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Dear TJHSST Families,
We had a solid week highlighted by our first-ever College Fair, where 71 different colleges and universities came by to visit and introduce their programs to our juniors and seniors. Thank you to everyone who participated and organized the event behind the scenes.
This week's newsletter showcases the updated Anchor/Blue/Red Day calendar after last week's announced FCPS calendar change. We also have information for those who are thinking about self-studying for an AP exam, a survey from FCPS about transportation issues, our annual Scoliosis notice, and some great features - including TJ becoming a Purple Star School, and some of our students launching their new Safewalkr app!
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
Updated TJHSST Anchor/Blue/Red Day Calendar
As mentioned in last week's Jefferson Journal, there has been a change to the FCPS School Year calendar due to Eid al-Fitr. Monday, March 8 will be a Blue Day, there will be no school on Tuesday, March 9, and Wednesday, March 10 will be a Red Day.
For your convenience we now have an updated Anchor/Blue/Red Day calendar available to reflect those changes.
This year, TJ is slated to give approximately 7,000 AP exams based on current course enrollment. Because of the large volume of exams that we are giving, we will be restricting AP self-study exams this year. On Thursday, October 8, information was posted to student grade-level Schoology Groups and to the parent Schoology Group. In order to be eligible to self-study AP exams, students will need to meet with our Associate Principal, Ms. Betsy Fawsett, to get approval. If approved, families will then be asked to pay the exam fee ($99 if the exam is ordered by 4:00 pm on November 13, $139 if the exam is ordered after November 13).
To start the process, the student will need to fill out this Google Form and then reach out to Ms. Fawsett to set up a time to meet with her.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Assessment Coach, Ms. Lisa Broadhead.
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.
Note - This survey request is about FCPS Transportation and is meant only for our families residing in Fairfax County and Falls Church City.
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. A spine affected by scoliosis has a sideways curve, making it appear more like an “S” or a “C” than a straight line. Untreated scoliosis can lead to limited motion, back pain, deformity, and in extreme cases, impaired function of the heart and lungs. Early detection and treatment may prevent scoliosis from progressing.
Please check out this Scoliosis Fact Sheet courtesy of FCPS.
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.
We were excited to learn that the Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children voted on October 7, 2026, to approve TJHSST as a recipient of the Purple Star Award. The award designation is valid for a period of three school years beginning with this school year.
The Virginia Purple Star Designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display on-site.
In the next few weeks, the Virginia Department of Education will be sending TJ the official resolution naming us a Purple Star School, along with the Purple Star Challenge Coin. The coin is a nod to the military community that is known for the practice of bestowing unit coins to those who have contributed to the mission. Here is some fun reading on the history of Challenge Coins Challenge Coins in the US Military.
Photo Gallery of College Fair on Instagram
TJ held its first College Fair on Monday during eighth period, allowing our Classes of 2027 and 2028 to learn about a variety of different schools.
Our students are in high demand, and 71 schools came by to showcase their programs to them. We had big state schools, small liberal arts colleges, and everything in between both public and private.
We emphasize to our students the importance of finding the right fit for THEM; it's not the same for everyone.
Thank you Ms. Gilchrest, and the entire Student Services team for your hard work in organizing this unique event. We look forward to this becoming an annual TJ Tradition!
FCPS Story
WTOP Story
Three TJ seniors, Daniil Prokofev, Ashwath Muppa, and Isaac Leetyn, are receiving a lot of press for their newly developed app, SafeWalkr!
This app helps families plan safe routes to walk to their child's school. The three students created this at the HackTJ competition this past March and won first prize! With Principal Mukai's help, they successfully pitched the product to FCPS, which has just begun a pilot of it in 14 different schools!
Already, FCPS and WTOP have written stories about this, with the Washington Post having interviewed the three on Friday for a story next week. Great job on this project and way to showcase the innovative minds of TJ students!
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 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 - School Planning Day, No School for students
November 3 - Teacher Workday, No School for students
November 4 - This Wednesday will be an Anchor Day for students
November 11 - Veterans Day, school remains in session with normal hours.
November 16 - Modified Anchor Day with no JLC
November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday, No School for students and staff
November 28 - TJ Alumni Day
December 4 - Observance Day in evening (Chanukah), school remains in session with normal hours.
December 7 - Modified Anchor Day with no JLC
December 8 - Observance Day (Bodhi Day), school remains in session with normal hours.
December 9 - Winter band concert in auditorium, 7 p.m.
December 11 - Winter Bash in evening
December 19-January 3 - Winter Break, No School for students and staff.
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