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Administrator's Corner
I hope that everyone was able to enjoy the snow day last Friday - what an unexpected surprise! Now that we are back to business, I wanted to follow up with you on where we are going as a school for this semester. As you may recall, in my first Admin Corner of the semester I mentioned that we would be sharing this information with you.
Please see this link which highlights what went well first semester, where we want to grow and what our goals are. I hope to see you around TJ soon!
Take care,
Espero que todo el mundo haya podido disfrutar del día de la nieve el viernes pasado, ¡qué sorpresa inesperada! Ahora que hemos vuelto a los negocios, quería darles seguimiento a dónde vamos como escuela para este semestre. Como recordarán, en mi primer Rincón de Administración del semestre mencioné que estaríamos compartiendo esta información con usted.
Por favor, vea este enlace que destaca lo que salió bien el primer semestre, dónde queremos crecer y cuáles son nuestros objetivos. ¡Espero verte por TJ pronto!
Tenga cuidado,
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Week at a Glance - Week of 2/10-2/14
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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: 6-7:00 p.m. in room 111
- Class of 2023 parent meeting (rescheduled): 7-7:45 p.m. in room 111
Thursday-
- PSAT/SAT Practice Tests for 9th, 10th, 11th grades
- No school for seniors
- Edgenuity - seniors only day!
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- Big thanks to the teachers who helped with lunchtime SAT prep: Mr. Owens, Mr. Pratarelli, Mr. Logan, Mrs. Meyer, Ms. Fitzgerald, Mr. Lynch, Mrs. Lynch, Mrs. Kalinchuk, Mrs. Stephenson-Steele, and Mr. Sheehan. Over 100 juniors signed up for the lunchtime prep! We know that this extra effort from the students and teachers will make a difference! Thanks to Mr. Poole for using student data to create focused groups for the test prep!
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Black History Month - Person of the Week (from the Black Student Alliance club)
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Claudette Colvin
"I knew then and I know now that, when it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it. You can't sugarcoat it, You have to take a stand and say, 'This is not right."
- On the day of March 2, 1955, she was the first person arrested for resisting bus segregation in Montgomery, Alabama, preceding the more publicized Rosa Parks incident by nine months, although not as well known.
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Countdown to the Online Auction
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Mark your calendars - TJ's 4th Annual Auction is rapidly approaching! The auction, sponsored by the PTO opens on March 15th and runs through March 19th. This is TJ's largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the event directly benefit our staff and students by providing classroom grants and much needed upgrade s for improved working and learning environments. We need many donations to make the auction a success. Here are some ways you can help...
- Do you own a business that can donate goods or services?
- Do you have a subscription to the theater and can donate tickets?
- Do you have season tickets to any local college or professional sports team?
- Can you ask for a gift card donation from your favorite restaurant or any other business you frequent?
TJ PTO is a 501(c)3 organization so all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Attached below is a letter you can give to businesses when asking for a donation as well as a template for emails. If you have any questions please contact Heather Reeder: hmbdvm@yahoo.com
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Community Feedback Requested/Comentarios de la comunidad
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Good Afternoon TJ Community,
We would like your input regarding our next TJ Talks event. Please take this short survey below to help us better meet your needs!
Buenas tardes, comunidad de TJ:
Quisiéramos tener su opinión en relación con nuestro próximo evento de charlas TJ Talks. Respondan la breve encuesta a continuación para ayudarnos a satisfacer mejor sus necesidades.
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TJ Talks - Save the Date!
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Dear SE Denver Community,
Thomas Jefferson High School would like to extend a special invitation to your school community to join us for a conversation around the Teen Vaping epidemic. We are excited to partner with Denver Public Health to provide this unique opportunity for us all to come together to learn, discuss and problem solve how best to support healthy lifestyles for our youth.
Denver Public Health
(DPH) provides training and education specific to youth, parents and trusted adults around the dangers of vaping including the attraction of flavors that are targeted toward youth. During the presentation, we will also discuss resources for youth wanting to quit vaping.
Where: Thomas Jefferson High School - Room 111
When: Tuesday February 18th
Time: 6-7pm
Who: Any parent, community members, trusted adults. Please spread the word!
**Please register at the link below**
For more information please contact Megan Miccio, School Health Professional at
megan_miccio@dpsk12.org
or 720-423-7008
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Guest Speaker - February 20
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We are excited to announce that we have booked
Collin Kartchner, internet and TedTalk sensation, to come speak to our students, assembly style on
February 20th at 7:40 am!
Collin's message aims to instill in his audience that no one should compare their real life to the photo-shopped and precisely perfect moments they see on social media feeds. To be truly happy, we must put our devices down and connect in real life with real people who truly care. "Likes," "followers," "snap-streaks," and "re-tweets" do not determine one's self worth, even if media and culture so often teach the opposite. Collin wants youth to know that they are loved, and worthy of love, no matter their mistakes; and that life is to be lived offline. "Students can spend their school days focused on what's happening to everyone else on their phones or they can look up and get involved in service or spend that time working on their own talents and chase their own dreams." Collin's message is unlike anyone else. He entertains as he teaches and inspires kids to change, not out of fear but motivation. The response he gets after presentations is fascinating. Kids will message him on Instagram about what they are going through and how he has inspired them to change.
Below is Collin's TedTalk as well as his site. However, the best way to see his work is on Instagram. His posts and stories are filled with responses from kids that can't be ignored.
Instagram: collinkartchner
Ted Talk:
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We are seeking 3 more host families for visiting students from Chiben Gakuen HS in Japan. We have 2 young ladies and 1 male student who are without hosts. The students will be here in the states from March 8th through March 25th. They will live with a TJ family and attend classes with a TJ student for the entirety of their visit. They do not have activities they are mandated to do with their schoolmates from Japan so they will do whatever their host family does during that time. If you are interested, please contact Mr. Jackson.
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We are in need of two paraprofessionals for our Special Education students. If you are interested, please contact Paula Hammel at paula_hammel@dpsk12.org
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The next PTO meeting will be Tuesday,
February 11
th
from
6-7pm
in room 111. The agenda includes the following items.
- Auction Update - what needs to be done in the last few weeks before the online auction begins on March 15th. (Reminder: All donations are due by March 1st. )
- Proposed Bylaw Changes - we are laying a foundation for a strong future for the PTO and believe changes are necessary. Come learn more about new roles for the PTO executive board.
- Spending Updates - we're spending PTO funds on improvements in the building and are excited to share that news with you.
- Teacher Appreciation - we need your help putting the finishing touches on a Valentine for all the staff.
The Class of 2023 parent planning meeting will take place from 7-7:45pm immediately following the PTO meeting at TJ in room 111.
We hope to see you there but, if you can't attend and want to help out or you'd like to share comments, email your thoughts to tjhspto@gmail.com.
The building doors are supposed to be unlocked for the meeting. If you have trouble getting in the building, please text Leigh at 303-910-4861 or Eileen at 303-618-1478.
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We now have TJ car magnets for $5!!
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Our store inventory has been moved upstairs and therefore we'll be selling at various events throughout the year. We'll be out cheering on the Spartans at fall sporting events and hope you'll come and purchase spirit wear from us.
Please email
tjhs.store@gmail.com
if you would like to purchase something & we would be happy to get the spirit wear for you. We can arrange to have items picked up.
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Yearbook Announcements:
Price:
The earlier you buy your book, the more you save! Please see the discount schedule below. Buy your book now for the most savings!
From February 1st on, the book will be $65 until sold out.
Senior Recognition Ad:
To purchase an ad, please visit the yearbook website.
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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Colorado Mesa University will be visiting the Future Center on Monday, February 10th at 10:15am.
We're welcoming a rep from MSU Denver to the Future Center on Tuesday, February 11th from 9am-10:30am.
- Feel free to contact Emily at emily_webster@dpsk12.org
- For more information about college visits, scholarships, and more, please visit the Future Center!
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Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
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Did You Know...
February 11th is Safer Internet Day?
More than
half of teens
have been bullied online. Talk to your kids about what sites and apps they are using and whom they are interacting with online. It can be intimidating, but have a family conversation about the risks, and how to be smart and safe when interacting online. Tip: Set ground rules for the whole house, and discuss
WHY
they are important.
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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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-
Remember - TJ gear is available
in the Spartan Store. If you would like to make a purchase, please contact tjhs.store@gmail.com.
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We're 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
thetzel@comcast.net
; or
colley_moe@comcast.net
to find out more. Class sponsors are Jason Klimczak and Elizabeth Lynch. Parent sponsor is Jen Abram - she can be reached at
jenabram18@gmail.com.
CLASS OF 2021 SHIRTS ON SALE
Long sleeve $15 Short Sleeved $10
See Mrs Lynch in Room 11
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Class of 2022 - Sophomores
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Parents/Guardians of Class of 2022 - You are invited!
Let's get together to play Left, Right, Center on
Saturday, February 22nd at 7pm. We'll have some laughs and raise some FUNds for our kids' Senior Year activities.
Appetizers, desserts, and drinks (alcohol and non-alcoholic) will be provided.
The cost of the party per person is $30. (To play LRC, we'll provide you with the one-dollar bills needed).
We hope to you see there!
Your LRC party hosts: The Freedberg, Lloyd, LoJacono & Swats Families
Click here to check out the evite for party details and to RSVP. Please forward it to others!
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If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Julie Rubin (rubin_j@comcast.net) or Marlene Talavera (TJSpartans2022@gmail.com).
The class of 2022 has two faculty sponsors,
Jillian Gleason and Maggie Kennedy, but parents are needed to work with the staff to plan fundraising activities. Parent sponsors also plan community building activities for the parents of the class of 2022. Each
class is expected to raise money needed to host their Prom, After Prom and other activities senior year. The sooner the fundraiser get started, the more choices there will be for events senior year. The time commitment can be as little or as much you can share.
Your involvement in any capacity is important and appreciated. We are successful because of your behind-the-scenes contributions, large and small. It all adds up to a stronger community. An engaged parent body shows our students that we care about them!
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CLASS OF 2023 PARENTS & SUPPORTERS!
The Class of 2023 parent planning meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, February 4th is rescheduled due to weather. The meeting will take place TOMORROW, Tuesday,
February 11th from 7-7:45pm at TJ in room 111. The monthly PTO meeting will be from 6-7pm. The parent meeting will begin immediately following the PTO meeting. Thanks for your flexibility.
Hope to see everyone on the 11th!
-Team '23
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