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Please note: At the time this newsletter was scheduled to publish, the strike resolution was uncertain. If there is any strike news, Administration will send a message to families.
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Administrator's Corner
Good morning Spartans,
I would like to thank students and their families for their patience during these past few weeks. Please remember that TJ is a tight knit community and we are here to support our students, each other, and to keep everyone safe. Administrators and teachers alike are committed to this community and we appreciate the support you continue to give all of us. If there is any strike news, families will receive updates from our administrative team.
Thank you again for your patience and support.
TJ Strong!
Buenos días Spartans,
me gustaría agradecer a los estudiantes y sus familias por su paciencia durante estas últimas semanas. Por favor, recuerde que TJ es una comunidad de punto apretado y estamos aquí para apoyar a nuestros estudiantes, entre sí, y para mantener a todos a salvo. Los administradores y maestros por igual están comprometidos con esta comunidad y apreciamos el apoyo que usted continúa dándonos a todos. Si hay alguna noticia de huelga, las familias recibirán actualizaciones de nuestro equipo administrativo.
gracias de nuevo por su paciencia y apoyo.
TJ strong!
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Week at a Glance - Week of 2/11-2/15
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- Please click here (or see the above "Athletics Schedule" quick link) to see athletic events for the week
Tuesday-
- PTO meeting: 6:00 p.m. (room 111)
Wednesday
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- Office Hours: 2:14-2:55 p.m.
- Honor Roll Celebration: 2:20 p.m.
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DPS qualified nine wrestlers into the
Girls Wrestling State Championships over the weekend at the Eaglecrest High School Regional. Girls Wrestling in Colorado is a first year pilot program, with the goal of becoming a sanctioned sport in 2020. This year's State Tournament will be held at Thornton High School on Saturday, February 9th. The following DPS Student Athletes qualified for the 2019 Girls Wrestling State Tournament:
Bemnet Tesfa - Denver East
Maya DeGraff - Denver North
Muni Tanko - Denver South
Jules Pope - Far Northeast
Kailey Silva - Far Northeast
Miya Trujillo - John F. Kennedy
Fernanda Maurio - Thomas Jefferson
Marianna Estrada - Thomas Jefferson
Zasha Norris - Thomas Jefferson
TJ finished the regional in 5th
place out of 42 teams. Way to go, ladies!
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Thank you to everyone who participated in Challenge Day! We are incredibly grateful for your time and emotional investment in the day; it truly could not have happened without your support. Thank you again!
As a follow up, we wanted to share some information about the amazing impact of the day.
- 206 students participated in Challenge Day at Thomas Jefferson High School over 2 days - Record Breaking!
- 51 adults volunteered alongside the students. These volunteers included faculty, staff, parents and community members. This investment demonstrates to us that our school community cares and supports our students!
This is what we heard from students:
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"Today has been one of the most influential days of my life. I got to see that I'm not alone in the things that have happened to me. Thank you, Challenge Day. "
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"I love how connected and compassionate a group of strangers can become through specific questions asked. Cross the line really opened my eyes and heart."
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"Today was something I've been needing for a long time. It showed me just how not alone I am. How many people who support me are here to listed. It gave me a chance to be me."
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"I love how good the volunteers made everyone feel, so included and less awkward. They really created a safe space for me in a room of people that I usually don't feel safe with or connected to. They did a great job of opening my eyes a little."
As you can see, Challenge Day built connections among the students, gave students a safe place to share openly with their peers, and identified students that need extra support. Challenge Day will serve as the catalyst for ongoing school transformation!
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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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Community Happenings in Southeast Denver
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Click here for updates and happenings from Councilwoman Kendra Black!
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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 2/11:
Arapahoe Community College on Tuesday, February 12th at 4th period (10:15 - 11:19) (location TBD - check with Future Center for more details!)
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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That February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day?
So what does this mean for my community and me? It means now is a great time to pay it forward! You can find fun, simple activities to do with your family, friends, community groups, for either people you know or to pass along to strangers!
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Lifespan
- Energy
- Happiness
- Pleasure
- Serotonin
- Pain
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Blood Pressure
Here are some fun ways to pass along kindness:
Community:
- Wheel out your neighbor's trash and recycling bins; shovel their sidewalks; put a nice note in their mailbox
School:
- make a hand-made card for people; send a positive email to a staff or peer; lend someone your class notes
Online:
- Text someone a nice message, send a positive email; post an inspiring quote, praise a local business
Strangers:
- Buy the coffee or groceries for the person behind you in line; put a nice note in a library book; put a fun surprise in someone's mailbox; smile at people when you pass them in the street.
- Donate to a local shelter; fill a birdhouse with seeds for your yard; Adopt, don't shop.
You:
- Take a walk outside; laugh often; have a judgement-free day; try something new!
"KINDNESS CAN TRANSFORM SOMEONE'S DARK MOMENT WITH A BLAZE OF LIGHT. YOU'LL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR CARING MATTERS. MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR ANOTHER TODAY."
-Amy Leigh Mercree
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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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