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

 

January 26, 2010

 

1.      Thoreau Middle School has been recognized for the third year in a row as a Virginia public school to earn the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence.

·         The Governor's Award for Educational Excellence is the highest honor under the Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) incentive program created by the Virginia Board of Education to advance Governor Tim Kaine's "competence to excellence" agenda to encourage advanced learning and achievement in Virginia public schools. 

·         Thirty-six Fairfax County public schools are among the 153 schools (elementary, middle and high) statewide that met the criteria for the award.

·         To qualify for the Governor's Award for Educational Excellence, schools and school divisions must meet all state and federal achievement benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and achieve Governor Kaine's goals for elementary reading; enrollment in Algebra 1 by grade 8; enrollment in college-level courses; attainment of advanced diplomas; increased attainment of career and industry certifications; and participation, if eligible, in the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Schools and school divisions also earn bonus points for other performance measures, including the Governor's Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard.

·         A complete list of schools earning the Governor’s Award can be found at the Virginia Department of Education website, www.doe.virginia.gov

 

  1. Thoreau was recently notified that the following students have been recognized at the district level for their entries in this year’s PTA Reflections Program.

·         Elizabeth Kirkhorn was awarded Outstanding Interpretation for her entry in literature and advance to the Northern Virginia level of competition with entries from Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington and Falls Church Schools.

·         Anya Hereford was awarded a certificate of merit for her entry in music composition.

·         Rachel Child was awarded a certificate of merit for her entry in visual arts.

 

3.      High School counselors from Madison and Marshall will be visiting Thoreau on Wednesday, February 3 to discuss high school selections with rising 9th grade students.

·         Counselors will provide students with a course selection guide and a high school course selection sheet.

·         Look over these materials with your child and help them to make appropriate course selections for next year.

·         Course selection forms will be collected through science classes and are due on Tuesday, February 9.

 

  1. Evening orientations for students attending Madison or Marshall next year are being planned to provide parents and students with information about classes and course requirements. 

·         Madison High School’s Rising 9th Grade Curriculum Night will be held Wednesday, February 3, at 7:00 p.m. (snow date February 10)

·         Marshall High School will hold its Rising 9th Grade Orientation and IB Information Evening on Wednesday, February 10, beginning at 5:00 p.m.  (An incorrect day was published in the last issue of Thoreau Matters.)  This will be followed by Marshall’s Curriculum Showcase at 7:30 p.m.

 

  1. Mark your calendars for this year’s spring musical, Oklahoma!

·         Performances will be Thursday, April 22, Friday, April 23, and Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.  In addition, there will be a matinee performance on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets will go on sale after Spring Break.

·         Mr. DeLeo is in need of coupons for Jo-Ann’s Fabrics or G St. Fabrics you might receive in the mail or find in the newspaper to help pay for fabric used to make costumes for the play.  Please drop them off in the main office in an envelope marked to Mr. DeLeo’s attention.  He will be most grateful.

 

  1. The Office of Transportation Services offers an after-hours emergency telephone number to help locate missing students.

·         We know that your number one concern as a parent is your child's safety. We also know that it is frustrating—or even frightening—when you need to call someone for information about your student’s whereabouts after school hours and the phones are not being answered.

·         If your child normally rides a bus home and you cannot get in touch with him or her, contact the transportation office at 703-249-7100 until 5 p.m.

·         After 5 p.m., or if your child normally walks home, you can contact the FCPS school security office at 703-764-2400. In an emergency, the dispatcher can contact a school or a transportation staff member to help you.

 

7.      The Vienna-Madison Community Coalition (VMCC) is a community wide partnership that promotes a drug, alcohol, and violence-free environment for the children and youth within the school boundaries of the greater Vienna school community.

·         The VMCC invites any concerned citizen in the community to become actively involved in coalition activities.  Information about the VMCC, resources for parents and teens, and meeting dates can be found at their website, www.viennacommunitycoalition.com

·         The next meeting of the VMCC will be Thursday, February 25, at 7:00 pm at the Vienna Community Center.  Community members interested in becoming involved with the VMCC are invited to attend.

·         Community members are invited to join the Madison, Oakton, and Marshall coalitions for Project Sticker Shock on March 20th.  This project provides information to parents and other adults that it is illegal to purchase or provide alcohol to underage persons.  Contact Maria Alvarez-Lundie, VMCC Board Vice President, at board@viennacommunitycoalition.com for more information.

 

  1. News and Updates from the PTA:

·         The clinic’s snack supply has been replenished with pretzels, Poptarts and Nurtrigrain bars.

·         We are looking for member volunteers to serve on the nominating committee for next year’s executive committee.  If you are willing to help, please contact Carey Sienicki at secretary@ThoreauPTA.org

·         Cheryl Billingsley and Nicole Dubar have volunteered to co-chair the 8th grade end of the year celebration.  Please email 8thgradedance@ThoreauPTA.org  if you would like to help.

·         Interested in the latest budget news, facts, dates and rumor busters regarding the Fairfax County budget crisis?  Keep up to date by checking out the The Bottom Line, a new publication that will be sent to all FCPS parents and employees every two weeks while the budget for next school year (FY 2011) is being discussed.  The FY 2011 school budget will be approved in May.

 

  1. Chorus and band students were recently selected to participate in district level honor groups.  Congratulations go out to the following students.

·         District Chorus: Ian Anspach, Noah Calderon, Jack Capra, Ben Escobar, Shannon Finney, Maggie Gibson, Thor Hartwick, Hannah Hecht, Charlie Herrin, Corinne Hibbs, Eliana Huffman, Emily King, Pitchya Larpisal, Marisa Lewis, Cori Lucas, Grace McSween, Meagan Moffitt, Ben Parsell, Marissa Patrick, Audrey Rinehart, Jenna Sanders, Ethan Schaefer, Brett Simeck, David Sunderlin, Ryan Thomas, Jack Traxler

·         District Band:  Olivia Staton, flute; Dylan Miks, trombone; Shyan Sobahani, bassoon; Logan Malec, tenor sax

 

  1. Marshall High School will be holding its International Night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 18. 

·         This will be an opportunity for members of the diverse Marshall community to share a potluck meal and get to know one another.

·         Contact Teresa Bennett at teresa.bennett@fcps.edu for more information.

 

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Upcoming Events

                                                           

Friday, January 29                           Teacher Workday – Student Holiday

Monday, February 1                         Teacher Workday – Student Holiday

Wednesday, February 3                   Madison High School Rising 9th Grade Orientation – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 4                      Student of the Quarter ceremony – 3:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall

Monday, February 15                       Presidents’ Day Holiday

Monday February 22                        PTA Meeting – 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, February 23                      Band Concert – 7:00 p.m. at Madison High School

Tuesday, March 2                             SOL English Writing Test – 8th Grade Students

Wednesday, March 3                        SOL English Writing Test – 8th Grade Students