Administrator's Corner

November 1, 2021

Happy November, Spartans! 

I hope you had a great and safe Halloween weekend. It's hard to believe it's already November! That means things are ramping up for the end of the semester. We only have 5 weeks of regular classes left before finals, so please be sure you're attending all classes and working hard to end on a strong note! 

We will be on Thanksgiving Break from November 22-26, which would be a great time to get caught up on some work if you're behind. Finals Week will be the week of December 13th (click here for the schedule), and the expectation is that all students will need to attend all of their regularly scheduled finals, so please keep this in mind while planning any holiday travel with your family.
 
We have some special opportunities coming up to help Spartan families in need with some holiday food, so please tune in to those announcements if you are in need or if you are able to donate. We cherish our community and want to make sure that everyone is taken care of! 

Let's remember as the weather begins to change that when it's a snowy/icy morning, students need to plan ahead and build in some extra time to be on time to school. Any inclement weather days will be communicated by the district.

Thanks, TJ!

¡Feliz noviembre, espartanos!

Espero que haya tenido un fin de semana de Halloween fantástico y seguro. ¡Es difícil creer que ya es noviembre! Eso significa que las cosas están subiendo al final del semestre. Sólo quedan 5 semanas de clases regulares antes de la final, así que por favor asegúrese de asistir a todas las clases y trabajar duro para terminar con una nota fuerte!

Estaremos en vacaciones de Acción de Gracias del 22 al 26 de noviembre, lo que sería un buen momento para quedar atrapados en algún trabajo si estás detrás. La Semana de las Finales será la semana del 13th de diciembre (haga clic aquí para ver el calendario), y la expectativa es que todos los estudiantes tendrán que asistir a todas sus finales regularmente programadas, así que por favor tenga esto en cuenta mientras planea cualquier viaje de vacaciones con su familia.

Tenemos algunas oportunidades especiales que vienen para ayudar a las familias espartanas en necesidad con algunos alimentos de vacaciones, así que por favor sintonice con esos anuncios si usted está en necesidad o si usted es capaz de donar. ¡Queremos nuestra comunidad y queremos asegurarnos de que todos estén cuidados!
Recordemos que cuando el tiempo comienza a cambiar que cuando es una mañana nevada/helada, los estudiantes necesitan planear con anticipación y construir en algún tiempo extra para estar a tiempo para ir a la escuela. Cualquier día de tiempo inclemente será comunicado por el distrito.

Gracias, TJ!

Mike Christoff
Principal
mic_retro.jpg

  • Monticello is going to be singing the national anthem at the CU vs Montana State basketball game on 11/9/21! Click here for a discounted rate. This is awesome, Monticello!
  • Thanks to leadership and all who helped out with the Halloween festivities last week!

  • Thanks to BSA for coordinating Trunk or Treat street and all the clubs that participated. And thank you to all the staff that helped with the events!
There is no playbook on how to be a parent or caregiver. This sometimes becomes even more clear when a child comes out as transgender and/or non-binary. Parents and caregivers (including school staff, extend family, friends and anyone who loves and supports youth) can sometimes feel lost navigating complex and nuanced journeys around gender discovery. A child in transition can bring up a lot for adults: a range of questions, concerns, and emotions--from elation to fear and everything in-between. This talk will cover some high-level basics of supporting a child on a gender journey, dispel common misconceptions, and provide recommended resources as you travel this path with your student. Register here.
Wondering how you can support the amazing students and staff at TJ without a huge time commitment? Join the TJHS PTO! This is an easy way to find out about the many options to be involved that work for your schedule and your family. Find out more by checking out the TJHS PTO Website

Our next meeting will be via Zoom on Tuesday, November 9th at 7:00 pm. Zoom link details will be provided in next week's TJ Journal Newsletter. 

Questions? Email us at tjhspto@gmail.com
For the month of November we will be supporting the efforts of SkillUSA to provide Thanksgiving Dinners for TJ Families!

SkillsUSA will be collecting non-perishable food items (details coming soon!) and the Food Bank will be contributing turkeys. If you are interested in making a financial contribution toward the purchase of turkeys, you can do so HERE.

Thanks for your continued support!

Reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) or Becca Mahoney (beccaandjoemahoney@gmail.com) with questions!
Class of 2024 caps are going on sale now!
$30.00

Please follow the link here to order yours today! 

Proceeds go to the Sophomore class for their prom and philanthropy projects.

We will be accepting orders through November 5th. Check or Card payments can be given to our esteemed school treasurer, Ms. Allen.

Order soon! The first 50 orders will get expedited delivery!!
To help support the health and well-being of our adolescent students, the DPS Board of Education has voted to move to later start times for all middle and high schools for the 2023-24 school year. This initiative will mean middle and high schools will start their day at 8:20 a.m. or later, and elementary students will start their day earlier. Please join us for one of the upcoming virtual community events to provide feedback, ask questions, and learn more about why Healthy Start Times will help our Denver students thrive.

  • English: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 6-7 p.m. (register to request interpretation services)
  • Spanish: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 6-7 p.m.
  • Vietnamese: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 6-7 p.m. 
  • Arabic: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 6-7 p.m.

For more information, event links and to register, please visit HealthyStartTimes@dpsk12.org or call 720-423-3054.
We are excited to announce the launch of registration for our virtual fair week. Students, family members and counselors can register HERE.

The virtual fair week is November 8th-11th and each night is from 5:30-7:30 MT.

The first hour of the virtual fair week (5:30-6:30) is 2, 5x5 sessions which are 30 min each. Reps will be placed into rooms and then students will be randomly assigned for the first round and then the second-round students will get to pick which rooms they’d like to join.

The second hour of the virtual fair week (6:30-7:30) will consist of 2-30 min sessions that reps can use for either a general admissions presentation OR a session that corresponds with the theme for the day.

Each night is a different theme so please keep that in mind as you are registering for sessions.
- Monday is Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Tuesday is Diversity so highlighting 1st gen resources, HSI/HBCU and TCU, DACA, etc
- Wednesday is Find your Major - highlighting certain majors and departments
- Thursday is for Military and Transfer students

The virtual chat through the virtual fair booths will be active during the virtual fair time, Monday- Thursday 5:30-7:30 MT.
Hello GT/HGT TJ families,

We held our first GT/HGT family night of this school year on October 27th. If you were unable to attend, don't worry! We recorded the presentation. The provided video link below gives a 25 minute overview of the program, resources for GT/HGT families, and course codes to log into Google Classes for additional opportunities. The codes in this video are specifically for 11th and 12th grade students. If you need the course codes for 9th or 10th grade or if you have questions in general about the GT/HGT program at TJ please email Maria Rodriguez at Maria_rodriguez2@dpsk12.net

We're working on an online sale and will give you the details as soon as we have things figured out. GO SPARTANS! 
Instead of placing your leaves curbside, donate them to us! 

Please contact Elizabeth_Lynch2@dpsk12.org to donate them to the Garden.

We would love them in the giant paper bags if possible. 

Thanks, TJ!
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.
Our goal is that all students graduate college and career ready. One of the ways we achieve this goal is to support students' career and college exploration through programs that provide opportunities for students to discover how their interests and passions might someday fit into the world of work. There are many resources to help you learn more about career and college programs in DPS, visit collegeandcareer.dpsk12.org to learn more! Handouts:  English  / Spanish
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Matthew Mason (He/Him/His) 
Navigator at Thomas Jefferson High School
DPS Career and College Success

Phone: 720-466-1617 | Email: matt_mason@dpsk12.org | Website

Interested in more information on grief and loss, please visit www.Judishouse.org 
Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. Resources: www.judishouse.org 
Si está interesado en obtener más información sobre el dolor y la pérdida, visite www.Judishouse.org 
Salud mental y socioemocional "¿Sabías?": Compilado por Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP y Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. Recursos: www.judishouse.org
From Your TJ Future Center
 
Keep up the great work, Spartans! 
 
Remember that your College Access Assignments are set up to keep you on track for college. Be sure to use the REQUIRED Steps for Complete College Apps doc to guide your work. Please visit us in the Future Center with any questions and to work on your applications including scholarships from the Weekly Scholarship Highlights!! 
Have you submitted college applications? Be sure to request your transcripts via the Common App Transcript Request or all non-CA Transcript Request Forms.
Be sure to check your emails regularly for updates from your colleges and 

Tuesday, November 2: DSF Virtual Insight Panel: Career Readiness, Cover Letter 

Wednesday, November 3: DSF Virtual Insight Panel: Healthcare 

Thursday, November 4: Chapman University Rep Visit

Saturday, November 6: Sixteenth Annual LaTEENa Conference, Community FAFSA Event

Tuesday, November 9: University of Colorado Boulder Rep Visit,  Community FAFSA Event

Monday, November 15: University of Colorado at Boulder and University of Denver Early Action Deadlines


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
Our class leaders are committed to providing Senior parents with continued support and the latest graduation and senior events. You can reach out for more info:

Class of 2023 - Juniors
HOW TO GET CONNECTED:
 We always need more help and input!! If you have any ideas or comments and would like to get more involved, please contact Catherine Poirier cpoirier@bodybark.com or Christy Jordan christy.jordan@comcast.net - Our 2023 Class Staff Sponsors are Rebecca Taylor, MA rebecca_taylor@dpsk12.org and Annie Berg, MSW, annie_berg@dpsk12.org
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT of 2023!
Class of 2024 - Sophomores
Parent Meeting – Join Us!
Class meetings will be held the third Tuesday of the month at 7pm.  
There will be no meetings during November and December due to the holidays and school breaks, please plan on joining us in January. 

Our next meeting details:
Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Jll McLain’s house 

Class Donations – Every dime counts!
Sophomores are quite possibly the best “10s” out there! Gather those dimes (pennies, quarters, and ten-dollar bills too) and make a donation 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! Corporate matching is always appreciated.


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