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Dear Thoreau Families,
Thank you to all students and families who attended our Open House on Thursday. The enthusiasm in the building set a wonderful tone, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, August 24th for the 2026–27 school year!
Our staff completed a productive week of final preparations, and we extend our sincere gratitude to the PTA for providing a wonderful staff lunch on Thursday. We encourage all families to consider joining the PTA so please read the infographic below.
Please mark your calendars for Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 2nd, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to walk their student’s schedule and meet their teachers. Additional details, including satellite parking information, will be shared next week.
Thank you as well to those who attended the Virtual Parent Orientation. Presentation slides from the webinar will be posted on Monday to our Welcome Back Website.
We wish everyone a successful and fulfilling school year.
Sincerely,
Teresa Khuluki
Principal
Assistant Principals and school counselors support students across both grade levels by the student’s last name. As students and families prepare for the transition back to school, parents and students are welcome to reach out to school counselors if additional support is needed. For contact information, please visit the Student Services page on the Thoreau Middle School website.
Reporting an Absence
Report full-day absences daily (unless pre-arranged) using one of three options:
- ParentVUE: Submit online via ParentVUE.
- Voicemail: Call 703-846-8080 (clearly spell student's name).
- Email: ThoreauMiddle.Attendance@fcps.edu
Note: Include the student's name, your relationship, the reason, and specific symptoms or healthcare diagnoses if ill. Students must check Schoology for missed work. Talking Points is not an acceptable way to report an absence.
Pre-Arranged Absences (3+ Days)
Complete top half of the Pre-Arranged Thoreau Absence Form, have the student collect teacher signatures, and turn it into the main office before the absence. Approval does not guarantee an excused status (e.g., family travel remains unexcused per FCPS guidelines).
Late Arrival (School Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.)
Students not in class by 7:30 a.m. must check in at the main office for a pass. Illness and appointments are excused with parent notification; traffic and oversleeping are unexcused.
Early Release
Send a note with your student to bring to the office before school starts or email (ThoreauMiddle.Attendance@fcps.edu) to receive a pass for your student to wait in the office. Parents must ring the bell at Door 1 and come inside to show photo ID and pick up your student. Returning students may sign themselves back in.
Tardies & Attendance Thresholds
- Class Tardies: A pattern of unexcused lateness between classes (4-minute transition) will result in detention.
- 5 Unexcused Days: Triggers a referral to the FCPS Attendance Office.
- 10 Total Absences: A formal notification letter will be sent home for 10+ days (excused or unexcused).
All cell phones and smart devices (including smartwatches, earbuds/headsets, smart glasses, and other connected devices) must be turned off and stored in the student’s assigned Yondr pouch from 7:30 AM to 2:15 PM daily. Yondr pouches are school property, and students are required to bring theirs every day in good working order. Replacement pouches cost $22.
This policy takes effect on the first day of school. On Monday, August 24, students will receive their pouch, practice the daily routine, and locate the unlocking magnet stations for dismissal. Students with approved device-related accommodations will continue to have access as specified in their plans.
Daily Cell Phone Pouch Routine
- Arrival (by 7:30 AM): Turn off devices, lock inside assigned pouch, and place pouch in backpack.
- Morning Check (1st/2nd Period): Teachers verify that all phones and other devices are properly pouch-locked.
- Dismissal (2:15 PM): Unlock pouch at a designated magnet station, remove device, and return empty pouch to backpack.
- Late Arrival / Early Release: Lock or unlock pouch in the main office upon arrival or departure.
- Forgotten Pouch: Report to the main office upon arrival. The phone or device will be held safely at the front desk until dismissal
 To maintain a safe and efficient drop-off and pick-up environment at Thoreau Middle School, please review and follow the Kiss and Ride guidelines below during operating hours (7:00 AM–7:28 AM and 2:15 PM–2:30 PM). Refer to the map above for directional flow within the loop. Please note that the Church for All Nations parking lot is strictly prohibited for student drop-off and pick-up.
Parent & Driver Responsibilities:
Student Guidelines:
For the safety of all students, staff, and visitors, students are not permitted to ride e-bikes, e-scooters, or similar motorized devices on school grounds. Upon entering school property, students must dismount and walk their e-bike, e-scooter, or other device until they have left school grounds.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment for everyone!
FCPS is launching a new bus navigation system, which includes student ID cards for students who ride the bus. Students will use the cards to tap on and off the bus, helping FCPS and families know exactly which students are riding which buses. Students are NOT permitted to ride a different bus home with a friend.
Learn more about the new system and how it will improve route efficiency, safety, and transparency with families. Check out the frequently asked questions for families.
Our teachers use a variety of digital resources to support student learning, communication, and collaboration with students and families. Some of these digital resources require parent/guardian consent before students can access them.
Please complete the FCPS Digital Consent Form as soon as possible: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/is01/r/pdcp/
For additional information and a list of the digital resources that require parent consent, visit: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent
Need technical assistance? Contact the FCPS Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). Support is available Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Student laptop distribution will take place during PE classes on Thursday, August 27 and Friday, August 28 in Eagle Hall.
Students will receive their FCPS-issued laptop and power adapter and should bring a backpack or bookbag to safely carry their equipment home.
Once distributed, students should bring their laptop to school fully charged each day and are responsible for taking proper care of both their laptop and power adapter throughout the school year.
In addition to the After-School Program, all middle schools in Fairfax County have interscholastic sports activities. Currently we have Cross Country in the Fall, Track & Field in the Spring, and we may have the opportunity for additional sport activities. These require additional paperwork and a sports physical.
Students and parents will need to complete several steps prior to participating in middle school sports, including:
- A completed FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE). This must be submitted to school before any kind of participation, including tryouts or practice as a member of any school Interscholastic competitive athletic team. Once this packet is completed in it's entirety, you (or your student) can drop it off at the main office.
- Each student-athlete and a parent/guardian will complete a registration process (coming soon!) that includes the state-mandated concussion education program and Emergency Care Card information before the student participates in middle school sports. Additionally, you must complete the Thoreau Thoreau MS Registration Link - https://forms.gle/Y5GSVGUXFusd6ECJ8
- Any student participating in voluntary after school athletic programs, must have medical/accident insurance. Families may choose to purchase student accident coverage, serviced by K&K Insurance Group Inc. to satisfy this requirement.
- Each student-athlete and a parent/guardian will review the FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Health Education Program prior to the student’s participation in middle school athletic activities.
For more information on FCPS Middle School Sports, go to the Student Athlete page of the FCPS website.
Please take a moment to review welcome videos from the Fairfax County School Board. YouTube's official guide to watching videos in your preferred language.
Melanie Meren - for Hunter Mill District Schools
Karl Frisch - for Providence District Schools
Ilryong Moon - represents all schools
Ryan McElveen - represents all schools
Kyle McDaniel - represents all schools
To find our school’s menu page, click MealViewer, search for our school, and use that URL to hyperlink the highlighted text. Be sure to remove the highlight after adding the link.
Experience an easier way to view your child’s school menus using MealViewer:
- View what is being served each day.
- View the nutritional information for each meal.
- See if any specific allergens are being served.
- Get notified when your student’s favorite meal is being served.
Printable menus are always available on the Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
Check out some tips to help your child get through the lunch line quickly and have more time to eat:
- Teach your child their student ID number to receive meals at school.
- Sign up for and add money to MySchoolBucks to purchase meals at school.
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Apply for free and reduced-price meals. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should submit a new application as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
If your child has any food allergies, learn how to submit accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergens.
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