October 20, 2016
Administrator's Corner

Hello TJ, 

Thank you for your support during our critical October Count window! As you know, good attendance during this window gives us the funding we need for per pupil operating revenue. We need to continue making good attendance a priority as we head into the colder months, so please pay close attention to planning ahead and leaving early during inclement weather. 

Please make note of a unique schedule coming up: there will be no school for students on Thursday, October 27th, Friday, October 28th, or Friday, November 4th. The tentative release date of our SPF will be October 27th. The second 6-week grading period will end on Friday, November 4th.

Thanks for staying involved and helping us continue on our path of success! 

Hola TJ!

Gracias por su apoyo durante nuestra ventana crítica del Contador de octubre! Como saben, buena asistencia durante esta ventana nos da los fondos que necesitamos para los ingresos por alumno. Tenemos que seguir haciendo buena asistencia una prioridad mientras nos dirigimos hacia los meses más fríos, así que por favor preste mucha atención a la planificación anticipada y salir temprano durante el tiempo de frío.

Por favor tome nota de las siguientes fechas: no habrá clases para los estudiantes el jueves, 27 de octubre, viernes, 28 de octubre o el viernes, 4 de noviembre. La fecha de lanzamiento tentativa de nuestro Plan Funcionario de la Escuela (SPF) será el 27 de octubre. El segundo período de calificaciones de 6 semanas terminará el viernes 4 de noviembre.

Gracias por estar involucrado y ayudarnos a continuar en nuestro camino de éxito!

Mike Christoff
Principal
Quick Links
Parent/Student Portal 
If you haven't done so already, please sign up!
2. Click the "getting started" tab on the top
3. Fill out the form on the left with your name, e-mail   address, phone number, student name, school ID number (lunch number) and student's 8 digit date of birth. Click "submit."
4. Create your username and password. Click "submit."
5. You will receive an e-mail immediately from the DPS Portal Team with a link to activate your account.
Tutoring in Library
3-4 p.m.
Math and Social Studies on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.   Science tutoring will be held on alternate Tuesdays.  Language Arts tutoring will be held on Thursdays. 
Kudos Korner
Way to go, Spartans!
TJ's 2016 BEST Robotics team:  Kennedy Perry, Evan Jacobsen, Jackson Reid, Kage Fortney, Logan Cecil, Jeremy Monroy, Laura Brandon, Evan Kellley, Quinn L'Heureux, Vance Hood, Garrett Bedford, Luis Merlin-Vergara, Cristina Kuta, Coach Matt Santambrogio. (not pictured:  Cole Bellomo)
  • Congratulations to the robotics students who competed in the Rocky Mountain BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) Competition at the Auraria Campus Event Center on Saturday, October 15th. The Spartan team made it to the semi-finals and placed 6th overall out of 30 teams. The team also won the 2016 Most Robust Machine Award, which is awarded to the team whose robot demonstrates excellent reliability and minimum maintenance during the robot competition. 

  • The TJ Cross Country team had a great showing at the District meet last week. The girls came in 4th place overall! Please congratulate these Lady Spartans when you see them in the hall: Megan George, Morgan George, Phoebe Briney, Jazz Wright, Malia McDorman, Kennedy Perry, Vanessa Castro-Ramirez, Samantha Guyer, Ciara O'Neil. Click here for detailed results
  • Congratulations to Coach Jackson and the Girls Softball team for advancing through regionals and qualifying for the state tournament!
  • Congratulations to Tambyr Reed along with the cast and crew of the Nosemaker's Apprentice for another highly entertaining play! 
SAT Prep
Study sessions will take place every Thursday  from 3-4 p.m. and will run through March. There will be snacks and gift cards given out. We will also offer four FREE Saturday Mock SAT exams (dates TBD soon). To be able to participate in the study sessions students need to bring proof that they completed a practice exam on Khan Academy (print out or screen shot of score is fine). Please see Corielyn Bromley with any questions!
TJ Kitchen - Now Hiring Students!
TJ kitchen is hiring. We need two student workers to work 1 hour a day during lunch. We pay $10.00 an hour for students. Juniors and seniors only need apply. Positions open until filled.  Go to DPS job board, food service -student worker.
Student and Adult Volunteers Needed!
Feel free to also contact Tracy Bedford with questions: bedfords99@yahoo.com 
Where Do I Get My Spartan Spirit Gear?
The TJ Spartan Spirit Store is a virtual store  which is online. The store also is setup at some school events such as athletic events, concerts, plays and conference nights.

You can see all items for sale and purchase any of the clothing, hats, chairs, blankets  from the online store with a credit card. If you wish to pay in cash or by check, you can contact Laura Whalen via email or phone. Items are not shipped but can be picked up at school, or you can make other arrangements by contacting Laura Whalen  ( lewhalen@gmail.com or  
303-681-7226).

Visit the online store to see all the fun, cool gear we have available to show your Spartan Spirit!

JUST IN!!:
Grey and White Flex-fit baseball hats with TJ logo
2XL TJ T-shirts and Hoodies
Under Armour Men's Ankle Zip Grey sweatpants
Unified Shirts for Sale
Support your Unified Basketball team at TJ!

$10 for adults 

$8 for students

E-mail Mrs. Lynch to purchase: 

Elizabeth_Lynch2@dpsk12.org

Donations Requested
Activities coordinator Sara Andolsek is reaching out to ask for donations to help with monthly games and activities that will take place throughout the year.  Donations are to acknowledge students and the fun, hard work they put into the school year.  Just a simple donation of gift cards (Starbucks, Chipotle, Burger King, McDonalds etc), individually wrapped candy, or school apparel that you are willing to give away would be much appreciated! Donations can be brought to the main office or directly to Sara in room 107. Please email  sara_andolsek@dpsk12.org with any questions!
Denver Dumb Friends League Project
Thanks, NHS!
NHS students helped to make some Doggie Chew Toys for the Denver Dumb Friends League project. Students shown above (right) are Vasi Reiva and Maggie Foos. We did this project on Thursday October 13, making chew toys from old t-shirts donated by TJ Staffers. Congrats to all NHS students who helped with this fun project!
Choir News
The choir concert is October 25th!   Here's our link for the San Antonio Trip on GoFundMe
TJ's Tardy/Truancy Policy
Thank you for your support in keeping our attendance at its best!
Calling all Extraordinary 15-Year-Olds
Teenager TV Casting is looking for exceptional 15-year-olds who want their story shared around the country.
Teenager TV Casting is helping the producers of I am Jazz, a show about a transgender girl's teenage life, create a new major cable network show centered around fifteen year olds and the stories these exceptional teens have to share. The stories can be about anything that the teen thinks has been a major moment in his or her life so far, and the show hopes to inspire other teens to understand that they are never too young to be extraordinary. 
Counseling News
The Counselors have started working with 9th and 10th grade students on ICAP.  The counseling team met with both 9th and 10th grades to go over 4 year academic planning, transcripts, credits, GPA, as well as starting to work in Naviance to look at careers, and what colleges they might be interested in applying to.  Also, students were asked to look up a college of their choice to see what the admissions requirements are including GPA, test scores as well as cost of attendance.  The counseling team will continue to meet with all grade levels, and will be meeting with both 9th and 10th grades every month. 
Beauty Supplies Available
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The social work department received a donation of beauty supplies such as nail polish, hair spray, lotions, etc.  If you are someone who would love any of these items, please stop by the social work office during passing or off period.

Bullying - "Don't Be A Monster!"
"Don't Be A Monster" bullying presentation will be offered to 9 th  and 10 th  graders on October 26, 2016 during office hours.  This is a voluntary assembly that can accommodate up to 300 students.
Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
~ Building Resiliency ~

What is 'Resiliency'? The ability to recover to a natural state in a reasonable amount of time from a difficult situation or event. 
Adversity is part of life. We all face difficulties, such as family problems, serious illness, a personal crisis, or a painful loss. Being resilient is important to dealing with adversities like these. Most people have a natural tendency to adapt and bounce back from adversity. However, parents can help their children learn to face challenges successfully, whether it is the stresses of everyday life, such as academic difficulties or problems with friends, or severe adversity, such as losing a home and being displaced from normal routines for months.
How can you help foster resiliency in your child? 
1. Think positive! Modeling positive attitudes and positive emotions is very important. Children need to hear parents thinking out loud positively and being determined to persist until a goal is achieved. Using a "can do" problem-solving approach to problems teaches children a sense of power and promise.  

2. Express love and gratitude! Emotions such as love and gratitude increase resiliency. Praise should always occur much more often than criticism. Children and adolescents who are cared for, loved, and supported learn to express positive emotions to others. Positive emotions buffer kids against depression and other negative reactions to adversity.  

3. Express yourself! Resilient people appropriately express all emotions, even negative ones. Parents who help kids become more aware of emotions, label emotions appropriately, and help children deal with upsetting events are giving them useful life skills.  

4. Get fit! Good physical health prepares the body and mind to be more resilient. Healthy eating habits, regular exercise and adequate sleep protect kids against the stress of tough situations. Regular exercise also decreases negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, and depression. 

5. Foster competency! Making sure that children and adolescents achieve academically is great protection against adversity. Children who achieve academic success and who develop individual talents, such as playing sports, drawing, making things, playing musical instruments or playing games are much more likely to feel competent and be able to deal with stress positively. Social competency is also important. Having friends and staying connected to friends and loved ones can increase resiliency. Social competency can even be created by helping others. 

Can we protect our kids from difficult times and stress? No. But we can help foster a sense of competency and the skills to face tough circumstances. The more we practice these approaches; the better able our children will be to weather whatever life brings.
Mental Health and Social Emotional Tip: Compiled by Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW and Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP
References: Center for Disease Control and Prevention ( http://www.cdc.gov/ ); National Association of School Psychologists ( http://www.nasponline.org
Love Your Library!
Don't forget!
The TJHS Library is open every school day from 7:15 until 3:30pm.  Yes, we are open during lunch.  Yes, we are open during office hours on Wednesday.  Yes, the computers are available during these times.
 
AND...tutoring is offered in the Library on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3pm until 4pm, with a math and social studies tutors on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. They also offer Science on alternating Tuesdays and Language arts on Thursdays.
 
Also, find the "hidden-in-plain-sight" trivia question in the library, answer it correctly, and if your name is drawn from the correct answers, get a $5.00 gift card to Starbucks, Chipotle, or other teenage friendly place of conspicous consumption (librarian's choice of gift card).
Class News You Can Use
All Classes 
Class of 2017 - Seniors
SENIOR T-Shirts - Get Yours Now

We still have some of the original Class of 2017 T-Shirts available. Y ou can purchase online and pickup at school OR  see Julie Thibideau in the office  to buy your shirt.  Profits from these shirts support After-Prom Event for 2017.  So please support our Seniors and a safe, fun Prom 2017.


Stay CONNECTED - TeamApp - TJ Class of 2017, Twitter @2017tjhs, facebook TJHS 2017 Spartan Support 

Questions:  TJHS2017@gmail.com
Thanks for helping to make TJ and the Class of 2017 Great!
Class of 2018 - Juniors
  • Thank-you to the Class of 2018 parents who joined us for Octoberfest.  It was a fun and successful evening.  A big thank-you to the Aldridge-Sensenbrenner family for hosting the event.  Please look for two more opportunities this school year for parents to socialize, get connected and contribute to the Class of 2018 fundraising efforts. Please email karycramer@msn.com if you're interested in helping out at any point this year. We need you!
Class of 2019 - Sophomores
  • Thank you to the 2019 parents who came to the fundraising dinner on Saturday.  And a big thank you to Kris and Scott Hougard for hosting!  If you would like to host a party or have another idea for fundraising, please contact Debi Kelley at  getaholdofdebi@gmail.com
Class of 2020 - Freshmen
  • Thank-you to Megan Perkins and Lisa LoJacono who have agreed to be parent representatives for the Class of 2020. Please look for important information to come.  If you are interested in getting involved please email Megan at: meganperkins@gmail.com or Lisa at: Lisa_Lojacono@dpsk12.org.
Town Hall & Visioning Meeting and Workshop
Denver Public Schools Chess Meet

News from the Future Center
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Monthly Scholarship Raffle-$50 Gift Card- 10/26/16
· Enter before 10/26.
· Apply to one scholarship= 1 entry
· Received a scholarship (bring proof)= 5 entries
· Entry forms are in the Future Center.
· All TJ students may enter!

College Applications- Deadline 11/28/16
· Naviance has all documents you need to apply to college.
· Before transcripts can be sent, you must complete a college      checklist with Ms. Maez.
· The first 50 students to complete the check list will receive a Chipotle coupon.

College/Scholarship Essay Help- Wednesdays during Office Hours
· Before Wednesday during office hours, email or bring a copy of your essay to the Future Center.
· Include the prompt and who the essay is for.
· First come, first served!
· For seniors applying to college only.

College Visits:
· Sign up in Naviance and put it on your calendar!
· You're responsible for any missed work in your classes.
· Schools with a star next to the name and in bold are application workshops. Be prepared to submit your application with support from the college representative.

Visits:
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 10/24/2016, 1:00
University of Colorado at Denver, 10/27/2016, 9:00
 
For upcoming events, college visits, financial aid workshops, scholarships, and much more, visit the Future Center wikipage !
 
Rena Maez 
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
   
rmaez@denverscholarship.org |   www.denverscholarship.org