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

 

November 10, 2009

 

  1. The Thoreau Middle School community, along with Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia, is seeing an increase in reports of influenza‐like illnesses.

·         According to the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia has reached the classification of “widespread” for influenza‐like illnesses, and almost all the influenza virus circulating in the state at this time is 2009 H1N1 influenza. Thoreau Middle School continues to work closely with FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department as we face the challenges of an active flu season.

·         Influenza‐like illness is widespread in the community, and therefore it is in the schools.  Because of this, Fairfax County Public Schools is not sending out notification to school communities regarding a single confirmed case of influenza or a group of confirmed cases at a particular school. The medical community is testing only a small number of influenza cases, so information on confirmed versus unconfirmed cases is not helpful.  However, the Health Department continues to monitor absenteeism at individual schools and to monitor the severity of illness caused by 2009 H1N1. If the virus begins to cause more severe illness than what we are currently experiencing, FCPS will work with the Health Department to implement appropriate response measures.

·         The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages school systems to remain open whenever possible due to the social and economic impact that school closures have on the community. FCPS continues to follow this guidance.

·         The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever plus a cough and/or a sore throat. Persons with influenza‐like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever‐reducing medicines. We encourage everyone in our community to help keep the flu from spreading by washing hands regularly and covering coughs and sneezes.

 

  1. Federal Student-Parent Survey Forms were recently distributed to students to bring home for parents to complete.

·         The Federal Impact Aid Program attempts to compensate local school districts for their loss in tax revenue due to a federal presence in their district boundaries.  In order to receive funding from this program, FCPS conducts a student-parent survey and provides summary survey information to the federal government.  All individual information is strictly confidential.

·         Students are to return completed forms to their first period class by Friday, November 20.  It is essential that every student return a completed form and that the form is signed by a parent or guardian.

·         More information and a link to the form can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/news/impact.htm.

 

  1. Student portraits were recently distributed to students through their Health and PE classes.  Only students ordering a picture package on picture day received a package.

·         Lifetouch photographers will return to Thoreau on Wednesday, November 18, for picture retake day.

·         Students who missed picture day in October or who did not order a package at that time can have their picture taken on this day.  Be sure to have your student pick up a flyer in the main office before the re-take day to choose the package you want to order.  Payment must be made at the time the picture is taken for a package to be ordered. 

·         If you were not satisfied with the picture that was taken in October, students can have their picture taken again on the 18th.  Students will need to return their original picture package to have a replacement package ordered for them.

 

  1. Be sure to refresh your second quarter school supplies at the school store.

·         Highlighters, mechanical pencil refills, scotch tape, dry erase markers and index cards are among the many items available at the school store.

·         Also offered are birthday decorations for lockers, hair ribbons, spirit wear, car magnets and student directories.

·         A complete inventory and price list is posted at www.thoreaupta.org under the School Store tab.

  1. The PTA Reflections Program provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate artistic talents by submitting original works in the areas of literature, musical composition, photography, visual arts, dance choreography and film/video.  Congratulations go out to all students that entered work in this year’s competition.  The following students were the top winners for Thoreau:

·         Photography – Noah Holt (1st Place), Ethan Leavitt (2nd Place), Eliana Huffman (3rd Place)

·         Literature – Elizabeth Kirkhorn (1st Place), Kaitlin Hunt (2nd Place), Hannah Colbert (3rd Place), Kelsi Jensen and Maddie Hovis (Honerable Mention)

·         Music – Anya Hereford (1st Place), Jonathan Phan (2nd Place), James Stack (3rd Place)

·         Visual Art – Rachel Child (1st Place), Anya Hereford (2nd Place)

·         First place winners will move on to compete with entries from other Fairfax County Schools. 

 

  1. The PTA landscape committee is providing one final opportunity for families to help clean up the school grounds before winter arrives.

·         This event will be held on Saturday, November 21 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

·         Bring your garden tools (especially rakes and hand trowels), work gloves, and enthusiasm as we rake leaves and plant bulbs

·         Students in need of community service hours for civics can use this event to fulfill that requirement.

·         Please direct questions to Maureen Alonzo at 703-255-5024.

 

  1. The Thoreau PTA currently has 414 members.  Membership dues and donations to the “No Fuss” fundraiser have allowed the PTA and its volunteers to:

·         Donate $12,500 to Thoreau to purchase 8 SmartBoards, doubling the number of SmartBoards in the school.

·         Host an evening program to educate over 65 parents on Internet Safety.  Information about this program can be found at   www.connected4safety.com

·         Provide Halloween treats for teachers and staff.

·         Clean up and prepare school grounds for winter by spreading over 40 yards of mulch in front of the building.

·         Fold, stuff and mail over 700 copies of Thoreau Matters to the community every other week.

·         Provide a student directory to every Thoreau family.  

·         Stock and staff the school store three days a week during lunches. 

 

  1. Don’t miss your opportunity to order your full color yearbook this year.  The yearbook is available only through the Herff Jones Order Center and must be ordered by December 1.

·         Ordering a yearbook is simple.  Either call the toll free number 1-866-287-3096 or order online at www.yearbookordercenter.com  and enter order number 5403.

·         The price for this year’s Walden yearbook is $36.75.  The 2009 Walden yearbook with a one-line name stamp is $41.75.  The Walden yearbook, a one-line name stamp, and an 8-page autograph supplement costs $43.75.

·         Please be sure to include your child’s name as you would like it to appear on the yearbook.

·         If you have any questions about ordering your yearbook, you may contact Ms. Kolly, the yearbook sponsor, at 703-846-8000 or karyn.kolly@fcps.edu.

 

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Upcoming Events

Wednesday, November 18                Lifetouch Picture Re-Takes – 8:00 to 10:30

Thursday, November 19                   7th Grade Family Dinner

Saturday, November 21                    PTA Landscape Day – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, November 25                Two Hour Early Closing – 12:50 p.m. Dismissal

Thursday, November 26                   Thanksgiving Holiday – School Closed

Friday, November 27                        Thanksgiving Holiday – School Closed

Friday, December 4                          Lip Sync Contest – 7:00 p.m.

Monday, December 7                        PTA Meeting – 9:00 a.m. in the Lecture Hall

Thursday, December 10                   Band Concert – 7:00 p.m. at Madison

Wednesday, December 23                Two Hour Early Closing – 12:50 p.m. Dismissal

Thursday, December 24                   Winter Vacation Begins

Monday, January 4                           School Resumes

 

 
 
 


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