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Dear TJHSST Families,
Welcome to the second quarter. The faculty had a great staff development day on Monday and with only three days of class the week went by quickly.
Reminder that we have a full day of school on Veterans Day, November 11, this year. That is a change in the calendar from previous years.
This week's update features information about PSAT/SAT scores and the annual Family Needs Questionnaire. TJ Academic Boosters is running its annual Phonathon next Friday, its major fundraiser to support our academic clubs, so be sure to read the information on that.
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
Students who participated in the School Day SAT/PSAT on October 7 are now able to access scores via the College Board BigFuture School App or their College Board accounts. Students who participated in a make-up test also have access to their scores. Video tutorials for accessing and understanding PSAT and SAT scores are available on the College Board website.
Each school year, TJHSST Student Services distributes a brief Family Needs Questionnaire to better understand how we can support our students and their households. We recognize that financial strains can arise at any time and that support may look different for every family. Thank you for helping us ensure all students have what they need to succeed.
This optional & confidential questionnaire helps us identify student needs in key areas, including:
- School-related fees
- Food and snacks
- Health and hygiene supplies
- School supplies and more
Privacy & Participation
Your response is completely confidential, entirely optional, and can be filled out at any time during the school year.
If your family could benefit from any of these resources, please take a moment to complete the questionnaire.
Need help completing the form in another language? Contact Ms. Monterrosa at 571-595-6513 or email at sdmonterrosa@fcps.edu.
TJ Academic Boosters (TJAB) will host its biggest student-led fundraising event, the Phonathon, on Friday, November 13, from 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Donations will help cover competition registration fees and coaches’ travel expenses for TJ academic clubs. If you receive a call from our students, please take a moment to answer and support their fundraising efforts! Every donation is a TJAB membership contribution.
If you are unable to take a call from our student volunteers, you can still show your support by making a donation via Zelle to treasurer@tjacademic.org. Please write ‘Phonathon’ in the Zelle memo, along with your name, email address, and the academic club(s) you’d like to support. This will help TJAB identify your donation and recognize your support.
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 receive 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.
The United States Department of Education named its US Presidential Scholars for 2026 last week. A total of 161 outstanding high school seniors (from the Class of 2026) were selected for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields as well as for commitments to community service and leadership.
Congratulations go out to TJ Class of 2026 graduate Nived Nandakumar, as he was one of only two selections from the state of Virginia! He is currently studying Computer Science and Math at the University of California, Berkeley.
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 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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