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Dear TJHSST Families,
We had an exciting week that featured Back-to-School Night, the Back-to-School Bash and the beginning of eighth period activities.
This week's updates include information about an administrative team change. Please read on for more information about Subschool Principal Volita Russell as we wish her well in her new adventure! We also need you to look at the Family Needs Questionnaire and take note of the deadline for families to sign this year's SR&R information.
Next week is TJ's annual Homecoming Week, a weeklong celebration with Pep Rallies and several fun activities that will unite us as #OneTJ!
We encourage students to attend the Homecoming Dance here at TJ on Saturday, September 19 from 7:00-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for one student or $40 for two TJ students ($45 for one TJ student and one non-TJ student guest). They are on sale now on MySchoolBucks and will not be sold at the door.
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
We are writing to share some exciting news about Subschool Principal Volita Russell. Fairfax County Public Schools consistently support individuals by providing opportunities to grow and develop a range of skills. With this opportunity, Ms. Russell will transfer to Edison High School.
In return, we will be welcoming Ellen Hagan-Bowerman, assistant principal, from Edison High School, as she looks for opportunities to grow and develop as well. We are truly happy for Ms. Russell and Ms. Hagan-Bowerman as they pursue their future goals. Both will begin their new positions on Monday, September 14.
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 and 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
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
Cellphones and Personal Devices
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more about the student device requirement.
With homecoming coming up next week, the TJ Student Government Association (SGA) is looking for six convertible cars for the Homecoming Court to ride in at halftime of next Friday's (September 18) football game.
If you are a TJ Parent/Guardian and have a convertible that you could drive during the game next week, please reach out to SGA sponsor Sam Shelton at sgshelton@fcps.edu.
Join FCPS 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:
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Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
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 Back-to-School Bash and Football Game on Instagram
Food, activities, and good company! TJ's annual Back to School Bash was a big success on Thursday evening! Hosted by the TJ PTSA, the TJ community had the opportunity to play a variety of lawn games, jump on inflatables, play some frisbee, kick the ball around, and get a meal at one of the 7 different food trucks!
Thank you to the TJ PTSA who provided coupons that allowed all TJ staff to get a free meal!
Afterwards, we went into the stadium to cheer on our Colonial football team!
Photo Gallery of 8th Period Activity Fair on Instagram
Over 200 options awaited TJ students as eighth period activities got underway on Friday!
For our Class of 2030 and other new students, it can be a little overwhelming so we held our annual Activities Fair during Eighth Period Advisory on Wednesday.
Students had an opportunity to hear from club leaders about their various activities. We encourage our new students to try a large variety of activities early on in order to find their best fit. Often they discover an interest they never knew they had!
Thank you to all the TJ Clubs and Activities for your efforts in putting on this week's fair!
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 (begins Sept. 14)
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.
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