Administrator's Corner

May 23, 2022

Happy last week, Spartans! 

We've been through another challenging year, but in true Spartan style we made it to the finish line with grace! Thank you to everyone for stepping up to make it a great year. We are so proud of the class of 2022 and we can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of you. 

We wish everyone a restful and fun summer, and we look forward to welcoming you back the week of August 22nd. 

Stay well, TJ!

¡Feliz la semana pasada, espartanos!

Hemos pasado por otro año desafiante, pero con un verdadero estilo espartano, llegamos a la línea de meta con gracia. Gracias a todos por hacer de él un gran año. Estamos muy orgullosos de la clase de 2022 y no podemos esperar a ver lo que le espera al resto de usted.

Le deseamos a todo el mundo un verano tranquilo y divertido, y esperamos darle la bienvenida la semana del 22nd de agosto.

¡Mantente bien, TJ!
Mike Christoff
Principal
  • A huge thank you to those who made graduation such a success! Thanks to Danyelle Charles and Carla Allen for managing the many logistics, and thanks to class of 2022 sponsors Maggie Kennedy and Jillian Gleason for all of their support of the seniors! We appreciate all of the other people who also helped the big event come together!
  • Kudos to Leonard Fox and Lisa Freedberg for everything that went into last week's Art Showcase! The student work was incredible and we thank you for inspiring your students!
  • Students from the Multi-intensive Special Education Classroom recently had the opportunity to join a Bronco Event with Special Olympics Colorado! They were able to go to the Broncos Training center and run Football Drills with a handful of different Bronco Players! They all had a lot of fun and can not wait for the next year to do it again!
“Caught in 4k” 
TJ High School Student Exhibition
May 20 - June 9, 2022 at Bitfactory Gallery

The public is invited to support these budding talents at an Opening
Reception at 851 Santa Fe Drive on Friday, May 20, 6-9pm, the First Friday
Art Walk on Friday, June 3, 6-9p. and to visit during regular gallery hours
Tuesday–Saturday, 11:00–4p and by appointment, for the run of the show.
Art may also be purchased online at www.bitfactory.net.
The following students are participating, so please congratulate them if you see them:

Juniors:
Efren Alvarado-Martinez
Roselyn Benally
Ian Crumrine
Max Feiman
Grace Geiger
Hannah Green
Kendall Hougard
Payten Kilgore
Rinoa Lantz-Corwin
Derek Mason
Miguel Matancillas-Guzman
Cielo Merlin-Vergara
Paige Mulligan
Dallas Smith
Antwan Truong
Mia Valdez
Addy Williams
Khadija Zulali




Seniors:
David Price
Danny Brady
Jake Edwards
Shannon Graham
Kyle Hrin
Tristen Martinez
Jocelyn Millard
Sam Oluma
CeCe Prime-Morales
Amelia Shon
Tom Stone
The May Food Distribution will take place Tuesday, May 24 from 3:30 - 5:30 pm at TJ!  
Reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) or Becca Mahoney (beccaandjoemahoney@gmail.com) with questions!

La distribución de alimentos de mayo se llevará martes, el 24 de mayo de 3:30 p. m. a 5:30 p.m. en TJ!
Comuníquese con Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) si tienes preguntas!

Thank you for your continued support of the Food Bank Distribution Program this year! If you are interested in making a financial contribution to the TJ Food Bank, you can do so HERE
That's a Wrap - Thank you Parents! 
While our meetings and events adapted and changed due to the pandemic these last two years, one thing that didn't change was the overwhelming support shown to TJ by our parents and supporters. THANK YOU to everyone who found a way to help out this year, by bringing food to our pantry or a school event, donating money to a team, club or the PTO Auction, or helping in any of the little (or not so little) ways that enhance the school experience for our staff and students, both in and out of the classroom. 

A very special thank you to those who served on the PTO Board and Committees this year. Your efforts have made a difference and are much appreciated! 

Officers:
Eileen Robinson, Krista Zizzo, Robin Schiff, Teri Hetzel, Wassila Hamitouche, Lisa Lojacono

Members-At-Large:
Brooke Bolinske, Janet Willson, Megan Perkins, Briana Rimkus

Committee Chairs:
Megan Perkins, Becca Mahoney, Susan Dolson, Carrie Oss, Karla Henke, Monica Snyder, Jill Van Abbema, Melissa Lindstrom

Class Sponsor (Parents):
Julie Rubin, Christy Jordan, Catherine Poirier, Dyanna Spicher, Kerry Muhovich, Heather Reeder
Calling All Golfers! 

The 8th Annual All For One Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Wellshire Golf Course.  MARK YOUR CALENDAR now for one of the best golf tournaments of the year. To register an individual golfer or foursome, visit http://www.allforonegolf.org

This community sponsored event supports TJHS and three of our feeder schools. TJ's portion of last year's tournament proceeds went to help fund the Spartan Grants recently awarded to 22 teachers, classes and departments. 
All DPS students and their families have FREE year-round access to learning resources all year long, which ensures all of our students stay connected to books all summer long. Check out the summer reading programs available to our students this summer.

DPS will be hosting the second annual SUMMER OF SORA from June 6th - August 12th. Similar to last year, every student who checks out an eBook or audiobook in Sora is eligible to win the random weekly drawing of ten winners. Weekly drawing winners will be announced every Monday, and each winner will receive an Under Armour sackpack and a new book. That’s a total of 100 winners! Three grand prize winners will also be randomly selected on August 12th, and each grand prize winner will receive a Kindle e-reader! The more eBooks and/or audiobooks students check out each week, the better chance they have to win! Our very own Spartan, Zarin M., was a lucky swagbag winner last summer!
Below are Summer of Sora flyers in English and Spanish.

Additionally, our Collection Development team created summer reading lists of fantastic new titles, along with Summer of Sora bingo cards!
Denver Public Library Summer of Adventure

Also, get ready for the Summer of Adventure with the Denver Public Library! Starting June 3rd, register at any Denver Public Library location and get your Adventure Guide. You may also register online and print your materials. You’ll get a free journal as a registration prize and a prize book of your choosing when you complete 15 activities.
What do you have to do? READ. MAKE. and EXPLORE. If you need ideas, plenty can be found on the DPL website. DPL resources will also be available in the TJHS library in the coming weeks. Summer of Adventure provides youth with access to learning opportunities and activities over the summer months to experience connection, growth and fun. Check out all of the details at summer adventure.org.
Current juniors: you can reserve your senior spot for next year! Please see Ms. Allen in the Treasurer's office for more details!
Did you know that your student(s) may be able to participate in a summer internship - even one that pays!? 

DPS partners with businesses and organizations such as United Airlines, Xcel Energy, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Arts Street to host DPS interns during the summer. 

To find out more information about summer internships and eligibility, click here and talk to your school Navigator or Counselor!
We are trying to put together a few complete sets of TJ yearbooks for posterity. If anyone has yearbooks they would like to donate to us - specifically, the years 1984, 1986, 1989, and 1993 - that would be awesome!
In addition to the numerous concurrent enrollment classes we offer at TJ during the school year, your student can earn college credits by taking concurrent enrollment classes this summer! Offered with Regional Summer School, the summer concurrent enrollment courses are condensed five-week courses. Entering college with completed credits makes the path to a college degree shorter and less expensive.

When?
  • June 21 - July 21, 2022
  • 8:00am - 12:00pm, with no classes on July 4th and 5th
  • Students must commit to the course and be present for all class days

Where?
Courses offered through CCD will be located at Bruce Randolph and Lincoln high schools and courses offered through CCA will be located at Florida Pitt Waller. You will get to choose your course, but not your location.
  • Most courses will be conducted in-person with specific meeting dates and times. 
  • A few courses will be offered remotely with synchronous and asynchronous time.

Students are limited to taking 1 (one) concurrent enrollment class over the Summer.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity or if you have questions about what classes are offered, contact your student's counselor or Graham Baughn, Concurrent Enrollment Coordinator at TJ, by email at graham_baughn@dpsk12.net
Check out this list of 2022 summer programs for 9th-12th grade students. The programs in this link are free, or offered at reduced rates, and provide students with opportunities to earn college credits, gain career experiences, prepare for high school, and even earn $$ this summer! Sign up today! If you have questions, talk with your school counselor or email careerandcollegesuccess@dpsk12.org.
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…?
Summer break is almost here! 

TJ- we did it! The time has come to wrap up the 2021-2022 school year. We can dive into summer, detach from our screens, and enjoy some outdoor time. 
Stay healthy, stay safe, and enjoy the season. 
We will see you in the fall!

If you need mental health crisis resources over summer, please visit:/Si necesita recursos para crisis de salud mental durante el verano, visite: https://sites.google.com/dpsk12.net/tj-counseling-department-remot/mental-health-supports?authuser=0 

Mental Health and Social Emotional Tip: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. 
Class of 2022
 Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your bright future! 
 
Class of 2023: Be sure to check out your TJ Future Center schoology course to get started on planning for life after high school! Please complete your Junior Survey if you have not yet done so. Take some time to start building your College List and researching Scholarships! Stay tuned to your Future Center schoology course throughout the summer for other steps you can take to prepare for your college and scholarship applications.

 

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
graduation_cap.jpg




WAY TO GO, SENIORS! We're so proud of you!
Class of 2023 - Juniors
JUNIORS & JUNK FOOD: TODAY AFTER SCHOOL!!!!
ALL CLASS OF 2023 STUDENTS ATTEND!

Parents please drop off what you’ve signed up for on the Softball fields beginning at 1:30 p.m. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
** If you didn’t get a chance to go and would still like to donate, please do so here! 2023 Class Donations | TJHS PTO
PARENTS! HOW TO GET CONNECTED: 
We always need more help and input and the 2023 Rising Seniors have a big year ahead!  If you would like to get in on the action, please be on our Senior Parent Committee/Group for Senior Year Events and After Prom, please send your contact info to Catherine Poirier catherinepoirier@comcast.net 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
Class Donations: Let’s end the year strong!  
If you haven’t donated to the Class of 2024, now is your chance! Corporate matching is a great, easy way to raise funds, so spread the word that Sophomores are quite possibly the best “10s” out there! Gather those dimes (pennies, quarters, and ten-dollar bills too) and donate 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! (https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2024-class-donations/96)

Parent Meetings:
There will not be a parent meeting in May; we will resume in the Fall. Please continue to check the newsletters through the end of the school year for updates and information. 


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
Class of 2025 Flower Fundraiser***Extended to May 25th!!***

Buy gorgeous bulbs and flowers for your summer garden while supporting the class of 2025! Help us raise the $10,000 we need for various class activities and After Prom. Visit http://tjhs2025.fpfundraising.com/ to view our catalog and don’t forget to share our link with family and friends! All orders will be shipped directly to you. Please contact Heather Reeder at hmbdvm@yahoo.com with any fundraiser questions.
If this fundraiser isn’t for you, we still need your financial support! Please consider donating directly to the class of 2025. A donation of just $25 from each family will get us to our goal! Visit https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2025-class-donations/99 to donate today. 
We look forward to getting to know you and your student(s)! For any questions, you can reach out to Heather Reeder at hmbdvm@yahoo.com or the PTO at TJHSPTO@gmail.com.