Administrator's Corner

December 5, 2022

Happy Monday Spartans,

This week during Advisement students will receive Individualized Student Academic Profiles. These profiles should help students in planning for College and Career. Please visit the this link for instructions on how to access this for your student:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19RQn8-Hh9EbizhpVKByxBHPl9Kdp4Ii90EMi2BVZPJE/edit?usp=sharing

Don't forget that this is the last week of instruction. Finals start next Tuesday. Please see the Finals schedule below. A reminder: make up finals are by appointment, students must coordinate with their teachers if they miss a final.

Feliz Lunes Espartanos,

Esta semana, durante el Consejo, los estudiantes recibirán Perfiles Académicos Individualizados. Estos perfiles deberían ayudar a los estudiantes a planificar la Universidad y la Carrera. Visite este enlace para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo acceder a esta información para su estudiante:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19RQn8-Hh9EbizhpVKByxBHPl9Kdp4Ii90EMi2BVZPJE/edit?usp=sharing

No olvides que esta es la última semana de instrucción. Las finales comienzan el próximo martes. Consulte el calendario de finales a continuación. Un recordatorio: Las finales de recuperación son por cita, los estudiantes deben coordinar con sus maestros si se pierden una final.

Jon Poole

Assistant Principal

Monday-

• SkillsUSA and Leadership Food Drive

Tuesday-

• Art Exhibition in room 111 - during lunch and from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• SkillsUSA and Leadership Food Drive
• Winter Choir Concert: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday- 

• Senior Prom meeting at lunch in Mr. Long's room -- 237! (details below)
• SkillsUSA and Leadership Food Drive
• Art Exhibition in room 111 - during lunch
• "The Mountains are Calling" - virtual event: 5:30-7:00 p.m. (details below)

Thursday-

• Art Exhibition in room 111 - during lunch and from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• SkillsUSA and Leadership Food Drive
• Winter Instrumental Music Concert: 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Friday-

• SkillsUSA and Leadership Food Drive - last day!

Saturday-

• TJ DECA competed in the DECA District 3 Career Development Conference Thursday, December 1st, at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. In total there were 78 students from TJ that competed against 650+ DECA competitors from 12 different schools, all trying to qualify for the State Career Development Conference held at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs in February 2023. Our group performed very well, and TJ won the "Miracle Minute" event, for raising the most money in the district benefiting the Ember Alliance organization (https://emberalliance.org/). 

Here is a list of State Qualifiers for TJ:

• Thanks to Danyelle Charles and all of her faculty helpers for making December's First Friday one to remember! Special thanks to Social Studies teacher Nic Long (Saint Nic!) and Annie Berg (along with the Social Studies department dressed as Santa's elves!) for their festive spirit and help with fundraising for Prom for the class of 2023.

Finals Week Schedule

Deck the Walls: TJ's Art Exhibition is THIS WEEK!

Support your students and the arts at TJHS!  Art + Ceramic students' work will be on display December 6th - 8th in room 111 during lunch and December 6th & 8th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Come see all the AmAzInG artwork made this semester!  

The TJ Leadership Class is organizing a Food Drive to provide everyday food items for families over the Holiday Break from school. Please see the list of items they are collecting below and donate if you are able! Collection boxes are in the front office.

Any family that is in need of food support is welcomed and encouraged to sign up HERE.

Please note that you MUST sign up for us to have food available for you at the distribution on December 14 from 12:00 – 3:00 pm.

Cualquier familia que necesite apoyo alimentario es bienvenida y alentada a inscribirse AQUÍ. Tenga en cuenta que DEBE registrarse para que tengamos alimentos disponibles para usted en la distribución el 14 de diciembre de 12:00 – 3:00 en la tarde.

If you wish to make a financial donation to support the Leadership Food Drive that will allow

us to fill in holes as needed, you can do so HERE. We appreciate your support again this year! 

Please reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) Becca Mahoney

(beccaandjoemahoney@gmail.com) or Jillian Krause (jillian.krause@gmail.com) with

questions.

SkillsUSA and Leadership Food Drive

Thomas Jefferson High School’s chapter of SkillsUSA and TJ’s Leadership Class is looking to spread some holiday cheer this December! After Thanksgiving, on November 28th, SkillsUSA and Leadership will be hosting a food drive to celebrate and support families in our community for the holiday season. Boxes will be placed in every 1st period class and the main office for donations to collect a variety of non-perishable food items. Students are encouraged to drop off their donations during the 1st period. On the 8th and 9th of December, SkillsUSA will have members posted by the entrance to the school near the North parking lot (by the baseball field). Any parents, guardians, or students are free to swing by between 7:00 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. to drop off any donations. The last day to bring food items is December 9th.

Here is a list of Non-Perishable general food items to consider:

Bags/boxes of pasta

Jars of pasta sauce

Bags of rice

Canned beans

Canned Vegetables

Canned soup

Canned chicken/tuna

Cereal 

Peanut butter

Jelly

Granola bars

THE HOLIDAY MEAL BOX

SkillsUSA is putting together a holiday meal box and has included a Signup Genius link to contribute to the Holiday Meal Box(click here to sign up) or those who want to help with specific food items for the Holiday Meal Box for TJ families. Here is a list of those meal box food items:

Canned Pumpkin 

Canned Yams 

Chicken Broth 

Marshmallows 

Turkey Dressing/Stuffing 

Gravy 

Box Mash/Scalloped Potatoes

Dried French Onions

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Cranberry Sauce

Canned Corn

Canned Green Beans

Canned Fruit

Cake Mix

Frosting

Supporting our Class Committees

It's the Season of Giving!

Giving Tuesday (11/29) and Colorado Gives Day (12/6) offer opportunities to support

your favorite state and national charities. Consider giving even more locally - the TJHS

PTO is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Your donations to the PTO and our Class Committees are

100% tax deductible.

Visit the PTO's Online Store to direct your donation to your student's Class

Committee. Not familiar with the work of our Class Committees? We're hard at work

raising funds for class activities, culminating in major events senior year. This includes

the Senior Sleep Out, After Prom and more. Please keep TJ and our students in mind

as you plan your end of year charitable donations. Your generosity could be matched by

your employer's matching gift program. Ask your payroll or HR office if they provide this

service.

December Teacher Appreciation - Cookies Needed!

Calling all bakers...parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. The PTO will be providing a cookie bar for the staff before the winter break to thank them for all their hard work. The staff (160 of them) will each fill a box with 7-10 cookies and treats, depending on the amount

we receive. We need YOU to make the event work. Can you spare a dozen or two from

the cookies you’re making for your holiday treats? See our Sign Up Genius here for more details. We hoping to get 60-70 dozen cookies in total, preferably home made treats (but commercially baked cookies won’t be turned away). Thank you for your time and effort!

The Mountains are Calling

The University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University and the University of Denver invite you to join us for our virtual joint event:

"The Mountains are Calling - Study in Colorado!" 

Wednesday, December 7th, 5:30-7:00 p.m. (MT) 

During this event, you will hear quick updates from each university, and have the opportunity to ask a panel of admissions professionals questions that may be on your mind about the admission process. We want to make sure we provide you with important information that will help ease the journey to higher education for your high school students.

The panel for the Q & A will include: 

• Dr. Jennifer Ziegenfus
• Interim Executive Director of Admissions, University of Colorado Boulder
• Heather Daniels
• Executive Director of Admissions, Colorado State University
• Dale Louis Gaubatz
• Executive Director of Admissions, Colorado School of Mines
• Derek Jay DuBose
• Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Director of Admission, University of Denver

Join us virtually on December 7 to get answers to questions about the admission process, learn about each university and how higher education in Colorado offers opportunities that help students grow and become successful professionals.

Click here to register for "The Mountains are Calling - Study in Colorado!"

We hope you can join us and we look forward to sharing why the mountains are calling! If you would like to share this event with your students, feel free to share the student registration link for "The Mountains are Calling - Study in Colorado!" 

RTD Free Transit Pass / Pase de tránsito libre RTD

Students who are eligible should have received emails from RTD with the same instructions, as well as their parents. Here is a phone number for RTD to help with downloading the app - 303-299-6000.

Los estudiantes que son elegibles deben haber recibido correos electrónicos de RTD con las mismas instrucciones, así como sus padres. Aquí hay un número de teléfono para RTD para ayudar a descargar la aplicación: 303-299-6000.

The Spirit Store will be open every month during First Friday, as well as some of the upcoming home basketball games. In the meantime, if you are looking for a TJ hoodie, t-shirt, PJ pants, joggers, hat, seat cushion, sticker, bracelet, etc., please email us at TJHS.Store@gmail.com and we’ll help you get the items you want.

Yearbook News

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1008670/Thomas-Jefferson-High-School/ 

Did You Know…?

(En español)

There are some quick and easy things you can do to prepare for upcoming tests. Finals are a week away! Some people stress a lot, a little or not at all. Here are some simple things any test-taker can do to help with preparation for the big day.

1) Get some sleep: Cramming the night before is not the best use your time. Adolescents need the most amount of sleep per night, and the night before a big test is no difference. Aim for 8-9 hours- plan ahead to go to bed earlier and make sure your alarm is set in the morning to give you plenty of time for breakfast and to get ready.

2) Do something relaxing before bed: Put away your phone and all electronics at least an hour before bed (eye-roll, we know). Take a shower or bath, listen to music, draw, read, color, journal, talk with family, etc.  

3) Eat the right food: Dinner the night before and breakfast the morning of- keep it as healthy as possible, and limit sugar and caffeine intake. High-protein foods like scrambled eggs are often best for aiding concentration and minimizing fatigue.

4) Wear comfortable clothing: This would be a good day to wear sweatpants or workout gear that is loose and breathable.  

5) Visit the Bathroom 15-30 minutes before: Limit water intake starting an hour before the test.

6) Answer the questions you know: If you come across something that you can’t answer, star it, and move on! Come back to the “starred” after completing all the items you know. 

7) Read the question in full before trying to answer it. At least some of the answer choices will be designed to trap students who don’t read the question fully. Also identify the answer first before looking at the answer choices, since some of the choices will be designed to prime you into misinterpreting the question. Don’t jump to conclusions.

8) Take a deep breath: If you become anxious or overwhelmed, take a deep breath, try closing your eyes for a few seconds (but don’t put your head down on the table!). Get back to it! Just do your best.

Mental Health and Social Emotional Tip: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. 

2023 PARENTS:  

 LET’S RAISE CASH IN A FLASH!

Please DONATE $23 for ‘23

 $10  $23   $50  $100  $230 whatever you are able to do! This money supports 2023 fun class activities, community-building, senior year events and of course AFTER-PROM! 

Your direct support goes to: 

•  AFTER-PROM transforming TJ into an amazing FREE event - fabulous decorations, food, prizes, games, inflatables - you name it…your funds help pay for it!
• SENIOR SPARTAN SUNGLASSES for Hoco
• SENIOR SLEEPOUT & SENIOR SPLASH - we underwrite the events so Seniors make Money for their Prom
• Other upcoming SENIOR EVENTS

These events could not happen without your Financial Donations!  Click here to help achieve our goals!  THANK YOU TO SO MANY OF YOU WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY DONATED ALREADY!

2023 Class 2023 Class Donations | TJHS PTO | TJHS PTO

MARK YOUR 2022 FALL CALENDAR!

UPCOMING FUNDRAISING & EVENTS for SENIOR Class of 2023!

Click here for updated 2023 TRADITIONS & DATES LIST

* STUDENTS: Senior Prom Committee Meeting - Lunchtime Wednesday, December 7th in Mr. Long’s Room 237 - Come discuss Prom Theme, DJ, and other fun Prom info!  Bring a friend! Lunch will be provided by the 2023 Parents.  

* PARENTS & STUDENTS: FAFSA Applications Are Now Open - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) See Future Center for more Details!

* PARENTS & STUDENTS: Now Open - CHALLENGE DAY FEE is in your MYSCHOOLBUCKS Account MYSCHOOLBUCKS and you also need to register here CHALLENGE DAY SIGN UP       (Challenge Day Event for Seniors will be Thursday or Friday, February 16 or 17, 2023.) 

* SENIORS & PARENTS Important Graduation Dates:

Senior Check-out:

Friday, May 12, 2023 - time TBA

Thomas Jefferson High School

Rehearsal:

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 - 10:00 a.m.

University of Denver

TJ 2023 Graduation Ceremony:

Thursday, May 18, 2023  - 2:00 p.m.

University of Denver 

2023 SENIOR PARENTS! 

THIS IS THE YEAR TO GET INVOLVED!

We need all of you!

HOW TO GET CONNECTED: 

We always need more help and input and the 2023 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 Event at TJ, please send your contact info to:

Catherine Poirier catherinepoirier@comcast.net  or

Christy Jordan christy.jordan@comcast.net - we will get you involved!

You can also REALLY help by donating directly to 2023 here: 2023 Class Donations | TJHS PTO

2023 Class Faculty Sponsors are:

Mrs. Annie Berg, MSW, annie_berg@dpsk12.net - Room 114B

Mr. Nic Long, nicholas_long@dpsk12.net - Room 237



THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT of 2023! 

Class Donations

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! (https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2024-class-donations/96)

Parent Meetings

Parent meetings will be held every few months to discuss fundraising and events to

support the Junior Class. If you have fundraising ideas, please mark your calendar

when the information is posted or reach out!

Extraordinary parents – come get involved! 

 Reach out with questions, comments, and ideas. We look forward to a great year!

Rebecca Moore

rebecca_moore@dpsk12.org

Tambyr Reed

tambyr_reed@dpsk12.org

Robin Morrissey

robin_morrissey@dpsk12.org

Dyanna Spicher (parent)

dmspicher@hotmail.com

Please consider making a donation to the class of 2025!

$25 for 2025! https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2025-class-donations/99

We will have an in-person meeting in late January to discuss how you can get involved with planning fun class activities and fundraising efforts. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about our class efforts or have ideas to share, please reach out to either Carrie or Sheila at Carriealleman@yahoo.com or Sheilmtyler@yahoo.com.

If you haven’t donated to the Class of 2026, and would like to do so by the end of the

year, please click on the PTO link below:

https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2026-class-donations/108

If you have corporate matching, please have your donations matched. Remember, every little bit helps! You may also share the PTO link with family, friends, and neighbors.

Let’s go TJ Class of 2026!