Message from Mr. Azimi
Dear Thoreau Community:
Welcome to the new format of Thoreau Matters.
While the concept of our newsletter remains the same, the delivery method has
changed. We previously would send Thoreau Matters out to you in a
Keep-in-Touch email with a link to our bi-weekly newsletter. As of today,
we have switched over to the county’s News You Choose template serviced
by GovDelivery. Just as FCPS has streamlined its website format over the
last couple years, it has also done the same with its communication tools for
community outreach. I hope you will enjoy this new delivery
method to receive Thoreau Matters and that you especially find it
convenient to read this newsletter on your mobile device. As always, you
can find the archive of previous Thoreau Matters issues by visiting our
homepage at https://thoreaums.fcps.edu.
Sincerely,
Yusef Azimi
Upcoming Important Dates
- Tuesday, May 14th - Thursday, May 24th - Spring SOL Testing
- Monday, May 28th - Memorial Day Holiday
- Thursday, May 31st - Last Day for After-School Activities
- Thursday, May 31st - Last Day for Late Buses
- Friday, June 1st - 8th Grade Dance
 Students from Marseille, France visited Thoreau for two weeks in April.
Thoreau 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year Award
The entire Thoreau community (students, parents, staff) is welcome to nominate a teacher for the Thoreau Teacher of the Year Award. Nominations can be submitted through this Google Form or by completing a written nomination form that can be found in Thoreau's main office. Nominations are due by Friday, May 25th. Criteria for nominations include the following: Innovation,
Instruction, and Impact. This monetary prize is sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union.
Previous winners & still current
Thoreau teachers:
2017 - Amanda Rollison 2011 - Missy Galus
2016 - Wendy Kamen 2008 - Jodi Griffin
2015 - Belinda McGehee 2007 - Ted Loht
2014 - Julie Hackenberg
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Amanda Rollison
Thoreau Teacher of the Year 2017
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Spring SOL Testing Calendar
Thoreau 7th and 8th graders will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests which began Tuesday, May 15th and run through Thursday, May 24th with make-up testing and expedited retakes continuing into the month of June. These tests are
required of all Virginia students in grades 3-12. SOL tests measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills specified in the Virginia Standards of Learning. Thoreau students will be tested according to the schedule below.
Please assist your child in doing well on these tests by making sure he/she is well-rested and eats a good breakfast on
his/her testing days. Also, please avoid scheduling appointments on days your child will be tested.
If you have any questions or concerns about the date your child will be testing, please contact Sunnie Chung, Thoreau
testing coordinator, at shchung@fcps.edu
May SOL Testing Calendar
 June SOL Testing Calendar
2018 End-of-Year Awards:
Recognition of Service to the Community
Thoreau offers two opportunities at the end of the
year to recognize and honor students that have been active in serving our
community. The Thoreau Letter Award and the Navy Federal
Credit Union Award of Excellence are student-initiated. Information
about these awards, as well as the student applications, are available in Student
Services and can be found here.
2018-2019 Thoreau Yearbook Club
Would your child like to help preserve memories for our
students and staff? The Thoreau Yearbook Club is looking for dedicated
and creative students to join our team. Please direct questions to Ms. BenZion,
yearbook sponsor, at gbenzion@fcps.edu
The link to the yearbook club application can be found here.
Where Are You Going This Fall?
If you will not be attending Thoreau (rising 8th graders) or a Fairfax County high school (rising 9th graders) this fall, please let Thoreau Student Services know now. Please click here and fill out this form. Student Services will make sure all transcripts are forwarded to your child’s new school so his/her file is complete. If you have any questions, please contact Thoreau registrar Denise Schwandt at 703-846-8003 or dschwandt@fcps.edu.
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is National Mental Health Awareness month. While the majority of our students thrive and are
resilient, all students can struggle at times with emotional and behavioral issues that can affect their
learning and overall wellness. Schools are often the place where these kinds of issues, as well as other
mental health needs, are discovered and where school-based supports can be provided. FCPS wants all
parents and guardians to know that your school psychologist, school social worker, and school counselor
are available for consultation and support on concerns such as anxiety, peer relationships, stress,
depression, or other social and emotional issues. They can also provide a list of private and community-based
mental health resources. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Thoreau Student Services at 703-846-8003. Click on the following links to learn about
resources and ways to foster resilience in your child.
Mental Health and Resiliency, Healthy Minds Blog,
and Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies.
Thoreau Health Room News
The Thoreau health room reminds parents and guardians that all medications stored in the health room must be picked up no later than 12:15 PM on the last day of school, Friday, June 15, 2018. Medication left in the health room after that time will be discarded. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your child.
Viva Vienna Volunteer Opportunity
The Rotary Club of Vienna, in support of Viva Vienna, is looking for middle and high school volunteers who would like to be a part of this exciting event while earning community service hours. Viva Vienna is in need of volunteers who can man the large food court on Sunday, May 27th and Monday, May 28th. The volunteers will help keep the food court clean and will hand out brochures and maps during the event. Please see this link if you are
interested in volunteering and gaining service hours. The link also provides all details including the requirement of emergency
contact information for each volunteer.
Thoreau students participated in the Marshall HS Make the Cut event in May.
Thoreau Excellence in Action Summer Camp
This week-long program is designed by our own staff members to provide students with the essential background knowledge and skills that will help them have a successful transition to middle school. For more information and to
register, please see details here.
Two sessions will be offered, running 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
Session 1: Monday, July 16th - Friday, July 20th
Session 2: Monday, July 30th - Friday, August 3rd
TJ Prep Camp
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is holding a TJ Prep Camp for rising 8th grade students. The camp will take place at Luther Jackson Middle School. Two sessions are being offered during the months of July and August. Please see this link for details.
Thoreau Ambassador Program
Do you like to meet new people? Do you like helping others? Do you like volunteering at school wide events?
If you answer yes to any or
all of these questions, the Thoreau Ambassador Program may be of interest to
you. A Student Ambassador at Thoreau is someone who will
represent our school positively and help build community within our school.
Student Ambassadors are asked to provide new students with an introduction to
Thoreau by giving them a tour of the school, help them with their locker,
introduce them to their teachers and provide them with a familiar face on
their team. We are looking for outgoing, responsible, friendly students
who are willing to spend time with new students and families to make them feel
welcome to our community.
Instructions and the application can be found here.
Contact Thoreau registrar Denise Schwandt at dschwandt@fcps.edu with questions.
Madison HS Summer Acceleration Academy
Madison HS will offer face-to-face courses this summer in Geometry Honors, Health & PE 9 and Health & PE 10.
Registration is open to Madison, Marshall, McLean, and Oakton High School students. Click here for more information.
Madison HS Bridges Program
Madison will once again hold its annual Bridges program for rising 9th grade students. This summer program is designed to help bridge the connection between middle and high school through a camp-type program very similar to Thoreau’s annual Excellence in Action summer program for rising 7th grade students. Details can be found here.
High School Sports Physical Nights
All incoming freshman to Madison and Marshall High Schools who intend to participate in athletics, must turn in a completed physical form before they can participate in off season workouts or try out for a team. All fall teams will have summer workouts so it is important to get this paperwork completed. These links contain flyers with details about the sports physical nights at each school.
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Madison High School, Monday, May 21st
Please see this link for details.
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Marshall High School, Tuesday, June 12th
Please see this link for details.
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 Thank you to Thoreau's wonderful PTA for Staff Appreciation Week in May!
Staff Appreciation Week
Thank you to the many parents that donated or volunteered to make the Thoreau Staff Appreciation Week such a HUGE success! And, thanks to chairs Emily Korff, Gayle Schlueter, Margaret Herbold, and Nene Spivy for their incredible efforts!
Volunteer Reception
Please join us for our Volunteer Recognition Coffee and PTA
meeting on Tuesday, May 22nd at 9:30 AM in the Thoreau Courtyard Garden.
ALL are welcome!
2018-2019 PTA Board Members
We are looking for PTA Board Members for the 2018-19 school year. Open positions include: Secretary, Membership, 7th Grade Dinner Chair (or co-chairs), Garden, Directory, and School Supplies Coordinator (May 2018 - September 2018). Please contact current PTA president Beth Eachus at president@thoreaupta.org for more information.
Thank you to the following people who have volunteered:
Emily Korff, President
Stacey Leimbach, Vice President
Amanda Dixon, Treasurer
8th Grade Dance
The 8th Grade Dance will
be held on Friday, June
1st and volunteers are needed to make this event a
success. Please see this link to sign-up.
Thank you to chairs Diana Nash and Paris Jacobs!
Thoreau School Store
Volunteers are NEEDED for the Thoreau School Store. Please see this link for the updated schedule that runs through the end of the school year. The School Store provides a service to the students
and raises funds for the school so your help is greatly appreciated. Huge
thanks to school store chairs Tana
Keeffe and Negin
Dehn for all of their
efforts!
Thoreau Auction
Thank you to all that volunteered to support
our Thoreau Auction. We are hosting an online auction this
year and are in need of donations. If you are interested in helping or have an ides for a donation, please contact Beth Eachus at president@thoreaupta.org All
donations are due by Tuesday, May 22nd!!
Dining for Dollars
Our next Dining for Dollars event will be held on Wednesday, May 23rd at Social Burger. Thank you to all that participated at our Chipotle event last Tuesday, April 24th! Many thanks to Michelle Alonso for chairing Dining for Dollars this year! Thank you also to rising 7th grade parent Missy Dixon for volunteering to chair in 2018-2019!
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