Dear TJHSST Families,
As we head into Thanksgiving season, we here at TJ are thankful for everyone in this community that keeps us rolling along. Last month featured our amazing 40th Anniversary Celebration, which helped reconnect us with hundreds of past alumni and former staff! We want to keep that momentum going and will be announcing some more events in the future!
Our newsletter this week contains important updates that will affect our families over the next month. Make sure to read about when you will be able to access your child's first quarter grades, as well as information on filling out the Federal Impact Aid survey.
With the government shutdown taking a significant toll on several of our families, I encourage everyone to read about resources available for affected families. Help is available.
Finally, learn about all the fun we've had the past month! In addition to our Anniversary, we had two cultural celebrations, a Halloween Costume contest, and several students win some prestigious awards!
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards!
To submit a nomination for a TJHSST Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.) All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
- Outstanding New Principal
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location. Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
- Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location. Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, After-School Specialist, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school, Special Education Department Chairs that teach less than 50% of their time, Reading Specialists that do not have a regular course load/do not give grades
- Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location. Common positions in this category: Administrative Assistant, Office Assistant, Student Information Assistant, Finance Technician, School Finance Assistant, Student Services Assistant, Registrar, Custodian, Building Supervisor, Operating Engineer, Food Services staff, Instructional Assistant, Family Liaison, Public Health Training Assistant, Safety and Security Assistant, and all hourly employees*
Attached are full eligibility descriptions for each award. The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, November 10th 4 pm.
If you have any questions, please contact Volita Russell at vsrussell@fcps.edu.
The Gradebook in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed for the end of the first quarter from Friday, October 31, at 4 p.m. to Monday, November 10, at 6 a.m.
Activate your ParentVUE account to easily access grade reports.
TJ and FCPS are asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
TJ Families, make sure your students are aware of this new policy:
All lost electronics will now be turned into Mr. McNulty and can be picked up from him in his office in Room 47.
It’s time to pre-order your 2026 yearbook! Visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 13621.
- With the purchase of Techniques yearbook, you get Threshold literary magazine, Teknos science magazine, and a year of tjTODAY (distributed at school throughout the year and online) for free.
- You will also find options for purchasing a nameplate to personalize your student's yearbook, but nameplates must be ordered by December 31
- And families of seniors can purchase senior “ads” through December 19 to congratulate their grad.
Act now to secure June delivery of your yearbook. Contact Lisa Hampton at lmhampton@fcps.edu with questions.
TJHSST Community,
We warmly invite all military-connected students, families, and staff to our inaugural Military Connected and Veteran Appreciation Breakfast!
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When: Monday, November 10th, from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
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What: Light refreshments and community gathering.
This special event provides a dedicated opportunity for our school to express our profound gratitude to our active service members and veteran families while fostering strong relationships within our military-connected community.
We look forward to seeing you there! Please kindly complete the RSVP form so we can plan accordingly for food and accommodations.
Thank you,
*When you arrive at TJHSST on November 10th, please enter through Door 1 to sign in and then follow the signs and proceed to the cafeteria.
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.
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Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local Community - Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. Its Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.
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Community Resources for Families in Need - Through partnerships with community-based organizations and other Fairfax County agencies, Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) provides information, referrals, and advocacy to help individuals connect with services, including: basic needs (food, shelter, clothing), financial assistance, health care services, and referrals to services and resources. Visit the CSP website or call 703-222-0880 for assistance.
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How to Access or Donate Food to Those in Need - View the Emergency Food Access Providers webpage to see where to access food or donate to your local food bank.
Federal Student Aid has released the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and financial aid forms. Then, create an account if you have not already done so, and fill out the FAFSA.
Get Help Filling Out the FAFSA
Over the next few months, College Access Fairfax will offer several programs on completing the FAFSA/VASA and finding and applying for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website.
College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to help complete the FAFSA/VASA. To request an appointment, families should email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org.
VASA Update
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application has not yet opened, but should be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
We're thrilled to announce that the Jefferson Junction is now stocked! Our restock shelves are filled, and the student-access containers are prepped and ready for deployment.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort. Your generous donations and quick action have made a real difference, ensuring that our community members have access to these necessities.
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What's inside?
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Snacks: Granola bars, Cup Noodles, trail mix, and more to keep everyone energized.
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Hygiene: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine supplies and other essentials.
The Jefferson Junction is accessible to ALL students by asking a student services staff member or assistant principal.
If you are interested in donation, we need bowls and Cup Noodles single-serve containers. Our wish list: https://a.co/giHCfQN
Thank you again for your incredible support and kindness!
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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 Tailgate on Instagram
Photo Gallery of Open House on Instagram
Photo Gallery of Banquet on Instagram
Feature Story on 40th Anniversary Celebration
While it is impossible to fully recognize the over 16,000 alumni and at least 1,500 staff members who have made Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology one of the leaders in STEM education in Northern Virginia the past 40 years, TJHSST held one of the largest gatherings of alumni and former staff with its 40th Anniversary Celebration Oct. 24-25.
On Friday, Oct. 24, we held a tailgate before the football game. The big events came on Saturday, Oct. 25 as hundreds of alumni and former staff came to the TJ Open House for tours, to visit old friends, and to network with current students. At night we held a banquet in Tysons celebrating all that TJHSST has become!
There will be much more recognition of alumni and former staff in the future as we announced the formation of our Hall of Honor at the banquet. More details to follow, but for now enjoy photo galleries and a full recap of the weekend at the links above.
 Photo courtesy of Georgetown University
Note: Story courtesy of TJ senior Ryan Paul
The AI in Society (Human Inquiry Into Tech) Club offered students a chance to visit Georgetown University on October 15 to hear Raising AI, a talk by Professor De Kai, the inventor of the world's first language translator, which spawned Google Translate. Students learned about the formative nature of artificial intelligence and how they can help shape AI in an ethical way. They also had the opportunity to participate in an audience Q&A and talk to the professor informally after the presentation.
TJ got a shout-out during the talk and was mentioned in a Georgetown University news story.
Photo Gallery of Hispanic Heritage Month on Instagram
October is Hispanic Heritage Month. TJ's Hispanic Culture Club put on its annual Hispanic Heritage Festival after school on October 3!
There were singers and dancers, several cultural displays and of course an awesome array of food!
Great job HCC and thank you to the TJ PTSA for their generous grant that allowed our students to celebrate their culture!
Photo Gallery of Diwali Celebration on Instagram
On October 17 afterschool TJ had another cultural celebration as Namaste put on a Diwali Festival! There were amazing performances, some musical and some dancing. Capped with a delicious feast at the end!
Great job Namaste in showcasing your culture, and thank you TJ PTSA for the grant to allow them to put this on!
TJ Latin Team leader Ms. Patty Lister took two teams to Yale on November 1 and the Advanced Team won first place! It's the first time a TJ team has won at this level! The Advanced Team consisted of seniors Ethan O’Hara, Sarah Trainer, Aidan Wright and junior Vir Maniar. Sarah also won MVP for the tournament!
A big congrats to TJ Orchestra as 26 students earned spots on the Senior Regional Team this year! That is the most of any school in the area. Earning spots were:
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Jaemin Lee (Concertmaster-1st Chair: Violin)
Max Zhao (Violin)
Satchit Mainali (Violin)
William Zhang (Violin)
Chaemin Kim (Violin)
Rayna Kim (Violin)
Timothy Oh (Violin)
Moses Guo (Violin)
Paul Yoo (Violin)
Lily Lu (Violin)
Lucia Ishii (Violin)
Andrew Lam (Viola)
Anish Thota (Viola)
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Valerie Lai (Cello)
Yenna Kang (Cello)
Elaine Zhang (Cello)
Brandon Sang-Zheng (Cello Alternate)
Kaleb Hickling (Bass)
Ethan Chen (Piano)
Sophie Li (Principal Piccolo)
Emma Zheng (Flute)
Lilian Kall (Flute)
Alexander Liu (Trumpet)
Elsie Honny (Tenor Trombone Alternate)
Isaac Park (Percussion)
Abhinav Chakravarthy (Percussion)
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The TJ Marching Colonials have had some great performances at recent invitationals. They placed fifth overall at the Mid-Atlantic Bands of America and fourth at the James Madison University Parade of Champions!
Congrats go to Maxwell Ritter for earning All-Virginia Jazz honors on trumpet! Brandon Tarrillo (alto sax), Alexander Liu (trumpet), and Elsie Honny (trombone) were named first alternates.
Photo Gallery of Halloween Costume Contest on Instagram
TJ students again showed their incredible creativity with the SGA's annual Halloween Costume Contest on October 31! Winners included:
Best Horror: Carrie
Best DIY: Thomas Jefferson
Best Overall: The Lorax
Best Group: The Louvre Heist
Congrats to all the winners, and it was a lot of fun to see everyone's costumes!
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
November 10 - This Monday will be a Blue Day for TJ
November 11 - Veterans Day - no school for students or staff
November 17 - Modified Anchor Day with 60 minute advisory and no JLC
November 24 - This Monday will be a Red Day for TJ
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Holiday - no school for students or staff
December 5 - December News You Choose newsletter will be released
December 8 - Modified Anchor Day with 60 minute advisory and no JLC as well as Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Bodhi Day) - school remains in session.
December 10 - Winter Band Concert - 7 p.m. in Auditorium
December 22-January 2 - Winter Break - no school for students or staff
January 6 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Three Kings Day/Epiphany) - school remains in session with normal hours.
January 7 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Orthodox Christmas) - school remains in session with normal hours.
January 9 - January News You Choose newsletter will be released
January 14 - Winter Orchestra Concert - 7 p.m. in Auditorium
January 19 - Martin Luther King Holiday - no school for students or staff
January 28 - Modified Red Day with two-hour early release - end of first semester
January 29 - Staff Development Day - no school for students
January 30 - Teacher Workday - no school for students
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