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Dear TJHSST Families,
As we get closer to the end of the first quarter, there are a few important updates for this week. Nominations have opened for the outstanding employee awards. It's also Science Fair season and we are beginning to recruit judges for the many contests that occur throughout the year.
In addition, we have had several fun updates as well. We helped kick off FCPS' Water Safety Program, our students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, several of our musicians qualified for the Regional Orchestra, and the Safewalkr app created by TJ students received a story in the Washington Post!
We have a traditional five-day week next week. Be sure to check out the fall Orchestra concert on Wednesday.
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
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards!
To submit a nomination for a TJHSST Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.) All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one or more of the criteria for that award category. The Google Form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.
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Outstanding Teacher: Teachers or librarians with at least three full years of teaching experience
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Outstanding New Teacher: Teachers or librarians with up to three full years of teaching experience
- Outstanding Principal
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Outstanding School Professional Staff Leader: Non-instructional position with at least one year in their current position at their current work location. Includes Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, Director of Student Services, Director of Student Activities, Resource Teacher and Special Education Department Chair and Multilingual Learners Department Chair who serves in a non-instructional role for more than 50% of their time, After-School Specialist, Assessment Coach, Athletic Trainer, Career Center Specialist, Career Experience Specialist, College and Career Specialist, Crisis Resource Teacher, Instructional Coach, School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Reading Specialist, Safety and Security Specialist, Social Worker, Speech Language Pathologist, School Counselor, Systems of Support Administrator
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Outstanding Educational Services Employee: Schedule-A, Schedule-H, or Classroom Instructional Support (CIS) with at least one year in their current position at their current work location. Includes Administrative Assistant, Office Assistant, Student Information Assistant, Finance Technician, School Finance Assistant, Student Services Assistant, Instructional Assistant, Family Liaison, and Public Health Training Assistant.
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Outstanding Operational Services Employee: Schedule-A or Schedule-H employee with at least one year in their current position at their current work location. Includes Custodian, Building Supervisor, Food Services staff, and Safety and Security Assistant.
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Ineligible Employees Substitute teachers, Athletic coaches/employees paid on supplemental contracts, employees of Fairfax County Government (including SACC employees, School Resource Officers, School Nurses, and School Health Aides)
Hello TJ Community, the annual recruitment for those interested in serving as judges in both the local and regional science fairs has begun. The TJ Science Fair is scheduled for Saturday, January 23 here at TJ. The Regional Science Fair is Saturday, March 13 at Robinson Secondary School.
For more information visit https://bit.ly/FCRSEF2027
Underclass picture retakes will take place on Thurs., Oct. 22 in the Lecture Hall BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
To sign up for an appointment, please have your student fill out this Google form, also available on Ion, by noon on Tues., Oct. 20. You must either have missed the previous picture day OR intend to purchase retake photographs from Victor O'Neill Studios. ID cards will NOT be printed for students who have already gotten one this year.
Dear TJ Parents and Families,
A huge thank you to our wonderful parents who have already started donating to Jefferson Junction! We have seen a great number of donations come in, and your generosity is directly helping our students.
As our school community grows, so do the practical needs of our families. We could still use a few more non-perishable snack and personal care donations to keep our pantry shelves fully stocked.
If you aren't able to donate at this time, that is not a problem at all. We collect donations on a rolling basis, so you have the rest of the school year to donate whenever it works for you.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us to support our 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
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.
Photo Gallery of Olympians Visit on Instagram
TJ helped launch FCPS' Water S.A.F.E. (Safe, Aquatic, Future, and Education) program this morning!
Led by our very own Dr. Miriam Lynch and the FCPS Water Safety Ambassadors, we had Olympic Swimmers Maritza Correia McClendon and Cullen Jones come speak with several of our students.
The Olympians talked about their own experiences, while emphasizing the importance of learning how to swim and water safety techniques. Mr. Jones even showed off his gold medal!
Thank you Dr. Lynch, the Olympians, and the Water Safety team for all you do to keep our students safe while enjoying the water!
Photo Gallery of Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Instagram
Completely run and organized by students, TJ's monthly cultural celebrations showcase the rich and vibrant heritages of our families!
Last Friday, the Hispanic Culture Club hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. We had performances not only from students but invited community members. There were displays representing different Latin and South American countries, and of course there was plenty of food for everyone to enjoy!
Thank you to the TJ PTSA for your generous grant and assistance in running this great celebration!
Bravo to the talented TJHSST musicians who earned seats at this year's Senior Regional Orchestra auditions! Once again, TJ holds the highest representation at this extremely competitive event.
- Kloe Chin (Violin)
- Ariana Choi (Principal Clarinet)
- Winston Hu (Viola)
- Brandon Kim (Principal Oboe)
- Chaemin Kim (Violin)
- Megan Lai (Piano)
- Andrew Lam (Viola)
- Sophie Li (Piccolo)
- Alexander Liu (Trumpet)
- Kailin Liu (Violin)
- Elliot Oh (Cello)
- Timothy Oh (Violin)
- Max Ritter (Trumpet)
- Chetana Srinivasan (Violin)
- Stephanie Stolfa (Bass)
- Anish Thota (Viola)
- Paul Yoo (Violin)
- Kunwoo Yoon (Violin)
- Elaine Zhang (Cello)
 Photo Credit - Valerie Plesch
Washington Post Story
Daniil Prokofev, Ashwath Muppa, and Isaac Leetyn's app Safewalkr was featured in the Washington Post on Monday!
The app, which they are currently piloting in 14 FCPS schools, helps families find the safest way for their children to walk to school.
Thank you to the Washington Post's Liam Scott for the story and Valerie Plesch for taking a lot of great photos (including the one seen here!)
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 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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