Administrator's Corner

September 5, 2022

Hello Spartan Families!

Just a reminder, there is no school today in observance of Labor Day. 

Also, please join us on Thursday, September 8th from 5-7 pm for Back to School Night. We will start promptly at 5 in the auditorium for a brief presentation from Mr. Christoff followed by an opportunity to meet with each of your student's teachers for a short 10 minute presentation about their class. You will follow the same schedule as your student so please make sure to have a copy of it with you when you arrive. (You can find their schedule on parent portal or student portal)

We hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend and we look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Hola Familias Espartanas!

Solo un recordatorio, hoy no hay escuela en observancia del Día del Trabajo.

También, por favor únase a nosotros el jueves 8th de septiembre de 5-7 pm para la Noche de Regreso a la Escuela. Comenzaremos puntualmente a las 5 en el auditorio para una breve presentación del Sr. Christoff seguida por una oportunidad de reunirse con cada uno de los maestros de su estudiante para una breve presentación de 10 minutos sobre su clase. Usted seguirá el mismo horario que su estudiante así que por favor asegúrese de tener una copia de él con usted cuando llegue. (Puede encontrar su horario en el portal de padres o en el portal de estudiantes)

¡Esperamos que hayas disfrutado de tu fin de semana de vacaciones y esperamos verte el jueves!

Andrew Skari

Assistant Principal

Monday-

• No School - Labor Day

Tuesday-

• Fall Play/Musical Auditions & Callbacks in the TJ Auditorium: 3-6 p.m.

Wednesday- 

• Last day to vote for CSC parent members (link below)
• DPS Mental Health Webinar (details below)
• Clubs and Activities Fair: lunch (details below)
• Class of 2024 meeting! Rm 149 (Choir room) LUNCH! (Come for the meeting, stay for the popsicle! Bring fundraising ideas and positive energy!!)
• Fall Play/Musical Auditions & Callbacks in the TJ Auditorium: 3-6 p.m.

Thursday-

• Fall Play/Musical Auditions & Callbacks in the TJ Auditorium: 3 p.m.
• Back to School Night: 5:00-7:00 p.m.(schedule below)
• PAC meeting- Mr. Rocha and Mrs. Cantrell will discuss the ELD program and services at TJ for the MLL students. 

Friday-

• Spirit Store Open @ lunch - (across from the Auditorium)
• Fall Play/Musical Auditions & Callbacks in the TJ Auditorium: 3-6 p.m.

Saturday-

Several of our Spartans have been selected as College Board National Recognition Program awardees.

These students earned this recognition because of their academic achievements in school and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and/or AP® Exams. They've accomplished these milestones during an immensely demanding period of their high school career. We couldn't be more delighted to share this great news.

The following student(s) have been awarded recognition (award key below):

Abdirahman Abdi: NAARA

Benjamin Morlan: NHRA

Genessi Hernandez: NHRA

Karen Llamas: NHRA

Marissa Fernandez: NHRA

Shana Saint-Phard: NAARA

Award Key:

•National African American Recognition Award = NAARA

•National Hispanic Recognition Award = NHRA

•National Rural and Small Town Award = NRSTA

•National Indigenous Award = NIA

Congratulations! We're so proud of these students! 

Collaborative School Committee Voting Form - Please vote by Wednesday!

Hey TJ! We had a great response from parents that were interested in being a part of our Collaborative School Committee. We need to whittle it down to 3 parents so we'd love it if you took a few minutes to read each of the candidate's short biographies and select 3 parents on the form. Please do so by the end of the day Wednesday, September 7th!

Thank you so much!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1D2LwPPcoWQnZZ82O3WlGhTx4obm0BNlSMEw0nYI9rSE/edit?ts=63125be0

Back to School Night Schedule

Club Fair

On Wednesday, September 7th during lunch on the outside patio, TJ will be hosting its annual Semester 1 Club Fair! Come check out what we have to offer and get involved this year! There are a vast variety of clubs and there is something for everyone! Anime Club, Gaming Club, Black Student Alliance, Art Club, and GSA to name just a few! Don't see anything you like? Start it! It is super easy - see Ms. Lupo with inquiries and questions. Check out the full list of TJ Clubs here. See you at the Fair! 

Our first Food Distribution of the school year will take place on Wednesday, September 13 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm 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.

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! 

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

Members of the PTO leadership will be on hand to greet parents at Back to School Night this Thursday (5-7pm). Come a little early to say hello and purchase your TJ gear at our Spirit Store!

Mark your calendar - our monthly meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month and we welcome all parents and community members. Please join us for our first meeting of the year, Tuesday, 9/13 from 6-7pm. Meetings this year are held at TJHS in the Community Room (Rm 111). Our September meeting will feature Principal Mike Christoff and a review of the new school year.

TJ’s PTO is a group of parents, teachers, and community members who support the school wide activities and programs that make TJ the DPS neighborhood high school of choice for Southeast Denver.

YOU make all the difference! To be part of this engaged group of parents, visit the PTO webpage and click the JOIN Today! link at the top.

Questions? Want to get involved? Email TJHSPTO@gmail.com.

Student Drop-off and Pick-up

Dear Parents,

It continues to be quite busy in the mornings, so as you plan for transportation in the coming days and weeks, please refer to the map below to determine flow of traffic. Additionally, please allow an extra 10-15 minutes in the mornings so that we can get all students here and to class on time.

Go Spartans!

Substance Use Prevention Programming at Thomas Jefferson High School

Our goal is to promote fun, healthy and positive lifestyle choices through upstream prevention. 

Upstream prevention seeks to build protective factors into a community, by teaching resiliency and coping, and strengthening youth-adult connectedness.

Prevention is a proactive process that empowers individuals and systems to meet the challenges of life events and transitions and creates and reinforces conditions that promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles. To learn more about upstream prevention click click here.

At Thomas Jefferson High School there are two School Health Professionals providing Universal Prevention as well as small group and 1-1 interventions.  Please click HERE to see what prevention programs will be offered this year. If you do not want your student to participate in a specific program please complete the opt out form linked in the document above.

Key Takeaways from the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey

16.3% of youth at TJ reported to Vaping in the last 30 days - decrease from 26.1% in 2019

12.4% of youth at TJ reported to using Marijuana in the last 30 days - decrease from 26.6% in 2019

16.4% of youth at TJ reported to using Alcohol in the last 30 days - decrease from 26.1% in 2019

Prevention is Key

81.5% of youth at TJ think Vaping regularly is risky - increase from 74.5% in 2019 and increase from 43% in 2017!

63.7% of youth at TJ think using Marijuana regularly is risky - increase from 49.8% in 2019

85.6% of youth at TJ think drinking Alcohol regularly is risky - increase from 69.7% in 2019

 **Please note we will be administering the BESS screener on September 29th. If you do not want your student to participate please complete the opt out form linked above.

DPS Prevention Webinar

March, 2023  Jazz/Civil Rights Field Trip

Join us for an exciting and educational adventure this spring.

I am leading a 10-day field trip to New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and Chicago.

Participants will learn about and listen to the history of America's music - JAZZ. 

We will visit historic sites, attend some performances, ride a Mississippi paddle-wheeler, visit a recording studio, and much more. Students in the jazz band will have the opportunity to perform several times, as well. Additionally, we will be visiting some historic sites important in the Civil Rights Movement and discussing the connections between the history of Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement.

Trip dates are March 22 - March 31.

Costs of the trip are the responsibility of the student/family. We will be fundraising to help defray the cost, but there are no guarantees as to the amount we can fundraise.

There is a parent/ student meeting on Thursday, September 15 at 6 pm in room 148 (the band room). The signup link for this trip is here. When signing up for the trip it is strongly recommended to purchase the Refund Guarantee Program.

Adults may participate in this trip.

This once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Come join us.

Sincerely, 

Robin Morrissey [she/her/hers]

Band & Orchestra Director

Thomas Jefferson High School

website: http://morrissey.tjspartans.org/ 

phone: (720) 423-7071

Cheer Camp

BIPOC Fall Parent Listening Session

The spirit store will be open during lunch on Friday, September 9 so students can stock up on TJ gear before spirit week. We will also have items available to purchase at the Homecoming football game.

Until then, if you have questions or would like a TJ hoodie, t-shirt, PJ pants, joggers, hat, sticker, magnet, etc., please email us at TJHS.Store@gmail.com and we’ll help you get the items you want. 

We will also be doing an online sale with a larger selection of items in October, delivered to you in time for the holidays. More details to come. 

Did You Know…

(En (En Espanol))

Parent Training Opportunity!

In the state of Colorado, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for those who are 15-24 years old 

Here is what our students are reporting:

Colorado Healthy Kids Survey 2021

As a guardian, here is how you can get information and resources: 

What: Signs of Suicide Parent Presentation by TJ Mental Health Team (with snacks!). Learn about the risk factors, warning signs and supports available for suicide prevention and intervention.  

When: Tuesday September 13th 5:00-6:00pm

Where: Room 111 at TJHS 

PLEASE RSVP: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3YmTZuup59Mn0mLplglvXibCmDjcetLTvw1UWQdpBw69HWA/viewform

Questions? Please contact:

- Samanda Davis- Social Worker (720)423-7072 & Samanda_Davis@dpsk12.net 

- Natalie Koncz- School Psychologist (720)423-7077 & Natalie_Koncz@dpsk12.net 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. 

Congratulations to the Seniors for a super successful Senior Splash fundraiser!  More than 90 seniors came out and bought tickets to support their Prom fundraising and netted about $515! It was a perfect Colorado summer night for beach volleyball, badminton, cornhole, swimming, diving, splashing, snacks, sodas, s’mores, spectacular sunset, popcorn and music! 2023 is an AMAZING class of Seniors!    

Many thanks to the following students for volunteering to promote and help Class Sponsor Mrs. Berg sell tickets at TJ all week and for setting up this really fun Senior Fundraiser event! 

Alejandro Aldava-M, Alize Martinez, Brooke Murrell, Christian Trammell, Citlali Perez, Daisy Ocampo, Grace Geiger, Henry Shukert, Jasmine Rivera, John Marler-Vu, Josiah Gordon, Josclyn Diaz, Juliana Willson, Kate Jordan Little, Kendall Hougard, Kira Kennedy, Laila Hilton, Larissa Ilier, Luke Poirier, Lucy Reilly, Max Hauer, Maya Henke, McKenzy Perkins, Mikayla Williams, Morgan O’Keefe, Natalie Herrera, Owen Roetto and Rinoa Lantz! 

Many thanks also to our fabulous hosts Kris and Scott Hougard and all of our amazing Chaperones, Parent Set-up and Donors throughout this awesome evening! 

Amy Feiman, Beth Scott, Catherine Poirier, Chris Little, Christy Jordan, Jacqueline Cote, Janet Willson, Kieu Vu, Lori Lee, Molly Roetto, Natalie Herrera, Onisa Cephus, Paula Moore and Scott Henke!  You parents are fantastic!  

(apologies if anyone was inadvertently omitted - we thank you!)

2023 Class Donations | TJHS PTO

Click here for 2023 TRADITIONS & DATES LIST

*August 1, 2022 ongoing -  Summer Senior Parking Lot Space Painting Begins - see memo contract from Mrs. Allen Treasurer for painting rules for those Seniors who have purchased

*August - September -  Get Senior Color Photos Taken - Due to Yearbook end of October with Quotes! 

* September 12-17, 2022 - TJ Homecoming Week! 

* BONFIRE: Monday, September 12th at TJ 6:30-8:30 p.m.

* SPIRIT DAYS: TBA Monday-Friday Sept. 12th-16th

* POWDERPUFF GAME: Thursday, Sept. 15th Lunchtime

(Seniors vs Juniors! Sign up coming in September)

*ALL-SCHOOL PEP RALLY: Friday, Sept. 16th Afternoon at TJ

*FOOTBALL GAME: Friday, 16th 7:30 p.m. at All City Stadium

* HOCO ROYALTY HALFTIME: Fri., Sept. 16th  All-City Stadium

* HOMECOMING DANCE: Sat. Sept. 17th at TJ 8-11 p.m. Outside (Tickets on Sale in September TBA)

*Tuesday, September 27th 7:00 p.m.  Parent 2023 Kick-off Meeting  - After Prom Planning - Details to Come!

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 Event at TJ, please send your contact info to Catherine Poirier catherinepoirier@comcast.net or Christy Jordan christy.jordan@comcast.net Our 2023 Class Faculty Sponsor is Annie Berg, MSW, annie_berg@dpsk12.net.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT of 2023!

Homecoming Bonfire Volunteers and Supplies Needed!

The Junior Class will be providing a $5 meal deal and other items for purchase at the

Homecoming Bonfire on Monday, September 12, 2022!! We need the help of our

extraordinary parents to feed the TJ Students. 

If you can help with setting up, grilling, distributing food, and cleaning up, please plan on

arriving by 6pm. The Bonfire is from 6:30 to 8:30pm, so please plan on staying the full

time (or until the food is sold out).

The $5 meal deal will include a hot dog, bag of chips, soda and dessert. We will also

provide additional items for $1 each. Please take a moment to sign up to help at the

event and/or provide supplies. All profits will support the Class of 2024 After

Prom. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f49adab2aa3f94-homecoming

UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS!

Paint Recycling with GreenSheen Paint

September 24, 9am to 1pm in the TJ Parking Lot

Recycle your old paint for FREE! Your voluntary donation will support the

Class of 2024. More details coming soon!

Birdcall Restaurant

September 27

Dine in and 35% of ALL proceeds will go to the Class of 2024!

Class Donations

Class of 2024

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

Information for the first parent meeting of the 2022-2023 school year coming soon!

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

Stay tuned for upcoming meetings and events!

Stay tuned for information about the class of 2026!