|
Dear TJHSST Families,
With the first week complete, we have some important updates to share in this week's Jefferson Journal.
Please be sure to read on for information on an upcoming Lockdown Drill, the Meditation and Silent Reflection Room, the Student ID bus badges for our Fairfax County based student bus riders, the Back to School Bash, and more.
If you ever have questions or aren't sure who to reach out to, please feel free to contact our Director of Communications, Mike Roth. He will gladly assist you or connect you with the right person.
Warm regards,
The TJHSST Team
This coming Monday, August 31, 2026 will be a Red Day - periods 5, 6, 7, and advisory will be held. This adjustment accounts for the student holiday on Friday, September 4, as we begin Labor Day weekend.
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. At TJ, we have a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan for our school that is reviewed and updated regularly. Our plan includes procedures on how to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Students and staff regularly practice these drills every school year. We also practice lockdown drills.
A Virginia Law (22.1-137.2) requires schools to notify parents at least 24 hours before a school practices a lockdown drill. However, we are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. We are required to practice lockdown drills two times a year. Therefore, this message serves as notification of our plans to conduct the required drills this year. FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of active shooter scenario training; they are instruction and classroom based.
We will be holding a lockdown drill at some point within the next two weeks.
Students viewed a video explaining lockdown drill procedures in advisory this week.
Additional information on our lockdown drill program to include parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this content, you should discuss the value of these safety drills with your child.
Keeping TJ safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe.
FCPS supports students who need to take time during the school day to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. If your student will regularly miss instructional time to meet these needs, please submit a pass for the Meditation and Silent Reflection room to the main office. These forms are available in the main office and here. The forms require a parent signature.
If you have any concerns or need to discuss your student’s needs, please contact your subschool principal.
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Opt your child in or out of online educational tools and choose how student information is managed. Visit FCPS’ Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system.
On Friday in advisory we distributed student ID cards to all our students who reside in Fairfax County, ride the school bus, or use FCPS transportation services.
ID cards should be worn or attached to your child’s backpack and brought to the bus each day.
Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time. TJ's out-of-county students did not receive the ID cards.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers are checking in students and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
This message is intended for our Class of 2027 Parents/Guardians
On Tuesday, September 1 at 11:00 a.m. our Department of Student Services will be hosting a webinar for parent/guardians of the Class of 2027 regarding important senior year topics.
The webinar will include information on college applications, transcript requests, graduation, etc. It will be the same information that the seniors themselves will receive in a meeting the day before on Monday, August 31.
Class of 2027 families will receive a Zoom link for this webinar via email on Monday, so please check your inboxes. If you cannot attend the webinar live, it will be recorded and a link will be shared with you after it concludes.
TJHSST Community -
We invite you to join us for our first home football game of the season on Thursday, September 3, as the TJHSST Colonials take on Parkview High School!
Kick off the evening at 4:15 p.m. on the TJHSST practice field with our Back-to-School Bash, featuring:
- Food trucks
- DJ
- Games
- Inflatable obstacle course
- Fun for the whole family
Football Game Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults. We strongly encourage you to purchase tickets in advance through eTIX to avoid waiting in line: BUY TICKETS HERE! Tickets will go on sale Monday, August 31st.
As we prepare for an exciting fall sports season, TJHSST is implementing additional safety and security measures at all home varsity football games.
All spectators will participate in security screening using the weapons detection technology introduced in FCPS high schools last school year. A standardized bag policy will also be in place to help ensure a safe and efficient entry process.
The following items are prohibited:
- Backpacks
- Purses
- Fanny packs
- Tote bags
- Outside food and beverages
- Sporting equipment, including balls, bats, and sticks
- Any item prohibited by FCPS policy or determined by event staff to present a safety concern
Approved bags are limited to:
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”
- Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”
- Medical and diaper bags, which are subject to inspection
As a reminder, middle school students and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult who remains with them throughout the event.
These measures are designed to support a safe and welcoming environment for everyone attending TJHSST home football games. We encourage spectators to arrive earlier than usual to allow adequate time for security screening.
We are excited to welcome parent and caregiver volunteers to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)!
All TJHSST volunteers must register through the Volunteer FCPS system. This platform allows parents, caregivers, and community members to register, complete required steps, and explore volunteer opportunities throughout Fairfax County Public Schools.
To volunteer:
- Register through Volunteer FCPS and complete the short online volunteer orientation.
- If you registered as a volunteer last year, you do not need to apply again.
- Visit the Volunteer FCPS website for additional information and details.
TJHSST will be sharing volunteer opportunities for the upcoming school year soon. Thank you for supporting our school community—we look forward to having you volunteer with us!
School Picture Day is Coming!
📅 Date: Tuesday, September 8th & Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 (Students will go to the Auditorium for pictures with their English class, so students with Blue Day English classes will go on Sept. 8 and those with Red Day English classes will go on Sept. 9.)
📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001417008
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com
As the school year commences, we are pleased to offer two Back-to-School Night options this year:
-
Virtual Option (Recommended): Hosted entirely on Schoology, this flexible format allows you to view pre-recorded videos from each of your child’s teachers at your convenience. Videos will introduce the teacher, outline course expectations, explain how to support your student, and provide contact information. All videos will be available by the start of the second week of school.
-
In-Person Session: Held on Wednesday, September 9, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Parents will follow their student’s Period 1–7 schedule, spending 10 minutes in each classroom to hear directly from teachers.
Please Note on Parking: Due to strictly limited on-site parking on September 9 (available on a first-come, first-served basis), we strongly encourage parents to utilize the virtual option if possible.
Additional details, including the specific bell schedule for the in-person event and direct links to the virtual content, will be emailed closer to the date.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
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.
All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass and access the application, which can be returned to the front office.
Children 12 and younger ride for free on the Fairfax Connector with a paying adult. Please note that students need to be residents of Fairfax County to receive a pass.
Photo Gallery of WJLA Visit on Instagram
Thank you WJLA (ABC Channel 7 in Washington DC) for visiting us on Monday to celebrate our First Day of School!
WJLA got to see a lot of what TJ has to offer including rocketry, robotics, engineering, athletics and the arts!
They went live from our Class of 2027's Senior Sunrise, and we even had a visit from FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid!
Thank you to all the students who woke up early (before 5 a.m.!) to perform and showcase TJ! Let's have a great year!
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
Mr. Dylan Forshay - Subschool Principal 1
Ms. Yaara Crane - Subschool Principal 2
Ms. Volita Russell - Subschool Principal 3
Mr. Shawn Frank - Subschool Principal 4
Ms. Sara Wright - Director of Student Services
Ms. Leah Conte - Director of Student Activities
Mr. Mike Roth - Director of Communications
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!
September 3 - Back-to-School Bash after school
September 4-7 - Labor Day Holiday, No School for students and staff
September 9 - Back to School Night, 6:00-8:00 p.m. (or use recommended virtual option)
September 11 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Rosh Hashanah begins in evening) - school remains in session with normal hours, no activities in evening.
September 14-19 - Homecoming Week
September 21 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Yom Kippur), No School for students and staff
October 7 - PSAT and SAT given at TJ
October 12 - School Planning Day, No School for students
October 14 - Fall band concert in auditorium, 7 p.m.
October 21 - Fall orchestra concert in auditorium, 7 p.m.
October 30 - End of first quarter. Modified Red Day with two-hour early release.
|
