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Dear TJHSST Families,
Happy October, TJ! This week's newsletter contains another reminder about the Wednesday, October 7 PSAT/SAT day coming up next week. What your child is doing is based on their grade level, so make sure you know what is occurring.
We also have an important schedule change announcement for March that affects all FCPS schools, some Kiss and Ride reminders, and the announcement of our first Hall of Honor and Faculty/Staff Hall of Fame inductees!
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
Note: One final friendly reminder about the schedule next week on Wednesday, October 7. Parents/Guardians were sent a class-specific E-Notify on September 24 with more information on the schedule. Please refer to that message for full details. Below is a basic summary of what each class will be doing.
On Wednesday, Oct. 7, the PSAT/NMSQT (10th and 11th grades) and SAT (12th grades) will be administered at TJ. We will have an early release schedule with school ending at 1:00 p.m. for those who are coming into the building. What your child will be doing that day depends on what grade they are in.
Freshmen - Since most staff will be needed to administer the PSAT and SAT, freshmen will have an unscheduled school day and will not report to the building. They are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter.
Sophomores and Juniors - Sophomores and juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT unless a student’s family specifically communicates a desire to refuse this assessment opportunity.
Seniors - Seniors who have registered will be taking the SAT. All other seniors will not attend school that day and are encouraged to complete any missing work/assignments or use this time to work on college applications.
Students who attend school this day should report by the normal 8:40 a.m. start time. Testing will begin at 9:00 a.m. It will conclude between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. with an advisory lesson to follow.
TJ will conclude the day with a lunch period from 12:15-1:00 p.m. with dismissal happening immediately afterwards.
If you have any questions about testing, please contact our Assessment Coach Lisa Broadhead at LKBroadhead@fcps.edu.
Please Note (Very Important): Students are required to use their FCPS issued device for PSAT and SAT School Day testing. If your student is experiencing technical issues with their device, please have them visit the tech office before Wednesday, October 7.
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place on this day.
For TJ, Monday, March 8 will now be a Blue Day.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
We will have a new Anchor/Blue/Red Day calendar prepared next week.
Please partner with us to keep students safe during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up at Door 6. Follow all traffic laws and use the designated Kiss and Ride lanes to drop off or pick up your student.
Please do not park in staff parking spaces or wait for your student in the roadway. Students may not run into the road to reach a vehicle. Following these procedures helps keep our students, families, and staff safe. Thank you for your cooperation.
As our school community grows and changes, more of our students and families are facing practical needs. That’s why we’re excited to have the Jefferson Junction, our 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 directly 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/01OcSzPV
- Drop off non-perishable donations at the school: Attention: Silvia Monterrosa, Family Liaison
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.
FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.
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.
TJHSST and the TJ Partnership Fund are thrilled to announce the creation of the NEW Alumni/Faculty Hall of Honor, celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of TJ graduates and the exceptional legacy of TJ's world-class teachers and administrators.
This year's Inaugural Class was selected by a panel of TJ alumni volunteers from across the decades with no input from the school or the TJPF, from a group of nearly 30 nominees submitted by TJ alumni.
The inaugural Class of 2026 features Amna Nawaz ('97) the anchor of PBS News Hour; Chris Sununu ('93), the former governor of New Hampshire; Howard Lerman ('98), the founder of Roam, Yext and Confide; Lisa (Goddard) Desjardins ('90), correspondent for PBS News Hour; Mike Elias ('01), the President of the Baltimore Orioles; and Vlad Tenev ('04), the founder/CEO of Robinhood.
This class will be honored at our annual Alumni Day celebration on November 28.
From 2012-2015, the TJ Alumni Association established a TJ Faculty Hall of Fame to honor the amazing educators and support staff that made the TJ environment truly exceptional and welcoming to students. Over those years, 31 individuals received this distinguished recognition, and they will serve as the first Faculty inductees to the new Hall of Honor run by TJ. Next year's selection process will include new faculty nominees!
This class will be honored at our annual Alumni Day celebration on November 28.
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. Ellen Hagan-Bowerman - 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
October 2-3 - One Acts theatre production at TJ
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.
November 2 - Teacher Work Day, No School for students
November 3 - School Planning Day, No School for students
November 4 - This Wednesday will be an Anchor Day for students
November 16 - Modified Anchor Day with no JLC
November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday, No School for students and staff
November 28 - TJ Alumni Day
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