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Dear Thoreau Families,
We wanted to take a moment to thank all the parents who have joined, and all the volunteers who have given their time to the Thoreau PTA. Your support is essential to our students' success. While we currently have 199 members, we’d love to see that number grow closer to last year’s total at this point in the year of 324 members.
We are so grateful for the strong partnership between the school and the Thoreau PTA. Funding provided by the PTA goes directly to students and teachers. This support benefits educational initiatives and provides improvements to our classrooms through teacher grants for classroom or program needs. Due to Thoreau PTA support, we are able to have events that bring us together as a community to celebrate our staff, our students, and our diverse community, such as the 7th Grade Fall Social, 8th Grade End of Year Party, and Crosstown Hoops. Volunteers also organize appreciation events for our teachers and staff regularly, such as pies at Thanksgiving and cookies before Winter Break.
If you have not yet had a chance to become a PTA member, you can join here. Also, please consider donating to our Fall No-Fuss Fundraiser here. Everyone who joins the PTA and donates helps not only their own child but every Thoreau student!
With Appreciation,
Teresa Khuluki
Principal
- Friday, November 1- School Closed (Student Holiday)
- Monday, November 4- School Closed (School Planning Day)
- Tuesday, November 5- School Closed (Teacher Workday)
- November 11- School Closed (Student Holiday)
- November 27-29 School Closed (Student Holiday)
As we close out the month of October and begin November there are many celebrations and days of recognition to include Diwali, All Saints Day and Veterans Day. If you are planning to travel in October or November, there are several opportunities to do so that will not impact your child’s school attendance. Due to the end of the quarter, as well as holidays, students have off on November 1, 4, 5, 11, 27, 28 and 29. No doubt they are excited about having seven days off in November!
Please keep these dates in mind if you are planning to travel and do your best to avoid traveling on the days when school is in session. As we shared at the beginning of the year, Fairfax County Public Schools does not consider travel an excused absence. We want to help ensure students are present in school as much as possible in November and ask for your help with this as you make any plans.
Student gradebooks in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM. At the end of this window, 1st quarter grades will be posted in SIS ParentVue and StudentVUE.
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Last week, I was joined by representatives of Navy Federal Credit Union for our yearly kickoff event to celebrate our partnership. Did you know that Thoreau Middle School and Navy Federal Credit Union have worked together for 35years? This is the longest business partnership in all of FCPS! The partnership’s programs are many and varied, all with the same goal, to build our sense of community and support our students and families. Representatives from NFCU took the opportunity to teach our students about the partnership activities such as the backpack supply drive, holiday gift giving and mentorship program. They concluded by presenting me with a $5,000 check. Thank you NFCU! |
Teen Series: Building Resilience: Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence
Join us for a series of insightful sessions focusing on the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of teen development. Learn strategies to support resilience, mental health, and healthy boundaries, fostering a nurturing environment for adolescents to thrive.
Webinar Highlights:
· Learn resilience-building techniques.
· Develop emotional intelligence.
· Strengthen support networks.
November 16, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.
Register online
Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families
Drugs and drug prevention have become increasingly important topics in recent years.
Are you unsure about how to approach the topic of drugs with your child? Join us to learn how to navigate this importance discussion with confidence and ease!
Webinar Highlights
· Tips to start the conversation about drugs, as early as 4 years old
· Practical advice and real-world examples
· Strategies to prevent drug abuse
Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
November 22, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.
Register online
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond at our school? Now’s your chance to celebrate them! Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, staff member, or part of our community, you can nominate an outstanding candidate. Just fill out the Google form linked HERE and recognize their incredible contributions!
You can nominate one exceptional employee per category or recognize multiple individuals across categories! We only need a paragraph or two explaining how the nominee exemplifies outstanding work based on the award criteria. The form provides more details about each award.
Award Categories & Eligibility
Outstanding Teacher
Has 3+ years of experience as a teacher (any school/district). Librarians are also eligible.
Outstanding New Teacher
Has up to 3 years of experience as a teacher (any school/district). Librarians are included.
Outstanding Principal
Has 3+ years of experience as a building principal (any school/district).
Outstanding Leader
At least 1 year of experience as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (excluding the principal). Examples: Assistant/Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities/Services.
Outstanding Professional Employee
At least 1 year of experience as a Schedule-B or non-instructional employee supporting school leadership. Examples: School-Based Technology Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor.
Outstanding Operational Employee
At least 1 year of experience as a Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee. Examples: Administrative/Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, Instructional Assistants.
🗓️ Deadline for submissions: Wednesday, November 6th, 2024.
If you have any questions, contact
Raja Anderson, rranderson1@fcps.edu (Thoreau’s Awards Liaison),
for more information.
Let’s show some love for the incredible people who make Thoreau Middle School shine! 🌟
Veterans Day is a time to honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It is a day to reflect on the sacrifices they have made and to express our gratitude for their service. Students play an important role in honoring veterans on Veterans Day. If you have a family member you'd like to recognize, please fill out this form and return it to the main office. Please include a photo of the person you're honoring (a photocopy is preferred, as originals won't be returned). These forms will be displayed in the hallway as a reminder to our students and visitors of the importance of honoring our veterans. If you have more than one family member you'd like to honor, please feel free to make copies of the form. If you need a copy of the form, please have your child ask at the main office. All forms with pictures should be submitted to the Thoreau main office by Wednesday, November 6. You may also attach the completed form with photo by emailing them to rranderson1@fcps.edu
Staff have been witnessing parents allowing their children to get out of cars on the far side of the lot between 7:25 and 7:30 AM. This is creating a safety hazard as children are running through parked cars, increasing the risk of an accident. Please enforce our policy that students may not exit their vehicle until they are at the curb on the side of the building!
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Our Spring Musical has been announced and Eagle Theatre will be performing SOMETHING ROTTEN JR later this school year. ANYONE in the school can audition to be a part of this fun, silly production that is filled with singing, dancing and fictional Shakespeare characters! Is your child curious or interested in auditioning to be a part of this musical and they missed the interest meeting? No worries at all! Students can join the Schoology Group “Audition Central” using the code: SCT4-V7TT-BBDZ8. Auditions will be Nov. 18-21st after school. Any questions on how to prepare? Email Miss K. eakorovesis@fcps.edu. |
Sharing Photos with the Yearbook has never been easier ! See here for more details or go to https://photos.jostens.com/
Send in your photos today!: We want photos for:
- Fall Sports
- Halloween
- Best Friends at Thoreau
All Madison seniors participate in the Mad WINGS program, a 30-hour volunteer career shadowing / community service opportunity at a senior’s choice of business or service organization in May of their senior year. This year, the Senior WINGS Experience dates are May 12 - May 28, 2025. We are seeking additional organizations to sponsor one or more seniors for their WINGS Experience. As parents, we know you have many contacts in the local community with businesses and organizations. More information can be found on the Madison website.
Please consider giving students an opportunity to career shadow at your business/community service organization and forward to anyone who may be interested in supporting. Sign up by completing this form by Thursday, October 31st.
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Impact Aid 2024
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.
Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE by Monday, November 11. Paper forms should be returned by Monday, December 4.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
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November 5, 2024, 1-4 p.m.
SibTeen is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with disabilities. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences. SibTeen is a place where participants will feel validated and understood and can build upon their community of support. And…. there will be food! Register Online
Pulley Center
6500 Quander Rd,
Alexandria, VA 22307
Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services
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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!
Weekly After-School Club Schedule – this is the club schedule for the week of November 4th – November 8th. 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!
NO After-School Activities or Late Bus Transportation on: Early Release Days, County Holidays or possible cancellation due to inclement weather
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Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting Monday, October 21, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.
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