Administrator's Corner


December 11, 2023


Hello TJ!


As we wrap up the semester and get ready for finals this week I want to wish everyone a very safe and happy winter break! I hope all of our Spartans are able to get some well deserved rest and relaxation. I'm so proud of the hard work that everyone has put in since we started back in August. The Finals Schedule for week can be found here! Please remember that on Wednesday, December 13th we will start at 8:25 a.m. as we have cancelled our professional development time for that day. Remember to get good rest, eat breakfast, and study hard! 


Have a great winter break and best of luck to all of our Spartans this week on their Finals! 


¡Hola TJ!


Mientras terminamos el semestre y nos preparamos para las finales de esta semana quiero desearles a todos unas vacaciones de invierno muy seguras y felices! Espero que todos nuestros espartanos sean capaces de obtener un merecido descanso y relajación. Estoy muy orgulloso del arduo trabajo que todos han puesto desde que comenzamos en agosto. ¡El calendario de finales para la semana se puede encontrar aquí!


Por favor recuerde que el miércoles 13 de diciembre comenzaremos a las 8:25 a.m. ya que hemos cancelado nuestro tiempo de desarrollo profesional para ese día. ¡Recuerda descansar bien, desayunar y estudiar duro!


tienen una gran escapada de invierno y la mejor de suerte a todos nuestros espartanos esta semana en sus finales!

DPS Monthly School Lunch Menu
Click here to access DPS Online Pay

Mike Christoff

Principal

Week at a Glance

Monday-


  • Regular school day


Tuesday-


  • Finals: periods 2, 3 and 4 (exact schedule below)
  • Winter Choir Concert: 6-7:00 p.m.



Wednesday


  • Finals: periods 6 and 7 (exact schedule below)


Thursday-


  • Finals: periods 1 and 8 (exact schedule below)


Friday-



Saturday-

Kudos Korner



TJ's very own Robin Morrissey was chosen as a conductor for the DPS citywide band and orchestra concert!


Also, our Ed TEC partner, EJ, was also selected and had an original piece performed.


Congrats to both!!


hand_holding_note.jpg


Kudos to Lisa Freedberg and Timi Biermann and their art students for another phenomenal student art show! This is something the TJ community looks forward to every year, and this year didn't disappoint!

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Saturday School Success!  Mr. Christoff learned from the folks running the Saturday School grant that TJ has had the highest attendance of all middle and high schools for Saturday School in the district! The kids who showed up on Saturday were rewarded with a pizza party! Thanks to Paula Hammel and the following people for their hard work on Saturday School this semester:


Suzanne Meyer, Rossanda and Kyler Jackson, Erin Thompson, Jon Poole, Emily Lupo, Abby Griffin, Herbert Lynch, Joe Smorol, Tahj Dillard-Watkins, Antionette Ogunwo, Buggs Bryant, Sam Klarner, Nicole Taurllo, and Bridget Couch. 

Thanks to all of those who helped create and execute last week's Makers Faire! A huge congrats to senior Jesse Mishell, who envisioned the event. Thanks to Jonathan Howard and Emily Bobrick for working closely with Jesse to figure out logistics and line up industry professionals to join us. Thanks to Jon Poole, Paula Hammel, CCT teachers, JROTC teachers, and the many student volunteers who helped with the event!


Our very own School Resource Officer Cueva and counselor Erin Thompson helping students make shirts at the TJ Maker Faire. 

Last week Samanda Davis and others helped with the annual Kohl's Shopping Spree for students.

They took18 students to Kohl's where they experienced a $100 shopping spree. Kohl's discounted all their clothes by 30% for this special group. Special shout out to Jon Poole with igniting the idea, and his elves....Annie Berg, Natalie Koncz, Rossanda Jackson, Erin Thompson, Maggie Kennedy, Jillian Gleason, Jeremy Anderson, and Paula Hammel. Thanks to Matt Santambrogio for driving the bus, and HUGE applause goes to the science department for funding 75% of the shopping spree!  

Samanda Davis accepting $1000 from Scott Thomas (on behalf of the entire Science Department) for our first ever TJ-Run Kohl’s Shopping Spree! 


Thanks Poole for the fantastic idea and all your help always. Sam- thank you for all that you do for families this time of year! 


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Big holiday hugs to the Leadership Carolers! They made the rounds Friday (and will again today) caroling to various classrooms. Thanks to these students for always brightening our days!

Finals Week Schedule

Please email Mr. Christoff directly if there is a potential conflict regarding our Finals schedule at (mchrist@dpsk12.net)

TJ Food Bank

Details regarding the December Food Bank & Holiday Food distribution will be sent via email.  


Reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com), Becca Mahoney (beccaandjoemahoney@gmail.com) or Jillian Krause (jillian.krause@gmail.com) with questions.


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

Class of 2024 PROM Fundraising Auction!

Help support the TJ Senior Students with their Prom Fundraising efforts! The Class of 2024 received a generous donation of an Avalanche hockey stick signed by the 2001 Stanley Cup Championship team that is available for bidding through 8:00 pm on December 21. And to sweeten the deal there is an opportunity for a TRIPLE MATCH of funds raised!  


Here is your opportunity to own a piece of hockey's iconic triumph with this exclusive item—a hockey stick autographed by the revered 2001 Stanley Cup-winning Colorado Avalanche team! This cherished memento bears the signatures of legends such as Team Captain Joe Sakic, alongside the remarkable talents of Peter Forsberg, Patrick Roy, Adam Foote, Milan Hejduk, and more. Celebrate the triumphs of this historic team and elevate your collection with this cherished symbol of sporting excellence.


Reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) with questions!

This Avalanche hockey stick signed by the 2001 Stanley Cup Championship team that is available for bidding through 8:00 pm on December 21, and to sweeten the deal there is an opportunity for a TRIPLE MATCH of funds raised!  


Reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) with questions!

PTO News

Happy Holidays to our TJHS Teachers and Staff!

The TJ PTO “elves” will be delivering our holiday gift to staff tomorrow! Please check your mailbox in the main office and look for a treat in the Teacher Lunchroom, too! Thank you to the PTO’s Hospitality Committee (Susan Dolson, Tiffany Berry and Katie Mousel) for your work on this!


Parents - we spend about $6000 a year “pampering” our staff, so you don’t have to send scented candles in with your student for each teacher. Click here to contribute $5-50 to the Teacher Appreciation Fund, or any of the PTO’s other initiatives. Plus, the TJHS PTO is a 501c3 non-profit. Your donations are 100% tax deductible. Ask your company about eligibility for a corporate match!

December PTO Meeting

The December 5 PTO Meeting Minutes and Financials are posted on the PTO webpage. Thanks to all who attended. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 9 - from 6-7pm in TJ’s Community Room (Room 111).


Questions? Want to get involved? Join our e-mail list: TJHSPTO@gmail.com

Musical Auditions

We are moving the musical auditions to Jan 3 and 4th! Students need to prepare a musical theatre or Disney song that is around 2-3 minutes long that conveys the character of the story. Choose something that will make you feel confident and poised for the role you are seeking! We need lots of men and women for this show so bring your friends! Get involved!


Reed and Moss

TJ Spirit Store

Thank you to all of you who ordered from the online store! Expect to hear from us about merchandise being delivered by December 15th. 


For other requests or questions please email us at tjhs.store@gmail.com. Thank you TJ community for your school spirit! 

Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips

Did You Know…

(en español)


Have a restful, safe and healthy Winter Break, TJ! 

See you in January 2024! 


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

Mental Health at FACE University

FACE University News:


Mental Health Series for ALL DPS Parents!

Over three sessions, we will discuss behaviors, mental health, and resources to support our students. Keep reading to learn more about each session and RSVP!


Live sessions (and recordings of past sessions) are FREE for all parents - Help us spread the word!


English Flyer


Spanish Flyer


Vietnamese Flyer

EdConnect Concurent Enrollment Education Courses

Click here to learn more!

Yearbook News

Buy A Yearbook Now!

Sparta-Fill is Here!

For more information, please visit https://spartafill.com/

Future Center News

Spartan Seniors and Families,


Great work this semester. As a class, you have received over 200 admissions offers thus far along with over $720,000 in scholarship dollars. Amazing! Enjoy your Winter Break!  



Upcoming Events (visit the TJ Future Center schoology course for more details):

Tuesday, December 12: FAFSA Updates- webinar 12pm 

Wednesday, December 13: Cambios de Ayuda Finaciera- webinar 5:30pm 


Click here to learn more about the Denver Scholarship Foundation and the DSF Scholarship


Emily Webster, M.S..

DSF Lead College Advisor

emily_webster@dpsk12.net


Alyssa Baker, M.Ed. 

DSF College Advisor 

alyssa_baker@dpsk12.net

Class News You Can Use

Class of 2024 - Seniors

After Prom Planning Committee Update: Thank you to those who joined us earlier this month.

Meeting notes were sent to those on our 2024 email list. Email TJHSPTO@gmail.com to get on

the list! In December, we’ll share more information on plans and ways to get involved in this

special night for our seniors. The money is all raised, now it’s time for the fun part! THANK YOU

to Cheri Jones for volunteering to lead the committee.


KEY DATES FOR SENIORS


THIS THURSDAY 11/30: Jostens’ Group Order Deadline for Graduation Announcements, Cap & Gown. Click here to order online.


1/30/24: final deadline to purchase Senior Recognition Ads for the yearbook.


Friday, 4/19/24: Prom - at Space Gallery in Denver’s Art District and After Prom (location TBD).

There’s no school for students on 4/19!


5/20/24: Senior Check Out (last day for Seniors)


5/21/24: Graduation Rehearsal @ TJ; Cap & Gown Distribution


5/28/24: Graduation at 1pm at the University of Denver’s Magness Arena

Class of 2025 - Juniors

Thanks to all the students and families that came to our Birdcall fundraiser! We saw lots of TJ people and really appreciate your support!


Save the date for a restaurant night at Ester’s 1/22/2023. More details next year!


If you want to help, please consider donating directly to Class of 2025!

https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2025-class-donations/99

Class of 2026 - Sophomores

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 Spring. 


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.


Happy Holidays!

Sheila and Carrie

Class of 2027 - Freshmen

Freshmen Parents - want to connect? Contact Committee Chair Kendal Mullins at

kendalbmullins@gmail.com or 303-875-6810.


Please consider making a donation to the Class of 2027’s Class Fund. Donations will

support the After Prom event (held Senior Year) and other class activities that will be planned by

our Parent Committee these next four years. Your donation is tax deductible as the TJ Partners

PTO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please reach out to your employer as your donation

may be eligible for matching funds.

The Class of 2027 Donation Link is found in the PTO’s Online Store:

https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2027-class-donations/112


Stay Connected, Spartans!