Dear Parents,

Good morning!

It's been a great start to the year so far. We appreciate all of you who are making it to school on time every day and readjusting to your academic schedule. Be sure to add in extra time for your commute on cold and snowy mornings in the coming weeks and months.

Grades have rolled from the first semester to student's transcripts. Please log into your Parent Portal or into your Student's Portal to see your most recent grades and most up to date credit report on your transcript. Remember that your academic grade (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th) comes from the credits you earn in classes. You will also be testing on the SAT/PSAT in February and April based upon that same grade level. Make sure to keep those grades up and connect with your teachers as we work through this semester!

On another note, there will be no school on Monday, Jan. 20 for any students or staff in honor of MLK Day. Work hard this week so that you can really enjoy the long weekend!

Paula Hammel
Assistant Principal

Monday-

• Class of 2028 Fundraiser at Ester's (1950 S Holly St, Denver, CO 80222) You must mention this fundraiser  (for TJ class of 2028). 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday-

• Dining out for Class of 2025 - Chipotle: 5:00-9:00 p.m. (details below)

• PTO Meeting: 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday- 

• TJ Food Bank Food Distribution: 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Thursday-

• TJ Shadows: 8:00-11:00 a.m.

Friday-

• TJ Tours: 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Saturday-

• Set Construction/Saturday Build Days: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

• AP Music Theory: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

• Over Winter Break the results for the All-State Band auditions were posted.

  2 TJ students have been selected for the 2025 All-State Band -

  Gideon Leahy (bass) & Joe Poole (flute).

  The only other DPS school with students selected for this band is DSA.

  These young men are to be commended.

  And TJ has another thing to put on the school brag sheet!

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. 

January PTO meeting - tomorrow night! Join us in Room 111 from 6-7 for our January PTO meeting. Our guest speaker for the month will be Councilwoman Diana Romero Campbell. We hope you can join us to hear what she has to say and to learn about our plans for 2025!

Invest in TJ's future by supporting the Spartan Grants Program. Check out the article written by one of TJ's talented students here: https://tjhs.dpsk12.org/investing-in-tjs-future/

Click HERE to donate!

TJ PTO Launches Fundraising Campaign

Introducing the Spartan Grant Drive! TJ PTO has launched this online fundraising campaign that will support the very important TJ Spartan Grant program. Every year our TJ Staff has the opportunity to request funds from the PTO in a variety of areas including classroom needs, club/student activities support and social support services. The purpose of our fundraising campaign is to fund the Spartan Grant Program so that our school can receive financial support where it is needed most. Any donation amount is welcome and appreciated. Our goal is to raise $20,000. To read more and donate, visit TJ Spartan Grant Drive. Please consider sharing with family and friends.

Any students interested in going to Ireland in the summer of 2026? Please mark your calendars and join us for a virtual informational meeting on Wednesday, January 22 from 6-7:00 p.m. Please contact Amber Wilson with any questions - awilso2@dpsk12.net

The January Food Distribution will take place this Wednesday, January 15 from 3:30-5:00 pm at TJ!  

 Please 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 of 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,

Congratulations on an amazing first semester! We look forward to cheering you on this semester as your finalize your plans for life after high school graduation! 

Have you been admitted to college(s)? 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! The application is now open for submission. Be sure to complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA. Student and parent(s) will need an FSAID (username and password). We recommend that once your accounts are verified you set aside 30 minutes together to submit your FAFSA application. Check out the resources in the TJ Future Center schoology course too! 

• 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:
Wednesday, January 15th: CU Boulder and CSU Regular Decision Deadline
Thursday, January 16th: CSU Pueblo Rep Visit in the TJFC 

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...? 
The “winter blues” are a real thing for many people!

Some people tend to feel depressed in the wintertime. Less daylight, dreary weather, and the high expectations for the holidays can all combine to trigger a range of emotions. While most enjoy the winter season, others experience the “winter blues.” 

Signs include: 
- depressed mood
- fatigue and excess sleeping
- binging on comfort foods
- weight gain

So, what can I do?

• Remember PAS- Positive Asset Search. This is a positive technique used by mental health professionals which helps clients think up their positive strengths and attributes to get them into a strong mindset about themselves.

  
  

• For example, make a  mental asset list, or better yet, write it down somewhere!

• What am I thankful for?

• What's my unique gift that no one can take away?

• Who loves me, and who do I love?

Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. Resources: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychology-through-technology/201901/winter-blues-making-you-sad

Please join Class of 2025 January 14th 5-9 pm for an After Prom fundraiser restaurant night at Chipotle 7350 E. Hampden Ave. Remember to tell them you’re there for the TJ 2025 Fundraiser.

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: 

Prom Locations 2026

More questions check in with Mr. Klimczak or Ms. Lynch

Please come support the class of 2027 for a restaurant night on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Birdcall (4996 E. Hampden Ave). You will need to enter TJHS122 for online or in-store checkout. 

Join us for a delicious meal and help support our school!!!

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! The class of 2028 has found its two co-chairs – Kevin and Jill Krug.

They are looking for help with fundraising activities. Some of the planned activities are “Eat Out Nights,” Bottom of the 9th and a few others. Email Kevin at kevkrug@gmail.com or Jill at jillkrug@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out.

We need to raise funds for all the fun social activities, After Prom and other senior events.

Our January EAT OUT NIGHT is at Ester’s TONIGHT from 4-8 (1950 S Holly St, Denver, CO 80222). You must mention this fundraiser (Class of 2028).

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.