August 13, 2018
Dear TJHSST Colonials Families:
We are pleased to extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to the
2018-2019 school year! Thomas Jefferson
High School for Science and Technology is a premier educational setting where
teachers provide students a challenging and supportive learning environment
that inspires joy at the prospect of discovery.
Thank you to our wonderful community for your support, patience and
generous donations, all of which have contributed to our collective success.
On a personal note, I offer heartfelt thanks to the many Colonials who
welcomed me to the TJ family last year.
I learned how special and talented our students and staff are. Along the
way I developed a deep admiration for our parents, alumni and business partners
who embrace TJ’s mission, tirelessly volunteer at our school and provide
immeasurable support to our students. We
continue our commitment this year to find tangible ways that bring balance to
student lives and respect the academic rigor TJ offers, all while being mindful
of our students’ social and emotional wellness.
What follows is a list of important dates and to-do items that ensure a
smooth opening. Prior to the first day
of school, please visit the Opening of School web page to get a complete overview and access to all resources.
New Student
Orientation
The first step in achieving balance is feeling part of the amazing TJ Colonials
Family. If your child is new to TJ,
whether as a freshman or upperclassman, you are invited to attend New Student
Orientation:
When: Thursday,
August 23
Where: Auditorium & Gymnasium (refer to signage for parking and entrances)
Early Bird Special: 8:00 a.m. new student schedules will be ready
for pick up, so come early!
Program Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Back to School Nights
The next step ensuring we’re off to a healthy start is to connect
parents and teachers at Back to School Nights.
September 5: Sophomore and Junior Classes from
5:00-7:00 p.m.
September 12: Freshman and Senior Classes from
5:00-7:00 p.m. Note: Senior Information Night with our TJ
Counselors will start at approximately 7:15 p.m. in the auditorium.
Back to School Bash
Another step
in achieving balance is celebrating with the high-energy TJ Colonials
Family. All are invited to our annual
Back to School Bash sponsored by the PTSA, SGA and TJ Student Activities
Office.
When: Friday, September 14
Where: Baseball Field
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 7:00
p.m.
What: Games, prizes, live music, food, home
football game at 7:00 p.m.
Student Schedules
Student schedules will
be available in SIS StudentVue and SIS
ParentVue on Thursday, August 23, at 6:00 a.m.
· Access SIS StudentVUE here using your FCPS network credentials.
· If you have not created a SIS Parent
Account, click here to watch a video. Account activation information will be mailed
home between August 16-18.
· If you need assistance
navigating the system click here to watch a video.
Required Forms Due September 7
Thank you for completing forms
in a timely manner. Students can begin
turning in forms to their homeroom teacher on the first day of school. Early bird incentive: each homeroom may earn
a pizza party if all forms are submitted by Friday, August 31. The required
forms are linked below so you may print and complete the forms:
·
Health
Information Form
·
Student
Rights & Responsibilities Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet
Please
review with your child. All students
will receive a hard copy as seen here .
·
Residency
Verification
·
Honor
Code Pledge
· Emergency Care Card - only required from students new to TJ. Returning families can
make updates to their emergency care information through weCare@school.
· Extra-Curricular
Participation Policy *Link will
be activated on the Opening of School web page when available. Please check
back periodically*
· FCPS Opt-out Forms, if desired, can be found on the TJ
Opening of School web page.
Parking Tags
From Tuesday,
August 21 through Thursday, August 23
from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.,
you may pick up tags in the
Nobel Commons located just inside the main entrance at the Dome. Students
should bring their driver’s license and a $200 check payable to TJHSST.
Transportation
Transportation information is included in the packet being mailed home
the week of August 13. It includes
morning pick up and afternoon drop off locations and times.
Safely Arriving at School
Doors open to our TJ students at 7:30a.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.
Spending
FCPS continues its online payment system called MySchoolBucks. 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 here. Emergency
communications from the school and FCPS are delivered via Blackboard to your
email.
On behalf of the amazing teachers, counselors,
support staff and administrators, I look forward to making your child’s
experience with us a rewarding and memorable one. Go Colonials!
Sincerely,
Ann N. Bonitatibus, Ed.D.
Principal
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