Hi everyone, another week in the books! Quick reminder that that next week there is no school on Tuesday, April 21 due to TJ being used as a voting location in the special election taking place in the Commonwealth. Also remember that Monday, April 20 will be a Blue Day to accommodate this change.
In this week's newsletter I have a bunch of AP and SOL information. I have a request from the PTSA as they look for assistance next month during AP Testing. I also have a reminder about the 2026 yearbook, the deadline to purchase comes up next weekend.
We also have some things to celebrate! TJ students won several awards at the Virginia Science and Engineering Fair, while we also distributed medals to our National Merit Scholarship Commended and Semifinalist students!
As always, please reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mike Roth
TJHSST Director of Communications
Please Note - the following message comes from the TJ PTSA
TJ will administer approximately 6,200 AP exams from May 4-15 this year. The PTSA supports the school by helping ensure proper test administration through parent proctor volunteers. In addition, the PTSA provides snacks for students during their AP exam breaks. Students often say this is their happy moment on an otherwise stressful day. We are seeking parent volunteers to fill approximately 200 proctoring positions and 70 snack distribution positions. All hands on deck, please sign up below to help support our students.
AP Exam Parent Proctor Signup https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAE23A4FFC07-62837762-2026#/
AP Exam Snack Help Signup https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAE23A4FFC07-62837763-2026#/
In addition, all volunteers must complete a Volunteer form before coming to the building. Once you have selected your volunteer post in the SignUp Genius, please complete the below form and select the general time slot you signed up for in the SignUp Genius.
https://volunteer.fcps.edu/custom/501/opp_details/3233
No experience is needed. Basic guidelines are included in the signup, along with information about the training session for exam proctors. We need a lot of volunteers to help ensure this two-week exam event runs smoothly. Please sign up if you are able to. Every bit of help makes a difference! If you have any questions, please contact academic.support.chair@tjptsa.org.
The spring testing season is almost here. Students will be taking End of Course SOL exams in Biology, English 11, Geometry, and Algebra 2 classes this spring. In addition, students enrolled in AP courses will be taking their AP exams during the first two weeks of May. To help prepare students for their exams, students need to make sure they are bringing their FCPS device to school daily and charging it at home every night. On exam day, students will need to bring their charge cord to school, as we do not have extras.
- Monday, April 27 – EOC Reading SOL will be given to all 11th graders.
- May 14 and May 15 – EOC Biology SOL will be given to all 9th graders. Students will test through their IBET’s.
- Monday, May 18 – EOC Algebra 2 and Geometry SOL’s will be given to all 9th graders enrolled in TJ Math 2 (Geometry) and TJ Math 4 (Algebra 2).
- May 4 – May 15 – AP Exams
Does your student want to cancel an AP exam or need to request Late Testing for an AP exam? Parents/Guardians, fill out the Google forms linked below.
🎯Request to Cancel an AP Exam
🎯Request for Late Testing
Questions? Reach out to Ms. Broadhead.
Spring is nearly here, and that means that yearbooks will only be sold for a few more weeks!
Please visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 13621 before Saturday, April 25 when sales close!
Last year, we sold out of the yearbook before distribution day and had a long waitlist. To avoid disappointment in May or June, I urge you to pre-order your 2026 yearbook NOW!
With the purchase of theTechniques yearbook, you get the Threshold literary magazine, the Teknos science magazine, and a year of tjTODAY (distributed at school throughout the year and online) for free.
Don't delay, but please email me if you have any questions.
Lisa Hampton, Ed.M.
tjMedia adviser
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. 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.
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.
Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.
The Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair (VSSEF) was held April 10-12 at Piedmont Virginia Community College with over 250 students representing regional science and engineering fair winners from across the commonwealth. TJHSST students received 2 of the 5 Grand Prize Awards (advancing those projects to the International Science and Engineering Fair competition in Phoenix, AZ in May) and several other accolades. Congratulations to the following students:
Grand Prize Award
Category: Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, & Translational Medicine
Daniil Prokofev, From SMILES to Synergy: Overcoming Drug Resistance in ER+ Breast Cancer
Category: Physics, Math, & Astronomy
Harshpreet Singh, Real-Time Magnetic Field Modeling using Physics Infused Neural Operators
First Place Award
Category: Microbiology
Madeline Levorson, Novel Antimicrobial Treatments Designed With Discovered Lytic Bacteriophages Evaluated Through a Rapid Screening Protocol and an In Vivo Galleria mellonella System
Honorable Mention
Category: Cell, Molecular, and Computational Biology, & Biochemistry
Tarun Ganesh, Investigating Ribosome Interactions with Mitochondrial Receptors and NAC
Category: Earth and Environmental Sciences
Aahan Sachdeva, Electrostatic and Surfactant-Enhanced Cellulose Nanocrystal Cloud Seeding With Machine Learning-Based Spatiotemporal Targeting
Category: Materials Science
Sidh Jaddu, Increasing Surface Flashover Inception Voltage Using a Polymer Nanocomposite for Power Systems in Electric and Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
Special Awards
Citadel Securities Innovation Prize: Daniil Prokofev
Leidos Award for Excellence in Computational Science: Aahan Sachdeva
Office of Naval Research Award: Shiv Davay
The following four students will be representing TJ at ISEF next month:
Jack Gao, Sarah Park, Daniil Prokofev, and Harshpreet Singh. Good luck to all!
 A group of NMSC Commended Scholars
 A group of NMSC Semifinalists
Photo Gallery of Commended Students Recognition on Instagram
Photo Gallery of Semifinalist Students Recognition on Instagram
Being recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a big deal. While TJ already honored these students earlier in the year, we've added a new twist. This week we presented the commended students and the semifinalists with certificates and medals for their achievement that they can wear at graduation! Winners were given the opportunity to get their photo taken (if they wanted to), as well as eat some snacks.
Congratulations to everyone! We look forward to seeing all the scholarship winners over the next few months!
Photo Gallery of PTSA Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Instagram
You will have to excuse the TJ staff this past Friday as they were a little full! However, they felt the gratitude!
The TJ PTSA held its annual Staff Appreciation luncheon on April 17, bringing in a giant feast of food, desert and cakes that the entire staff was able to enjoy!
As we go into the final months of the school year and testing season, it has been an absolute pleasure working with your students to help them achieve their best and we thank you for all your wonderful support! You make #TJBetterTogether!
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 and 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 Jefferson Journal 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
April 20 - This Monday will be a Blue Day for TJ
April 21 - Teacher workday - no school for students.
April 23-25 - Performances of Spring Musical Anastasia continue. Tickets available here.
May 4-May 15 - AP Testing at TJ
May 20 - tjSTAR at TJ during morning
May 20 - Band Spring Concert, 7 p.m. in auditorium
May 21 - Orchestra Spring Concert, 7 p.m. in auditorium
May 22 - J-Day in afternoon. There will be a Modified Red Day schedule to accommodate with more information to come.
May 25 - Memorial Day - no school for students or staff.
May 26 - Teacher Workday - no school for students.
May 27 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Eid-al-Adha) - no school for students or staff.
May 28-June 2 - Senior Final Exams
June 5 - This Friday will be a Modified Anchor Day with dismissal at 10:30 a.m.
June 6 -TJ Class of 2026 Graduation at Eagle Bank Arena, 7 p.m.
June 11 - Underclassman Final Exams Periods 1 and 2 - half day with dismissal at 11:55 a.m.
June 12 - Underclassman Final Exams Periods 3 and 4 - half day with dismissal at 11:55 a.m.
June 15 - Underclassman Final Exams Periods 5 and 6 - half day with dismissal at 11:55 a.m.
June 16 - Underclassman Final Exams Periods 7 and makeup exams - half day with dismissal at 11:55 a.m.
June 17 - This is the 2-hour day school will be dismissed at 10:40 a.m. Last day of school for students.
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