Author Archives: admin

2021-02-28 ANGP & Senior Celebration Update

The Class of 2021 Jefferson Cup fundraiser is coming to an end on February 28th. If you plan to order a Jefferson cup for your senior, please place your order before this date. The Jefferson Cup is a traditional keepsake item for TJ graduates. This exquisitely simple and elegant pewter cup is engraved with TJ logo and “Class of 2021” underneath. Our Class of 2021 Jefferson Cup has a brushed finishing. It makes a beautiful graduation gift for our seniors. Don’t miss the opportunity to order one for your senior. Login to AtoZ Connect (at https://atozconnect.com/cls/login.php) to place your order. 

Class of 2021 Graduation Yard signs will continue to be on sale while supplies last.

Once logged into AtoZ Connect, ANGP & Senior Celebration products should be the very first thing you see under Store Categories. You can also get there clicking on the menu on the left side of the screen, select Store, then Products. If you can’t see the ANGP & Senior Celebration products, please check to make sure that you have completed the Directory Verification process and selected to subscribe to school emails.

For more information related to ANGP & Senior Celebration, please visit the ANGP & Senior Celebration Committee page on TJPTSA website at https://tjptsa.com/committees/angp-committee/.

2021-03-21 “Together” Book Group – slides posted

This event was held March 2 & 9 and hosted by the PTSA Health & Wellness Committee.

Slides from Part 1 led by TJ psychologist Esther Barkat

Slides from Part 2 led by TJ social worker Danielle Armstrong

From the book description: “Humans are social creatures: In this simple and obvious fact lies both the problem and the solution to the current crisis of loneliness. In his groundbreaking book, the 19th surgeon general of the United States Dr. Vivek Murthy makes a case for loneliness as a public health concern: a root cause and contributor to many of the epidemics sweeping the world today from alcohol and drug addiction to violence to depression and anxiety. Loneliness, he argues, is affecting not only our health, but also how our children experience school, how we perform in the workplace, and the sense of division and polarization in our society.

“But, at the center of our loneliness is our innate desire to connect. We have evolved to participate in community, to forge lasting bonds with others, to help one another, and to share life experiences. We are, simply, better together.”

“Together” is available at the Fairfax Co. library or their ebook platform, or buy from your local bookseller or online. https://www.vivekmurthy.com/together-book

More about the book:https://www.aspenideashealth.org/post/vivek-murthy-together

See our idea list for other book suggestions from the H&W Committee (the list includes past Principal’s Book Club selections and the Challenge Success book, “Overloaded and Underprepared”): http://a.co/aZ7aFgl

2021-02-12 From Chaos to Calm – Webinar for Families

From the FCPS Parent Resource Center:

From Chaos to Calm: Strategies for Families to Create Calm and Confidence in the Midst of Chaos and Uncertainty: A Webinar for Families

How are YOU doing?  Really, how are you?

Trying to lead a family during these times can be exceedingly difficult. Children’s mental health is declining, and parents are concerned about their own mental health. 

  • Are you feeling helpless and overwhelmed by the uncertainty and fear surrounding your child’s future and the impact this time is having on their ability to learn?  
  • Are you worried about increased anxiety and stress leaving you feeling depleted and overwhelmed? 

Learn practical tools that can be applied IMMEDIATELY to restore your sense of calm and focus so you have the energy and confidence you need to cultivate joy and connection in your family.

Presented by Corinne Coppola, M.A., and Well-Being Professional.

Friday, February 12, 2021 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Register for From Chaos to Calm: Strategies for Families to Create Calm and Confidence in the Midst of Chaos and Uncertainty: A Webinar for Families

2021-02-05 Teen Depression – Webinar for Families

FCPS Parent Resource Center presents:

Teen Depression:  A Webinar for Families

You’re worried. Your child has been sad or irritable for days and doesn’t seem interested in activities they usually find fun. For 1 in 10 adolescents, it’s ‘depression’. NIMH conducts research studies to understand the causes of depression, how it’s affected by the teen brain, and the evaluation of new treatments.

This webinar will focus on these topics:

  • What is “major depression?”
  • Assessing depression in teens
  • How to get help
  • Treatment of depression
  • Parenting a teen with depression
  • Depression in teens and COVID-19

Presented by Chana Engel who is a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the Mood Brain & Development Unit at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH).

Friday, February 5, 2021 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Register for Teen Depression:  A Webinar for Families

2021-02-01 Thank a Teacher Art Contest (cash prizes)

Deadline: February 1, 2021

From VAPTA January Bulletin 2021:

The Virginia Lottery, in partnership with the Virginia PTA, is excited to announce the fourth annual Thank a Teacher Art Contest, and we invite all K-12 public school artists to share their talent with us! Three student artists, whether enrolled virtually or face-to-face, will be selected to win a $150 gift card, and their school’s art department will be awarded $1,000 from the Virginia Lottery and $1,000 from our partners at The Supply Room. The winning designs (one each from an elementary, middle and high school student artist) will then be featured on thousands of thank-you notes distributed to teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. Those notes will each feature a unique code for teachers to enter for a chance to win a Virginia-themed vacation. Check out last year’s top artwork here. 

Help us spread the word, and encourage the students in your life to enter their original artwork! Submissions will be accepted December 14, 2020 – February 1, 2021.

2021-03-01 VA PTA 2021 $1000 Scholarship Program

2021 Deadline: March 1, 2021

NOTE: TJ PTSA is in good standing so apply away!

Virginia PTA is proud to offer $1,000 scholarships to graduating Virginia high school students from an active PTA/PTSA in good standing. In keeping with the Vision and Mission of the PTA, these scholarships are awarded based on a demonstrated commitment to, and engagement in, volunteerism and community service. The number of scholarships awarded each year depends on proceeds of special Virginia PTA awards.

https://vapta.org/programs/virginia-pta-scholarships

2021-02-08 6pm Diversity in STEM Talks!

Monday, February 8, 2021, 6:00-6:45pm

Presented by The Diversity Committee of the Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology PTSA

For students grades 4-8
Guest speakers: Anthony Nunez, CEO INF Robotics Inc. and Carla Rodriguez, Head of Operations INF Robotics Inc.

Hear from people working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields!
– What sparked their interest in STEM?
– What did they study in school?
– What is happening in the field of robotics?
– How are robotics and technology used in health care?
– What else would you like to know?

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYuf-ytpzwvHNyTTjJUglp0PEiUOWVmfBrc

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

2021-01-21 6-8pm Class of 2022 College Kick Off

From the 1/14/21 News You Choose email:

“Hi Class of 2022 and those who love them,

All of us in Student Services are hoping you are staying healthy and safe. We would like to cordially invite you to join us for the Junior College Kick-Off.

When: Thursday January 21, 2021
What time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Online! We will send the link to join us the day of the event.
Who: 2022 Students and Parents (yes, we want you to attend together!)
What: A team of counselors will walk families through the college application process, things to do now, things to think about for later, and answer questions you may have for the good of the group.

Please save the space on your calendar and be ready to absorb all the information we will be sharing. If you are unable to join, we plan to record the session and share it afterward.”

2021-01-16 Classroom Monitors Needed

From the January 8th Email from TJHSST:

As we mentioned last month, we may need classroom monitors to supervise in-person students whose teachers are not returning to the building and will be teaching virtually during the spring semester. If interested please notify TJ directly by completing this form here. After completing the form, you can apply with FCPS here. A staff member from TJ will be in touch to set up interviews as needs arise.