

Student Rights and Responsibilities and Cell Phone Policy Survey Coming Soon

On Tuesday, January 21, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students, and FCPS staff will be emailed invitations to participate in a survey that seeks to understand community support for proposed options relating to FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options.

The survey will be available until Monday, February 3. It will also be open to FCPS staff. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help us make informed, inclusive decisions for all our schools.

Order Your Yearbook

Buy your Twain MS Yearbook now! Use our code 8606,

Go to yearbookordercenter.com

Transition Corner Rising 8th Grade:

Counselors will be visiting 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 instruction on how to make changes/corrections. Change/correction requests are due by Friday, March 14.

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 will visit Twain on Friday, January 24, 2025, to present 9th grade course options to current Lewis-bound 8th grade students. During this presentation, students will learn about required courses and elective options, as well as other information about freshman year at Lewis. More information about Lewis Course Selection and 9th grade transition can be found at their 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 will visit Twain on Friday, January 31, 2025, to present 9th grade course options to Hayfield-bound 8th grade students. During this presentation, students will learn about required courses and elective options, as well as other information about freshman year at Hayfield. More information about Hayfield Course Selection and 9th grade transition can be found at their 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 NEW NIGHT: Spirit Night at Rose Hill McDonald’s

On Thursday, Jan 23rd, 5-8 pm close out inauguration week and let McDonald’s take care of cooking dinner with our first fundraiser of the year. As we like to say, eat good food and support the Mark Twain MS PTA. It’s a win-win! See you there!

  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. 

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.

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
Web | Twitter | YouTube

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Principal's Message Greetings Tiger Families!

Following our weather-extended winter break, we are all energized and excited to see what 2025 brings for our Tigers. I am sure the year will be filled with great victories and important challenges – both of which will make us stronger. As the calendar has turned to 2025 and we continue on the journey of this school year, it is a natural time to make commitments for improvement in our personal and educational lives. This morning I shared with the students my own New Year’s resolutions and challenged them to think about, and identify, areas they would like to improve in the coming year. As you spend time with your Tigers this weekend, please ask them if they have identified any New Year’s resolutions for themselves – whether they be academic or personal.

I would like to close with a quote from Former President Jimmy Carter, who was laid to rest yesterday.

“We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”

I believe this quote reflects our community – one that blends together the strengths of our great diversity with our unified purpose of academic and personal excellence to form a beautiful Twain mosaic.

Please have a safe and restful weekend.

Sincerely,

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, January 13: Anchor Day Schedule

Tuesday, January 14: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, January 15: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, January 16: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, January 17: Even Day Schedule

Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and Inauguration Day – School closed

Calendar Reminder: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Holiday)/Inauguration

Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday and Inauguration. 

See the complete school year calendar.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Opportunity

FCPS is collaborating with Volunteer Fairfax for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Students and families can volunteer on Saturday, January 25, at Give Together at the James Lee Community Center. 

Volunteer Fairfax invites families to participate in thoughtful, engaging service projects working alongside local nonprofit and government agency partners across a variety of mission areas. Projects will include food packing, creating care packages, environmental stewardship, and support for animal welfare. This event is free and open to the public but registration is required.

There will also be Financial Literacy Workshops offered at Give Together for students in grades 3-12. If you would like to attend one of the workshops, sign up during check-in on January 25.

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

PTA Updates PTA General Membership Meeting

Please join us on Wednesday, January 15th at 7:30pm for our next general membership meeting. This will be a virtual meeting format. Click this link to join us!

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QxVVUu9bTOaPYEP5WNCwjg

Your Executive Board, Chairpersons and Committee Members welcome you back from the long break!

Spirit Night @ Rose Hill McDonald’s! Thurs, Jan 16th 5-8pm!

Beat the cabin fever and let McDonald’s take care of dinner on Thursday, Jan 16th. This fundraiser supporting the Mark Twain MS PTA runs from 5-8pm at the Rose Hill Shopping Center McDonald’s. See you there!

Winter Staff Appreciation Luncheon: Call for Food Donations & Volunteers

Thank You to our amazing PTA members who contributed their time, delicious food and party planning abilities to provide a welcoming and delightful environment for our teachers, staff and administrators to enjoy this year’s Winter Staff Luncheon on their last Friday before winter break. The Twain Staff was incredibly appreciative!

The teachers enjoyed a range of crock pots full of soups, and salads, veggies, cheese & cracker trays and a full dessert buffet, all dressed for winter to include pointsettias, holiday decorations and a crackling fire on the library TV.

A big round of applause and thanks should be shared with our organizers, Katy Olsen and Kirsten Little for once again pulling together this wonderful tradition that our school looks forward to each year.

Interested in helping with our Staff Appreciation events next year? Email [email protected]!

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.

Order Your Yearbook

Buy your Twain MS Yearbook now! Use our code 8606,

Go to yearbookordercenter.com

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
Web | Twitter | YouTube

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Principal’s Message Greetings Tiger Families!

Over the past two weeks we enjoyed a number of amazing concerts, a fun winter dance and a generous spirt amongst our community – especially our PTA who celebrated our faculty and staff with a delicious luncheon today. Thank you to all who donated time, food, and money to support our staff! Amidst all of the celebratory spirt, we also continued to have engaging and relevant learning with our students in our classrooms as we head into Winter Break. It truly has been a time that reminds us how fortunate we are to be part of the Twain community. I sincerely hope that all Tigers and their families have a wonderful winter break and I am excited to see what lies ahead in 2025! 

As a reminder, our school office will be closed during the winter break and will reopen when school returns in the new year, on January 6, 2025.

Thank you and please have a restful, joyful, and safe winter break.

Sincerely,

Matt

Winter Break Office Hours

Twain’s office will be closed during Winter Break starting on Monday, December 23rd and will reopen when students return on Monday, January 6th.

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Winter Break: December 21 – January 5: Happy Holidays!

Monday, January 6: Anchor Day Schedule

Tuesday, January 7: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, January 8: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, January 9: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, January 10: Even Day Schedule

Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host the following webinars and events for families:

• Overcoming School Refusal and Resistance
• Virtual Meeting for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
• FCPS Math Week
• Supporting Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills
• Depression in Teens
• Understanding Trauma in Your Child/Comprendiedo el Trauma en su Hijo (presented in Spanish)

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 classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS 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.

Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  Virtual Comprehensive Boundary Review Community Meetings will be held:

• Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 
• Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 
• Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 
• Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
• Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
• Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Registration will be available soon on the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage, where you can also learn about the boundary review process. Sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

PTA Updates Nominate a Staff Member of the Month

Congratulations to Kimberly Gadson for being named the PTA Staff Member of the Month! Ms. Gadson 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 Technology & Engineering teacher:

“Mrs. Gadson goes above and beyond in her class. From my parent’s perspective, I see her passion for what she does and it seems that she’s accomplishing a lot single handedly. I see at other schools, there is so much more resources (personnel and possibly funding) that goes into this subject. Mrs. Gadson is one of the few teacher I’ve seen that has contributed so much for one person. I’m so happy my child has had the opportunity to be in her class last year and this year. She is very inspiring! Thank you Mrs. Gadson for all you do!”

Please congratulate Kimberly Gadson 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

Please join us on Tuesday, January 14th at 7:30pm for our next general membership meeting. This will be a virtual meeting format. Stay tuned for the registration & Zoom link details.

Your Executive Board, Chairpersons and Committee Members wish everyone a wonderful holiday season!

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.

Order Your Yearbook

Buy your Twain MS Yearbook now! Use our code 8606,

Go to yearbookordercenter.com

 

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
Web | Twitter | YouTube

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Principal’s Message

Greetings Tiger Families!

This past week we had the pleasure of hosting our annual bookfair in our Twain library. Students were given the opportunity to peruse the shelves and choose new reading material of their liking. Ms. Howard and Ms. Silver, our librarians, planned and executed our fair and subsequently gave our students the chance to expand their own personal library.

Whether it be for escape from the stressors of life, to learn about a new topic, or for simple entertainment, our students benefit from making reading a regular part of their life. You can learn more about FCPS libraries at this link.

Margaret Fuller, 19th century journalist and women’s rights advocate, said “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” We are excited and proud to continue to foster the growth of our community’s future leaders here at Twain!

Sincerely,

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, December 16: Anchor Day Schedule

Tuesday, December 17: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, December 18: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, December 19: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, December 20: Even Day Schedule

Winter Break: December 21 – January 5

Monday, January 6: Anchor Day Schedule

Tuesday, January 7: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, January 8: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, January 9: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, January 10: Even Day Schedule

What a week of winter concerts!

Congratulations to our talented Twain music program for an impressive series of concerts this week! Our band led by Mr. Kluttz, orchestra led by Mr. Garfield-Levine, and choir led by Ms. Tolpa all put on fantastic shows to showcase our students’ talent and dedication and bring us all into the holiday season! Thank you to all families and friends who came out to support!

FCPS Outstanding Award Winners

This month at our faculty and staff work session, we announced the Twain winners of our FCPS Outstanding employee awards. We are so proud of their recognition by our students, community, and colleagues. All four winners exemplify what it means to be a Twain Tiger in their own way.

Our winners were:

• Rosa Rauda Merino (Outstanding Support Employee)
• Marie Danosos (Outstanding Professional Employee)
• Mariam Assadi (Outstanding New Teacher)
• Kristin Pennebaker (Outstanding Teacher)

Thank you to all who nominated someone for these awards!

Winter Break Spirit Week – December 16 – 20! Moving?

Are you moving or have new neighbors who need to register students for school? Our Registrar’s Corner website is full of helpful information to guide you through not only address updates, but new student registrations and withdrawals as well. Completing these processes as soon as possible helps us to prevent delays in new transportation assignments, enrollment start dates and preparation of records for student who are withdrawing. Feel free to reach out to Christina Spencer, our Student Services Assistant with any questions you might have regarding these topics.

Winter Break Office Hours

Twain’s office will be closed during Winter Break starting on Monday, December 23rd and will reopen when students return on Monday, January 6th.

Bundle Up with Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.

PTA Updates Winter Staff Appreciation Luncheon: Call for Food Donations & Volunteers

‘Tis the season to celebrate (and thank!) our Mark Twain Middle School faculty for all their work this year. We/PTA will be hosting a staff luncheon on Friday, December 20th to express our gratitude.

We are asking Twain Parents/Guardians to consider donating specific foods to help make this luncheon a great success. All needed food is outlined in the below SignUp Genius. If you would like to offer in-person assistance to thank our staff personally, we’d appreciate the manpower to help facilitate the luncheon.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4CA4A82CA75-53807670-winter?useFullSite=true#/

Please drop-off any food items and donations to the front office on either:

• Thursday, December 19th (all day) or
• Friday, December 20th, no later than 9:30am (need time to set-up for lunch).

Questions? Please reach out to our PTA Twain Teacher Appreciation Co-Chairs, Katy Olsen & Kirsten Little via the contact info in the SignUp Genius.

Spirit Night! Wednesday (12/18) at UNO’s Pizzeria & Grill

Join us at UNO’s Pizzeria & Grill in Kingstowne next Wed. evening, December 18th. UNO’s will donate 20% of your dine-in or takeout sales to the Twain PTA.

Please present the flier to your server or hostess to participate in the fundraiser.

Take the night off from cooking before the holidays. Eat good food and support the PTA!

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 December 31st. 

Congratulations to Ms. Saxena for being named the PTA Staff Member of the Month! 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!

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.

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.

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
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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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]. 

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)

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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.

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
Web | Twitter | YouTube

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4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
Web | Twitter | YouTube

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Principal’s Message Greetings Tiger Families!

Next week we will celebrate Thanksgiving, which of course is a traditional time to pause our busy lives to spend with family and friends. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on all that we are thankful for in our personal and professional lives. Personally, I am thankful for the health and safety of my friends and family. Professionally, I am thankful for the opportunity to work with . our supportive Twain community, our talented and dedicated faculty and staff, and our Twain students – who impress me each day with their intellect, energy, and desire to do good in the world around them. 

Sadly, although this is a joyful time of year for many, it can also be a stressful and sad time for others. If you are in need of information to support your student’s mental health and resiliency, you can find information and resources on the FCPS Website here. If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, you can access information about resources here.

We will not have a newsletter next week, so our next edition will be December 6th.

Have a nice weekend and a restful Thanksgiving holiday.

Gratefully,

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, November 25: Even Day Schedule

Tuesday, November 26: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, November 27: No School – Thanksgiving holiday

Thursday, November 28: No School – Thanksgiving Day

Friday, November 29: No School – Thanksgiving holiday

Monday, December 2: Anchor Day Schedule

Tuesday, December 3: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, December 4: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, December 5: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, December 6: Even Day Schedule

Native American History Month

November is Native American History Month. It is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Native peoples, past and present, and to acknowledge their important contributions. It is also a time to raise general awareness about the unique challenges Native peoples have faced both historically and in the present, and how tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving

Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 27, through Friday, November 29. Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. See the complete school year calendar.

Note: Twain’s News You Choose will not be distributed the week of November 25, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy the break!!

After-School Program

The After-school program will be cancelled on Monday, November 25th and Tuesday, November 26th as we will take a short break for the holiday week. We will be back to full programming on Monday, December 2nd. Thank you for all your support and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Lexia Parent Night: Helping Children Learn to Read

Attend a virtual information night on Thursday, December 5, to learn about Lexia and discover strategies to support your child’s literacy.

✨ Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on grade level by the end of third grade. 

Visit the Family Academy Catalog for more classes, workshops, and webinars.

National Junior Honor Society

Twain’s National Junior Honor Society Chapter is collecting supplies for Care Packages for Ronald McDonald House Charities. We are going to be collecting supplies to make care packages for families that are in need. Some items that we need are:

*Non-perishable Meals/Snacks (oatmeal packs, instant noodle cups, granola bars, juice boxes, etc.) *Toys (dolls, action figures, etc.) *Fun activities (coloring tools, books, puzzles, crafts, games)

We are extending our collection period until Friday, December 6. We need your help to gather these items. Please allow your student to bring one of these items to school and put in our donation boxes in the cafeteria or you can purchase the items on our Amazon Wish List. Thank you for helping us support the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Scholastic Book Fair

Save the Date! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Twain MS on December 9-13, 2024. Students can experience the limitless possibilities of reading! Every purchase benefits our school.

Winter Formal

SCA is hosting our annual Winter Formal dance this year on Friday, December 13th.  The dance will be from 6:30-8:30, with doors opening at 6 for anyone who wants to arrive early to take pictures and eat before it starts.  Ticket packages range from $6 to $10 in price, and they will be sold at lunches from Monday, December 2nd through Wednesday, December 4th while supplies last.  Please note that only 350 tickets will be sold due to the capacity limits of our building.

PTA Updates Mark Twain’s Birthday Celebration is November 25th

Volunteers Needed for Monday, Nov 25th for the PTA’s annual (and delicious!) tradition at Twain. We celebrate the annual observance of Mark Twain’s birthday by treating each and every student and staff member to a complimentary cupcake during lunch.

How can you contribute? Sign up to help out by clicking this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FACAF2DA6FB6-52871363-twain

We are asking for help from parents, guardians and our community by:

• Donating homemade or store-bought cupcakes
• Collecting cupcake donations in the morning Kiss N Ride line
• Helping to deliver cupcakes at lunch

We are asking for regular sized cupcakes so that everyone gets the perfect size of cupcake (no minis). Please also consider donating allergen free cupcakes.

  PTA General Membership Meeting

Reminder: There is no PTA meeting in December! We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season.

Remember to check the FCPS calendar to be aware of adjusted schedules and student holidays on the horizon.

Nominate a Staff Member of the Month

Nominate a teacher or staff member for the PTA Staff Member of the Month Award in December by filling out this form: Staff Member of the Month Form Each month the PTA awards this honor to a deserving Twain Staff Member.

Nominations are due before November 30th.

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.

Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.

The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25.

Reducing Chronic Absenteeism to Improve Academic Success

During the Academic Matters section of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid talked about the work in FCPS to reduce chronic absenteeism.

Regular school attendance is important because:

• Missing just 10% of school negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That is just two days a month. 
• Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance. 
• Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school. 
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

Chronic absenteeism in FCPS rose to a high of 17.1% in the 2022-23 school year. Thanks to our multi-tiered system of support, we reduced that to 12.8% in 2023-24. Visit our website for attendance resources.

✨Improving Absenteeism rates is part of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
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Principal's Message Greetings Tiger Families!

At Twain we not only respect the great diversity within our community, but believe it is one of our greatest strengths. The myriad of experiences and perspectives that exist within our school walls and in our neighborhoods provides us with a rich experience that is reflective of the greater world around us.

Likewise, FCPS is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment. It aligns with Fairfax County’s Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy to ensure that all FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. 

We are committed to the principles that:

• Every student has the right to attend school, and access all resources therein, in a safe and welcoming environment.

• Students’ physical safety and emotional well-being are paramount to their ability to achieve in school.
• FCPS families and students should feel that schools and classrooms are safe, inviting, and inclusive, regardless of immigration status.
• A safe and inviting environment would be disrupted by the presence of immigration agents or ICE enforcement activities. Such activities create a climate of fear and stress that would impact all students.
• Every FCPS site is a safe place for its students and families to seek help, assistance, and information.
• FCPS employees are responsible for protecting the privacy of students and families and shall not disclose personally identifiable information except in limited, circumstances as outlined in Policies 2202 and 4220.

Please visit the FCPS Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.

If you ever feel someone has violated the Trust Policy, please email [email protected]. If you are a staff member who receives feedback or reports about these issues, please encourage staff, students, and families to contact the ombudsman at [email protected] or email [email protected].

Have a wonderful weekend.

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, November 18: Anchor Day Schedule

Tuesday, November 19: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, November 20: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, November 21: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, November 22: Even Day Schedule

Monday, November 25: Even Day Schedule

Tuesday, November 26: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, November 27: Thanksgiving Break – School Closed

Thursday, November 28: Thanksgiving Break – School Closed

Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break – School Closed

National Junior Honor Society

Twain’s National Junior Honor Society Chapter is collecting supplies for Care Packages for Ronald McDonald House Charities. We are going to be collecting supplies to make care packages for families that are in need. Some items that we need are:

*Non-perishable Meals/Snacks (oatmeal packs, instant noodle cups, granola bars, juice boxes, etc.) *Toys (dolls, action figures, etc.) *Fun activities (coloring tools, books, puzzles, crafts, games)

We are collecting these items from Mon. Oct. 28-Fri. Nov. 22. We need your help to gather these items. Please allow your student to bring one of these items to school and put in our donation boxes in the cafeteria or you can purchase the items on our Amazon Wish List. Thank you for helping us support the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Join Our Team of Teachers!

FCPS is hosting in-person job fairs on Saturday, November 23, and Saturday, December 14, at Sandburg Middle School from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from FCPS schools. Employment offers for the current school year may be presented during the fair. 

Registration is required. Register to attend the November 23 job fair no later than Thursday, November 21. Register to attend the December 14 job fair no later than Thursday, December 12.

Contact Human Resources through their web portal or call 571-423-3000.

Boundary Review Community Meetings

Community meetings regarding FCPS' divisionwide boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. We encourage you to attend the meeting in your region, but you may attend another if it is more convenient. Please click on a date to register:

• Monday, November 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Glasgow Middle School Cafeteria, Region 2. 
• Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., Westfield High School Cafeteria, Region 5. 
• Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria, Region 4. 
• Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria, Region 3. 
• Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., Annandale High School Cafeteria, Region 6. 
• Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Madison High School Cafeteria, Region 1.

Language interpretation will be available. Visit the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage for more information.

PTA Updates Mark Twain’s Birthday Celebration is November 25th

Volunteers needed for the PTA’s annual (and delicious!) tradition at Twain. We celebrate the annual observance of Mark Twain’s birthday by treating each and every student and staff member to a complimentary cupcake during lunch.

How can you contribute? We are asking for help from parents, guardians and our community by:

• Donating homemade or store-bought cupcakes
• Collecting cupcake donations in the morning Kiss N Ride line
• Helping to deliver cupcakes at lunch

We are asking for regular sized cupcakes so that everyone gets the perfect size of cupcake (no minis). Please also consider donating allergen free cupcakes.

Sign up to help out by clicking this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FACAF2DA6FB6-52871363-twain

  PTA General Membership Meeting

Thank you to those who were able to join our PTA meeting earlier this week. The meeting minutes will be uploaded to the Mark Twain PTA webpage. If you were not able to attend, please feel free to take a look at the minute to get caught up

Reminder: There is no PTA meeting in December! We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. Remember to check the FCPS calendar to be aware of adjusted schedules and student holidays on the horizon.

Nominate a Staff Member of the Month

Nominate a teacher or staff member for the PTA Staff Member of the Month Award in December by filling out this form: Staff Member of the Month Form Each month the PTA awards this honor to a deserving Twain Staff Member.

Nominations are due before November 30th.

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.

Missing School During the Holidays

Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, please speak with your child’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work. But remember, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom. Visit our website for attendance resources.

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
Web | Twitter | YouTube

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Principal's Message Greetings Tiger Families!

This morning, we held our annual Veterans Day Celebration, where we honored approximately 25 Veterans from our community and the approximately 90 military connected students at Twain. Our talented music program provided music for all to enjoy, our student government created patriotic signs and families and staff were able to connect in a brief reception in our library following a parade through our halls. In my remarks I shared a famous quote by our namesake, Mark Twain, and he said “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.” We are grateful to serve the courageous military connected families that are an essential part of our Twain community and fortunate to have such positive role models for our young people amongst us. Each day we encourage our students to be courageous in their decisions – big and small, in order to better themselves and their school community. We all can learn a great deal from our Veterans.

We are thankful this Veterans Day and throughout the year, for the courage shown by those that choose to serve, and the families that serve alongside them.

Please have a happy and reflective Veterans Day on Monday. Monday is a holiday for students and staff and we look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, November 12th.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Matt

Weekly Schedule

Monday, November 11: Veterans Day - School Closed

Tuesday, November 12: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, November 13: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, November 14: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, November 15: Even Day Schedule

1st Quarter Report Cards

Today, we distributed 1st quarter report cards to students during 8th period and we hope it serves as a good conversation starter at home about how the first quarter of the school year went. We hope your student has experienced many successes through the first 9 weeks of school and hope they can build on that momentum going forward. If you and your student see areas where improvement is needed, consider having them stay after school to work with a teacher, use an agenda to write down important assignments and dates, and create a home/school calendar to better manage their time.  

Grades are available through ParentVUE (there are temporary blackouts around grading periods), so please take advantage of this tool to help monitor how your child is doing in school. A printable copy of your child’s report card will also be available in SIS ParentVUE starting on November 18th. Here are some ways to make sure you are connected:

The Student Information System (SIS) Parent Account Access allows parents access to teacher grade books, attendance information, course history and other useful information.

• New Users: Please use the parent account registration page to register your account. You will need an activation key to log in for the first time. Please contact the school if you need a new activation key or are having issues logging onto your ParentVUE Account. Please include your name, email address, student's name, students ID number and a short description of what the issue is.
• Returning Users: Please go to https://sisparent.fcps.edu to log in to your ParentVUE Account.
• Trouble logging in? If you are unable to log into ParentVUE, contact the school to verify that your correct email has been added into SIS:

If you have never logged into ParentVUE: 1. Call the school to add your email into SIS – it takes at least 24 hours to update in SIS. 2. Once added into SIS, the school can send out an activation key to the email you have provided. This activation key will include your username, password, and directions for how to log in.

If you forgot your username: 1. Contact the school to verify your username. 

If you forgot your password: 1. Reset your password using the “Forgot Password” button on the ParentVUE login screen

TJHSST Application Due Date is November 15

As a reminder, all Thomas Jefferson applications must be submitted by 4:00pm next Friday, November 15. Additionally, if your student has not yet begun their application, they must do so by Wednesday, November 13, at 4:00pm to allow for the 48-hour turnaround for math verification. All information about the application and admissions process can be found here: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson.

Lace Up for the 4th Annual Twain 5K Fun Run!

Get ready, Team Twain! On Saturday, November 16th, join us for an exciting morning filled with energy, team spirit, and unforgettable memories. Whether running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, this is your chance to connect, support, and celebrate as one big Twain community! We are excited to have a Final Lap Timing as a community sponsor for the event to track the race times better. All proceeds from the event support Twain’s Cross Country and Track team.

Event Details:

• Where: Meet in the front parking lot of Twain
• Time: Check in at 9:00 AM; race starts at 9:15 AM sharp!
• Dress Code: Wear your Team Twain colors and/or costumes! Let’s show our Tiger Pride!

How to Join:

• Sign up today by filling out the registration form (also available in the All Student Schoology Course).
• A $15 registration fee applies, payable through MySchool Bucks. Every dollar goes directly to our Twain Cross Country and Track and Field Teams, supporting their dedication and hard work!

Important for Parents: If a participant is under 18, a parent is required to sign a waiver on the morning of the event so the participant can join in the fun!

We can’t wait to see the entire Twain community coming together for a morning of fun, fitness, and friendship. Let’s make this the best 5K yet—see you there!

Theatre Arts Presents..

The Theatre Arts Department is proud to present the fall play, The Internet is Distract-Oh, Look a Kitten! and 9 Reasons Not to Be In A Play. Performances are on November 21, 22, and 23 at 7 PM. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door or directly at this link. If you have any questions, please e-mail Molly Rumberger at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

PTA Updates PTA General Membership Meeting

Join us for the next PTA meeting on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:30 pm via Zoom. All are welcome to attend! Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMocOurqTkrHtCJ7HPnLFzpyqhw9ZIGIEnf 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Mark Twain’s Birthday Celebration

Save the Date for Monday, November 25th! A fun tradition at Twain is the annual observance of Mark Twain’s birthday, where each and every student and staff members is given a complimentary cupcake during lunch. We asking for your help by donating homemade or store-bought cupcakes, helping to deliver cupcakes at lunch, and collecting cupcake donations in the Kiss N Ride. We are asking for regular sized cupcakes so that everyone gets the perfect size of cupcake (no minis).  Allergen free cupcakes will also be provided. 

Sign up to help out by clicking this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FACAF2DA6FB6-52871363-twain

Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This long overdue project will assess boundaries to better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. 

Community input is vital to this process. Our first set of boundary review meetings will begin in less than two weeks, with a community meeting scheduled in each of our six regions. We encourage participants to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.

National Junior Honor Society

Twain’s National Junior Honor Society Chapter is collecting supplies for Care Packages for Ronald McDonald House Charities. We are going to be collecting supplies to make care packages for families that are in need. Some items that we need are:

*Non-perishable Meals/Snacks (oatmeal packs, instant noodle cups, granola bars, juice boxes, etc.) *Toys (dolls, action figures, etc.) *Fun activities (coloring tools, books, puzzles, crafts, games)

We are collecting these items from Mon. Oct. 28-Fri. Nov. 22. We need your help to gather these items. Please allow your student to bring one of these items to school and put in our donation boxes in the cafeteria or you can purchase the items on our Amazon Wish List. Thank you for helping us support the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

November Is National Family Engagement Month

Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that families are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. 

The FCPS Family Academy was created to support the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.

Family Orientation Seminar

This interactive orientation seminar provides information about FCPS, the links between family engagement and student achievement, school staff you should know, and programs and technology considerations for families. The orientation also includes a helpful discussion for families who are new to the United States.

Sessions in English will be held online on Tuesday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, December 10, at 6 p.m.; and Thursday, December 19, at 6 p.m. Register in advance. 

Visit the Family Academy catalog page for dates this orientation will be offered in Korean and Spanish.

Tutoring Resources for Families

Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as a tutor. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource to families.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

Families Reunite Workshops

Family and School Partnerships offers a course for Spanish-speaking immigrant families who are going through the reunification process. It is designed for parents/caregivers and children who have lived apart for at least one year and were recently reunited.

The six-hour Zoom course takes place over three consecutive weeks. Upcoming sessions include:

• Tuesdays, November 12, 19, and 26; 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• Mondays, December 2, 9, and 16; 6:30-8:30 p.m.

We encourage families to attend every session to fully benefit from the program. Register for Families Unite and learn more about FCPS’ Immigrant Family Reunification Program

4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310  |  Main: 703.313.3700
Attendance: 703.313.3737 | After-School Program: 703.313.3711
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