Thoreau Matters
December 8, 2023
Dear Thoreau Families,
As we approach the final week before winter break, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible performances we witnessed at the band and orchestra concerts this week. The dedication and talent of our student musicians were truly inspiring, and I am incredibly proud of their hard work and the leadership of our dedicated music teachers, Mr. Smith and Ms. Yacovissi. These concerts are a testament to the power of music education and its ability to enrich and inspire young minds. Mark your calendars for December 13th as our talented singers take the stage at Madison High School to share their voices with the school community. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the season with beautiful music and performances.
In the spirit of celebrating the holidays and boosting school spirit, next week will be dedicated to Spirit Week! Encourage your child to participate by dressing up in the following themes:
- Monday, Winter PJ Day – Snuggle up in your warmest PJs and embrace the cozy vibes.
- Tuesday, Favorite Holiday Headwear – Show off your holiday spirit with festive hats, reindeer ears, menorah headbands, etc.
- Wednesday, Winter White Out – Embrace the winter wonderland with a head-to-toe white outfit.
- Thursday, Cozy Slipper Day – Pamper your feet with comfy slippers and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.
- Friday, Ugly Sweater Day – It's time to break out your most outrageous and hilarious holiday sweaters!
Let's spread cheer and celebrate the holiday season together through music, festive attire, and school spirit! To our families celebrating this week, I wish you a joyous Chanukah filled with the warmth of family and friends.
Sincerely,
Teresa Khuluki
Principal
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VGA Assessments
Students will be taking the winter Virginia Growth Assessments on the following dates:
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Thursday, January 4th
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| Math 7, Math 7H & Pre-Algebra VGA
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Wednesday, January 10th
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| Reading 7 & 8 VGA
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Wednesday, January 17th
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| VGA Make-ups
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* VGA tests are not available for students enrolled in a high school credit-bearing math course, such as Algebra 1.
Students do not need to prepare for these tests as they are used to determine current understanding of content.
How can parents/guardians help?
- Ensure your student is present and on time. Avoid scheduling appointments on these dates.
- Ensure your student gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast in the morning.
- If your student has an audio accommodation for testing, be sure they bring headphones to school.
- Remind your student to have their cell phone off and away in their backpack.
- Verify your student’s laptop is in working order.
- Computer issues should be reported immediately to Student IT Support.
- Fully charge their laptop every night.
- Pack their charger in their backpack (if your student lost their charger, please purchase a replacement via MySchoolBucks).
If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Thoreau’s school test coordinator, Erin Lynch (703.846.8058 or emlynch@fcps.edu).
For your planning purposes, please make note of the following registration events in preparation for the 2024-2025 school year:
Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising and Course Registration Information
Please see individual school sites for additional details
Oakton High School Curriculum Night
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
(snow date is Thursday, January 18, 2024)
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Madison High School Curriculum Night
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
(snow date is Thursday, January 18, 2024)
Marshall High School IB Program Information Night
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Marshall High School Curriculum Night
Thursday, February 8, 2024
(snow date is Tuesday, January 13, 2024)
In addition to these events, counselors from Madison, Marshall and Oakton High School will be meeting with Thoreau students through our 5th Period Eagle Time class on the following dates:
Madison HS: Monday, January 8, 2024
Oakton HS: Friday, January 12, 2024
Marshall HS: Monday, February 5, 2024
Throughout the months of January and February Thoreau counselors will meet with 8th grade students for 1-1 academic advising sessions to ensure they are fully registered for the 2024-2025 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 Activity Fairs for Rising 7th Grade Students
Thursday, February 1st and Friday, February 2nd
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Students are transported to Thoreau MS from feeder elementary schools for this event
Dates for individual schools are available on our web site
Thoreau Curriculum Night & Family Open House
Thursday, February 1, 2024 @ Thoreau MS
Snow date: Thursday, February 8, 2024
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Detailed invitation and session information will be published in January
Thoreau Theatre students in NYC!
SEL Screener Parent Reports
Available beginning early next week. Families with SIS ParentVUE will be able to review them in the documents tab. Those without ParentVUE accounts will receive results via USPS around this time as well. Consider using the language here to share this information with your families.
TMS Math HW Help Club
Thoreau has Math teachers available to support students after school 3 days a week. Each day that the After School Program is operating, there is a math teacher available to work with students regardless of what math course or math teacher for which they are receiving instruction. Please encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to receive support on classroom topics or assignments, homework completion as well as for retake opportunities on available assessments. Please refer to the following schedule for teacher locations on specific days. This information is available online in the All School Course in Schoology- After School Program.
Ms. Griffin and Ms. Hooymans are also available but their day varies each week- please see the sign outside their classroom A126.
Thoreau After-School Program
After-School is an amazing opportunity for our staff & students to connect! Students & staff are coming up with some really creative clubs to kick off this exciting school year. After-School clubs & late buses occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between the hours of 2:25pm - 4:45pm for the remainder of the school year!
NEW CLUB ALERT! Check out all of the after-school clubs being offered this year on the After-School page on Schoology. New clubs are being added each week as they are created!
THOREAU WEEKLY AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS SCHEDULE:
Week of December 11th - December 15th
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QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?
Email Ms. Colleen Myers at cmmyers@fcps.edu or call 703.846.8089.
Spring Screening Referrals
Spring screening referrals for full time level-IV advanced academic placement are due no later than December 15, 2023 to Hannah Converse. If you would like to complete a referral or learn more about the advanced academic program at our school, please feel free to reach out to Hannah Converse at hpconverse@fcps.edu. For more information on Level IV AAP services and the timeline for spring screening, please consult this page.
Mental Health, Coping & Addiction
One in four Americans suffer from a mental illness. Almost 3 in 5 people with mental health challenges will not receive treatment or medication. In 2019, an estimated 19% of adults in the United States (47.6 million) dealt with a mental health challenge, but only 43% received any kind of mental health care (Johns Hopkins). People often turn to alternative methods to cope with issues that are uncomfortable topics to speak about. These reasons include turning to drugs, alcohol, food, etc. Coping mechanisms are habits formed over time that serve to help a person manage difficult situations or high stress levels. These mind-altering substances are sometimes used as coping mechanisms for stress, difficult emotions, physical ailments, focusing, and other issues. Drugs and alcohol can provide a temporary moment away from the reality of everyday life. Substances can enhance the feelings of pleasure, decrease feelings of anxiety and restraint. Substance use can be an unhealthy coping mechanism. Not all coping mechanisms are destructive or fail to provide appropriate or adequate adjustment to the environment or situation; however, addiction is both.
Before using drugs as a coping strategy here are some recommendations for a healthier mindset. The main goal is to identify the “void” or issue and work towards healing. In the meantime, experts recommend diet and exercise as great places to start. Schedule a visit to your Primary Care Physician and a Professional Counselor if needed. Quality sleep is also a major factor in the stabilization of a healthy mind. Surround yourself with people who are supportive and good examples. Keep in mind that finding balance in life is an ongoing process. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Resources:
For further information & support:
Michael McNulty
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
mpmcnulty@fcps.edu
Oakton Marching Cougars
The Oakton High School Marching Cougars, a prestigious 25-year Virginia Honor Band, has submitted an entry into Metallica's inaugural marching band competition, "For Whom the Band Tolls." Metallica has brought their legendary presence to the world of marching bands by inviting high schools and colleges from across the nation to showcase their musical prowess in this unique online competition. The Marching Cougars will be competing for $15,000 in prizing in the category for high school bands with less than 75 members. You can view the Marching Cougar’s online submission of “Parade to Black” here. Oakton High School encourages the school and local community to proudly vote in support of the Marching Cougars as “Fan Favorite” on this national stage. Vote for the Oakton Marching Cougars by texting #HSOAKTON to (833) 609-0330. Go Cougars!
TROOP 1978 for GIRLs and BOYs INVITES YOU
Boys and Girls from 11-18 years of age (5th graders and up) this is for you! Interested in Fun with Friends, camping and leadership skills? Parents, are you looking for fun and challenging activities for your children with a group of people of the same age? Cheaper than most other activities and year round - yes Troop 1978 is for you. Troop 1978 has a Boy Troop and a Girl Troop and we are seeking new members!
Come visit and participate with the scouts:
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January 16th at St. Marks for Duct Tape Night (a fun night of making a device with duct tape and cardboard with a time limit,
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February 13th at St. Marks for Iron Chef (a cooking competition).
All meetings begin at 7:30 pm on Tuesday nights.
Scouts plan the fun monthly activities including canoeing, rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, STEM merit badges, first aid, swimming, beach camping, and ski trips. We perform service projects to help our local schools, churches, and the Town of Vienna. Leadership is developed in the great young adults of Troop 1978. Go to troop1978.com or https://www.troopwebhost.org/Troop1978Vienna/Index.htm for more information or follow us on FACEBOOK at Troop 1978.
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