Author Archives: admin

2021-03-18 4:15-5:15 Mental Health Coalition Meeting

TJ’s Mental Health Coalition is a group of students, staff members, and parents who are working together this year to coordinate mental health efforts for the TJ community. During the February meeting, groups including TJ Minds Matter, SGA, class councils, PTSA, and Student Services, shared their current projects and initiatives. To learn more about their plans, check out the notes below. The next MHC meeting will be one Thursday, March 18 from 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm. As always, if you are interested in attending future meetings and would like more information, please fill out the form below to join the email list!

Notes from last meeting:
 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YRSsBvH2Sk_jsV_n3rgjJAl56xuW_U1QGgy9NUzKpQw/edit?usp=sharing

Email List Signup Form: 
https://forms.gle/Z9CiexHj3k1p5D7cA

Video link: meet.google.com/dcu-fagb-jho
Join by phone‪ (US) +1 617-675-4444‬ PIN: ‪657 521 046 7166‬#

2021-03-17 Virtual Drop-In Session with TJ Psychologist Dr. Esther Barkat

Do you have questions or concerns about your student or yourself that you would like to ask a mental health professional about? Parents are Guardians are welcome to join this online session between 7-8 PM on Wednesday, March 17 at this link: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/c146bcac7da544f2ba20577682bd5747 (tip: the Chrome browser works best).

This time is best for topics which other parents/guardians might also relate to, asking informational questions, or just getting to know Dr. Barkat, as there may be other parents in the session at the same time (similar to the school counselor sessions for students offered on Mondays, during lunch, etc.). If you have a more private matter you would like to discuss, you are welcome to set up an individual time to talk with Dr. Barkat by emailing her at eubarkat@fcps.edu.

2021-03-14 Thomas Jefferson Academic Booster (TJAB) Donation Drive Spring 2021

Dear TJ Parents,

We are reaching out to you to seek donations to support TJAB’s effort to fund various academic clubs that the TJ students participate in and compete.  Due to the COVID pandemic, many activities and competitions have moved into the virtual environment. However, student clubs are still using the funds for registration, books, and materials.

Thank you to all who have paid for the membership or donated to TJAB this year!

To make a donation, please visit the TJAB Membership page:  

https://aboosters.sites.tjhsst.edu/membership.htm

Until 4/30/2021, there is a special merchandise offer, when you donate.  See the attached flyer.

More information about TJAB can be found by visiting our website at:

https://aboosters.sites.tjhsst.edu/index.htm

Thank you for your support. Please feel free to reach out to us at academicboosters@tjhsst.edu if you have any questions.

2021-03-13 TJ PTSA Survey Extended to 3/21 (Mascot Name, Student Wellness, Challenge Success)

UPDATE: The survey was supposed to close this weekend, but we’ve decided to extend it one more week because we only had 194 out of 845 members (20%) fill it out. If you are a TJ PTSA member and have not yet filled it out, please take 5 minutes to complete it so your voice can be heard. The email below contains instructions.


Dear TJ PTSA Members,

Please take five minutes to fill out this TJ PTSA survey regarding our Mascot Name,  Student Wellness, and Challenge Success

The survey is open from March 7th, 5pm to March 14th, 5pm. Please take the survey now!

To begin, click on the link below and start with the “Login via Email” screen. You will be asked to enter your email address (the same email address to which this email was sent). 

Once you enter your email address and press the VerifyMe button, immediately you will receive a return email with your personal voting link. Click on the link in that email to complete the authentication process and immediately begin voting. 

If you do not receive your email right away, your email provider may be blocking it. You should add the domain “ezVoteOnline.com” to your “safe senders” list to ensure you receive your VerifyMe email. If you still have trouble starting the survey, please email tellers@tjptsa.org.

Upon completion, you will be able to review your selections immediately for accuracy, optionally request an email receipt of your answers, and then click the COMPLETE / SUBMIT button to submit your selections.

Click here to get started:

https://www.ezvoteonline.com/?BC=nrPMrHuqLsZf

(if clicking on this link doesn’t work, please copy & paste it into your browser)

MAKE SURE YOU CLICK COMPLETE/SUBMIT OR YOUR SURVEY WILL NOT COUNT.

The results of this survey will be published on the TJ PTSA website.  
Thank you for participating.

Your TJ PTSA

2021-03-13 TJ Crew Spring Season is Coming!

Winter Training. . . In-person training will start Monday, March 15th, with two shifts (4:45-5:45p.m. and 6-7p.m.) and be held each Monday. An additional day per week may be added, but this is to be determined based on school approval. Virtual training will begin that same week and consist of body weight exercises, as well as core strength, flexibility, and cardio. 

Spring Preview Virtual Meeting on Tuesday, March 23rd at 7:30 pm. Join us for more information on TJ Crew and any registration questions. Click here https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdh3NHec25…/viewform… to complete the form to receive the link.

Ergathon on April 5th-9th*

This is our main fundraising event where, in the past, athletes rowed 1 Million Meters on ergs. More details will follow.

On-Water Practice begins week of April 12th and regattas begin on May 1st!  The full schedule listed on the tjcrew.org or vasra.org websites.

*Registration is open! Click on the link on the main page of our website tjcrew.org or the “Join” tab.For more details, copy and paste this link https://drive.google.com/file/d/18juMmQ5iZDze6iOSRqrCAbwkD2zvzNNC/view?usp=sharing into your browser for all the information you need. 

******Please email any questions to tjcrewpresident@gmail.com.

2021-03-26 6-8pm Class Council (2024) Café’s first-ever Open Mic Night!

TL;DR: Take part in the Class Council Café’s first-ever Open Mic Night on March 26th!

Calling all budding singers, writers, and speakers! Step on up to the mic at the Class Council Café’s first-ever Open Mic Night! This is an event where we want everyone to be able to explore their creativity in a fun, supporting environment; we welcome everyone to sing songs, recite poetry, or perform any kind of written piece! We hope that all of 2024’s budding singers, writers, and speakers sign-up for this event to share their talents! We encourage all class members to bring a hot beverage with them, and cozy on up with a nice blanket as you watch your fellow classmates perform spectacular pieces in our virtual Café (hosted on Zoom). The open mic night will run from 6-8 PM on March 26th, with a Mic Check at 5:30 for all performers. Admission is free and open to all freshmen. Fill out this form ASAP to reserve your spot as either a performer or spectator, you don’t want to miss out!

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/CCCOpenMic

ZOOM registration also required:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUlcu6hpzsiH9EjtqfMXe1RBoPxDVTCQ9KN

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

2021-03-07 Volunteer to serve on the TJ PTSA Executive Committee

Dear TJ Community,

It is time to select the TJ PTSA Executive Committee (EC) officers for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Please see the descriptions below for details on the roles and responsibilities of Executive Committee officers. You can also see the descriptions at this PDF. The TJ PTSA bylaws are at this link.

The PTSA is an important place to make a valuable contribution to the TJ community. Our PTSA enjoys the support of hundreds of volunteers for activities hosted by our many committees, including Health and Wellness, College Outreach and Diversity.

You will learn a lot about how TJ works, and you will make lifelong friends as you contribute to our dynamic TJ family.

  • If you would like to serve on the 2021-2022 EC please fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/6AziWFxDrxsvbXw2A
  • The deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 7 PM ET.

The TJ PTSA Nominating Committee will recruit candidates and conduct online interviews. When it is finished with its interviews, the committee will present its report and slate of recommended candidates to the membership at the next general PTSA meeting. If we cannot meet in person, we will vote online.

Only TJ PTSA members may serve on the PTSA EC, so if you are not a 2020-2021 member and wish to serve (and vote), please purchase a 2020-2021 membership in AtoZ (https://tjptsa.org/join)

Sincerely,

TJ PTSA  Nominating Committee


Important Dates

  1. March 17: Deadline for receiving nominations.
  2. March 18 – March 21: Nominating Committee will contact applicants to schedule interviews for the week of March 22-28.
  3. March 22 – March 28: Interview candidates. (In blocks of time.)
  4. March 28: Nominating Committee Vote to select slate of candidates. 
  5. March 31: Submit slate and biographies to the TJ PTSA Executive Committee for presentation to the TJ PTSA membership. After this point self-nominations will be open to all members, and then then 30 days later the vote for officers will happen.


Duties of the Officers of the Executive Committee 
of the TJHSST PTSA Academic Year 2021-2022

  1. President: (Official Bylaws Description) 
    1. Preside at all meetings of this local PTA/PTSA 
    2. Coordinate the work of the officers and committees of this local PTA/PTSA in order that the purposes may be promoted. 
    3. Submit this local PTA/PTSA officers’ contact information form and verification of this local PTA/PTSA’s employer identification number (EIN) to the Virginia PTA state office immediately upon election of officers annually; 
    4. Perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these bylaws;
    5. Serve as an ex officio member of all committees of this local PTA/PTSA except the nominating committee; 

Additional duties not explicitly stated in Bylaws 

  1. Expected to attend all PTSA meetings and events; 
  2. Primary Liaison with TJ Principal, staff and faculty;
  3. Voting member of the TJ Partnership Fund Board of Directors, thus expected to  attend all TJ Partnership Fund meetings; 
  4. Call special meetings of the Executive Committee Board as needed; 
  5. Develops, in conjunction with the executive committee, goals for the association  for presentation to the executive board and voted on at the first general  membership meeting 

Expected time commitment: 10 – 15 hours/week 

  1. President-Elect: (Official Bylaws Description) 
    1. Act as aide to the president; 
    2. Perform duties of the president in the absence or inability of that officer to act; 
    3. Understand that by accepting the nomination of president-elect, they agree to automatically succeed to the office of president at the end of their term as president-elect;
    4. Perform other delegated duties as assigned. 

Additional duties not explicitly stated in Bylaws 

  1. Encouraged to attend all PTSA meetings and events to understand processes for  when he or she assumes duties as president 

Expected time commitment: 5 hours/week

  1. First Vice President: (Official Bylaws Description) 
    1. Primarily responsible for all training; 
    2. Act as aide to the president; 
    3. In their designated order, perform the duties of the president and/or president-elect in the absence or inability of those officers to act; 
    4. Act as liaison to school organizations and PTSA committees as agreed upon by the president; 
    5. Perform other delegated duties as assigned 

Additional duties not explicitly stated in Bylaws 

  1. Expected to attend all PTSA meetings and events; 
  2. Oversees volunteers;
  3. Primary liaison to the Directory, Jefferson Learning Community, Health & Wellness, and Reflections and Hospitality committees  

Expected time commitment: 10 – 15 hours/week 

  1. Second Vice President: (Official Bylaws Description) 
    1. Primarily responsible for fundraising; 
    2. Act as aide to the president; 
    3. In their designated order, perform the duties of the president and/or president-elect in the absence or inability of those officers to act; 
    4. Act as liaison to school organizations and PTSA committees as agreed upon by the president; 
    5. Perform other delegated duties as assigned 

Additional duties not explicitly stated in Bylaws 

  1. Expected to attend all PTSA meetings and events; 
  2. Oversees budget and membership; 
  3. Primary liaison to the Academic, Faculty Support, Free Money, and Government Relations committees.

Expected time commitment: 10 hours/week

  1. Recording Secretary: (Official Bylaw Description) 
    1. Record the minutes of all meetings of the local PTA/PTSA; 
    2. Keep the official copy of the local PTA/PTSA bylaws in his/her files: 
    3. Maintain a membership list as required by the Virginia PTA; 
    4. Perform other delegated duties as assigned. 

Additional duties not explicitly stated in Bylaws: 

  1. Required to attend all PTSA meetings and executive committee meetings;
  2. Record action items from the executive committee meetings; 
  3. Submit draft meeting minutes to Executive Committee for review;
  4. Submit final meeting minutes to the Webmaster to post on the PTSA website. 

Expected time commitment: 5-10 hours/week 

  1. Corresponding Secretary: (Official Bylaw Description) 
    1. Conduct such correspondence as assigned; 
    2. Perform the duties of the recording secretary in the absence or inability of that  officer to act;
    3. Perform other delegated duties as assigned. 

Additional duties not explicitly stated in Bylaws: 

  1.  Expected to attend all PTSA meetings and events; 
  2. Coordinates and executes all communications from the PTSA; 
  3. Oversees This Week@ TJ; 
  4. Ensures that the PTSA website is up-to-date, and coordinates with Webmaster, as needed. 

Expected Time Commitment: 10 hours/week 

  1. Treasurer: (Official Bylaw Description) 
  1. Have custody of all funds and finances of the local PTA/PTSA; 
  2. Keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures as described in these by laws; 
  3. Make disbursements as authorized by the president, executive board, or  general membership in accordance with the budget adopted by the general membership; 
  4. Have checks or vouchers signed by two (2) officers, preferably the treasurer and the president; 
  5. Present a written financial statement at every meeting of the local PTA/PTSA and at other times when requested by the executive board;
  6. Prepare an annual financial report at the close of the fiscal year; 
  7. Have the accounts examined according to the auditing procedures outlined in  these bylaws; 
  8. Submit a copy of the fiscal year-end audit report to the Virginia PTA state office within fifteen (15) days following the adoption of the audit by the membership; 
  9. Submit a 990N, 990EZ, or 990 form per IRS regulations. A copy of this form shall be sent to the Virginia PTA state office within fifteen (15) days of filing; 
  10. Remit by November 1 to the Virginia PTA state office, Virginia PTA and National PTA dues for membership received prior to November 1. Remit by December 1, dues received after November 1. Remit by March 1, dues received after December 1. Remit by June 30, all Virginia PTA and National PTA dues received after March 1. 
  11. Perform other delegated duties as assigned. 

Additional duties not explicitly stated in Bylaws:

  1. Required to attend all PTSA meetings to deliver the Treasurer’s Report; 
  2. Work extensively with PayPal online payment system and QuickBooks business  management software; 
  3. Work closely with membership chairs to keep up-to-date inventory of  memberships; 
  4. Run PayPal reports to track income as needed by the executive board; • Issue reimbursements to members in a timely manner; 
  5. Pay vendors in a timely manner; 
  6. Weekly or biweekly trips to TJ to retrieve PTSA mail and dispense of it  accordingly. 

Expected Time Commitment: 20 hours/week

2021-03-07 TJ PTSA Mascot, Wellness, Challenge Success Survey

Update 2021-03-08: 10% of our members have filled out the survey. Please take 5 minutes and fill out the survey if you want to be represented.

All TJ PTSA members have been sent a link to fill out a survey regarding our Mascot Name,  Student Wellness, and Challenge Success

If you had purchased a 2020-21 Adult Membership on or before 3/7/21 at 3pm you should have received the email. If you did not, please email tellers@tjptsa.org.

Here is the email sent to members:


Dear TJ PTSA Member,

Please take five minutes to fill out this TJ PTSA survey regarding our Mascot Name,  Student Wellness, and Challenge Success
The survey is open from March 7, 5pm to March 14, 5pm. Please take the survey now!

To begin, click on the link below and start with the “Login via Email” screen. You will be asked to enter your email address (the same email address to which this email was sent). Once you enter your email address and press the VerifyMe button, immediately you will receive a return email with your personal voting link. Click on the link in that email to complete the authentication process and immediately begin voting. 

If you do not receive your email right away, your email provider may be blocking it. You should add the domain “ezVoteOnline.com” to your “safe senders” list to ensure you receive your VerifyMe email. If you still have trouble starting the survey, please email tellers@tjptsa.org.

Upon completion, you will be able to review your selections immediately for accuracy, optionally request an email receipt of your answers, and then click the COMPLETE / SUBMIT button to submit your selections.
MAKE SURE YOU CLICK COMPLETE/SUBMIT OR YOUR SURVEY WILL NOT COUNT.

Click here to get started:  https://www.ezvoteonline.com/?BC=nrPMrHuqLsZf
(if clicking on this link doesn’t work, please copy & paste it into your browser)
The results of this survey will be published on the TJ PTSA website.  
Thank you for participating.

Your TJ PTSA

2021-03-07 TJ Bands Senior is Selected for National Association for Music Education’s 2020 All-National Honor Ensembles!

TJ Bands is delighted to recognize the achievement of senior Aditi Chandrashekar, who was selected for one of the National Association for Music Education’s 2020 All-National Honor Ensembles!

This program is intensely competitive, and the students selected are the top-performing musicians in the United States. Aditi played bass clarinet in NAfME’s Concert Band, participating in a series of master classes and clinics in early January of 2021. The program culminated in a virtual performance, which premiered online this month–just in time for NAfME’s ‘Music in Our Schools Month!’

You can watch their performance here; the music starts at about 11:30:

NAfME 2020 All-National Honor Band Virtual Performance

And you can learn more about the program here.

Congratulations to Aditi, and to all the students who participated in these prestigious ensembles!