Administrator's Corner
It's the last week of classes, Spartans! Be sure to buckle down and take care of business. Click here for the final exams schedule. Please note that transportation for next week has been adjusted as follows:
- December 17th-- 12:55pm buses and cars pick up
- December 18th and December 19th--11:40am buses and cars pick up
***We will not have transportation on the 20th and 21st. Transportation is canceled on those days as students will not have finals.
- 17 de diciembre-12:55pm autobuses y coches recoger
- 18 de diciembre y 19 de diciembre-11:40am autobuses y coches recoger
***no tendremos transporte en el 20 y 21. El transporte es cancelado en esos días como los estudiantes no tendrán finales.
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Week at a Glance - Week of 12/10-12/14
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- Please click here (or see the above "Athletics Schedule" quick link) to see athletic events for the week
Tuesday-
- Art Show: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- Swim and Dive fundraiser at Chipotle: 5-9:00 p.m. (details below)
- PTO Gathering at The Pioneer (details below): 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Choir Concert: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday-
- Office Hours: 2:14-2:55 p.m.
Thursday
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- Art Show: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- Band Concert: 7:00 p.m. (details below)
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Special shout out to Libby Malone! She did a wonderful job supporting our students while school psychologist Natalie Koncz was away. Thank you!
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Instrumental Music Concert
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December 13, 2018
7 PM
Suite of Sweets
An Instrumental Music Concert
with a Silent Auction of Treats
The theme for this year's instrumental music concert is suites - musical works with a few short sections. The bands, orchestras and jazz band will all share in the fun. Come early and bid on a cake or tray of sweets to take home. Proceeds will help us repair and maintain our equipment and purchase music for our next performances.
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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.
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Holiday Staff Appreciation Luncheon
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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...
- 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!
- 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!
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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
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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!
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Holiday Resources for Families
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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.
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Save the Date - Girls' Swim and Dive Fundraiser 12/11/18
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Party at the Pioneer! PTO invites you to join us at The Pioneer (2401 S. University Blvd - cross street is Wesley) on Tuesday December 11th from 5:30-7:30pm to celebrate a semester of great accomplishments and a glimpse of more to come. Hope to see you there!
Please note: there will not be a PTO meeting in December. Our next meeting will be January 8, 2019 at 6 pm in Room 111.
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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 November:
- ICAP classroom guidance lessons for 9th graders
- Black Male Initiative - 25 students attended a DPS workshop to engage with male leaders and set future goals
- Support with sending transcripts and materials for seniors for college applications
- Ongoing individual student meetings to support academic and social-emotional concerns
What we have planned for December:
- ICAP classroom guidance lessons for 10th graders
- Schedule changes will be made for next semester on a case-by-case basis depending on availability of courses and each student's course plan/ credit standing during the week of December 10th-14th (students can see their counselors this week)
- 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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Christmas Gifts for DPS Students
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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
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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 $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.
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News from the Future Center
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Spartans, don't forget: the
Future Center is open during Finals Week!
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
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Facilities Management Jobs Available
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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.
GO SPARTANS!!!
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Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
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About the mental health and social emotional programs offered this year at Thomas Jefferson High School to support Whole Child...
1. LifeSkills - Life Skills is a universal prevention program that reduces the risks of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse by targeting social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors. Compounded with Life Skills, we will teach Marijuana Education Initiative's Impact Awareness Program (MEI) which engages students in reality based conversations about the common uses of marijuana, health and behavior risks associated with marijuana use and abuse, and informed decision-making about marijuana. The focus is on substance prevention, however, LifeSkills also covers communication, relationships, coping, problem solving, and decision-making.
2. Sources of Strength - This is a universal mental health wellness prevention project that utilizes the power of peer social networks to increase help seeking behaviors and connections between peers and caring adults with a focus on Hope, Help and Strength.
3. Challenge Day - The Challenge Day program is 6 ½ hours and takes place in our school's gym. Challenge Day Leaders work to create trust and connection in the morning by helping participants step out of their comfort zones through music and games. Participants begin to recognize stereotypes and labels that exist among them, and are then willing to share and connect as human beings. During the afternoon, participants examine the impact that bullying, oppression and other forms of violence has on their lives and the lives of people around them. They find commonality and a sense of belonging through a deeply memorable exercise known as Cross The Line. This program goes beyond traditional anti-bullying efforts, building compassion and igniting a movement of positive change. The experience is inspiring and awakening for students and adults - many say it's "the best day of my life!"
4. Teen Intervene -Teen Intervene is a counseling model program designed to help young people who are beginning to struggle with alcohol and/or drugs. This program helps youth identify the reasons they have chosen to use alcohol or other drugs, examine the effects of substance abuse in their lives, and learn to make healthier choices. The goal of the program is to help teens reduce and ultimately eliminate their substance use. This program involves 2-4 sessions of individual counseling, starting with a thorough assessment to understand the child's needs and how we can best support the student and family. Each session is about 45-60 minutes, with the last session including parent/family participation.
5. Random Acts of Kindness - RAK is a non-profit organization that believes in spreading kindness throughout schools, communities and homes. The idea is that the power of kindness can change the way people see and experience the world. There are thousands of simple actions we can take every day to spread kindness throughout our community; RAK provides resources, instructional content and inspiration to make it happen!
6. TJHS Leadership Class - Here at TJ, our leadership class works hard to implement programs that outreach to our feeder schools and community to help foster academic and social-emotional development, as well as qualities of leadership and relationships.
7. Signs of Suicide (SOS) - This program was been developed by the highly regarded non-profit organization that created the Signs of Suicide Program for Middle and High Schools, used by thousands of schools nationwide since 2000. It has proven successful at increasing help-seeking by students concerned about themselves or a friend and is the only school-based suicide prevention program to show a reduction in suicide attempts in a randomized, controlled study (American Journal of Public Health, March 2004). It teachers students to A.C.T.- Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult. SOS is implemented to students, staff and parents.
8. The Denver Public Schools Gifted and Talented Department endeavors to lead the nation in providing equitable, high-impact gifted programming. TJ is a Tier 1 High School for GT, meaning that a member of the Central Leadership team is directly assigned to program supports. TJ strives to ensure that gifted and talented students are engaged, rigorously challenged and supported to reach their full emotional, intellectual, and creative potential. By equipping students to become successful, critical, compassionate and collaborative individuals, we are preparing them to become leaders and citizens of the 21st Century. In DPS, "gifted and talented children" means those students whose demonstrated abilities, talents and/or potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational needs. These students perform, or show the potential of performing, at remarkably high levels in general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude or specific talent aptitude when compared with others of their age and experience. Gifted and talented children are present in all student groups, regardless of gender, disability, English language proficiency, economic status, ethnic or cultural background.
9. GSA - Gay Straight Alliance: GSA is a student-run club that provides a safe and inclusive place for students to meet, support and talk about issues related to sexual orientation, prejudice, discrimination and intolerance. Students strive to further educate themselves along with the school community about sexual orientation and gender identity issues. The adult supports in GSA provide a space to empower the youth to advocate and organize for events such as Ally Week and Day of Silence. Students in GSA work together to stay current on LGBTQI+ issues in order to create a platform that supports their outreach efforts. The GSA groups meets every Friday during lunch with a goal for each meeting. Each week is prioritized to facilitate the goals of that week. For example, one meeting is around Team Building, the next Friday a guest speaker, followed by Community Outreach and lastly, Fun (no agenda for the meeting, listening to music, enjoying each other's company). Ultimately, GSA functions as a support group and provides a safe place for youth to feel themselves.
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Mental Health and Social Emotional "Did You Know":
Compiled by Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW and Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP.
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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!
- 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
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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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The Class of '19 is raising money for senior year activities including After Prom.
How you can support:
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TJ AVID is selling Do it yourself Senior Shirts!
Join the new TJ tradition!
Tie Dye, paint and decorate to your Style!
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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!
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Class of 2021 - Sophomores
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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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