Message from Thoreau Administrative Team
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Dear Thoreau Community:
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for your care, support and partnership working together with the staff for the well-being and education of our students/your children. This is a perfect time for all students to self-assess how their school year is going and make needed changes going forward. The second semester begins on Wednesday, January 29th. As such, we would encourage you to take the opportunity to celebrate any personal achievements your child has made and set any necessary goals moving forward. If you need any support or information regarding your child at school, please reach out to your child's counselor or his/her teachers. We hope to have a wonderful second semester at Thoreau.
Sincerely,
Thoreau Administrative Team
Upcoming Important Dates
- Friday, January 24th: Second quarter ends
- Friday, January 24th: No after-school activities or late buses
- Monday, January 27th - Tuesday, January 28th: Student holidays
- Tuesday, March 3rd: Student holiday
 Before winter break, the Turtle team collected toys for a holiday toy drive. This benefited children who had to spend the holidays at Loudoun Hospital Pediatrics. Well done, Turtle team!
Second Semester Schedule Distribution
All students will receive a hard copy of their 2nd semester schedule on Wednesday, January 29th. Students will report to their orientation rooms at 7:30 AM for schedule distribution. Orientation rooms are posted on our website and are in the same location as they were on the first day of school. Please assist your student in identifying his/her orientation room location before arriving to school on Wednesday, January 29th.
Thoreau Tardy Policy - Let's Encourage On-Time Behavior!
As we approach the end of the quarter, we want to share a reminder about the importance of students arriving to school and all classes on time. It is important that students practice this important skill and arrive on time to avoid disruption or distraction of classroom instruction. If you have questions about your child's attendance or tardy numbers you can find this information in ParentVue.
Thoreau's Annual Book Fair
The annual book fair is coming and we need your help to make it a success! The book fair will be open to students from Monday, February 10th - Friday, February 14th. Family night is Thursday, February 13th from 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM. There are several volunteer opportunities as follows:
- Friday, February 7th: Book fair set-up
- Thursday, February 13th: Cashier
- Friday, February 14th: Book fair take-down
Please sign-up here if you can help out. Even if you can't volunteer plan to come on family night and shop the book fair.
French Department News
Thoreau's French department is planning the annual trip to France in late June of 2020. This year's adventure will include a three day stay in Paris, and travel to Normandy and Brittany to include some of the most historic and beautiful sights in France. The trip will be a total of nine days. Email Madame Locke at nelocke@fcps.edu with any questions.
Student Services Updates
For your planning purposes, please make note of the following registration events in preparation for the 2020-2021 school year:
Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising and Course Registration Information - Please see individual school sites for additional details.
Oakton HS and Madison HS Curriculum nights already occurred. Contact Oakton HS or Madison HS for details.
Marshall HS Curriculum Night - Wednesday, February 5th at Marshall HS
In addition to these high school sponsored events, high school counselors from Madison, Marshall and Oakton high schools came to Thoreau and met with students in January. Students will bring home course selection sheets and will meet with Thoreau counselors to discuss course registrations during the months of January and February.
Rising 8th Grade Academic Advising and Course Registration Information
Thoreau counselors will conduct course presentations in mid-February and will continue to work with students and families through mid-March to complete this process.
Rising 7th Grade Academic Advising and Course Registration Information
Thoreau Activities Fair for Rising 7th grade students - Tuesday, February 4th and Wednesday, February 5th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Students are transported to Thoreau from feeder elementary schools for this event.
Thoreau Curriculum Night and Family Open House - Thursday, February 6th at Thoreau from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Theatre Department News
Due to inclement weather on Saturday, January 18th, FCPS cancelled all scheduled activities. The matinee and evening performances of Thoreau's theatre production, "Singin' in the Rain" scheduled for that date have been rescheduled for this Saturday, January 25th. Advance purchased tickets for the 3:00 PM matinee and the 7:00 PM evening performances will be honored. You can also still purchase tickets here for Saturday's performances. Bring family and friends to enjoy our talented students' hard work!
 Congratulations to Thoreau theatre department for the recent production of Singin' in the Rain which was a huge success!
Thoreau Yearbook News
2019-2020 Thoreau Yearbook
This year's yearbook is a collection of Thoreau student memories you will cherish for years to come. It will include hundreds of pictures of activities and school events. Over 400 yearbooks have been sold which brings our remaining inventory to 50%. Thank you to all who have purchased a yearbook. We hope the magnet distributed to yearbook purchasers will serve as a helpful reminder.
If you would like to donate the purchase of a yearbook, please send cash or a check payable to Thoreau MS along with a note indicating "yearbook donation" to Ms. BenZion/yearbook. Donations are appreciated. Thank you in advance for supporting our students.
- A generic version of the yearbook can be purchased for $40.00 at MySchoolBucks.com. Please note that the price will increase to $45.00 on March 1st.
- An upgraded version can be purchased for an additional cost at yearbookforever.com. This site will show the customized prices and options.
My School Bucks (MSB) Update
MSB is up and running for class fees and school store purchases. Please visit My School Bucks.
After-School Programs and Late Buses
After-school programs and buses are underway. After-school information will always be communicated via our website, the TMS after-school Google site, the PTA newsletter, Eagle News (our morning news show), and will be published in future issues of Thoreau Matters.
For planning purposes, the last day of after-school activities is Thursday, May 28th. The after-school program will not meet on student holidays, or during inclement weather cancellations. In addition, there will be no after-school activities or buses on the following dates:
- Friday, January 24th
- Friday, February 14th
- Friday, April 3rd
- Friday, May 22nd
Capital One Coders
The Thoreau after-school program is partnering with Capital One again this spring to bring an exciting enrichment opportunity to our students. The initiative is a ten week program designed to teach middle school-aged students introductory software development skills in a fun and engaging environment. Most excitingly, students create working mobile apps that they can share with friends and family! Due to the popularity of this program and limited spaces, a lottery system will be used to determine the students who will participate. See this link for details and how to complete the application process.
Questions should be directed to Thoreau coding and stem teacher, Holly Bolanos, at hebolanos@fcps.edu.
PTA News and Announcements
"Souper Bowl" Luncheon
The hospitality committee is kicking off the new year with a "Souper Bowl" luncheon for our wonderful teachers and staff on Thursday, January 30th. Families can help show our appreciation to all school employees with a super-healthy soup and salad bar meal. If you can donate food or time to support this event, please sign-up here.
Spelling Bee Registration Now Open
All students are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Thoreau Spelling Bee hosted by the PTA on Tuesday, February 11th at 6:30 PM in Eagle Hall. Students must register in advance to participate in this fun challenge for their minds! Paper entry forms are available in the school office or you can sign-up here by Friday, February 7th.
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
Andrea Kramer, Thoreau PTA President
president@thoreaupta.org
2019-20 PTA Board Members
Andrea Kramer, President
Irina Smirnoff, Vice President
Amy Vernon, Treasurer
Wendy Pearson, Secretary
Thoreau Food Program
Thoreau is piloting the first middle school program with Food for Others this year. Food for Others is an organization that provides schools with weekly "Power Packs." These packs include nonperishable food items for school-aged children in need. Families who would like to contribute can do so directly with Food for Others.
 Speech and Drama teacher Virginia Cunningham is caught in a photo with some of her students. Everyone is happy with the success of the winter musical.
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