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Administrator's Corner
December 12, 2022
Happy Finals Week, Spartans!
It's hard to believe we're already at the end of the semester! We have normal classes today and then three days of finals beginning tomorrow (please see the finals schedule here). Remember to get good rest, eat breakfast, and study hard so you can finish strong!
We hope you and your families have a wonderful and safe holiday season.
¡Feliz Semana de las Finales, Spartans!
Es difícil creer que ya estamos al final del semestre! Tenemos clases normales hoy y luego tres días de finales comenzando mañana (por favor vea el horario de finales aquí). ¡Recuerde conseguir buen descanso, comer el desayuno, y estudiar duro así que usted puede terminar fuerte!
Esperamos que usted y sus familias tengan unas vacaciones maravillosas y seguras.
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Mike Christoff
Principal
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This is the last newsletter of 2022! The next one will go out on January 2nd. Students will return on Wednesday, January 4th. Happy holidays to our TJ Family! | |
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Monday-
Tuesday-
- Finals - 2, 3, and 4 (see finals schedule below)
Wednesday-
- Finals - 6 and 7 (see finals schedule below)
- Food Bank Distribution - 12:00-3:00 p.m. (details below)
Thursday-
- Finals - 1 and 8 (see finals schedule below)
Friday-
Saturday-
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From Samanda Davis:
It was a thrilling experience to accompany 24 TJHS students for a $100 shopping spree at Kohl's shopping center last week. All the students arrived by 6:20 am (not an easy ask from teenagers who have limited transportation) and were ready to go. They were polite and well mannered and represented TJHS well. A few highlights
- The Rotary club paid out $2400 to make this happen
- Kohls went above and beyond to support the kids' experience to make it pleasant
- The boys bought more than the girls, A FIRST!
- 20 out of the 24 kids changed in their new clothes at the store or in my office
- 18 kids bought something super impractical which is half the fun
- 4 kids stopped their teachers to have them check out their new shoes
- 3 kids total tab either landed exactly on $100 or within a few cents and may be in need of an honors math class
- Almost everyone, at one point, tried to buy something for their family member.
A HUGE shout out to Chief Gaines and Major Campbell for not only driving the bus but problem solving what could have been a cancellation to the morning. Thanks to Eli Synder and Rossanda Jackson for helping and shopping.
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KUDOS to two of TJ’s DECA officers for their recent competition with more than 800 participants from across the U.S. at the DECA Western Regional Leadership Conference in Anaheim, CA!
Kate Jordan Little, TJ DECA President and Colorado State DECA President, placed 1st in Marketing Communications Competition and Macy Whistler, TJ DECA Secretary, got the second highest score on the Business Administration DECA test.
Way to represent, Spartans!
L. Macy Whistler R. Kate Jordan Little
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Congratulations to the students that were selected to participate in the 91st Denver City-Wide Honor Choir! | | |
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Mixed Voice Choir
Juliana Willson-Soprano
Amielia Lauritano-Soprano
Jesse Mishell-Tenor
Corey Bodin-Tenor
Matteo Dela Paz-Tenor
Toby Carr-Tenor
Iris Layer-Carlson-Bass
Joel Trejo-Bass
Maurice McCreary
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Treble Voice Choir
Amelie Bahena-Sandoval-Soprano I
Raine Portress-Soprano II
Sandrina Mahdi-Soprano II
Lila DiFalco-Soprano II
Abbie Siemens-Soprano II
Celeste Escobar-Soprano II
Ashley Lowery-Soprano II
Brooke Hylland-Alto
Cameron Renteria-Alto
Rachel VanWagner-Alto
Maddie Linstrom-Alto
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TJ Food Bank Distribution Program | |
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The December Food Bank distribution is this Wednesday, December 14 from 12:00 - 3:00 pm. Distribution will take place at the North end of the Thomas Jefferson High School building (3950 S. HOLLY ST, DENVER, CO 80237).
La distribución del Banco de Alimentos en diciembre es miercoles el 14 de diciembre de 12:00-3:00 pm. La distribución se llevará en el norte del edificio de Thomas Jefferson (3950 S. HOLLY ST, DENVER, CO 80237).
Please reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) Becca Mahoney (beccaandjoemahoney@gmail.com) or Jillian Krause (jillian.krause@gmail.com) with questions.
If you are interested in making a monetary donation to the TJ Food Bank you can do so HERE. We appreciate your support again this year!
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Meeting Update:
While the PTO usually meets on the second Tuesday each month, there is no meeting in December. Happy Holidays from the TJ PTO! Our next meeting will be January 10, 2023.
Supporting our Class Committees
It's the Season of Giving!
Thank you to everyone who recently donated to our Class Giving Drive. The donation site links will be live throughout the year for your support.
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. Your donations to the PTO and our Class Committees are 100% tax deductible.
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December Teacher Appreciation – Cookie Drop Off is Tomorrow!
The PTO will be providing a cookie bar tomorrow afternoon for the staff to thank them for all their
hard work. Thank you to those who Signed Up, Please drop your cookies off at school tomorrow –
either in front of school from 7:15-7:30am during drop off, or between 12:15-1pm in Room 111. You
can also drop them off at 7:15am at the home at 5581 East Mansfield Avenue. THANK YOU for
your time and effort to make holiday treats for TJ teachers and staff!
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RTD Free Transit Pass / Pase de tránsito libre RTD | |
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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.
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Campus Life is in 1,012 schools around the world and connects with 70,000 students. There are 19 other Campus Life groups in Colorado, and TJ is the latest! Currently, we meet in Mr. Logans room on THURSDAYS during lunch.
HOWEVER, this is going to change in 2023 to meet every TUESDAY so not to conflict with another great Christian TJ group (Fellowship of Christian Athletes – FCA, hosted by Mr. Kyler Jackson)
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Some local businesses like Milk and Cake and Chick-Fil-A on Colorado Blvd are sponsors. It’s just a place where our kids can hang out and share about issues teens face today. It’s sponsored by Youth for Christ, and you can learn more at campuslife.com and https://yfcdenver.org/
Connect on Instagram to stay in touch with the latest information and our Winter Trip to Fraser. We might have some free Nuggets and Avalanche tickets coming up.
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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. | |
Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips | |
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Did You Know…?
(en español)
Winter Vacation is almost here! TJHS staff will be on break from
December 19th - January 3rd
Students' last day of finals will be Thursday December 15th, with a return date of Wednesday January 4th. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season celebrating with family and friends. See you back here in the new year!
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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/ | |
News from the Denver Scholarship Foundation Future Center | |
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Spartan Seniors and Families,
Amazing work thus far on your college access process! The majority of you have submitted at least one college application along with your FAFSA or CASFA.
Admissions decisions and scholarship awards are rolling in. Keep it up!
- If you have not yet submitted your FAFSA or CASFA application, please make this a priority to ensure full access to financial aid.
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Check to see if any of your colleges require the CSS Profile to be completed. Many colleges have Priority Deadlines that you don’t want to miss.
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Don’t forget to check your Weekly Scholarship Highlights and apply for any scholarship for which you are eligible including your college(s) scholarships!
- Most Institutional (college specific) Scholarships are open for application. Apply to the scholarships for MORE THAN ONE of your top colleges so you have options.
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Share your admissions and scholarship wins by completing the linked forms!
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Upcoming Events (for more details see your TJFC 2023 schoology calendar):
Tuesday, December 13th: Common App/Transcript Request Form(s) DUE for December 16th transcript and letter of recommendation submission requests. (Transcripts etc will not be sent from noon on December 16th through January 3rd.)
Class of 2024: Be sure to check your schoology course list in January for YOUR TJFC 2024 course. Use the resources provided to continue your college planning!
Emily Webster
DSF College Advisor
emily_webster@dpsk12.net
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GOOD LUCK on your LAST WINTER FINALS SENIORS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!
We will re-group for After Prom in the New Year and please also note some new information in the calendar section below regarding Graduation!
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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!
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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!
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2023 AFTER-PROM PARENT WALK-THRU & FINAL PLANNING MEETING!
Monday, January 9, 2023 6-7 p.m. at TJ Front Lobby
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ALL- HANDS ON DECK! Senior Parents please come join us for our second hands-on, walk-through and detailed planning meeting at TJ! Help come up with finalizing ideas and plans for our Seniors’ 2023 AFTER PROM to be held at TJ LATE NIGHT on April 29, 2023!
RSVP to catherinepoirier@comcast.net and please let her know if you are willing to bring a dessert or drink! All fun ideas are welcome - come find the Team and After Prom project that will be fun for you!
See you all Monday, January 9th!
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
UPCOMING FUNDRAISING & EVENTS for SENIOR Class of 2023!
*PARENTS - After-Prom Committee Meeting - Monday, January 9, 2023 6:00 p.m. - TJ Gym
* 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 MANDATORY Graduation Dates - note new additions:
Senior Check-out Day 1:
Friday, May 12, 2023 - 7:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Thomas Jefferson High School
Senior Breakfast, Rehearsal, Cap & Gown Pick-up - Check-out Day 2:
Monday, May 15, 2023 - 7:00 a.m. Senior Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Rehearsal, Cap & Gown Pick-up and Final Check-out Opportunity
Thomas Jefferson High School
Graduation Rehearsal:
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 - 10:00 a.m. to Noon
University of Denver - Magness Arena
TJ 2023 Graduation Ceremony:
Thursday, May 18, 2023 - Senior Arrival at 1:00 p.m. - Ceremony at 2:00 p.m.
University of Denver - Magness Arena
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2023 SENIOR PARENTS!
THIS IS THE YEAR TO GET INVOLVED!
We need all of you!
HOW TO GET CONNECTED:
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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
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Class of 2025 - Sophomores | |
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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!
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Stay Connected, Spartans! | | | | |
