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Dear TJHSST Families,
It’s hard to believe that summer is wrapping up, and we are just days away from a new school year! I feel an incredible buzz of excitement as we prepare to welcome our students back to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology on Monday.
Our school’s strength lies in our extraordinary community. From our brilliant students who chose this path, to the dedicated teachers and staff who work tirelessly, to the parents who give so much of their time—we are all vital parts of the TJHSST family.
This summer, our staff has been focused on preparing a year of unparalleled opportunities. We are ready to provide a challenging and supportive environment that will allow our students to thrive. Our commitment to them is unwavering, and we are prepared to put in the extended hours to help them achieve their goals.
Thank you for your dedication and for being a cornerstone of our community. Together, we have built a school that is truly special.
I hope you enjoy this last weekend of summer. I can’t wait to see all of you on Monday morning and get this amazing year started!
Regards,
Michael Mukai
Principal
#OneTJ
Do you want a one-stop shop for everything you need to know as we head Back-to-School for the 2025-26 school year?
Visit the TJ Back-to-School Homepage for all of the latest information!
This is part 2 of TJ's Back-to-School News You Choose newsletter. If you have not done so already, please be sure to read part 1 of the newsletter that was released on August 8 to make sure you are completely up to date on all the information you need to start the school year right!
Schoology is a learning space that enhances communication, collaboration, and personalized learning for students, teachers, and families.
TJ faculty use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
FCPS has created a new parent resource to help you navigate this important resource. Please be sure to check each of the tabs on the lefthand side for all sorts of helpful information!
Student schedules for the 2025-2026 school year are now available to view on StudentVUE and ParentVUE. New students can find their counselor assignments under the "Student Information" tab.
Please review the schedule carefully for accuracy.
Need to make a change? Your counselor will be available to assist if you notice one of the following errors.
- A required graduation class is missing.
- A summer school class is still appearing on the schedule.
- Your student is in the wrong level of a course (like math or a world language).
When emailing your counselor, please include your student's ID number, a clear description of the problem, and your suggested solution.
Elective Courses: If your desired elective isn’t on the schedule, it means that it was not possible for the class to fit into the schedule. Your student was automatically enrolled in an alternate choice from their list. During the second week of school only, students have an opportunity to request changes in accordance with the TJHSST Schedule Change Policy.
Directions for the First Day of School: Students will first report to advisory listed as period 10 on the schedule and then report to periods 1-7. A paper copy of the schedule which shows all year, semester 1, and semester 2 courses will be distributed in advisory. We encourage students to share this schedule with parents, as the semester 2 courses are not visible in StudentVUE until January.
As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will continue to phase in a weapons detection system at all secondary schools this fall. Please note that we anticipate some growing pains during the first week of school here at TJ as we adjust to the new system.
Please expect some delays/long lines as students enter the building before school during the first week of school. As long as they are in line before the start of the school day (8:40 a.m.), students will not be marked tardy.
After the first week, we anticipate everyone will adjust and arrival will function smoothly.
Because of the new weapons screening program that FCPS is implementing (an E-Notify message was sent about this on both August 6 and August 13 and is repeated in an article later on in this newsletter), we will have slightly different arrival procedures for students this year.
Safely Arriving at School - Building Opens at 8:10 a.m.
The school day begins at 8:40 a.m. However, traffic can (and definitely will!) get backed up on Braddock Road. Doors 1, 8, and 12 will open to our TJ students at 8:10 a.m. Students will go through the weapons screening process at those doors to gain access to the school.
We highly recommend if students are driving or being dropped off by parents to arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. to avoid getting caught in the backups.
Drop-Off Instructions
Student drop-off is located behind the school. Parents, please drop off your child at the Kiss and Ride by coming in the school’s entrance off Braddock Road and following signs to the left. Pull up all the way to Door 9 before letting your child out. Your child will then walk to either Door 1, 8, or 12 to go through the weapons screening process and enter the building.
Student Driving Instructions
Seniors and juniors who are driving to TJ can park in the following locations: The back parking lot (just past the speed bumps at door 6), and all of the access road (the street that leads out to the Little River Turnpike exit) except for the spots immediately adjacent to the bus depot on the left of that road.
Once parked, proceed to door 1, 8, or 12 to go through the weapons screening process and enter the building.
Students will not need a parking permit during first two weeks of school, but must obtain one by Sept. 5 to continue parking at TJ.
Visitors to TJ
All visitors must enter through the Dome (Door 1) and sign in at the Main Office. A camera/buzzer system at the main entrance enhances and ensures safe entry for our guests. Also, Officer Benji Main, our School Resource Officer, will be on site regularly and his vehicle will be parked at the front of the school.
Pick-Up Instructions
- Enter from Braddock Rd., turn left when you drive onto campus, and follow signs and staff directions to line up, park and drive off campus once you pick up your child. You will have a 10-minute window from 4:00-4:10 p.m. to exit. Then, at approximately 4:10 p.m., the buses depart, so you will need to wait until all buses exit campus before car traffic resumes. Thank you for your patience as we keep our campus safe.
- Students being picked up will exit out of doors 7, 8, and 9.
- Students are to be picked up in the back parking lot only.
- Our speed limit driving on school grounds is 15 MPH.
- There are traffic signs posted around the building for student and staff safety. Crosswalks and stop signs have been established at very strategic areas around the school to insure everyone’s safety. Please observe ALL traffic signs.
- Finally, parking at dismissal. There are 2 areas available to parents picking up students at dismissal. Both are available at anytime prior to 3:55pm.
- The REAR PARKING area is past the yellow speed bump at Door 7 and ends at Door 9.
- The parking area on Minor lane (the driveway between our athletic fields), to include the football stadium area.
- The visitors lot, all staff parking areas, and our bus depot are NOT available for parking at dismissal.
- Do not park in the neighborhoods. This is private property and not part of TJ. You are at risk of getting a ticket if police are called.
PLEASE, you may ONLY park in the 2 areas we have developed for you in the afternoon at dismissal, for YOUR students’ safety! Thank you for your cooperation.
If you are dropping off or picking up your student while school is in session (8:40 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) here is our official policy:
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There should be no student drop off or parking along the front of the building. This is a fire lane.
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Students need to be dropped off in the visitor lot using the cross walk and enter door 1.
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There should not be any “U” turns in front of the building.
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Do not drive your car up onto the front sidewalk and park there (yes that has been an issue in the past!).
Please note: The following message was sent to families as an E-Notify on August 11. It is repeated here for your convenience.
Dear TJHSST Families,
As we get ready for the first day of school on Monday, August 18, I wanted to share an important update about FCPS’ cell phone policy.
Starting this school year, cell phones and personal devices (airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell) with the exception of lunch time in designated lunch spaces (which for TJ is majority of school). Cell phones and personal devices can no longer be used during passing periods, which is a change from FCPS’ previous cell phone policy. In addition, cell phones are no longer permitted to be used as an instructional tool (across all grades).
Another important change is that at TJ we will not be using storage pouches this year. Instead, phones and other personal devices can be stored in a locker or backpack during the day.
This policy helps strengthen engagement, learning, and positive social behavior in the classroom. If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our front office at 703-750-8300.
You can support your student by talking with them about the cell phone policy and reminding them that cell phones and personal devices may only be used during lunch time in designated lunch spaces. Thank you for working with us to set expectations for your student.
Students who require access to personally owned devices as an accommodation, as documented in their 504 plan or individualized education program (IEP), will continue to have access. If parents/guardians, multi-disciplinary team members, or other persons with knowledge of a student, believe a student requires access to personally owned devices as an accommodation, they shall make the requests for such accommodations through their respective multi-disciplinary team (i.e., 504 Committee, IEP Team, English Language Committee, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support [MTSS] Team). More information can be found in the SY 25-26 Student Rights & Responsibilities Family Guide, specifically on page 24.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Associate Principal Betsy Fawcett at ewfawsett@fcps.edu or 703-750-8300. More information will also be available during our Back to School Night on August 26 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Go Colonials!
Sincerely,
Michael Mukai
TJHSST Principal
Please note: The following message was sent to families as an E-Notify on August 13. It is repeated here for your convenience.
Dear TJHSST Families,
Last Wednesday (Aug. 6), I sent you an E-Notify reminding you that all FCPS secondary schools will be implementing their weapons screening programs this fall. I wanted to send you this update that will further explain our plans here at TJ.
When students arrive at TJ each morning, they will enter through either door 1, 8, or 12 beginning at 8:10 a.m. All other doors will be locked.
Please note: No students can enter TJ before 8:10 a.m.
Please watch this video of the Superintendent’s conversation with students about the weapons screening system. The most important thing is to be sure that students have the right items removed from their bag before getting in line.
Items to be removed include:
- Three-ring binders
- Laptops
- Collapsible umbrellas
- Metal lunch boxes
- Metal pencil cases
- Metal glass cases
These items can remain in a student’s bags:
- Non-metal lunch boxes
- Books
- Planners
- Spiral notebooks and folders
- Cell phones
- Keys
- Non-metal pencil cases
Once the items are removed, students should walk to the shortest line and proceed. If the light turns red, they will be directed to a secondary screening to determine what may have alerted the system. Experience shows that the process becomes easier and more efficient every day. You can learn more about the system by watching this video and reading the Frequently Asked Questions on FCPS’ website. If you have additional questions, you can submit them online to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.
Remember, this system is new to all of us. We anticipate and expect there will be delays in entering the building the first couple of weeks as we get used to the process. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support in our shared commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment for us all.
Sincerely,
Michael Mukai
TJHSST Principal
For opening day, August 18, we will run a modified Anchor Day schedule with an extended advisory. Students get to know their advisory teacher and receive laptops. Here is the schedule for Monday, August 18.
| Modified Anchor Day with Extended Advisory |
| Period |
Start Time |
End Time |
| Advisory |
8:40 a.m. |
9:40 a.m. |
| 1st Period |
9:50 a.m. |
10:30 a.m. |
| 2nd Period |
10:40 a.m. |
11:20 a.m. |
| 3rd Period |
11:30 a.m. |
12:10 p.m. |
| Lunch |
12:10 p.m. |
12:50 p.m. |
| 4th Period |
12:50 p.m. |
1:30 p.m. |
| 5th Period |
1:40 p.m. |
2:20 p.m. |
| 6th Period |
2:30 p.m. |
3:10 p.m. |
| 7th Period |
3:20 p.m. |
4:00 p.m. |
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, students will enter their student ID number as their cafeteria PIN at the cash register to receive their meals. Please inform your student of their student ID number for meal service.
Free/Reduced Application information and forms for qualified families (Online Submission)
FCPS offers nutritious meals every school day. Your child may qualify for free meals or reduced-price meals at TJHSST. Students who qualify for reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. For information on how to apply for Free and Reduced-price meals, please visit the link above. The online free and reduced-price meals application is available in 8 languages and can be completed on mobile devices. It needs to re-apply annually.
Consent to Share Form (PDF)
If you have children eligible for the Free and Reduced-price meals program, they may also be eligible to participate in other FCPS fee-based programs without paying a fee or by paying a reduced fee.
This would include things that are specified in FCPS Notice 5922. Those are:
- Musical Instrument fees
- Driver Education fees
- Student Parking fees
- Career and Technical Education Certification fees
- Fine Arts fees
- Technology and Engineering Education Material fees
- Online Campus fees
- Advanced Placement fees (after six exams)
- Returned Check fees
You are also eligible to receive information about scholarships, classes and services that are provided by agencies and organizations other than FCPS.
In order to receive the benefits, you have to fill out the Consent to Share Form (please visit the link above), a written agreement allowing FCPS staff to share information about your children's meal eligibility status.
Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:
- Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
- Get records from other states’ systems if your child was immunized outside of Virginia.
- Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.
Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date.
Required Immunizations for Rising 12th Graders
Several immunizations are required for students entering12th grade.
- All students entering 12th grade are required to receive one dose of the MenACWY vaccine before the beginning of school.
- To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 16 or older.
As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Where to Receive Immunizations
If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s health care provider or one of the following clinics:
FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come first served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.
- Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekday and weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.
For students to self-carry or store medications in the health room, FCPS requires updated medication authorizations each school year. I am providing links to the most recent versions of the authorizations for your convenience. Please print the document(s) that are appropriate for you student and share with your health care provider.
*Please note: The appropriate authorization should be on file even if you student self-carries an inhaler or epinephrine.*
Asthma/Inhaler:
The Virginia Asthma Action Plan is required for any inhalers (even if self-carried).
Once your health care provider has completed the Virginia Asthma Action Plan, you will need to complete the FCPS Authorization for VA Asthma Action Plan (SS/SE-65) authorizing the principal designee/SHA/PHN/school staff to administer the asthma medication to your student.
Anaphylaxis/Epinephrine:
Please have your health care provider complete the FCPS Authorization for Anaphylaxis Action Plan if your student will be self-carrying or leaving epinephrine in the health room.
Other medications:
Please have your health care provider complete the Medication Authorization (SE63) for all other prescription medications (not epinephrine or inhaler) or over the counter medications like Benadryl.
Over the counter (OTC) medications must be new/unopened and in their original containers. No healthcare providers signature is needed for OTC medications used for headache, muscle aches, orthodontic pain, or menstrual cramps. If you are providing an OTC medication for any other reason or if the dosing is outside of the manufacturer’s recommendations, a healthcare providers signature is required.
Prescription medications must be in a properly labeled and the label should match the dosing and frequency information on the Medication Authorization.
Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me (LWilkes@fcps.edu).
Thank you for your collaboration in keeping your student safe and healthy!
Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
Photo Gallery of New Student Orientation and Open House on Instagram
We held our official New Student Orientation on August 14, where the students were greeted by the marching band, followed by all of the TJ staff waving pom poms in the hall!
After a program in the auditorium students were broken into their IBET groups and taken on tours of the building by returning students as they got the opportunity to walk their schedule!
It wasn't just for the newbies either! After orientation was over, we held our first TJ Open House, where returning students were able to come in and walk their schedules as well!
Need to get ahold of someone at TJ? Here is some commonly requested contact information:
Main Office - 703-750-8300
Attendance Office - thomasjeffersonhigh.attendance@fcps.edu
Student Services - 703-750-8340
Student Activities - 703-750-8333
Security - 703-750-8331
Administration Contact Information
Mr. Michael Mukai - Principal
Ms. Betsy Fawsett - Associate Principal
Ms. Yaara Crane - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2026 Science and Technology Division)
Mr. Shawn Frank - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2027 and Mathematics and Computer Science Division)
Mr. Dylan Forshay - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2028 and World Language, Art, Music, and Physical Education Division)
Ms. Volita Russell - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2029 and Humanities Division)
Ms. Sara Wright - Director of Student Services (oversees Counselors, Social Worker, School Psychologist and other staff providing student support)
Ms. Leah Conte - Director of Student Activities (oversees Activities Office, 8th Period, Athletic Office, Building Maintenance, Custodians, Food Services)
Mr. Mike Roth - Communications Specialist (oversees NewsYouChoose and eNotify, Event promotions, print/digital text, photo, video, Social Media accounts, TJHSST Webmaster and Visitors US & International (TJPF)
For another specific staff member, please use our Staff Directory to find contact information.
Be sure to visit Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology On its official social media channel on Instagram @OfficialTJHSST for pictures and highlights of all the fun events and activities going on at TJ! (Please note that we have discontinued use of our X/Twitter account).
We'd love it if you give us a follow!
August 18 - First day of the 2025-26 school year. It will be a Modified Anchor Day
August 22 - News You Choose: First Week Report newsletter emailed to families.
August 26 - In-person Back-to-School Night, 6:00-8:00 p.m. (Virtual option also available)
August 28 - Back to School Bash after school
August 29-September 1 - Labor Day Holiday (No school for students and staff)
September 5: - September News You Choose newsletter emailed to families.
September 9: - No school for students
September 22-27 - Homecoming Week
September 22 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Rosh Hashanah begins in evening) - school remains in session with normal hours, no activities in evening.
September 23 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Rosh Hashanah) - no school for students or staff
September 26 - Homecoming football game, 7:00 p.m. at Main Stadium
September 27 - Homecoming Dance at TJ in evening
October 1 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Yom Kippur begins in evening) - school remains in session with normal hours, no activities in evening.
October 2 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Yom Kippur) - no school for students or staff
October 3 - October News You Choose newsletter emailed to families.
October 8 - PSAT/SAT administered at TJ for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders (more information will be forthcoming on this)
October 13 - Staff Development Day - No school for students.
October 20 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Diwali) - no school for students or staff
October 24-25 - TJHSST 40th Anniversary Celebration
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