Administrator's Corner

February 12, 2024

Dear Parents,

As we are six weeks into the semester, please make sure that you are sitting with your students and checking their grades in Parent Portal. You can see their missing work in Schoology as well. Encourage your students to attend Office Hours on Monday and Friday from 3:35pm - 3:55pm. This is their opportunity to connect with teachers and get their missing work done. Please remember that Saturday School should be utilized after students attend Office Hours at the recommendation of the teacher. 

On Thursday of this week, we will have our Honor Roll Assembly at 3:10pm celebrating students and their achievements for the first semester. The Honor Roll will be followed by our Smarty Party in the cafeteria. (Assembly Schedule)

Estimados padres,

Como estamos seis semanas en el semestre, por favor asegúrese de que usted está sentado con sus estudiantes y revisando sus calificaciones en el Portal de Padres. Usted puede ver su trabajo perdido en Schoology también. Anime a sus estudiantes a asistir al horario de oficina los lunes y viernes de 3:35pm a 3:55pm. Esta es su oportunidad de conectarse con los maestros y hacer su trabajo perdido.

Recuerde que la escuela de los sábados debe utilizarse después de que los estudiantes asistan a las horas de oficina por recomendación del maestro.

El jueves de esta semana, tendremos nuestra Asamblea de Honor Roll a las 3:10 pm celebrando a los estudiantes y sus logros para el primer semestre. El Rollo de Honor será seguido por nuestra Smarty Party en la cafetería. (Calendario de la Asamblea)

Paula Hammel

Assistant Principal

Monday-

Tuesday-

• Challenge Day for Juniors (details below)

Wednesday- 

• Challenge Day for Juniors (details below)
• District Webinar: Healthy Youth & Adult Relationships: Identities, Rights, and Realities - 12:00 p.m. (details below)



Thursday-

• Smarty Party: 3:10-3:55 p.m. (Assembly Schedule)
• After Prom Parent Committee Meeting: 7-8 p.m. in room 111

Friday-

• No School for Students - Professional Learning Day

Saturday-

• (No Saturday School this week!)

Senior Sophia Zizzo was named the CHSCA 4A Diver of the Year at the State Championship meet!

The award recognizes her performance, positive attitude and sportsmanship. She finished 19th in the state, with a career high score.

TJ’s Diving Coach, Kevin Sage, was named Coach of the Year, for his work coaching athletes from TJ, North, South, and East High Schools. Sage’s DPS teams sent 10 divers to the State Championships in the 3A, 4A and 5A divisions last week. 

• Thomas Jefferson High School celebrated National Signing Day last week. Congrats to the many Spartan athletes who were honored! We're excited that you are taking your skills to the next level!

On Thursday, February 1 TJ hosted community organizations Juntos and Convivir to help students who are immigrants understand pathways to financial stability, no matter their status. They did classroom presentations all day long and did a lunch panel with translation in Spanish, Farsi, Arabic, Pashto, and Swahili. Over 100 students were able to learn about career pathways and opportunities. We look forward to more collaboration with these two wonderful organizations.  

El jueves 1 de febrero, TJ organizó a las organizaciones comunitarias Juntos y Convivir para ayudar a los estudiantes que son inmigrantes a entender los caminos hacia la estabilidad financiera, sin importar su estado. Hicieron presentaciones en el aula durante todo el día e hicieron un panel de almuerzo con traducción en español, farsi, árabe, pashto y swahili. Más de 100 estudiantes fueron capaces de aprender acerca de las trayectorias y oportunidades de carrera. Esperamos con interés una mayor colaboración con estas dos maravillosas organizaciones.

Music News

• Gideon Leahy was selected for the CU Honor Band, which will rehearse and perform February 23 & 24. Gideon was also selected as an alternate for the All State band.  Music students from around the state audition for these ensembles. Only 1 bassist is selected for each ensemble, so we can say that we have one of the best bassists in the state here at TJ!

• Thursday, February 15 (in our TJ Auditorium). 7 pm * Chamber Music Concert (by students in the honors band & orchestra)

• Anyone wanting to attend the CU Honor Band performance is welcome.  DATE - Saturday, February 24  TIME - 6 pm  PLACE - Macky Auditorium in Boulder

• Tuesday, March 5 (in our TJ Auditorium). 6 pm * TJ Vocal Music Concert ( all choirs )

• 6 TJ students will be participating the Top of the Nation Honor Band at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado in March - 

Jack Allen - trumpet Tavin MacKinnon - trumpet  Sohan Parmar - flute Joe Poole - flute Eagan Reeder - trombone Andy Smith - trombone

• Student musicians from around the Southwestern U.S. have been selected to participate in one of the two bands for high school students. Tavin MacKinnon and Joe Poole were selected as the first chair players for the top band.

• Jazz Band Festival

The TJ Jazz Band will be performing in the Big Band Boogie Bash on Saturday, March 2.

Last Friday (February 2) the band attended a clinic/masterclass, in which students had the opportunity to play side-by-side with DU's jazz band, receive coaching on improvisation from a master jazz artist, and participate in a guided jam session. The students will be applying lessons from the clinic to our next rehearsals prior to the Jazz Festival.

The Jazz Festival will include bands from local high schools and colleges on 2 stages. Jazz bands from CU, UNC, CSU & DU will be performing on stage A. These universities have nationally recognized jazz programs - several have earned Grammy Awards over the years. The high schools will be putting on good shows, as well. If you like good music, this will be worth your time.

The TJ jazz band students would enjoy having the TJ community join them in this musical celebration.

DATE - Saturday, March 2

TIMES - 2 - 6 pm (TJ's jazz band performs at 3:30 pm on Stage 2)

PLACE - Denver School of the Arts 7111 Montview Blvd, Denver, CO 80220

TICKETS -  General admission tickets: $15 each

Seniors 60+, non-performing students, and parents of performers: $10 each

(All proceeds go toward the educational workshops and to support CCJA programs. You can purchase tickets online (jazzarts.org) or at the door.

Challenge Day

TJHS is excited to announce that Thomas Jefferson High School will be providing CHALLENGE DAY to our Junior class. It will be a one day event broken down by alpha on February 13th and 14th. 

• Feb 13th-Juniors with last names beginning with A-L will attend
• Feb 14th-Juniors with last names beginning with M-Z will attend

There is also a $20 participation fee to help offset the cost of the workshop which includes professional facilitators. Lunch will be provided. Please log into my school bucks for payment of fee. If you need assistance, please email Sdavis@dpsk12.net

What is Challenge Day?

Imagine a school where everyone feels safe, loved and celebrated. Imagine enemies finding common ground and making peace; friends healing past hurts and making amends; people igniting their passion for service and leadership; adults and youth working together to create a school where everyone is included and thrives. The program addresses issues such as self-esteem, bullying, oppression, violence, etc. It is a cultural building opportunity that creates change makers. This is Challenge Day.

If you are curious of what challenge day looks like you can YouTube it. It premiered on MTV, Chicken Soup for The Souls and OPRAH. Here is a great glimpse at what challenge day does for the community:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdwcJrDDhQ4 

Every Junior is asked to participate. Please click on the link and let us know if you're opting out your student:  Opt Out Form

If your student opts out, the expectation is that they will be in school participating in their regular schedule.

PTO News

Thank you to all who attended last week’s PTO meeting. Minutes and financials are posted here.

What if nobody was running for President? The PTO is faced with this exact dilemma. If you read this newsletter weekly, you have seen our “help wanted ads.” With graduation 3 months away, the future of our TJHS Partners PTO - which has been around since the 1960s - is uncertain. We will need a President and Vice President or co-Presidents to share the workload. Interested in keeping this school support organization alive? Or in renovating it for the future? Email TJHSpto@gmail.com and we can talk over coffee. No previous PTO experience is necessary, just a willingness to serve!

Student Exchange Program - Still Need Host Families!

We are currently in need of additional 3 host families for 3 female students participating in an exchange program from Chiben Gogo in Japan.



The students will be living with and attending school with students here at TJ. They will attend each of their classes but they will have their own work provided from their schools in Japan. These students study English in Japan so, although they are not fluent in English, they have the tools to communicate in the language. They simply need practice and exposure. The students will be with us from March 6th through March 24th when they will return to Japan together. Of the remaining students, there are 8 girls and 1 boy in need of a host.

If you are interested and able, please contact Mr. Jackson at kjackso@dpsk12.net for more information. This is a tremendous opportunity because it opens the doors for our students from TJ to travel to Japan and be hosted with families there as well. 

Upcoming Webinar

February 14 at Noon: Healthy Youth & Adult Relationships: Identities, Rights, and Realities

Join us for a youth led training and discussion on creating boundaries and support independence between young people and the adults in their lives. Youth council members from Rise Above Colorado, Youth Pride Coalition, PATCH, and EYE for Prevention come together to discuss creating boundaries and independence between youth and their trusted adults. We will share more about broadening youth support systems, understand the rights of young people, and the difference in realities and perceptions that can help youth flourish in their growing independence.

Register Here!

Saturday School

We are focusing on students who have F's during Saturday School. If you will be dropping your student off for Saturday School, please be sure that they do have their Chromebook to work on their F, and that you drop them off at door #8 by the softball field. The times are from 8:00 am-11:00 am. The school will provide snacks/drinks. 



The dates for Saturday School are 2/24, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18.

We will begin Saturday School starting this Saturday. The form will always be in the Newsletter and will be open for you to fill out. Our Spring Saturday School sessions will only be focused on students through the semester who have an F.

Thank you for supporting your students to stay on track with their credits!!

TJ Food Bank

The February 2024 Food Bank distribution will take place Tuesday, February 20 from 4:00-5:30 pm. Any family that is in need of food support is welcomed and encouraged to sign up HERE. Please note that you MUST sign up no later than Sunday, 18 February for us to have food available for you at the distribution.  

La distribución de alimentos de febrero es martes el 18 de ferbero de 4:00-5:30 pm en TJ. Cualquier familia que necesite apoyo alimentario es bienvenida y animada a inscribirse AQUÍ. DEBE registrarse antes del 18 de febrero para que tengamos alimentos disponibles para usted en la distribución.

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.

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

Juntos Advocacy

Ready for an Adventure?

Join us for an adventure to Eastern Europe where we will see the ancient Croatian cities of Dubrovnik and Split and the majestic, storybook castles and mountains of Slovenia. This 9 day tour takes off this summer in mid-July with the EF tours. While we have recruited 12 students for this trip, we have room for more! Contact Amber Wilson (amber_wilson@dpsk12.net) for all of the details! But don't wait, enrollment will end the first week of February!

Concurrent Enrollment and Tax Season

Tax season is coming up, and if you have a student who took a CE class, you may get a 1098-T tax form from the college that the class is offered through. If you have any questions, please refer to this link: FAQ 1098-T Tax Year 2020.pdf (cncc.edu)

This form is informational only and should not be considered as tax opinion or advice. It serves to alert students that they may be eligible for federal income tax education credit such as the Lifetime Learning Credit and the Hope Credit as part of their Federal Income Tax Return.

If you have tax-specific questions, please consult a tax consultant/professional.

DPS Mental Health Resources

Denver Health Mobile Health Centers

Hi TJ fans! In need of TJ gear? Send us an email. Also, anyone interested in joining the fun and getting to know the TJ community by selling gear, please get in touch at tjhs.store@gmail.com. Thank you TJ community for your school spirit! 

Did You Know...?

(en español)

 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/

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,

TJ’s Denver Scholarship Foundation FAFSA/CASFA Workshop is on Thursday, February 15th from 3pm-7pm. Students completing the FAFSA and a parent MUST have VERIFIED StudentAid.gov usernames and passwords. These accounts can take many days to verify. If you have not yet created your account, please do so now. 

 Click here to schedule an appointment if needed! If you have already completed your FAFSA, please complete this! 

• Click here for info on HOW TO answer some FAFSA questions. Student and parent(s) MUST consent to using the IRS (tax info) Data Transfer in order to receive aid, if eligible. 
• For students without documented legal status in the US, the CASFA application is available to provide financial aid in the state of Colorado.
• The DSF Scholarship is NOW OPEN for application! Apply today!

Thursday, February 15th: DSF TJ FAFSA Workshop 3pm-7pm, Click here to schedule an appointment if needed! If you have already completed your FAFSA, please complete this! 

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

Emily Webster, M.S. Alyssa Baker, M.Ed.

DSF Lead College Advisor DSF College Advisor

emily_webster@dpsk12.net alyssa_baker@dpsk12.net

After Prom Planning Committee Update:

After Prom is 10 weeks away! Mark your calendars for a fun night for our seniors, Friday, April 19. The funds have all been raised and the committee is off to a great start, but we are still in need of a parent or pair of parents to take the lead on plans for a Volleyball tournament (held during the event) and another pair to run the Casino Room - an After Prom tradition! If you would like to volunteer, please email Cheri Jones at: jonesoils.co@gmail.com

THANK YOU to the Sub-Committee Chairs for your leadership! We need parents on each sub-committee to help with plans and volunteer at the event. All Senior Parents are welcome to come to our monthly After Prom committee meetings. You can also reach out to the Chairs directly to let them know that you want to help out in their area. Their contact information was sent out in an email last week.

Thanks in advance for your help in making this event happen!  

After Prom Committee Meetings - all senior parents are invited to attend:

Thursday, February 15th at 7pm in Room 111

Thursday, March 14th 7pm in Room 111

Thursday, April 11th 7pm in Room 111

After Prom Sub-Committee Chairs:

Welcoming Committee: Carrie Alleman and Kim Tapia

Chill Space: Sheila Tyler and Katie Swats

Volleyball Tournament: Vacant

Casino Room: Vacant

Entertainment and Food: Maria Sadkhi and Andrea F

Senior gifts and prizes: Megan Perkins and Becca Mahoney

Decorations: Franchesca Luistro 

Volunteers: Janet Randles and Colley Moe

KEY DATES FOR SENIORS

Thursday, 2/8/24: final deadline to purchase Senior Recognition Ads for the yearbook .

Tuesday, 4/9/24: Senior Class “Panoramic” Photo is taken today

Friday, 5/3/24: Senior Awards Night (by invitation)

Friday, 4/19/24: Prom - at Space Gallery in Denver’s Art District and After Prom. 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 (On-site rehearsal is

held that morning, time TBD)

Stay tuned for more info in the next month or two about Teacher Appreciation the first week of May, Juniors and Junk food at the end of the school year and the Senior Sleep Out August 18th!

If you have any comments, suggestions or want to help out with a specific event, please email: hmbdvm@yahoo.com

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

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

Please join us on Wednesday, February 21st at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom for our next parent meeting. We will finalize details for our Spring social event for the Sophomore class as well as announce the date for the Sophomore parent social event taking place in April

The Zoom link will be in next week's newsletter.

Thank you,

Sheila and Carrie

Give $27 to the Class of '27 and help cultivate community for our students!

The Class of 2027 Class Fund supports class activities each year led by our Parent Committee. If each family gives just $27 a year for the next 4 years, we would meet our budget to sponsor incredibly memorable social events every year for the Class of 2027.

Give $27 to The Class of '27 through the PTO’s Online Square Account:

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

Connect with other Freshmen Parents

Contact Committee Co-Chair Kendal Mullins at kendalbmullins@gmail.com or 303-875-6810 to join the Class of 2027 email list.