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Principal's Message |
Greetings Tiger Families!
This week has been quite challenging at Twain as we all process the loss of a colleague, a friend, a mentor and an invaluable member of Team Twain – Mr. Shanti Cole. I am so very grateful for the tremendous support that we have received from the FCPS Crisis Response Team, our Region 3 office and our caring community. I am proud of our students for handling this tragedy with maturity and care for each other. If your student continues to struggle with processing this loss, or any loss, please feel free to utilize the resources we shared earlier this week, which are also included below.
As we enter into a three-day weekend with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Monday, I would like to share a quote from MLK that embodies Mr. Cole and the work he did here for our students and staff.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
In reading some of the letters that students wrote this week to share with Mr. Cole’s family, and from what I saw and experienced with him myself, I can safely say that the list of things he did for others would be longer than most.
We look forward to seeing our Tigers when we return for an odd day on Tuesday, January 20th.
Sincerely,
Matt
Twain’s Weekly Schedule
Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday - No School
Tuesday, January 20: Odd Day Schedule
Wednesday, January 21: Even Day Schedule
Thursday, January 22: Odd Day Schedule
Friday, January 23: Even Day Schedule
After School Program
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1st Block
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2nd Block
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Monday, January 19:
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No After School
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Program
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Tuesday, January 20:
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2:30 - 3:35
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3:40 - 4:40
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Wednesday, January 21:
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2:30 - 3:35
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3:40 - 4:40
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Thursday, January 22:
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2:30 - 3:35
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3:40 - 4:40
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Friday, January 23:
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2:30 - 3:35
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3:40 - 4:40
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Calendar Reminders: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Holiday) and Quarter End
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
Quarter End (Early Release)
Wednesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter and an early release for students.
Schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 29, for a staff development day, and Friday, January 30, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
SIS ParentVUE will be unavailable for students and parents during end-of-quarter updates from Wednesday, January 28, at 4 p.m. until Thursday, February 5, at 6 a.m.
Strategies for Better Sleep
 Sleep is essential to good health, and getting enough sleep has big benefits to your physical and mental health and well-being. Sleep is restorative, allowing your body time to recover and repair.
This is also true for your child. In fact, adequate sleep in children supports healthy brain development, learning, memory consolidation, and their overall mood. And it is important for a strong immune system and the prevention of infections.
Read about how much sleep a person needs and get sleep strategies you can use with your family.
Did Your Child Get a New Phone or Device?
For a distraction-free start to the new year, please remind your student about FCPS’ policy for cell phones and personal devices. This policy helps students focus, interact more with their peers and teachers, and build independent problem-solving skills.
Visit our cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including:
- Exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
- Cell phone use on buses and field trips.
- Consequences for cell phone policy violations.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call your school’s main office.
Enhancing Safety and Security for Staff and Students
School safety and security are being enhanced across FCPS with a new emergency management system. The system includes sensors installed in schools and a wearable emergency response button (ERB) for staff.
The button allows staff to quickly and discreetly request help and, once pressed, they provide location information within the school. The ERB will only work on school grounds and does not rely on cellular service. It is not meant to replace calling 911, but is an additional safety tool that can be used if calling 911 may not be safe or practical.
Learn more about the emergency management system. Submit questions online to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.
Order Your 2025-2026 Yearbook
 Buy your Yearbook today!
Go to: yearbookordercenter.com
Use our school’s code#: 8606
Transition Corner
It is time to plan for the 2026-2027 school year! Below you will find information related to transition events for current 7th and 8th grade students. Please continue to check back for additional updates this winter.
Rising 8th Grade:
Counselors will visit History 7 classes on Monday, February 2, to present 8th grade course options to current 7th grade 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 Course Selection 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 13. Course Request Profiles with a list of courses your student selected will be mailed home the week of March 2, with instructions on how to make changes/corrections. All change requests are due by Friday, March 13, 2026.
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.***
Hayfield Secondary School
Hayfield Secondary School counselor Eric Williams will visit Twain on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, for rising 9th grade academic advising through Learning Seminar. During this presentation, students will learn about the required courses and elective options, as well as how to make their course selections for 9th grade. More information about Hayfield Course Selection and 9th grade transition can be found at the Hayfield course selection site.
Please continue to check back for more transition updates this winter.
Lewis High School
Lewis HS counselors will visit Twain on Friday, January 23, 2026, for rising 9th grade academic advising presentation where students will learn about the required courses and elective options, as well as how to enter their course selections into SIS. More information about Lewis Course Selection and 9th grade transition can be found on the Lewis course selection site.
Edison High School
Edison High School Director of Student Services, Deborah Guillen, will visit Twain on Monday, February 2, 2026, 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 later that week on Thursday and Friday, February 5 and 6, 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 the Edison course selection site.
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