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Principal's Message |
Greetings Tiger Families!
Did you know that February Is Career and Technical Education Month? By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. At Twain we have Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Technology and Engineering Education courses available to our students. Learn more on the FCPS CTE webpage. We also are fortunate to have a robust academy program down the road at Edison High School where students can engage in authentic learning in a variety of fields including culinary arts, veterinary science, auto technology, and criminal justice. Check out this video from the FCPS CTE office for more info. CTE also offers summer programs for students to explore their programs. Enroll now!
At Twain, we believe that all of our students are talented and we look forward to helping them all find their passion and skill in whatever academic or career field allows them to reach their full potential!
Have a nice long weekend and we look forward to seeing our students for an anchor day on Wednesday, February 18th.
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, February 16: President’s Day - No School
Tuesday, February 17: Teacher Workday - No School
Wednesday, February 18: Anchor Day Schedule
Thursday, February 19: Odd Day Schedule
Friday, February 20: Even Day Schedule
After School Program
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1st Block
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2nd Block
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Monday, February 16:
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No After School
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Program
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Tuesday, February 17:
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No After School
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Program
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Wednesday, February 18:
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2:30 - 3:35
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3:35 - 4:40
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Thursday, February 19:
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No After School
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Program
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Friday, February 20:
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2:30 - 3:35
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3:35 - 4:40
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Calendar Reminders
Presidents Day (Holiday)
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, for the Presidents Day holiday.
Lunar New Year, Ramadan Begins on Sundown - Teacher Workday
Tuesday, February 17, is a teacher work day and there will be no school for students.
Ash Wednesday/First Full Day of Ramadan
Wednesday, February 18, is Ash Wednesday and the first full day of Ramadan. FCPS has designated this day as a religious and cultural observance day. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact their child’s principal regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
Mr. Cole Memorial Services
Last month, we sadly lost Mr. Shanti Cole, our talented and dedicated security assistant. His family has shared the details around his upcoming memorial service, which are below.
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Thursday, February 19th at McGuire Funeral Home (7400 Georgia Ave, Washington D.C.20012).
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Viewing 11:00 AM
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Service 12:00 – 1:00 (with a lunch afterwards)
National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
Sunday, February 15th is National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. At Twain, we are grateful for the important work Officer Ahmed does to keep our school and community safe. Thank you, Officer Ahmed! You can learn more at National Association of School Resource Officers.
Ramadan is February 17th – March 18th
Ramadan Mubarak to those in our community who observe! In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity, and good deeds. Muslims believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad.
During Ramadan we offer alternative lunch spaces for our fasting students and a dedicated mediation space for those that need it. Students interested in either of these options should check in at our student services office for more details.
Substance Abuse Prevention Parent Coffee Rescheduled to Thursday, February 26th
Please join us in the library to hear from our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Mr. Shawn Elliot.
Thursday February 26th, 2026
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Mark Twain Middle School Library
School Zone Enforcement Month
February marks School Zone Enforcement Month. Fairfax County police officers will be conducting targeted enforcement near schools, crosswalks, and bus routes throughout the county.
Enforcement efforts will focus on:
- Speeding in school speed limit zones.
- Pedestrian safety violations.
- Passing a stopped school bus.
Passing a stopped school bus remains one of the most dangerous violations officers witness. Drivers are reminded that stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights is the law. Read more about School Zone Enforcement Month.
Just last week Fairfax County Police stopped by Twain and spoke to administration about increasing enforcement of safe traffic decisions by parent drivers during arrival and dismissal. We encourage all families who choose to drop off or pick up their student to use the established Kiss & Ride route. Dropping students off directly on Franconia Road and/or in the neighborhood across the street is not the safest, or most legal, option during this busy time of day.
Survey on Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Now Open for All Families and Middle and High School Students
On Monday, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students received an email to participate in a voluntary and confidential survey. (Please check your spam folder if you have not received it.)
Questions refer to proposed changes to FCPS’ SR&R document for next year. This document outlines the rules that students are expected to follow, and guidelines for consequences if those expectations are not met. Possible changes include:
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Universal Discipline: Charts will list consequences and supports for students. They will help ensure that two students of the same grade will be treated fairly and receive the same level of support.
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Standards for In-School Suspensions of Students with Disabilities: Creating standards for how in-school suspensions are handled for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
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Accommodations for Multilingual Learner Student Statements: Providing translation accommodations when Multilingual Learner students provide statements about disciplinary incidents.
The survey will be open until Friday, February 20. Survey materials are available online.
Middle School Transition Fair
Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education
March 4, 2026 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Luther Jackson Middle School 3020 Gallows Road Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school!
It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for your future. We want to help you start planning for a successful transition from school to life as a young adult. Ensuring postsecondary success of our students with disabilities is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
You will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of representatives from CTS programs and services for students with disabilities, as well as learn about short and long-term postsecondary supports, employment, postsecondary education considerations, Supported Decision Making, and student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post school success.
The schedule for the evening is:
- 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Exhibitor and Participant Registration
- 6:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Opening Session (Auditorium)
- 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Resource and Exhibitor Fair (Cafeteria)
- 7:15 PM - 8:15 PM: Family Panel (Auditorium)
A questions/answer session will follow the family panel.
Click here to register for the event.
2nd Quarter Level Up Your Reading: THE XP Challenge Awards
The Twain XP Reading Challenge is underway! Over 50 students and 4 teachers are already leveling up their reading every single week. And remember – you can still join at any time this year, so it’s not too late to get started.
For 2nd quarter, we’re recognizing students with the most total reading minutes and the most weekly reading check-ins. First up – our top readers in 8th grade, for most minutes read overall: Sadie J., Elisa d. M., Olivia O., London S., Zahra A., and Helen B. Great job, 8th grade!
Now – our top readers in 7th grade: Logan A., Elia S., Azeem T., David S., Fiona M. and Malinda W. Awesome work 7th grade!
Each week, students checked in with the librarians to share how many minutes they read and to talk about their books. A big shout-out to the students who completed every single check-in during 2nd quarter: Logan A., Emma A., Fiona M. Stella L., Elisa d. M., Helen B., and Ruby K. Congratulations!
All these students were highlighted on the new show on Monday and can pick up their prizes in the library.
Get ready for 3rd and 4th quarter! Join the Twain XP Reading Challenge. Keep reading!
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