I hope everyone had a great week! This week's Jefferson Journal has several announcements from FCPS that we are asked to pass along, so please be sure to review those. We also have some fun stories, including our TJ Science and Engineering Fair results, an FCPS feature on our baseball team's Adaptive Baseball Camp, and our PTSA providing some sweet treats to the staff for Valentine's Day.
Remember there is no school for students on Monday and Tuesday next week. Monday is Presidents' Day so staff is off as well. Tuesday is a staff workday. Most of the staff on Tuesday will be working from alternate locations, so TJ is open by appointment only from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. if you need to drop by the school.
As always please reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mike Roth
TJHSST Director of Communications
Visitors to TJ next week will notice the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS) set up. While the check-in process will remain similar to the previous process, this system will speed it up with an easier way to scan your license and an app that will make check-in a breeze!
We will have more information next week after our first week of a soft rollout of the system.
For families of the Class of 2026 - Congratulations on making it to your final semester of high school! It's an exciting time, but we understand that it can be stressful keeping track of all those end of the school year responsibilities.
As mentioned in the E-Notify sent by Mike Roth on January 22, we have set up a Class of 2026 Final Semester website that has answers to all your frequently asked questions about events like prom, graduation, final exams, final days of school, etc.
Please bookmark the link as we will be updating it often as plans get finalized!
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 ticket 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 MySchoolBucks 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. If you have questions, contact Mr. McNulty.
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
On Monday, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students received an email to participate in a voluntary and confidential survey. (Please check your spam folder if you have not received it.)
Questions refer to proposed changes to FCPS’ SR&R document for next year. This document outlines the rules that students are expected to follow, and guidelines for consequences if those expectations are not met. Possible changes include:
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Universal Discipline: Charts will list consequences and supports for students. They will help ensure that two students of the same grade will be treated fairly and receive the same level of support.
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Standards for In-School Suspensions of Students with Disabilities: Creating standards for how in-school suspensions are handled for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
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Accommodations for Multilingual Learner Student Statements: Providing translation accommodations when Multilingual Learner students provide statements about disciplinary incidents.
The survey will be open until Friday, February 20. Survey materials are available online.
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.
Photo Gallery of TJ Science and Engineering Fair on Instagram
Photo Gallery of award ceremony on Instagram
The annual TJ Science and Engineering Fair took place on Saturday, January 24, where we had a record 177 students present 112 projects! Twenty-five Outstanding Projects will advance to the Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair to be held March 13-15 at Robinson Secondary School. Additionally, eight projects have earned Honorable Mention designation, and three of those will serve as alternates to the Regional Fair
We announced and recognized these awardees during 8th period on Wednesday, February 11 (rescheduled several times due to the weather). Thank you to all who participated, we are in awe of your creativity and thirst for knowledge!
The list of Outstanding Projects and Honorable Mentions can be found on our website.
FCPS Story on TJ Adaptive Baseball Camp
Thank you to Fairfax County Public Schools for featuring our junior baseball player Andrew Haydon and the rest of the TJ Baseball team as they put on the first of three Adaptive Baseball clinics at TJ this past weekend!
Andrew was inspired by his younger brother's efforts to learn how to play baseball and worked with his teammates and school administration to create an adaptive baseball clinic program that could accommodate young athletes with disabilities.
Nearly 30 kids from throughout Northern Virginia participated last Saturday, and the team will do it again each of the next two Saturdays!
Thank you TJ PTSA for making the TJ staff's Valentine's Day weekend a little sweeter!
On Friday, Feb. 13, the PTSA put out a tremendous spread of donuts, bagels, and coffee for the staff members to enjoy. They also had roses, and to-go bags of chocolate for when a snack attack hits a little later on!
We truly appreciate everything the TJ PTSA does for us!
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.
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