Thoreau Matters: Friday, January 10, 2025

Dear Thoreau Families,

On behalf of the entire Thoreau staff, I would like to extend a warm welcome back to our students and families after a longer-than-expected winter break.  Today was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with students and ease back into our school routines! The students were happy to be here and reunited with friends and teachers.

A special thank you to our incredible custodial team! Their tireless efforts ensured our school was safe and welcoming for our students' return.

Important Reminders:

  • Second Quarter Ends: The second quarter officially ends on January 28th. Please review your child's assignments and grades in the Student Information System (SIS) later next week. If you have any concerns about their academic progress, please don't hesitate to contact their teachers to discuss necessary support, such as extra help sessions during Eagle Time or after school.
  • 7th, 8th, and 9th Grade Academic Advising & Course Registration: This newsletter contains important information regarding upcoming events for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade students. We understand that course selection is a significant decision. We encourage your participation and to work closely with your child's counselor to ensure students select courses that align with their academic goals and interests.

Sincerely,

Teresa Khuluki
Principal


Upcoming Academic Advising & Registration Events

For your planning purposes, please make note of the following registration events in preparation for the 2025-2026 school year:

Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising and Course Registration Information

Please see individual school websites for additional details

Madison High School Curriculum Night (Madison HS Information)

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Auditorium Presentation

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Curriculum Fair/Elective Showcase

Oakton High School Curriculum Night (Oakton HS Informational Flyer)

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 (updated date due to weather closures)

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM (specific sessions outlined in the above flyer)

Marshall High School Curriculum Night

Thursday, February 6, 2025

In addition to these events, counselors from Madison, Marshall and Oakton High School will be meeting with Thoreau students through our Eagle Time class on the following dates:

Madison HS: Monday, January 13, 2025

Oakton HS: Friday, January 17, 2025

Marshall HS: Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Throughout the months of January and February, Thoreau teachers and counselors will meet with 8th grade students for 1-1 academic advising sessions to ensure they are fully registered for the 2025-2026 school year. Counselors will send updates to families in January as we complete steps in this process.

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 6th and Friday, February 7th

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 and will be sent home in the coming weeks

Thoreau Curriculum Night & Family Open House

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 @ Thoreau MS

5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Detailed invitation and session information will be published in January


Yearbook Club Pictures on Tuesday, January 14

Club Picture Schedule

College Partnership Program

The application process for the College Partnership Program (CPP) is now open.  Interested 8th Grade students need to apply now to participate as a 9th grader in high school. See our web site (CPP Recruitment Flyer) for more information about this program and the support it provides to students.


SPELLING BEE

Spelling Bee

The Spelling Bee is returning in 2025!  The Thoreau PTA will be hosting the 2025 Spelling Bee on Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 6:30-9:00pm in the Cafeteria (snow date is Tuesday, February 25).

All Thoreau students are invited to participate.  Registration is currently open and you can sign up here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A45A5A82F4-54027183-speller.

Upon registration, you will receive study materials and more information about the Spelling Bee.  Please Note:  do NOT use FCPS student address as the contact e-mail -– use the parent address or a non-FCPS student address (the FCPS student address can only receive e-mails from within the school).

The Thoreau Spelling Bee Champion will compete with other regional school champions in the Fairfax County Spelling Bee on March 23, 2025.  

Questions?  Contact TMS Spelling Bee Coordinator, Gayle Schlueter at gschlueter5@gmail.com.

The Thoreau MS Spelling Bee is sponsored by your Thoreau MS PTA and is part of the Fairfax County Spelling Bee Program.


Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter

Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps. 

Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.

Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVueLearn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.


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 January 13th – January 17th. 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.