August 30, 2021 Administrator's Corner Happy Monday!  It was a great first week back! Thanks to everyone who made it a success. As you get into the rhythm of the semester, please be sure to familiarize yourself with adults in the building who are great resources for you moving forward. This includes your teachers, your counselors, the SET team and the mental health team!  We also have some great social activities planned to help you get back into the "fun" part of school. Keep your eyes/ears open to learn about these opportunities! There will be a clubs and activities fair at lunch on Wednesday. The more involved you become, the cooler your high school experience will be.  Go Spartans! ¡Feliz lunes! ¡Fue una gran semana de regreso! Gracias a todos los que lo hicieron un éxito. A medida que se acerca al ritmo del semestre, por favor asegúrese de familiarizarse con los adultos en el edificio que son grandes recursos para usted que avanza. ¡Esto incluye a sus maestros, sus consejeros, el equipo DE SET y el equipo de salud mental! También tenemos algunas grandes actividades sociales planeadas para ayudarle a volver a la parte divertida de la escuela. Mantenga sus ojos/oídos abiertos para aprender sobre estas oportunidades! Habrá una feria de clubes y actividades a la hora del almuerzo el miércoles. Cuanto más involucrados se involucren, más fresca será su experiencia en la escuela secundaria. ¡Ve a ser espartanos!

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Paula Hammel Assistant Principal

Week at a Glance

Monday- Tuesday- Wednesday-  Club Fair: 11:20 a.m. (details below) Class of 2023 meeting: 7:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday- Friday-  Saturday-

Kudos Korner

A huge thank you to Newmont Mining (a TJ parent's employer) who is making a $7,000 donation to the TJ Food Bank! We are so grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity! The Senior Sleepout and Freshmen Welcome were a big hit last week! A huge thank you to both Jillian Gleason and Maggie Kennedy for all the effort they put into it. It is not an easy event to pull off. Also, a big thank you to two parent-sponsors, Lisa Freedberg and Lisa LoJocano, as well as many other parents who made this possible.

School Pictures

Advisement

Parents and Guardians! We are excited to announce that this year, all students will be participating in our TJ Advisement class. Every student is enrolled in this course, and it will appear on their schedule between 2nd and 3rd period on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We know there may be some questions about this new course- here is the syllabus for you and your child to review.  Additionally, as part of our effort to support the Whole Child, our school, along with many other DPS high schools, will be implementing a universal social and emotional screening for students during Advisement class twice this school year (Fall and Spring). To learn more about this process, please review the Passive Permission form here. If you do not wish for your child to participate, please complete the Opt-Out portion of this form and return as instructed.  We look forward to a great year!   ¡Padres y tutores! Nos complace anunciar que este año, todos los estudiantes participarán en nuestra clase de asesoramiento de TJ. Todos los estudiantes están inscritos en este curso y aparecerá en su horario entre el segundo y el tercer período los martes y jueves. Sabemos que puede haber algunas preguntas sobre este nuevo curso; aquí está el programa de estudios para que usted y su hijo lo revisen. Además, como parte de nuestro esfuerzo por apoyar al niño en su totalidad, nuestra escuela, junto con muchas otras escuelas secundarias de DPS, implementará una evaluación social y emocional universal para los estudiantes durante la clase de Asesoramiento dos veces este año escolar (otoño y primavera). Para obtener más información sobre este proceso, revise el formulario de Permiso pasivo aquí. Si no desea que su hijo participe, complete la parte de exclusión voluntaria de este formulario y devuélvalo según las instrucciones. ¡Esperamos tener un gran año!

Drop off and Pick up for Students

Parents, Please see the map below as we have provided a picture of where you can drop off and pick up students. Please take note that dropping off your students in areas designated in red can cause a traffic jam and can become unsafe to pedestrians. As a reminder in the morning, all students are able to get breakfast in the cafeteria. Please fill out the free and reduced form if you need it for fees and/or meals: https://www.myschoolapps.com/ Thank you for following these recommendations.

Clubs Fair

Studies show that when students participate in clubs, their grades are better and their success beyond high school is greater! Come see what clubs TJ has to offer during our Club Fair on Wednesday, September 1st during lunch! Grab your lunch and come meet club sponsors & student participants near the main entrance, outside on the patio. Until then, see Ms. Lupo with questions (emily_lupo@dpsk12.org). Thank you!

PTO News

Welcome Back TJ Spartan Families! TJ PTO’s primary mission is to enhance and support the educational experience at TJHS. We invite you to participate in PTO in any way that works best for you.  We have a few open positions that we'd like to fill, especially the Vice President. We are also seeking volunteers to support our spirit wear sales and hospitality plans. If you are interested, please email us at TJHSPTO@gmail.com. Our first PTO meeting will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00 pm. TJ Principal Mike Christoff will be joining us. Hope to see you then!

TJHS Spirit Store

Welcome back, Spartans! It was great to see many of you at the back to school BBQ. We’re working on getting all of the spirit wear into the new home inside the school in the front lobby. Hopefully, we’ll be able to open that in September. Until then, if you would like a TJ hoodie, t-shirt, PJ pants or joggers email us at TJHS.Store@gmail.com and we’ll help you get the items you want.

Chromebook Reminders for Students

The chromebook you have received is YOURS for the rest of the time that you are at TJ. You are expected to bring it to school EVERY day and to CHARGE it every night. You are financially responsible for that chromebook. If you lose your chromebook or power cord, you will have to pay for it. If you damage your chromebook, you will have to pay for it. If your dog eats your power cord, you will have to pay for it. Keep your chromebook safe and protected from damage. We recommend a case or sleeve that you can pick up at Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, etc. Please do not put stickers on the chromebook or mark them in any way. A sleeve or case is the best way to mark it as yours. There are very few extra chromebooks. Do not expect a loaner on days that you forget yours. See Mr. Skari about the slim possibility of getting one.

Drumline Club

The TJ Drumline is open to all TJ students. We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 - 4:15 pm. All members will learn foundational rudiments, as well as creating and practicing cadences. This group performs at home sporting events, as well as sometimes being invited to perform for community events. Rehearsals start August 31 in room 148. Come join us.

TJ Ambassadors Band

The TJ Ambassadors band is open to all TJ students, as well. The band performs jazz, rock & modern music. We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 - 5:45 in room 148. Students will learn jazz standards, how to create cover songs & improvisation. This group will be preparing for a trip in Spring of 2023 to the birthplace of jazz - New Orleans. Rehearsals start August 31. We hope you'll grab your instruments and join us.

Paraprofessional Job Openings at TJ

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.

College and Career Readiness

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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Make an appointment with me here!

Mini Cheer Clinic

Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips

Did You Know...? We have a wonderful Denver Health Clinic in our school!  A few quick resources: To sign up for the clinic, parents fill out e-consent for specific school in English and Spanish: https://www.denverhealth.org/services/school-based-health-centers/e-consent  To make an appointment, parents/students can e-mail SBHC@dhha.org or call 303-602-8958. The TJ school clinic direct number is 720-423-7190. Here is a quick video to advocate for school health clinics made by teen advocate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxaoq-zeu-o&feature=youtu.be

Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW Resources: https://www.denverhealth.org/

Emergency Rental Assistance

If you have lost income or experienced financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the pandemic and need assistance paying rent, you may qualify for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). This program provides up to 15 months of rent assistance to qualified applicants. To be eligible for this program, the household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, which is $55,950 for a 1-person household and $79,900 for a 4-person household. Immigration status and landlord participation are NOT required for a tenant to receive assistance. To apply directly online, go to www.Denvergov.org/RentAssistance. If you need assistance applying or have any questions, please contact Colorado Housing Connects at 1-844-926-6632. Si ha perdido ingresos o ha enfrentado dificultades financieras a causa de la pandemia, ya sea de manera directa o indirecta, y necesita ayuda para pagar el alquiler, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para el Programa de Asistencia de Emergencia para el Pago de Alquiler (ERAP, por sus siglas en inglés). Este programa proporciona hasta 15 meses de asistencia para el pago de alquiler para los postulantes que cumplan con los requisitos. Para postular a este programa, los ingresos del hogar deben ser equivalentes o menores al 80% del Ingreso Medio del Área, es decir, de $55,950 para un hogar de una sola persona y de $79,900 para un hogar de 4 personas. NO existen requisitos relacionados con el estado migratorio o participación del arrendador para que los inquilinos reciban asistencia. Para postular directamente en línea, visite www.Denvergov.org/RentAssistance. Si tiene preguntas o necesita asistencia para postular, por favor contante a Colorado Housing Connects al número 1-844-926-6632.

News from the Future Center

Spartan Seniors and Families!  We’re looking forward to supporting you throughout your college access journey!  Click here to learn more about the Denver Scholarship Foundation and the DSF Scholarship. Seniors: In your TJ Future Center 2022 schoology course, you will find many resources to help you with your college, scholarship and financial aid processes this year. Please drop by the Future Center when you can! Here are three important college planning tasks from your TJFC course!  Complete the "Your College Search and MAIA Learning" assignment. Using MAIA is required. Check out the tools in the "What colleges are a good fit for me?" folder to improve your search! Consider adding AT LEAST one college from the list of colleges that meet ALL DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED!  Start your Scholarship Search assignment and let us know what questions you have. Check out the resources linked here for your search!  Access your TJ Letter of Recommendation (Brag Sheet) assignment.  Parents: Linked here is a video and some presentation slides about accessing and using your Parent Portal. You'll see the TJ Future Center : 2022 in your student's course list on Schoology. If you do not, please let me know.  Katie Damas  Future Center Advisor CC Fellow katie_damas@dpsk12.net  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 www.denverscholarship.org TJ Mental Health Supports

Class News You Can Use

Class of 2022 - Seniors

Dear Class of '22 Parents:  The Senior Sleepout was a success!   The seniors had a great time Sunday evening and welcomed the Class of '25 to TJ on Monday morning with lots of school spirit.  Thank you to the parents who donated items, volunteered, and chaperoned! Extra thanks to those parents who volunteered for the 1 am to 7 am shift! You are rock stars! Cheers to Ms. Gleason, Ms. Kennedy, and Mr. Poole. Thank you for all your hard work and support to make this event special for our seniors.   Thank you for allowing the Senior Sleepout tradition to continue. Stay tuned for more senior class events to come!

Class of 2023 - Juniors

CLASS of 2023 EVENTS & FUNDRAISERS Welcome Back Junior Class!

Mark Your Calendars!! 2023 Parent Kick-Off Meeting – Wednesday, September 1, 2021, 7:00 p.m. Location TBA Pencil us in – Let’s get together and brainstorm some fun fundraisers and events for our students this Fall! More details next week! DONATE $23 for ’23! –  Let’s all plan to make a $23 donation for Class of 2023 this Fall! Ongoing $23 for ’23 Campaign please just click on the PTO Square link below and support the Class of 2023! WHATEVER amount you can give - $23  $230 $50 $100 – any amount is so helpful! (Please scroll down to CLASS OF 2023 and hit the custom button or amount of your choice and follow the online payment instructions from there!) https://checkout.square.site/buy/VTNYMQ3ZBZ2T7XLUHGIKYVBT

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 - Our 2023 Class Staff Sponsors are Rebecca Taylor, MA rebecca_taylor@dpsk12.org and Annie Berg, MSW, annie_berg@dpsk12.org.

Class of 2024 - Sophomores

Sophomore Slam  Our 10th grade welcome back event, Sophomore Slam, was a success! Everyone is excited to be back in-person and to be among the TJ Family!

Class of 2025 - Freshmen

Class of 2025- Welcome to TJ! We are excited to get to know you and will have more information coming out soon. Stay tuned!

Stay Connected, Spartans!