Dear TJHSST Families,
Welcome to the first edition of the Jefferson Journal. These quick hit newsletters will be sent at the end of the week in weeks where we do not have a News You Choose newsletter coming out (when there is a News You Choose newsletter, there will be no Jefferson Journal).
The Jefferson Journal is meant to be brief with need to know updates and information. Feature stories and summaries of the months activities will remain in the News You Choose newsletter.
Any emergency communications will continue to be sent to you via the E-Notify system.
We hope those of you who came to the in-person Back-to-School Night enjoyed meeting your child's teachers and got the information you needed out of it.
If you were unable to attend, or need a refresher, you can still participate in our Virtual Back-to-School Night! Just visit the All-Parents/Guardians Schoology page and select "Virtual Back to School Night" to see videos from each teacher where they talk about their class and expectations. It is the same information they presented at the in-person Back-to-School Night event.
These videos will remain available for the next two weeks.
Now that we are entering the third week of school, students may no longer request changes to their schedule based on course preferences or elective changes. We want to support students as they fully engage in their learning in their courses. Though we understand that there may be a need to adjust student schedules during the academic year, we will no longer add a new course to the student schedule. Please see the procedures for schedule changes for the third week and beyond and review the TJHSST Schedule Change Policy for more information.
- Third Week and Beyond: At this point in the academic year, schedule changes are highly restricted. Approved requests will be processed as follows:
- Semester Course Drops: A student who withdraws from a semester course and receives administrative approval will be granted an off-campus waiver (period release).
- Yearlong Course Drops: A student who withdraws from a yearlong course and receives administrative approval will be granted an off-campus waiver (period release) for the first semester. A new second semester course may be added based on space availability and the student meeting all prerequisite requirements.
- Yearlong Course Level Changes: A request to change the level of a yearlong course, if approved, will result in enrollment in the new course based on space availability.
Important Note:
Students who are approved to withdraw from a course will not be permitted to remain on campus for the duration of that period. The student’s schedule may need to be rearranged to accommodate the off campus period during 1st, 4th, or 5th period. The student is responsible for providing their own transportation to and from campus within 15 minutes of the start or end of their next class.
FCPS Regulation 2445 governs the grading and reporting procedures for withdrawing from a course during each grading period.
How to Request Changes to the Schedule:
After the second week of school, the student is required to initiate the schedule change by speaking directly to their assigned school counselor. Depending on the time of the school year and type of course change requested, additional information may be required from the student, parent, and teacher of record, prior to obtaining administrative approval for the schedule change.
The PSAT is a great scholarship opportunity for the class of 2027, and TJ is here to help!
The PSAT is being administered here at TJ on October 8th, during the instructional day. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses 11th grade PSAT results to determine if students qualify for any commendations.
Based on the PSAT results, some students may be designated as a ‘Commended Scholar’ and others might be named as a ‘Semifinalist’. Semifinalist status represents the top 1% of students in the nation and become eligible to apply for a chance to earn a National Merit Scholarship.
Every 8th period leading up to October 8th, class of 2027 students can attend the 8th period activity PSAT PUSH - Test Prep. Students will have access to the Albert IO, the student-directed and paced PSAT test prep program including practice modules, sample questions, and full-length practice exams.
Students should look for “PSAT PUSH - Test Prep” in ION. If students aren’t able to attend during 8th periods, they can still access the Albert IO program from anywhere! We encourage you to have a conversation with your 11th grade student about how they might use this resource between now and October 8.
TJ Families, please remember that there will be no school for students on Tuesday, September 9 due to the special election taking place.
Dear 9th Grade Parents,
Greetings! It is not too late to sign up for our first session of the “How to Raise an Adult” book club. It will be held in Franklin Commons at TJHSST on Friday, September 12, from 9-10:30am. Our school social worker Ms. Armstrong, school counselor Erik Hansen, and family liaison Ms. Finkbeiner, will facilitate the meeting. You don’t have to read the book in order to join the meeting, but reading will, of course, enrich your experience.
The goal is to create a space where 9th grade parents can connect with each other and establish their place of belonging within the TJ community. This book will also provide you with parenting strategies for highly stressed (involved) teens.
We are planning to have 3 sessions this fall (9/12, 9/26 and 10/10). To create a meaningful and engaged experience, our first session will be held in person (the PTSA Health and Wellness Committee will provide coffee and light refreshments).
Session 1 will cover chapter 1-5 of the book. If you are interested, please use the link to sign up. We are looking forward to meeting you!
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.
TJ's Anchor/Blue/Red Day Calendar
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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