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Principal's Message |
Thank you to all of our families who attended our annual Back to School Night Thursday evening. We hope you found it a valuable opportunity to connect with your student’s teachers, familiarize yourself with their daily schedule, and to interact with Twain staff. The partnership between home and school is an essential element of school success, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share the responsibility of your student’s education with you.
If you were unable to attend our event, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to your student’s teachers, counselor, or administrator to make sure we are able to effectively partner this school year. You can view the brief welcome video that was shown Thursday evening on our website.
For those that celebrate, please have a meaningful Yom Kippur holiday on Monday. I look forward to seeing all of our students on Tuesday when we return to school for an odd day.
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, September 21: No School - Yom Kippur Holiday
Tuesday, September 22: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, September 23: Even Day Schedule
Thursday, September 24: Odd Day Schedule
Friday, September 25: Even Day Schedule
After School Program Updates
We are excited to announce that we will be welcoming Ms. Kanishea Spencer as our new After-School Specialist, effective Thursday, September 24th. Ms. Spencer is an experienced and enthusiastic After-School Program Specialist who has held this same position just down the road at Key Middle School for the past ten years. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Phoenix. She is passionate about creating engaging, well-organized programs that provide students with opportunities to connect, explore their interests, and grow beyond the hours of the school day.
The first day of the Twain After School Program will be Monday, September 28th. We will run programming for our cross country team on September 22nd and September 24th (both parent pickup at 3:30 and late bus departure at 4:40 options are available). The full after school program will open on September 28th. Students will receive more information about the clubs being offered and after school program expectations through lunches and learning seminar.
The After School Program page on the Twain Website has updates and information about clubs and activities for this year.
Calendar Reminders
Monday, September 21, is a holiday, and schools and offices will be closed. See the complete school year calendar. We will return on Tuesday, September 22nd, which is an odd day.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Twice Exceptional Students
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
FCPS Statement on Nondiscrimination and Americans with Disabilities
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination. No applicant, employee, student, parent, or other individual shall be denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in, any FCPS education program or activity on the basis of race, sex — including sexual harassment, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions — color, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or disability, as required by law.
FCPS prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports discrimination or harassment, files a complaint, or participates as a witness in an investigation.
Questions or complaints involving applicants, employees, students, parents, or other individuals may be directed to the Office of Employee Relations, Department of Human Resources, through the FCPS discrimination complaint process.
Questions regarding reasonable accommodations for employees or applicants may be submitted through the FCPS StaffConnect portal or by contacting Human Resources at 571-423-3000.
Questions involving special education or Section 504 services for students may be directed to the Office of Special Education Procedural Support at 571-423-4290.
Not Feeling Well? When Your Child Can Come to School
School is better when your child is there! But we do understand that some days, they may feel unwell. Learn more about which symptoms are okay at school (like sneezing or sniffles), and when your child should stay home (if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, for example).
Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and, if possible, let them know how long you think they will be out.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their school so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school public health nurse.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to the front office of your school. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Receive FCPS This Week in Other Languages
More than 32,000 families receive the FCPS This Week newsletter in a language other than English. Would you prefer to receive it in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese?
Contact your school registrar and ask them to update your “corresponding language.”
Upcoming Japan Trip for Twain Students
Big news, Twain MS students! You can travel to Japan with Mr. Prokos through EF Tours over Spring Break 2028! This nine-day tour is open to any current Twain student and their families. You can register now for the information meeting on Thursday, September 24 at 6:30 pm where Mr. Prokos will share more about this exciting opportunity.
Please note: This travel opportunity is not affiliated with Mark Twain MIddle School or FCPS.
World Language Credit By Exam
Can your student read, write, and speak in another language? If so, they can earn up to 3 high school world language credits through the WLCBE. Students in grades 7-12 are offered the opportunity to take the World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE). The WLCBE assesses language proficiency in languages other than English and recognizes the strengths that our students bring as effective communicators in multiple languages. This assessment may be used to award world language credits towards graduation, determine course placement for language courses offered in FCPS.
The exam will be offered on November 6th this year at Twain MS. A student may participate in the exam a total of a total of two times per language between grades 7 and 12. Students who wish to take the exam should be able to proficiently understand and communicate in the testing language, and will be asked to listen, read, speak, and either write/type or, for American Sign Language, sign/interpret. More information can be found on the FCPS WLCBE page including a list of testable languages.
If you would like your student to participate in the next available WLCBE, they should meet with their school counselor by October 16th. No late registrations will be accepted.
Website Updates
New Announcements have been added to the Mark Twain Middle School Home Page.
The Middle School Athletics page has been updated with information about registration, open now.
The After School Program page has information about clubs and activities for this year.
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