Category Archives: Committees

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.

2021-01-17 TJ PTSA College Outreach Committee 2020 Alumni Panel Transcript

Check out the full transcript of TJ PTSA College Outreach Committee (COC) sponsored Alumni Panel held on December 22, 2020. Visit: https://tinyurl.com/y6kyjwbb

2021-01-16 Challenge Success Playtime, Downtime, Family Time for Teens

Looking for some research-based common-sense strategies for promoting teen health and well-being? We know every family is different and some don’t need to worry about this, but some do. These are just offered as tips for those who are looking for some help.

Here’s the English version for teens.

Here’s the same in Spanish.

For context, and versions for elementary and preschool kids, click here.

2021-01-05 (video) Alumni panel on college and life journeys

The Minds Matter student mental health and wellness group hosted an alumni panel during 8th period on 12/2/20 to hear their inspiring stories of their college decisions and destinations, dealing with disappointment and mental health challenges, and finding their paths in life. Featuring Katherine Du (TJ ’18), Ruhee Shah (TJ ’15), Emily Rea (TJ ’07), and Vikram Chiruvolu (TJ ’93).

View the recording here.

2021-01-29 How to Raise a Boy: The Power of Connection to Build Good Men (slides)

Slides from this virtual event are available here:

How-to-raise-a-son-1 Download

Tuesdays, January 12 & 19, 7-8:30 PM

Relationships, valuing emotions, and building social connections are important to healthy development. Join Dr. Esther Barkat, TJ psychologist, to discuss ideas from the book How to Raise a Boy: The Power of Connection to Build Good Men by Dr. Michael C. Reichert. Reichert says, “The paradigms about boys needing to be stoic and manly can actually cause them to shut down. The key to changing the culture lies in how parents, educators, and mentors help boys develop socially and emotionally.” In his book, he gives step by step guidance.

(From book description:) Featuring the latest insights from psychology and neuroscience, How to Raise a Boy will help those who care for young boys and teenagers build a boyhood that will enable them to grow into confident, accomplished and kind men.

Our Wellness book idea list includes titles referred to in the January 12 session.

2021-01-21 Mental Health Coalition Meeting

All parents, guardians, and students are invited to join the Mental Health Coalition, led by SGA and the student mental health group Minds Matter. MHC brings together students, administration, teachers, counselors and parents to coordinate mental health and wellness efforts for the TJ community. Video link available on the PTSA Google calendar. Meetings occur monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 4:30-5:30 PM.

2020-12-20 Donations Needed for TJ Teacher/Staff Holiday Gift Cards

Dear TJ Parents,

We hope you are staying safe and healthy. As many of you know, one way the TJ PTSA shows our gratitude to the TJ staff and faculty who work tirelessly to provide our students an amazing education is by hosting four staff lunches throughout the year.

Due to health considerations we have not been able to host the first two this year. Instead we are expressing our thankfulness with a $20 Amazon gift card for everyone that works at TJ.

We need your help to fund this effort.

Thank you to those who have already purchased a 2020-21 TJ PTSA membership.

If you would like to help this effort, please donate using the same link. Even if you are not a TJ PTSA member, you can still donate using your AtoZ connect account. Use this link and scroll down to the Donate section. Simply purchase a Special Event Donation and enter “Staff Appreciation Gift Cards” on the Note to Seller line.

If you don’t use AtoZ Connect at all, you can still mail donations to:

TJ PTSA
c/o TJHSST
6560 Braddock Rd
Alexandria, VA 22312

Thank you and have safe and peaceful holiday!

TJ PTSA Hospitality Committee

2021-01-11 6pm-6:45pm PTSA Diversity Talks

The PTSA Diversity Committee of the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is launching a series of Diversity Talks webinars in January! This series is especially for elementary and middle school students in grades 4-8. Join us to hear from people working in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. What sparked their interest in STEM? What did they study in school? What kinds of jobs do they do? What else would you like to know?

Mark your calendars for Monday, January 11, at 6 p.m. to hear the first speakers of our Diversity Talk series: Suresh Shenoy, Neena Shenoy and Nikhil Shenoy.

Suresh Shenoy, a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology, is a business leader and philanthropist who has contributed deeply to many aspects of the northern Virginia community. He was executive vice president at Alyx Technologies Inc., a Virginia-based consulting and technology services company. Mr. Shenoy was a founding member of the Thomas Jefferson Partnership Fund and served on its board until 2002.

Neena Shenoy is a mechanical engineer by training (Tufts University 1981 and MIT 1984). She was involved in designing aircraft engines for GE and worked on the U.S. Space Shuttle program for NASA designing some critical components.

Nikhil Shenoy graduated from TJHSST in 2002, MIT in 2006 and the University of Chicago in 2014. After working at Goldman Sachs, Proctor and Gamble, and Kastle Systems, he is now CEO of Colvin Run Networks, a company that he started in northern Virginia to offer artificial intelligence and blockchain solutions to governments.

Parents, register at this Zoom link: https://bit.ly/TJDiversityTalk1

Submit questions in advance here: https://bit.ly/tjdiversitytalks

Video of the event: https://youtu.be/Ohfcdek8t7c

2020-12-09 Being a Present Parent (slides)

The Power of Showing Up Download

Click the above link to download the slides from “Being a Present Parent” discussion series led by Danielle Armstrong, LCSW, TJ Social Worker (Oct-Nov 2020). Based on the book “The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired,” by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD.

Key concept:

Parents can focus on building a relationship with their child involving the 4 “S”s so they can build confidence and resilience as they grow toward adulthood and independence:

Safe: feel protected and sheltered from harm

Seen: know you care about them and pay attention to them (gives
mindsight–knowing you have feelings and thoughts that are real and are worth
being loved and paid attention to)

Soothed: know you will be there when they’re hurting (life comes with pain, but
won’t have to go through it alone)

Secure: trust you to predictably help them feel “at home” in the world, then learn to
help themselves feel safe, seen and soothed

2020-12-09 Navigating TJ Workshop

TJPTSA Academic Support Committee is organizing a Navigating TJ workshop for Class of 2024 parents on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 7PM to 9 PM.

TJ administration members, PTSA committee chairs and Booster organization leaders will be invited as panelists to answer your questions. It’s a great opportunity to learn about volunteering and participating in all things at TJ. You are encouraged to submit your questions here (https://forms.gle/YwJCeoqbHdJoA86e6) in advance or ask them during the meeting.