Thoreau Matters
March 18, 2022
Upcoming events
March 31 - End of Third Quarter - 2-hour Early Release
April 1 - Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
April 4-8 - Holiday (Spring Break)
Thoreau After-School Program
NEW CLUB ALERT! Among Us Club! Meets every Monday, 2nd session in room A123!
THOREAU WEEKLY AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS SCHEDULE:
 QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?
Email Ms. Colleen Taylor at cmtaylor1@fcps.edu or call 703.846.8089.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Spring Window
As previously shared, FCPS is using the SEL Screener to identify social-emotional learning needs to inform student supports. Information about your student’s fall screener was recently mailed to families. Thoreau Middle School plans to have students take the spring SEL Screener in advisory (third period) on Wednesday, April 27th with a makeup date of Friday, April 29th. Additional information can be found on the SEL Screener webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43892).
If you do not want your student to take part in the SEL screener, please email our school test coordinator, Erin Lynch (emlynch@fcps.edu). If you opted your student out in the fall, you do not need to submit this request again.
Topic: Special Education Conference
Families, teachers, and staff may be interested in the following information:
Registration Open for 2022 Special Education Conference
Join us for the 2022 Special Education Conference, Bringing our Inclusive Community Together: Affirming, Assessing, Advancing, held virtually on Saturday, March 26. Welcoming ceremonies, guest speakers, FCPS presentations, and an exhibit hall are included. Registration for this free conference is now available online.
Speakers include:
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Dr. Lisa Cullins, A Conversation About Compassion Fatigue.
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Marlo Keller, Exceptional Family Member Program Pathways: Navigating the Halls of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) School Move.
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Ann Dolin, Less Policing, More Parenting: How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments.
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Dr. Lisa Bateman, Reducing the Stigma Around Mental Health Challenges and How to Support Children in Asking for Help.
Visit the Special Education Conference webpage for more information and to register.
 VIP Summer Camp applications/registration forms will be posted the week before Spring Break on Thoreau’s schoology page as well as the school website
2021-2022 Family Engagement Survey
Last weekend you should have received an email from Fairfax County Public Schools via K12 Insight regarding FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey. Your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve our practices to best support our students. Taking this survey will also help strengthen the partnership between your family and your school. When that partnership is strong, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, and better social skills and behavior. The survey will be open from March 13th to April 3rd and it is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Chinese, Urdu, Farsi, and Amharic. Paper copies are available in our front office if you would prefer to fill it out using this format.
Please visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information and look for the survey in your inbox.
Spring SOL Testing Calendar
The spring SOL testing calendar can be found below. Details about testing days and possible changes to the bell schedule will be communicated regularly to students ahead of the testing window. It is important that students are in school on-time on these testing days. Please avoid scheduling appointments during this time.
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Science 8 SOL
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Thursday, May 5th
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Reading 7 SOL
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Monday, May 9th
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Reading 8 SOL
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Tuesday, May 10th
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Math 7, Math 7H & Geometry SOL
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Thursday, May 12th
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Pre-Algebra, Algebra, & Algebra II SOL
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Friday, May 13th
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Retakes (If Eligible)
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Tuesday, May 24th - Friday, May 27th
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A few items to note related to testing:
- If a student is absent on their testing day, makeup tests can occur throughout the testing window.
- Once all tests are complete, there is a retake window for any student whose first attempt score is in the 375-399 range. Parents must provide permission for the student to retake the test.
- Local alternative assessments have been approved by the state of Virginia in Grade 7 History, Grade 8 Writing & Grade 8 Civics & Economics. Teachers will be using an alternative assessment in those classes in lieu of an SOL test. Those assessments occur within the classroom setting throughout the second semester.
If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Thoreau’s school test coordinator, Erin Lynch (703.846.8058 or emlynch@fcps.edu).
Donation Drive for Ukraine
Please support our Donation Drive to Benefit the Ukrainian People. Our Peer Helping Class is organizing our next Community Service Drive to collect donations for the people of Ukraine. All Donations will be brought to a St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Cathedral in Washington, DC to be donated directly to people of Ukraine.
Students can bring in the following items to their Science class:
- Medical Supplies – Band-Aids, Neosporin
- Nonperishable Foods – Meat cans, Dry Soups, Coffee, Energy Bars
- Personal Hygiene – Deodorant, Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Feminine Products
After School Mindfulness/Yoga Program
Our School Counseling Team is partnering with Body Grace Yoga Studios for an after school mindfulness/yoga series. Class will be held after school on Mondays during 1st Session (2:20 to 3:20 pm). Spots are still available. If your son/daughter is interested in participating, please have them reach out to Jill Gallagher (jhgallagher@fcps.edu) or Kerrie Turner (kjturner@fcps.edu)
Monday, March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day
We are asking all students to rock their craziest, most colorful socks on Monday, March 21st! The #LotsOfSocks campaign exists to raise awareness for individuals with Down Syndrome. The idea was created because chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome. So join us by rocking your craziest socks.
Don't forget to order your Yearbook!
 Olvido ordenar el Anuario (yearbook)? No es muy tarde! Ordénelo hoy en myschoolbucks.com. $45.
OHS Dance Team 2022-23 Tryout Information Meeting
If you are interested in trying out for the Oakton High School Dance Team for the 2022-23 season, there will be a virtual informational meeting Wednesday, March 30 at 7:00pm (sign up to receive the Google Meet link here). Coach Rowley will give out tryout information and answer questions about what a year on dance team is like and the tryout process.
OHS Dance Team Spring Prep Clinic
If you love to dance and are interested in trying out for the Oakton High School Dance team for the 2022-23 school year or the year after, the Dance Team is holding a Prep Clinic March 28-30 at Oakton HS, open to students in grades 7-11! The clinic will teach a variety of skills and choreography that will be helpful for preparing for tryouts. If you are interested in participating in the Dance Team Prep Clinic, complete the Spring Prep Clinic Interest Form to receive the registration form and information. If you have questions, please reach out to Coach Rowley at kmrowley@fcps.edu.
OHS Dance Team 2022-23 Tryouts
If you love to dance and want to be involved in your school, come tryout for the Oakton High School Dance Team! Tryouts will be held April 11-13 and April 19-22, 2022 for the 2022-23 team selection. Not sure if you have all of the skills for dance team?? Come to tryouts anyway! You will have the opportunity to learn skills there, and dancers are often selected based on potential ability to pick up the needed skills! You can register for tryouts with this Tryout Registration link. Check out the Dance Team website for more information about the team and what to prepare for tryouts. Contact Coach Rowley at kmrowley@fcps.edu with questions.
Attention Parents! We are in need of parent readers! If you are willing to read a book and write a short summary/review for us, please use this link to sign up for a book on our list. The summary/review is submitted using a google form that is linked to the sign up. Thanks in advance!
Bus Delay Notification System
Stay up-to-date on school bus arrivals with FCPS' bus delay notification system. This system provides parents with timely notification of late bus route information. Parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the FCPS Mobile App to receive the delayed bus report. Morning route information will be available until noon. Afternoon bus route information will be available from 1 to 7 p.m.
Need assistance or have questions? Contact the Transportation office listed for your school. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
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Staff Recognition
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story below, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.
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