Category Archives: Past Events

2021-02-23 Q&A with Dr. Bonitatibus – Return to School, 7-8 PM

NOTE: A link to the Q&A livestream will be sent out to all parents and guardians on February 23.

​​​​​​​Family Guide for 2020-21 Return to School – TJ Edition 

Dear TJ Families,

Concurrent instruction here at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will begin on March 2 for grades 9 and 12, and March 9 for grades 10 and 11. We eagerly anticipate the arrival of students who have chosen to return to in-person learning and we have extensively prepared to keep them safe. We will also continue to deliver the same high quality instruction to students who have chosen to remain fully online.

We know there are a lot of questions in regard to concurrent learning both from those who have chosen to return to in-person learning as well as those who have chose to remain virtual. To help answer some of those questions, Dr. Bonitatibus will be hosting a virtual Q&A session on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 7-8 p.m. To ensure all questions are answered, families can submit their questions to this Google Form.

In addition, we have prepared a Return to School family guide that can be accessed here. Families that have students who have chosen to return to in-person learning are encouraged to watch this video where Dr. Bonitatibus tours TJ and shows you the mitigation efforts in place to keep students safe. 

Finally, all this information can be found in one convenient location on TJ’s website here. Bookmark this page as updates will be made as new information comes in. ​​​​​​​

Sincerely,

TJ Administration

2021-02-18 POSTPONED – Mental Health Coalition Meeting

This meeting will be rescheduled due to the snow day. Check back for an update.

4:15-5:15 PM

*Note the new time, 15 minutes earlier, due to the new bell schedule*

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, 4:15-5:15 PM.

2021-02-25 6:30-8:30pm PTSA Meeting (Online)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0vcu6urjgvG93aWgSm555C3oW0IcTDle78

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Do NOT share the link you receive as it only allows one device to join.

  • Agenda
  • 2021-01-28 Minutes PTSA General Meeting
  • Budget
  • SGA Report
  • For our annual mental health & wellness topic for the February PTSA meeting, we are putting some “wellness in action” instead of having another educational event. Join TJ drama students and their fabulous teacher, Mr. Reid, for some improv theater fun and get a boost as we come together for some creative time and community. Laughter is the best medicine, and we have such great talented and imaginative students, we can’t wait to see what they come up with!

2021-03-11 Challenge Success Virtual Workshops

The Challenge Success national organization is offering two of its most popular workshops in the coming weeks for parents to participate in virtually.  

On February 24th at 8:00pm, Challenge Success will offer

THE WELL-BALANCED STUDENT: AVOIDING STRESS & OVERSCHEDULING DURING THE PANDEMIC & BEYOND 

On March 11th at 8:00pm, they will offer their popular college admissions workshop

A HEALTHIER APPROACH TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS.  

There is a $10 registration fee for each workshop. To learn more and to register for the interactive workshops, please visit – https://tinyurl.com/19m5k2pi

2021-05-15 8am-4pm TJ PTSA Diversity Committee STEM Enrichment Parent-Student Conference

The TJ PTSA Diversity Committee is pleased to announce it will be hosting a virtual event on 15 May 2021, an online virtual conference featuring several area STEM education providers, including those that offer free and reduced fee services for low-income households. The purpose of this event is to inform the community of those services
available for aspiring TJ candidates currently in Elementary and Middle School.

Some of the key providers at this event include:

  • Black Student Fund
  • Girls Who Math
  • Junior Scholars
  • Humanitas4All
  • Huntington Learning Center
  • Dr. Eddie Neal
  • Cathy Colglazier
  • And more…….

Event Details

When: May 15, 2021 08:00 AM – 4:00PM EST

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ocOGspj0iGNbRRum6ZFebdy22lLcAVpLR

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

Dr. Harry Jackson
TJ PTSA Diversity Committee
703-488-8432
diversitychairs@tjptsa.org

2021-02-16 7:30-8:30 PM Meet with Samantha Wolf

Meet with Samantha Wolf, TJHSST College and Career Specialist (facebook.com)

Ms. Samantha Wolf, our College and Career Specialist at TJHSST College and Career Center (CCC), will make a presentation and answer questions in a Q&A session for TJ parents. Topics will include a high-level overview of CCC and what services it provides (and does not provide) to TJ students.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuqpj4rGt2qzMMR7xYw6DgHFv4jLWxQ

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

IMPORTANT: If you have any questions for Ms. Wolf, please submit them IN ADVANCE to: college-outreach-cochairs@tjptsa.org by 9:00pm on Friday, February 12, 2021.

There will be NO live Q&A at the event. Any questions submitted at the Zoom meeting will not be answered.

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