Thoreau Matters

 

Thoreau Matters is published every two weeks by the PTA and the Thoreau administrative staff to

inform parents of important information about school life at Thoreau Middle School.

 

Main Office: 703-846-8000    Attendance: 703-846-8080    

Thoreau Web Page: www.fcps.edu/ThoreauMS

PTA Web Page: www.ThoreauPTA.org

 

August 2009

 

  1. Thoreau Matters is an important communication link between Thoreau Middle School and the families we serve.

·         Each edition of Thoreau Matters will contain information designed to keep parents and guardians informed about life at Thoreau.

·         This edition of Thoreau Matters is being included in the packets being mailed to all Thoreau families in August.

·         Future editions of Thoreau Matters will be mailed to homes and posted on the Thoreau website.  A “Keep in Touch” message will be sent to all registered users announcing when each issue has been posted.

·         Parents who would prefer to only view the electronic edition on the web site and not receive a copy in the mail may communicate this preference by completing and returning the tear-off form on the back of this issue of Thoreau Matters.  Doing so will help save on paper and postage.

 

  1. Please register for “Keep in Touch” to receive timely email messages from FCPS and Thoreau.

·         You can register for Keep in Touch through the Keep in Touch link found at the Thoreau web site or at www.fcps.edu.

·         If you already have a Keep in Touch account, this would be a good time to update your Keep in Touch information.

 

  1.  New Student Orientation will be held on Wednesday, September 2, from 9:00 to 11:30 am.

·         This orientation is for all rising 7th grade students and 8th grade students who will be new to Thoreau.  This event is for students only.

·         Seventh grade students will have the opportunity to walk through their schedules and meet their teachers.

·         Eighth grade students new to Thoreau will be able to meet their core team teachers and tour the building.

·         Buses will pick up students at local elementary schools – consult the schedule on the flyer included in the accompanying packet.

 

  1. All students new to Thoreau and their parents are invited to attend an open house on Wednesday, September 2, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

·         This is an opportunity for students and their parents to tour the building, walk through their schedules, and visit classrooms.  Teachers will not be available during this time.

·         Thoreau’s cafeteria manager will be available to open new lunch accounts or add to existing accounts.

·         Parents will also be able to register for Keep in Touch, verify Parent View accounts, join the PTA, order Thoreau spirit wear and purchase school supplies from the school store.

 

  1. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 8.  It will be a regular, full day of school.

·         School hours this year are 7:55 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

·         Students should arrive at their bus stops early.  Please be patient the first few weeks of school as Transportation Services makes adjustments to bus routes and pick-up times.

·         When students arrive to school on Tuesday, 7th grade students will be directed to the cafeteria and 8th grade students will be directed to the old gym to pick up a class schedule.  All students will need to pick up a schedule even if they got one at the orientation.  Attendance for the first day will be determined by schedules not picked up.

·         Students will need to return the following forms to their Time to Soar teacher on the first day of school: Emergency Care Information, Health Information, Ethnicity and Race Survey, and After-School Registration.

 

 

 

  1. Thoreau’s Back-to-School Night will be held on Thursday, September 10 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

·         This event will allow parents and guardians to meet their child’s teachers and receive a brief overview of the curriculum for the year.

·         Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to join the PTA, register for Keep in Touch, verify Parent View accounts, order spirit wear, and pick up information about Fairfax County Public Schools and its programs.

·         There will be a time at the beginning of the evening for PTA members to vote on this year’s budget.

 

  1. As you shop for back-to-school clothes this month, parents and guardians are asked to keep the following FCPS dress code policies in mind.

·         All students are expected to dress appropriately for the K-12 educational environment.  Any clothing that interferes with or disrupts the educational environment is unacceptable.

·         Clothing with language or images that are vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene or clothing that promotes illegal or violent conduct is prohibited.

·         Clothing should fit, be neat and clean, and conform to standards of safety, good taste, and decency.  Clothing that exposes cleavage, private parts, the midriff, or undergarments, or that is otherwise sexually provocative, is prohibited.

·         Additional information related to appropriate dress for school can be found in the Student Responsibilities and Rights booklet available through the FCPS website at www.fcps.edu.

 

  1. FCPS 24-7 Learning is an online resource that allows students to extend learning beyond the traditional school day and beyond school facilities.  Students, parents, and teachers are invited to use FCPS 24-7 Learning to access homework and classroom assignments, view class calendars, update emergency contact information and much more.

·         Information about creating a FCPS 24-7 Parent View account can be found at www.fcps.edu/kit/parentview.pdf.

·         Part of the registration process requires an onsite parent verification to be completed at any one of your child’s schools.  Thoreau will conduct onsite verifications during the Open House on September 2 and Back-to-School Night on September 10. 

·         You will need to have an account in FCPS 24-7 Learning Parent View to update your student’s contact information in FCPS’ Keep in Touch (KIT) system.

·         Emergency Care information can also be electronically submitted through weCare@School, via your FCPS 24-7 Parent View account.

 

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Upcoming Events

 

Wednesday, September 2                 New Student Orientation – 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, September 2                 Parent/Student Open House – 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 8                      First Day of 2009-2010 School Year

Thursday, September 10                  Back-To-School Night – 7:00 p.m.

Monday, September 21                     School Magazine Drive Fundraiser Begins

Monday, September 28                     PTA Meeting – 9:00 a.m. in the Library

Monday, October 12                         Columbus Day Holiday

Tuesday, October 13                         8th Grade Student Pictures Taken

Wednesday, October 14                    7th Grade Student Pictures Taken

Friday, October 30                            First Grading Period Ends

Friday, October 30                            SCA Dance – 2:40 to 4:15 p.m.

Monday, November 5                       Teacher Workday – Student Holiday

Tuesday, November 6                       Teacher Workday – Student Holiday

 

 

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I do not wish to receive future copies of Thoreau Matters in the mail.

 

Name: __________________________________________

 

Address: ________________________________________

 

                                         ________________________________________

 

Please return this form to the main office or mail to:

                                                Thoreau Middle School

                                                2505 Cedar Lane

Vienna, VA  22180