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Hey TJ,
Get excited! This month is Black History month and this Friday we will celebrate our community with our First Friday Cookout and special assembly.
Here is the schedule for Friday: Schedule Link
Make sure you are going to all your classes, getting there on time, and are working hard all week. That way your teachers might not be tempted to recommend you for Saturday School. Oh, and don't forget we have Saturday School so be on the lookout for an invite from your counselor or teacher if you're struggling with your grades.
Have a great week TJ!
Go Eagles (or anyone other than the Chiefs... and officials!!!) 😏
Jon Poole
Assistant Principal
Monday-
Regular school day
Tuesday-
Know Your Rights Immigration Q&A: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
(details below)
Class of 2027 Meeting: 5:30 p.m. in Room 111
PTO Meeting: 6:00-7:30 p.m. in room 111
Wednesday-
Regular school day
Thursday-
TJ Blood Drive: 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (details below)
Dining Out for Class of 2025 - QDOBA: 5:00-9:00 p.m. (details below)
Friday-
First Friday - "The Cookout" 2:55-3:35 p.m. (assembly schedule)
Saturday-
Saturday School: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Set Construction/Saturday Build Days: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
AP Music Theory: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Congratulations to Campus Safety Officer Spenser Ladd for being highlighted for Living Our DPS Values - Students First!
Congratulations to senior Carolina Jaimes-Rodriguez who is the latest DPS #myplan award recipient!
Dear DPS Community,
Denver Public Schools is committed to providing equitable and inclusive environments where all our students feel safe and socially and emotionally supported. With the potential change of federal policies, students, families, and staff who are undocumented are experiencing unease and uncertainty regarding potential mass deportation.
While we still do not know exactly what actions the incoming administration may or may not take at this time, it is important that our families have access to resources and information to establish an action plan.
This Family Resource Toolkit is available in English and Spanish and contains information and resources about your rights, current DPS policies, training, mental health support, and a list of community resources. Please read this guide and save it so you can refer back to it whenever necessary.
In addition to reviewing the guide, it is important that families update emergency contacts. Each student should have at least two emergency contacts. These individuals do not need to be family members; they can be any trusted adult known by the family. We also ask that families identify those authorized to pick up their students (including older siblings) from school if a parent or guardian cannot. Please see the directions at the bottom of this email for more information on how to update emergency contacts.
At the time of this communication, our schools are still designated sensitive locations, meaning that they are places where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is restricted from conducting enforcement actions. Our schools are safe, and we want our students here. While our function is to provide education for all students, our responsibility is to provide safe and welcoming environments. That has not changed.
In collaboration,
Dr. Alex Marrero
DPS Superintendent
Updating Emergency Contacts
Follow the step-by-step guide (in English and Spanish) to add, remove or modify emergency contact updates for your child in Infinite Campus. Please read the steps in this guide carefully. If you have questions or need help updating emergency contacts, please contact your child’s school.
Parent Portal Login Support
If you are unable to log into Parent Portal because you forgot your username and/or password, visit the MyPortal Support Contact webpage for links to reset. Note: You will need access to the email address associated with your Parent Portal account.
If you need help:
Creating an account
With a failing username or password
Updating your email address
With missing a student account
Submit a support ticket or call 720-423-3163.
Thomas Jefferson High School is hosting a Blood Drive for students and staff!
HOPE begins with you. Make a difference by donating blood on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the gymnasium at 3950 S. Holly St., Denver, CO 80237.
Your donation can save lives! To sign up for an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), visit RedCrossBlood.org and use the sponsor code: TJHSCO, or reach out to Nurse Ally.
Important: Bring a photo ID or your blood donor card, or two other forms of ID. Students who are 16 or 17 years old will need parent/guardian consent forms signed prior to donation.
Tip: Save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass! Find more information at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass.
As a thank you, all presenting donors will receive a FREE Red Cross t-shirt while supplies last!
Together, we can bring hope to those in need. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference!
For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Blood Donor App today!
¡Thomas Jefferson High School organizará una campaña de donación de sangre para estudiantes y personal!
La ESPERANZA empieza con usted. ¡Marque la diferencia donando sangre el jueves 6 de febrero de 2025, de 8:30 a.m. a 2:30 p.m. en el gimnasio ubicado en 3950 S. Holly St., Denver, CO 80237!
¡Su donación puede salvar vidas! Para registrarse y agendar una cita, llame al 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), visite RedCrossBlood.org y use el código del patrocinador: TJHSGO, o contacte a la enfermera Ally.
Importante: Lleve una identificación con foto o su tarjeta de donante de sangre, o dos formas de identificación adicionales. Los estudiantes de 16 o 17 años necesitarán que se firme un formulario de consentimiento de los padres/tutores antes de donar.
Consejo: ¡Ahorre hasta 15 minutos al donar sangre usando RapidPass! Encuentra más información en RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass.
Como agradecimiento, todos los donantes recibirán una camiseta gratis de la Cruz Roja, ¡hasta agotar el stock!
Juntos, podemos llevar esperanza a los que lo necesitan. ¡No pierde la oportunidad de hacer la diferencia!
Para más información, visita RedCrossBlood.org, ¡descargue hoy la aplicación de Donantes de Sangre!
Saturday School is back! During the week, (Monday-Wednesday) teachers will provide passes to students and assign them to Saturday School for Math and/or English. Students- if your teacher gives you a pass, you have been assigned to Saturday School due to a low grade in Math and/or English. Parents- you will receive a text message on Thursday if your student has been assigned to Saturday School. Saturday School hours are 8am-12pm. The entrance is located on the north side of the building near the softball field. A small breakfast snack will be provided for students.
Any students interested in going to Ireland in the summer of 2026? Please contact Amber Wilson for more information - awilso2@dpsk12.net
Any students interested in going to Ireland in the summer of 2026? Please contact Amber Wilson for more information - awilso2@dpsk12.net
MC2 Program Applications!
Applications are open for Denver Health’s Medical Career Collaborative (MC²). Current high school sophomores from the Denver metro area are encouraged to apply.
MC² offers paid internships, mentorship, certification opportunities and career coaching, helping students explore health care careers and build a strong foundation for the future.
To learn more visit the program’s website.
Application deadline: 5 p.m. on March 5.
You can stop by the DECA store in the cafeteria after school Monday thru Thursday. We sell t-shirts, hoodies, pants, hats, stadium seats, socks, stickers, etc. Feel free to email us with any questions.
Our next meeting will be held tomorrow, Tuesday February 4 from 6-7 in Room 111. We will be focusing on the upcoming online auction.
The TJHS PTO is gearing up for our annual online auction in support of the Spartan Grants Program and we need your help! If you are interested in being involved, please reach out to Anna & Heather at tjhstogether@gmail.com to the PTO at TJHSPTO@gmail.com We know with your help and support the auction will be a huge success!!
It is almost time for the 2025 TJ Spartan Grant program! This has been funded in the past by the TJ Silent Auction and the direct giving campaign. If you have wondered how this money has directly affected the students, take a look at this article.
In this article written by one of TJ’s talented students, it states, “Within some of the classes that have received grants in the past, like DECA, students were able to prepare for national competition, covering costs for transportation and materials that allowed them to represent TJ on the big stage.”
Mr. Nicolo, TJ DECA teacher, forwarded this thank you note to the PTO after several DECA students received Spartan Grant funding to help pay for their national competition. “We wanted to express our gratitude for the generous funding that you provided for our DECA trip. Your contribution helped make this trip possible, and it was an incredible experience for all of us.”
“Not only did we have the opportunity to learn and grow as young business professionals, but we also got to explore a new city and create memories that will last a lifetime. The trip truly broadened our horizons and gave us a glimpse into the professional world that we hope to enter one day. During our time there, we competed against 21,500 other DECA students at the International Career Development Conference. All these students were there for the same purpose as us, to grow as young business professionals and experience a whole different kind of competition.”
“Exploring the city where the competition was held, exposed us to new people and ideas allowing us to develop as individuals and become more independent, growing both our personal and professional life. Your support and dedication to our education mean the world to us, and we are so grateful for everything you do for our school community. Without your help, this trip would not have been possible, and we are honored to have such a supportive PTO backing us up.”
Please donate to the Spartan Grant Drive today. As you can see, the money goes directly to the classrooms and benefits our students! Spartan Grants
The TJ Together online auction committee is gathering donations. Do you own a business you want to be included in the auction and recognized in our newsletter? Would you be willing to host a party to be scheduled late this summer or early next school year? All ideas considered! Click here to submit your item or idea.
We are currently in need of host families for 16 students participating in an exchange program from Chiben Gogo in Japan.
The students will be living with and attending school with students here at TJ. They will attend each of their classes but they will have their own work provided from their schools in Japan. These students study English in Japan so, although they are not fluent in English, they have the tools to communicate in the language. They simply need practice and exposure. The students will be with us from March 4th through March 23rd when they will return to Japan together. There are 8 girls and 8 boys in need of a host family.
If you are interested and able, please contact Mr. Jackson at kjackso@dpsk12.net for more information. This is a tremendous opportunity because it opens the doors for our students from TJ to travel to Japan and be hosted with families there as well.
The February Food Bank distribution will take place on Tuesday, February 18. Any family that is in need of food support is welcomed and encouraged to sign up HERE. Please note that you MUST sign up no later than Sunday, February 16 for us to have food available for you at the distribution.
Thank you to the TJ Community for your continued support of the Food Bank! If you are interested in making a financial contribution to the TJ Food Bank, 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.
Spring Musical: Anastasia (license pending)
Show Dates: Tickets are $5 for children, students, faculty and staff, veterans, and seniors, $10 general admission.
Thursday, March 6th at 7PM
Friday, March 7th at 7PM
Saturday, March 8th at 2PM
Saturday, March 8th at 7PM
Stay tuned for more information about casting and other important details. Keep your eye out for flyers and Spartan Edition spots in the near future!
New Year, New You? Start off 2025 by exploring the world of apprenticeships, where you get to earn while you learn. CareerWise will be accepting applications from rising juniors and seniors for apprenticeships in the 25-26 school year. Connect with Emily Bobrick if you want to learn more.
Spartan Seniors and Families,
Have you been admitted to college(s)? Congrats! Share your wins by completing the linked form.
Have you completed your FAFSA and/or been awarded scholarship(s)? Share your wins by completing the linked form.
Your name and the name of the scholarship(s) will be celebrated on the graduation program! (We do not share $ amounts, FYI.)
College planning tasks from your Future Center schoology to work on now:
If you have not yet done so, complete the FAFSA! Colleges are putting together financial aid awards for students- don’t put off this important app! Student and parent(s) will need an FSAID (username and password). See below for links to schedule a FAFSA/CASFA completion appointment, if needed.
The CASFA application is now open for non-US Citizens who qualify for ASSET.
Work on your Institutional Scholarship applications. These are often students greatest forms of financial aid. Colleges will send you information on how to access these applications through their portals. Stop by the FC for help!
Upcoming Deadlines and Events:
Thursday, February 6th: CO Mesa University Rep Visit in the TJFC
Saturday, February 8th: Presentación y Recorrido de Admisiones de CSU Fort Collins: ¡Todo en Español!
Monday, February 10th: FAFSA Workshop at Capital One Cafe Downtown
Wednesday, February 12th: TJ DSF Financial Aid (FAFSA or CASFA Completion) Workshop - click here to schedule an appt!
Emily Webster, M.S. Alyssa Baker, M.Ed.
DSF Lead College Advisor DSF College Advisor
emily_webster@dpsk12.netalyssa_baker@dpsk12.net
Did You Know...?
Valentine’s Day is almost here! (Insert either a “yippee!” or “groan” here). And while this day can often be stressful, maybe hurtful or frustrating, a burden, and possibly leaving your wallet a little less full, there is a lot of good that can come from people focusing their energy on love and kindness.
Often people talk about Valentine’s Day as something that is celebrated with your partner or “the one”; but let’s not forget about the impact caring and thoughtful acts can have on your community and family members (in addition to the benefits you will receive!).
Research indicates that witnessing acts of kindness produces oxytocin, occasionally referred to as the ‘love hormone’ which aids in lowering blood pressure and improving our overall heart-health. Oxytocin also increases our self-esteem and optimism. In addition:
Energy
Lifespan
Pleasure
Serotonin
Pain
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Blood Pressure
So, what can I do this year?
Here are 27 Random Acts of Kindness you can implement: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas
Make or buy Valentine’s Day cards with positive, warm messages for: your neighbors, the local retirement home, a nearby hospital, a soup kitchen, your local fire-department or police department, etc.
Set up a card-making, cookie decorating, face-painting booth at your school (or feeder school) or neighborhood.
Head out in the community with your family or friends
We challenge you to spread kindness and love this year!
Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. Resources: www.randomactsofkindness.org
Our next restaurant night is February 6th from 4-8pm at Qdoba 7155 E. Hampden Ave. Here is the link to flyers and to order online https:qdoba.force4good.com/event/6c9e5bb5-17b4-441c-a5cb-ff5c985e27a8
Our goal is to raise more money for prizes and food for After Prom. As always if restaurant nights aren’t a good fit for you, please consider donating directly to the parent committee of 2025 where 100% of the money you spend goes directly to After Prom! https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2025-class-donations/99
Please consider making a donation to the Class of 2026.
Give $26 to The Class of '26 through the PTO’s Online Square Account:
2026 Class Donations | TJHS PTO
Thank you,
Sheila and Carrie
Class of 2026 have Prom Ideas?
Complete this form:
More questions check in with Mr. Klimczak or Ms. Lynch
Hello Class of 2027 parents and families, we will be having a meeting on Tuesday, Feb.4 @ 5:30pm in Room 111, before the 6pm PTO meeting, to discuss fundraising opportunities and ways we can continue to support our class for the remainder of the year. Please join us!!!
Does your employer match donations? We are looking for an organization to do a match with one of our fundraisers. If you know of an organization willing to make a corporate match, please contact Tiffany or Katie at the emails listed below. Your donation is tax deductible as the TJ Partners PTO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Please also consider making a donation to the Class of 2027’s Class Fund. Donations will support the After Prom (held Senior Year) and other class activities. This can be done through the online square account listed below:
https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2027-class-donations/
Want to get involved and help with ideas and planning for the Class of 2027? Please contact Class of 2027 parent co-chairs Tiffany Berry at broncofantif@hotmail.com or Katie Mousel at katielmousel@gmail.com
Hello Class of 2028 parents and families! Thank you for your support at our first two events.
The Bottom of the 9th event is coming up in a few months. Please let me know if you interested
in helping. We are also brainstorming a bigger fundraiser so if you have any ideas, please send
them our way (kevkrug@gmail.com or jillkrug@gmail.com).
It’s time to give $28 to the Class of ‘28
It’s time to give $28 to the Class of $28 to help cultivate community for our students! If each
family gives $28, we get close to our fundraising goals. You can give the $28 for the class of
2028 through the PTO’s Online Square Account: https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2028-class-donations/151