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Dear TJHSST Families,
We successfully reached the end of the first quarter! As our staff works on grades, please remember that there is no school next Monday, November 2 or Tuesday, November 3. We return with an Anchor Day on Wednesday, November 4.
Please note that most staff will be working from an alternate location on Tuesday, November 3 and the office will be open by appointment only.
This week's update reminds families about the ParentVue/StudentVue grade blackout window that occurs at the end of each quarter or semester. We also have news on our new partnership with Food for Neighbors and an upcoming Veterans Day breakfast for veterans, military connected students and staff.
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
The first quarter came to an end on Friday, October 30. Beginning at 4 p.m., the Gradebook Tab in both ParentVue and StudentVue will be unavailable as teachers finalize grades.
The Gradebook Tab will return on Monday, November 9 at 9 a.m. with updated grades.
We are excited to partner with Food for Neighbors—a non-profit organization— that mobilizes local communities to collect and deliver food directly to middle and high school students in need. Here is how you can help:
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Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington residents: Request a Red Bag, fill it and leave it on your porch. Volunteers will pick it up, sort the donations, and distribute them to local schools like TJ.
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Donate or Volunteer: Give online or volunteer to sort snacks during Red Bag Day events.
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Prefer shipping snacks to TJ? Donate directly through our Jefferson Junction Wish List. https://a.co/01OcSzPV
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING SUPPORTING THIS WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION AND TJ.
Learn more: www.foodforneighbors.org
TJHSST Military Connected Students, Families, and Staff,
We would like to invite you to the TJHSST Military Connected Families and Veteran Appreciation Breakfast, featuring light refreshments, on November 11th from 7:50 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. This event provides an opportunity to express our gratitude to active service members and veteran families while fostering relationships within our community. We look forward to seeing you there and kindly ask that you complete the RSVP form so we can plan accordingly for food and accommodations.
RSVP Link
When you arrive at TJHSST on November 11th, please enter through Door 1 to sign in and then follow the signs and proceed to the cafeteria.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Swap your sneakers for dress shoes and join us for TJ’s most elegant tradition. Enjoy an evening of waltzing, live music from TJ’s Orchestra, and delicious food.
When: Friday, November 20, 2026, 7:00-9:30 pm Where: Gym 2 Dress: Formal attire, so dress to impress!
Tickets
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$20 pre-sale: online through My School Bucks (until 4:00 pm on November 20) or in person at Nobel Commons during lunch, November 16-20 (cash only)
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$25 at the door: (cash only)
This event is for TJHSST students only.
It’s time to order the 2027 TJ yearbook! Last year, we sold out before distribution day and had a long waitlist. Those who we could move off the waitlist paid 50% more than the original list price to cover the reprint costs.
To avoid disappointment and greater expense in May or June, visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 13621. Included in the purchase of the Techniques yearbook, you get copies of the Threshold literary magazine, Teknos science magazine, and a year of tjTODAY newsmagazine (distributed at school throughout the year and online).
You will also find options for purchasing a nameplate to personalize your student's yearbook, but nameplates must be ordered by December 31, 2026. Please email yearbook adviser Lisa Hampton at lmhampton@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
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 Diwali Celebration on Instagram
Last Friday, October 23, we had another student-led cultural celebration as the TJ Namaste club put on a celebration of Diwali!
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. We had many amazing performances by our talented students, both dancing and singing. And it wouldn’t be a TJ party without a delicious feast at the end!
Great job Namaste in showcasing your culture, while thanks go to the TJ PTSA for the generous grant to allow them to put on this celebration!
Congratulations to TJ Computer Security Club members Andrew Liu, William Chapin, Ansh Agrawal, and Omar Aziza for earning first place in the high school division of the UND CyberHawks National Capture the Flag Competition Finals! The competition took place on October 26 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, as part of the IEEE Cyber Awareness and Research Symposium Conference.
Competing as tjcsc, the four students finished first among 10 finalist teams, solving 32 of 36 cybersecurity challenges and earning 14,500 points. Capture-the-flag competitions challenge students to work together to solve technical security problems.
 TJ's National District Champion Boys Cross Country Team
 TJ's National District Champion Girls Volleyball Team
 TJ's National District Champion Boys Volleyball Team
The fall athletic season is winding down and the Colonials have had a lot of success! On October 21 the boys cross country team won the National District title. On October 29 in back-to-back matches, the girls volleyball team defeated Hayfield and the boys volleyball team defeated Justice both by 3-0 scores to win their respective National District titles!
For the girls volleyball team it was the second time in school history and first time since 2013 that they are district champs. The boys volleyball team won it for the third straight season!
Good luck to all the teams in the Occoquan Regionals!
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
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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