Administrator's Corner
Happy New Year, Spartans!
We are glad to have you back! (We are also very glad to have 2020 behind us). We hope you are rested and ready to get back to all of the good work we're doing here at TJ.
For several reasons we have revamped the master schedule for second semester, and we think everyone will enjoy the changes. The full schedule can be viewed below, but I wanted to highlight a few important changes. On Mondays (starting on 1/11), students will cycle through all of their classes on a shortened schedule - note that Monday attendance is not optional. Fridays are now regular class days (periods 1, 3, and 7) rather than Office Hours.
Assistant Principal Paula Hammel will be the acting Principal for these first two weeks of the semester as part of her Principal Resident Program, so you may see more communications coming from her. We welcome her to this new role to kick off 2021!
As you know, the plan for now is to remain fully remote to start the semester, but of course we will update you as soon as we know more. We are confident that our new schedule will be successful for both remote and in-person learning options as we move through the semester.
Thanks again for everyone's flexibility and teamwork during these unprecedented times!
¡Feliz Año Nuevo, espartanos!
¡Estamos contentos de tenerte de vuelta! (También estamos muy contentos de tener 2020 detrás de nosotros). Esperamos que estés descansado y listo para volver a todo el buen trabajo que estamos haciendo aquí en TJ.
Por varias razones hemos renovado el calendario maestro para el segundo semestre, y creemos que todos disfrutarán de los cambios. El calendario completo se puede ver a continuación, pero quería destacar algunos cambios importantes. Los lunes (a partir del 1/11), los estudiantes realizarán un ciclo de todas sus clases en un horario reducido - tenga en cuenta que la asistencia del lunes no es opcional. Los viernes son ahora días regulares de clase (períodos 1, 3 y 7) en lugar de horas de oficina.
La Subdirectora Paula Hammel será la Directora interina durante estas dos primeras semanas del semestre como parte de su Programa de Residente Principal, así que usted puede ver más comunicaciones provenientes de ella. ¡le damos la bienvenida a este nuevo papel para comenzar 2021!
Como saben, el plan por ahora es permanecer completamente alejado para comenzar el semestre, pero por supuesto que lo actualizaremos tan pronto como sepamos más. Estamos seguros de que nuestro nuevo horario será exitoso para las opciones de aprendizaje tanto a distancia como en persona a medida que nos movemos a través del semestre.
Gracias de nuevo por la flexibilidad y el trabajo en equipo de todos durante estos tiempos sin precedentes.
|
 |
|
|
|
Monday-
- No classes for students - teacher planning/workday
Tuesday-
Wednesday:
- Signs of Suicide Parent Presentation: 5:30-6:30 p.m., on Zoom (details below)
Thursday-
Friday-
- Please note new Friday class schedule below (periods 1, 3, 7) (note: no Friday Office Hours)
Saturday-
|
-
Thank you to Julie Thibodeau, Jeremy Anderson, Jillian Gleason, and everyone else who helped students with Accuplacer testing and Concurrent Enrollment registration before break!
-
Another thanks to Samanda Davis, Matt Nicolo, and everyone else who contributed their time and money to the Adopt-A-Family efforts before break. Team TJ brightened the holidays of many families - so thank you!
- Well Done TJ! 70 families received a holiday meal, food to help them through the break and we fulfilled every child wish and want list. It was wonderful to see the magic all come together today and watch happy families feel a little lightness during such a heavy year. Thank you staff for ALL your contributions
(SPED, Science Department, DECA, Santambrogio, Popper, Fitzgerald, DECA, Newspaper Staff, Megan, Annie, Adria, Beth, Lupo, Kennedy, Jackson, Nicolo, Palek, Fabian, Perry, Almond, World Language, Brock, Danny Showers)
- I love our TJ community and it would NOT have been possible without the collaborative efforts of your TJ staff, Parent Community, and our extended community.
- Our tireless PTO has been collecting food every month to ensure our kids do not go hungry. They collect, sort, deliver, and stand in the cold for hours to make this happen. (PTO, Megan Perkins, Suzy Stone, and Julie Thibodeau) Our Parent Community reached out in droves and made this happen. I even had a waitlist. I had to reach out last minute due to some add on's and they jumped in and got it done within 24 hours.
|
|
NEW Semester 2 Weekly Schedule
|
|
Important Advisement Announcement
|
|
Attention 9th Grade Students! When we return from break, Advisement will be jumping in to a new lesson. You will be required to attend Tuesday January 5th as well as January 6th, 7:30am-7:55am, Meet Code: TJadvisement1 (all students to go to same room).
¡Atención estudiantes de noveno grado! Cuando regresemos del descanso, Advisement comenzará una nueva lección. Se le pedirá que asista el martes 5 de enero y el 6 de enero, de 7:30 am a 7:55 am, Código de reunión: TJadvisement1 (todos los estudiantes deben ir a la misma sala).
Attention 10th Grade Students! You will NOT have Advisement the week of January 4th, 2021. Your first Advisement class will be Tuesday January 12th, 2021 at 7:30am.
¡Atención estudiantes de décimo grado! NO tendrá Asesoramiento la semana del 4 de enero de 2021. Su primera clase de Asesoramiento será el martes 12 de enero de 2021 a las 7:30 am.
Attention 11th Grade Students! You will NOT have Advisement the week of January 4th, 2021. Your first Advisement class will be Wednesday January 13th, 2021 at 7:30am.
¡Atención estudiantes de grado 11! NO tendrá Asesoramiento la semana del 4 de enero de 2021. Su primera clase de Asesoramiento será el miércoles 13 de enero de 2021 a las 7:30 am.
Attention 12th Grade Students! You will NOT have Advisement the week of January 4th, 2021. Your first Advisement class will be Thursday January 14th, 2021, 7:30am.
¡Atención estudiantes de grado 12! NO tendrá Asesoramiento la semana del 4 de enero de 2021. Su primera clase de Asesoramiento será el jueves 14 de enero de 2021 a las 7:30 am.
|
|
Spartans! We will continue to offer FREE tutoring for students throughout the spring semester. Please stay tuned for Google Meet codes and details!
|
We will be working on a new collection of items for a winter online sale. Please watch the newsletter and School Deets for information. Reach out to TJHS.STORE@GMAIL.COM with any questions!
|
|
Welcome back from winter break! The PTO will begin making plans for the second semester at our next PTO meeting on
Tuesday, January 12th from 7-8pm. Here are the Zoom details...
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 821 3113 3929
Passcode: 386840
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,82131133929# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,82131133929# US (Houston)
We hope you can join us!
|
|
TJ Food Drive and Distribution Program
|
Thank you for your continued support of the TJ Food Bank! Non-perishable food is continually being collected at any of the following locations:
If you'd prefer, you can make a monetary donation to the Food Bank HERE. These funds are used to replenish items and purchase fresh food for distribution to our families.
|
|
Webinar Series for Parents
|
|
We need your help!
The yearbook staff needs your help collecting content. Please fill out these forms if you have any photos or quotes!
Thanks in advance for your submissions! |
|
Chromebook and Materials Distribution - By Appointment Only
|
|
Dear Spartan Families,
TJHS will continue to offer pick up opportunities for Chromebooks and class materials distribution by appointment only.
- To make a request please fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/h381kzTdGeEnXTa46
- We will contact you using the email address provided in the form to arrange a time for pickup.
- If you are returning damaged technology please make sure the power cord is returned with the unit
- We are out of Wifi Hotspots and we don't know when additional units will be made available.
|
|
DPS Custodians and Bus Drivers Needed!
|
|
During this time of COVID our schools need more than ever to stay clean and safe for our kiddos and staff!
The reason for this email is to ask a favor - We have a dire need for Custodians and Bus Drivers!
We currently have 70 custodian vacancies.
Custodian Job Description:
The Custodian works under the direction of the Facility Manager and/or Assistant Facility Manager, cleaning the facility and performing grounds work in accordance with DPS guidelines. They may perform minor maintenance activities on facilities and equipment.
· Must be at least 17 years of age
· They must pass a reading test (8th grade reading level), Interview, Criminal Background Check and Fingerprints.
· High school diploma or equivalent required for FT
· All full time shifts are 8 hours a day - based on location, 8 hours between 12:30pm and 11:00pm, usually Monday - Friday
· All part time shirts are 4 hours a day - between 5:00pm-11:00pm
· $14.77/an hour! These positions are eligible for medical, vision benefits as well as sick, personal and vacation time
Bus Driver Job Description:
The Bus Driver is responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of elementary, middle, and high school students, including students with special needs, on regular routes, excursions and athletic trips.
· Must be at least 21 years of age.
· Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Colorado commercial driver's license (CDL) - Class B with P2S endorsements if this license is not currently held.
· $20.34/an hour!
· Benefit eligible with minimum hours
· High school diploma or equivalent required
If interested they can text DPSFIELD to 97211 to speak to a Recruiter
|
In an effort to provide GT students and their families with the resources and supports needed to begin/complete their Advanced Learning Plan (ALP), the TJHS GT Site Team has created a Google Classroom for each GT grade level. The title and code for each grade level is listed below:
TJHS Gifted and Talented 2024 Cohort - doyqstu
TJHS Gifted and Talented 2023 Cohort - b7vpvfn
TJHS Gifted and Talented 2022 Cohort - orzg7to
TJHS Gifted and Talented 2021 Cohort - by7mjwi
The TJHS GT Site Team, working alongside our District GT Partners, has included resources, websites and documents to help you complete your ALP goals. Keep in mind that there are affective as well as academic goals. At this time, students should only focus on the Goals / Advanced Learning Plan section and not worry about the badges right now. We don't want you to get in there and feel overwhelmed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Tate, our Dean Instruction and GT Point of Contact at adria_tate@dpsk12.org
Our District GT Partner is Brian Beard, brian_beard@dpsk12.org, and you may receive GT newsletters from his office with internship and university opportunities.
|
|
Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
|
|
Did You Know...?
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 2019
|
TJ High School
| |
... seriously considered attempting suicide in past 12-months.
|
13.4%
| |
... who felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row during the past 12 months that they stopped doing some usual activities.
|
35.3%
| |
... made a plan.
|
12.4%
| |
... attempted one or more times.
|
7.4%
|
As a guardian, here is how you can get information and resources: What: Signs of Suicide Parent Presentation by TJ Mental Health Team When: Wednesday January 6th, 2021 5:30-6:30pm Where: Virtually! You can join from the comfort of your couch and pajamas
PLEASE RSVP:
Meeting ID: 915 0627 9541 Passcode: pHCGj7
Questions? Please contact:
We look forward to seeing you there!
Mental Health and Social Emotional "Did You Know": Compiled by Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW and Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP. |
|
School Based Health Centers are OPEN!
|
| https://www.denverhealth.org/services/school-based-health-centers
Thomas Jefferson School Based Clinic: 720-423-7190
Consent for Thomas Jefferson School Based Clinic:
English:
Spanish:
|
News from the Future Center
|
Hi Spartans and Parents,
You'll see Weekly Scholarship Highlights, assignments to keep you on track including FAFSA steps, Essay Writing Tips, the calendar of Virtual College Rep Visits, Virtual Career Panels, and upcoming deadlines in addition to many other resources!
Institutional Scholarship Applications that are OPEN- Start TODAY!
Check your colleges' websites for more information regarding scholarships and deadlines!
Check out the Fall Timeline together to stay on track and be certain to follow the Steps to Complete Apps document to ensure your supporting documents are sent to your schools.
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
www.denverscholarship.org
|
|
Food and Nutrition Resources for Families
|
-
Remember - TJ gear is available in the Spartan Store. If you would like to make a purchase, please contact tjhs.store@gmail.com.
|
|
Class of '21 - SENIORS! We're planning activities for next spring and need your help. Some activities may include After-Prom, Senior BBQ/Breakfast, a Graduation Parade, Talent Jubilee (aka as Mr. TJ), you name it! With limited fundraising options and time, we are making one last push for donations in hopeful anticipation of these honored traditions, and perhaps new ones. Whatever lies ahead for this class, we want to make next semester memorable. All money raised will go to support our kids!
PLEASE consider donating - $21 for '21 yet any amount will do! You can donate through the PTO Spirit Store here. If you wish to donate cash - your donation will be DOUBLED!! That's right. To learn how, please email Colley_Moe@comcast.net.
We also need senior parents to lead these activities and help start new traditions. Are you creative, like to organize, or are good with technology? We need to improvise and remain flexible with our current situation, yet we can do this if we all pitch in for these AMAZING Seniors. We will begin meeting regularly starting in January. Please reach out to one of the class contacts below to find out how you can help and look for an updated newsletter after Thanksgiving with kick-off meeting details. Go Spartans!
|
|
STAY TUNED!
Our next event will be held in February!
Details to follow in January.
These events support the Class of 2022's senior year activities including After Prom. Your involvement in any capacity is important and appreciated. If you have ideas and/or would like to help with the Class of 2022 activities, please contact Julie Rubin at rubin_j@comcast.net or Marlene Talavera at TJSpartans2022@gmail.com.
|
|
Class of 2023 - Sophomores
|
|
Mask up 2023!
Hey Sophomores - hope you'll be back in-person soon! Cool Class of 2023 TJ Masks are still on sale for $10! All proceeds go to Class of 2023! Two quick steps to order:
- Please email Catherine Poirier at cpoirier@bodybark.com with the number of masks you would like to order and student's contact name.
- Payment via Venmo: @Catherine-Poirier-3 $10 per mask - Indicate: 2023 Mask and student's contact name.
Mask Pick-Up will be arranged after purchase! Enormous thanks to Candace Lewis (Laila Hilton's mom) for the design and producing of our 2023 Masks!
|
Class of 2024 - Welcome! Part of the Thomas Jefferson mission is to build community, but we can't do that without your help. Please take a moment to complete a short survey for the Class Parent Sponsors. The information you provide will help us direct our communication to the people who want to receive it. We look forward to getting to know you and your student(s)! Class of 2024 Parent Survey
|
|
|
|
|
