Anonymous
01/10/2025 11:25
Subject: Re:New TJ principal announced
Does the principal really not have any say for admissions? That is too bad as he sounds well-rounded then and now- and more representative of actual student body. The FCPS admissions speakers that went to MS this fall were directly asked questions by kids like “does TJ have wrestling? and “does TJ have art and theatre?” And FCPS reps replied, “if you are interested in sports or fine arts then you should not go to TJ.” This was in another DCUM thread this fall where happened more than 1 school. Was such weird messaging then and would say even more so now when FCPS include sports/fine arts in the new principal write-up.
Anonymous
01/10/2025 11:21
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The best part is in the email they had to make sure to talk of the former failed principals fake promotion to gatehouse! Lmao "following Dr. Ann Bonitatibus' promotion to a central office position."
Here is a better article calling out how awful the previous tj principal was pushing racial quotas causing TJ to fall form #1 in the nation to 14. More info on the new principal and an endorsement from the Republican nominee fellow classmate https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fcps-selects-tjhsst-alum-michael-mukai-to-be-new-principal/article_675df76c-cee9-11ef-9b2a-ab958f33eb91.html
Letter from gatehouse:
January 9, 2025
Dear FCPS Community,
I am writing today with exciting news regarding the future leadership of TJHSST.
As you know, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) launched a nationwide search for a new principal earlier this fall
After several weeks of extensive and diligent consideration of numerous highly-qualified candidates, we are delighted to share that we have found an exceptional leader - and TJHSST alum - close to home. Michael Mukai has accepted the position and will begin later this month. Mukai has been the principal of West Springfield High School since 2014, and has held a variety of FCPS school-based positions since 1995 when he began his career as a math and science teacher. He has also coached wrestling and volleyball.
In a full circle moment, Mukai was in the very first class of TJHSST when it converted to a magnet STEM school in 1985. He majored in Chemistry at Virginia Tech and he has a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, Math Education also from Virginia Tech. He has also completed post-master's graduate work in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge through the Department of Science Technology and Society of Virginia Tech.
During the recruitment process, Mukai impressed all with his passion for TJHSST, his innovative vision for the future, and his track record of elevating academic excellence.
His many accomplishments at WSHS include:
Significant gains in advanced academic access and success which has resulted in gold recognition by the College Board for the AP School Honor Roll.
Increasing the number of students recognized through the National Merit Scholarship program.
Cappies recognitions for theater arts, honor band recognitions, Virginia Music Educators Association recognitions, district, region, and state championships in Virginia High School League athletics and activities.
Thank you for your continued support of FCPS.
Dr. Geovanny Ponce
Chief of Schools
You are spreading RWNJ misinformation.
There are no quotas.
And TJ went from #5 to #14 out of 25,000 schools on the USNWR rankings. It was only #1 twice in the preceding decade.
lol. admissions aim for a predetermined diversity chart, aka race based quotas.
No, there are allotments by middle school, providing geographic diversity. So more kids in FCPS have a shot. Not just the ones from a handful of wealthy feeders.
Without those handful of academically wealthy feeders there is no way a TJ class can be formulated, according to FCPS. Top one third of every class comes from the top four academically ranked feeders.
There are still plenty of those kids.
Now that they’ve added seats to take kids from other middle schools, kids from across the county get a shot.
The majority of FCPS' STEM talent comes from those top four middle schools. FCPS puts considerable effort into nurturing advanced math and science at the top four middle schools and students there reciprocate with hard work, which is why it draws heavily from that academically wealthy talent pool. The new TJ principal is tasked with restoring the school’s academic excellence to its former glory as the national leader among stem schools, and the top talent pool will help get there.
Why is FCPS only putting “considerable effort into nurturing advanced math and science” at the wealthier AAP centers?
academically wealthier AAP centers have students who show up to school everyday so they learn faster and are ready for advanced material. Bottom schools have attendance issues and teaching gen ed curriculum is itself a challenge.
Is that really an issue at the AAP centers that have higher FRE%?
A little bit yes.
Wealth will always confer an advantage.
The kids at the wealthier AAP centers are not exactly "wealthy" (wealthy families don't really send their kids to public school) ,but they want for nothing and never worry about their parents not paying the bills on time. So lets call it economic stability.
We hope that the best of those without the advantages of economic stability can still rise to the top but realistically they can mostly just rise to the middle. They can provide their kids with economic stability so their kids can then rise to the top.
Anonymous
01/10/2025 11:10
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Former classmate of accomplished VA politician Hung Cao.
Cautiously optimistic about this new TJ principal.
“Accomplished VA politician”
As long as you don’t count actually winning elections. Attending TJ was Cao’s greatest accomplishment.
Really?
Retired US Navy Captain.
Naval Academy grad and served with Special Operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.
He also received his Master’s degree in physics from the Naval Postgraduate School, and fellowships at MIT and Harvard.
I don't think he ever had much of a chance at beating Kaine but I thought he did well in the debate and I thought he did better than he should have in the Virginia election against a relatively popular incumbent.
Anonymous
01/10/2025 11:02
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think it seems like a good pick. people seem really happy with WSHS so he must be doing a good job there and it seems positive he was a student at TJ back in the day.
I really really hope he continues Dr B’s effort to make the school less stressful for kids than it needs to be. I think that shift has been positive (from what I have heard of before vs what DD there has experienced) and that the kids put enough pressure on themselves already for all As and the hardest classes - the leadership doesn’t need to feed into that frenzy further.
nice try. if fcps was indifferent to the academic decline, they wouldnt be getting rid of Bonita. Th new principal is being brought to change the current course and restore academic excellence. The nonsensical days of convincing students to stay back at TJ and accept Cs and Ds in least rigor courses are coming to end.
I am not a Bonitatibus fan. I think she is a sycophant that threw asian kids under the bus to suck up to FCPS board members.
Honestly, I don't think the FCPS board GAF about TJ academic standing.
They'd get rid of it if they thought they could without losing elections.
It really seems like this was precipitated by her sharing what sounds like public information about TJ with some Chinese company that was interested in making a donation.
I also don't think she did the unprepared kids from under-performing middle schools any favors by convincing them to gut it out with C's.
The environment at TJ has become less stressful.
I think this is largely the result of a wider range of academic ability.
The B students aren't as stressed about getting As and the A students aren't as stressed about getting Bs.
I think the difference between an A and a B used to be much tighter.
Anonymous
01/10/2025 11:00
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The best part is in the email they had to make sure to talk of the former failed principals fake promotion to gatehouse! Lmao "following Dr. Ann Bonitatibus' promotion to a central office position."
Here is a better article calling out how awful the previous tj principal was pushing racial quotas causing TJ to fall form #1 in the nation to 14. More info on the new principal and an endorsement from the Republican nominee fellow classmate https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fcps-selects-tjhsst-alum-michael-mukai-to-be-new-principal/article_675df76c-cee9-11ef-9b2a-ab958f33eb91.html
Letter from gatehouse:
January 9, 2025
Dear FCPS Community,
I am writing today with exciting news regarding the future leadership of TJHSST.
As you know, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) launched a nationwide search for a new principal earlier this fall
After several weeks of extensive and diligent consideration of numerous highly-qualified candidates, we are delighted to share that we have found an exceptional leader - and TJHSST alum - close to home. Michael Mukai has accepted the position and will begin later this month. Mukai has been the principal of West Springfield High School since 2014, and has held a variety of FCPS school-based positions since 1995 when he began his career as a math and science teacher. He has also coached wrestling and volleyball.
In a full circle moment, Mukai was in the very first class of TJHSST when it converted to a magnet STEM school in 1985. He majored in Chemistry at Virginia Tech and he has a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, Math Education also from Virginia Tech. He has also completed post-master's graduate work in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge through the Department of Science Technology and Society of Virginia Tech.
During the recruitment process, Mukai impressed all with his passion for TJHSST, his innovative vision for the future, and his track record of elevating academic excellence.
His many accomplishments at WSHS include:
Significant gains in advanced academic access and success which has resulted in gold recognition by the College Board for the AP School Honor Roll.
Increasing the number of students recognized through the National Merit Scholarship program.
Cappies recognitions for theater arts, honor band recognitions, Virginia Music Educators Association recognitions, district, region, and state championships in Virginia High School League athletics and activities.
Thank you for your continued support of FCPS.
Dr. Geovanny Ponce
Chief of Schools
You are spreading RWNJ misinformation.
There are no quotas.
And TJ went from #5 to #14 out of 25,000 schools on the USNWR rankings. It was only #1 twice in the preceding decade.
lol. admissions aim for a predetermined diversity chart, aka race based quotas.
No, there are allotments by middle school, providing geographic diversity. So more kids in FCPS have a shot. Not just the ones from a handful of wealthy feeders.
Without those handful of academically wealthy feeders there is no way a TJ class can be formulated, according to FCPS. Top one third of every class comes from the top four academically ranked feeders.
There are still plenty of those kids.
Now that they’ve added seats to take kids from other middle schools, kids from across the county get a shot.
The kids from those schools aren't fungible
You're not getting the right kids from those schools when you select them without a merit filter.
There is a merit filter, you just don’t think it is the right one. Students have to:
1) Have a 3.5 GPA. The data shows that most of the kids accepted at TJ have a 4.0 or higher (Algebra and Geometry bump)
2) Have A’s in Honors/AAP Math and Science
3) take at least 1 other Honors class, so English or Social Studies
4) Have completed Algebra 1 by 8th grade
You can argue that the GPA should be higher, but the reality is that the kids accepted are already above that, or that kids should have to have completed Geometry H but merit is measured to attend TJ but there is a merit requirement. And while the people on this board seem to think that it is easy to hit the requirements, they are ignoring the fact that there are lots of kids who don’t meet those requirements. They are also ignoring the fact that some of their own kids who do meet the requirements do so because of enrichment and supports not available to every kid.
I happen to think that Geometry should be the base math requirement because it allows kids more access to the programs at TJ. I wouldn’t mind increasing the GPA requirement to a 3.75.
Anonymous
01/10/2025 10:53
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Realistically, what can he to actually improve TJ that is 100% within his control?
He can shift the focus back to STEM academics and recognizing students' merit-based efforts, rather than DEI and woke stuff.
Be really specific in describing exactly how Bonitatibus focused on “DEI and woke stuff” in matters of educational policy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0wJYHnOyJM&t=3s
At about 13:30 Bonitatibus speaks on this subject during the debate about the admissions change.
She cosigns the whole diversity and representation rationale the board presents for its racial discrimination.
Oh, Asra. I can’t be the only one who is surprised that you have nothing better to do with your time. You were a person of such significance, and now… still tilting at this situation with absolutely no results after four years. Except maybe, just maybe, you got your nemesis a big raise.
The school is entirely populated with students chosen by the new admissions process, and eight of them - the first class of the new process - just made the top 300 in the Regeneron competition. Compared with seven in the class of 2024, and five in the class of 2023.
A staggering objective measure of the top researchers in America’s high schools and the new process has the arrow trending upward.
Go back to picking on the black kids at Hayfield. More people like you when you do that.
Wait you think that what happened with hayfield's football team was OK? After all the evidence and text/email traffic that has come out, you still think that hayfield didn't break the rules?
You're definitely not going to like the new principal:
"This past fall, Mukai, a former football, wrestling, lacrosse, and volleyball coach, demonstrated his willingness to engage with controversy. Mukai walked into the superintendent’s offices at the FCPS headquarters on Gatehouse Road in Falls Church as one of the few administrators joining district football coaches to address concerns over a football recruiting scandal at Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria.
The controversy has sparked frustration across the district, with Mukai’s West Springfield football team being the first to face a lopsided defeat at the hands of the Hayfield Hawks. The meeting underscored a collective demand from area head football coaches for clarity and fairness in the district's sports programs. A week later, Hayfield’s football team withdrew from the post-season playoffs amid new revelations about the recruiting violations, marking a significant development in the district’s handling of the issue.
To observers, Mukai’s involvement in the meeting highlighted his readiness to stand with his school community and advocate for fair competition and transparency. Local parents say this quality would be a welcome change in navigating the challenges at TJ."
Anonymous
01/10/2025 10:51
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Realistically, what can he to actually improve TJ that is 100% within his control?
He can support the new diversity and provide adequate prep so that the school caliber continues to shine.
Anonymous
01/10/2025 10:47
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Realistically, what can he to actually improve TJ that is 100% within his control?
He can shift the focus back to STEM academics and recognizing students' merit-based efforts, rather than DEI and woke stuff.
Be really specific in describing exactly how Bonitatibus focused on “DEI and woke stuff” in matters of educational policy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0wJYHnOyJM&t=3s
At about 13:30 Bonitatibus speaks on this subject during the debate about the admissions change.
She cosigns the whole diversity and representation rationale the board presents for its racial discrimination.
Oh, Asra. I can’t be the only one who is surprised that you have nothing better to do with your time. You were a person of such significance, and now… still tilting at this situation with absolutely no results after four years. Except maybe, just maybe, you got your nemesis a big raise.
The school is entirely populated with students chosen by the new admissions process, and eight of them - the first class of the new process - just made the top 300 in the Regeneron competition. Compared with seven in the class of 2024, and five in the class of 2023.
A staggering objective measure of the top researchers in America’s high schools and the new process has the arrow trending upward.
Go back to picking on the black kids at Hayfield. More people like you when you do that.
Once again I am not Asra, Asra is not alone in thinking that the new admissions process is racially discriminatory.
I think she has done great work on the TJ issue, but I don't have toi agree with her on every issue to agree with her when i think she is right.
With that said, 8 Regeneron finalists is impressive.
We have mostly been focusing on the drop in math ability among the students:
The email sent out to all the Math 4 freshmen in 2021;
The drop in standardized test scores;
The drop in AIME, USAMO, IMO participants;
etc.
Are we also seeing an increase in other project based science competitions or the the IPhO, IChO, IBO, etc?
This might suggest we have been using math talent as a proxy for science talent.
How many of these kids do you think are from the much reviled "feeder schools"
Anonymous
01/10/2025 10:33
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Dr. Bonitatibus is getting paid more money and has a lot more responsibility within the same organization for which she was previously employed.
You can use whatever word you want, but in every office in America, that’s a promotion.
The Dilbert Principle is just a variation of the Peter Principle; and it emphasises that incompetent employees are intentionally promoted to prevent them from causing harm (a lot of people will not be keen on this). But even though it sounds like a joke, the Dilbert Principle is well based.
It may be the Dilbert Principle in action, but she definitely got promoted. I hope Mukai is better at being a principal than she was.
Anonymous
01/10/2025 09:47
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The best part is in the email they had to make sure to talk of the former failed principals fake promotion to gatehouse! Lmao "following Dr. Ann Bonitatibus' promotion to a central office position."
Here is a better article calling out how awful the previous tj principal was pushing racial quotas causing TJ to fall form #1 in the nation to 14. More info on the new principal and an endorsement from the Republican nominee fellow classmate https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fcps-selects-tjhsst-alum-michael-mukai-to-be-new-principal/article_675df76c-cee9-11ef-9b2a-ab958f33eb91.html
Letter from gatehouse:
January 9, 2025
Dear FCPS Community,
I am writing today with exciting news regarding the future leadership of TJHSST.
As you know, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) launched a nationwide search for a new principal earlier this fall
After several weeks of extensive and diligent consideration of numerous highly-qualified candidates, we are delighted to share that we have found an exceptional leader - and TJHSST alum - close to home. Michael Mukai has accepted the position and will begin later this month. Mukai has been the principal of West Springfield High School since 2014, and has held a variety of FCPS school-based positions since 1995 when he began his career as a math and science teacher. He has also coached wrestling and volleyball.
In a full circle moment, Mukai was in the very first class of TJHSST when it converted to a magnet STEM school in 1985. He majored in Chemistry at Virginia Tech and he has a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, Math Education also from Virginia Tech. He has also completed post-master's graduate work in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge through the Department of Science Technology and Society of Virginia Tech.
During the recruitment process, Mukai impressed all with his passion for TJHSST, his innovative vision for the future, and his track record of elevating academic excellence.
His many accomplishments at WSHS include:
Significant gains in advanced academic access and success which has resulted in gold recognition by the College Board for the AP School Honor Roll.
Increasing the number of students recognized through the National Merit Scholarship program.
Cappies recognitions for theater arts, honor band recognitions, Virginia Music Educators Association recognitions, district, region, and state championships in Virginia High School League athletics and activities.
Thank you for your continued support of FCPS.
Dr. Geovanny Ponce
Chief of Schools
Go away, Asra, no one wants to read your partisan drivel.
lol ok i am not asra, just pointing out this hilarious email and the first article response
The announcement email isn't hilarious. It's pretty common, when a new principal comes on, to say where the outgoing principal is going, whether to a different school or a different state, or retiring, or a different position, as here. The focus of the announcement is on the incoming principal.
Anonymous
01/10/2025 01:51
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The best part is in the email they had to make sure to talk of the former failed principals fake promotion to gatehouse! Lmao "following Dr. Ann Bonitatibus' promotion to a central office position."
Here is a better article calling out how awful the previous tj principal was pushing racial quotas causing TJ to fall form #1 in the nation to 14. More info on the new principal and an endorsement from the Republican nominee fellow classmate https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fcps-selects-tjhsst-alum-michael-mukai-to-be-new-principal/article_675df76c-cee9-11ef-9b2a-ab958f33eb91.html
Letter from gatehouse:
January 9, 2025
Dear FCPS Community,
I am writing today with exciting news regarding the future leadership of TJHSST.
As you know, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) launched a nationwide search for a new principal earlier this fall
After several weeks of extensive and diligent consideration of numerous highly-qualified candidates, we are delighted to share that we have found an exceptional leader - and TJHSST alum - close to home. Michael Mukai has accepted the position and will begin later this month. Mukai has been the principal of West Springfield High School since 2014, and has held a variety of FCPS school-based positions since 1995 when he began his career as a math and science teacher. He has also coached wrestling and volleyball.
In a full circle moment, Mukai was in the very first class of TJHSST when it converted to a magnet STEM school in 1985. He majored in Chemistry at Virginia Tech and he has a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, Math Education also from Virginia Tech. He has also completed post-master's graduate work in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge through the Department of Science Technology and Society of Virginia Tech.
During the recruitment process, Mukai impressed all with his passion for TJHSST, his innovative vision for the future, and his track record of elevating academic excellence.
His many accomplishments at WSHS include:
Significant gains in advanced academic access and success which has resulted in gold recognition by the College Board for the AP School Honor Roll.
Increasing the number of students recognized through the National Merit Scholarship program.
Cappies recognitions for theater arts, honor band recognitions, Virginia Music Educators Association recognitions, district, region, and state championships in Virginia High School League athletics and activities.
Thank you for your continued support of FCPS.
Dr. Geovanny Ponce
Chief of Schools
Go away, Asra, no one wants to read your partisan drivel.
lol ok i am not asra, just pointing out this hilarious email and the first article response
Anonymous
01/10/2025 01:47
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Dr. Bonitatibus is getting paid more money and has a lot more responsibility within the same organization for which she was previously employed.
You can use whatever word you want, but in every office in America, that’s a promotion.
The Dilbert Principle is just a variation of the Peter Principle; and it emphasises that incompetent employees are intentionally promoted to prevent them from causing harm (a lot of people will not be keen on this). But even though it sounds like a joke, the Dilbert Principle is well based.
Anonymous
01/10/2025 01:27
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The best part is in the email they had to make sure to talk of the former failed principals fake promotion to gatehouse! Lmao "following Dr. Ann Bonitatibus' promotion to a central office position."
Here is a better article calling out how awful the previous tj principal was pushing racial quotas causing TJ to fall form #1 in the nation to 14. More info on the new principal and an endorsement from the Republican nominee fellow classmate https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fcps-selects-tjhsst-alum-michael-mukai-to-be-new-principal/article_675df76c-cee9-11ef-9b2a-ab958f33eb91.html
Letter from gatehouse:
January 9, 2025
Dear FCPS Community,
I am writing today with exciting news regarding the future leadership of TJHSST.
As you know, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) launched a nationwide search for a new principal earlier this fall
After several weeks of extensive and diligent consideration of numerous highly-qualified candidates, we are delighted to share that we have found an exceptional leader - and TJHSST alum - close to home. Michael Mukai has accepted the position and will begin later this month. Mukai has been the principal of West Springfield High School since 2014, and has held a variety of FCPS school-based positions since 1995 when he began his career as a math and science teacher. He has also coached wrestling and volleyball.
In a full circle moment, Mukai was in the very first class of TJHSST when it converted to a magnet STEM school in 1985. He majored in Chemistry at Virginia Tech and he has a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, Math Education also from Virginia Tech. He has also completed post-master's graduate work in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge through the Department of Science Technology and Society of Virginia Tech.
During the recruitment process, Mukai impressed all with his passion for TJHSST, his innovative vision for the future, and his track record of elevating academic excellence.
His many accomplishments at WSHS include:
Significant gains in advanced academic access and success which has resulted in gold recognition by the College Board for the AP School Honor Roll.
Increasing the number of students recognized through the National Merit Scholarship program.
Cappies recognitions for theater arts, honor band recognitions, Virginia Music Educators Association recognitions, district, region, and state championships in Virginia High School League athletics and activities.
Thank you for your continued support of FCPS.
Dr. Geovanny Ponce
Chief of Schools
You are spreading RWNJ misinformation.
There are no quotas.
And TJ went from #5 to #14 out of 25,000 schools on the USNWR rankings. It was only #1 twice in the preceding decade.
lol. admissions aim for a predetermined diversity chart, aka race based quotas.
No, there are allotments by middle school, providing geographic diversity. So more kids in FCPS have a shot. Not just the ones from a handful of wealthy feeders.
Without those handful of academically wealthy feeders there is no way a TJ class can be formulated, according to FCPS. Top one third of every class comes from the top four academically ranked feeders.
There are still plenty of those kids.
Now that they’ve added seats to take kids from other middle schools, kids from across the county get a shot.
The kids from those schools aren't fungible
You're not getting the right kids from those schools when you select them without a merit filter.
That’s a different issue.
Anonymous
01/10/2025 01:26
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The best part is in the email they had to make sure to talk of the former failed principals fake promotion to gatehouse! Lmao "following Dr. Ann Bonitatibus' promotion to a central office position."
Here is a better article calling out how awful the previous tj principal was pushing racial quotas causing TJ to fall form #1 in the nation to 14. More info on the new principal and an endorsement from the Republican nominee fellow classmate https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fcps-selects-tjhsst-alum-michael-mukai-to-be-new-principal/article_675df76c-cee9-11ef-9b2a-ab958f33eb91.html
Letter from gatehouse:
January 9, 2025
Dear FCPS Community,
I am writing today with exciting news regarding the future leadership of TJHSST.
As you know, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) launched a nationwide search for a new principal earlier this fall
After several weeks of extensive and diligent consideration of numerous highly-qualified candidates, we are delighted to share that we have found an exceptional leader - and TJHSST alum - close to home. Michael Mukai has accepted the position and will begin later this month. Mukai has been the principal of West Springfield High School since 2014, and has held a variety of FCPS school-based positions since 1995 when he began his career as a math and science teacher. He has also coached wrestling and volleyball.
In a full circle moment, Mukai was in the very first class of TJHSST when it converted to a magnet STEM school in 1985. He majored in Chemistry at Virginia Tech and he has a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, Math Education also from Virginia Tech. He has also completed post-master's graduate work in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge through the Department of Science Technology and Society of Virginia Tech.
During the recruitment process, Mukai impressed all with his passion for TJHSST, his innovative vision for the future, and his track record of elevating academic excellence.
His many accomplishments at WSHS include:
Significant gains in advanced academic access and success which has resulted in gold recognition by the College Board for the AP School Honor Roll.
Increasing the number of students recognized through the National Merit Scholarship program.
Cappies recognitions for theater arts, honor band recognitions, Virginia Music Educators Association recognitions, district, region, and state championships in Virginia High School League athletics and activities.
Thank you for your continued support of FCPS.
Dr. Geovanny Ponce
Chief of Schools
You are spreading RWNJ misinformation.
There are no quotas.
And TJ went from #5 to #14 out of 25,000 schools on the USNWR rankings. It was only #1 twice in the preceding decade.
lol. admissions aim for a predetermined diversity chart, aka race based quotas.
No, there are allotments by middle school, providing geographic diversity. So more kids in FCPS have a shot. Not just the ones from a handful of wealthy feeders.
Without those handful of academically wealthy feeders there is no way a TJ class can be formulated, according to FCPS. Top one third of every class comes from the top four academically ranked feeders.
There are still plenty of those kids.
Now that they’ve added seats to take kids from other middle schools, kids from across the county get a shot.
The majority of FCPS' STEM talent comes from those top four middle schools. FCPS puts considerable effort into nurturing advanced math and science at the top four middle schools and students there reciprocate with hard work, which is why it draws heavily from that academically wealthy talent pool. The new TJ principal is tasked with restoring the school’s academic excellence to its former glory as the national leader among stem schools, and the top talent pool will help get there.
Why is FCPS only putting “considerable effort into nurturing advanced math and science” at the wealthier AAP centers?
academically wealthier AAP centers have students who show up to school everyday so they learn faster and are ready for advanced material. Bottom schools have attendance issues and teaching gen ed curriculum is itself a challenge.
Is that really an issue at the AAP centers that have higher FRE%?
Anonymous
01/10/2025 00:49
Subject: New TJ principal announced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The best part is in the email they had to make sure to talk of the former failed principals fake promotion to gatehouse! Lmao "following Dr. Ann Bonitatibus' promotion to a central office position."
Here is a better article calling out how awful the previous tj principal was pushing racial quotas causing TJ to fall form #1 in the nation to 14. More info on the new principal and an endorsement from the Republican nominee fellow classmate https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fcps-selects-tjhsst-alum-michael-mukai-to-be-new-principal/article_675df76c-cee9-11ef-9b2a-ab958f33eb91.html
Letter from gatehouse:
January 9, 2025
Dear FCPS Community,
I am writing today with exciting news regarding the future leadership of TJHSST.
As you know, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) launched a nationwide search for a new principal earlier this fall
After several weeks of extensive and diligent consideration of numerous highly-qualified candidates, we are delighted to share that we have found an exceptional leader - and TJHSST alum - close to home. Michael Mukai has accepted the position and will begin later this month. Mukai has been the principal of West Springfield High School since 2014, and has held a variety of FCPS school-based positions since 1995 when he began his career as a math and science teacher. He has also coached wrestling and volleyball.
In a full circle moment, Mukai was in the very first class of TJHSST when it converted to a magnet STEM school in 1985. He majored in Chemistry at Virginia Tech and he has a Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, Math Education also from Virginia Tech. He has also completed post-master's graduate work in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge through the Department of Science Technology and Society of Virginia Tech.
During the recruitment process, Mukai impressed all with his passion for TJHSST, his innovative vision for the future, and his track record of elevating academic excellence.
His many accomplishments at WSHS include:
Significant gains in advanced academic access and success which has resulted in gold recognition by the College Board for the AP School Honor Roll.
Increasing the number of students recognized through the National Merit Scholarship program.
Cappies recognitions for theater arts, honor band recognitions, Virginia Music Educators Association recognitions, district, region, and state championships in Virginia High School League athletics and activities.
Thank you for your continued support of FCPS.
Dr. Geovanny Ponce
Chief of Schools
You are spreading RWNJ misinformation.
There are no quotas.
And TJ went from #5 to #14 out of 25,000 schools on the USNWR rankings. It was only #1 twice in the preceding decade.
lol. admissions aim for a predetermined diversity chart, aka race based quotas.
No, there are allotments by middle school, providing geographic diversity. So more kids in FCPS have a shot. Not just the ones from a handful of wealthy feeders.
Without those handful of academically wealthy feeders there is no way a TJ class can be formulated, according to FCPS. Top one third of every class comes from the top four academically ranked feeders.
There are still plenty of those kids.
Now that they’ve added seats to take kids from other middle schools, kids from across the county get a shot.
The kids from those schools aren't fungible
You're not getting the right kids from those schools when you select them without a merit filter.