Thoreau Matters September 27, 2024

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, September 28th-second cross-country meet at Herndon MS.
Go Eagles!! 

October 3rd- Rosh Hashanah- Schools and Offices Closed

October 4th- Teacher Workday. Main Office hours 8AM-1PM


Dear Thoreau Families,


We had another fantastic week at Thoreau, despite the rainy weather that made for muddy conditions during our 7th-grade science field trips. I'll share photos of these adventures in next week's Thoreau Matters. Please remember that students will not report to school on October 3 and October 4. Shanah tovah to our Jewish community celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! Meaning “head of the year,” Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection that ends with Yom Kippur.


Best of luck to our cross-country team as they compete tomorrow at Herndon Middle School! A special thank you to Coach Bill Montes and Athletic Coordinator Krissy Schnebel for their dedication. See below for photos from last week's meet.


It's hard to believe that we're already halfway through the first nine weeks of school. Please continue to monitor your child's attendance and academic progress. To activate Weekly Progress Reports via email, log-in to your SIS ParentVUE account, verify that you have a primary email address listed, and select your preferences in the “My Account” tab. For more information please visit this information page


This week, our dedicated school counselors conducted Teaching Tolerance sessions to help students understand the impact of their words. Students met with their social studies teachers and counselors in a circle to discuss offensive language, hate speech, and the importance of restorative language practices. We taught students and teachers how to interrupt if they hear offensive language or hate speech. I encourage you to do the same if you hear your child or their friends using such language in person or on social media. Ask questions like "What do you mean by that?" and "What point are you trying to make by saying that?" Interrupt by saying "Using that word as a put-down offends me" or "Using that word doesn't help others feel safe." Together, we can support our students in understanding the impact of their words on their relationships and the climate of trust and belonging we strive to create at Thoreau.

 

Thank you for your continued support!

 

Sincerely,

Teresa Khuluki
Principal

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Optional AAP Parent Coffee Information Session

Thank you to those of you who completed the interest survey!  The responses provided have informed the agenda and date, please see below.

When: Monday, 10/7/24 9:30-10:30

Where: Thoreau Middle School, Eagle Hall

What:

  • AAP Level IV Screening Process
  • AAP Instruction in Social Studies, Science, and English at TMS
  • Honors Instruction in Social Studies, Science, and English at TMS

For any questions about this offering, please contact Thoreau’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Hannah Converse: hpconverse@fcps.edu


Attendance Awareness Month

Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school — and themselves. See our tips on how to encourage positive school attendance in middle and high school: https://bit.ly/3QwTbn2


Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.


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Register for the World Languages Credit by Exam

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. If that language is one of the languages listed below, consider registering your student for the World Languages Credit by Exam! 

The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Thoreau Middle School on Thursday, November 14th at 8:30 am in Eagle Hall.  

Registration is now open and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.

Please contact your student’s school counselor to register for the exam. 

More information, including the list of languages offered on the exam, and how to register is available online.


YEARBOOK

Exciting News! The Thoreau Yearbook is thrilled to announce our new yearbook vendor, Jostens.

Order your yearbook today at the Jostens website!

No more emails! Once you purchase your yearbook, you'll no longer receive email updates.

Sharing memories has never been easier!

Submit photos of your child directly from your phone for the Thoreau Yearbook.

Click here for more information!

Let's create a yearbook that captures the best moments of this school year!


THOREAU AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

After-School is an amazing opportunity for our staff & students to connect outside of the normal school day hours! Students & staff are coming up with some really creative clubs to kick off this exciting school year. After-School clubs & late buses will continue to occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between the hours of 2:25pm - 4:45pm throughout the school year! 

Check out all of the after-school information linked below! 

Please have your student access these links using their FCPS Google account!

After-School Preview – want to know what Thoreau’s after-school program looks like and how it operates? Please click on the after-school preview to learn all of the ins and outs of the after-school program!

Weekly After-School Club Schedule – this is the club schedule for the week of September 30th – October 4th. The weekly club schedule is updated weekly since clubs are always being added as they are created by students and Thoreau staff. If a club is highlighted and crossed out, that means that the club will not be meeting that day.

Club Descriptions – learn a little bit more about what each particular club is and what they will be offering to the students.

Late Bus Routes/Stops – help your child find their late bus stop. Late buses depart from Thoreau on Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 4:30pm-5pm only!

Informational Video – all of the information linked above is discussed in a little bit more detail by Ms. Myers, our After-School Specialist

NO After-School Activities or Late Bus Transportation on: Early Release Days, County Holidays or possible cancellation due to inclement weather

How can students start a new club if there is not one currently being offered that they wish to join?

Thoreau’s After-School Program is student-centered & student club creativity is encouraged! We need your voice and participation! We are open to club suggestions and feedback. If a student wishes to create a club and it is permissible, there is multiple student interest (minimum of 10 students interested) and there is a sponsor available, students should fill out the After-School New Club Proposal Form. Ms. Myers will check the submissions weekly and coordinate with the student on approving the new club.

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2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success. 

Goal 2 states that every student will be part of a school community that cares for their health, well-being, and opinions. We will listen to students and use their input to guide our decisions. We will respect their individuality, identity, and experiences. We will make sure they feel safe and supported at school.

Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of goal 2.


Scoliosis Fact Sheet

To meet the Code of Virginia 22.1-273.1 and FCPS Regulation 2103 for the provision of parent educational information on scoliosis, all FCPS schools must provide a scoliosis fact sheet to parents or guardians of students in grades 5 through 10 within 60 business days of the school start date.

The Scoliosis Fact Sheet and translations are available on the Scoliosis Fact Sheet  page. 


PTA NEWS

Please consider joining the Thoreau PTA. Memberships are $15 for one adult and $25 for a family membership for two adults. More info can be found here. We would also very much appreciate a one-time donation of $50 per family as part of our No-Fuss Fundraiser. Your membership and donation are both tax-deductible, and they help the PTA support the teachers, staff, and students in our Thoreau community. Please see the PTA website: http://thoreaupta.org/ which includes the link to the PTA Facebook page.


Providence Day and Back to School Celebration on Sat., Oct. 5

Join us for a day of fun, connection, and community spirit!  The inaugural Providence Day and Back to School Celebration is on Saturday, October 5, from 11 am to 3 pm at Marshall High School.  We will celebrate the vibrant and diverse community we're proud to call home and highlight local organizations and businesses while fostering stronger connections among residents and community leaders.  This free, family-friendly event is open to all Fairfax County residents and will feature interactive booths, live performances, food trucks, activities for kids, giveaways and prizes, community spotlights, and more!

RSVP TODAY: https://www.facebook.com/share/b12h6pJutavJcxX3/

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