Administrator's Corner

March 6, 2023

TJ families,

Only three week until Spring Break!!

It has been a great week for TJ. Lots of our sports and clubs represented us well, including DECA, basketball, wrestling, and swim and dive. Our school play is premiering soon, look for details on tickets. 

Students, please make sure you are staying focused and working hard. March is a great month to focus on your classes and make sure those grades are where they should be. 

Be kind to each other, TJ!

Familias TJ,

sólo tres semanas hasta las vacaciones de primavera!!

Ha sido una gran semana para TJ. Muchos de nuestros deportes y clubes nos representaron bien, incluyendo DECA, baloncesto, lucha libre y natación y buceo. Nuestra obra escolar se estrenará pronto, busque detalles sobre las entradas. Estudiantes de

, por favor asegúrese de mantenerse enfocado y trabajando duro. Marzo es un gran mes para enfocarse en sus clases y asegurarse de que esas calificaciones estén donde deberían estar.

Sé amable el uno con el otro, TJ!

Jon Poole

Assistant Principal

Monday-

Tuesday-

• Class of 2026 Meeting: 6-7 p.m. in room 111

Wednesday- 

Thursday-



Friday-

Saturday-

The Spread the Word Campaign is a statewide Campaign run by Special Olympics Colorado. This Campaign is a way to help remind everyone to be more inclusive to everyone around us and to Empower Change. (This year's theme). This year's campaign at Thomas Jefferson supported the new Unified Sports team!

Thank you to Stephanie Sturm for organizing everyone to be involved in the campaign!

Hello TJ Spartan Family,

What a banner year for TJ DECA! This past weekend, TJ students competed with more than 3,000 Colorado DECA students in the State DECA Conference at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. In total, TJ had 36 competitors competing for the right to earn a spot at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando, Florida in April. We were also very honored to have our very own Kate Jordan Little serving as the Colorado State DECA President, the 1st TJ/DPS student to do so in 34 years!

The results are in and TJ represented our community well. TJ DECA had 11 students in the finals, with 9 students earning a spot at the ICDC in April! I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of the TJ students for their professional behavior, character, and overall business presence this past weekend. Our tagline for TJ DECA is, "The Standard By Which Others Are Measured" and we definitely represented that at the Broadmoor. 

Congratulations and thank you to all who helped us demonstrate excellence for the State DECA Community to witness, we couldn't have achieved this level of success without your support. See below for a complete list of Finalists and ICDC Qualifiers from the TJ DECA Chapter. More to come from Orlando, Florida and GO TJ DECA!

Kate Jordan Little - State Champion:  1st Place Marketing Communications Series, 1st Colorado DECA State President from TJ/DPS in 34 Years

Max Hauer & Henry Shukert - State Champions: 1st Place Sports & Entertainment Team Decision Making

Blake Moe, Grant Randles, & Wyatt Tyler - State Champions: 1st Place Franchise Business Plan

Lily Mullins, Oliver Swats, & Stephanie Zabel - 6th Place: Community Giving Project (Adopt-A-Family)

Gavin Schiff - Finalist: Accounting Series

Mariah Williams - Finalist: Principles of Marketing

Big congrats to Matt Nicolo and all of the DECA competitors:

Blake Barben, Pierce Barben, Jack Berz, David Blaylock, Nate Bolinske, Andrew Burns, Adam DeMaria, Evan Escutia, Max Feiman, Leah Franco, Max Hauer, Kota Hoskins, Miles Kahn, Sarah Lakouas, Alex Lee, Kate Jordan Little, Stephen LoJacano, Will McBarron, Blake Moe, Lily Mullins, Ada Niu, Andrew Payne, Ingrid Price, Grand Randles, Chandler Rimkus, Owen Robert, Gavin Schiff, Sophia Shon, Henry Shukert, Olivia Simon, Oliver Swats, Wyatt Tyler, Macy Whistler, Mariah Williams, Stephanie Zabel, Sophia Zizzo

Kate Jordan Little - State DECA President

Stephanie Zabel, Lily Mullins & Oliver Swats on stage earning 6th Place in Community Giving Project.

Thomas Jefferson Chapter won the District 3 Competition for the 10-10-10 Initiative 



* Raising the Most Money for the Ember Alliance Charity

AND

* Collecting the Most Food for the DECA State Food Drive

TJ’s Chapter was 3rd in State for raising the most money overall. 

Congratulations!! 

It was a HUGE Collective effort for TJ DECA!!! 

Shout out to our own amazing Social Worker Samanda Davis!! This was in the Team DPS Weekly newsletter that was out today (see attachment)!!

Thank you Rossanda Jackson for writing such lovely words about our amazing Sam! 

 Food Distribution Program

The March Food Distribution will take place on Wednesday, March 22 from 3:00- 5:00pm at TJ!  

Any family that is in need of food support is welcomed and encouraged to sign up HERE. Please note that you MUST sign up for us to have food available for you at the distribution.  

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

La distribución de alimentos de abril se llevará a cabo el miércoles 22 de marzo de 3:00 p.m. a 5:00 p.m. en TJ!

Cualquier familia que necesite apoyo alimentario es bienvenida y animada a inscribirse AQUÍ. DEBE registrarse para que tengamos alimentos disponibles para usted en la distribución.

Comuníquese con Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) si tiene preguntas.

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

Announcing the 7th Annual Thomas Jefferson High School Auction!

The 7th Annual TJ Online Auction will take place April 16-20, 2023!

The Auction is TJ's only school-wide fundraiser and proceeds from this year’s Auction will be dedicated to helping those in our TJ community and awarding classrooms grants:

• Supporting our community members in need is a huge priority. Auction proceeds will be available to support our TJ community including, but not limited to, helping those experiencing food insecurity.

• Our Classroom Grant program supports our teachers in their work to deliver an exceptional educational experience for all TJ students.

In order to reach our goal to raise $22,000 this year, we need your help! It’s easy—when you are in a business (restaurant, salon, your favorite shops), ask them to support  our auction this year in the form of a gift card or an item! Or reach out to family and friends who own businesses and ask for their support.

Anything works, and is appreciated! 

Print a few copies of the attached letter to have in your car to hand to businesses when you ask for a donation. The letter provides additional details about the event, delivery instructions as well as TJ's tax-id # as all donations are tax deductible. 

You can also direct donors directly to our Auction management site to enter their business and donation information:  https://tjauction23.bebids.me/

Thank you for your help - we need the whole TJ community to make this a successful fundraising event! 

TJHS 2023 Auction Letter

Thank you for your support,

Megan Perkins & Becca Mahoney

Auction Co-Chairs

Spartan Staff Grants Request Window is Now Open!  

TJ PTO's primary mission is to enhance and support the educational experience at TJHS. With that goal in mind, PTO has budgeted approximately $20,000 to distribute as Spartan Staff Grants! This is made possible by the fundraising done through the PTO's online auction. Your support of the auction directly benefits all TJ students. 

Do you know a teacher or staff member who may have a need for grant money? It's time for any staff member to submit a request for a TJ Auction funded Spartan Staff Grant to help support students in whatever class or activity they lead. Last year, grants funded by the TJ Auction were used for equipment and supplies to support the departments of Special Ed, PE, JROTC, World Languages, Counseling, Art, and Math.

TJ Staff: Please submit Spartan Staff Grant requests using this template: PTO Grant Request (google.com)

All requests are due by the end of the day on Friday, March 31^st.

Questions? Please contact Melissa Lindstrom (melissa.lindstrom@comcast.net)

The March PTO Meeting is next Tuesday, March 14 at 6pm!

Please join us for our monthly PTO meeting. We’ll be discussing upcoming events like: April’s

TJ Auction, May’s Teacher Appreciation Week and updates on the PTO’s Spartan Staff Grants

program.

Hope to see you - Tuesday, 3/14 at 6pm in Room 111

Questions? Email us at tjhspto@gmail.com

Senior Spotlight

Thomas Jefferson High School’s Kate Jordan Little is the 1st Colorado DECA State President from Denver Public Schools in 34 years. A senior at TJ, Kate oversees more than 7,500 High School DECA members across the state and runs a board of 18 statewide officers. Kate is presiding over and helped orchestrate the 2023 Colorado State DECA Conference & Competition being held this week with more than 3,000 competitors from across Colorado at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.

The State DECA Conference & Competition features high school state qualifiers from across the Colorado competing in various Business affiliations including Business Management & Administration, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, Marketing, and Personal Finance Literacy. Students compete with an overall business test, innovative and real life Role Plays and Scenarios, and Written Manual events on various Business topics. 

In her role as Colorado DECA President Kate Jordan Little represented Colorado carrying the Colorado State Flag at the International DECA Competition (ICDC) in front of 20,000 DECA students and advisors as well as competing internationally. A four-time State DECA qualifier, top five State competitor and District Champion, Kate is also the Western Regional DECA Leadership Conference Champion in Marketing from more than 7 states of competitors. Kate has served on the Colorado DECA Advisory Board and she is also serving as Chapter President at TJ. Kate was elected as the District 3 State Representative previously and has served as Colorado DECA President throughout her senior year. Kate also holds a 4.7 GPA and is captain of and plays four high school varsity sports, Swimming & Diving, Gymnastics, Cross Country and Golf. 

Kudos to Kate, TJ and DPS for this distinguished honor and her role in Colorado DECA as the 74th State DECA President.  

PAC Meeting Next Week

PAC Meeting - Tuesday, March 14

Where: Room 36

Time: 3-4

What will be discussed: Access test, ELD placement and the ELD program

Internship Opportunity

Did you know the Hampden Branch Library has an Afterschool Homework Club for elementary students? The Teen Assistants are TJ students earning work experience, high school credit, and a financial grant award in the CareerLaunch Internship program. For more information about the Homework Club contact Elizabeth Pate (epate@denverlibrbary.org). For information about the CareerLaunch internship program, contact Emily_Bobrick@dpsk12.org.  

Denver Health School Based Health Centers are offering $30 visa gift cards to any DPS Student or Sibling who gets their Covid-19 vaccine!

These are the requirements:

·     DPS Students or DPS Sibling

·     Must receive Covid-19 vaccine at the SBHC site during a provider visit

·     Visa is gifted for EVERY Covid vaccine dose (1^st, 2^nd, booster) However TJ only has booster doses at this time – the bivalent Pfizer booster – this can only be given after the primary series.

·     Multiple visa gift cards can be gifted to the same family – example: 2 siblings are scheduled – family is gifted one $60 visa card or 2 -$30 visa gift cards.

Funds for additional family members receiving doses will be loaded to the initial visa gift card provided two weeks after visit completion.

Call 303-602-8958 to schedule an appointment!

The Spirit Store will be open every month during First Friday. 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.

Yearbook News

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1008670/Thomas-Jefferson-High-School/ 

Did You Know...?

(en español)

Here are some quick and easy ways to take control:



Distracted by social media apps and notifications? 

• Hide them! Take the icons off your desktop and bury the apps on your phone inside folders, where it takes an extra effort to find them. Leave your phone in another room, or put it in a drawer and lock it.

Build time breaks into your day!

• Take a walk outside (without!) your smart watch or phone. 
• Cook a meal without using technology (have a printed recipe ready)
• Sit on your sofa and mediate, or deep breathe, or just listen to sounds in the environment without having your eyes and brain engaged in technology

Know when to take a break.

• If you have to read something more than once or if the words are just not registering, it’s time to stop and replenish 

Understanding additional distractions.

• Mute your group chats
• Set your “Do Not Disturb” notification on to alleviate any pressure to respond quickly

Read material that is not on a screen.

• Reading on your phone or laptops can make you more prone to scrolling and scanning over whatever you are reading. Reading something on paper can help with increasing attention and focus. 

Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW and Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP. Resources:https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/11/health/short-attention-span-wellness/index.html 

PRIZE PATROL!

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CLASS OF 2023 AFTER PROM PRIZES? 

The TJ Class of 2023 After-Prom Committee is in full swing planning a free, super fun and safe place for our senior students to continue their celebration after the Prom dance on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at TJ!

With money raised from past donations and fundraisers the PRIZE PATROL has started shopping for AWESOME prizes, but we still need a little help from our larger TJ community. We are looking for prizes we can hand out throughout the night for various games and drawings - example:

* cash

* gift cards (mall, food, Amazon, Apple, gaming)

* electronics,

* accessories

* any other fun, creative idea you have! 

Any amount is appreciated! If you are able to contribute, please drop off your donation to Miss Melanie Scism-Martinez at the front check-in door or to Ms. Annie Berg, Room 114B, by Friday, March 10, 2023.

If you prefer, the Class of 2023 is still holding our fundraiser $23 for ‘23. Money donated supports After-Prom and any amount is appreciated!

2023 Class 2023 Class Donations | TJHS PTO | TJHS PTO



Contact Sam (303-884-7435) or Jennifer (720-949-4091) Williams with any questions or prize pickup coordination if unable to leave at the TJ office. 

We couldn’t do this without you, thank you!

We need 60+ parents to step forward and be part of this really fun event! 



For more information contact Karla Henke karladhenke@gmail.com

2023 PARENTS:  

LAST CALL!

AFTER PROM IS IN 3 MONTHS!

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! 

Click here to DONATE!

2023 Class 2023 Class Donations | TJHS PTO 

MARK YOUR 2023 CALENDAR!

UPCOMING FUNDRAISING & EVENTS for SENIOR Class of 2023!

* PRIZE PATROL - Friday, March 10, 2023 - please turn in your gift certificates or prizes for After Prom by today!

*STUDENTS: SENIOR GROUP PANORAMA PHOTO: Thursday, April 20, outside in front of TJ Time TBA

*PARENTS & STUDENTS: SENIOR PROM & AFTER PROM: Saturday, April 29, 2023!

Senior Prom Dance 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. at the Denver Athletic Club (Tickets on Sale in April)

After Prom Events 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. at Thomas Jefferson (Free event) 



*PARENTS & STUDENTS: SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT: May 2nd in Auditorium by Invitation only - Time TBA

* SENIORS & PARENTS GRADUATION INFO Click Here:

TJ CLASS OF 2023 MANDATORY GRADUATION DATES

2023 SENIOR PARENTS! 

THIS IS THE SEMESTER WE NEED YOU MOST! 

If you know you would like to help with After Prom, Karla Henke karladhenke@gmail.com is our After Prom Event Volunteer Coordinator!

2023 Class Sponsors are:

Catherine Poirier catherinepoirier@comcast.net or

Christy Jordan christy.jordan@comcast.net - we will get you involved!



2023 Class Faculty Sponsors are:

Mrs. Annie Berg, MSW, annie_berg@dpsk12.net - Room 114B

Mr. Nic Long, nicholas_long@dpsk12.net - Room 237



THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT of 2023! 

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

Please consider making a donation to the class of 2025!

$25 for 2025! https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2025-class-donations/99

Class of 2024 Fundraiser on Thursday, March 2nd at Bad Daddy's Burger.  11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Please see flyer for details.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 7th at 6:00 p.m. at TJ in Room 111. We will brainstorm ideas for a fun end of semester activity for the freshmen class. All are welcome to join us for the meeting.

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 would like to donate to the Class of 2026 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.