Thoreau Matters
May 3, 2024
Dear Thoreau Families,
I am thrilled to welcome Ms. Gabriela Ritchey to our school community as our new Assistant Principal, effective July 9! Ms. Ritchey is transferring from Falls Church High School where she has served as Assistant Principal for the past six years. She has written this letter to introduce herself, and I'm confident she will be a tremendous asset to our Thoreau community. Welcome Ms. Ritchey!
Sincerely,
Teresa Khuluki
Principal
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Dear Thoreau Middle School students, families, and staff,
I am thrilled to introduce myself as the newly appointed Assistant Principal at Thoreau Middle School! I am eager to join this outstanding community! I am passionate about helping students and families as they transition from one level of schooling to the next. I am committed to supporting our students with achieving at their highest potential as they adjust from elementary school and subsequently prepare for success in high school!
A product of Fairfax County Public Schools, I attended Wolftrap Elementary School, Kilmer Middle School, and graduated from George C. Marshall High School with an IB Diploma. I received my undergraduate degree in Mathematics and teaching licensure from the University of Mary Washington, where I was a 4-year starter and a captain for the Women’s soccer team. I earned my Masters in Education Leadership from George Mason University. I have been involved in education with Fairfax County Public Schools for the last 13 years as a teacher, coach, Systems of Support Advisor, and most recently, for the last 6 years, as an Assistant Principal at Falls Church High School. I am committed to fostering a safe, engaging, and challenging learning environment where every student can achieve their personal highest level of learning!
As a leader, I focus in the areas of organization, communication, and high-quality instruction. Organizational systems allow us to manage multiple responsibilities efficiently to ensure that school operations can run smoothly and that students are equipped with what they need to reach their highest potential. I take time to build strong relationships with my fellow administrative team, teachers, staff, students, and families. Open lines of communication are at the heart of my relationship building. I prioritize transparent and open dialogue and firmly believe that our parents and families play a pivotal role in their student's educational journey. As an instructional leader, I will work to build the capacity of departments and curriculum learning teams to define what students need to know, assess student learning, analyze student performance data, and provide enrichment and interventions when necessary.
Finally, I have a strong vision for collaboration. My approach to education is through a holistic lens. We have a responsibility to support our students not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well, especially during the transitional years of middle school. I believe in the power of teamwork and will work side by side with students, teachers, counselors, clinicians, families, and community partners to drive a positive school climate and establish lifelong learning for all of our students.
As a Vienna resident, I am eager and excited to work with you all at Thoreau Middle School, where one day my two sons (10 months and 4 years old now) will attend school as part of their educational journeys! I am truly honored to serve as your assistant principal! Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, ideas, or concerns you may have.
Warm regards,
Gabriela Ritchey
Assistant Principal
Thoreau Middle School
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, May 27 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
Student Intention Forms
Moving this summer? If your family plans include relocation, please notify us by completing the Intention Form and send it to Ms. Karla Macoto - kmmacoto@fcps.edu at your earliest convenience.
SOL Test Calendar
The SOL assessment schedule can be found below. The testing schedule will impact the bell schedule each day. Please avoid prearranged student absences on the dates your child will be taking an SOL test. More information regarding middle school SOLs is available on the SOL assessments webpage.
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Date
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7th grade
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8th grade
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May 9th
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Science SOL (Except for the Turtle Team)
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May 13th
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Science SOL (Turtle Team)
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May 15th
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Reading SOL
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Reading SOL
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May 17th
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Math SOL
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Math SOL
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Make-Ups
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Scheduled as needed throughout window
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Retakes
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For any student who receives a score of 375-399, they will be offered a retake. Thoreau staff will make parent phone calls to obtain parent permission and teachers will provide remediation to students.
Retakes will occur May 28th-31st.
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If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Thoreau’s school test coordinator, Erin Lynch (703.846.8058 or emlynch@fcps.edu).
VIP Summer Camp!
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/MjZnZyzhZjJNxSah8
Oakton HS 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 2024-25 school year or the year after, the Dance Team is holding a Prep Clinic May 20, 22, 28, and 30 from 4-6pm 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.
Oakton HS Dance Team 2024-25 Tryouts
If you love to dance and want to be involved in your school, come try out for the Oakton High School Dance Team! Tryouts will be held June 10, 12, and 13 for the 2024-25 team selection. Not sure if you have all of the skills for dance team?? Fill out the form and 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! Sign up to get more information about tryouts with this Tryout Interest Form 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.
Check out the attached flyer with QR codes and links to our various dance opportunities related to tryouts and preparing for tryouts this spring!
Oakton HS Dance Team Junior Summer Dance Camp
All rising 1st-8th graders who love to dance are invited to attend camp this summer on Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, June 18, 20 & 21 from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm at Oakton High School. Participants will learn choreography and technique with OHS Dance Team dancers and coaches. The campers will have the opportunity to perform a routine at the end of the week. Each day there will be a craft, snack time, and team building activities. For more information and to register go to https://oaktonhighcamps.jumbula.com/#/dance.
Thoreau After-School Program
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!
THOREAU WEEKLY AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS SCHEDULE:
Week of May 6th - May 10th
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QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?
Email Ms. Colleen Myers at cmmyers@fcps.edu or call 703.846.8089.
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