Dear TJPTSA members,
The Executive Board of TJPTSA calls for a special general membership meeting on November 3rd, 2021 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM. This meeting will be held in-person at TJHSST Cafeteria.
The meeting is called to consider the following motion:
That the President of TJPTSA be removed from office.
The Executive Board of TJPTSA
TJPTSA 2021-10-14 General Membership Meeting Audio Recording
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K_pogECzNxyz9D8FWp_Oq-70ozfRY2Ia/view?usp=sharing
TJPTSA 2021-10-14 General Membership Meeting Video Recording
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XF6wQxa7f4ICtbp4vWI0csEbUh6YyzT0/view?usp=sharing
Dear TJPTSA members,
It has been brought to our attention that a recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) opinion article has raised serious concerns of the TJ administration as well as TJ parents.
In an article titled “Virginia Dad Takes on the School Board”, the author stated that “The father of a Thomas Jefferson High School Sophomore, he had signed up to address the board about sexually explicit material in the school library, including work he and other parents say normalizes pedophilia.” It appears to us that the school library of TJ was referred to. However, according to the FCPS record, TJ library never subscribed the two books that were mentioned as inappropriate in a recent FCPS board meeting.
Moreover, Mr. Harry Jackson was quoted in the article that “I am glad to see we agree there is pornographic material in the library”. Apparently, TJ library was referred to again, and this statement is not factual either because no pornographic material has been found in TJ library, to the best of our knowledge. Most concerningly, Mr. Harry Jackson was cited as “not just any parent. Earlier this year, he was elected president of the school’s Parent Teacher Student Association, or PTSA.” In fact, none of the other TJPTSA Executive Committee members was consulted about the opinions expressed in this WSJ article, which has fomented unnecessary unrest in the whole TJ community. For example, threats and harassment toward TJ staff and administration has been occurring these past two days as a direct result of this article with increased security on TJ campus.
Given the severe impacts of the controversial statements to the TJ community, the TJPTSA Executive Committee has requested an explanation from Mr. Harry Jackson about his role in the WSJ article. Mr. Harry Jackson informed us that he never had reviewed or approved the article before it was published, and the author, not him, has the responsibility to fact check. In addition, Mr. Harry Jackson has requested WSJ Editorial Office for a correction to the article.
We will continue to investigate this issue and to keep the TJ community informed once more information is available.
TJPTSA Executive Committee
TJPTSA will hold a general membership meeting on October 14th, 2021 from 7PM to 9PM
Location: ZOOM
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89439549602?pwd=ejd4ZDJ4dEZ6dVQ3ZlFEMzRpMXhJQT09
Meeting ID: 894 3954 9602
Passcode: 720489
The meeting agenda can be found here.
Proposed Budget: https://tjptsa.com/archive/2021-10-13-tjptsa-revised-budget/
Reconciliation files:https://tjptsa.com/archive/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2021-09_ANGP_Recon_Summary.pdf and https://tjptsa.com/archive/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2021-09_PTSA_Recon_Summary.pdf
Last GM meeting draft minutes: https://tjptsa.com/archive/2021-10-13-tjptsa-09-09-2021-general-membership-meeting-minutes/
Financial Review: https://tjptsa.com/archive/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TJHSST_PTSA_2021_Financial-Review_Audit-Report.pdf
The draft of TJPTSA 09/09/2021 general membership meeting minutes is available here.
On October 11th, 2021, the Executive Board of TJPTSA met and approved the revision of TJPTSA budget.
TJPTSA Diversity Committee invites you to join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month onFriday, October 15th from 4:00PM to 5:30PM in the Planetarium Courtyard Tent. Festivities will include music, homemade Cuban food, Hispanics in STEM trivia, and more! Questions? Email michelehyde@gmail.com
Still thinking of a Spring Sport? Do you want to try Rowing? TJ Crew has planned two Learn to Row sessions in October for novice rowers to learn the sport and get a head start. Please check out our website for details and to register https://www.tjcrew.org/join/learn-to-row
See the TJ Theatre Students perform the Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway musical School of Rock! Based on the classic movie of the same name!
Time: Saturday, October 9th, 2021, 7:00PM
Location: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Auditorium
Tickets:
$15 General Admission
$10 Students
https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15598/thomas-jefferson-high-school-theatre
Dear TJ Parents and Students,
Huntington Learning Center is providing a free practice SAT Test to Thomas Jefferson Students on Sep 26th (this coming Sunday) at 10am. The practice test will be proctored via zoom, please see the details for the registration as well as the zoom meeting in the below flyer. Please make sure to registerin advance. They will also provide a free evaluation (on request) with the center director to show you your strengths and areas of improvement. You can email HerndonVA@hlcmail.com or call 703-880-5102 for any questions and issues!
This is a wonderful opportunity, please take advantage of it!
