Dear TJHSST Families,
On behalf of the entire faculty and staff from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, I enthusiastically welcome you to the 2021-2022 school year! TJHSST is a premier educational setting where teachers provide students a challenging and supportive learning environment that inspires joy at the prospect of discovery. Non-teaching staff work earnestly to make each day exceptional, and our parents and community partners are the arms that wrap around our school.
As we start back to school five days a week with all students, teachers, and staff, we recognize there will be a continuum of emotions from excitement to uncertainty. We will resume proven layered prevention strategies such as universal masking throughout the school day, hand sanitizing, cleaning and disinfecting routines, contact tracing strategies, and social distancing where practicable. We had an extremely healthy spring semester thanks to the vigilance of our staff and the students' adherence to our protocols.
Beyond our students' physical health, we will continue to place a high priority on our students' social and emotional wellbeing. Reuniting on campus and rebuilding a sense of community will be on the top of our list, along with students, teachers, and staff building meaningful relationships so that our learners can be fully engaged.
Much of what we do will be framed around the theme of Belonging. Each member of our staff will receive the book Belonging through a Culture of Dignity, where belonging is defined as, "the extent to which people feel appreciated, validated, accepted, and treated fairly." Dignity is recognized as our inherent value and worth as human beings.
Finally, our work with the Challenge Success network of schools has resulted in what has become our standard operating practice where each day we are mindful of decoupling workload and rigor, managing expectations to create life balance, and promoting the importance of sleep.
We look forward to making your child’s experience with us a rewarding and memorable one. As a general reminder, only messages from a member of the TJ Administrative Staff, the TJ Communications Support Specialist Mike Roth or me should be considered an official communication from TJHSST.
Please continue reading below for important information to start the school year. There is a seemingly overwhelming amount of information at the beginning of the year. Don't worry- we'll send plenty of reminders, updates, and corrections to any glitches! You may also want to visit and bookmark our Official 2021-22 TJ Back to School Homepage.
We look forward to reuniting on Monday, August 23! Remember, we're TJ and we got this!
Student Schedules
Student schedules will be available in SIS StudentVUE and SIS ParentVUE on August 19.
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Access SIS StudentVUE using your FCPS network credentials.
- If you have not created a SIS Parent Account, account activation information will be mailed home between August 11-13.
- If you need assistance navigating the SIS ParentVUEsystem, watch this video.
- If you need assistance navigating the SIS StudentVUEsystem, watch this video.
Please note staffing decisions were made in the spring once families verified student course requests. Our counselors are currently working on student schedules that have conflicts or that are incomplete. We are not able to accommodate requests where students have changed their mind about what course to take. Once schedules are published August 19, counselors will quickly address obvious errors. The opening weeks will be a time we verify students are leveled appropriately.
Thank you in advance for understanding the complexity of staffing a school, building a master schedule, and meeting a wide variety of student interests.
Laptop Distribution
Laptops will be available for assignment to students during the first week of school.
The TJ Tech Team is in the process of collecting laptops that are checked-out, checking for repairs, and configuring devices with updates for the start of school. If you have a laptop at home that has not been serviced this summer, please return it to the main office between 9:00 – 3:00, M-F (at your earlier convenience).
Any additional questions, please contact the TJ Tech Team: TJHSSTTechTeam@fcps.edu.
Bell Schedule
The TJ school day returns to its traditional schedule of beginning at 8:40 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. A complete daily bell schedule will be available within the next few days.
Parking Permits
- Seniors and juniors can acquire a parking pass during the first two weeks of school.
- Students and their parents need to fill out and sign this application form and return a hard copy to the security office.
- The parking fee is $200 for the school year and can be paid on MySchoolBucks (this will be set up during the week of Aug. 16).
- Students with economic challenges supported through federal meal programs may speak to a security representative about reduced fees.
- There will be no tickets written for students parked in student approved areas during the first two weeks of school while everyone is still obtaining passes.
Safely Arriving at School
Doors open to our TJ students at 7:45 a.m. Student drop-off is located behind the school. Parents, please drop off your child at the Kiss and Ride by coming in the school’s entrance off Braddock Road and following signs to the left.
All visitors must enter through the Dome (Door 1) and sign in at the Main Office. A camera/buzzer system at the main entrance enhances and ensures safe entry for our guests. Also, Officer Steve Richards, our School Resource Officer, will be on site regularly and his vehicle will be parked at the front of the school. Note: all visitors are required to wear masks.
Spending
FCPS continues its online payment system, My School Bucks. Expenses that include fees, meals, and certain classroom costs are managed via MySchoolBucks.
Staying in Touch
TJHSST uses News You Choose for regular communication with parents and you are automatically subscribed with the email on file with TJ. You may tailor your preferences. Emergency communications from the school and FCPS are delivered via e-Notify to your email.
Here are some required forms that parents/guardians will need to fill out at the beginning of the school year.
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Health Information Form and Emergency Care Form
- These are required and provide us with necessary health and emergency contact information for your child. The forms can be filled out via weCare@School, which can found in SIS ParentVUE. Instructions on how to fill them out can be found at the link above. If you need a hard copy of either form please contact Mike Roth at mbroth@fcps.edu.
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The Residency Verification Form
- This online Google Form needs to be filled out at beginning of the year.
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FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Guide
- All students will receive a hard copy of this guide by the beginning of September. Please review with your child and return the parent signature sheet once you receive the hard copy. The parent signature sheet is due October 29.
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TJ Honor Code
- Once the school year has begun, students need to fill out the above Google Form acknowledging they have read and understood the TJ Honor Code.
- The TJ Honor Council helps uphold the Honor Code. The council is looking for members of the Class of 2025 to join. If interested, please look at this application packet.
Here are some optional forms that parents/guardians can choose to fill out at the beginning of the school year.
The TJHSST Class of 2025 official student orientation will be held Thursday, August 19, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. It is the only official orientation for TJ’s Class of 2025.
A separate message was sent out to the Class of 2025 (along with our incoming froshmores) on Tuesday, August 10.
If you have any questions about the official orientation, please contact TJ Communications Support Specialist Mike Roth at mbroth@fcps.edu.
We previously advertised holding two potential evening dates for Back to School Night, September 1 and 14, where we planned to split grade levels.
Since then we have heard feedback from parents that our virtual orientations are very successful, not to mention more convenient and family friendly. Also, with Covid mitigation, this approach will be more health conscious given the overwhelming in-person crowds we get. Therefore, please plan on joining virtually for one night, Wednesday, September 1. We will start no sooner than 5:30 and end no later than 8:30.
Teachers will prepare curricular videos in advance for you to view at your leisure prior to September 1. That evening will be focused on meet and greet, giving parents an opportunity to personally see each teacher and ask general questions about curriculum and expectations. This is not a time for conferencing about individual children. You may always email, call, or meet with your child's teacher to address individual concerns.
We will send out more information as the date approaches, complete with exact start and end times, links and directions for accessing virtual classrooms September 1.
FCPS is returning strong this fall. See all updates such as the ones below found on the FCPS website.
What will school meals look like this fall?
When we return strong this fall, FCPS’ Food and Nutrition Services staff will be ready to serve healthy meals to students and staff. This year, all students receive FREE breakfast and lunch. Find out more about school meals here.
What safety protocols will be in place for fall sports?
The return to school brings a return to fall sports. As with our entire return to school plan, safety is our top priority as we plan for fall sports to resume. The health and safety protocols in place this fall include universal masking when indoors. To review all the safety protocols, including water, screening, equipment, and reporting, read more.
Looking for bus stop and route information? (Note this information is for FCPS families. Loudoun, Arlington, Prince William, and Falls Church families need to contact their district for bus stop and route information)
Bus stops and route information will be shared with families via the ParentVue accounts on August 10. All staff and students riding a bus will be required to wear a mask. For more information about bus transportation, including how to access the Bus Delay Notification System, visit the Transportation page.
Aug. 16: All teachers report to TJ.
Aug. 19: Class of 2025 Official Orientation from 8 a.m. to noon.
Aug. 23: First day of the 2021-22 school year.
Sept. 1: Back to School Night will be held virtually in the evening.
Sept. 3-6: Labor Day Holiday. No school on Friday, Sept. 3 or Monday, Sept. 6.
Sept. 20-24: TJ's annual homecoming week.
Oct. 11: No school, teacher planning day.
Oct. 13: PSAT (10th and 11th grade) SAT (12th grade)
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