January 25, 2021

Administrator's Corner

Season B sports is officially underway! This year will look differently, but we are grateful to be able to give students an opportunity to participate! One major change this year is there will be no spectators allowed at events. However, we are working to livestream home events so look for information on that which will be announced on social media in the coming weeks. 


Go Spartans!

¡los deportes de la temporada B están oficialmente en marcha! Este año tendrá un aspecto diferente, pero estamos agradecidos de poder dar a los estudiantes la oportunidad de participar! Un cambio importante este año es que no habrá espectadores permitidos en los eventos. Sin embargo, estamos trabajando para dar vida a los eventos en casa, así que busque información sobre lo que se anunciará en las redes sociales en las próximas semanas.

Visite https://dpscalendars.org/public/genie/757/school/11/ para conocer los horarios de los eventos.

¡Vete a Espartans!

Anne Rice
Athletic Director
Quick Links
Week at a Glance
Monday-
  • Connections Count (seniors only): 1:00-3:30 p.m.
Tuesday-
 
Wednesday
  • TJ Gear on sale at Onsite Consulting, located at 6446 E. Hampden Ave.: 5:00pm-6:00 p.m.
  • Parent meeting about in-person learning: 6:00-7:00 p.m. (details below)
Thursday-
  • Colorado Public Radio Event for Teens: Life's Not On Hold - Teens Navigate Missed Milestones: 4:00 p.m. (details below)
Friday

Saturday-
Kudos Korner
  • Shout out to the Senior class for hosting a successful "Chat and Draw" community building event, and to Liz Lynch for organizing it! Thanks to art teachers Lisa Freedberg and Leonard Fox for leading the event as well as Jillian Gleason, Annie Berg, Jason Klimczak, Rebecca Taylor, and Emily Lupo for chaperoning and helping out!
TJ In-Person Learning Updates
For those of you who will be coming in-person, there has been a change to cohorts. We are now balancing our classes by last names A-L and M-Z. Please see the updated schedule.
What should students bring?
  • Computer with charger
  • Mask
  • Water bottle
  • Headphones with mic
As a reminder, any student who does not feel well should stay home. Students will need to fill out this form and show staff proof of the health screening on a phone before entering the building:https://live.safeaccess.app/en/locations/pM3hnjQ/attest
Please use the Hall Maps to get a better understanding of directional routes in the halls. We will have additional videos showing students how to navigate the halls posted in Advisement, the Spartan Edition, and in the Newsletter. Please be watching for them. We will have a virtual Zoom meeting the night of the 27th from 6-7pm with more information about in-person learning. Please save the date as we will send out the link on the 26th.
Semester 2 Weekly Class Schedule
Please note: this is NOT a different schedule than the one provided in the first two weeks of January. It is a more "user-friendly" readable version of the same class schedule.
TJ Hallway Maps for In-Person Learning
As we prepare for some students returning next week, please make note of the one-way traffic flow that will need to happen in the building. Thanks! 

(Please click here for a full size map!)

Parent Meeting for In-Person Learning - Wednesday!
This is information about in-person learning and answer questions. Please join us using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87607113622?pwd=U0Rjek1RYXJkdG9FN0ZYdzdOeXFyUT0



Click here to access the video recording of the most recent PTO meeting where we held a Q/A about in-person learning.
***This is where students will fill out their health screening (Safe Access) before entering the building: https://live.safeaccess.app/en/locations/pM3hnjQ/attest 

Life's Not On Hold - Teens Navigate Missed Milestones
What: Call to Mind Presents: Life's Not On Hold - Teens Navigate Missed Milestones 

When: Jan. 28, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. 

Where: Digital gathering via Zoom How: This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. You may register here, with a free Zoom account. 

Who: This event will be hosted by Colorado Public Radio's Avery Lill, featuring interviews and discussion with teens and experts.

School Based Health Centers are OPEN!




Denver Health School Based Clinic Staff is excited to welcome back students returning for in-person learning! Whether you are staying remote or coming back to school, we are here for you. Give us a call at 720-423-7190 to set up an appointment! #werehereforyou #covid19 #denverpublicschools
 


SBHC@dhha.org or call us at (303) 602-8958

Thomas Jefferson School Based Clinic: 720-423-7190

Consent for Thomas Jefferson School Based Clinic:

English:

Spanish:
PTO News
The PTO is looking for a Communications Coordinator. This person would be responsible for the weekly newsletter items as well as meeting notices and other messaging that happens around special events. We have a communications schedule and resources to make this job easy to pick up. There is plenty of material for you to work with! This is a great way to get involved remotely but does require a regular commitment. Once you get in the swing of things, it should be easy to maintain. Please email us at TJHSPTO@gmail.com if you are interested in this position.
Colorado Youth Diversity Conference
Boeing is proud to sponsor Youth Celebrate Diversity's Colorado Youth Diversity Conference, taking place virtually on Jan. 30-31. This event is the only statewide conference dealing with issues of diversity and inclusion planned by and for students. This year's event features keynote speakers Rep. Leslie Herod, Frank Waln and Lydia XZ Brown.

Interested? Please fill out the Google Form here and feel free to email Mr. Mason with any questions. 

STEM Programming Opportunities - Register Now!
Incomplete Grades from Semester 1
Incompletes....Did you know that if your incomplete from the first semester was between 40 and 59% you have the opportunity 
now to make up that work and get a passing grade? Please contact your teacher for more information. Also, if you are a student who was enrolled in our "Winterim" semester recovery, you have until January 29th to complete your course. We can do this!!
Yearbook News
FREE Tutoring Available 
TJHS Spirit Store
Need Spirit wear for the New Year?


We have two opportunities coming up in January if you're looking for some spirit wear. We have hoodies, short sleeve t-shirts, long sleeve dry fit shirts, blankets, magnets & stickers. 

Wednesday, January 20 & 27th we will be selling spirit wear at Onsite Consulting, located at 6446 E. Hampden Ave. from 5:00pm-6:00pm


Hope to see you. 
Karla & Carrie
We will be working on a new collection of items for a winter online sale. Please watch the newsletter and School Deets for information. Reach out to TJHS.STORE@GMAIL.COM with any questions!
TJ Food Drive and Distribution Program
Our next Food Bank distribution day is scheduled for January 28, 2020 from 12:30-2:00 pm!
As we enter the New Year, the need for food support in our TJ community continues. The Food Bank has been able to assist many families with food needs over the past several months and we appreciate your continued contributions!
In addition to non-perishable foods, in January we are requesting donations of disposable masks, cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, hand soap, etc., in anticipation that students will return to in-person learning by February. 
Monetary donations are welcomed and will be used to purchase items as needed and supply fresh foods to our families.  Donations can be made here:  https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/food-bank-donation/97
 
Items can be delivered to "TJ Food Bank" boxes at any of the following locations:
·       7996 E. Jefferson Place, Denver, 80237  
·       7500 E. Dartmouth Avenue #25, Denver, 80231
·       2750 E. Bates Avenue, Denver, 80210  
·       3732 S. Sebring Court, Denver, 80237  
·       6895 Eastmoor Drive, Denver, 80237
·       7925 E. Mexico Avenue, Denver, 80231
·       2805 S. Gilpin Street, Denver, 80210  
·       3614 S. Hudson Street, Denver, 80237
·       3004 S. Milwaukee Circle, Denver, 80210
·       3734 S. Oneida Way, Denver, 80237  
·       3771 S. Rosemary Way, Denver, 80237  
Please reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) or Suzy Stone (suzystone2002@yahoo.com) with questions.
Thank you again for supporting our TJ community members in need!
Food and Nutrition Services
The FNS (Food and Nutrition Services) team had a meeting this morning with folks from the Colorado Food Cluster (CFC).  CFC has launched a new initiative to deliver 7-day meal boxes with (7) suppers and (7) snacks to families in Denver.  They are currently working with various charter schools, but they have the capacity to expand to other DPS schools.  
 
FNS is not "involved" with this effort as we are not the vendor providing the suppers/snacks.  However CFC is working directly with DPS schools to sign up families at no charge.  The meals are available for kids ages 6-18 years old.  Below is the sign up form and is available in English and Spanish. 
 
Chromebook and Materials Distribution - By Appointment Only
Dear Spartan Families, 

TJHS will continue to offer pick up opportunities for Chromebooks and class materials distribution by appointment only. 

  • To make a request please fill out the form here https://forms.gle/h381kzTdGeEnXTa46
  • We will contact you using the email address provided in the form to arrange a time for pickup.
  • If you are returning damaged technology please make sure the power cord is returned with the unit
  • We are out of Wifi Hotspots and we don't know when additional units will be made available.
Family Resources - DACA
GT Corner
Attention TJ Parents,
Usually by the time a student gets to high school, they have been screened and/or identified, if appropriate, for Gifted and Talented services. However, every now and then a student may slip through the cracks, or was in another district and was not screened, or it did not follow them to DPS. 


That's why we need your help! You know your kids better than anyone. If you think your child demonstrates heightened or exceptional abilities in any of the following areas, please reach out to the Dean of Instruction and GT Site Team Coordinator, Adria Tate (Adria_Tate@dpsk12.org)


1. General or Specific Intellectual Ability -- Intellectual ability is exceptional capability or potential recognized through cognitive processes (e.g., memory, reasoning, rate of learning, spatial reasoning, ability to find and solve problems, ability to manipulate abstract ideas and make connections).

2. Specific Academic Aptitude -- Specific academic aptitude is exceptional capability or potential in an academic content area(s) (e.g., a strong knowledge base or the ability to ask insightful, pertinent questions within the discipline). All academic areas should be considered.
 
3. Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Musical, Dance or Psychomotor Abilities (Talent Aptitudes) -- Visual arts, performing arts, musical, dance or psychomotor abilities are exceptional capabilities or potential in talent areas (e.g., art, drama, music, dance, body awareness, coordination, and physical skills).

 

4. Creative or Productive Thinking -- Creative or productive thinking is exceptional capability or potential in mental processes (e.g., critical thinking, creative problem solving, humor, independent/original thinking, and/or products).

 


 

5. Leadership Abilities -- Leadership is the exceptional capability or potential to influence and empower people (e.g., social perceptiveness, visionary ability, communication skills, problem solving, inter- and intra-personal skills, and a sense of responsibility).

 


 

Our entire GT Site Team looks forward to hearing from you!


In an effort to provide GT students and their families with the resources and supports needed to begin/complete their Advanced Learning Plan (ALP), the TJHS GT Site Team has created a Google Classroom for each GT grade level.  The title and code for each grade level is listed below:
 
TJHS Gifted and Talented 2024 Cohort - doyqstu
TJHS Gifted and Talented 2023 Cohort - b7vpvfn
TJHS Gifted and Talented 2022 Cohort - orzg7to
TJHS Gifted and Talented 2021 Cohort - by7mjwi
 
The TJHS GT Site Team, working alongside our District GT Partners, has included resources, websites and documents to help you complete your ALP goals.  Keep in mind that there are affective as well as academic goals.  At this time, students should only focus on the Goals / Advanced Learning Plan section and not worry about the badges right now.  We don't want you to get in there and feel overwhelmed.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Tate, our Dean Instruction and GT Point of Contact at adria_tate@dpsk12.org

Our District GT Partner is Brian Beard, brian_beard@dpsk12.org, and you may receive GT newsletters from his office with internship and university opportunities. 
Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
Did You Know...? 
 It can be really easy to embed kindnessinto your everyday life.
Here is a simple cheat sheet for you! 


Mental Health and Social Emotional "Did You Know":Compiled by Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW and Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP. Resources:https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/ 
Webinar Series for Parents
News from the Future Center
Spartan Class of 2021 and Parents, 
 
Please be sure to complete your FAFSA or CASFA application for student aid money by January 29th. Some colleges also require the CSS Profile to be completed and this is often due on February 1st. 
 
Do log in to your TJ Future Center schoology course a few times a week to review the Updates, Weekly Scholarship Highlights and your Assignments! 
  
When you are accepted to colleges, it is important to follow the instructions they provide to access your college portals and email addresses as soon as possible! This will help ensure that you do not miss any requests for required information and can review your financial aid awards. Check your emails several times a week. 
 
Get started on your Institutional Scholarship applications TODAY! These are one of the most accessible forms of financial aid available to you. 

Upcoming Deadlines:

Monday, February 1st: 
Jackie Robinson Scholarship DUE
CSU Ft Collins Regular Decision Application DUE
CSS Profile DUE
UNCo Free App Day! 

Tuesday, February 2nd: 

Delta Eta Boule Scholarship DUE

Thursday, February 4th: 

Virtual Career Panel: Construction/Engineering

Wednesday, February 10th: 

Optimist International Essay Scholarship  DUE

Emily Webster
College Advisor | Thomas Jefferson High School
Denver Scholarship Foundation | a 501(c)(3) Public Charity
789 Sherman Street, Suite 610  |  Denver, CO 80203
emily_webster@dpsk12.net
ewebster@denverscholarship.org
www.denverscholarship.org

Food and Nutrition Resources for Families
Class News You Can Use
All Classes 
  • Remember - TJ gear is available in the Spartan Store. If you would like to make a purchase, please contact tjhs.store@gmail.com.
Class of 2021 - Seniors
Class of '21 - SENIORS!  We're planning activities for next spring and need your help.  Some activities may include After-Prom, Senior BBQ/Breakfast, a  Graduation Parade, Talent Jubilee (aka as Mr. TJ), you name it! With limited fundraising options and time, we are making one last push for donations in hopeful anticipation of these honored traditions, and perhaps new ones.  Whatever lies ahead for this class, we want to make next semester memorable. All money raised will go to support our kids!   
 
PLEASE consider donating - $21 for '21 yet any amount will do!  You can donate through the PTO Spirit Store here. If you wish to donate cash - your donation will be DOUBLED!!  That's right. To learn how, please email Colley_Moe@comcast.net.
 
We also need senior parents to lead these activities and help start new traditions.  Are you creative, like to organize, or are good with technology?  We need to improvise and remain flexible with our current situation, yet we can do this if we all pitch in for these AMAZING Seniors.  We will begin meeting regularly starting in January.  Please reach out to one of the class contacts below to find out how you can help and look for an updated newsletter after Thanksgiving with kick-off meeting details.  Go Spartans!

Karla Henke karladhenke@gmail.comJen Abram jenabram18@gmail.com, Lisa Allen allenlisa85@yahoo.comColley Moe colley_moe@comcast.net, Teri Hertzel thetzel@comcast.netJohn Trujillo trujillopotter@icloud.com  

Class of 2022 - Juniors
STAY TUNED!

Our next event will be held in February!

Details to follow in January.  


These events support the Class of 2022's senior year activities including After Prom.  Your involvement in any capacity is important and appreciated.  If you have ideas and/or would like to help with the Class of 2022 activities, please contact Julie Rubin at rubin_j@comcast.net or Marlene Talavera at TJSpartans2022@gmail.com
Class of 2023 - Sophomores

Mask up 2023!      
  
Hey Sophomores - hope you'll be back in-person soon!  Cool Class of 2023 TJ Masks are still on sale for $10! All proceeds go to Class of 2023! Two quick steps to order:
  1. Please email Catherine Poirier at cpoirier@bodybark.com with the number of masks you would like to order and student's contact name.
  2. Payment via Venmo:  @Catherine-Poirier-3    $10 per mask - Indicate: 2023 Mask and student's contact name. 
Mask Pick-Up will be arranged after purchase! Enormous thanks to Candace Lewis (Laila Hilton's mom) for the design and producing of our 2023 Masks!
We always need more help and input!! If you have any ideas or comments and would like to get more involved, please contact Catherine Poirier cpoirier@bodybark.com or Christy Jordan christy.jordan@comcast.net  
Class of 2024 - Freshmen
Class of 2024 - Welcome!  Part of the Thomas Jefferson mission is to build community, but we can't do that without your help.  Please take a moment to complete a short survey for the Class Parent Sponsors.  The information you provide will help us direct our communication to the people who want to receive it. We look forward to getting to know you and your student(s)! Class of 2024 Parent Survey