Dear TJHSST Families,
Happy July! I hope everyone is enjoying some well-deserved R&R. The new school year will be here before you know it, and I wanted to take a quick moment to share a few updates with you.
The Class of 2025 and the Class of 2024, students and families, are being invited to TJ for a Scavenger Hunt Building Tour on Tuesday, July 27, or Tuesday, August 3, from 11:00-6:30 pm. The purpose of this event is to have a fun and inviting way to get families and students on campus who have not yet had the opportunity. A more traditional Class of 2025 orientation will be held the week of August 16 and we are planning dates for Back to School Nights. Stay tuned.
We are currently finishing up our staffing hires. Once complete we will be able to finalize our master schedule and reach out to families with their individual scheduling information. In the section below I’d like to introduce you to some of our new staff members for the 2021-22 school year. I am really excited for all that they will bring to the TJ family!
Finally, I just wanted to make sure you were aware that as of right now FCPS’ current regulations require all people to wear a mask inside its buildings when students are present. That is regardless of vaccination status. We are still waiting for further guidance from the Commonwealth of Virginia and FCPS as to whether that will change once we enter the school year. I look forward to seeing you all soon!
We ask that you save the dates below as we have tentatively scheduled our Class of 2025 Orientation and our Back to School Night for grades 9-12.
Class of 2025 Orientation - Thursday, Aug. 19 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Back to School Night for Grades 9 and 12 - Wednesday, Sept. 1 in evening (time TBD)
Back to School Night for Grades 10 and 11 - Wednesday, Sept. 15 in evening (time TBD)
Here are some of the new staff joining TJ for the 2021-22 School Year!
Art - Ms. Jayne Matricardi comes to us from Woodson HS.
Biology - Ms. Jennie Lee comes to us from Justice HS.
Japanese - Ms. Fumiko Kuriki comes to us from the U.S. Navy where she worked in translation services. Prior to her service, she taught Japanese at High Point HS for six years.
Math/CS - Dr. Abdel Hady Ebrahim comes to us from South County HS.
Math/CS - Ms. Jean Marie Stewart comes to us from Chantilly HS.
Math/CS - Dr. Selma Yilmaz worked this past spring as a math teacher in Virginia Beach City Schools. Prior to that she worked at CISCO systems, assisted in various graduate programs, and worked for the Department of Mechanical Engineering in her native country of Turkey.
Mentorship - Mr. Armond Bass fills the role Fred Lampazzi had as mentorship coordinator. Mr. Bass comes to us from Chantilly HS where he taught mathematics.
Spanish - Ms. Rocío Rayas Abundis is coming home. The former TJ teacher returns after teaching at Langley HS.
Special Education - Mr. Charles (Chuck) Lord comes to us from Lake Braddock SS.
Social Studies - Ms. Elizabeth Evans comes to us from Lewis HS during which time she assisted with SBTS duties at Key MS.
Social Studies - Mr. David Anderson is a new hire and recent graduate from the University of Maryland.
We also have a pair of new administrators joining TJ for the 2021-22 school year. For the first time we will have an Associate Principal as Dr. Ana Cingel joins us from Lake Braddock Secondary School. We also have a new Assistant Principal, Ms. Chrystal Benson, comes to TJ from Charles County (MD). Here is a little more biographical information on each of them.
Dr. Ana Cingel will join the TJ family on August 4 as our new Associate Principal. Dr. Cingel most recently served as Assistant Principal of Administrative Services at Lake Braddock Secondary School where she was instrumental in collaborating with all stakeholders on the Shared Visioning process and student and teacher voice. She has also served as an Assistant Principal and Secondary Science Coordinator in Virginia Beach and has taught Chemistry and Biology in Virginia, North Carolina, and Colorado. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in mathematics, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Doctor of Education from The George Washington University. In 2017, Dr. Cingel was one of 46 international educators recognized as an Emerging Leader by VASCD. She also serves on several ASCD and VASCD committees. Dr. Cingel believes in empowering students and teachers to use education as a lever to transform lives that lead to lifelong learning. She is passionate about ensuring all students have access and opportunity to rigorous instruction and real world learning experiences.
|
Ms. Chrystal Benson will join the Administrative Team as TJ's newest Assistant Principal this month, filling the vacancy left by Laura Fitzgerald's departure. Ms. Benson comes to us from Charles County (MD). She began her career as a high school mathematics teacher on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and has a wealth of experience serving students in various capacities including assistant principal and principal. Most recently she served as the Director of Student Engagement and Conduct for Charles County schools. Ms. Benson also has been an adjunct professor at Trinity (Washington) University’s graduate program in education. Her accolades include Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Student Councils, Vice Principal of the Year in Charles County, and Maryland Chair Award for Excellence in Minority Achievement. Ms. Benson is known for being a student-centered leader with a proven ability to build community, increase student achievement, develop programs that address academic and social needs of students, and facilitate professional development aligned with school district goals. She says she cannot overstate her dedication, passion, and vision that she has for educating students.
|
Aug. 9: New teachers and staff report to TJ.
Aug. 16: All teachers report to TJ.
Aug. 23: First day of the 2021-22 school year.
Sept. 3-6: Labor Day Holiday. No school on Friday, Sept. 3 or Monday, Sept. 6.
Sept. 20-24: TJ's annual homecoming week.
Oct. 11: No school, teacher planning day.
|
