Thoreau Matters
May 13, 2022
Dear Thoreau Families,
FCPS has seen a recent increase in COVID-19 cases and outbreaks and we understand families and staff have concerns and questions. Our commitment is to provide students with the education and support to help them succeed while maintaining a safe environment for in-person learning. Our layered prevention strategies have served us well throughout this school year, and are fully supported by the U.S. Department of Education and Northern Virginia Health Departments. Vaccinations are available for school-age children five and up and are proven to reduce the severity of illness. Everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated or boosted.
Currently, masks are optional for all students, staff, and visitors. We encourage families and staff to consider wearing a mask when reports of COVID cases are high or if they or a family member is at high risk. CDC advises individuals to wear a mask when there is a lot of COVID in your community. See a full list of masking recommendations on the CDC website.
One of the most important things we can all do is check for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. Parents and guardians are advised to keep their students’ home if sick and get them tested to stop further spread from occurring.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy so all our students have the opportunity for engaging in-person learning.
Sincerely,
Teresa Khuluki
Principal
On Tuesday, May 17, all Thoreau students will have the opportunity to listen and virtually engage with WWII Survivor, Mr. Sam Ponczak, who will speak during our 3rd period Advisory and Eagle Time. Mr. Ponczak will be sharing his experiences growing up during Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia’s invasion of his home country, Poland. To learn more about Mr. Ponczak, his biography is available here. Questions? Contact Jillian Rouse, Kerrie Turner or Jill Gallagher.
THOREAU WEEKLY AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS SCHEDULE:
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?
Email Ms. Colleen Taylor at cmtaylor1@fcps.edu or call 703.846.8089.
We will be completing all SOL makeup sessions starting on Monday, May 16th. If your student was absent on their SOL test day, they should plan to take their test beginning on Monday. Students will be notified by their teacher each morning what time makeup testing will begin.
If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Thoreau’s school test coordinator, Erin Lynch (703.846.8058 or emlynch@fcps.edu).
Thoreau Middle School is now registering students for the IMAGINE summer program!
This FREE AND FUN summer experience provides opportunities for students to enhance their math and literacy skills through developing the FCPS Portrait of a Graduate attributes as an effective communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed, resilient and global & ethical citizen.
IMAGINE provides grade 7-8 students the opportunity to strengthen core Mathematics and English Language Arts skills by focusing on essential standards that will prepare students for success at the start of next school year.
Dates: July 11th - July 29th Hours: 7:20 am - 11:20 am
Bus transportation will be provided.
Space is limited. Register early to reserve a spot!
To register for the program, please complete and return the Commitment Form and Student Information Form to your student's current school office no later than June 1st, 2022. You will be notified if your student has been registered or placed on a waitlist.
Questions? Contact:
Site Director: Greg Luongo
Email Address: gluongo@fcps.edu
School Office Phone: 703-846-8000
Student laptop collection will begin Monday, June 8. In preparation, please make sure your FCPSON laptops and chargers are clean. Remove any personal stickers and the residue they leave behind. Please turn in the FCPSON issued charger with your laptop (it has TMS FCPSON written on it; see pictures below). Wrap your power adapters neatly and plug them into your laptops. If you are missing your FCPSON issued power adapter, replacements may be purchased via MySchoolBucks. If students are attending a summer program, they will keep their laptop and turn in the device to TMS when it is over. Students keep the laptop sleeves as these will be used next year.
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If your child will NOT be attending Thoreau or his/her base high school next year, please complete the Intention Form linked below and return it to kmmacoto@fcps.edu to let us know where your child will be enrolled. If your child is going to Thoreau or his/her base high school, you don’t need to complete this form. If you find out later you will be moving, please contact us so we can update our database. https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/it110.pdf
7th grader Vicky Keller (bottom right) was part of an Odyssey of the Mind team that won 1st place in their division at the Virginia State competition and will compete at World Finals being held at Iowa State University May 25th-28th!
Application & Registration Form: https://forms.gle/TNLuBW7SCcEr2iwQ9
Olvido ordenar el Anuario (yearbook)? No es muy tarde! Ordénelo hoy en myschoolbucks.com. $45.
PTA Meeting
Join us for our final PTA meeting of the year, held virtually, on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will cover important updates from the Admin team, upcoming PTA events, and a call for PTA leaders for the coming 2022-23 school year.
In particular, the PTA cannot operate without a President, who is supported by the other officers to lead meetings, communicate with school staff and families, and coordinate volunteers in organizing activities. Please consider stepping up! For questions or to express interest, please contact one of our Nominating Committee members: Erin Prentice (elprentice@gmail.com) or Angela Sorrell (angelasorrell@gmail.com).
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81222367047?pwd=cGNINzNYMjFtLzU4eG1wZmRKbWV5QT09
Meeting ID: 812 2236 7047
Passcode: 6D1hNp
Please submit questions for Principal Khuluki ahead of the PTA meeting.
https://forms.gle/5qPXMUWcFktJDXwF7
7th Grade Family Fun Friday
Join 7th grade families for a Fun Friday on May 20th from 6-8pm. Virginia Grill food truck will be on the Thoreau blacktop serving up a delicious dinner. Tickets are just $5/person!! Purchase online at MemberHub (https://thoreau.memberhub.com/store) through next Thursday (5/19) at noon. Bring your own non-alcoholic beverages, blanket/chairs and an outdoor game, if you wish. Dessert will be provided. Students should be accompanied by an adult. Food options include steak, chicken, lamb or falafel over rice; steak and cheese or chicken steak and cheese sandwiches; chicken, lamb or falafel gyro sandwich.
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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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