Category Archives: News

News about what’s happening. This is not newsletter archives.

2021-04-04 TJ PTSA Mascot, Wellness, Challenge Success Survey Results

UPDATED on 4/4/21 to includes a summary of results.

Thank you to all that participated. Here is a summary of the results. The full results, including every comment submitted, are found in the document linked below.

Summary

The survey had three branches, one for Parents/Guardians, one for Students, and one for Teachers Staff. All three branches asked the same questions, just targeted to that particular role (so students were asked about their well-being, while parents/guardians were asked about their students’ well being). Teachers/Staff were not asked about student well being because student in this context was intended to be the Parent/Guardian’s child. Teachers/Staff who are also parents are always asked to participate as parent/guardian role in our surveys.

Participation Stats

20 Issues have been voted on.
There are 845 pre-registered voters (all PTSA members are registered to vote automatically)
207 voters have started their ballots,
but only 187 voters have completed this ballot (partial ballots count, so someone can answer some questions and not others and the questions they answer are counted)

NOTE: Please see the full results for all the questions and answers, including written comments. We’ve read them all and they are worth reading.

Parent/Guardian Summary

Parent/Guardian – Should the mascot name be changed?

There is discussion occurring at TJ about changing the TJ mascot from the Colonial. Do you believe the mascot should be changed?
No – 96 or 57%
Yes – 45 or 27%
Abstain – 26 or 16%

If the parent chose Yes, they were asked for new mascot name suggestions. If they chose no, they were asked why not. For those answers see the full results linked at the bottom.

Parent/Guardian – Emotional Wellness & Support – On a scale from 1 (Negative) to 5 (Positive)

Rate these items on a scale from 1 (Negative) to 5 (Positive)

How is the emotional wellness of your child?
Emotional Wellness – – average rating = 3.66, total rating = 538, rated by 147 voters.

How would you rank the support your child is getting from the TJ counseling department?
Support – – average rating = 3.50, total rating = 343, rated by 98 voters.

Parents/guardians were asked for any additional comments on this issue, which can be found in the full results linked at the bottom.

Parent/Guardian – Challenge Success Impact

As a parent, what impact (if any) do you feel Challenge Success has on your TJ student(s)?
Choose exactly 1 of  None, Negative, Positive, of I have no idea what Challenge Success is.

None – 54 or 34%
I have no idea what Challenge Success is – 45 or 28%
Positive – 44 or 27%
Negative – 7 or 4%
Abstain – 11 or 7%

Parents/guardians were asked for any additional comments on this issue, which can be found in the full results linked at the bottom.

Student Summary

Student – Should the mascot name be changed?

There is discussion occurring at TJ about changing the TJ mascot from the Colonial. Do you believe the mascot should be changed?
Yes – 15 or 45%
No – 10 or 30%
Abstain – 8 or 24%

If the student chose Yes, they were asked for new mascot name suggestions. If they chose no, they were asked why not. For those answers see the full results linked at the bottom.

Student – Emotional Wellness & Support – On a scale from 1 (Negative) to 5 (Positive)

Rate these items on a scale from 1 (Negative) to 5 (Positive)

How is the emotional wellness of you, as a student?
Emotional Wellness – – average rating = 3.55, total rating = 103, rated by 29 voters.

How would you rank the support you, as a student, are getting from the TJ counseling department?
Support – – average rating = 3.33, total rating = 80, rated by 24 voters.

Students were asked for any additional comments on this issue, which can be found in the full results linked at the bottom.

Student – Challenge Success Impact

As a student, what impact (if any) do you feel Challenge Success has on you?
Choose exactly 1 of  None, Negative, Positive, of I have no idea what Challenge Success is.
None – 9 or 31% TIE
Positive – 9 or 31% TIE
I have no idea what Challenge Success is – 8 or 28%
Negative – 2 or 7%
Abstain – 1 or 3%

Students were asked for any additional comments on this issue, which can be found in the full results linked at the bottom.

Faculty/Staff Summary

Faculty/Staff – Should the mascot name be changed?
There is discussion occurring at TJ about changing the TJ mascot from the Colonial. Do you believe the mascot should be changed?
Yes – 2 or 50%
No – 1 or 25%
Abstain – 1 or 25%

If the teacher/staff chose Yes, they were asked for new mascot name suggestions. If they chose no, they were asked why not. For those answers see the full results linked at the bottom.

Faculty/Staff – Challenge Success Impact
What impact do you feel Challenge Success has on you and your students?
Choose exactly 1 of  None, Negative, Positive, of I have no idea what Challenge Success is.
None – 1 or 25%
Positive – 1 or 25%
Negative – 0
I have no idea what Challenge Success is – 0
Abstain – 2 or 50%

Teachers/staff were asked for any additional comments on this issue, which can be found in the full results linked at the bottom.

Full Results Including All Comments

2021-03-19 Class of 2021 Get-Together had 82+ Attendees!

82+ seniors attended this event to see their friends and teachers. Thanks to TJ PTSA members and especially the Huang family for funding these Class of 2021 Get-Togethers. Your generosity enabled TJ PTSA to provide Burritos from Anitas and drinks and snacks/treats for everyone.

There was fun and music, the kids spread out throughout the Franklin and Nobel commons and in the courtyard.

Thanks to the parent volunteers and the TJ staff/faculty/admin who came out to help and especially to SGA for organizing the event.

2021-03-21 Challenge Success College Admission Resources

Many seniors are now completing their college application journey, but for many in other grades, the search is just beginning. As a follow-up to the Challenge Success online workshop offered earlier this month – A Healthier Approach to College Admissions – Challenge Success offers these helpful resources to assist in your student’s college admission process.

https://mailchi.mp/challengesuccess/helping-students-thrive-during-college-admissions

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.

2021-03-07 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!