Dear TJHSST Families,
It's been a memorable two weeks! Hopefully next week will be the return to normal. We finally started the second semester on Thursday. Our teachers are in the process of finalizing second quarter/first semester grades and they will be available for you to see on Monday. More details are in a note below in this newsletter.
This week I have several reminders for you, including notice of the next SEL screener coming on March 2. We've also had a lot of success and news coverage recently with our athletic teams and our band, so be sure to keep reading to find out more!
By the way, starting this month I've made the move to calling all of my weekly newsletters Jefferson Journals. This will help with consistency and keeping the newsletters closer to the same length (and not too long!) each week.
As always please reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mike Roth
TJHSST Director of Communications
The Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 9-12 during advisory on Monday, March 2, 2026. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. More information is available about the SEL Screener by accessing this link: https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/social-emotional-screener
If you wish to opt your child out of the SEL Screener, please reach out to Elizabeth Soteriou at easoteriou@fcps.edu
Reminder that Gradebook and Report Card within ParentVue and StudentVue are currently unavailable while grades are being recorded after the semester change.
Families will regain access to all these reports at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, February 9.
Schoology Course availability for quarter 3 is available now, while course availability for quarter 2 ends on February 9.
Please remember that the only students allowed to park on campus are those who purchased a parking pass for the 2025-26 school year.
Security will ticketing cars that are in the lots without a pass.
If you would like to purchase a pass for the remainder of the year, make your payment on my school bucks or in the finance office. Then bring a completed parking application to room 130, at the beginning of lunch. The pass will then be issued. Questions contact Mr. McNulty.
We’re excited to welcome therapy dogs to TJHSST during lunch on February 11, March 11, and May 20! Students are invited to stop by the Wellness Room to spend time with our four-legged visitors, relax, and de-stress.
In addition, teachers will have the opportunity to sign up their classes to visit the therapy dogs on April 28 and April 29 during designated times. More information to come.
To participate, students will need to verify that they do not have any animal allergies. Space may be limited, so visits will be first come, first served.
We hope you’ll join us for some paws-itive vibes and a well-deserved break during the school day!
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (AirPods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) can no longer be used during passing periods. Phones and personal devices must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell) with the exception of lunch time in designated lunch spaces. Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school. Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including consequences for cell phone policy violations and exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at 703-750-8300.
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. You will need 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.
As our school community grows and changes, more of our students and families are facing practical needs. That’s why we’re excited to launch Jefferson Junction, our brand-new non-perishable food and hygiene resource for students.
But we can't do it without your help.
We're asking our amazing TJ parents and families to partner with us in stocking the pantry shelves. Whether it's some healthy snacks, or hygiene essentials, every donation makes a difference. We will collect donations on a rolling basis to keep the pantry stocked. All donations will be used to support TJ students.
🛒 Want to help? Here’s how:
- Visit our Amazon Wish List and have items sent directly to the school: https://a.co/giHCfQN Attention: Danielle Armstrong, Social Worker
- Drop off non-perishable donations at the school: Attention: Danielle Armstrong, Social Worker
From all of us at TJ — thank you for stepping up and helping Jefferson Junction become a place where every student knows they’re seen, valued, and supported.
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.
Fairfax County Public Schools has written a pair of features on TJ accomplishments this past week.
TJHSST Student Named Finalist in 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search - Feature on TJ Senior Aashritha Penumudi!
TJHSST Athletics Program Makes State History Appointing Women to Lead Both Baseball and Football Programs - Story on new head football coach Rachel Worsham and our new head baseball coach Jennifer Hammond!
We want to give a big congratulations to the following 32 students who won positions in the VBODA District XI All-District Band Festival! They were selected through a rigorous audition process last month and will perform in concert at West Springfield High School this Saturday, February 7. There is a Middle School group first at 2 PM, then the two High School ensembles perform starting at 2:40 PM – done around 4. The concert is free and open to the public if you’d like to come support them!
Congratulations to Jacqueline Ake, Dhivij Bhooma, Madison Carney, Abhinav Chakravarthy, Ariana Choi, Sinan Chung, Leah Dober, Andrew Du, Ayla Goldsmith, Avani Gopalakrishna, Harry Han, Elsie Honny, Justin Jeong, Lilian Kall, Gavin Keeler, Arin Kim, Nathan Lee, Sophie Li, Alex Liu, Glenda Lu, Alexis Lwin, Keshavan Nair, Jonathan Nguyen, Isaac Park, Max Ritter, Henry Stievater, Aaron Su, Henry Wang, Ivy Zhang, Kelly Zhang, Emma Zheng, and Lauren Zhong! Have fun and way to represent TJ!
 TJ's Boys Swim and Dive team are National District Champions!
 TJ Girls Swim and Dive Team are National District Champions!
 TJ Gymnastics are National District Champions!
Winter Sports have entered playoff season, and 3 teams have already earned National District Championship titles. Congratulations to Boys & Girls Swim & Dive Teams, and our Gymnastics team. (pictures attached). Amy Nam (senior) is the National District Dive Champion. Jake Sim, Wroten McQuirter, Kamsi Anyalebechi, Darren Kim, Landen Matis, Madeline Roche, Laura Prudius, Emma Dewhirst, Emma He, and Payton Morris are all swimmers earning first place in their events. Alaina Szeto is the National District All Around Champion for gymnastics after sweeping all 4 event titles.
TJ Boys Indoor Track Team placed fourth and the Girls Indoor Track Team placed fifth at the District Championship Meet. Will Fadden is the Boy’s 1000m & 1600m District Champion. Sita Lamartin is the Girl’s 1000m Champion.
Stay tuned for more updates on the remaining Winter Sports still in the regular season.
You can also check out the Athletics Instagram Account @TJHSST_Sports for a list of all our athletes’ achievements.
Spring Sports will start on Monday, February 23. To try out, families need to complete the Athletic Registration, and students need a valid VHSL physical. Physicals on file from last year are good for 14 months from the date they were signed by the doctor, meaning most will expire during the season. You will not be allowed to participate with an expired physical
Link to Athletic Registration: https://arbiter.io/
Link to the April 2025 VHSL physical form https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RuSs631yiqZ5nllCgvvo2Cj84JTRPpJx/view
Contact Heather Murphy if you have questions about tryout eligibility hrmurphy@fcps.edu
Need to get in contact with 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
February 16 - Presidents' Day Holiday - no school for students and staff
February 17 - Teacher Workday - no school for students
February 18 - This Wednesday will be an anchor day for TJ. It is also Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Ash Wednesday) - school remains in session
February 25 - Winter Band Concert - 7 p.m. in Auditorium
February 27 - TJ Talent Show - after school in Auditorium
March 7-8 - HackTJ 13.0 - Cvent Headquarters in Tysons, Va.
March 14 - INite Performance - NOVA Alexandria
March 16 - This Monday will be a Red Day for TJ.
March 19 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day begins in evening (Eid-al-Fitr) - school remains in session.
March 20 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Eid-al-Fitr) - no school for students or staff.
March 27 - Modified Red Day with two-hour early release - end of third quarter
March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break - no school for students or staff.
April 6 - Teacher Workday - no school for students.
April 10 - School Planning Day - no school for students.
|
