Old notices, 2009-2010
These notices were on the PTSA home page (or other important pages).
TJ PTSA Executive Committee for 2010-2011
Congratulations to the recently elected officers of the PTSA Executive Committee for the 2010-2011 school year:
President: Louise Epstein
Vice President: Denise Bunting
Vice President: Celeste Fritzson
Treasurer: Eileen Swoboda
Recording Secretary: Lou Baumgartner
Corresponding Secretary: Jean Lee
In the case of absence or inability of the President to act during her term of office, the designated order of officers to perform the duties of president is Denise Bunting as first vice-president and then Celeste Fritzson as second vice-president.
PTSA Meeting — June 14, 2010
Our next TJHSST PTSA monthly Meeting will be held on June 14, 2010 at 7:00PM in the library. (Agenda)
Proposed Slate of Officers for the TJ PTSA Executive Committee for 2010-2011
The following slate of officers was presented to the members of the PTSA at the PTSA meeting on Monday, May 10:
President: Louise Epstein (2007, 2011)
Vice President: Denise Bunting (2011, 2012, 2014)
Vice President: Celeste Fritzson (2013)
Treasurer: Eileen Swoboda (2007, 2011)
Recording Secretary: Lou Baumgartner (2012)
Corresponding Secretary: Jean Lee (2009, 2013)
This proposed slate of officers will be presented for a vote at the general
meeting of the PTSA on June 14, 2010. Newly elected officers will take their
office at the close of the meeting. In the case of absence or inability
of the President to act during her term of office, the designated order
of officers to perform the duties of president is Denise Bunting as first
vice-president and then Celeste Fritzson as second vice-president."
Student Directories
The 2009-2010 Student Directory is now available and can be purchased from the PTSA and in the TJ main office. The cost is $10. Checks can be made out to "TJHSST PTSA."
If you pre-ordered a directory and did not pick it up at Back to School Night, please pick it up in the front office. Bring a copy of your PayPal receipt and show it to Ms. Margo Stead.
WISH LIST: Help Build the TJ Library Collection
TJ's specialized curricula and programs require specialized library resources and services to succeed. The school library fund allocations from the county were cut this year. The smaller allocation resulted in a materials budget shortfall so we are unable to purchase most of the resources already selected to support TJ's classroom and research curricula, to update and fill gaps in the collection, and to support our community of readers; nor are we be able to fill teacher and student requests for materials to support new lessons or specialized research projects.
In the hopes of easing the budget shortfall for our Library community, we established the TJHSST Library Wish List on Amazon.com. Our Wish List includes approximately 60 of the resources selected from professional review journals and requested by teachers and students that will help to continue building our collection this year.
If you are able to make a generous donation to our school's Library by purchasing an item from our Wish List, please email the Head Librarian, to let the Library staff know to expect a shipment. We'll want to thank you properly and to make a note that the selection has been purchased so that we can avoid duplication.
Help Wanted
Webmaster
The PTSA webmaster "graduated" in June. We need a volunteer to take over maintenance of this website. The position involves XHTML, CSS, FTP or WinSCP, Dreamweaver, making PDFs, monitoring the webmaster email address, etc. A pro-active approach is preferred. Availability in the summer is a must. Minimal JavaScript is helpful, but not necessary. We prefer that a TJ parent handle this job. If you have any questions, please contact our "retired"
NEED YOUR HELP!
May Weekend Gardening Day will be held on Sunday, May 16th from 1pm-4pm. We will need many volunteers to care for the installation and maintenance of all of the plant materials around the school. Bring garden gloves, any tools and lots of energy.
Information on Prearranged Absences for APs
Advanced Placement (AP) exams will be administered at TJ from May 3 to May 14. Although the school administration would always prefer students to be in school, they recognize that sometimes during this period, it is in the student's best interest to miss some class time before or after an AP. Students will be allowed to take a half-day absence for each AP exam, up to a maximum of 3 absences if a Pre-Arranged Absence Form is completed and and submitted by April 23.
Student Athletes should take special note. Athletes will be allowed to participate in practices and competitions on the absence day if they complete this form prior to April 23.
Questions can be directed to Shawn.Derose@fcps.edu.
Temporary Bus Schedule Changes
Below is a list of delayed school openings for 2009-10 that affect students riding buses to TJHSST:
- Feb. 12 — Mt Vernon HS
- Mar. 05 — Glasgow Middle School
- Mar. 11 — Stuart High School
- Mar. 16 — West Potomac HS
- Apr. 20 — West Springfield
- Apr. 23 — Mt Vernon HS
When high school delays occur, TJ students WILL NOT be picked up at their normal locations. Parents are required to transport their child to their base school in order to be transported on the TJ shuttle. Questions? Please contact at (703) 750-8331.
PTSA Meeting — May 10, 2010
Our next TJHSST PTSA monthly Meeting will be held on May 10, 2010 at 7:00PM in the library. (Please note, this date has been changed from May 17th.) (Agenda)
Welcome Class of 2013!
PTSA Meeting — April 14
Our next TJHSST PTSA General Meeting combined with a Principal's Coffee will be held on Wednesday April 14, 2010 at 9:00 in the Cafeteria. The meeting will begin at 9:30 after the Principal's coffee. (Agenda)
Seeking Nominations For TJ PTSA Executive Committee
PTSA Officers -- The Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for the six elected positions on the TJ PTSA Executive Committee for the 2010-2011 school year: President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer. In order to provide continuity and experience, we anticipate that perhaps 2 - 4 of the current officers will serve another year in some capacity.
Any PTSA member with the willingness and ability to serve and provide leadership is welcome to apply. (Note: PTSA by-laws require that a person may be nominated for president only if he/she has served on the executive board for at least one term.) PTSA members who want to nominate someone else for an office may do so, with the nominee's permission. The deadline for nominations is March 15, 2010.
The nomination form can be found here. Please send any questions or completed forms to the Nominating Committee at ptsa.correspondingsecretary@tjhsst.edu. The Nominating Committee members are Gail Brodfuehrer, Helen Lin, Carol Miranda, Jane Pyrak and Ellen Ranard.
PTSA Meeting — March 15
February 8, 2010 meeting was postponed, and our next meeting will be on March 15 at 7:00 pm in the library. (Agenda)
PTSA Meeting — January 11
Our next TJHSST PTSA General Meeting combined with a Principal's Coffeewill be held on *Monday January 11, 2010 in the TJ Library at 7PM. The meeting will begin after the coffee at 7:30. All are welcome. (Agenda)
PTSA Meeting — December 14
The next PTSA meeting will be held on Monday, December 14, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. All are welcome. (Agenda)
Crew Gift Show
TJ Crew is hosting a gift show on November 21, 2009.
See flyer for details.
Upcoming 2009 Events & Deadlines
Nov. 25 — Early Dismissal, 10:50am
Nov. 26-27 — Thanksgiving Holiday, no school
PTSA Meeting — November 18
Our next PTSA meeting will be a morning meeting following the Principal's Coffee/ Honors Weighting Forum on November 18 in the cafeteria. Please come, bring your ideas and questions and plan to have a fun and informative morning. (Agenda)
The FCPS administration would like our feedback on the following outcomes for honors weighting, effective in the 2010-11 school year.
- The current system (0.5 addition for honors courses in the four core content areas, but not electives; 0.5 addition for science and technology senior research; and 1.0 addition for AP and post-AP courses)
- No weighting, but with a GPA
- No weighting, but without a GPA
- No weighting, but with an addition of 0.5 added to the final GPA (but not retroactive)
Temporary Bus Schedule Changes
Below is an updated list of delayed school openings for 2009-10 that affect students riding buses to TJHSST:
- Oct. 16 — Mt Vernon HS
- Nov. 11 — West Potomac HS, Hayfield, West Springfield
- Nov. 12 — West Springfield
Reflections Program — October 16 23
The National PTA's 2009-2010 Reflections Program is underway at TJ! This year's theme is "Beauty is…" Express yourself in one of the six art areas:
- Literature
- Dance Choreography
- Film/Video Production
- Musical Composition
- Photography
- Visual Arts
Students are encouraged to begin their projects today. Deadline
for all entries is Friday, October 16, 2009.
Friday, October 23, 2009.
Please read the
instructions
and print an
entry form.
Entries may be dropped off in the Main Office.
Please contact
with questions.
PTSA Meeting — October 19
The next PTSA meeting will be held on Monday, October 19, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. All are welcome. (Agenda)
CAC 2009 – 2010 School Year
No particular experience is needed to serve on this committee, but we will be looking for people with specific experience to help in some areas. For example, we are currently looking for a parent who has experience in reviewing grant requests for research, and could help with requests to be filed in late October or early November. If you can help here, please contact the committee's chairperson, Thanks.
Some things the CAC might do this school year include:
- Help TJ staff launch a One Question initiative for students to focus on an interdisciplinary problem in science and society.
- Help TJ staff with organizing a day long research symposium where students share their research and learn about research opportunities.
- Help TJ staff by facilitating benchmarking on curriculum matters with a couple of engineering and/or science departments of colleges held in high esteem and perhaps a peer high school.
- Draft a proposal for a 2-3 week session where students can do research outside of the school or take a course in the school (session likely would start in late May of a school year).
TJ Band Boosters Back-to-School Night Pasta Dinner
Advanced reservations preferred by September 30, 2009.
See flyer for details.
Crew Yard Sale
TJ Crew is hosting a yard sale on Saturday, October 17, 2009.
See flyer for details.
Student Directory Available October 7
The 2009-2010 Student Directory will be ready for purchase or pick-up (if you pre-ordered online) at Back-to-School Night. Cost is $10 per directory. Buy one for your home, car, and office!
Student Directory — Pre-Order by October 1
October 1, 2009 is your last chance to pre-order a directory. After that, you can pay in person at Back-to-School Night or in the TJ main office after Back-to-School Night.
Navigating TJ — September 30
The PTSA is sponsoring a forum for parents of TJ students on Wednesday, September 30, 2008, from 7-9 pm in the auditorium. The topic will be, "Navigating TJ: Parent Tips for Your Four Years." See our flyer for details. Please come and bring your questions. For more information, please contact any PTSA officer.
Fairfax County Flu Meetings — September 1-29
Fairfax County is holding a number of townhall meetings during the month of September to discuss seasonal and H1N1 (swine) flus. For more information, read their flyer.
Student Directory — Update & Order Now
The PTSA is compiling information for the production of the
2009-2010 Student Directory. New and returning families who
have not already updated their information this summer,
please submit your
online form
no later than September 10th September 15th. Directories
will be ready for purchase or pick-up (if you
pre-order online)
at Back-to-School Night, Oct. 7.
October 1, 2009 is your last chance to pre-order a directory. After that, you can pay in person at Back-to-School Night or in the TJ main office.
PTSA Meeting — September 14
The next PTSA meeting will be held on Monday, September 14, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. All are welcome. (Agenda)
Honors Weighting Meeting — September 14
The Honors Weighting Issue continues to be an important one for our community and is important for our mission as a school. We have decided to devote most of our first PTSA meeting on September 14th to this issue. In addition to Dr. Glazer and other school leaders, we are happy to announce that several FCPS leaders responsible for the Honors Weighting policies and their implementation at TJ will be attending. Our hope is that the information exchanged during this meeting will allow our parents a chance to better understand the rationale behind the current policy as well as the timing and format of any adjustments and that FCPS leaders will have a chance to hear directly from our community about our concerns and issues. We will also discuss briefly the grading scale changes and specifically the change in grade definitions.
The format will be a short presentation followed by a moderated question/answer session. The opening questions of the question/answer session will be selected from submitted questions. To submit a question, please email PTSA president by Friday, September 11.
As one proposal in light of the Honors Weighting policies, Dr. Glazer will be discussing a new idea to eliminate GPAs at TJ. He will be soliciting feedback on this potential policy change.
The meeting will be held in the auditorium at TJ at 7:00 on September 14. Everyone (parents, students, faculty and staff) is welcome and encouraged to come and be part of the discussion on this very important topic.
Architect Presentation/Interactive Workshop — Sept. 11
Please attend this meeting on Friday, September 11, 2009, 4:00-6:00pm in the TJ Auditorium. Prakash Nair will be talking about the dramatic changes that are taking place in education across the globe and the lessons they teach us as we move forward with the conversion of TJHSST into a state-of-the-art campus that celebrates teaching and learning in the Creative Age. For more information, see the flyer.
Currently TJ is scheduled to have a major building renovation with construction to begin by September 2012 and be completed in 2015. Your input is essential in helping TJ get the building it needs and deserves. Please try to attend this presentation, as parent involvement at this stage is critical to the planning.
Directory Ads — Order Now
Support your PTSA by advertising in the 2009-2010 Student Directory. Details are on our flyer. Payment for ads can be made online. Ads will be accepted through September 10, 2009.
Honors Weighting
As previously noted, the FCPS Division of Instructional Services has reached a decision on the courses to be weighted by an extra 0.5 quality points (0.25 for semester classes) in computing student weighted GPAs. At TJ, we believe this recommendation will be interpreted to include all required mathematics, science, English and social studies classes, all post AP classes not receiving dual enrollment weighting, senior research labs and mentorships, and all social studies electives used to complete the required fourth social studies credit. FCPS is currently not weighting non-AP science and tech el ectives, foreign language classes, music/art classes or social studies electives that are taken past the graduation requirements. All weights for honors, AP and approved dual enrollment classes will be retroactive. Additional information including a comparison of common TJ and Base School weighting can be found on Fairgrade website. Students and parents can go on FCPS 24-7 (Blackboard) to view their new revised GPAs.
The TJ administration will submit additional information on all classes not receiving additional weight (including all non-weighted math and science electives) in the fall to attempt to have them weighted. This issue is still evolving and will be central to our school community. Please continue to contact us or your elected school board member with your questions, ideas and concerns. It is helpful for others to understand the unique nature of our school. Your input will make a difference.
As a result of the number of questions received by the PTSA and school on this issue, Dr. Glazer has provided us with responses to a number of the most frequently asked questions. In addition, the first PTSA meeting of the year will devote significant time to this issue including a question and answer session with Dr. Glazer on this topic. Please plan to attend and stay informed on this important issue. The meeting will be held on Sept. 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the library.
Summer Reading
All TJ students have summer reading assignments. Be sure to check the TJ website where this summer's reading lists will be posted.
Back to School Bash — September 3
The back to school bash will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, Sept. 3, right before the first home football game. The bash promises to be an afternoon of music, food, games, contests, TJ prizes and sale of TJ spirit wear along with other spirit-filled activities. More details will follow in TJ's Back-to-School letter and on the TJ website. We look forward to seeing you there! Contact with any questions.
Freshmen Orientation / Big Sibs — September 4
All freshmen will be assigned a Big Sib to help them transition to TJ. Freshman are invited to stay at school following orientation on Friday, September 4, to get acquainted with their peers, Big Sibs, and TJ through fun activities such as ice breakers, school tours/scavenger hunts, relay races, and maybe even a talent show! This event is sponsored by the Big Sib program.
Back-to-School Packets
TJ's Back-to-School packets that include student schedules and transportation information will be mailed home this year. Also included with the schedules will be information about how families can access the paperwork that students will need to submit at the start of the school year in order to be assigned their lockers.
The PTSA packet will also be mailed to homes. We are working on a pdf version of the important information. This should be posted online in a few days.
Important Dates
| Upcoming 2009 Events & Deadlines | |
|---|---|
| Jul. 30 | Deadline for e-copy of flyer/insert for packet |
| Aug. 1 | Jefferson Alumni Day |
| Aug. 3 | Golf begins |
| Aug. 3-4 | Senior portraits taken in the TJ auditorium |
| Aug. 6 | Cross-country practice begins |
| Aug. 10 | Deadline for copies of all packet flyers/inserts |
| Aug. 11 | Fall sports begin |
| Aug. 12 | Summer packet stuffing |
| Aug. 21 | Techcetera articles due |
| Aug. 24 | Meet the Coach night — fall sports |
| Sep. 3 | Back to School Bash |
| Sep. 4 | Freshman orientation & Big Sibs |
| Sep. 8 | First day of school |
| Sep. 10 | Last day to update student directory info |
| Sep. 10 | Last day ads accepted for student directory |
| Sep. 11 | Architect Presentation & Interactive Workshop |
| Sep. 11 | Deadline to sumbit questions for the Sept. 14 meeting |
| Sep. 14 | PTSA meeting/Honors Weighting Meeting |
| Sep. 15 | Last day to update student directory info |
| Sep. 30 | Navigating TJ |
| Oct. 1 | Last day to pre-order a directory |
| Oct. 7 | Back to School Night |
| Oct. 28 | Student Services Advisory Board mtg, 7:30pm, Library |
| Nov. 2-3 | Teacher Work Days, no school |
| Nov. 4-6 | Senior portraits taken |
| Nov. 18 | PTSA meeting & Principal's Coffee, 9am, cafeteria |
| Nov. 25 | Early Dismissal, 10:50am |
| Nov. 26-27 | Thanksgiving Holiday, no school |
Summer Packet Stuffing — August 12
We will be stuffing the back to school packets this summer on August 12, 2009, 9:00am to 1:00pm. If you can come and help, please contact the
College Funding Workshops
Learn the Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College. Attend one of the area workshops now through July 2009.
Summer School Lunch
The PTSA is pleased to announce that it will offer lunch and snacks each day of Summer School and Summer Institute. Offerings will vary by day of the week and will include a variety of high quality sandwiches and salads from local restaurants and caterers. We will also offer many side dishes, snacks and drinks. The menu will vary by day of the week and will change weekly based on student preferences. Each day a Lunch Special will be served for $6.00 which will include an entrée, choice of side or snack and choice of drink.
The menu for the following week will be posted in the cafeteria and on the PTSA website by Friday of the prior week.
Parents are needed each day from 10:00 to 1:00 to help serve lunch. Please contact if you are available to assist. Students not involved in summer school can also assist and earn NHS service hours.
Summer School Carpools
If you would like to carpool to summer school with other TJ students who live in your zip code (or close by), check out the 2009 TJ Summer Carpool List.
Please remember that we are simply facilitators; you have to use your own judgment about with whom you wish to carpool.
Help Wanted: Summer School Lunch Helpers
The PTSA is providing lunches this summer at TJ summer school. This helps raise funds for the classes. If you could help between 10:30 and 1:00 during the week of July 27-July 31, please contact the Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Jefferson Alumni Day — August 1
The TJ Alumni Association needs parent volunteers for this year's Jefferson Alumni Day on Saturday, August 1, 2009, from 11am-3pm at TJ. If you can help, please contact For information and tickets, visit the TJ Alumni website.
Honors Weighting Recommendations
The FCPS Division of Instructional Services has reached tentative decisions on the courses to be weighted by an extra 0.5 quality point (0.25 for semester classes) in computing student weighted GPAs. We believe this recommendation will be interpreted to include all required mathematics, science, English and social studies classes, all post AP classes not receiving dual enrollment weighting, senior research labs and mentorships, and all social studies electives that can be used to complete the required fourth social studies credit. (See: Honor Weighting Recommendations and TJ Honors — Complete List of Weighted Courses.) FCPS announced earlier this year that all AP classes and selected post-AP dual enrollment classes will be weighted by an extra 1.0 quality points (0.5 for one semester post-AP classes) on a fully retroactive basis.
The current recommendations for TJ honors class weighting:
"The weighting of 0.5 will be awarded to required mathematics and science courses at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The weighting of 0.5 will be awarded to all mathematics courses above the level of AP that are not dual enrollment and all science, mathematics, and technology research and mentorship courses.
The weighting of 0.5 will be awarded to required English and social studies courses at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. This includes the social studies elective courses that are required for the fourth social studies credit."
A comparison of common TJ and Base School weighting can be found on the Fairgrade website.
Directory Ads
Coming soon! Information on how to advertise in the TJHSST student directory. Ads will be accepted through September 10, 2009.
Freshmen Orientation / Big Sibs
*** Check back later for updated information! ***
All freshmen will be assigned a Big Sib to help them transition to TJ. There will be an event in August to get you acquainted with your peers, your Big Sib, and TJ through fun activities such as ice breakers, school tours/scavenger hunts, relay races, and maybe even a talent show! Watch this space for details.
Welcome Class of 2013!
Please visit our special welcome page for lots of helpful information to assist you in your transition to TJ. Make sure to sign up for your Cluster Gathering to meet TJ families in your area and learn about TJ.