March 5, 2018
Administrator's Corner

Commitment in the classroom  and commitment to our community are at the core of being a TJ Spartan. Today it is my honor to celebrate at the State Capitol with TJ Senior Mikayla Armijo along with her mother and grandfather for her commitment to community service. Over the past four years Mikayla has volunteered for over 300 hours at the Denver Botanic Gardens.  For her selflessness, Mikayla will be awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award  today in front of the Colorado State Assembly.  Look for a story on our website www.tjhs.dpsk12.org coming soon for more information! 

El compromiso en el aula y el compromiso con nuestra comunidad se encuentran en el corazón de ser un TJ Spartan. Hoy es un honor para mí celebrar en el capitolio estatal con TJ Senior Mikayla Armijo junto con su madre y su abuelo por su compromiso con el servicio a la comunidad. En los últimos cuatro años, Mikayla se ha ofrecido voluntariamente durante más de 300 horas en los Jardines Botánicos de Denver. Por su desinterés, Mikayla recibirá hoy el Premio del Servicio Voluntario del Presidente frente a la Asamblea del Estado de Colorado. ¡Busque una historia en nuestro sitio web www.tjhs.dpsk12.org próximamente para obtener más información!

Mike Christoff
Principal
Quick Links
Week at a Glance - Week of 3/5-3/9
Monday- 
  • Please click here (or see the above "Athletics Schedule" quick link) to see athletic events for the week
  • CSC Meeting: 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday- 
  • Class of 2019 Panera Fundraiser: 4:00-8:00 p.m. (details below)
Wednesday-
  • Office Hours: 2:14-2:55 p.m.
Thursday -

Friday - 
Kudos Korner
  • We had a very good trip for TJ DECA! Just a snapshot of what transpired for your enjoyment:
  • 15 students competed in various events
  • TJ's JROTC Award winning Color Guard presented the colors at the Opening Ceremonies
  • 3 Finalists:
   John Rivera - Retail Merchandise
  Mariah Hurd-Crews - Principles of Hospitality
           Landon Cramer - Principles of Marketing        
    • State Scholarship Winner - Valyntine Lonergan ($1,000)
    • State Officer District 3 - Joey Bulger
    • Danny Showers - Lifetime Achievement Award (Highest Award DECA gives out!)
    • Matt Nicolo - 15 Years of Service DECA Award
Very proud of our group this year and thank you to everyone who supports our DECA Program!
  • TJ Spartans Saivethd Merino-Garcia, Angela Gonzalez, Ariana Ulibarri, Mrs. Valencia-Hernández, Sandibell Nieto-Serrano, Jennifer Navas, Anahi Gomez and Johanna Gonzalez attended the Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority's Empower the Women of Tomorrow by Empowering the Girls of Today Conference on Friday, February 16th at DU.







Congratulations to the following students for being accepted into the DPS All-City art show:
Sonia Pacheco-Neri,  Bianca Escobar,  Linda Quintana,  Rachin Rai,  Anahi Gomez,  and  Jazlyn Thomas.
Way to go, Spartans!
Payment Reminder
Students and parents: don't forget - AP payments are due on March 16th! Go to Parent Portal and click on "Student Payments via My Schoolbucks" tab to complete this.
It is almost time for TJ's 2nd Annual Online Auction...bid often and win big!
TJ's 2nd Annual Online Auction will run March 11-15!

Mark your calendars now because bidding will start promptly at 8:00 am on Sunday, March 11 th  and item categories will begin closing at 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 15 th .  The online catalog will be available to preview beginning Thursday March 8:  tjhs.ptapal.com .

Make a difference for TJ!
When everyone bids, TJ wins! The auction is a great way to have the money you would normally spend anyway go to TJ.    100% of the proceeds from the auction will benefit our classroom grant program. 
 
We need YOU to help to make TJ's Auction a success...here's how you can help:

·     Bid on items you already buy every day 
·     Bid on fun items including gift cards, travel packages, athletic tickets, cool experiences, great gifts
Be sure to check out the "Prom Corner" for Prom items such as Tuxedo rentals and corsages!
·    Send the auction link to family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors and encourage them to bid, too
·    Remind other TJ families to get in on the auction action
 
Everything you need to know about how the auction works can be found here in the   Auction FAQs . 
 
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate contact Megan Perkins at  [email protected]  or 303.870.0579.
 
Get those calendars out and get ready to start bidding!  
To apply, please visit our website http://careers.dpsk12.org

Select " Work in DPS " and go to School support Operations and select " Apply Now. " Select " External Candidates. " Enter " Custodian " in Keyword box. Click the " Apply for the Job " button and enter your information. 
2019 Panera Fundraiser - March 6
Community Service Opportunity
The Hampden Branch Library is in need of volunteer homework helpers during their Plaza program on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7:30. For any  students seeking more community service hours close to home, please contact Virginia Vassar Aggrey: (720) 865-2362 or  [email protected] 
ADOLESCO Youth Exchange: Application due date March 15, 2018 
Our flexible and affordable non-profit program of short term peer-to-peer exchanges to learn French in France, German in Germany, and Spanish in Spain, is now open to qualifying students in the USA. 

Unique!   Our two-way exchange program is unique: each child lives with their exchange partner's family AND takes a turn to host (the kids are together in each country, sharing their language, culture and family life with their exchange partner).    

Who? Adolesco matches US children and teens (ages 9 to 18) with age-mate exchange partners in France, Germany, and Spain for peer-to-peer language immersion and cultural exchanges. 

Flexible! Exactly WHEN and for HOW LONG each child travels are up to the two families to decide, together - there are no set arrival and departure dates. 

Affordable! A non-refundable $100 application fee, plus our program cost of $1,800, is a fraction of the costs of other exchange programs. Each family must also cover their own travel costs, purchase Travelers' Insurance ($150 or less), and cover expenses associated with hosting. 

How? The Adolesco Team will pool all qualified applicants and match candidates twice a year, typically matches are announced in early December and in early May. You and the other family will decide the exact timing and length of the exchange together, and you will have more than a year (including two summers and the year in-between) to travel and host. 

School? Please note that there is no need for Adolesco to register with your School District as an "Approved Exchange Agency" as most of our exchanges happen over the summer, and any US school attendance will be short term and at the discretion of the school principal. Regardless, our candidates might still be able to attend school in France, Germany, or Spain. 

Apply Today! Start the application process by submitting the free Pre-Application (Adolesco.org/pre-application). We will send you the Full Application, consisting of multiple forms, requests for references, and an interview, upon receipt. 

 Contact Marie Meyer, Exchange Coordinator, at 303-913-4845/ [email protected]  Find upcoming Info meetings at https://www.facebook.com/Adolesco.org/events Info sign-up at www.adolesco.org/contact
Part Time Custodian Wanted
24th Annual Safe City Youth Summit
New Spirit Store Hours
The TJ Spartan Spirit Store is a virtual store which is online. The store is also set up at some school events such as athletic events, concerts, plays and conference nights. Click here for more information!
  • TJ spirit store hours are on Fridays during lunch only. We have two parents who will be alternating shifts to make the store convenient and accessible to students. The store will continue to be open during special events, and Julie Thibodeau will continue to be available at other times for the offhand, urgent purchase. But we feel this regular weekly schedule will be easy to remember, easier to staff, and hopefully maximize use of the store. 
We take Cash and Credit Cards!
New PopSockets are in for $9 each or buy with a friend and save, 2 for $16.

When the store is open we will be in front of the physical store by the auditorium. For games, we will be in front of the gym in the lobby.

Call or email Laura Whalen if you have questions.
Laura Whalen
cell: 303-681-7226
PTO News
  • Want to help make your students high school experience the best it can be?  
  • Want to support the staff at TJ? 
  • Want to get to know some parents at TJ?                                    
      Come to a PTO meeting!

We meet monthly and have 1-2 events each month that we support. You can help out as your schedule permits.   Email  [email protected]  with any questions.
Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
Did You Know...?
 
Preparing for life after high school is more than just academics and testing. Being emotionally ready creates the greatest opportunity for success. There are skills that will help your child thrive, as they get ready to leave high school. Here you will find information, tools and guidance to help them with this transition- whether they are heading to college or straight to a career.
 
  2)    Basic Life Skills 
5)    The Transition 

Set-To-Go, A JED Program , has a variety of resources for Students , Families and Educators.
Check them out!
Mental Health and Social Emotional "Did You Know":  Compiled by Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW and Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP. 
Aquetza: Youth Education, Leadership, and Community Empowerment Program 2018
The application process for  the  Aquetza: Youth Education, Leadership, and Community Empowerment Program 2018  has been opened . Go to:     https://www.colorado.edu/aquetza/ 
 
Aquetza is a weeklong, free, summer residential program at CU that engages high school youth in academic content and cultural knowledge sessions designed to blur the boundaries between school and community. The Program serves Mexican and Mexican-American high school youth (and Latinx students in general). You can find out more info by clicking the link above.
 
On the last day of Aquetza, youth are expected to present on topics that synthesize their lived experiences with content covered in Aquetza. I'm truly humbled and honored to share a short presentation from Aquetza's very own Ariana LeDoux.   She provides one of the best presentations I've seen on gender fluidity and intersectional identities. She is one example of the brilliant youth that participate in Aquetza.
 
Should you have any questions about Aquetza, please feel free click the link above or reach out to Co-Directors Magnolia Landa-Posas and Jason Romero.
Class News You Can Use
All Classes 

  • Great news! All Class T-Shirts are now available (as well as other TJ gear) in the Spartan Store!

     
  • Supporting our TJ students, classrooms and teacher is as simple as a click of a button. Visit the online store to donate to TJ PTO today: Online Spartan Spirit Store for TJ Gear
Class of 2018 - Seniors
Calling all Senior Parents!
Our time is limited and these last few months will be filled with significant milestones and fun celebrations.  Now is the time to get involved and make Spring semester of Senior year memorable and meaningful for your Class of 2018 student. 

*We have a choreographer for Mr. TJ (thank-you Tyler Cobb) and now we need parents willing to supervise rehearsals and provide lunches/snacks.  All parents, regardless of if you have a son or daughter, are welcome to help.  Please contact  [email protected] to get involved with this fun TJ tradition.  

*Fundraising efforts have been successful and now comes the celebration.  Want to get involved with After-Prom?  All parents are welcome and needed with planning, implementing, and supervising this special event.  Please contact  [email protected] to indicate your interest in helping.  

Together we can make incredible memories for the Class of 2018. 
Class of 2019 - Juniors
The Class of '19 is raising money for senior year activities including After Prom.

How you can support:
Class of 2020 - Sophomores
  • Thank you to Megan Perkins and Lisa LoJacono, the 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:   [email protected]  or Lisa at:   [email protected] .
Class of 2021 - Freshmen
  • New Graduation Requirements! DPS has adopted new, evidence-based graduation requirements that will go into effect this year for the graduating class of 2021. Click here
    to read more!
  • Click here for a video about the new graduation requirements.
News from the Future Center
 
Seniors are encouraged to stop by the Future Center to set up a time to discuss their plans for next year.  

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
   
[email protected] |   www.denverscholarship.org