Administrator's Corner

January 24, 2022

It has been a difficult time for the TJ family. We appreciate all of the hard work and support provided by our TJ mental health team and the DPS crisis response team. The following resources are available to support in times of crisis and/or grief:

  •  National Suicide Prevention 24-hour Hotline, 800-273-8255 (English/Spanish)
  •  Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver, Counseling Services, www.secondwindfund.org (English/Spanish)
  •  Safe2Tell Colorado, 877-542-7233. http://safe2tell.org
  •  Trevor Project, 866-488-7386 (LGBTQ Youth)
  •  Colorado Crisis and Support Line, 844-493-8255, or text TALK to 38255

Please see below for more information about an important upcoming TJ Talk on Substance Use Prevention. This will take place on Wednesday evening via zoom, and we hope that many families will register and attend.

Spring sports are around the corner. Registration will open in early February, but if your student needs a physical you can turn that in any time. Physicals are good for 365 days from date of exam so if we already have yours, and it is good for the remainder of the school year, you do not have to turn in another one. 

Email carla_allen@dpsk12.net a copy of the physical or your student can drop off a hard copy at her office. Spring sports tryouts will start February 28th. If you need more information for a specific sport please email the coach. Contact information can be found on the TJ website. 

Friendly reminder: please do not block the faculty and staff parking lot while waiting to pick up your student after school.

We appreciate your help in this!

Ha sido un momento difícil para la familia TJ. Apreciamos todo el trabajo duro y el apoyo proporcionado por nuestro equipo de salud mental de TJ y el equipo de respuesta ante crisis de DPS. Los siguientes recursos están disponibles para apoyar en tiempos de crisis y/o aflicción:

 •  National Suicide Prevention 24-hour Hotline, 800-273-8255 (English/Spanish)
  •  Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver, Counseling Services, www.secondwindfund.org (English/Spanish)
  •  Safe2Tell Colorado, 877-542-7233. http://safe2tell.org
  •  Trevor Project, 866-488-7386 (LGBTQ Youth)
  •  Colorado Crisis and Support Line, 844-493-8255, or text TALK to 38255

Consulte a continuación para obtener más información sobre una próxima charla de TJ sobre prevención del uso de sustancias. Esto se llevará a cabo el miércoles por la noche a través de zoom, y esperamos que muchas familias asistan.











Los deportes de primavera están a la vuelta de la esquina. La inscripción se abrirá a principios de febrero, pero si su estudiante necesita un físico puede dar vuelta a eso en cualquier momento. Los exámenes físicos son buenos por 365 días a partir de la fecha del examen, así que si ya tenemos el suyo, y es bueno para el resto del año escolar, usted no tiene que dar la vuelta en otro.

Envíe un correo electrónico a carla_allen@dpsk12.net Una copia de lo físico o su estudiante puede dejar una copia impresa en su oficina. Los deportes de primavera comenzarán el 28th de febrero. Si necesita más información para un deporte específico, por favor envíe un correo electrónico al entrenador. La información de contacto se puede encontrar en el sitio web de TJ.

Friendly reminder: please do not block the faculty and staff parking lot while waiting to pick up your student after school.

We appreciate your help in this!

Anne Rice
Athletic Director
  • Last week TJ parents arranged for a coffee cart for the faculty and staff for Friday morning. They wanted us to know how much they appreciate how well we are supporting our students during this difficult time. We appreciate them for their ongoing support! We love our TJ parents and TJ family!
  • The class of 2021 recently gifted TJ two amazing tents. Thank you, class of 2021! We hope you're all doing well!
To support our families, TJ will be hosting a TJ Talks Night on Wednesday, January 26th to discuss Substance Use Prevention - How to Talk to Your Teen About Drug and Alcohol Use. You can register for this free Webinar here:

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jan 26, 2022 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Substance Use Prevention - How to Talk to Your Teen About Drug and Alcohol Use

Register in advance for this webinar:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The Sources of Strength Peer Leaders at Thomas Jefferson have been working on campaigns to help create a Well World. To do this we need help from everyone in our TJ community, including our parents and caregivers, to spread, Hope, Help and Strength. In the link below there are activities and conversation prompts centered around the eight strengths of the Sources of Strength Wheel.

The fall play had to be rescheduled, but the time is finally here! The new dates are this week: Thursday 1/27, Friday 1/28, and Saturday 1/29 at 7pm.

Unfortunately, due to DPS performance guidelines, the audience is limited to two guests per student participant, so be sure to see a member of the cast or crew if you're interested in attending!

Thank you for your support of everyone who has worked so hard to bring you this amazing production!

Click on the link below to learn more about this show and see the cast and crew involved:

February Food Bank Distribution signup and details will be shared in the next few weeks. 

If you are interested in making a financial contribution to the TJ Food Bank, you can do so HERE. Thank you for your continued support of the Food Bank!

Please reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) or Becca Mahoney (beccaandjoemahoney@gmail.com) with questions.
Bus Shelter Art Project
We are eager to find a parent who wants to coordinate the TJ Bus Shelter Art project. This was a project started in the 2017-18 school year when RTD built the shelter for TJ students allowing us to showcase student art and share our Spartan Pride with the community. It is a partnership with Councilwoman Kendra Black’s office, RTD, and TJ. PTO coordinates the overall project and art updates while JRTOC provides maintenance and upkeep of the shelter. The student art needs to be updated quarterly. We are looking for a parent who is well organized and can work with various student groups, clubs, classes to keep the art updated. This is a great opportunity to show the community all the great student work at TJ. Reach out to tjhspto@gmail.com for more information.
Go Spartans! 

Email us at tjhs.store@gmail.com if you have any questions.
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.
Did You Know…?

You don’t have to wait until you have a solid chunk of time to get some exercise in your day …

Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. Resources: www.BHG.com, article from June 2018 issue- “Sneak Exercise into Your Day.” 
Please review the College Access Timeline (Spring) in the TJ Future Center Schoology course with a parent or guardian to ensure you stay on track for your college opportunities. Like the Fall Timeline, it breaks down the important steps you need to take each month. 
 
Check your email regularly for updates from your colleges and 
SHARE YOUR ADMISSIONS WINS! Make note of your institutional scholarship deadlines. These opportunities are one of THE BEST forms of $$$$ for college available to you. Apply to the institutional scholarships for at minimum the top three colleges to which you’ve been admitted! 
Be sure to review the WEEKLY Scholarship Highlights that are shared EVERY week! 
 
Have you been awarded scholarships and financial aid??? 
 
January 31- CU Boulder NEW Regular Decision Application Deadline
February 1- KPMG Future Leaders Scholarship Due, CSU Ft Collins Regular Decision Application DUE, Adams State and Ft Lewis Scholarship Applications DUE, CSS Profile DUE for many colleges
February 11- Mini-Medical School Application DUE
February 15: FAFSA/CASFA DUE for some schools 
February 28- University Hills Rotary STEM Scholarship DUE
March 1: CO School of Mines, CSU Pueblo, MSU Denver, UCCS, CU Denver and more Scholarship Applications DUE, most institutional scholarship deadlines are in March

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
Senior Class of 2022

With just a few months left, we are starting to get busy planning for the senior activities. We are looking for parents to get involved to make the last semester lots of fun. We’ll be planning a parent meeting soon so stay tuned!
Class of 2023 - Juniors
Click here to order:   2023 T-Shirts
T-shirts are $15 each and ALL PROCEEDS go to your Senior Prom!
1) Fill the form out above on the 2023 T-shirt link with size, etc.
2) See Carla Allen our Treasurer with your $15 payment (Cash, Credit Card or Check to: Thomas Jefferson High School - Put “2023 T-Shirts” in memo line) BY Wednesday, JANUARY 26, 2022, 3:00 p.m.
3) Your Class Advisors will be notified of payment
4) T-shirt Pick up will be Announced - Then Rock Your 2023 T-Shirt!

If you have any questions, please see your 2023 Sponsors Mrs. Berg or Ms. Taylor! We will conclude all of our orders by the end of the school day on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2022, so hurry and get one today! Thank you! 
PARENTS! HOW TO GET CONNECTED: 
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.net and Annie Berg, MSW, annie_berg@dpsk12.net
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT of 2023!
Class of 2024 - Sophomores
Thank you to everyone that has participated in class fundraisers! We are well on our way of reaching our goal and your continued commitment to the class is appreciated!

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

Our next meeting details:
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Meeting ID: 881 3852 6482
Passcode: 546709
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,88138526482#,,,,*546709# US (San Jose)
+12532158782,,88138526482#,,,,*546709# US (Tacoma) 
Dial by your location
       +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
       +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
       +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
       +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
       +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
       +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
       877 853 5257 US Toll-free
       888 475 4499 US Toll-free
       833 548 0276 US Toll-free
       833 548 0282 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 881 3852 6482
Passcode: 546709
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdkYUbCphM



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
Now that we are into our second semester, we are getting in gear and are excited to announce the Class of 2025 Parent Sponsors, Heather Reeder and Kerry Muhovich. The Staff Sponsor for your year is Nicole Tarullo.

Mark your calendars! A parent kickoff meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 25th from 7-8pm on Zoom and we’d love to see you there.

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 827 3939 8446
Passcode: 452278
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,82739398446# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,82739398446# US (Houston)

Part of the Thomas Jefferson PTO mission is to build a strong community, but we can't do that without parents’ help. Please take a moment to complete a short survey for the Class Sponsors to let the know how you want to be involved in class activities. 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)! For any questions, you can reach out to the PTO at TJHSPTO@gmail.com.