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October 14, 2024
Good morning!
Just a reminder that there is NO SCHOOL today! Classes will resume for all grades tomorrow.
Winter Sports Registration is OPEN! Register, pay, and upload your child's sports physical here:
https://students.arbitersports.com/thomas-jefferson-high-school-2
The deadline to register is November 18 (1st day of winter sports tryouts).
Students who played a fall sport and have a current physical do not need to upload a new one at this time. Sports physicals are good for 365 days, so if you're updating a sports physical that expires mid season, feel free to email it to carla_allen@dpsk12.net or upload it when you register for winter sports.
Anne Rice
Athletic Director
Assistant Principal
Monday-
No School
Tuesday-
College Free Application Day
Wednesday-
College Free Application Day
Thursday-
College Free Application Day
TJ Shadows: 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Fall Choir Concert: 6:00 p.m.
Friday-
TJ Tours: 9-10:30 a.m.
Saturday-
AP Music Theory: 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in room 148
Set Construction Build Day: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Free Paint Recycling Day: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (support class of 2026!)
Huge thanks to the PTO parents for providing dinner for the staff last week during conferences! We so appreciate the support and love.
Big shout out to Marnie Bromby for all of her work with testing last week! Additional thanks to the whole admin team and all of the proctors and room/hall monitors, plus Skari, Poole and Meyer for emotional support with testing! Special shout out to all hallway helpers and counselors for getting students into the testing rooms quickly!
TJ fans! Check out the online popup store: tjdenverfanstore.com. Includes huge variety of items available in support of our Spartans. Open until November 5 with items available for pickup or delivery early December in time for the holidays.
You can also 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.
The PTO would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all of the parents who donated soup and snacks, as well as those who donated their time to help set up, clean up, and serve food, to help make our annual Teacher Conference Dinner a great success. Extra thanks to Susan Dolson for organizing the dinner for the teachers and keeping them well fed! The staff truly appreciated everyone’s support during the busy evening.
The minutes from our October meeting are now posted on the website and can be found here.
Participate in the Easiest Fundraiser Ever!
Help raise funds for TJ when you buy your groceries at King Soopers! The PTO uses the King Soopers’ Community Rewards program as one of our annual fund raisers. King Soopers contributes a percentage of your grocery sales to the non-profit of your choice with quarterly payments to us. We use these funds to support our Teacher Appreciation program. Have you signed up yet? Or perhaps need to change the beneficiary from your previous school to TJ? Click here for more instructions. The PTO’s organization name is Thomas Jefferson High School Partners, or use code UT036. Thank you to all who currently participate!
UCEUS, an exchange program, is looking for a host family! We are looking to place a friendly and responsible 16-year-old girl from Spain with a family near T.J. Her welcome family lives too far from T.J. and she would need an easier commute, especially as it gets colder. The requirements are that she must have a bed and a study area. She can share a room with another girl between 13-18 years old. Any style families are welcome- whether you have children or not! She would stay with you through the end of the school year. Please email Lauren at lauren_tauchman@gmail.com or text her at 630.272.5658 for more information!
Sign up to volunteer for Class of 2026 Prom FUNDraiser
We need more Parents and a bunch of Juniors
Class of 2026 Paint Drive Oct 19!
Lunch and snacks provided- Sign up with Friends!
The October Food Bank distribution will take place on Thursday, October 24 from 3:30-5:00 pm. 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 Monday, 21 October for us to have food available for you at the distribution.
La distribución del Banco de Alimentos de octubre es jueves el 24 de octubre de 3:30-5:00 de la tarde. Cualquier familia que necesite apoyo alimentario es bienvenida y alentada a inscribirse AQUI. DEBE inscribirse a más tardar el lunes 21 de octubre para que tengamos comida disponible para usted en la distribución.
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.
Spartan Seniors and Families,
In your TJ 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.
College planning tasks from your Future Center schoology to work on now:
Link your Common App to MAIA Learning (required) and start completing your application. Be sure to check for Supplemental Writing requirements.
Complete your Brag Sheet and request Letters of Recommendation.
Start your Scholarship Search and continue this process all year long!
Upcoming Events: For more information, please visit the Future Center schoology course calendar
October 15-17- CO Free Application Days Support in Room 111
Use your CO Free App Days Preparation and Submission assignment to get your apps ready. It has all the info you need to walk you through using the fee waivers and submitting too!
Emily Webster, M.S. Alyssa Baker, M.Ed.
DSF Lead College Advisor DSF College Advisor
emily_webster@dpsk12.netalyssa_baker@dpsk12.net
TJHS is excited to announce that Thomas Jefferson High School will be providing CHALLENGE DAY to our Junior class. It will be a one day event broken down by alpha on October 29th and October 30th.
Every 11th grader is asked to participate. Please click on the link and let us know if your opting out your student:
If your student OPT’s Out, the expectation is that they will be in school participating in their regular schedule.
There is also a $20 participation fee to help offset the cost of the workshop which includes professional facilitators. Lunch will be provided. Please log into My School Bucks for payment of fee. If you need assistance, please email Sdavis@dpsk12.net as no student will be denied in relation to payment.
What is Challenge Day?
Imagine a school where everyone feels safe, loved and celebrated. Imagine enemies finding common ground and making peace; friends healing past hurts and making amends; people igniting their passion for service and leadership; adults and youth working together to create a school where everyone is included and thrives. The program addresses issues such as self-esteem, bullying, oppression, violence, etc. It is a cultural building opportunity that creates change makers.This is Challenge Day.
If you are curious of what challenge day looks like you can YouTube it. It premiered on MTV, Chicken Soup for The Souls and OPRAH. Here is a great glimpse at what challenge day does for the community: Oprah's Youtube
Join us for an adventure to South America to visit the country of Peru! On this 9 day tour we will see the ancient ruins of the Inca Empire while we visit the world famous site of Machu Picchu. Additionally, we will be exploring the beautiful cities of Lima & Cuzco to experience even more of the rich Peruvian culture. This trip is set for the middle of June 2025. Mr. Long is opening enrollment for this trip the week of Homecoming. He has 35 slots available for students looking to travel & experience a different part of the world. Contact Nic Long (nicholas_long@dpsk12.net) for all of the details! Don't hesitate on this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Did You Know…?
Having an optimistic outlook and attitude can help with resilience in hardship, AND it is linked to long-term health benefits such as decreased rates of depression and heart disease.
Here are some simple strategies that can encourage your kid to see the “glass half full” side of life!
1) Reframe your own reactions→ If something upsetting happens to you, turn it into a positive (“I had to pay a late fee for the bill I missed. Next time, I will set a reminder alarm in my phone so it won’t happen again.”)
2) Make a “Good Vibes Only” Jar→ Encourage your family to leave positive messages on pieces of paper in a designated jar in your home. When someone is having a bad day, they can reach in an find a pick me up, a joke, a memory, etc.
3) Give specific praise → When you see your child persevere, point it out and be specific- “Great job working hard on that science project!”
4) Share your progress → every task doesn’t merit a high five, but it is helpful to talk about your goals: “I am trying to read more by checking out books I like and setting aside 30 minutes each night to read.”
5) Teach random acts of kindness → Encourage your kid to assist others in one way or another, without expecting anything in return. Helping other people also increases self-confidence.
6) Create a happiness list → At the end of each day, have your kid write down 5 things that made them smile (you can be the scribe if that’s a dealbreaker for them 🙂). Save the creation to look back at later!
Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. Resources: Parents Magazine, August 2019 “How To Raise an Optimist.”
We had a great meeting on Sept 16th to start planning After Prom. It will take place May 3rd 11:30pm-2:30am at The Island: 2233 S. Geneva St, Aurora, CO 80247. Lots more info to come throughout the school year. If you would be able to help with planning please email Heather Reeder @ hmbdvm@yahoo.com.
Save the Date! Free Paint Recycling Event, Saturday, October 19th, 2024 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Please share the attached link with friends, neighbors, and any social media platforms. The more we promote the better turnout we will have.
https://circular.eco/event/TJ2024
We Need Students (and a few parents) help!
This year's Paint Recycling event will be marketed and managed by the Class of 2026 students. The funds earned from this years paint recycling event will go towards their Senior Prom to pay for the venue and help offset the cost of student tickets.
Please see the attached signup genius to volunteer your time, your students time or sign up to help with food or drink needs.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CADA72FA31-51603964-class
Thank You,
Carrie Alleman and Sheila Tyler
We Need Students (and a few parents) help!
This year's Paint Recycling event will be marketed and managed by the Class of 2026 students. The funds earned from this years paint recycling event will go towards their Senior Prom to pay for the venue and help offset the cost of student tickets.
Please see the attached signup genius to volunteer your time, your students time or sign up to help with food or drink needs.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CADA72FA31-51603964-class
Thank You,
Carrie Alleman and Sheila Tyler
Save the Date - Tuesday November 12
Shopping Party at Wish Gifts Happy Canyon! From 6-8, Wish Gifts will be hosting a shopping party in support of the Class of 2027. There will be sweet treats and light bites. 10% of all sales during this party will go toward the after prom fundraising goals for the Class of 2027!
It's time to give $27 to the Class of '27
Give $27 to the Class of '27 and help cultivate community for our students!
The Class of 2027 Class Fund supports class activities each year. If each family gives $27 we get close to our fundraising goals.
Give $27 to The Class of '27 through the PTO’s Online Square Account:
https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2027-class-donations/112
Sophomore Parents - want to connect? Contact Committee Co-Chair Kendal Mullins at
kendalbmullins@gmail.com.
It's time to give $28 to the Class of '28
Give $28 to the Class of '28 and help cultivate community for our students!
The Class of 2028 Class Fund supports class activities each year. If each family gives $28 we get close to our fundraising goals.
Give $28 to The Class of '29 through the PTO’s Online Square Account: https://tjhsstore.square.site/product/2028-class-donations/151
Freshmen parents - we are still looking for another class parent co-chair and a class parent at-large member. Interested? Reach out to TJHSPTO@gmail.com