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Building a Community Where Every Student Thrives: You’re Invited!
What does it truly mean to belong? At Thoreau Middle School, creating an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered is at the heart of everything we do.
We invite all TMS parents and guardians to join us for a special morning session focused on building a culture of belonging, connection, and community.
Event Details
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Date: Monday, November 23rd
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Time: 9:30 AM
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Location: Thoreau Middle School (Check in at the Main Office)
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Audience: All TMS Parents & Guardians
What We’ll Explore Together
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Celebrate Our Staff: Kick things off with our "Gratitude Leaf" activity. Jot down a meaningful experience you or your student has had with a TMS staff member—we will deliver these directly to our teachers and team to brighten their day!
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A Shared Direction: Hear about our updated school mission and vision, and how it directly guides daily life at Thoreau.
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The Data Behind Belonging: Take an inside look at recent student belonging and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) data to see where our students feel supported and where we can grow.
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Proactive Inclusion in Action: Learn about the current programs, initiatives, and everyday practices TMS uses to champion inclusion, belonging, and equity across all grade levels.
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Your Voice, Our Partnership: True belonging takes a village. We’ll work in table groups to share your perspectives, ideas, and feedback so we can continue shaping our school culture side-by-side.
Strong schools are built on strong partnerships. Come enjoy a cup of coffee, connect with other TMS families, and help us shape the future of our school community.
Click Here to RSVP (Light refreshments will be provided)
Sincerely,
Teresa Khuluki
Principal
We warmly invite our Military Connected Families to join us for breakfast on Wednesday, November 11th. During this time, we look forward to honoring both our Veterans and our Active Duty/Reserve family members for their meaningful contributions across our community. Please fill out this form to let us know if you and your Thoreau student will be able to join us.
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, October 28.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is how we ensure we receive all the resources available to us from the federal government. For more information, please visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
After-school programming continues next week, Wednesday through Friday!
Please review the weekly schedule for clubs, activities, athletics, and academic support being offered next week. Check the schedule each week, as club meeting days and program offerings may vary from week to week.
- Stay up to date on Schoology: Students and families should continue to check the After School Program Schoology Course for the most current club descriptions, weekly schedules, and program updates.
- Students must have an After-School Registration Form on file before participating and must sign in each day they stay after school.
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Students should HAVE A PLAN before staying: know what activity you are attending, make sure your family knows you are staying, and know how you are getting home.
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💛Thank you to everyone who has supported our after-school program and cross-country team so far! Families and community members can continue to support our students throughout the school year through our Amazon Wishlists, which include snacks, athletic equipment, and other supplies.
🏅Come out and cheer on our Thoreau Cross Country Team as they compete in their Championship Meet!👟
📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026⏰ 8:00 AM📍 Liberty Middle School
Our student-athletes have worked incredibly hard this season, showing tremendous dedication, determination, and improvement in their race times! Their growth and effort have been amazing to watch, and we couldn't be prouder of them!
We would LOVE to see our Thoreau community come together to support these athletes as they finish their season strong! Bring your friends, family, and Eagle spirit to cheer them across the finish line! 💙💛
Let's pack the sidelines and show our Eagles some love! GO THOREAU!
👕Cross-Country Championship Meet Swag
Meet swag is available for the November 7 cross-country championship! If you’re interested in purchasing a shirt or other items, please visit the MS CC Champs team store.
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 (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/student-pass) and access the application, which can be returned to the front office
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, taking place on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
More than 20 engaging breakout sessions have been designed to support, inform, and inspire our community. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage to explore the lineup of presenters, titles, and session descriptions. Complete the Special Education Family Conference Registration Form to secure your spot and let us know about any childcare, language interpretation, or accommodation needs.
Get Involved Today! Volunteer and Student Participation Opportunities
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS using the Volunteer Registration Form by Wednesday, October 28. FCPS staff volunteers will receive MyPDE credit.
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Student Volunteers: Complete the Student Volunteer Interest Form by Wednesday, October 28. Students who volunteer will receive volunteer hours.
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Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Students serving in these roles will receive service hours. Sign up by Friday, October 30.
Has your student misplaced their FCPS Bus ID card? Before requesting a replacement, please have your student thoroughly check their backpack and belongings, home, the Thoreau Main Office, and with their bus driver.
We ask families to allow at least one week to locate a missing Bus ID before requesting a replacement.
If the ID has not been located after one week, please visit the Thoreau Middle School website for information on how to report a missing Bus ID and complete the replacement request form.
Thank you for helping us ensure students have an opportunity to locate their original Bus ID before requesting a replacement!
Periodically, we go through the lost and found to search each item for a name. If they have names, we email the student and parent to pick up the item. We then donate any unclaimed lost and found items, such as clothes, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc., that don't have names. Please make sure your student checks the lost and found in the cafeteria and gyms regularly for any lost items. Thank you.
A Better School Year Starts Now: Preventing Missing Work, Poor Grades, and Homework Stress
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
10- 11:30 AM
If homework has become a nightly battle or you are bracing for another disappointing report card, you are not alone, and neither you nor your child is failing. These struggles are often signs that your child needs different strategies, not more pressure. A few thoughtful changes now can shift the dynamic at home and help the rest of the school year feel more manageable.
What You Will Learn
- Study strategies that help students learn more effectively and take greater ownership of their work
- Conversation starters that reduce defensiveness, build trust, and make discussions about school more productive
- What may be behind poor grades and how to respond before frustration grows
Register here
Restorative Justice in Fairfax County Public Schools. Build understanding. Repair harm. Strengthen relationships.
Friday, November 20, 2026
10 - 11:30 AM
How can restorative practices help when conflict happens at school?Join us for an engaging webinar to learn about restorative justice practices in FCPS and how they may support students and families. We will explore:
- What restorative justice looks like in FCPS
- Potential benefits in discipline and conflict situations
- Ways restorative approaches can support students and families
Register here
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