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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

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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
Web | Twitter | YouTube

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

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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.

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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.

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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
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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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Principal's Message Greetings Tiger Families!

It is hard to believe that today marks the end of the first quarter! Our students and staff have been working hard to establish routines, build relationships and engage in rigorous and authentic learning experiences since the start of school. As teachers finalize grades and your student’s progress in their classes are discussed at home, please do not hesitate to reach out to teachers, counselors and administrators so that we can partner together to maintain success where it already exists and improve in areas where it is needed. We are committed to supporting our students find success throughout their middle school experience here at Twain.

If you celebrate Halloween, Diwali, or All Saints Day/Dia de los Muertos please have enjoyable and safe times with friends and family over the next two days. With election day being on Tuesday I hope all eligible voters take advantage of our right to vote in this, and every election. If you have an 8th grade student, you may have been hearing about their campaign simulation project that they have been working on in recent weeks in civics class. I have enjoyed seeing student campaign websites and pamphlets and receiving emails from them asking for (fake) campaign donations! It is encouraging to see our students engaged in learning what it takes to be an involved and responsible citizen of our country and our community.

We look forward to welcoming our Tigers back to start quarter 2 on Wednesday, November 6th.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Matt

Weekly Schedule

Friday, November 1: School Closed – Diwali, Dia de los Muertos & All Saints Day

Monday, November 4: No School – School Planning Day

Tuesday, November 5: No School – Teacher Workday – Election Day

Wednesday, November 6: Anchor Day Schedule – 2nd Quarter Begins

Thursday, November 7: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, November 8: Even Day Schedule

Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)

This Sunday, November 3, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time will end. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour! 

See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.

School Pictures

Families – it’s not too late to order pictures for upcoming holidays! You can order school pictures at shop.jostenspix.com. Be sure to include your event code FE287324. You will need to use the email associated with your student in ParentVue and enter the student’s ID.

AVID FUNDrive

Last call for the AVID FUNDrive! Clean out your house and donate your unwanted items! We will be accepting trash bags of soft goods (clothing, coats, shoes, scarves, handbags, wallets, fashion accessories, belts, backpacks, bedding, comforters, blankets, sheets, towels, linen, tablecloths, curtains, pillows, etc.) and boxes of books and media (we can accept paperbacks, hard cover - all genres. No encyclopedias or K-12 textbooks.

Sign up here to donate your items on November 5th between 9:00-11:00 am.

https://bit.ly/3BofE3M

Your donations will help AVID raise money to afford a bus to visit colleges outside of our immediate area.

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: *Packaged Food (non-perishable please) *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.

Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Twain Middle School

Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for FCPS’ Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

A limited number of classes in grades 7-8 will be selected to participate. However, all students in participating grades, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email. We will administer the survey in selected classes during the school day between Monday, December 2, and Friday, December 13. Any student may take the survey at home, if preferred. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose

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.

Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service

Our Voices, Our Future:  Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service will be offered for FCPS secondary students on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Edison High School.  Dr. José Luis Zelaya, keynote speaker at the Multilingual Learners’ Summit this past summer, will be returning as the featured guest for this student workshop.  Dr. Zelaya will engage and empower students with the strengths of multilingualism, as students explore leadership skills to plan for future success.  Reflective service learning practices allow students to impact their communities through advocacy, engagement, and empowerment.  All FCPS secondary students who attend will earn service learning credit for participating.  Students planning to attend should register and bring their FCPS laptop to the event.  Light refreshments and family resources will be available for parents/caregivers during the student workshop.  

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

Be-Leaf Plant Care can help you reduce, reuse and recycle! We would love donations of bud vases that might be hanging around collecting dust in your house. If you have any bud vases to donate, please drop them off for Mrs. Van Lear. Thank you so much!

 

PTA Updates Nominate a Staff Member of the Month

Last chance to nominate a teacher or staff member for the PTA Staff Member of the Month Award in November. Each month the PTA awards this honor to a deserving Twain Staff Member. Prior winners this school year are Ms. Balderston and Ms. Carolina Soto.

Nominate your favorite teacher for staff member by filling out this Staff Member of the Month Form.  Nominations are due before October 31st.

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.

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

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

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!

On Wednesday evening our talented orchestra students performed at the Edison Pyramid Orchestra Concert. The show was fun (to include some great costumes and make-up!) and showcased the progress our students have made under Mr. Garfield-Levine’s tutelage already this school year. Last week our band students, led by Mr. Kluttz, traveled down Franconia Road and helped hype up the crowd by joining the Edison band and playing at the Edison football game. The week prior many of our students attended the annual Edison Pyramid Night football game and got free future Eagles shirts and some ran the field during the pregame warm-up. I highlight these events not only for their individual significance, but to showcase the importance of the vertical collaboration that occurs within our pyramid of schools from elementary, middle, and high school. We are fortunate to have a supportive and engaged community, and to be able to make connections with our students and families from Pre-K all the way through graduation. 

Go Tigers (and Eagles, and Rockets, and Cheetahs, and Lions, and Panthers, and Penguins)!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, October 28: Even Day Schedule

Tuesday, October 28: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, October 30: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, October 31: Odd Day Schedule - End of 1st Quarter - 2 Hour Early Release (12:15 pm)

Friday, November 1: Holiday – Diwali - School Closed

Monday, November 4 - Student Holiday - School Planning Day

Tuesday, November 5 - Student Holiday - Teacher Workday - Election Day

Please check the Bell Schedule Page on Twain’s Website for the 2 Hour Early Release Odd Day Schedule

Additional Immunization Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunization appointments at their district offices for FCPS elementary students on limited early-release Mondays through December. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

The health department will also host immunization clinics at FCPS middle and high schools through December. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations. Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.

Please note that there also are 2 additional free immunization clinics at Frost Middle School available at no cost for FCPS students, age 18 and younger. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment and provide consent for their student(s). 

•  Monday, October 28, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 29, 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 in order to provide consent. Students ages 19 and older may access free immunizations at their MS/HS immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) or through other community resources

Parents may learn more about this Safeway Pharmacy and other immunization resources and FCPS school-required immunizations. 

Cell Phone Storage Pilot Program Focus Groups Coming Soon

Students, staff, and families participating in the cell phone storage pilot program will be invited to participate in focus groups (hosted by FCPS’ Office of the Chief Equity Officer and K12 Insight) to share their experiences and insights. Feedback from the focus groups and other community engagement opportunities will help FCPS make adjustments to the pilot program in order to support student success and strengthen the program’s outcomes.

Invites for the pilot middle schools will launch on October 28 for staff and families, and October 29 for students. These focus group invitations are only for schools participating in the pilot program.

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE by Monday, November 11. Paper forms should be returned by Monday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child. Technical support for using ParentVUE or submitting the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey in the Issue Description section. You may also call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Theatre Production

The Twain Middle School Theatre Arts Department is proud to present their Advanced Theatre Arts fall play. This year will feature two one-act plays; The Internet is Distract—Oh, Look! A Kitten! and 9 Reasons Not to Be in a Play! Tickets are $8 and are now on sale at this link or at the door. Performances are on November 21, 22, and 23 at 7 PM. If you have any questions, please reach out to Molly Rumberger at [email protected].

PTA Updates Nominate a Staff Member of the Month

Last chance to nominate a teacher or staff member for the PTA Staff Member of the Month Award in November. Each month the PTA awards this honor to a deserving Twain Staff Member. Prior winners this school year are Ms. Balderston and Ms. Carolina Soto.

Nominate your favorite teacher for staff member by filling out this Staff Member of the Month Form.  Nominations are due before October 31st.

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! The virtual meeting link will be published closer to the date.

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.

Applications Opened October 21 for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting Monday, October 21, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.

Edison HS presents Peter Pan and Wendy

Come see the Edison Theatre Company’s fall play, Peter Pan and Wendy.  This show is newly adapted by Edison’s own director, Jeffrey Walker.  Performances are on November 13th, 14th, and 15th at 7 pm and November 16th at 2 pm in the auditorium of Edison High School.  Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults when ordered ahead at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15633/thomas-edison-high-school-theatre

We also have a special promotion for any rising Edison Eagles!!  For the Wednesday and Thursday shows when ordering online, use the code: FutureEagle and take 50% off up to 6 tickets.

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!

October 14th through October 18th was Digital Citizenship Week. At Twain, we strive to partner with students and their families to help our young people navigate the complexities that come with living in our digital age. Having the world at our students’ fingertips creates so many possibilities while also creating some challenges to work through together. The FCPS Media Balance and Wellbeing Toolkit offers tips and resources to help our young Tigers effectively and responsibly balance the benefits and pitfalls of online activity. This includes pointers on how to develop healthy technology habits (like limiting technology use before bed) and ways parents can actively monitor and mediate student technology use (like developing technology self-regulation strategies). As a part of the FCPS cell phone storage pouch pilot this school year, we have seen an increase in student in-person interaction with each other, focus on learning in class, and a decrease in distractibility and social media-centered conflict. 

Some other valuable resources available to families can be found on the Digital Equity and Inclusion website, where families can learn how to:

1. Find Free WiFi
2. Borrow a Computer
3. Visit Fairfax Access Locations
4. Take Free Tech Classes
5. Sign up for an ACP Internet Discount

Go Tigers!

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, October 21: Anchor Day Schedule

Tuesday, October 22: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, October 23: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, October 24: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, October 25: Even Day Schedule

October 21 – 25 is National School Bus Safety Week

National School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program and an excellent way for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators, and other interested parties - to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety you can check out more resources about bus safety here.

Calendar Reminders: Quarter End/Early Release, Diwali/Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day, Student Holidays

Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter and a two-hour early release for students.

Friday, November 1, is a holiday for Diwali, Dia de los Muertos, and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.

Schools will be closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday.

See the complete school year calendar

FCPS Outstanding Employees Nominations are Now Open!

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Twain Middle School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the linked Google forms below (simply click on the award title to access the form). You may nominate an employee in one or more categories. 

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a couple of sentences or paragraphs about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.

Outstanding Teacher  

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category.

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding New Principal

Eligibility: Be within the first 3 years of their assignment as principal in FCPS

Outstanding Leader  

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal)

Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services

Outstanding Professional Employee  

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership

Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role

 Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Family Liaisons

 Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 8th. 

If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Mejia at [email protected].

TJHSST Applications Open Monday 10/21

Is your student interested in applying to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology for the 2025-26 school year? If so, the application goes live on Monday, October 21, at 4:00pm. Students, not parents/guardians, must initiate the process by visiting the TJHSST Freshman Application Process page on the admissions site: https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-admissions/freshman. The last day a student can begin a new application is Wednesday, November 13. All applications are due, without exception, by Friday, November 15, at 4:00pm. Eligibility requirements, application details, and the Freshman Round Calendar can all be found at aforementioned link. Students were sent this information on Thursday to their FCPS Gmail accounts. If you have any questions, please reach out to TJ liaison counselor Ms. Pilotti at [email protected] at 703-313-3740.

Health Information and Emergency Care Forms

The Health Information Form and the Emergency Care Information form provide valuable information regarding student health conditions. These forms are critical in the early identification of students who may need healthcare support in the educational environment. Along with the development of Healthcare Plans (HCP) and Action Plans, the Public Health Nurses (PHNs) utilize the information contained in the HIF to develop teaching strategies for FCPS staff in order to support student wellness and safety.

These forms are required for all students. Enrolling parents/guardians who have a SIS ParentVUE account may submit them electronically by using the Online Verification/Update packet. 

For families without SIS ParentVue accounts, forms can be located on the General Registration Forms page. 

PTA Updates PTA General Membership Meeting

Thank you to those who joined and participated in our PTA General Membership Meeting on Tuesday night! We talked through several important priorities and helped set the stage for hosting even more successful events in the future!

Join us for the next PTA meeting on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:30 pm via Zoom. All are welcome to attend! The virtual meeting link will be published closer to the date.

Nominate a Staff Member

Congratulations to Ms. Carolina Soto for being named the PTA Staff Member of the Month for October! Ms. Soto was awarded a traveling trophy, a prime parking spot in front of the school, and a gift card to a local restaurant. Please congratulate Ms. Soto for making a difference at Twain!

You can nominate a teacher for November by filling out this Staff Member of the Month Form.  Nominations are due before October 30th.

PTA Mini Grants

Congratulations to Ms. Angelee DeHaven and Ms. Barbara Van Lear for being awarded PTA Mini Grants this Fall! The PTA is pleased to help support the Civics department on their 8th grade trip to the US Capitol to compliment their learning of the Legislative Branch and functions of Government and also separately support funding supplies for activities of the Strategies for Success/Personal Development class that help reduce anxiety and stress for those participating students. 

Teachers and Staff will be given the opportunity to apply for a second round of PTA Mini Grants in February 2025.  This is just another way your membership to the PTA provides valuable resources to the students and staff at Twain MS.

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.

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!

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Each and every day in FCPS, and specifically at Twain Middle School, we work to make sure all students feel welcomed, valued, and safe. This includes not only responding promptly and thoroughly to any allegations of bullying or harassment, but also proactively teaching our students positive behaviors and appropriate peer interactions through our 4th period learning seminar lessons and embedded within our practices as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. We not only encourage, but expect, our Tigers to treat each other with kindness and to “see something, say something” if they are witness to anything unsafe or unkind.     

To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition. 

Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”

For more information on FCPS protocols related to bullying please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. If you have questions and/or concerns about your student’s experience at school, please do not hesitate to reach out to us so we can support their positive experience as a part of the Twain learning community.  

Go Tigers!

Matt

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, October 14: Indigenous Peoples’ Day – Student Holiday / Teacher Workday

Tuesday, October 15: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, October 16: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, October 17: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, October 18: Even Day Schedule

Virtual Lexia Parent Information Night

Learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp at a parent information night. Discover how FCPS uses Lexia in classrooms to support students’ literacy growth. Presenters will also share tips for improving your child’s literacy. Sessions will take place: 

• Tuesday, October 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, November 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

• Thursday, December 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

Register in advance. For more information, contact Theresa Lieteau.

Other Ways to Support Your Child’s Learning Needs

You are important in your child’s education. The Family Academy keeps a list of classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by Fairfax County Public Schools to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings. 

✨ Helping students read on level by the end of third grade is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence. One of the strategic plan pillars is vibrant home and school partnerships.

Free Immunizations for All FCPS Students

Additional Clinic Dates on October 12th & 28th for Free Immunizations for All FCPS Students

Safeway Pharmacy will be hosting an additional clinic date where they will be providing immunizations for all FCPS students at no cost! Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment and provide consent for their student(s).

The immunization clinics are being held at Frost Middle School on:  

• Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, October 28, 3 to 7 p.m.

Students under the age of 19, with a scheduled appointment and parental consent, must be accompanied by their parent, guardian, or another adult over the age of 19. 

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 in order to provide consent.  

Transportation services are also available. Please visit our Immunization Resources webpage for details. 

Parents may learn more about this Safeway Pharmacy and other immunization resources and FCPS school-required immunizations 

Picture Makeups

Twain’s picture makeups will be held in the morning on Wednesday, October 23. Students that were not present for the original picture day in September should plan to have their picture taken on Wednesday, October 23. Only students that were absent or not enrolled at Twain will be taking pictures. Parents will be emailed once the proofs are uploaded and given the option to purchase through an on-line portal with the photography company, Jostens.

PTA Updates PTA General Membership Meeting

Thank you to those who joined and participated in our PTA General Membership Meeting on Tuesday night! We talked through several important priorities and helped set the stage for hosting even more successful events in the future!

Join us for the next PTA meeting on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:30 pm via Zoom. All are welcome to attend! The virtual meeting link will be published closer to the date.

Nominate a Staff Member

Congratulations to Ms. Carolina Soto for being named the PTA Staff Member of the Month for October! Ms. Soto was awarded a traveling trophy, a prime parking spot in front of the school, and a gift card to a local restaurant. Please congratulate Ms. Soto for making a difference at Twain!

You can nominate a teacher for November by filling out this Staff Member of the Month Form.  Nominations are due before October 30th.

PTA Mini Grants

Congratulations to Ms. Angelee DeHaven and Ms. Barbara Van Lear for being awarded PTA Mini Grants this Fall! The PTA is pleased to help support the Civics department on their 8th grade trip to the US Capitol to compliment their learning of the Legislative Branch and functions of Government and also separately support funding supplies for activities of the Strategies for Success/Personal Development class that help reduce anxiety and stress for those participating students. 

Teachers and Staff will be given the opportunity to apply for a second round of PTA Mini Grants in February 2025.  This is just another way your membership to the PTA provides valuable resources to the students and staff at Twain MS.

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.

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!

Today, October 2nd, is National Custodian Appreciation Day. We are so fortunate at Twain to have a talented and dedicated team of custodians who keep our school clean, safe and welcoming for our students, staff, and community. Mr. Mario, Ms. Rosa, Mr. Albert, Ms. Reina, and Ms. Raquel work tirelessly to take care of Twain. Maintaining a school of our size and age can be a challenge and our team does so with pride. As a school, we believe in the power of collective responsibility and encourage and expect our students to also be caretakers of our school. Cleaning up after ourselves and treating our facilities with respect are important principles of being a Tiger. Not just today, but anytime you are here at Twain and see a member of our custodial team, please consider sending a thank you their way!

Please don’t forget that Thursday and Friday are student holidays. We look forward to seeing our Tigers return on Monday, October 7th.

Go Tigers!

Matt

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school. Shana Tova, to those that celebrate.

Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed. 

Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students.

Edison High School Feeder Night & Deck Bowl this Friday

Please join the Edison pyramid of schools at this Friday’s football game for feeder night. Twain students who attend will get to participate in some pregame activities including an on-field race. The first 150 students will get a free Edison T-shirt!

Twain’s Weekly Schedule

Monday, October 7: Anchor Day Schedule

Tuesday, October 8: Odd Day Schedule

Wednesday, October 9: Even Day Schedule

Thursday, October 10: Odd Day Schedule

Friday, October 11: Even Day Schedule

Monday, October 14: Student Holiday / Teacher Workday

Free Immunizations for All FCPS Students

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations for all FCPS students at no cost! Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment and provide consent for their student(s). The immunization clinics are being held at Frost Middle School, 4101 Pickett Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032, on: 

• Tuesday, October 8, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Students under the age of 19, with a scheduled appointment and parental consent, must be accompanied by their parent, guardian, or another adult over the age of 19. 

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 in order to provide consent.   

Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

PTA Updates PTA General Membership Meeting

Join us for the next PTA meeting on Tuesday, October 8th at 7:30 pm via Zoom. All are welcome to attend! 

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsceCgrzMrHtN-5Ynk3YV1RbFGuf7zkEUF After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Nominate a Staff Member

Congratulations to Ms. Balderston for being named the PTA Staff Member of the Month for August. Ms. Balderston was awarded a traveling trophy, a prime parking spot in front of the school, and a gift card to a local restaurant. Please congratulate Ms. Balderston for making a difference at Twain!

You can nominate a teacher for October by filling out this Staff Member of the Month Form.  Nominations are due before October 30th.

Tiger Night Student Social Thank You

A HUGE thank you to our Tiger Night Co-Chairs, Sarah Rodgers and Stacy Day for throwing a fun-filled Tiger Night Student Social last Friday night!  Thanks to the amazing staff and volunteers who donated their time and supplies to make this event a huge success.  Whether you helped to sell tickets, donated items, set-up or cleaned-up, ran the minute-it to win-it games, or chaperoned the event, we couldn’t have done it without you. We can’t wait to do it again in the Spring!

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.

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