August 19, 2019
Administrator's Corner

Hello TJ Family,
 
I am Mike Christoff, the proud Principal of Thomas Jefferson High School. I am starting my 10th year at TJ overall and my 4th year as Principal. It has been great to see so many new and familiar faces the past couple weeks as you have come in to register your students for the 2019-2020 school year! Our enrollment continues to grow which has allowed us to hire more teachers and mental health supports for our students this year to make sure we are addressing the needs of the whole child.
 
Construction crews have been very busy this summer as well trying to do 22 weeks of work in 9 weeks! These improvements are thanks to the Bond that was passed by Denver voters in 2016. If you would like to read more about everything that has been going on this summer you can read more about it here.
 
TJ teachers have also been working hard this summer attending a wide range of trainings (Advanced Placement, AVID, Restorative Justice, curricular specific, etc...) to prepare for this year as well getting some much needed down time.
 
We are very excited for the 2019-2020 school to get started and hope to see you all around TJ soon!
 
Here's to a great school year!

Hola TJ Family, 

Soy Mike Christoff, el orgulloso director de la Escuela Secundaria Thomas Jefferson. Estoy comenzando mi décimo año en TJ en general y mi cuarto año como Principal. ¡Ha sido genial ver tantas caras nuevas y familiares en las últimas dos semanas como usted ha venido a registrar a sus estudiantes para el año escolar 2019-2020!

Nuestra inscripción sigue creciendo lo que nos ha permitido contratar más maestros y apoyos de salud mental para nuestros estudiantes este año para asegurarnos de que estamos atendiendo las necesidades de todo el niño.

Equipos de construcción han sido muy ocupado este verano, así tratando de hacer 22 semanas de trabajo en 9 semanas! Estas mejoras son gracias al Bono que fue aprobado por los votantes de Denver en 2016. Si desea leer más sobre todo lo que ha estado pasando este verano puede leer más sobre él aquí.

Los profesores de TJ también han estado trabajando duro este verano asistiendo a una amplia gama de capacitaciones (Colocación Avanzada, AVID, Justicia Restaurativa, curriculares específicos, etc...) para prepararse para este año, así como conseguir un tiempo de inactividad muy necesario.

Estamos muy emocionados de que la escuela 2019-2020 para empezar y esperamos verte a todos alrededor de TJ pronto! 

Aquí hay un gran año escolar!

Mike Christoff
Principal
Quick Links
" Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today ."
-Malcolm X
" Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world ."
-Nelson Mandela
Week at a Glance - Week of 8/19-8/23
Monday- 
  • First day of school - Freshmen only
  • Please click here (or see the above "Athletics Schedule" quick link) to see athletic events for the week
Tuesday-
  • All students back to school
Wednesday -
  • Office Hours - 2:14-2:55 p.m.
Thursday-

Friday- 
Kudos Korner
This summer select students from the Career Technology Education (CTE) Department were able to have a firsthand paid working experience while working with select companies throughout the greater Denver area. Each student received $1,100.00 and was required to perform 120 hours of work with select companies and State Agencies. Each student received two full days of employment training, interview and resume preparation, and detailed general workplace standard expectation information. This summer Thomas Jefferson High School had 31 students working in the program. They were divided among 14 different companies. Mr. Danny Showers served as the Thomas Jefferson High School Internship Coordinator. This year's summer CareerLaunch program started on June 17, 2019 and ended on July 19, 2019. This year Thomas Jefferson High School student Farine Azari was selected as the top Thomas Jefferson High School CareerLaunch Student with this year's Summer CareerLaunch program. Congrats to Farine and the rest of the students!
New TJ Mobile App!
We are proud to announce that TJ will be using a new and improved mobile app this year! The goal is to increase communication with parents and streamline information that families receive. If you did not download the app at registration, please see below and do so as soon as possible!
Attendance Policy
Art: An Empathy Movement
The Empathy Museum's "A Mile in My Shoes"
August 8 - September 27
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tail Tracks Plaza (on 16th between Wewatta & Wynkoop)

What's it like to step into someone else's shoes and view the world from their perspective? Find out as the Empathy Museum brings this idea to life with " A Mile in My Shoes," a traveling, one-of-a-kind, FREE participatory exhibition that allows participants to literally walk in someone else's shoes while listening to a story about that person's life.

From a Syrian refugee sex worker, to a war veteran and neurosurgeon, the stories housed in this shoebox invite participants on a profound journey of empathy that explores our shared humanity and creates deep, lasting mental impressions that last well after the physical mile is traversed.

The exhibit visits Denver as part of the Biennial of the Americas 2019 Festival Empathy In Action and will provide a unique opportunity for the community to think about and experience empathy in lead up to the Festival.
Yearbook News
Yearbook Announcements:

Price: The earlier you buy your book, the more you save! Please see the discount schedule below. Buy your book now for the most savings!

Purchase before:
9-27-19 = $50
11-1-19 = $55
1-31-20 = $60

From February 23 on, the book will be $65 until sold out.

Senior Photos & Quotes: Due date: Friday, October 11, 2019 by the end of the school day. *Quotes are optional.

Senior Recognition Ad:  To purchase an ad, please visit the yearbook website.

All information about the yearbook can found on the journal under the News & Events tab or by clicking here.
TJHS Theatre Department announces the 2019 Fall Play!
Are you looking for a place to get involved? Do you love being the center of attention and hamming it up with your friends? Have you ever wanted to create something magnificent from scratch? All of these are great reasons to come out and join the Fall Play! There are several rolls for men and women. We will also need plenty of people for our props department, set building, costumes, programs/poster/ticket design which we call THEATRE TECH or TECH for short.

The informational meeting for students of all grades and experiences will be:  Wednesday, Aug 21st @ 3pm in the Auditorium.

Nooses Off is the murder-mystery-comedy we will be producing this year. Below is a brief synopsis of the show.

An amateur theater company's whodunit hurtles towards opening night -- but the real mystery is whether the cast and crew can get this disaster to curtain call. It won't be easy when the costume designer's bent on revenge, the actors are wrapped up in a revolving door of showmances, one suitcase plays the role of nine, and the playwright won't admit that  Nine Little Indians  might owe a little something to Agatha Christie. The best seat in the house is backstage on opening night in this full-throttled homage to Michael Frayn's classic comedy.

Auditions for this amazing, fun, and exciting show will be  August 27th with callback on August 28th. Sign-ups will be on the outside of the auditorium the first week of school. One list will be for an interview to join the tech team and the other to audition for a roll. Please see Ms. Reed, the director; Mr. Moss, assistant director; Mr. Palmieri, drama teacher and coach; AJ Domagala, senior stage manager if you have any questions!
Class of 2021 Fundraiser
CLASS of 2021 Fundraiser at Chipotle 
August 27th from 4-8
Come Support and grab a burrito or 2!
Free Citizen Workshops
The Denver Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs, Denver Human Services & the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) are proud to host a FREE Citizenship Workshop on Saturday, August 31st, 9:00 am - noon. (Volunteer training at 8:00 am.) 
 
This workshop will help individuals apply for Citizenship, DACA and Green Card Renewals, and determine qualification for a full/partial fee waiver, and will have trusted attorneys to review applications. Applicants with a complete application package will receive copies with an envelope ready to mail. 
 
To register for help with the application, click here.  Interpreters are available upon request at registration. 
 
Volunteers are needed! To volunteer to help someone on their path to Citizenship or learn more about volunteer opportunities, click here.

For more information, contact [email protected]
King Soopers Fundraiser
King Soopers just made FUNDRAISING for TJ even EASIER!
 
All you need to do is register your King Soopers loyalty card number or alternate ID (e.g. phone number) to earn money for TJ. After you register for the program,  a percentage of ALL of your King Soopers purchases will go to TJ.
 
Important: At the point of purchase, you must swipe your loyalty card or type in your alternate ID in order for your purchases to count toward TJ's fundraising.
 
In order to get benefits from the use of your loyalty card/alt id you MUST:
2. Click on Enroll Now
3. You will then see a page where you can choose your organization
4. Search for Thomas Jefferson High School Partners either by name or UT036 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.
 
That's it! You are now enrolled and can help raise EASY MONEY for TJ's classroom grants, student events and staff appreciation.  Thank you!
 
Questions? Email [email protected]
News from the Future Center
  • Seniors - Please be sure to visit the Future Center for deadlines, scholarships, and college visits!
Sophie Vogel
College Advisor, Thomas Jefferson High School 
Denver Scholarship Foundation | a 501(c)(3) Public Charity  
3950 S. Holly Street  |  Denver, CO 80237 
O 720.423.7134   F 720.423.7098
   
Spartan Spirit Store
Our store inventory has been moved during the recent renovations. Please email  [email protected] if you would like to purchase something & we would be happy to get the spirit wear for you. We can arrange to have items picked up on Friday afternoon. 

We're hoping to be at some spring sporting events and also new student orientation coming up as well. 

Thanks and thank you for supporting TJ! 

Karla & Carrie 
TJHS Spirit Store Volunteers-
Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
Did You Know...?

We are excited to share that Thomas Jefferson High school expanded its mental health and counseling team! Allow us to introduce ourselves...
 
Mental Health Team:
Annie Berg, MSW - School Social Worker. This is Annie's first year at TJHS, and fourth year working in DPS. Annie will be supporting the school Monday-Friday. She is located in room 114 B, off the main hallway. Her contact information is  [email protected] and (720)423-7043.
 
Samanda Davis , LCSW, MSW - School Social Worker. She been a part of the TJHS community for 20 years. She works Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. She is available for all students to access. Her office is located in room 114C, off the main hallway. Her contact information is  [email protected] and (720)423-7072.
 
Natalie Koncz , Ed.S., NCSP- School Psychologist. She has been a part of TJHS community for 8 years. She is full time, Monday-Friday at TJHS, and is available for all students to access. Her office is located in room 114A, off the main hallway. Her contact information is  [email protected] and (720)423-7077.
 
Megan Miccio , MSW - Social Worker. This is her 3rd year at TJHS. She is at TJHS on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and her focus is on substance prevention, typically working in classrooms with teachers and students to implement prevention curriculums and supports. Her office is located in room 114D, off the main hallway. Her contact information is  [email protected] .
 
Stephanie Onan, LCSW, MSW-Social Worker. This is her first year at TJHS; she previously worked at South High School for 15 years. She will be exclusively supporting the Affective Needs program. She is at TJHS Tuesday and Thursdays. Her office is located in 114D, off the main hallway. Her contact information is  [email protected] .
 
Counseling Team:
Jeremy Anderson , NCC, MA, LPC - School Counselor. He has been a part of the TJHS community for 6 years. He is full time, Monday - Friday at TJHS, and supports students with the last names R-Z. His office is located off the main hallway in the Counseling Center, in room 137G. His contact information is  [email protected] and (720)423-7124.
 
Jillian Gleason , NCC, MA, LPC- School Counselor. This is her second year as part of the TJHS community. She is full time, Monday - Friday, and supports students with the last names A-D. Her office is located off the main hallway in the Counseling Center, in room 137E. Her contact information is  [email protected] and (720)423-7182.
 
Maggie Kennedy , NCC, MA, - School Counselor. This is her second year as part of the TJHS community. She is full time, Monday - Friday, and supports students with the last names E - L. Her office is located off the main hallway in the Counseling Center, in room 137K. Her contact information is [email protected] and (720)423-7114.
 
Erin Thompson , MA - School Counselor. This is her 10th year as part of the TJHS community. She is full time, Monday - Friday, and supports students with the last names M - Q. Her office is located off the main hallway in the Counseling Center, in room 137H. Her contact information is [email protected] and (720)423-7179.
 
Rebecca Taylor, MA -- School Counselor. This is your first year at TJHS. She will be supporting students in the 9th grade as they transition from middle school to high school. She is located in off the main hallway, in Counseling Office, in room 137F. She will be at TJHS for the fall 2019 semester, and then will be at Hamilton Middle School spring 2020. Her contact information is [email protected] .


Food and Nutrition Resources for Families
  • Click here for Food Resource Hotline information
Class News You Can Use
All Classes 
  • Great news! All Class T-Shirts are now available (as well as other TJ gear)  in the Spartan Store. If you would like to make a purchase, please contact [email protected].
Class of 2020 - Seniors
As we look ahead to Senior year, we need several parent volunteers to take on the planning and execution of the Senior night camp out before the first day of school for incoming freshmen (Aug.19).  This is a great TJ Spartan tradition. We would especially love to have some dads help out with this event.   If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Megan Perkins ( [email protected] ) or Lisa LoJacono ( [email protected] ).  
Class of 2021 - Juniors

We're looking for volunteers to host future events for our class parents. If interested, please come to the next PTO meeting, or send an email to [email protected]; or [email protected] to find out more.
Class of 2022 - Sophomores
The class of 2022 needs 2-4 additional parents to join parent Julie Rubin in planning fundraising events. The class of 2022 has two faculty sponsors,  Jason Klimczak and Maggie Kennedy, but parents are needed to work with the staff to plan fundraising activities. Parent sponsors also plan community building activities for the parents of the class of 2022.  Each class is expected to raise money needed to host their Prom, After Prom and other activities senior year.  The sooner the fundraiser get started, the more choices there will be for events senior year. The time commitment can be as little or as much you can share.   Your involvement in any capacity is important and appreciated. We are successful because of your behind-the-scenes contributions, large and small. It all adds up to a stronger community. An engaged parent body shows our students that we care about them!
 
If you need more information, contact [email protected] or Julie directly at [email protected].
Class of 2023 - Freshmen
  • Stay tuned for more information!