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Dear Thoreau Families,
I am thrilled to announce that Thoreau Middle School is embarking on an exciting journey to become an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) school! This initiative represents a significant commitment to empowering all our students and preparing them for future success in high school, college, and beyond.
AVID is a nationally recognized college readiness system designed to close the achievement gap by providing targeted support and strategies to students. Students typically selected for the AVID elective are those in the academic middle who have the desire and potential to succeed in rigorous coursework, but may lack the necessary skills or support. Many of these students would be first-generation college attendees. In addition to an elective class opportunity for selected 8th grade students, ALL Thoreau students will benefit from the school-wide approach that fosters a culture of academic rigor and support. It's important to note that this is a multi-year implementation process, and we are committed to building a strong and sustainable AVID program over time.
Long-term AVID School-Wide Benefits:
- Enhanced Academic Culture:
- AVID strategies, like WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading), can be integrated across classrooms, benefiting every student.
- This will enhance a school-wide culture of academic rigor and support, where students are equipped with essential learning tools.
- Increased College and Career Awareness:
- All students will gain exposure to college and career exploration through various school-wide activities and initiatives.
- This will foster a college-going mindset and help students envision their future possibilities.
- Improved Academic Practices:
- Teachers will receive professional development on AVID strategies, leading to more engaging and effective instruction.
- This will enhance the overall quality of education at Thoreau Middle School.
- A More Supportive Environment:
- AVID promotes collaborative learning, which builds a stronger sense of community among students.
Students enrolled in the AVID elective class will receive intensive support in developing essential academic skills, including note-taking, time management, and study strategies. AVID elective students will become part of a close-knit community of peers and mentors who provide ongoing encouragement and support. Tutorials within the AVID class will allow students to get help with questions from their other classes. Lastly, the AVID elective focuses on developing students' leadership potential and critical thinking abilities, preparing them for success in higher education and beyond.
We are confident that the implementation of AVID will have a positive impact on our entire school community. We believe that all students have the potential to succeed, and AVID will provide the tools and support they need to reach their full potential.
We will be hosting an AVID parent information session on Monday, March 17 at 9:00 AM in Thoreau’s Eagle Hall to provide you with more details about the program. We encourage you to attend and learn how you can support your child's success. I will include the slides in the March 21 edition of Thoreau Matters if you are unable to attend.
Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey!
Sincerely,
Teresa Khuluki
Principal
Get ready to show your school spirit with these fun daily themes!
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Monday – 🏈 Jersey Day (Wear your favorite sports attire!)
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Tuesday – 🍔 BBQ Dads vs. Soccer Moms (Pick your side & dress the part!)
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Wednesday – 🤪 Wacky Wednesday (Crazy hair, socks, clothes – go wild!)
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Thursday – 🌍 Culture Day (Celebrate diversity – wear something meaningful to your culture!)
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Friday – 🌼 Spring Day (Wear bright colors, floral prints, and welcome the season!)
👏 A huge round of applause to all students who participated in Thoreau’s Spelling Bee on February 20th! The dedication, hard work, and impressive vocabulary on display were outstanding.
✨ Special Congratulations to our winner, Aaron Erdman, who will represent Thoreau at the county competition! 🎉
We are working with the Fairfax County Health Department to notify you that there is an increase in respiratory illnesses at our school. These illnesses can cause symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, stuffy nose (congestion), sneezing, and feeling very tired. They can be caused by different germs, including COVID-19 and influenza (flu).
🛑To keep your family safe, the Health Department recommends the following:
✔ Monitor your child and keep them home if sick. Watch for signs of illness in your child. If your child has a fever or severe cough, keep them home. They should stay home, except for medical visits, until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication, feel better overall, and are able to participate in school activities. After they return to school, parents may choose to have them wear a mask at school and during other indoor activities for 5 days after symptoms improve. This will further reduce the chance that they may spread illness to someone else.
✔ Get your child tested. Consider getting your child tested for respiratory illness if they are sick. You can get COVID-19 tests to use at home, and testing for flu can be done by your healthcare provider.
✔ Teach your child to wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
✔ Cover coughs and sneezes. Have your child use a tissue to cover their mouth and nose when they cough and sneeze. Throw tissues in the trash after use. If they do not have a tissue, they should cover coughs and sneezes with their upper sleeve.
✔ Remind your child to avoid touching their face, like eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
✔ Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
✔ Improve your air quality at home. If it’s
not too cold, open doors and windows or move activities outside to get fresh air.
✔ Get vaccinated. Vaccines are highly recommended to protect your child from COVID-19 and the flu. Updated vaccines available each fall are needed for the best protection to prevent serious illness.
✔ Talk to a healthcare provider about treatment. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns, especially if they have a chronic illness or take long-term medications.
Please follow these recommendations to help keep your child healthy and to prevent others from getting sick.
📞 If you have questions, please contact your healthcare provider or the School Public Health Nurse, Heather Hay at hhay@FCPS.edu or 571-536-8033.
📅 Date: Monday, March 11th
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Warhawk Lecture Hall, James Madison High School (Door #15 near tennis courts)
Attention rising 9th graders & parents! The James Madison HS Athletic Department is hosting a Meet the Freshman Football Coaches Night to discuss: 🏋 Off-season lifting program 📜 Eligibility requirements 🏆 Season expectations
💡 Off-season workouts start next week! Don’t forget to fill out the interest form and sign up for the team’s communication app! 📲
Our After-School Program is a fantastic way for students & staff to connect beyond school hours! Many exciting clubs are running throughout the year!
🕒 When? ✅ Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 2:25 PM - 4:45 PM 🚍 Late Buses: Depart 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
🔗 Check out these helpful links:
📅 Weekly Club Schedule – Updated weekly with new club additions!
📖 Club Descriptions – Learn more about each club & what they offer!
🚌 Late Bus Routes/Stops – Find your child’s late bus stop!
🚨 No After-School Activities or Late Bus Transportation on: ❌ Early Release Days ❌ County Holidays ❌ Inclement Weather Closures
After-school PDF
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