Administrator's Corner
Happy New Year!
I would like to welcome everyone back to the second half of our school year! I hope that you had a chance to enjoy the break and were able to spend time with loved ones. If you're wondering why you're getting the newsletter on Monday instead of Thursday, it is because we thought it made more sense for us to get all of this important information to you on a Monday so you can plan your week out. We hope that this helps you and improves our ability to connect to you.
Our second semester is packed full of exciting opportunities and we are ready to continue with the work that we started on in August. We will finish this year the way we started it - with an unyielding commitment to relentlessly pursuing college and career opportunities for every one of our students so that they can flourish as members in our democracy. I am as excited today as I was in August for a strong second semester and look forward to your continued support.
Please keep checking the newsletter throughout the remainder of the year for updates on events going on at TJ. I look forward to seeing you at TJ.
Have a great 2017!
¡Feliz año nuevo!
Me gustaría dar la bienvenida a todos a la segunda mitad de nuestro año escolar! Espero que usted haga tenido la oportunidad de disfrutar del descanso y pudieron pasar tiempo con sus seres queridos. Si usted se está preguntando por qué está recibiendo el boletín de noticias el lunes en lugar del jueves, es porque pensamos que tenía más sentido para nosotros obtener toda esta información importante para usted el lunes para que pueda planear su semana. Esperamos que esto le ayude y mejore nuestra habilidad de conectarnos con usted.
Nuestro segundo semestre está repleto de emocionantes oportunidades y estamos listos para continuar con el trabajo que iniciamos en agosto. Terminaremos este año de la manera en que lo iniciamos - con un compromiso de perseguir implacablemente las oportunidades universitarias y de carrera para cada uno de nuestros estudiantes para que puedan florecer como miembros en nuestra democracia. Estoy tan emocionado hoy como en agosto por un segundo semestre fuerte y espero su continuo apoyo.
Por favor, manténgase revisando el boletín durante el resto del año para obtener información sobre los eventos que están ocurriendo en TJ. Espero verlos en TJ.
¡Tenga un gran 2017!
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TJ's Tardy/Truancy Policy
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Thank you for your su
pport in keeping our attendance at its best!
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We had another tremendous turnout for the Annual Adopt-A-Family Program here at TJ. This year we had a total of 12 families we assisted during the holidays with food and gift donations and we had many people from the TJ community get involved to make this a very special year. On behalf of DECA, SkillsUSA, Mrs. Davis, and the rest of the Adopt-A-Family Team I want to extend a hearty thank you and holiday blessings to everyone who helped this year. We raised approximately $3,000.00 in gifts and food donations for these families and know that you have all made a huge impact in these families" lives. A very special thank you to Mr. Fabian and his group for organizing the gift card donation of $1,000 from Target; to all of our parents, teachers, and community members for donating items and signing up on the Sign-Up Genie; to Mrs. Samanda Davis for helping organize the families and the coordinating the Sign up Genie website; to Mr. Esparza and SkillsUSA for organizing the food drive; and to the DECA Program for collecting, shopping, wrapping, and distributing the items to the families.
TJ Family...it's real and it is a beautiful thing to watch our community come together to help those in need during the holidays. We hope you and your families enjoyed your holidays!
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Week at a Glance - Week of 1/9-1/13
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Monday-
- Please click here (or see the above "Athletics Schedule" quick link) to see athletic events for the week
- CSC, 4 p.m.
Tuesday-
Wednesday-
- Office Hours/early release
Thursday-
Friday-
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Time to Plan Ahead for Yearbook Ads!
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Don't put it off - recognitions ads are due soon!
Yearbook recognition ads are a great way for parents, families and friends to commemorate student achievements and important milestones. In addition, revenues from recognition ads help our school to create a better yearbook. Jostens is managing your school's yearbook ad sales so please do not contact or send materials to the school.
Please take into account our school's ad content guidelines on the bottom of this form during the creation of your ad online. Because these recognition ads can take some time to design and create, we wanted to give families plenty of notice.
All ad orders must be placed online by 2/16/2017.
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Are You Looking to Get Fit in 2017?
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Do you want to train in a group setting on the beautiful High Line Canal? Join us
every Sunday beginning January 8th
to train for one of the 7 races offered during the 2017 Colfax Marathon weekend!
- Created in partnership with Denver City Councilwoman Kendra Black and Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR)
- Club is open to all ages and abilities
- Meet Sundays @ 9am (snow or shine) on the High Line Canal behind Eisenhower Rec Center for a group run/walk with coaches provided by DPR
- Club membership: $5 registration fee
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Coming Soon - "Buck-a-Bag" Fundraiser!
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New! TJ College Futures Program
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There's a lot to understand about preparing your student for success in college, and it begins long before your student graduates from high school. Our new College Futures program is designed to begin to inform parents sooner about the many variables and strategies leading up to Senior year that impact the college process. Join us
Wednesday, January 18 in Room 111 to learn more about SAT and ACT test taking timing and strategies. Open to all families.
SAT/ACT Test Taking Timing & Strategies
with Emalee Smith
Room 111
6:00 pm
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Next stop:
GT
Family Fun Night - All Schools and all Grades! National Popcorn Day!
JANUARY 19 FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 P.M.
Morey Middle School - 840 E 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
Led by our High School Gifted and Talented Students, each session will focus on a point of advocacy, a learning session for parents and a fun service learning activity for all. Please RSVP at http://bit.ly/GTLPS
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Challenge Day is approaching fast. It will be held on
January 24th and 25th for the Junior class.
What is Challenge Day?
· It is a one day (seven hour), action-packed, interactive program held in the gym at TJ; students, teachers, administrators, parents and other adult volunteers participate in a safe environment.
· Students, teachers, and parents own up to past behavior, apologize to each other, and make a pledge to "change their behavior.
· Students and adults participate equally and connect on a very personal level.
· Through these personal connections, students are engaged and empowered, and are inspired to be successful.
· Students' personal power and self-esteem are elevated.
· Dangerous peer pressure is transformed into positive peer support.
· Teasing, violence and all forms of oppression are recognized and eliminated.
· The aftermath of the school climate is remarkably noticeable.
It roughly cost $20 per student to attend the day. Please
click here to make a donation to help support this amazing program.
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Buy Groceries and Benefit TJ!
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Buy King Sooper Cards that you can load and use and then a percentage (5%) goes to TJ PTO.
We can make ALOT of money from these when people just do their normal grocery shopping or gasoline purchase.
Right now we only have 7 people using the cards but we made $2500.00 + ......i
magine if at least 1/3 of the school used these cards!
lf 150 families at our school committed to spending $250 with their card each month, our school would earn $22,500 in one year! Anyway...details below and here is one image you can use.
- Did you know you can earn 5% of every dollar loaded to your re-loadable gift card at King Soopers?
- Use your reloadable King Soopers gift card to purchase groceries, gas, and prescriptions!
- You can get a card from the online store - mkt.com/TJSPartanStore
...or by sending an email to Kevin Whalen,
kevinjwhalen@yahoo.com, or stopping in to see Julie Thibodeau in the main office.
Cards are $5 and can be re-loaded anytime you are in King Soopers and can be used for any purchases including gas!
Thanks in advance for your support with this awesome fundraiser!
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Cold Weather Care Guide and Sheltering Options for Families
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As cold weather approaches, many families need extra assistance and sheltering options. Please
click here to see the comprehensive guide.
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Communications Protocol for District Weather Closures and Delays
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As we prepare for winter weather conditions, the Communications and Transportation Services teams want to ensure we're aligned with how we're sharing news about districtwide closures, dismissals and delays:
- When districtwide school closures or early dismissals occur, information will be provided by Communications to students, families and educators.Additionally, messaging will be shared through area radio, television and print media, as well as through district websites and social media tools. We also encourage you to share this information on your school websites and social media tools.
- Communications will use Infinite Campus to send out districtwide school closure or early dismissals messages.
- Please note that the Transportation Services team will share information with students, families and educators about any delayed openings using its notification system called Bus Bulletin.
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The TJ Spartan Spirit Store is a
virtual store
which is online. The store also is setup at some school events such as athletic events, concerts, plays and conference nights.
NEW Spirit Store Items!
Check out the new American Apparel soft 100% cotton v-neck t-shirts in dark gray or white with gold TJ on the front and Spartan on the back. Also, get a new gray fleece blanket with gold TJ embroidered in the corner to keep you warm while cheering on the Spartans this winter.
New XXL and XL sizes in men's Under Armour ankle zip sweatpants and new inventory in the Under Armour 1/4 zip long sleeve pull overs in graphite grey stripe with embroidered TJ. XXL hoodies and T-shirts now available.
Order online and pickup at school:
mkt.com/TJSpartanStore or contact Laura Whalen to pay by cash or check.
Look for the Spirit Store at all TJ Spartan athletic events this year.
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Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
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Imagine a school where everyone feels safe, loved and celebrated. Imagine enemies finding common ground and making peace; friends healing past hurts and making amends; people igniting their passion for service and leadership; adults and youth working together to create a school where everyone is included and thrives. This is Challenge Day.
Challenge Day Teaches Children
:
Empathy & Understanding
Increased compassion and understanding, having a demonstrated ability to reduce teasing, bullying, and emotional distress
Social & Self-Awareness
Improved understanding of other peoples' experiences, how actions affect others, self-management, and healthy self-expression
Connection & Belongingness
Kinder, more caring student-student and teacher-student relationships empowering community and reduction of isolation and alienation
Tips for Parents to Teach or Remind Your Children:
- Be the change you want to see in the world
- Teach love and respect
- Be a positive leader
- Remember you are a role model to others
- Empty your emotional balloon
- Teach the adults in your life
- Compliment and thank others
- You are 100% responsible for your choices
- Interrupt put-downs, teasing and all forms of bullying
- Follow your heart
- Welcome and include others
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Mental Health and Social Emotional Tip:
Compiled by Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW and Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP
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SENIOR T-Shirts - Get Yours Now
We still have some of the original Class of 2017 T-Shirts available. Y
ou can purchase online and pickup at school OR
see Julie Thibodeau in the office
to buy your shirt.
Profits from these shirts support After-Prom Event for 2017.
So please support our Seniors and a safe, fun Prom 2017.
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Thanks for helping to make TJ and the Class of 2017 Great!
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FUNdraising Party to Support TJ Class of 2018 Prom
Sign up to play Left, Center, Right, an easy to learn dice game of chance (you don't have to know how to play before you arrive).
Cost
:
$30 per person (collected at the door), includes food, beer, wine; money to play 3 rounds of the game; a chance to win up to $180; satisfaction of helping to create great memories for the Class of 2018; and most of all, a super fun time with a great community.
Where:
Bartels Home, 1865 South Newport St., Denver
When:
January 28, 2017 at 6 pm
Who:
Adults only. Do not need to have a student in the TJ Class of 2018.
If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation to the Class of 2018 prom, please contact
karycramer@msn.com.
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- Please look for more opportunities this school year for parents to socialize, get connected and contribute to the Class of 2018 fundraising efforts. Please email karycramer@msn.com if you're interested in helping out at any point this year. We need you!
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Class of 2019 - Sophomores
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If you have an idea for fundraising, community building event or volunteer opportunity, please contact Jane Bulger:
janeebulger@gmail.com
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- Thank-you to Megan Perkins and Lisa LoJacono who have agreed to be parent representatives for the Class of 2020. Please look for important information to come. If you are interested in getting involved please email Megan at: megandperkins@gmail.com or Lisa at: lisalojacono@gmail.com.
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News from the Future Center
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Seniors!
You should also be applying to scholarships. Make sure you're reading the emails from Ms. Maez about scholarships. Check your Naviance account for more information and resources.
If you have been accepted to a college or have received a scholarship, please let Ms. Maez know by bringing or emailing her a copy of your acceptance letter.
For upcoming events, college visits, financial aid workshops, scholarships, and much more, visit the Future Center
wikipage
!
Rena Maez
College Advisor, Thomas Jefferson High School
Denver Scholarship Foundation | a 501(c)(3) Public Charity
3950 S. Holly Street | Denver, CO 80237
O 720.423.7134 F 720.423.7098
rmaez@denverscholarship.org
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www.denverscholarship.org
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