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Dear TJHSST Families,
Everyone is now settling into a routine as we head into what we hope will be a relaxing four-day Labor Day weekend.
This week's updates include information about our rescheduled Back-to-School Bash, Pass/Fail Grading requests, and information about testing accommodations. We are also rerunning our official dismissal procedures article. Please remember that you are not to pick up students on Braddock Road or in surrounding neighborhoods, as we have received some complaints about this.
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
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.
TJHSST Community -
We have rescheduled the Back-to-School Bash for next Thursday, September 10 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Kick off the evening at 4:00 p.m. on the TJHSST practice field with our Back-to-School Bash, featuring:
- Food trucks
- DJ
- Games
- Inflatable obstacle course
There is something for everyone so bring the whole family! Afterwards, we encourage you to stick around and cheer on TJ Football as they take on Stonewall Jackson at 6:00 p.m.!
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 Friday, September 4.
Students requesting to take a course as Pass/Fail must submit the FCPS form to their counselor by September 9 for semester classes or September 25 for yearlong classes.
Students are limited to one elective credit per school year (e.g., P.E., World Languages, Econ/Personal Finance). Required core courses in English, Social Studies, Math, and Lab Science are not eligible. A grade of "P" awards credit without affecting GPA, whereas an "F" impacts GPA.
Because this decision is final once processed, please consult your school counselor to discuss any transcript impacts before applying.
Does your student speak, read, or write a language other than English? Registration for the World Language Credit by Exam (WLCBE) is open from September 8 to October 16, 2026.
This optional exam allows students in grades 7–12 to earn high school graduation credits, qualify for the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy, and receive advanced language course placement for the 2027–2028 school year. These results are intended for World Language placement and course selection for the 2027-2028 school year only and cannot be used for schedule changes during the current academic year.
- Students can take the exam up to 2 times total per language (max once per school year).
- Exam results will be available in StudentVUE/ParentVUE in the spring of 2027 to plan for next year's courses.
To Register: Complete the WLCBE Registration Form and have your child submit it to their school counselor by October 16, 2026.
Families of students with IEPs or 504 Plans who plan to take College Board exams—such as the SAT, PSAT, or AP Exams—must apply separately through the College Board to request testing accommodations.
Accommodations provided at school are not automatically approved for College Board exams, so families are encouraged to begin the application process early.
For questions or assistance, please contact our SSD Coordinator, Lisa Broadhead.
Driving & Traffic Rules
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Campus Entry: Enter from Braddock Rd. and turn left immediately onto campus. Follow all staff directions and signs to line up, park, and exit.
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Speed Limit: Maintain a maximum speed of 15 MPH on school grounds.
Student Pick-Up Zone
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Exit Doors: Students exit through Doors 7, 8, and 9.
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Pick-Up Location: All student pick-ups must take place in the back parking lot only.
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No Neighborhood Parking: Parking on surrounding neighborhood streets is strictly prohibited (private property). Violators risk receiving a police ticket.
- No pick up on Braddock Road.
Note: This message is only for our families who live in Fairfax County and use FCPS Transportation.
Bus ID cards were distributed last week. If a student has registered for a Fairfax County bus stop and needs a Bus ID card, they will need to contact Mr. McNulty in Room 46.
If a student has not registered for a Fairfax County Bus Depot assignment, please complete this registration form.
If you need to change a Fairfax County Bus Depot, please complete this form.
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.
School Picture Day is Coming!
📅 Date: Tuesday, September 8 & Wednesday, September 9, 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:
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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.
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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.
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!
TJHSST Anchor/Blue/Red Day Calendar
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 10 - Back-to-School Bash after school
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.
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