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Please note: At the time this newsletter was scheduled to publish, the assumption was that Monday would be business as usual. If there is any strike news, Administration will send a message to families. If there is a work stoppage, there will be no newsletter until teachers resume their duties.
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Administrator's Corner
We will continue to monitor all potential DPS strike news. Please
click here for family resources. In the meantime we are working with DPS on contingency plans to ensure that your student will be safe and with the least amount of impact to the learning environment as possible.
Click here for district updates.
Thank you for your continued support and we hope that a resolution is reached in the very near future.
Seguiremos monitoreando todas las noticias potenciales de la huelga de DPS. Por favor, haga
clic aquí para los recursos familiares. Mientras tanto, estamos trabajando con DPS en planes de contingencia para asegurarnos de que su estudiante estará seguro y con la menor cantidad de impacto en el ambiente de aprendizaje como sea posible.
Haga clic aquí para las actualizaciones del distrito
Gracias por su apoyo continuado y esperamos que se alcance una resolución en un futuro muy próximo.
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Week at a Glance - Week of 2/4-2/8
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- Please click here (or see the above "Athletics Schedule" quick link) to see athletic events for the week
- Spirit Week - Meme Monday
- TJ Mini Cheer Clinic - 5-7:00 p.m. (details below)
Tuesday-
- Spirit Week - Toddler Tuesday
- TJ Mini Cheer Clinic - 5-7:00 p.m. (details below)
Wednesday
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- Spirit Week - Headgear Wednesday (donate $1.00 to the senior class and wear a hat in return!)
- Office Hours: 2:14-2:55 p.m.
Thursday-
- Spirit Week - Jersey Thursday
Friday
-
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Japanese Exchange Student Program - Host Families Needed!
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Due to the success of our Japanese exchange student program last year, we will be hosting 14 Japanese exchange students and their teacher at TJ again this year. The plan is to have them live with and attend classes with our students in order to receive a true authentic American experience. The students will be with us from March 8th-March 25th. We are looking for 11 more families who may be able to host. If you are only able to host through the 23rd or 24th, that is ok, we will make arrangements for the group to complete their experience. Please contact Mr. Jackson
[email protected]
if your family is interested in taking part in this experience and helping us out.
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Here at T.J., our school counselors work with and encourage students as they develop academically, personally and socially. We are here to support and advocate for all students.
Here are our counselor caseloads:
Jillian Gleason
- Students with Last Names A-D
Maggie Kennedy-
Students with Last Names E-L
Erin Thompson
- Students with Last Names M-Q and students with IEPs
Jeremy Anderson
- Students with Last Names R-Z
Here's what happened in the T.J. School Counseling World in the month of January:
- Final changes to second semester schedules
- Concurrent Enrollment paperwork processing and submission for students (a big thank you to Mr. Anderson and Ms. Gleason!)
- ICAP classroom guidance lessons for 9th and 12th graders
- Support with sending mid-year transcripts and materials for seniors for college applications
- Ongoing individual student meetings to support academic and social-emotional concerns
What we have planned for February:
- ICAP classroom guidance lessons for 10th and 11th graders
- Choice of Studies planning (this will happen for students in March)
- Ongoing support for seniors with post-grad planning and sending transcripts/ application materials
- Ongoing individual student meetings for credit checks, academic and personal concerns
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Countdown to the Online Auction
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TJ's 3rd Annual Online Auction opens on March 10th and donations of all shapes and sizes are needed. Can you help?
Ask wherever you shop if they can support TJ by donating to the auction. Businesses are often happy to support their local school! Spa services, restaurant gift cards, tickets to cultural events are all popular and raise money to support the students and staff at TJ.
Donations can be entered directly into the auction management website here (
https://tjhs.ptapal.com/). TJ PTO is a 501(c)3 organization so all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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Please join us at this month's PTO meeting on
Tuesday, February 12th
from 6-7pm in room 111 to find out what is going on. We haven't met in a while and there is a lot to talk about. Here are some of the topics we'll discuss....
- Online auction planning (Auction Date: March 10-14th)
- ArtFest results
- Upcoming classroom grant process
- Next year's officer roles
Don't forget to bring $5 and pick up your King Soopers Gift card. Hope to see you there!
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Parent Participation Requested
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Colorado Department of Human Services is creating a video featuring real Colorado parents. If you'd like to be in it, the first step is to take this short survey about your thoughts on fostering, mentoring, parenting, and preventing/reporting abuse and neglect. The survey will only take a couple minutes and your answers will remain confidential. When you're finished, you may be asked to participate in our video. Click here for the survey!
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Opportunity for Transitional Students and Parents
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Project Independence provides
free
workshops to help
Denver
parents who have children with disabilities learn about options for their children once they leave high school. The project also trains youth from ages 14-21 about their options after high school.
A disability should not hamper a person to live their life to the fullest. We share with participants how to obtain employment in the community, assist in applying for college and vocational school, as well as support with life skills. Statistics shows that people with disabilities earn about two-thirds of the median earnings of people without disabilities. They are less likely to attend higher learning, and more likely to live below the poverty line. Project Independence wants to change that.
There will be 2 strands of workshops: One for parents and one for youth. It will be for 5 Thursdays starting February 21st and ending March 21st. There will also be a college tour one Saturday during that time. The time of the workshops will be 6:00 - 6:30 for dinner, and 6:30 - 8:30 for training. Click here to learn more about the project.
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Yearbook Announcements:
- Please check to see if we received your senior quote and photo. There's a poster hanging on the office windows, or you can check the yearbook website to make sure.
- Price: Get your book at the price of $60 until 2-22-19. The price will eventually increase to $65, so act fast!
All
information about the yearbook can found on the journal under the News & Events tab or by clicking here.
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News from the Future Center
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12th graders -
College Admissions Representatives Visits week of 2/4:
Colorado Mesa University on Monday, February 4th at 4th period (10:15 - 11:19)
University of Colorado Denver on Tuesday, February 5th at 4th period (10:15 - 11:19)
University of Colorado Colorado Springs on Thursday, February 7th at 6th period (12:04-12:55)
Please sign up in Naviance
The DSF Scholarship Application is officially open now! I will send notices inviting eligible students to apply this week! There will be a DSF Scholarship Application Workshop on Thursday, February 7th at 2:45 in the Future Center for all eligible students.
To be eligible for the DSF Scholarship, graduating 12th graders must:
- Have attended a DPS high school all 4 years
- Have at least a 2.0 GPA to attend a technical college, a 2.5 GPA to attend a community college and a 2.75 to attend a four-year college/university (weighted or unweighted, whichever is higher)
- Demonstrate financial need through FAFSA EFC below 8,229 or free/reduced lunch for FSA ineligible students
- COMPLETE APPLICATION BY APRIL 1st DEADLINE, including applying to three additional scholarships
12th grade students can prepare for the DSF Scholarship Application by collecting:
- Names of 3 scholarship applications already submitted
- SSN or DACA SSN
- Parent email/phone
Sophie Vogel
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
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The TJHS Spirit Store is stocked and ready to sell! Show your TJ pride in style and comfort with hoodies, joggers, t-shirts, hats, blankets and stadium chairs. The Spirit Store is open every Friday at lunch time.
Great news: the SALE prices are extended through January, possibly longer! 2019 retro-Joe Spartan t-shirts are $5, all other short-sleeved t-shirts are $10, long-sleeved shirts are $20, and hoodies are $25. Also, the striped Under Armor quarter-zip shirts are now $35. We also have beanies with pom poms for $20 and beanies without for $15, dry-fit long sleeved shirts for $20, and TJ joggers for $35. We accept cash, credit cards and checks.
The store will be open during events like certain athletic games and other community events. Or, make an appointment to shop with Carrie (
[email protected]
).
Julie Thibodeau in the front office can also help if you need the store at times other than Friday at lunch.
You can view several items
here
, but we are not currently accepting online orders
.
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Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
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Depression
can hit at any time in your life. Often, the last thing you feel like doing is exercising, but studies show it can actually help you feel better. Research suggests performing an exercise program 30 minutes a day, 4-5 times a week, may help keep depression at bay, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve sleep and self-esteem. Gym membership not required! Many of these exercises can be performed at home or work.
1)
High Intensity Interval Training
- This type of exercise involves spurts of rigorous activity followed by intervals of less intense movements or rest.
2)
Posture Exercises-
Recent studies show a slouched body posture can evoke feelings of depression, while standing upright can actually help reverse them. So start stretching!
3)
Yoga- Yoga not only helps your flexibility and strength, it can also help you relax. One theory is yoga increases a neurotransmitter in your body called GABA, which results in calming the mind.
4)
Breathing
- Studies suggest taking deep breaths where you exhale longer than you inhale stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. This puts the brakes on the sympathetic system, helping you calm down. Try this- Breathe deeply into your belly for a count of 4. Then exhale for a count of 6. Repeat 5 times
5)
Group Exercise
- Mental health experts say group classes can help you find that sense of belonging, as well as encourage you to work harder during your workout. Exercising at a higher intensity level gets your heart pumping and blood flowing, energizing you to face the day.
6)
Running
- Running can stimulate the release of "feel good" endorphins, which are believed to be responsible for the euphoric mood some runners experience after an energizing run called "runner's high."
7)
Get outdoors
- Going for a long bike ride or walk along a beautiful path can help take your mind off your troubles as you focus on appreciating the landscape while engaging in a decent cardio workout. Aim for 30 minutes and try to add uphill work to boost that intensity.
8)
Laugh
- Experts say laughter can cause physical changes in your body, including increasing endorphin production and affecting your stress reaction, resulting in a relaxed feeling. It even burns calories.
9)
Jump Rope
- Jumping rope is an inexpensive exercise routine you can take anywhere. You can vary the intensity going from high, involving one jump each time the rope passes, to a lower level by slowing the rope and adding an extra little jump.
10)
Tone Up
- Lifting weights addresses muscle imbalances and strengthens you, enabling you to perform daily activities with more ease. Mental health experts say toning up not only gives your backside that lift, but also your spirits, as you see the positive results of your hard work. Don't have weight? Use household items!
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Facilities Management Jobs Available
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Denver Mayor's Youth Commission is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 term!
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The Mayor's Youth Commission provides youth the opportunity to develop leadership skills and advise the Mayor and the director of the Office of Children's Affairs on issues impacting youth living in the City and County of Denver. Youth commissioners work together with adult commissioners to make recommendations in the areas of:
- Developing procedures and processes
- Accessing and participating in citywide programs
- Ensuring equal rights and opportunities through legislation or administrative action
- Establishing goals and action plans
Applications for the 2019 - 2020 school year are open Jan. 1 - Mar. 8, 2019!
Selected commissioners can serve up to a three-year term limit.
Meetings are scheduled during the evening, the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, during the school year.
Youth Apply Here: Must be a Denver resident or attending Denver Public Schools (high school) in 2019 - 2020.
Adults Apply Here: Must be employed with a youth-serving organization or the City and County of Denver.
How can YOU be the change?
Click here for more information.
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Food and Nutrition Resources for Families
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Great news! All Class T-Shirts are now available (as well as other TJ gear)
in the Spartan Store. If you would like to make a purchase, please contact [email protected].
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Attention Class of '19 Parents:
Join us for an informational meeting on January 15th at 6pm in room 111. We'll cover important updates and have administration available to answer questions as we prepare for Graduation. Contact Anne McCord if you have questions ([email protected]).
Cheers! Class of '19 Parent Committee
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TJ Class of '19 Parent Meeting
(January 25, 2019)
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Mr. TJ is a fun senior tradition and we need 2 volunteers to head up the event!
- After Prom Volunteers are vital to this event's success. Stay tuned for a volunteer sign-up in early March (set up, chaperones, tear down and clean up)
- NOTE: This is a Senior Prom. An announcement was made in error that this year it is a Junior/Senior Prom. Sorry for the confusion.
Reminders:
- Seniors must have a 93% attendance rate to attend Senior Prom and to walk at Graduation. If you're student is not compliant, have them connect with Mr. Skari for assistance.
- Students must have a 93% attendance rate and a 3.0 GPA to participate in the Mr. TJ Event.
- FAFSA applications are OPEN. Click here to start today.
- If you would like to make a financial donation to the Class of '19 online, click here.
- Take a look at the 12th Grade Family Action Plan - this is a helpful guide for all families of 12th grade students.
Important dates to remember:
- February 1: No School for Students
- February 18: No School (President's Day)
- April 19: Mr. TJ
- April 20: Pick up Jostens orders (everything but cap and gown).
- April 26: Prom at Denver Athletic Club 8 pm to 11 pm. After prom at TJ 11 pm to 2 am.
- May 7: Senior awards by invitation
- May 17: Senior check out.
- May 20: Mini graduation rehearsal at TJ. Pick up cap and gown.
- May 29: Graduation rehearsal at Magness Arena 12 noon. Graduation at 2 pm.
Local University Application Deadlines:
- Colorado State University: May 1st
- Colorado School of Mines: March 1st
- University of Northern Colorado: August 1st
- Metro State University: July 1st
Other Post Graduation Resources and Opportunities
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The Class of '19 is raising money for senior year activities including After Prom.
How you can support:
- Host an event
- Make a tax deductible financial donation - Find out if your employer will match your donation!
- Participate in Neighborhood Eats events
- Buy a Class of '19 T-shirt via [email protected]
- For more information contact Anne McCord - [email protected]
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TJ Students are planning a tailgate for the TJ/ East basketball double-header games on Friday, February 8th. The class of 2020 will be selling pizza, drinks and snacks for the tailgate from 4:30-5:30 pm, with all proceeds going toward the Class of 2020 Senior year activities. Please
sign up here
to help with food sales on February 8th, donating items for sale, or contributing toward the pizza purchase. Contact Lisa LoJacono ([email protected]) or Megan Perkins ([email protected]) with questions.
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Class of 2021 - Sophomores
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FUNdraising Party to Support TJ Class of 2021
If you attended in 2017, you know how much fun this is.
If you didn't, here's your chance!
Signup 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 2021; and most of all, a super fun time with a great community.
Where:
Roberts Home, 7867 East Severn Pl., Denver
When:
March 9, 2019 at 6 pm
Who:
Adults only. Do not need to have a student in the TJ Class of 2021.
If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation to the Class of 2021, please contact [email protected]
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- We're also looking for volunteers to host future events for our class parents. If interested, please come to the next PTO meeting, or send an email to [email protected]; or [email protected] to find out more.
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- If you have any questions or interest in joining a team of parents to help coordinate fundraising efforts and community building, please email [email protected] for more information.
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