TJHSST Back to School News

Welcome Back

Back to School Night: Sep. 16

We have had a truly outstanding virtual start to the 2020-2021 school year!  Many thanks to all our parents, students, teachers, and staff for contributing to such a smooth launch.

We're looking forward to welcoming all of our parents and families to our upcoming VIRTUAL Back to School Night (BTSN).

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Time:  5:30-8:30 p.m.

Who: All parents of all currently enrolled students.

Mode: Informational videos to view in advance with all teacher sessions live that evening!

You may access BTSN information on our web page. You will find the bell schedule and a variety of other helpful resources for the evening. We will update this site frequently over the next several days with additional information as it is finalized.

IMPORTANT: On Monday night, September 14,we will email the enrolling parent/guardian a copy of their child’s schedule that will also include the various Blackboard Collaborate Ultra links for parents to access their child’s teachers for Back to School Night. We ask that the enrolling parent/guardian share this message with any additional parent/guardian of their child who wishes to participate in the Back to School Night event.

Parents who have questions about Family Life Education (FLE) materials are asked to contact their child’s PE or Social Studies teacher with specific questions about the FLE curriculum or content that will be covered at any time. If parents wish to review any of the FLE materials parents should please contact the school to learn how they can access the materials for review.


TJHSST Admissions Town Halls Message from the Principal

Dear TJ Families:

Our school is heralded as an outstanding academic setting where talented students with a STEM passion thrive. We are a wonderfully diverse school representing many heritages, cultures and beliefs.

We also acknowledge the FCPS admissions process for TJ yields disparities in representative demographics from FCPS and our sending jurisdictions. The time is right for our broader community to explore transformational measures that result in a more representative student body. While most would agree TJ could be more demographically representative of our local school districts, how we get there can be a point of divergence.

Most recently, the Virginia budget bill for the new biennium requires Academic Year Governor’s Schools to submit a report this October to the Governor’s office. The report must summarize goals and additional information regarding diversity, including current practices for recruitment, screening, and selection. Because TJ itself does not have responsibility for the admissions processes, FCPS leadership and the Admissions Office are preparing the report. Additionally, as recently as 2017, the TJ Governor’s School accreditation report recommends adjustments to the TJ admissions process.

In order to engage the community, various individuals or groups are arranging a series of meetings and town halls relative to Governor’s Schools in general or TJ specifically:

  • Who: FCPS School Board Work Session
  • Date: September 15, 2020
  • Time: 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
  • Topic: TJ Admissions Review
  • https://www.fcps.edu/tv/ch99

 

 

 

 

  • Who: Dr. Brabrand
  • Date: September 23, 2020 (tentative)
  • Time: TBD (evening)
  • Topic: TJ Admissions
  • Link:   TBD

 

The topic of TJ admissions tends to bring out diverse views and strong opinions. While our school will stay abreast of the big ideas, we will remain focused on delivering the best education possible for our students.

Feel free to tune in to, or participate in, public forums to the degree you feel comfortable. In our school setting, we will avoid politicizing TJ.  We welcome all students, we recognize our demographics do not represent FCPS and Northern VA, and no matter the outcome of TJ admissions decisions, we will continue to deliver a high-quality program that meets the needs of all students who enter our doors.

We are a dedicated and talented team of professionals who keep students at the center of all we do. TJ is a place where students find family, and when they leave us, TJ students change the world for the better because of the support and influence from our teachers, staff, parents, and community. 

I am excited to continue to lead our school and partner with you as Virginia and FCPS education leaders evaluate TJHSST admissions processes.

Sincerely,

Ann N. Bonitatibus, Ed.D.

Principal

 


Happy Teachers and Administrators!

Admin Jump

 

TJ administrators jump for joy with a successful first week of school! 

View the administrative team's introduction and welcome back video here.

View Dr. Bonitatibus' first day opening message here.

 


Schmitt

 

Mathematics Teacher Ms. Schmitt took a cue from colleague Ms. Razzino to create a virtual classroom complete with an avatar. Students can click on items in the classroom to learn more about their teacher. TJ teachers love making connections with their students!

 

Are you missing the inside of TJ? Watch Health/Physical Education teacher Dave Arthur give a welcome back tour!  

 


Dome 2020

 

Each year we roll out the red carpet to welcome students back. We kept the tradition with the addition of laptops to signify our virtual start!


Beginning of the Year Forms