Message from Thoreau Administrative Team
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Dear Thoreau Community:
It is a pleasure to be at Thoreau with your students! In my two weeks here, I have noticed how respectful the students are to the faculty and other students. Students are making every effort to be responsible and to arrive on time to class. It is a delight to witness the positive environment provided by both faculty and students in the classroom and hallways.
Throughout my time in education, I have operated with the belief that in partnering with parents we can achieve a positive, safe and nurturing learning environment for our students. Let’s work together to continue to keep Thoreau the wonderful school that it is!
Sincerely,
Catherine M. Cipperly, Ed.D.
Interim Principal
Upcoming Important Dates
- Thursday, February 6th: Rising 7th grade Curriculum Night
- Monday, February 10th - Friday, February 14th: Book fair
- Tuesday, February 11th: PTA sponsored spelling bee
- Thursday, February 13th: Book fair - family night
- Friday, February 14th: No after-school activities or late buses (All students will depart at the 2:15 PM bell.)
- Monday, February 17th: Presidents' Day/ school holiday
- Tuesday, March 3rd: Student holiday/teacher workday
 Thoreau recently added a second portable art gallery located near our library. This display is titled "Portraits of Art Extensions: Grid YOUrself Out". It features the acrylic self-portrait paintings of Thoreau art students. Using the grid method of Chuck Close to transfer facial features in proportion and in a realistic fashion, students discovered color through hue, value and intensity!
Math Information Night
Do you need more information before choosing your child’s math course for the 2020-21 school year? Please join us for an informal session on Thursday, February 27th from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM in Eagle Hall. A teacher representative from each of the following courses will be there to answer questions: Math 7, Math 7 HN, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 and Algebra 1 HN. Fliers will also be available describing the Geometry HN course. There is no need to register for this event. If you have any questions prior to the event, please contact math teachers Wendy Kamen at wbkamen@fcps.edu or Lauryn Toomey at ltoomey@fcps.edu.
Spanish Language Interpreters Needed for Thoreau
The FCPS office of Language Services hires hourly employees to provide oral interpretation services for school meetings, conferences, and formal test situations. Thoreau has a need for Spanish speaking interpreters on a regular basis. The office of Language Services does the hiring for interpreters and we encourage interested candidates to reach out to language services specialist Katie Han at kjhan@fcps.edu.
Education/Skills/Experience:
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school, plus five years of progressively more responsible multi-language experience with proficiency in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, Amharic, Urdu, or other language represented in significant numbers in the FCPS school population. Experiential knowledge of the culture, customs, and governmental and school services of countries speaking that language; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing in English, as well as in one of the languages listed above.
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.
Eating Disorder Parent Letter
Eating disorders are behaviors that can lead to serious health problems. These behaviors can begin as a child and affect both girls and boys. Eating disorders are treatable when discovered early. In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring that every school system provide information to parents annually about eating disorders. This information is given to parents of students in grades five through twelve. Please see this link for the eating disorder parent letter that is full of information about what eating disorders are and tips for recognizing them.
Thoreau Geography Bee
 The annual PTA sponsored Thoreau Geography Bee was held on Wednesday, January 29th. Well done to 1st place winner Kenneth (r) and 2nd place runner-up Amir (l).
Lost and Found
Help clear out Thoreau's lost and found by reminding your child to claim their belongings. The lost and found is set-up in the cafeteria so students have access to it every day. Any items remaining after the February 17th holiday will be donated.
Standards of Learning (SOL) Writing Test
Our 8th grade students will take the Virginia Standards of LEarning (SOL) writing test from Thursday, March 5th through Wednesday, March 12th according to the schedule below. The parent letter for the writing SOL can be found here. Please note that some students will sit for these tests in alternate testing locations and will receive individual passes for these sessions. If you have any questions about SOL testing, please contact Thoreau testing coordinator Sunnie Chung at shchung@fcps.edu.
- Thursday, March 5th, 7:30 AM: Hawks and Wombats, Short Paper
- Friday, March 6th, 7:30 AM: Falcons and Turtles, Short Paper
- Tuesday, March 10th, 7:30 AM: Hawks and Wombats, Multiple Choice
- Wednesday, March 11th, 7:30 AM: Falcons and Turtles, Multiple Choice
Student Services Updates
For your planning purposes, please make note of the following upcoming registration events in preparation for the 2020-2021 school year:
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 Curriculum Night and Family Open House - Thursday, February 6th at Thoreau from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Please know that parking is expected to be tight for this event and carpooling is suggested. Assist us and follow the guidance of staff who will be outside directing traffic. Parking is also available in the back parking lot of the Church For All Nations. This is the lot further down on Amanda Place. Note: Any cars parked in the church’s front lot that borders Cedar Lane are subject to towing. Additionally, parking is allowed at the shopping center on the corner of Cedar Lane and Park Street.
See this sight for to find information about academic advising at Thoreau.
Tower Garden Technology Comes to Thoreau
Joining with schools in the Madison pyramid, Thoreau will soon welcome the arrival of Tower Garden Technology which is another tool to educate students and expose them to 21st century technology in areas of science. Thoreau, alongside community member and technology supporter Vicki McGonegal, would like to thank the Vienna Rotary Club for their continued support of this hands-on teaching tool supporting STEM and STEAM education, health, nutritional and sustainability initiatives being emphasized in classrooms. With the addition of Thoreau, the Vienna Rotary is reaching 5,635 students through the Tower Garden in the classroom project.
 Assistant Principal Buck Condill accepts a check from the Vienna Rotary Club for the purchase of Tower Garden Technology. Community member Vicki McGonegal(center) spearheaded the arrival of the garden for Thoreau and science teacher Amie Oehm(right), along with her students will manage the garden.
Photography Workshop
 |
|
Mr. Nils Granholm, an accomplished photographer, will be sharing tips on how to take highly effective photographs during a workshop held at Thoreau on Thursday, February 20th beginning at 2:20 PM. Any Thoreau students who are photography enthusiasts are welcome to attend. Registration is required and can be be done by scanning this QR code or at this link for any student logged into their FCPS Google account. |
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, February 14th
- Friday, April 3rd
- Friday, May 22nd
Crosstown Hoops
Our annual Crosstown Hoops basketball event versus Kilmer MS will take place on Friday, April 17th, from 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM at Madison HS.
Tryouts will happen as follows:
- Monday, February 24th: 7th grade only
- Wednesday, February 26th: 8th grade only
Tryouts will run the first two after-school sessions from 2:25 PM - 4:05 PM. Boys will tryout in Gym 2 and girls will tryout in Gym 1.
Team Rosters: The teams will be announced on Thursday, February 27th with rosters posted outside of Gym 2 at Eagle Time.
Practices: Practices begin the week of Monday, March 2nd and will run for the first two after-school sessions from 2:25 PM - 4: 05 PM. The girls team will practice in Gym 1 only on Mondays and the boys team will practice in Gym 2 only on Thursdays. Students should talk with their coaches about any missed practices.
Questions should be directed to after-school specialist Colleen Taylor at cmtaylor1@fcps.edu.
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.
Thoreau Yearbook News
2019-2020 Thoreau Yearbook
This year's yearbook is a collection of Thoreau student memories that will be cherished 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.
Service Hour Volunteer Opportunity
The Vienna ES PTA is preparing for their annual BINGO night on Friday, February 21st from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM at Vienna ES. Thoreau students who need service hours can contact Vienna ES parent Tom McKee to work the event. Mr. McKee can be contacted at tmckee@gmail.com. See this flyer for details.
My School Bucks (MSB) Update
MSB is up and running for class fees and school store purchases. Please visit My School Bucks.
 Thank you to the PTA and Thoreau community for providing the staff with the annual "Souper Bowl" soup and salad luncheon on Thursday, January 30th! We were "Souper" thrilled!
PTA News and Announcements
B-E-E Spells Fun!
The Thoreau Spelling Bee will take place next Tuesday, February 11th at 6:30 PM in Eagle Hall. All 7th and 8th graders are encouraged to participate in this fun challenge, but must register by tomorrow, Friday, February 7th. Not many middle schools offer a Spelling Bee program, so all families are invited to come out to support our brave students and watch them display their love of literacy and language!
Dining for Dollars at Tequila Grande
Join in raising funds to support our school simply by eating out and inviting family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Our next Dining for Dollars spirit event is on Wednesday, February 12th at Tequila Grande (444 Maple Avenue W, Vienna). Enjoy a dine-in or carryout meal between 4 PM - 9 PM and place your receipt in the box at the cash register to be counted.
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.
 Thoreau art teacher Lori Eshbaugh's art extension and sculpture students were tasked to create a One point perspective design. Sculpture students then interpreted the designs and did the tape installations throughout the school.
Original sketch created by Melissa
Installation artists: Anika, Chloe, Sophia, Eric and Ryan
|
