Message from Mr. Azimi
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Dear Thoreau Community:
My purpose in writing this message is to ensure that our parents know about SIS Parent Accounts. SIS stands for Student Information System and it is FCPS’ secure solution for a parent to access all sorts of information about his/her child’s grades, attendance, etc. One of the benefits of having a SIS Parent Account (the mobile version is called SIS ParentVUE) is the ability to receive electronic weekly progress reports. The progress reports will provide a summary of grades at that moment in time. A parent that has registered for a SIS Parent Account, and has a child in grades 7-12, will receive these progress reports. Any parent who has more than one child in middle and/or high school will have all of their children’s information in one email so as not to be inundated with multiple messages. (FCPS elementary schools do not use the SIS gradebook so they will not be included in these reports.) Located in each parent account is a tab called “My Account.” Parents have the option within this tab to choose which day of the week they wish to receive the progress report emails. They also have the capability to opt-out of the service entirely or designate a threshold for notification. For example, a parent can request an email only when his/her child’s grade drops below 75%. Parents can always seek additional information by logging into their SIS Parent Accounts. If even further clarification is required, parents should contact the appropriate classroom teacher. Any Thoreau parent who needs help with his/her SIS Parent Account should call the Thoreau front office at 703-846-8000 so that our staff can provide assistance.
Sincerely,
Yusef Azimi
Upcoming Important Dates
- Monday, October 14th: Student holiday
- Tuesday, October 29th - Wednesday, October 30th: Fall Pictures
 7th grade students practice cooperation and teamwork while engaging in Ultimate Frisbee in Travis Warren and Devon Dowell's health & PE classes.
Thomas Jefferson HS Science and Technology (TJHSST)
There will be an information session for families interested in learning about the application process for TJHSST on Thursday, September 20th, at 2:45 PM in Eagle Hall at Thoreau. The application window for TJHSST is open now and will close on Friday, September 27th at 4:00 PM. The entrance test day is Saturday, November 9th.
The link to the application can be found here.
Additional information can be found here and here.
8th Grade Wellness Screening
As originally communicated in our summer back-to-school packet, Thoreau Student Services will be conduct its annual 8th grade wellness screening on Tuesday, October 15th and Wednesday, October 16th. The screening will take place through 8th grade health & PE classes.
In order to ensure that this is a meaningful learning opportunity for our students, we must closely partner with our parent community. To that end, we would like to share how to access an informational parent/guardian portal which is supported and maintained by a nationally recognized organization, MindWise Innovations. This portal will allow you an opportunity to review the materials and topics we will cover in our screening, and will connect you with resources and educational materials related to adolescent mental health issues.
This information is available to all Thoreau parents. Please know that if you have opted your 8th grader out of the wellness screening, we will ensure he/she has plans for an alternate location on our screening dates. Regardless of participation, we remain committed to the well-being of your child and consider this to be valuable information for you to have access to in the comfort of your own home.
Parent login information can be found here.
Username: thoreau-par
Password: thoreauSOS
If you have any questions, please contact Thoreau director of student services Rebecca Aguilar at 703-846-8012 or rjaguilar1@fcps.edu.
Family Life Education (FLE) Preview Night
There will be an FLE preview night on Thursday, November 14th from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM prior to the PTA 7th grade dinner. More information about the event will follow in future editions of Thoreau Matters.
Prior to the November 14th meeting, parents/guardians need to have their ParentVue account activated in order to login and review the materials on Blackboard. Refer to this link to find registration information about creating an account.
Fall Pictures
Mark your calendars! Fall pictures will be taken on Tuesday, October 29th and Wednesday, October 30th during health & PE classes. Details will follow in future editions of Thoreau Matters.
Academic Integrity Lesson
During the month of September, Thoreau English teachers and administrators will deliver a presentation on plagiarism and academic integrity. Students will bring home a document that details the following:
- Thoreau Honor Code
- Honor Pledge
- Definitions of Terminology
- Consequences and Restoration
There will also be a section for the parent/guardian to sign and return to school with their child. Watch for the form to come home by the end of September when your child will have participated in the lesson and acknowled the pledge.
My School Bucks (MSB) Update
MSB is up and running for class fees and school store purchases. Please visit My School Bucks.
 7th grade students Noah and TJ work on robot coding in Paul Gentille's technology education class.
2019-2020 Thoreau Yearbook
Lifetime memories are captured in the Thoreau yearbook. Consider buying a yearbook now at the current price of $35.00 as the price will increase soon.
Questions? Please contact Thoreau yearbook sponsor Ms. Galeet BenZion at gbenzion@fcps.edu.
PTA News and Announcements
Coffee and Conversation
The Thoreau PTA invites you to join us for "Coffee and Conversation" about special education on Thursday, October 10th, at 9:30 AM in Eagle Hall. All are welcome to this casual gathering to learn more about special education resources at Thoreau and in the community. Thoreau special education department chair Cary Seago will be with us to answer questions.
Thoreau School Store
The Thoreau school store is now open every Friday from 10:30 AM - 12:45 PM in the cafeteria. Students may shop during their lunch period for school supplies, Mentos, Tic Tacs and new this year, fun pens, locker magnets, scrunchies, Life Savers, and mini-notebooks. Volunteers are needed to staff the store. This helps the PTA raise money for school needs and provides parents a chance to see what middle school life is really like! To volunteer, please sign-up here.
Help the PTA
Please join the PTA and consider making a donation to our no-fuss fundraiser.
Other easy ways you can earn money for Thoreau are:
- register your Harris Teeter VIC card with school code 3258
- designate Thoreau for your Amazon Smile charity
- keep collecting and sending in Box Top
Thoreau Food Program
In partnership with the PTA, Thoreau Student Services will be packaging and sending home weekend food bags for families in need. We are looking for donations of non-perishable food items as identified on this Amazon shopping list. For your convenience, these items may be ordered from Amazon and delivered directly to the school. Donations may also be purchased and dropped off in the Thoreau front office to the attention of Director of Student Services Rebecca Aguilar. Gift cards are also greatly appreciated.
Please help us welcome new staff to Thoreau for the
2019-2020 school year!
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Ms. Karen Alexander-Romeo, Learning Disabilities Teacher |
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Ms. Loretta Arcangeli, General Science Teacher |
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Ms. Erin Bryant, English Teacher |
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Mr. David Cho, Band Teacher |
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Ms. Colleen Compton, Social Studies Teacher |
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Ms. Alison Conley-Baldwin, Instructional Assistant |
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Ms. Devon Dowell, Health and PE Teacher |
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Ms. Natalie Edwards, Math Teacher |
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Mr. TJ Ehrsam, Instructional Assistant |
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Ms. Shannon Evans, French Teacher |
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Ms. Natalie Finn, Librarian |
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Ms. Jill Gallagher, School Counselor |
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Ms. Maria Garcia, Spanish Teacher |
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Mr. Paul Gentille, Technology Education Teacher |
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Ms. Shawn Griffin, English Teacher |
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Ms. Laura Hall, School Psychologist |
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Mr. Andrew Joseph, English Teacher |
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Ms. Leah King, Math Teacher |
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Mr. Zachary Krotman, Multiple Disabilities Teacher |
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Ms. Erin Lynch, Dean of Students |
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Ms. Susannah McClanahan, Instructional Assistant |
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Ms. Shannon Riva, English Teacher |
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Ms. Rachel Rumberger, Art Teacher |
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Ms. Shannon Sachs, Learning Disabilities Teacher |
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Ms. Rebecca Safeer, Learning Disabilities Teacher |
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Ms. Cary Seago, Special Education Department Chair |
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Ms. Elizabeth Teague, Instructional Assistant |
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Mr. Abe Uygur, Technology Education Teacher |
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Mr. Aaron Valenzuela, Instructional Assistant |
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Ms. Fardousa Wardere, Biology Teacher |
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Ms. Kelsey Wheaton, Multiple Disabilities Teacher |
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