Thoreau Matters

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

October 27, 2009

This issue of Thoreau Matters begins with a few items from the PTA.

· The PTA would like to thank the entire Thoreau community for its wonderful response and participation in this year’s "No Fuss" fundraiser. Through your generous contributions, the PTA has already been able to make a significant donation to the school for the purchase of SmartBoards.

· Michele Sanford and the Hospitality Committee have wonderful plans in store for the Thoreau teachers and staff. Here is an update:

Ø A new 100 cup coffee urn has been purchased and delivered.

Ø Teachers and staff received "Back to School" smoothies.

Ø Snacks were provided for the vision/screening day volunteers.

Ø A Halloween treat will be provided on Friday, Oct. 30 for the teachers and staff.

Ø Plans are in the works to give each staff member a pie for Thanksgiving.

· A special thanks to Tracey Zillian and Julie Rubley for their tremendous work with the magazine drive this year. Tracey and Julie, along with other PTA volunteers, gave many hours to plan and carry out this year's successful drive!

· Many thanks to Andrea Gavurin for her assistance again in producing this year’s student directory.

· Take a moment to visit the PTA website, www.ThoreauPTA.org, to keep up to date on PTA information and to download forms.

Students will be released two hours early on Wednesday, November 11 for Thoreau’s annual mini-conference sessions that will take place from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. that afternoon.

· A long-standing tradition at Thoreau, the mini-conference sessions allow parents and guardians the opportunity to “touch base” with all teachers for a brief three-to-five minute conference.

· Thoreau teachers and counselors will be available for a short conference on November 11^th. Seventh grade teachers will be in Gym 1 (Old Gym) and eighth grade teachers will be in Gym 2 (New Gym). There is no need to sign-up. Upon arrival, please get in line to meet with your child’s teacher.

· Parents who wish to meet with teachers for a more extended conversation should contact their child’s guidance counselor.

Thanks to the support of the Thoreau community, our school has just completed a successful magazine sale fundraiser.

· Almost $40,000 in magazine sales was turned in by Thoreau students of which Thoreau will receive a 40% profit.

· Additional sales and profits will be realized from the 300 “Reach Out” booklets turned in by students and sent to family and friends across the country.

· Magazines may continue to be purchased online with profits going to Thoreau. Go to www.gafundraising.com and click on “Support Your School”. Thoreau’s ID number is 497784.

· Profits from the drive will be used to support a variety of initiatives such as field trips, technology, student recognition, team activities and the purchase of instructional materials.

The 2009-2010 Student Directory will be distributed to students this week through Time to Soar classes.

· The Thoreau PTA is providing one free directory to every Thoreau student. If additional directories were purchased, they will also be distributed at this time. Directories can also be purchased at the school store for $5.00.

· The Student Directory is for the exclusive use of Thoreau students and their families. It is not to be used for any political or commercial purposes whatsoever.

· The PTA would like to express their thanks and appreciation to Navy Federal Credit Union for printing this year’s directory.

SCA is already getting ready for the cold weather!

· Orders for Thoreau hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants, and long sleeve t-shirts have been submitted and are due to arrive any day.

· Did you forget to order your Thoreau sweats? A few extras were ordered and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

A schedule listing Thoreau's after-school activities can be found on Blackboard.

· The schedule, which is updated weekly, is located in the "Thoreau Activities" course. In addition, you will find a current list of after-school activities and specific club information at the Blackboard site. Please check back frequently for updates on new clubs and any last minute changes to the weekly schedule.

· Students may also find the after-school schedule posted outside the cafeteria. The after-school board is updated every week.

· Please encourage your student to get involved in as many activities as possible. After-school activities provide a safe, structured environment to meet new friends, build relationships, complete homework, get extra help, etc.

7. The American Mathematics Contest 8 for students eighth grade or younger will be administered after school on Tuesday, November 17.

· The AMC 8 is a 25 question, 40 minute multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem solving skills.

· Students wanting to compete in this contest need to pick up registration materials from Ms. Galus in room 114. The number of participants is limited, so registrations need to be returned as soon as possible. The deadline for registration is November 6.

· Since Tuesday is not a late bus day, students will need to provide their own transportation home that day.

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.

Attention parents and students: You can share photos you take at Thoreau events with the yearbook staff for possible inclusion into this year’s yearbook!

· The website for students and parents to submit JPEG pictures is www.hjeshare.com. You will need to enter Thoreau’s code (3005853) in order to submit your photographs. The site requires Adobe Flash Player 9 and will only accept JPEG picture files.

· If you take pictures at concerts, Theater sports, Lip Sync, school play, or any event related to Thoreau Middle School please submit your pictures to the website.

· Thank your in advance for sharing your pictures for our yearbook. Should you have any questions or concerns about this process, you may contact Ms. Kolly at Karyn.kolly@fcps.edu.

Included in this issue of Thoreau Matters is information about the upcoming family dinners.

· The eighth grade event will be a family potluck dinner on Tuesday, November 10, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. with entertainment provided by the School of Rock All-Stars.

· The annual seventh grade family dinner catered by Skorpios Charcoal Grill will be held Thursday, November 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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Upcoming Events

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

Monday, November 2 Teacher Workday – Student Holiday

Tuesday, November 3 Teacher Workday – Student Holiday

Thursday, November 5 Student of the Quarter Ceremony – 3:00 in the Lecture Hall

Tuesday, November 10 8^th Grade Family Potluck Dinner with School of Rock – 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 11 Two-hour Early Closing and Mini-conference Sessions

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

Thursday, November 19 7^th Grade Family Dinner

Friday, November 20 Lip Sync Contest – 7:00 p.m.