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Dear Thoreau Families,
As we head into the long weekend, I hope you and your family find time to rest, recharge, and reflect in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 19.
As we look toward the second half of the month, please take a moment to review these upcoming dates and mark your calendars:
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Wednesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter and an early release for students.
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Thursday, January 29, Schools are closed for students for a staff development day.
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Friday, January 30, schools are closed for students for a teacher workday.
- Course Planning: Information regarding registration timelines for next year is included below.
- Assessments: Please note the key testing dates listed in this week’s full update.
We truly appreciate your continued partnership and support. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday!
Sincerely,
Teresa Khuluki
Principal
Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We encourage families and staff to enjoy the long weekend. Please see the complete school year calendar for additional details.
The second quarter officially ends on January 28th. Please review your child's assignments and grades in the Student Information System (SIS) later next week. If you have any concerns about their academic progress, please don't hesitate to contact their teachers to discuss necessary support, such as extra help sessions during Eagle Time or after school.
Below is the schedule of key academic advising, registration, and transition events for Rising 7th, Rising 8th, and Rising 9th Grade students.
Rising 7th Grade
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Thursday, February 5, 2026; Snow date: February 11, 2026.
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Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night and Open House: General information about Thoreau MS, elective courses, introduction to resources and the registration process, and breakout sessions for math and AAP. For additional details, see our school’s website.
- Thursday, February 5, 2026 & Friday, February 6, 2026
- Rising 7th Grade Visits: Course presentations and Activity Fair. Elementary students transported to Thoreau MS - 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- February 2, 2026 – February 13, 2026
- Thoreau counselors visit elementary schools to present courses and review the StudentVue registration process and available resources. Day and time will be set with individual elementary schools as requested.
- Friday, March 2, 2026
- Rising 7th Grade course selections due in SIS StudentVue. Deadline for AAP decisions: March 1, 2026. Thoreau will communicate with elementary schools regarding any missing course requests.
Rising 8th Grade
- Thursday, February 12, 2026 & Friday, February 13, 2026
- Rising 8th Grade presentations through Science 7.
- Thursday, February 12, 2026
- Rising 8th Grade Math Night.
- Rising 8th Grade Core Curriculum Information Night.
- For additional details, see our school’s website.
- February 17, 2026 – February 26, 2026
- Rising 8th Grade Academic Advising Feedback Conversations (between students and teachers regarding 8th grade course selections).
- Friday, February 27, 2026
- 8th Grade courses due in StudentVue.
Rising 9th Grade
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Friday, January 23, 2026: Madison HS and Oakton HS 9th Grade courses due in StudentVue.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Rising 9th Grade High School Presentation (Marshall HS counselors visit Thoreau.)
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January 26, 2026 – February 27, 2026: One-to-one academic advising through science for rising 9th grade students.
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Thursday, February 5, 2026: Marshall HS Rising 9th Grade Curriculum Night.
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Monday, February 9, 2026: Marshall HS course selections due in StudentVue.
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Monday, April 13, 2026: Marshall HS, Madison HS, and Oakton HS Activities Fair.
Students in grades 3-8 participate in state assessments each year. State assessments measure how students are learning grade level standards. Format and timing of state assessments vary by subject and grade level.
The SOL assessment schedule can be found below. The testing schedule will impact the bell schedule each day. Please avoid prearranged student absences on the dates your child will be taking an SOL test.
| Date |
7th Grade |
8th Grade |
| March 25th |
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Integrated Reading & Writing (IRW) |
| May 6th |
Reading |
Reading |
| May 13th |
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Science |
| May 20th |
Math |
Math |
More information about these assessments can be found on the webpage: SOL Tests in Elementary and Middle Schools (https://www.fcps.edu/node/42716). The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/50045) outlines the division testing schedule for required assessments at each grade. School staff will contact you with the specific dates your student is scheduled to take spring SOL tests.
The state allows elementary and middle school students who fail a spring SOL test to have another attempt before the end of the school year. Retests are not offered for the integrated reading and writing (IRW) component. Parent/guardian permission is required for the school to retest any student in grades 3-8. A decision not to allow retesting will not impact your student’s course grade or academic record. If you believe your student would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills on the spring SOL test, submit your decision using the Parent Digital Consent application (https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digitalresources/consent). This application uses your SIS ParentVUE login.
If you have questions about state assessments or about SOL retesting, contact your student’s teacher or Thoreau’s School Testing Coordinator, Erin Lynch (emlynch@fcps.edu).
Madison High School is hosting an “Athletics 101” presentation for parents and students on Tuesday, January 27th. This presentation is designed to provide incoming 9th grade parents and their students information about what they can expect as they transition into the high school athletics world.
During the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) Winter Reading Adventure, participants are invited to read for the gold and tap into their inner artist by creating a tiny art piece to be displayed on the FCPL library website!
Starting on January 12, school-age, teens and adults could pick up a Tiny Canvases painting kit (4x4 easel, paints and brushes) at the following FCPL branches:
Burke Centre Library
Chantilly Regional Library
Dolley Madison Library
Great Falls Library
Lorton Library
Pohick Regional Library
Reston Regional Library
Sherwood Regional Library
Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library
Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/3ytcja9k
The College Partnership Program (CPP) application is now open for rising 9th Graders.
CPP offers programming to help prepare students and families from 9th grade all the way through applying to and enrolling in college. The deadline to apply is February 20, 2026.
There will be an interest meeting on Wednesday, January 21st in the Cafeteria during ET.
Please reach out to Ms. Turner for any questions. kjturner@fcps.edu
Thoreau will compete in its annual basketball tournament versus Kilmer Middle School on Thursday, April 9th at Madison HS. This event is a fundraiser sponsored by the Thoreau PTA. School administration will determine “eligibility” to participate based on students being in good standing.
We will be holding a student interest meeting after school on Tuesday, January 20th.
All participants must submit a valid Middle School Sports Athletic Physical Examination. Physicals are valid for 14 months, and physicals submitted for other FCPS MS sports also meet this requirement.
Tryouts will be the week of February 2. Families must submit several required steps before tryouts.
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Afterschool Registration Consent
- FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination (PPE) Form
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The PPE Form, must be completely filled in and properly signed (pages 1-3) attesting that you have been examined, found to be physically fit for athletic competition no more than 14 calendar months prior to the date on which report was signed.
- Proof of Medical/Accident Insurance Coverage (on PPE Form) Any student participating in voluntary Afterschool athletic programs, must have insurance.
- Hard/paper copies of PPE and ECC Forms must be turned in at the Main Office for review, processing and approval. *Students may not be cleared for participation the same day they submit forms.
ALL PAPERWORK MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE THOREAU MAIN OFFICE BEFORE TRYOUTS BEGIN
Interested in playing competitive basketball and facing off against Kilmer Middle School in the annual Crosstown Hoops game? Come out to our upcoming interest meeting on Tuesday Jan. 20 after school during the 1st session.
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