Dear TJHSST Families,
I hope you are enjoying our first bit of cooler weather. Reminder that Monday, October 13 is a staff development day and students do not report to school. We will be offering no-cost meals to students in need from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the details are below.
TJ is sensitive to the effect that the government shutdown is having on the community. In this Jefferson Journal I've included information on FCPS' Free and Reduced Meal program. Please read entire thing as it is very important to fill out the Consent to Share form when signing up for this program.
I also have a couple of exciting experiences for TJ students listed in this week's Jefferson Journal! As part of our 40th Anniversary Celebration we will be hosting an Alumni/Student Networking Opportunity on Saturday, October 25 from 11 a.m. to noon in the auditorium. I also have information on Fairfax County Public Schools new Student AI Challenge!
With it being a teacher workday on Monday, October 13 and no school for students, TJ will be offering No-Cost Meals in its cafeteria from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here is what you need to know:
- Only children 18 and under may receive meals
- Lunch and a snack will be served together
- Each child may receive one lunch and one snack.
- Meals must be eaten on site at TJ
- Enrichment activities will be available for children
- Participation is encouraged by not required.
Students interested in receiving the meals should enter through Door 4, which is on the west side of the school and leads directly into the cafeteria.
We recognize that the federal government shutdown may be a source of significant stress and uncertainty for many of our families. Given our location in Northern Virginia, we know that potential disruptions to federal paychecks and operations can create immediate hardship.
One of the ways to obtain help is through the FCPS Free and Reduced Meal program.
Free/Reduced Application information and forms for qualified families (Online Submission)
FCPS offers nutritious meals every school day. Your child may qualify for free meals or reduced-price meals at TJHSST. Students who qualify for reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. For information on how to apply for Free and Reduced-price meals, please visit the link above. The online free and reduced-price meals application is available in 8 languages and can be completed on mobile devices. It needs to re-apply annually.
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.
As part of TJ’s 40th Anniversary Celebration we are excited to invite you to attend our Alumni and Student Networking event on Saturday, October 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. inside TJ’s auditorium.
From among those who are in town for the 40th Anniversary Celebration we are gathering a group of alumni representing a diverse group of industries and career paths who are willing to speak about their journey with current TJ students. They will be a panel in the auditorium, followed by the opportunity for students to network one-on-one or in small groups to get their questions answered.
Both current TJ students and their parents/guardians are welcome to attend. Students are allowed to attend the networking event without a parent/guardian present, but we will need written or emailed permission from the parent/guardian for them to do so.
If you are interested in attending, please fill out this Google Form. We are still in the process of finalizing the roster of alumni attending, so if you have specific requests for different industries or career paths, there is space on the form to provide them. We will release the names of the alumni attending in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at mbroth@fcps.edu.
Are you interested in making a real-world impact with artificial intelligence? Join the FCPS Student AI Challenge—a districtwide competition running through October, November, and December—where innovation meets creativity. Participants can earn recognition, prizes, and even a chance to compete in the White House Presidential AI Challenge. Click here to learn more
TJ Parents/Guardians - We are in need of dry erase markers.
Students and staff use white boards and dry erase markers on a daily basis. If you would like to donate dry erase markers for the students and staff, please send them in to the TJHSST Main Office or order at our Amazon link here: https://a.co/giHCfQN
Need to get ahold of 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
Ms. Yaara Crane - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2026 Science and Technology Division)
Mr. Shawn Frank - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2027 and Mathematics and Computer Science Division)
Mr. Dylan Forshay - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2028 and World Language, Art, Music, and Physical Education Division)
Ms. Volita Russell - Subschool Principal (oversees Class of 2029 and Humanities Division)
Ms. Sara Wright - Director of Student Services (oversees Counselors, Social Worker, School Psychologist and other staff providing student support)
Ms. Leah Conte - Director of Student Activities (oversees Activities Office, 8th Period, Athletic Office, Building Maintenance, Custodians, Food Services)
Mr. Mike Roth - Communications Specialist (oversees NewsYouChoose and eNotify, Event promotions, print/digital text, photo, video, Social Media accounts, TJHSST Webmaster and Visitors US & International (TJPF)
For another specific staff member, please use our Staff Directory to find contact information.
TJ's Anchor/Blue/Red Day Calendar
October 10-11 - TJ Theatre presents One Acts Festival
October 13 - Staff Development Day - No school for students.
October 15 - Fall Band Concert - 7 p.m. in auditorium
October 20 - Religious or Cultural Observance Day (Diwali) - no school for students or staff
October 22 - Fall Orchestra Concert - 7 p.m. in auditorium
October 24-25 - TJHSST 40th Anniversary Celebration
October 31 - Modified Red Day with 2-hour Early Release (End of 1st Quarter)
November 3 - School Planning Day - no school for students
November 4 - Teacher Workday - no school for students
November 5 - This Wednesday will be an Anchor Day for TJ
November 7 - November News You Choose newsletter will be released
November 10 - This Monday will be a Blue Day for TJ
November 11 - Veterans Day - no school for students or staff
November 17 - Modified Anchor Day with 60 minute advisory and no JLC
November 24 - This Monday will be a Red Day for TJ
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Holiday - no school for students or staff
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