Please note: the next newsletter will go out on Monday, January 7 
when students return. Have a wonderful holiday season!
December 17, 2018
Administrator's Corner

Hello TJ Family,
 
As we wrap up the first semester and turn the page on our calendars to 2019 I hope that we all get the chance to take a moment to reflect before we move ahead. I am particularly proud of how we've grown not only in our total enrollment but in how we treat one another. The kindness that our TJ community has exhibited this semester has been inspiring. Whether it's been raising money for a great institution like St. Jude's, supporting one of our families that's going through an emergency or turning in a cell phone that you found in the hallway...I am so impressed with how kind our community has been towards one another.
 
Thank you all to an amazing start to the 2018-2019 school year. Have a safe and relaxing break and I look forward to seeing everyone on January 7th.
 
Take Care,

Hola familia TJ, 

al concluir el primer semestre y girar la página en nuestros calendarios a 2019 espero que todos tengamos la oportunidad de tomar un momento para reflexionar antes de seguir adelante. Estoy particularmente orgulloso de cómo hemos crecido no sólo en nuestra inscripción total, sino en cómo nos tratamos mutuamente. La bondad que nuestra comunidad de TJ ha expuesto este semestre ha sido inspiradora. Ya sea que haya estado recaudando dinero para una gran institución como St. Jude, apoyando a una de nuestras familias que está pasando por una emergencia o girando en un teléfono celular que se encuentra en el pasillo... Estoy tan impresionado con lo amable que nuestra comunidad ha sido el uno hacia el otro.
Gracias a todos a un comienzo increíble para el año escolar 2018-2019. Tenga un descanso seguro y relajante y estoy deseando ver a todos el 7 de enero. 

tenga cuidado,

Mike Christoff
Principal
Quick Links

(Week of Dec. 17th)
Week at a Glance - Week of 12/17-12/21 (FINALS WEEK!)
Monday- 
  • Please click here (or see the above "Athletics Schedule" quick link) to see athletic events for the week
Period 2: 7:30 to 9:00 (Final)
Period 3: 9:05 to 10:35 (Final)
Period 4: 10:40 to 12:10 (Final)
Lunch: 12:10 to 12:50
Buses and cars pick up 12:55pm
Test make-ups and teacher conferences (by appointment): 12:55 - 3:00

Tuesday-
    Period 6: 7:30 to 9:00 (Final)
    Period 7: 9:05 to 10:35 (Final)
    Lunch: 10:40 to 11:35
    Buses and cars pick up 11:40 am
    Test make-ups and teacher conferences (by appointment): 11:40 - 3:00
Wednesday -
    Period 1: 7:30 to 9:00 (Final)
    Period 8: 9:05 to 10:35 (Final)
    Lunch: 10:40 to 11:35
    Buses and cars pick up 11:40 am
    PTO Staff Appreciation Lunch (details below) - 11:30-12:30
    Test make-ups and teacher conferences (by appointment): 11:40 - 3:00
Thursday-

No transportation provided for students (no finals)
Test make-ups and teacher conferences (by appointment)

Friday -

No transportation provided for students (no finals)
Kudos Korner
  • TJs JROTC Cadets scored a 97% on their recent inspection; they did a great job!
  • The AVID and Career Engagement Classes partnered with Goodwill Industries to go do Mock interviews at Charles Schwab Lonetree. They toured the facilities and completed 1 on 1 interviews as well as participated in an employee panel.
ArtFest Thank You
Many thanks to the countless folks how helped make ArtFest 2018 a success!
  • To the many wonderful VOLUNTEERS in the TJ community
  • To the talented VENDORS- such a variety!
  • To the TJ STUDENTS who served as volunteers helping to set up and keeping the kids entertained in the KidZone
  • To TJ's ADMINISTRATORS for the logistics that keep this tradition going
  • To STAFF and FACULTY for promoting the event, for attending, for shopping and some of you for being vendors
  • To TJ's incredible PTO who sponsors this fun event and makes it all happen
  • Let's not forget the SHOPPERS who make the day a success!
ArtFest is one of TJ's major fundraisers to benefit the classroom grant program and improve the educational experience of every student at TJ.  By supporting ArtFest, you support TJ students and teachers. Because we can't say it enough, THANK YOU!
Holiday Staff Appreciation Luncheon - December 19
Decorations and presents and finals, oh my! The end of the semester is here and with it comes a deep gratitude for all that the teachers and staff have done for our kids over the last 5 months. The PTO wants to spread some holiday cheer and here's how you can help...
  1. Share your family's favorite holiday food. What dish makes the holidays special for your family - Swedish Meatballs, anyone? Please sign up here! The Holiday Staff Appreciation Luncheon will be on Wednesday, December 19th from 11:30 -12:30 pm in Room 111. The teachers love this event and sharing your favorite dish will make it even better!
  1. Go in on a gift. Click here to donate or bring check/cash donations to the office by December 17th. Donations will be used to provide a gift to all the staff. We know there are lots of expenses this time of year so thank you for showing the staff some love during this busy time!
DECA News
On Friday, Dec. 7, TJ DECA sent 61 students to compete with over 500 other students from District 3 DECA to determine who will represent our district at the State DECA Conference held at the Broadmoor Hotel February 24 th - 26 th, 2019. The schools present at the competition were: TJ, Overland, East, JFK, Grandview, Pomona, Vista Peak, Pickens Tech, Green Mountain, and Ralston Valley. I am very proud of our DECA Competitors and we represented our community with class and professionalism. 44 of our 61 competitors (72%) were either a state qualifier or an alternate, so I would say they did pretty good this year!
 
The following students are qualifiers or alternates for the State DECA Conference! Congratulate them in the halls if you see them.  

State Qualifiers (* means scoring error and should have been called as State Qualifier)
*Julia Moir                          Apparel & Accessories
Schuyler Saint Phard       Business Services
Alice Larm                           Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling
Hanna Channell                Hotel & Lodging
Rae Rae Marshall              Human Resources
Jacob Gonzalez                 Marketing Communications
Jacob Burns                        Principles of Business Mgmt.
Camryn Baucom               Principles of Business Mgmt.
*Luke Schachter               Principles of Business Mgmt.
Evan Kelley                         Principles of Marketing
Geronimo Romero Campbell       Professional Selling
*Ruth Swaim                      Quick Serve Restaurant
Jake Kraus                           Restaurant & Food Service Mgmt.
Ryan Moe                           Sports & Entertainment Mgmt.
*Daynon Downey            Sports & Entertainment Mgmt.
Uri Eshkenazi                     Sports & Entertainment Mgmt.
*Jack Coviello & Damian Chaidez Alejandro          Buying & Merchandising Team Event
 
Alternates
Jordan Williams                 2nd Alt - Apparel
Dymin Harris                      1st Alt - Automotive Services
Jason Cousins                    4th Alt - Business Finance
Jack Thibodeau                 2nd Alt - Business Services
Craig Patterson                 3rd Alt - Business Services
Becca Erdenebulgan       1st Alt - Entrepreneurship
Ossa Sanders Craig          1st Alt - Food Marketing
Nikki Nikolov                      2nd Alt - Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling
Joe Bulger                           1st Alt - Hotel & Lodging
Atlas Zaina                          1st Alt - Human Resources
Faith Valdez                       4th Alt - Principles of Business Mgmt.
Victor Loaiza-Andrade   1st Alt - Principles of Finance
Nathan Hougard               3rd Alt - Principles of Marketing
Micah Brandt                     1st Alt - Professional Selling
Grace Coviello                   2nd Alt - Quick Serve Restaurant
Victor Hernandez-DeLucio           3rd Alt - Quick Serve Restaurant
Stas Haralambopoulos   3rd Alt - Restaurant & Food Service Mgmt.
Carson Campbell              2nd Alt - Retail Merchandise
Dominic Mattei & Mervielle Mugisha      2nd Alt - Entrepreneurship Team
Alex Trujillo & Jack Chione         1st Alt - Marketing Management Team
Elle Maggio & Pana Reiva          3rd Alt - Sports & Entertainment Team
Anna Eivins & Jennifer Shea      1st Alt - Travel & Tourism Team
Lost & Found
Spartans, remember to check the lost and found for any items you may be missing.  The Lost and Found, located outside of the pool entrance, will be cleaned out before Winter Break.  Please check for any missing items by Monday, December 17 th .  Any u nclaimed clothing left after the 17 th  will be donated to  Clothes to Kids of Denver , a local non-profit that serves low-income and in-crisis families by providing free school clothes to student in need.
TJ Family Support
TJ Community,
 
As you well know, we had five students involved in a car accident on Friday, November 16th. 

Two of the students were released from the hospital on that Friday, November 16th. Three students were admitted and thankfully two were released last week and are home recovering but have many more medical appointments and treatments ahead of them to ensure they're well.
 
One student still remains hospitalized and will require additional medical attention. Any help you can provide for the ongoing medical costs or for everyday items like groceries would tremendously help out our families would be appreciated.  The families are appreciative and humbled by the support and love outpouring from the community and want everyone to know how grateful they feel during this difficult time. 
 
I know many have asked what they can do.......
 
We are providing a link for donations if you wish to provide support these families with their ongoing medical and day to day expenses while they care for their students. PTO has set up a link for funds which will be managed by PTO and specific school personnel. 

Please click on the link below and scroll to the bottom if you wish to donate:
 
With Gratitude,
 
Samanda Davis, LCSW MSW
TJHS School Social Worker
720-423-7072

Adopt-A-Family
bright_wrapped_presents.jpg
As you all know, each year we sponsor financially challenged families during the holidays with our Adopt-A-Family program. This year we have more need than we have had in the past (20 Families), so we need everyone to help spread the word and help us give a little joy to those in need. Feel free to send this to family and friends and know that every little bit helps.
 
Just click on the link below and sign up to help or forward this link to anyone you feel might be interested.
 
 
If you prefer to bring in gift cards for the DECA Elves to go shopping you can do that too!

Happy Holidays!
Holiday Resources for Families
homemade_turkey_dinner.jpg
Please visit the links below for information about where & when to apply for holiday meal baskets & gifts. These links are hosted by Mile High United Way 2-1-1, and will keep being updated as new resources are added, and registrations close.

 

PTO News
Our next meeting will be January 8, 2019 at 6 pm in Room 111.
Christmas Gifts for DPS Students
STEM and Leadership Conference for Girls
YMCA Job Partnership
Give back to your community and make a difference working with youth! 

If you love to have fun, and wish to gain experience with youth for your future career goals such as education, social work, recreation, psychology or human services, then this is the job for you. You will be engage with kids ages 5-11 years, play gym games and do fun art projects! Whether you are looking to gain experience or simply for a job that is different and fun and outside of the norm, then this is the job for you! Position details include: assisting the Site Director in all aspects of the after school program which include: building relationships with the kids and community, taking attendance, leading activities, actively supervising the kids and engaging with youth.  Our hours are flexible and you can work 2-5 days a week after school until 6pm with additional hours available on school breaks. Apply online here  and search for program aide and program leader positions in Denver towards the bottom of the job offerings. Must be 16 to apply. Pay range is: $10.20-$11.05 depending on age.   We look forward to you joining our great team of youth developers!

Locations near TJ: 
Holm Elementary (3185 S. Willow St Denver CO) 2:45-6:00pm
RMSEL-Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (1700 S. Holly St Denver CO) 3:00-6:00pm
Schlessman YMCA (2625 S. Colorado Blvd Denver CO) 2:30pm-6:00
Yearbook News
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 $55 until 1-18-19. 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.
News from the Future Center
Future Center will be open during finals week! 12 th graders are welcome to stop by to get help!

Thank you!

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
   
Facilities Management Jobs Available
Spartan Spirit Store
The TJ Spirit Store is stocked and ready to sell!  Show your TJ pride in style and comfort with hoodies, t-shirts, hats, blankets and stadium chairs. The TJHS Spirit Store is open every Friday at lunch time. Great news: the huge SALE has been extended through November! l 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.  We also now have beanies with pom poms for $20 and beanies without for $15.  We accept cash, credit cards and checks.

The store will be open during events like certain athletic games and other community events such as the ArtFest. Or, make an appointment to shop with Carrie ( [email protected] ). The store accepts cash, credit cards and checks. You can view several items  here , but we are not currently accepting online orders .

Please contact Julie Thibodeau in the front office if you need help with the store at times other than Friday at lunch.

If you have any questions please email them to  [email protected].
GO SPARTANS!!!
Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
Did You Know?
There are MANY reasons to volunteer, from feelings of personal accomplishment, to raising awareness for a cause, making someone's day, as well as tax benefits. As the holidays come and go, many people provide monetary or food donations to organizations they support. Each year people are left wondering how they can continue this throughout the year. We are keeping this one simple, here you go...

Why should I volunteer?
  • It fulfills your responsibility as a community member
  • It makes you feel better
  • It helps someone in need
  • It creates a sense of belonging and cohesiveness
  • Protects your local community
  • Improves your health
  • Reduces rates of stress
  • Reduce your tax burden 
What can I do in my community?
  • Volunteer at your neighborhood school (random activities, PTO, clean-up days)
  • Organize a yard sale for charity
  • Offer free tutoring at local community centers or organizations
  • Volunteer time in a food kitchen, library, assisted living home, or animal shelter
  • Small acts of kindness in your neighborhood (shoveling snow, cutting grass, picking weeds, sharing produce from garden, writing nice notes and putting them in mailboxes)
  • Pick up trash in your community
  • Organize a book, game, hiking/walking or food club to bring people together
  • Make monetary donations to local or federal organizations you support
There are so many options of ways you can give back. Get creative, get involved!
Mental Health and Social Emotional "Did You Know":  Compiled by Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW and Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP. Resources: www.moneycrashers.com
Food and Nutrition Resources for Families
  • Click here for Food Resource Hotline information
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 2019 - Seniors
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
The Class of '19 is raising money for senior year activities including After Prom.

How you can support:
TJ AVID is selling Do it yourself Senior Shirts! 

Join the new TJ tradition!

Tie Dye, paint and decorate to your Style!

Senior DIY Shirts $15 

Contact  [email protected]

Class of 2020 - Juniors
The Class of 2020 will raise money throughout the year for senior year activities including After Prom.

How you can support:
  • Host an event and donate the proceeds to the class of 2020!
  • Make a tax deductible financial donation by clicking here.  Be sure to find out if your employer will match our donation!
    •
Please contact Megan Perkins ([email protected]) or Lisa LoJacono ([email protected])  to get involved in fundraising and other activities!

Class of 2021 - Sophomores
  • 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.
Class of 2022 - Freshmen
  • 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.