Administrator's Corner
August 22, 2022
Dear TJ Families,
Welcome back! I am incredibly excited to get the 2022-23 school year started and get our Spartans back into TJ! Throughout the pandemic, our Spartans and the TJ Community exemplified resilience, patience, compassion, and so many other qualities that made me proud and honored to be your Principal. I imagine many of our families are excited to get our students back to “normal” school. Our faculty and staff are also excited to see your students, get back to in-person learning, connect with students personally and academically, and help facilitate connections between our students. As has been our mission, we will continue to make TJ THE high school to go to if you want to go to college. We will not deviate from the efforts that we have been making over the course of the many years of this work. Our work moving forward is to relentlessly pursue opportunities for our students to ensure that they are prepared for college and career. College and career readiness is at the forefront of everything we do so that all students are prepared for the challenges of post-secondary education – be it community college, technical school, or the most elite colleges and universities around the world. While this mission has not changed we are also putting an added focus on our students’ social and emotional health, the whole child. Due to this increased focus on whole-child supports, we have added an Advisement period twice a week (schedule). Advisement will include a combined academic and social-emotional curriculum. We are committed to supporting our students to achieve at the highest level.
Please click here to read more about continued expectations for the year.
Estimadas familias de TJ:
¡¡Bienvenido de nuevo! Estoy increíblemente emocionado de conseguir que el año escolar 2022-23 comenzó y conseguir a nuestros espartanos de nuevo en TJ! A lo largo de la pandemia, nuestros espartanos y la comunidad de TJ ejemplificaron la resiliencia, la paciencia, la compasión y tantas otras cualidades que me hicieron orgullosa y honrada de ser su directora. Me imagino que muchas de nuestras familias están entusiasmadas de hacer que nuestros estudiantes regresen a la escuela “normal”. Nuestra facultad y personal también están emocionados de ver a sus estudiantes, regresar al aprendizaje en persona, conectar con los estudiantes personalmente y académicamente, y ayudar a facilitar conexiones entre nuestros estudiantes. Como ha sido nuestra misión, continuaremos haciendo de TJ LA escuela secundaria para ir a si quieres ir a la universidad. No nos desviaremos de los esfuerzos que hemos estado realizando a lo largo de los muchos años de esta labor. Nuestro trabajo avanzando es buscar implacablemente oportunidades para nuestros estudiantes para asegurar que estén preparados para la universidad y la carrera. La preparación para la universidad y la carrera está a la vanguardia de todo lo que hacemos para que todos los estudiantes estén preparados para los desafíos de la educación post-secundaria – ya sea un colegio comunitario, una escuela técnica o los colegios y universidades de más élite en todo el mundo.
|
|
Si bien esta misión no ha cambiado, también estamos poniendo un enfoque adicional en la salud social y emocional de nuestros estudiantes, el niño entero. Debido a este mayor enfoque en los apoyos de hijos completos, hemos agregado un periodo de aviso dos veces a la semana (horario). El asesoramiento incluirá un currículo combinado académico y social-emocional. Estamos comprometidos a apoyar a nuestros estudiantes para lograr el más alto nivel.
Haga clic aquí para leer más sobre las expectativas continuas para el año.
|
|
Monday-
- First day for 9th graders
Tuesday-
- First day for 10th-12th graders
Wednesday-
Thursday-
Friday-
Saturday-
- Senior Pool Party (details below)
|
|
- Congrats to all of the photography students who showed their work in last spring's Caught in 4K photo exhibit. It was the first sold out show in the history of the Bitfactory Gallery! Special thanks to photography teacher Lea (Wagner) Rabon for all of her hard work to make this happen.
|
|
TJ Food Bank Distribution Program |
|
We will be resuming monthly Food Distribution in September! Look for details and signup information in next week’s newsletter!
|
|
All excused tardies must be received by 2:30 pm on the same day of occurrence to avoid automated attendance calls. All absences are to be excused within 48 hours of occurrence.
(Tardies are less than 10 minutes late. More than 10 minutes is considered an unexcused absence and/or truancy and may result to being assigned In School Intervention for the remainder of the period)
UNEXCUSED TARDIES
- Students who are tardy must report to the main office to receive a tardy pass in order to gain entry into class
- Being tardy to class results in a 20 minute detention to be served during lunch on the same day of occurrence or the following day.
- Failure to serve detention, and/or multiple tardies in a single day, will result in parent contact and a restorative conversation with the Student Excellence Team
- Habitual tardy issues will result in parent contact and assignment to Saturday school (Dates/Times to be determined and posted on school website)
- Failure to serve Saturday school can result in In School Intervention up to a full school day and possible parent meeting with administration
TRUANCY
- Truancy will result in parent contact, a restorative conversation with the Student Excellence Team and lunch detention.
- Multiple truancies will result in assignment to Saturday school
- Failure to serve Saturday school will result in being assigned to In School Intervention up to a full school day and possible parent meeting with administration
Students are required to work on school assignments and/or perform school community service during Saturday School
To excuse tardies and absences please call the automated attendance line at 720-423-7040. This line is for leaving messages only.
To speak with the attendance clerk regarding early dismissals or attendance issues please call the direct line at 720-423-7041 or main office at 720-423-7000.
|
|
|
|
The TJHS PTO would like to extend a warm welcome to all new and returning families! TJ’s PTO is a group of parents, teachers, and community members who support the school wide activities and programs that make TJ the DPS neighborhood high school of choice for Southeast Denver. Everything the PTO does is ultimately in support of our remarkable students. YOU make all the difference! To be part of this engaged group of parents, visit the PTO webpage and click the JOIN Today! link at the top.
|
|
The PTO is a dedicated group of parents who do so much to support the TJ community but we need
parent participation to stay on course. Please consider how you can use your skills to help TJ staff and
students be the best they can be. We can't be Spartan Strong without YOU!
|
|
Students who are new to the district or from character schools will pick up their chromebooks this Monday-Wednesday during class. If you don't make those times, our School Technology Partner (Jessie Delgado) will be available after school till 3:30pm.
|
|
Similar to last year, for the 22-23 school year, all TJ students will have an Advisement class that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 30 minutes between 2nd and 3rd periods. Students will be in a grade level group and will stay with this group and teacher for all 4 years at TJ.
To review the purpose, goals, themes and expectations of our Advisement class, please reference the attached syllabus here.
|
|
The TJ Baseball team will begin Fall workouts on Tuesday, September 6. Workouts will run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday each week. All interested players will meet in the weight room at 3 for strength training, and workouts will move out to the TJ baseball field from 4-6 pm. These optional workouts are a great way to build strength and fundamentals in preparation for the Spring baseball season. We will not be playing any formal games against other programs in the Fall, but there will be opportunities for pitchers to throw live to hitters throughout the Fall. If you have any questions, please email Coach Baughn at graham_baughn@dpsk12.net or come by Coach Baughn's office in room 137K (in the counseling offices). We hope to see you at workouts!
|
|
|
Students enrolled in Concurrent Enrollment classes (MAT 140 College Algebra, SOC 101 Intro to Sociology, PSY 101 General Psychology 1, ETST 2000 Intro to Chicano Studies, and ETST 2155 African American History) will be filling out admissions applications the first week of classes. Please bring (or have written down) your Social Security Number so you can complete your application in class during the first week of school. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Baughn at graham_baughn@dpsk12.net or go by Mr. Baughn's office in room 137K (in the counseling offices).
|
|
|
|
Hi! My name is Emily Bobrick and I will be the Career Navigator at TJ this year. I am excited to get to know the students and the community! I work with three Career Development programs: Career Xplore for 9-12th grades, Career Launch Internships for 10-12th grades, and Youth Apprenticeship for 10-12th grades. Click HERE for a brief description of each program and some tips to get involved in your student's career exploration. Please reach out to Emily_Bobrick@dpsk12.org with any questions you might have. I look forward to connecting!
|
|
Hampden Avenue Mobility and Safety Study |
|
Welcome back, Spartans! It was great to see many of you at the back to school BBQ. We will be selling gear again at the Homecoming football game and a few other sporting events this fall.
Until then, if you would like a TJ hoodie, t-shirt, PJ pants, joggers, hat, sticker, magnet, etc., please email us at TJHS.Store@gmail.com and we’ll help you get the items you want.
We will also be doing an online sale with a larger selection of items in October, delivered to you in time for the holidays. More details to come.
|
|
Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips |
|
Ms. Koncz, School Psychologist, is at TJHS Monday-Friday, and supports students in general education and students in special education (she is here for the whole building!). Natalie_Koncz@dpsk12.net and (720)423-7077
Mrs. Davis, Social Worker, is at TJHS Monday-Thursday, and supports students in general education and students in special education (she is here for the whole building!). Samanda_Davis@dpsk12.net and (720)423-7072
Mrs. Berg, Social Worker, is at TJHS Tuesday-Friday, and supports students who are on Section 504 Plans (she is a class sponsor for Class of 2023!). Annie_Berg@dpsk12.net and (720)423-7043
Ms. Miccio, Social Worker- School Health Professional, is at TJHS Wednesday-Friday, and supports prevention efforts regarding substance use and suicide prevention programming (and she runs our GSA!). Megan_Miccio@dpsk12.net and (720)423-7008
For More Information:
Stay tuned for weekly “Tips” from us in the TJ Newsletter!
Have a great first week, Spartans!
|
|
Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW.
|
|
News from the Denver Scholarship Foundation Future Center |
|
Spartan Seniors and Families!
We’re looking forward to supporting you throughout your college access journey!
Seniors: In your Future Center: TJFC2023 schoology course, you will find many resources to help you with your college, scholarship and financial aid processes this year. Please visit this page regularly, use the resources provided, and complete the assignments as they are designed to keep you on track to maximize your opportunities. Please review the course with your support system. A list of Scholarship Highlights will be posted weekly in addition to information about College Rep Visits in the TJFC, major deadlines, reminders about your next steps for college and more! Most importantly, please drop by the Future Center, room 135, as soon as you are able.
Here are two important college planning tasks from your Future Center schoology course to complete as soon as possible!
Emily Webster
DSF College Advisor
Emily Main
DSF College Advisor Fellow
On Thursdays and Fridays
|
|
Welcome back TJ CLASS OF 2023 SENIORS and PARENTS! We are all so very excited for our Seniors!
Please look here weekly this year for updates as there is so much going on Senior Year!
|
|
*August 1, 2022 ongoing - Summer Senior Parking Lot Space Painting Begins - see memo contract from Mrs. Allen Treasurer for painting rules for those Rising Seniors who have purchased a spot.
*Saturday, August 27, 2022 Senior Class Private Pool Party! 7-10 p.m. at Hampden Heights Pool $5 per ticket - cash preferred - buy during lunch or after school - all funds raised will also go to their PROM! Need Parent Chaperones as well! See sign up above!
*August - September - Get Senior Color Photos Taken - Due to Yearbook end of October with Quotes!
* Homecoming Week - Monday, September 12- Saturday, September 17, 2022! From the Bonfire, Powder Puff, Spirit Days, Pep Rally, Homecoming Senior Royalty to the Homecoming Pep Rally, Friday 16th, Game Friday night 16th and Homecoming Dance Saturday night 17th - it will be a great week to celebrate TJ!
2023 PARENTS! Please DONATE $23 for ‘23
$10 $23 $50 $100! This money supports 2023 fun class activities, community-building, senior year events and of course AFTER-PROM! Thank you for all of your generous donations to date - we have raised more than $12,000 for After Prom and 2023 Class Activities!! Let’s keep up the momentum for a Great Senior Year!
|
|
We always need more help and input and the 2023 Rising Seniors have a big year ahead! If you would like to get in on the action, please be on our Senior Parent Committee/Group for Senior Year Events and After Prom, please send your contact info to Catherine Poirier catherinepoirier@comcast.net or Christy Jordan christy.jordan@comcast.net Our 2023 Class Staff Sponsor is Annie Berg, MSW, annie_berg@dpsk12.net.
|
|
To all the returning students and parents, thank for your support last year. To the new students and parents, welcome, we look forward to meeting you! Please stay tuned for updates about parent meetings to discuss events and fundraising opportunities.
Class Donations: Let’s start the year strong!
If you haven’t donated to the Class of 2024, now is your chance! Corporate matching is a great, easy way to raise funds. Money raised will be used for the Class of 2024 After Prom.
Please click on the PTO Square link to support the class. Feel free to pass the link onto family and friends!
Parent Meetings:
Information for the first parent meeting of the 2022-2023 school year coming soon!
Extraordinary parents – come get involved!
Reach out with questions, comments, and ideas. We look forward to a great year!
Rebecca Moore
Tambyr Reed
Robin Morrissey
Dyanna Spicher (parent)
|
|
Class of 2025 - Sophomores |
|
They are officially sophomores! The parent committee of the class of 2025 needs you! We are going to meet in person for our first meeting of the year, Tuesday August 30th at 7pm. Come enjoy some food and drinks and meet other parents with Sophomores. Co-chairs Heather Reeder and Kerry Muhovich would love to meet you! RSVP to hmbdvm@yahoo.com and we’ll send you the address.
|
|
Stay tuned for information about the class or 2026! |
|
Stay Connected, Spartans! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
