Welcome to March! I have a few updates for you this week, led by the Family Engagement Survey that FCPS is going to be running starting next week. This is your chance to give an opinion on what you feel the school district does well, as well as what it needs to improve on.
I hope to see a lot of you at iNite next Saturday (ticket information is below). This is a completely student-run performance put on by the Namaste Club. I've seen TJ's culture clubs hard at work both during lunch and after school practicing, so I know they are going to put on a great show!
As always, please reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mike Roth
TJHSST Director of Communications
Please Note: The following message is from Fairfax County Public Schools
FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment.
- Communication.
- Student success.
- Advocacy.
- Family and school partnerships.
- Community partnerships.
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
Please remember that food deliveries to students, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, are not allowed during the school day. We have seen an uptick in delivery attempts at TJ this week.
If food is delivered to the main office, it will not be released to the student until after the school day is over at 4 p.m.
Thank you for your cooperation.
We’re excited to welcome therapy dogs to TJHSST during lunch on March 11! Students are invited to stop by the Wellness Room to spend time with our four-legged visitors, relax, and de-stress.
In addition, teachers will have the opportunity to sign up their classes to visit the therapy dogs on April 28 and April 29 during designated times. More information to come.
To participate, students will need to verify that they do not have any animal allergies. Space may be limited, so visits will be first come, first served.
We hope you’ll join us for some paws-itive vibes and a well-deserved break during the school day!
For the 26th straight year, TJ's Namaste club will be hosting its annual iNite celebration! This is where the many cultural clubs of TJ get the opportunity to put on dance and musical performances that share that culture.
iNite is scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. It will once again be held at the Rachel Schlesinger Center for the Arts, on the campus of NOVA Alexandria.
Tickets are available now! Students can find information on ION, while community members can contact Patty Lister at philister@fcps.edu to reserve tickets. Please note, tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.
Free/Reduced Application information and forms for qualified families (Online Submission)
FCPS offers nutritious meals every school day. Your child may qualify for free meals or reduced-price meals at TJHSST. Students who qualify for reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. For information on how to apply for Free and Reduced-price meals, please visit the link above. The online free and reduced-price meals application is available in 8 languages and can be completed on mobile devices. You will need to re-apply annually.
Consent to Share Form (PDF)
If you have children eligible for the Free and Reduced-price meals program, they may also be eligible to participate in other FCPS fee-based programs without paying a fee or by paying a reduced fee.
This would include things that are specified in FCPS Notice 5922. Those are:
- Musical Instrument fees
- Driver Education fees
- Student Parking fees
- Career and Technical Education Certification fees
- Fine Arts fees
- Technology and Engineering Education Material fees
- Online Campus fees
- Advanced Placement fees (after six exams)
- Returned Check fees
You are also eligible to receive information about scholarships, classes and services that are provided by agencies and organizations other than FCPS.
In order to receive the benefits, you have to fill out the Consent to Share Form (please visit the link above), a written agreement allowing FCPS staff to share information about your children's meal eligibility status.
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.
Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.
For the second straight year and 10th time in the past 11 years, TJ has won the VHSL State Championship in the Scholastic Bowl!
This year TJ defeated Independence 315-130, Langley 315-145, and Cosby 260-110 to take home the title.
Congratulations to the Colonials!
TJ's Student Government Association (SGA) held its annual TJ's Got Talent Show last Friday (February 27). They had 24 acts showcasing the best TJ had to offer in singing, dancing, performance, and even magic!
Congrats to SGA for putting on a great show, and be sure to check out the highlights on TJ's Touchpro history site!
Photo Gallery of Black History Month Celebration on Instagram
As Black History Month came to a close, TJ's Black Student Union (BSU) hosted its annual celebration after school last Friday!
It was an important milestone as it's the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, which was founded by Carter G. Woodson, who Woodson High School is named after!
We had speeches, musical and spoken word performances, a fashion show, history presentations, and of course food!
Thank you to the TJ PTSA for the generous grant that made this event possible, and great job BSU for putting on a tremendous celebration of Black History Month!
Need to get in contact with someone at TJ? Here is some commonly requested contact information:
Main Office - 703-750-8300
Attendance Office - thomasjeffersonhigh.attendance@fcps.edu
Student Services - 703-750-8340
Student Activities - 703-750-8333
Security - 703-750-8331
Administration Contact Information
Mr. Michael Mukai - Principal
Ms. Betsy Fawsett - Associate Principal
Ms. Yaara Crane - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2026 and Science and Technology Division)
Mr. Shawn Frank - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2027 and Mathematics and Computer Science Division)
Mr. Dylan Forshay - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2028 and World Language, Art, Music, and Physical Education Division)
Ms. Volita Russell - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2029 and Humanities Division)
Ms. Sara Wright - Director of Student Services (oversees Counselors, Social Worker, School Psychologist and other staff providing student support)
Ms. Leah Conte - Director of Student Activities (oversees Activities Office, 8th Period, Athletic Office, Building Maintenance, Custodians, Food Services)
Mr. Mike Roth - Communications Specialist (oversees NewsYouChoose and eNotify, Event promotions, print/digital text, photo, video, Social Media accounts, TJHSST Webmaster and Visitors US & International (TJPF))
For another specific staff member, please use our Staff Directory to find contact information.
Be sure to visit Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology on its official social media channel on Instagram @OfficialTJHSST for pictures and highlights of all the fun events and activities going on at TJ! (Please note that we have discontinued use of our X/Twitter account).
We'd love it if you give us a follow!
TJ's Anchor/Blue/Red Day Calendar
March 7-8 - HackTJ 13.0 - Cvent Headquarters in Tysons, Va.
March 14 - INite Performance - NOVA Alexandria 6:30 p.m.
March 16 - This Monday will be a Red Day for TJ.
March 19 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day begins in evening (Eid-al-Fitr) - school remains in session.
March 20 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Eid-al-Fitr) - no school for students or staff.
March 27 - Modified Red Day with two-hour early release - end of third quarter
March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break - no school for students or staff.
April 6 - Teacher Workday - no school for students.
April 10 - School Planning Day - no school for students.
May 4-May 15 - AP Testing at TJ
May 20 - tjSTAR at TJ during morning.
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