Dear TJHSST Families,
We are now three weeks into the school year and I think we've gotten into the swing of things! Students and staff have established their routines, and we just completed our first eighth period of the year today (Sept. 5).
Of course that means we soon be entering Homecoming Season! One of our biggest traditions, TJ will soon be bustling with student activities as the classes organize their competitions. Our Student Government Association (SGA) wrote a guest column later in the newsletter explaining everything going on during Homecoming Season.
Please be sure to review everything in the newsletter, I have important calendar updates and notices, some of which are class specific (Class of 2029 families, please take note of the Freshman webinar scheduled for next Thursday, Sept. 11).
Finally, we will be holding our 40th Anniversary of TJHST Celebration October 24-25. We have a lot of activities planned with all alumni, current students, current and former staff invited. Be sure to check out the Jefferson Journal next Friday as I will have all the details!
TJ Families - remember that there is no school for students on Tuesday, September 9 due to the special election being held for Virginia's 11th Congressional District. This is a change from the originally released school schedule and was done because a large portion of FCPS' buildings are being used as voting precincts.
Please visit TJ's Anchor/Blue/Red Day calendar for the most up-to-date schedule.
Digital Resource Consent from families is an essential part of the back-to-school process each fall, allowing TJHSST to provide students with safe, approved digital tools that support assignments, collaboration, and skill-building. Without this consent, students may be limited in their ability to fully participate in class activities.
As of September 3, approximately 60% of TJ families have given this DRC consent. Families can give consent for their students by following these steps:
- Go to the FCPS Parent Digital Consent system
- Log in using your ParentVUE username (email) and password
- Scroll down to Required Forms and click Digital Resource Consent 2025-2026 or click the Opt-In to All Forms button to the right
- If you choose Digital Resources Consent 2025-2026, select all appropriate tools and click Save Selections at the bottom
Fall is the time for juniors and seniors at TJ to think about National Honor Society! Information about the selection process for membership in this organization can be found here.
TJ hosts a single induction for newly selected members in the fall of every year.
In the coming weeks, eligible students and their parents/guardians will receive an email notification regarding the selection process and timelines.
Also, current members are reminded to keep earning and entering service hours and ensure good standing in all four pillars of NHS: service, character, scholarship and leadership. Check the NHS Schoology page for opportunities to serve.
TJ offers late buses departing from Door 12 on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Please check the sign outside the main office for the list of routes and depot stops. Please note: These late buses are for Fairfax County residents only.
Please Note - this message is intended for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade families
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) uses the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth assessments to determine students’ strengths and needs in mathematics and reading. Students in select high school math and English courses will participate in these tests. Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests provides more information on these tests.
- MAP Growth Reading - students in English 9, English 10, AP Seminar 10 and English 11 courses
- MAP Growth Math – students in TJ Math 1, TJ Math 2, TJ Math 3, and TJ Math 4
English and math teachers use MAP Growth assessments in the fall with all students in the select courses. Some students may retest in winter and spring to provide additional growth data. Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening and growth is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-tests-assessments/grade-level-tests).
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading or math intervention plan. If you have questions about academic screening or growth tests, please contact me, Lisa Broadhead, TJ’s testing coordinator at LKBroadhead@fcps.edu.
Please Note - This message is intended for our Class of 2029 Parents/Guardians
On Thursday, September 11 at 10:00 a.m. our Department of Student Services will be hosting a webinar for parent/guardians of the Class of 2029 regarding important freshman year topics.
The webinar will include information an introduction of school counselors, tips for student success, strategies for parent support, and helpful contact information.
Class of 2029 families will receive a Zoom link for this webinar via email on Monday, September 8, so please check your inboxes.
The following message is from the TJ Student Government Association (SGA) and is meant to give families an idea of this year's homecoming plans/schedule:
Hello TJ!
This is SGA, TJ’s Student Government Association, and we’re here to proudly introduce Homecoming Week to you all for the 2025-26 school year! Unlike other High Schools, Homecoming at TJ is more than just a dance. As part of this year’s Homecoming celebrations, students will once again participate in competitions throughout the month between the four grade levels to gain homecoming points.
💃 Homecoming Dance 🕺
To culminate Homecoming Week a Homecoming Dance will be held: Saturday, September 27th, 2025 from 7:00 - 9:30 PM indoors, where you can enter through the dome/door 1. Similarly to last year, tickets will be available to purchase on My School Bucks from September 15th to September 26th for $20. Tickets can be purchased up until 1pm on September 26.
Want to bring a non-TJ student guest to the homecoming dance? No problem! Fill out this guest form and turn it in no later than 4pm on September 24th to Mrs. Holloway at the front office, no exceptions!
💸 Money Wars 💸
One of the schoolwide competitions is Money Wars! A friendly fundraising competition between classes to benefit Helping Hungry Kids, a local nonprofit fighting childhood hunger. Each grade is working towards a $2,000 fundraising goal. If the goal is met, that class earns maximum Homecoming points, but most importantly, every dollar raised directly supports children in need. Contributions can be made through My School Bucks, where each class has its own link. Donations open Monday, September 22nd at 8:40 a.m. and close Friday, September 26th at 12:40 p.m.
HOMECOMING WEEK SCHEDULE
|
Date
|
Activity
|
Spirit Day
|
Description
|
|
Friday, 19th
|
N/A
|
Dress Your Best 👗👔
|
Get ready for hoco week wearing your best clothes! Dresses, suits, polos, skirts, you name it!
|
|
Monday, 22nd
|
Lunch Pep Rally
|
Dress Your Age 👶
|
‘29: Babies/toddlers
‘28: Gen Z
‘27: Millennials/Gen X
‘26: Seniors
Staff: Dress as students!
|
|
Tuesday, 23rd
|
No School
|
|
Wednesday, 24th
|
Lunch Pep Rally
|
Group Day 👭👬
|
Grab your friends and dress up together as a group!
|
|
Thursday, 25th
|
Lunch Pep Rally
|
Theme Day 🌟
|
‘29: Minions, Tonight We Steal The Moon (Despicable Me)
‘28: Long Before Time Had a Name (Ninjago)
‘27: In a Galaxy Far, Far Away (Star Wars)
‘26: When You Wish Upon a Star (Disney Classics)
|
|
Friday, 26th
|
7th Period Outdoors Pep Rally
|
Shades of School Spirit ❤️🤍💙🖤
|
‘29: Red
‘28: White
‘27: Blue
‘26: Black/Togas
Buy and wear your class shirt!
|
|
Homecoming Afterschool Football game
|
TBD! 🏈
|
TBD! 🏈
|
|
Saturday, 27th
|
Homecoming Dance!
|
|
🎥Overarching theme: Film Franchises 🎞️
|
We hope that everyone is as hyped for homecoming week as we are!
Best,
Jocelyn Huie, TJ SGA President
Gabby Licayan, TJ SGA Vice President
A new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, will allow students, parents/caregivers, and community members to register and search volunteer opportunities in the division.
All volunteers (new or returning) will register in Volunteer FCPS, complete a volunteer orientation, and be required to sign in using the visitor kiosk. Some volunteers will also be required to undergo a background check. Visit the Volunteer FCPS website for details.
TJHSST will be posting volunteer opportunities soon!
Our students who participate in prayer each day can have “Prayer Passes”.
Students who are interested in a prayer pass should pick up a permission slip for parent signature from the office. Students are responsible for any work missed if they are absent during instruction time.
If families have any questions they can reach out to their child's grade level administrator (Assistant Principal).
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 10 in the Auditorium -OR- Tuesday, October 21 in the Lecture Hall.
You child needs to check with their English teacher to find out which day and period they are scheduled to attend.
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001268876
📸 Images Available: Approximately two-three weeks after picture day
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email the photographer at underclass@vosphoto.com or Ms. Hampton at lmhampton@fcps.edu
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.
During August, local printing company CSI did a fantastic job installing our new wall wrap on Alumni Hall! This collage of pictures celebrates the 40-year history of TJHSST with equal representation from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. We've observed several students taking selfies with it so it has been a popular addition!
As for that giant screen that is now also attached to the wall? We'll explain that soon!
Back to School Bash Photo Gallery on Instagram
TJ knows how to party! The annual Back to School Bash on August 28 featured games, food trucks, music and a bunch of excited students who had survived the first two weeks of school!
Amazing weather as we gathered as #OneTJ to have a bit of fun before going on to cheer the football team on in its home opener later that night!
Photo Gallery of Eighth Period Activity Fair on Instagram
Over 200 clubs and activities are active and ready for new members! Our 8th period activity fair was held during Eighth Period (Advisory) on September 3 where each of the clubs had the opportunity to showcase what they had to offer to the Class of 2029 (and new students from the Class of 2028)!
Whether its academic, cultural, gaming, athletic, or social there is something for everyone, and with TJ's unique 8th period program, students get to experience it during the school day every Wednesday and Friday!
Thanks to a partnership with the Washington Commanders, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will be piloting Girls Flag Football at every high school starting this fall. Interested TJ students should visit our new website www.tjsports.org. The schedule can be found under Athletics-Flag Football. The link to register is https://students.arbitersports.com/programs/athletics-activities-registration-2025-2026-15. The new VHSL APRIL 2025 version of the physical form can be found under forms.
If students have any questions, they should reach out to DSA, Ms. Conte
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!
TJ's Anchor/Blue/Red Day Calendar
September 9: - No school for students
September 19-27 - 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
|
