Administrator's Corner

October 18, 2021

We had a great week of conferences last week! Students also worked hard on the PSAT 9/10!

We hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend and that everyone is ready to finish the semester strong.

Trunk or Treat is coming up so look for more details soon! 

Winter sports registration will open soon so keep an eye on TJ social media and the Spartan Edition daily announcements for updates.

¡La semana pasada tuvimos una gran semana de conferencias! ¡Los estudiantes también trabajaron duro en el PSAT 9/10!

Esperamos que todos hayan disfrutado del fin de semana largo y que todos estén listos para terminar el semestre fuertes.

Se acerca Trunk or Treat, así que pronto encontrará más información.

El registro de deportes de invierno se abrirá pronto, así que no se pierda de vista las redes sociales de TJ y los anuncios diarios de Spartan Edition para obtener actualizaciones.

Anne Rice
Athletic Director
  • Thank you to Julie Thibodeau, Paula Hammel, Jon Poole and everyone else who made testing possible last week!

  • A huge thank you to PTO for providing the staff with lunch during a busy week!
  • Thank you to all of the parents who signed up and attended virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences on Wednesday and Thursday!

Parent information meeting this Tuesday, October 19 at 6 pm in the TJ auditorium
 
During this 10 day trip students will travel along the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Chicago visiting historic places associated with the Civil Right Era and tracing the history of jazz. Students will have opportunities to listen to live performances, visit museums and historic sites, ride a river boat, visit Graceland & the Sun City recording studios. Music students will have opportunities to perform and learn from professionals.

For more information contact Ms. Morrissey by email.  robin_morrissey@dpsk12.net
Several students have asked if we would please sell more music hoodies, so here's your chance to order your own, if you missed out last spring. The hoodies cost $30 - it is a fundraiser for our instrumental music program. Have orders in by Oct. 20.

Parents, grandparents and friends may order as well.
You will need to fill out the form for each sweatshirt you want to order.



TJ is now hosting our 2nd Annual Conflict Resolution Art Contest! In honor of Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado and National Conflict Resolution Day on Thursday, October 21, 2021, students will submit artwork that describes what conflict resolution means and looks like to them.

Winners will be chosen based on effort, creativity, and how well conflict resolution is depicted through the artwork. Any medium is accepted. 

Spartans, please submit your artwork to Ms. Lupo no later than Thursday, October 21, 2021. See Ms. Lupo with questions.  
The October PTO meeting was held on Tuesday, October 12th by Zoom. We discussed TJ Athletics funding, the TJ Food Bank and plans for a staff lunch during conferences. If you were unable to make it, the video recording is available on the PTO website.
 
Questions? Email: tjhspto@gmail.com
Thomas Jefferson HS SkillsUSA is kicking off their fundraiser to raise money for Support the program activities for SkillsUSA.

The fundraiser will be running from 10/07/2021 – 10/22/2021. To order, please contact any member of Thomas Jefferson HS SkillsUSA, or you can place an order online by clicking this link! Thank you for supporting Thomas Jefferson HS SkillsUSA!

The link is a SkillsUSA order link. You may choose a student at the top of the page you know as the seller to get the seller credit.

All orders will be delivered to TJ on Nov 2nd, seller will be responsible to deliver.
Our October Food Distribution will take place on Tuesday, October 26 from 4:30 - 5:30 pm at TJ!  Any family that is in need of food support is welcomed and encouraged to sign up HERE. Both non-perishable and fresh food will be distributed.  

Please note that you MUST sign up for us to have food available for you at the distribution.  

Reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) or Becca Mahoney (beccaandjoemahoney@gmail.com) with questions!
There is no playbook on how to be a parent or caregiver. This sometimes becomes even more clear when a child comes out as transgender and/or non-binary. Parents and caregivers (including school staff, extend family, friends and anyone who loves and supports youth) can sometimes feel lost navigating complex and nuanced journeys around gender discovery. A child in transition can bring up a lot for adults: a range of questions, concerns, and emotions--from elation to fear and everything in-between. This talk will cover some high-level basics of supporting a child on a gender journey, dispel common misconceptions, and provide recommended resources as you travel this path with your student. Register here.
We're working on an online sale and will give you the details as soon as we have things figured out. GO SPARTANS! 
Instead of placing your leaves curbside, donate them to us! 

Please contact Elizabeth_Lynch2@dpsk12.org to donate them to the Garden.

We would love them in the giant paper bags if possible. 

Thanks, TJ!
Attention TJ Parents,
TJ will be hosting a GT Family Information Night on Wednesday, October 27th for: 

9th/10th grade families from 5:30 – 6:30 pm, via Google Meet
11th/12th grade families from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, via Google Meet 

*The Google Meet Link is: meet.google.com/uat-uudf-rcj  (if you are signing in with your student under their DPS account, they can simply type in the Google Meet code: TJGTFamilynight). 

The Information Night will answer questions you may have and outline the GT program at the high school level, which will look and feel very different from elementary and middle school. 
If you have any questions or need additional information, please reach out to the Dean of Instruction and GT Site Team Coordinator, Maria Rodriguez (maria_rodriguez2@dpsk12.net). 
There are 3-4 paraprofessional jobs available here at TJ! The job would pay $15 and would be from 7:20 am-2:50 pm. Please contact the main office if you are interested.
Our goal is that all students graduate college and career ready. One of the ways we achieve this goal is to support students' career and college exploration through programs that provide opportunities for students to discover how their interests and passions might someday fit into the world of work. There are many resources to help you learn more about career and college programs in DPS, visit collegeandcareer.dpsk12.org to learn more! Handouts:  English  / Spanish
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Matthew Mason (He/Him/His) 
Navigator at Thomas Jefferson High School
DPS Career and College Success

Phone: 720-466-1617 | Email: matt_mason@dpsk12.org | Website

Did You Know…?

There are some quick easy things you can do if you are feeling stuck, or need new ideas in solving a problem. 

  • Change Environments! A disruption in your everyday life may provide the force needed to alter the direction of your thinking. For some people, small changes might help (reorganizing your desk or taking a new route to work), whereas for others, more upheaval (a new job) is required. 

  • Look as if You’ve Never Seen: Try approaching situations (even routine ones) as if you were encountering them for the first time; “beginner’s mind” allows you to remain open to new experiences despite any expertise you may have. For example, when you are brushing your teeth, take a moment to look at the toothbrush as if you’ve never laid eyes on it- observe its color, shape, size. 

  • Viva la Difference: The mere presence of individuals from different backgrounds with different points of view in your everyday life creates an atmosphere in which people can better respond to change. 

  • Shift into Positivity: Unlike negative emotions that trigger specific reactions, positive emotions prompt us to broaden our attention, explore our environment, and open ourselves to absorbing new information. Take a few moments to think about the things in your life that are going well and for which you are grateful; this will automatically brighten your mood, AND free your brain! 
Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. Resources: https://www.bhg.com/
From Your TJ Future Center

It is FAFSA or CASFA TIME!
You and a parent will need a FSA ID to begin your FAFSA application.
 Be sure to complete the 2022-2023 app.  Click here to learn more about the Financial Aid process in the TJFC schoology course. Once you’ve submitted, please complete this form.
Similar documents are required for CASFA but neither student or parent need a social security #.
 
 CO Free Application Days are October 19th, 20th, and 21st!
Be sure to have your applications to Colorado colleges and universities including your letters of recommendationif requiredCOMPLETED by October 18th! You will likely need to complete a Common App. Be sure to link your CA and MAIA TODAY! Set aside some time next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to work on your applications since you do not have classes! 
 
Remember that your College Access Assignments are set up to keep you on track for college. Be sure to use the REQUIRED Steps for Complete College Apps doc to guide your work. Please visit us in the Future Center with any questions and to work on your applications including scholarships from the Weekly Scholarship Highlights!! 


Katie Damas 
Future Center Advisor CC Fellow
Future Center Phone #: 720-423-7134 
Rm 135
               
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
Class of 2022 - Seniors
Seniors can order a Crewneck Sweatshirt to support their class and their Prom! To order, they must fill out the linked Google Form and pay $25 cash by October 20th. There will be tables at lunch on Tuesday October 19th and Wednesday October 20th or they can give their cash to Ms. Kennedy and Ms. Gleason in the Counseling Office.


Below is what the sweatshirt will look like (note: the yellow will be more gold): 
Our class leaders are committed to providing Senior parents with continued support and the latest graduation and senior events. You can reach out for more info:

Class of 2023 - Juniors
Class of 2024 - Sophomores
Parent Meeting – Join Us!
Class meetings will be held the third Tuesday of month at 7pm.  

Our next meeting details:
Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Nyssa Zabel’s house 

Class Donations – Every dime counts!
Sophomores are quite possibly the best “10s” out there! Gather those dimes (pennies, quarters, and ten-dollar bills too) and make a donation to the Class of 2024; 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! Corporate matching is always appreciated.

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 - Freshmen