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Hello Spartan Family,
I have a couple of updates for you. If you have any discipline-related questions, please come see me; I am currently in Mr. Skari's room.
We will have our First Friday event on February 7th. The Mizel Museum will be joining us with a program called "At the Table with Dr. King: Bringing the Civil Rights Movement to Life."
Stay tuned for the schedule—it will be fun, as always!
Azadeh Fathi
Principal Resident
Monday-
2025 Prom Fundraiser at Raising Cane's: 3:00-9:00 p.m. (details below)
Tuesday-
Regular school day
Wednesday-
DECA State Conference - Virtual Parent Meeting 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Thursday-
TJ Baseball Pre-Season Meeting: 6:00-7:00 p.m. room 111 (details below)
Construction Trades Open House at Park Hill Innovation Hub: 6:00-8:00 p.m. (details below)
Friday-
Regular school day
Saturday-
Optimist Brain Bowl Regional Tournament: 6:00 a.m.-3:00 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.
Last week was the ribbon cutting for the new DPS food truck, Front Range Flavor. We The top design chosen by the CTE team, Intuit team, and DPS leadership was created by Adelaide Krabbenhoeft at Thomas Jefferson High School. Congrats Adelaide!
Congratulations to our talented TJ artists! 6 of our top drawing & painting, ceramics and photography students won prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing awards!
Click here to see their amazing artwork!
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12, ages 13+ and had been a program in Colorado since 1947.
Ceramics:
Cora Grabel - Silver Key
Mimi Leahy - Gold Key and Silver Key
Macy Whistler - Silver Key
Barbara Rodriguez - Two Honorable Mentions
Drawing & Painting:
Simone Difalco - Honorable Mention
Photography:
Liam Siegel - Silver Key and Two Honorable Mentions
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.
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.
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.
TJ Baseball will have a pre-season information meeting on Thursday Jan 30 starting at 6 pm in Room 111. This meeting will cover important information about the upcoming season, including: registration, tryouts, practice schedules, player/parent expectations, fundraising goals, and more. If you cannot attend in person, the meeting will be viewable online as well through the following link: https://meet.google.com/oom-vwse-suf
If you are a new player/parent to the program, this meeting is vital to attend! Returning parents/players are encouraged to attend as well to be aware of changes from previous seasons.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Baughn at graham_baughn@dpsk12.net
Thank you to everyone who attended our January PTO meeting. You can find the minutes to our meeting posted here. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday February 4 from 6-7 in Room 111.
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, “Aside from Career and Technical arts, Spartan Grants play an essential role in nurturing the creative spirit of the Art Department. Grants have previously provided much needed resources to the school’s programs. These funds ensure that students have all the tools needed to fully develop their artistic talents. Supplies like color printer tools, and essential art supplies have been transformative for student artists, allowing them to have access to high quality printing. Supply funding has also fueled the program allowing students to achieve precision and technique using materials that allow students for potential careers in design or fine arts. Through Grants, arts programs can continue to succeed in building projects, whether for personal designs, or student talents to be shared with the entire community.”
Ms. Freedberg, TJ Ceramics Teacher, used her grant money to provide ceramic students with underglaze and other materials. She reports, “I’m so grateful to be able to provide these materials to our students. With these materials, TJ ceramic students can dive deeper into the world of ceramics! Thank you to the PTO for providing the grant opportunity to the TJ teachers and staff.”
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? Is there a unique service you can offer? Would you be willing to host a party to be scheduled late this summer or early next school year? Please share your ideas with us. We will get in touch! 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.
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: TJHSGO, 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!
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 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! Colleges are putting together financial aid awards for students- don’t put off this important app! 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.
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:
Monday, January 27th: FAFSA Workshop at Capital One Cafe Downtown
Tuesday, January 28th: DSF Webinar: Is healthcare the right career field for me?; CSU Webinar: Being First Gen at CSU!
Wednesday, January 29th: FAFSA/CASFA Workshop at CSU Spur Denver
Thursday, January 30th: University of Denver Rep Visit in the TJFC
Saturday, February 1st: Scholarship Workshop for African American Girls
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...?
New research has found that boosting your memory and staying sharp don’t require cutting-edge technology or supplements. The real solution-- stick to the basics!
How to build a better brain:
Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. . Resources: Readers Digest September 2020, www.rd.com
Thanks to everyone who supported Class of 2025 at Chipotle on January 14th! 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
uge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Birdcall fundraiser restaurant night! Your support made it a success and will greatly benefit our students!
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.
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.