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August 19, 2024
Dear TJ Families,
Welcome back! I am incredibly excited to get the 2024-25 school year started! Our faculty and staff are also excited to see your students, and have been working this past week, and in many cases throughout the summer to get ready for this upcoming school year. As has been our mission, we will continue to make TJ THE high school to go to if you want to prepare for college and career. Our work moving forward is to relentlessly pursue opportunities for our students to ensure that they are prepared for college and career. College and career readiness is at the forefront of everything we do so that all students are prepared for the challenges of post-secondary education – be it community college, technical school, or the most elite colleges and universities around the world. While this mission has not changed we also continue to have an unbelievably strong mental health team as well as partner with outside agencies to support the social and emotional health of the whole child. As was the case last year, a full Breakfast and full Lunch will be free to all students provided they enter their student ID at the point of sale. Any extra food or snacks that students would like to have must be purchased using their student accounts.
Please click here to read my full letter which outlines continued expectations, the new bell schedule (also displayed below), and more!
Some key dates to put in your calendar are:
Registration now open - Online registration only - You can still register today!
Information on Registration, Athletics, Choice of Studies, and more
8/19/24 9th Grade students first day of school
7:50 a.m. building opens (breakfast is free)
8:20 a.m. All students meet in Auditorium
8/20/24 10th, 11th, & 12th Grade students return to school
7:50 a.m. building opens for all students (breakfast is free)
8/22/24 - 8/23/24 School Pictures - you will go w/ your Math Class
Thank you!
I look forward to another great year at Thomas Jefferson High School AND I look forward to seeing you in person soon.
Mike Christoff
Principal
Monday-
Freshmen only
Tuesday-
All students return
Wednesday-
Thursday-
Picture Day
Friday-
Picture Day
Saturday-
The Spartan community has so many wonderful things going on. This is a place where we like to highlight individuals and groups for all of their successes!
Junior Elijah Reed was selected as an Intern of The Year for his animation work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). His team was so impressed by his work that they asked him to return in the fall and continue to create an educational animated series.
Congratulations to Zarin Moon on being hired as a Youth Apprentice with the Colorado Workforce Development Council.
Salma Shareef was a Teaching Fellow at the Generation Teach STEAM Academy at Grant Beacon Middle School. Alongside a professional coach (our own Laura Ruelas!), Salma taught reading to middle school students, getting a taste of what teaching is like and helping kids maintain their skills over summer. The field of education is lucky to get an educator like Salma!
“During his internship, Elijah took the initiative to create a mini animated video aimed at raising awareness about the science behind wildfires and methods to prevent them. His creativity shone through every stage of the project, from developing a compelling script to voicing characters and animating scenes. His ability to translate complex scientific concepts into a relatable and engaging format is truly commendable.“The impact of Elijah's project has resonated widely within NOAA Boulder and has garnered significant attention from NOAA's Office of Education at headquarters. We are eager to showcase Elijah's animated video on websites and social media channels that collectively reach over a million viewers annually, underscoring its value as an educational resource.” -Sarah Venema, Director of Outreach and Education, NOAA Boulder.
Another Successful Launch Internship Summer:
21 TJ students successfully completed an internship this summer, working in a variety of industries including the arts, engineering, finance, real estate, marketing, cybersecurity, aviation, technology, architecture and community organizations (partners listed below). Students committed 110 hours of their summer to learning about and contributing to the work of these companies and organizations, earning high school credits, a financial grant award and invaluable professional experience. Please click here to see other internship celebrations!
If you would like to learn more about Work Based Learning Opportunities at TJ, like Career Exploration, Internships, Apprenticeships, check out the TJ Career Hub on Schoology and contact Emily_Bobrick@dpsk12.net for more info.
Annual TJ Stadium Party
TJ PARENTS - Come to the Stadium Party!
What: The Annual TJ Season Opener Stadium Party
Who: ALL TJ Parents & Guardians are Invited
When: Saturday, August 24, 2024, 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Where: Van Abbema Backyard
Why: The Stadium Party is hosted by Junior class families every year to bring ALL TJ parents together to kick off the school year. Funds from ticket sales will go to the Class of 2026.
Tickets: $30 per person
RSVP HERE!
The TJHS PTO would like to extend a warm welcome to all new and returning families! We’re a group of parent volunteers who support the school-wide activities and programs that make TJ the DPS neighborhood high school of choice for Southeast Denver. Everything the PTO does isin support of our remarkable students and staff. YOU make all the difference! To be part of this engaged group of parents, visit the PTO webpage and click on the JOIN Today! link at the top.This will subscribe you to our emails about meetings and events.
Our monthly meetings are a great way to meet other parents and get information and questions answered. PTO meetings are held “in person” on the first (sometimes second) Tuesday of each month, from 6-7pm at TJ. Our meetings often feature a member of the school administration or community officials, speaking on a topic of interest to parents. Translation services will be available if needed. Please RSVP the week prior to our meeting, with what language you require and we will do our best to accommodate. We hope to see you sometime this fall!
Our September meeting is Tuesday, 9/3 from 6-7pm in the Community Room at TJHS.
Please consider how you can use your skills to help TJ be the best it can be. Current leadership opportunities include:
Member-at-Large for 2028
Class Committee Chairs for 2028
Please reach out if you have any questions/comments/concerns. We know how stressful new environments can be for students and parents. The PTO is a great resource!
Questions? Want to get involved? Email TJHSPTO@gmail.com
Monthly Food Bank distributions are set to begin in mid-September. All families in need of food assistance are welcome and encouraged to register. Details about the date, time, and registration link will be provided in the upcoming weeks.
Las distribuciones mensuales del Banco de Alimentos están programadas para comenzar a mediados de septiembre. Cualquier familia que necesite apoyo alimentario es bienvenida y animada a inscribirse. Los detalles sobre la fecha, la hora y el enlace de registro se proporcionarán en las próximas semanas.
If you are interested in making a financial contribution to the TJ Food Bank to help us kick off the year, you can do so HERE.
Reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com), Becca Mahoney (beccaandjoemahoney@gmail.com) or Jillian Krause (jillian.krause@gmail.com) with questions.
Spartan Seniors and Families,
Click here to learn more about the Denver Scholarship Foundation and the DSF Scholarship. Your TJ Future Center is in room 135 across from the Main Office. We look forward to scholars visiting during their off periods and/or with permission from their respective teachers!
Seniors: In your Future Center: TJFC2025 schoology course, you will find many resources to help you with your college process. Please review the course updates and calendar at least weekly with your family. (Parents, here is the DPS guide for accessing Schoology!) You will find a list of Scholarship Highlights posted weekly in addition to information about College Rep Visits in the TJFC, College Fairs, major deadlines, reminders about your next steps for college and more! Most importantly, please drop by the Future Center to say hi and ask questions!
College planning tasks from your Future Center schoology to work on now:
Create your Colleges Considering and Applying Lists in MAIA
Use your College Access Fall Timeline to stay on track
Be sure to review your Steps for Complete College Applications document. When the time comes, usings this document will guide you through the required steps to ensure your applications are completed. Using MAIA Learning, linking your Common App to MAIA, and completing transcript request form(s) are all REQUIRED for all TJ Seniors applying to college!
Upcoming Events: For more information, please visit the Future Center schoology course calendar
Saturday, September 7th- Daniels Fund College and Financial Aid Showcase
Wednesday, September 11th- Apprenticeship Information Session
Emily Webster, M.S. Alyssa Baker, M.Ed.
DSF Lead College Advisor DSF College Advisor
emily_webster@dpsk12.net alyssa_baker@dpsk12.net
Welcome back TJ fans! We are here with your favorite gear and have some new designs that you will love. We sell t-shirts, hoodies, pants, hats, stadium seats, socks, stickers, magnets, etc. If you are in need of gear, send us an email. Look out for DECA to begin selling TJ merchandise in the school store in the cafeteria. Thank you TJ community for your school spirit!
Ms. Koncz, School Psychologist, is at TJHS Monday-Friday, and supports students in special education and students in general education (she is here for the whole building). Natalie_Koncz@dpsk12.net and (720)423-7077
Mrs. Davis, Social Worker, is at TJHS Monday-Friday, and supports students in special education and students in general education (she is here for the whole building). Samanda_Davis@dpsk12.net and (720)423-7072
Mrs. Berg, Social Worker, is at TJHS Tuesday-Friday, and supports students who are on Section 504 Plans. Annie_Berg@dpsk12.net and (720)423-7043
Ms. Miccio, Social Worker- Prevention and Therapeuric Specialist, is at TJHSthree days a week, and supports prevention efforts regarding substance use and suicide prevention programming (she also helps run our GSA!). Megan_Miccio@dpsk12.net and (720)423-7008
Mrs. Depoy, Social Worker- Prevention and Therapeutic Specialist, is at TJHS two days a week, and supports students through small group and individual interventions (anxiety and substance use). annie_depoy@dpsk12.net and (720)423-7008
We all work closely with our wonderful Counseling Team!
For More Information:
Welcome to the new Seniors!!
The Sleep Out was a huge success!
Huge thanks to the Finke family for providing the dinner!
And thanks to all the parents who volunteered and donated.
We couldn't have done it without you!
SAVE THE DATE! August 24th
What: The Annual TJ Season Opener Stadium Party
Who: All TJ Parents & Guardians are Invited
When: Saturday, August 24, 2024, 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Where: Van Abbema Backyard
Why: The Stadium Party is hosted by Junior class families every year to bring ALL TJ parents together to kick off the school year. Funds from ticket sales will go to the Class of 2026.
Tickets: $30 per person
Sophomore Parents - want to connect? Contact Committee Co-Chair Kendal Mullins at
kendalbmullins@gmail.com.
Welcome! Stay tuned for Class of 2028 news! Questions? Want to get involved? Email TJHSPTO@gmail.com