This week we will be on a special testing schedule for the PSAT. We will be following our normal class schedule on Monday. 

Seniors: They have school on Monday, October 7, and then they are OFF until Tuesday, the 15th.  

Sophomores and Juniors particularly: They have school on Monday, 10/7, are OFF on Tuesday, 10/8, come back for TESTING on Wednesday 10/9, and then they are OFF until Tuesday the 15th. 

Freshmen: They have school on Monday, 10/7, then testing on Tuesday, 10/8, and then they are OFF until Tuesday the 15th. 

We will be holding Parent Teacher Conferences on Tuesday (in person) and Wednesday (virtual) from 3:30-7:30. Please click here to schedule virtual appointments for Wednesday.

Andrew Skari
Assistant Principal

Monday-

• Regular School Day

Tuesday-

• PSAT 9 Testing - Only Freshmen Attend

• Parent Teacher Conferences (in person): 3:30-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday- 

• PSAT 10/NMSQT Testing - Only Sophomores and Juniors Attend

• Parent Teacher Conferences (virtual): 3:30-7:30 p.m.

Thursday-

• DPS Professional Learning Day - No School for Students

Friday-

• No School for Students

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.

• A huge shout out to Danyelle Charles for all of her work in organizing and executing the First Friday Fall Festival! And big thanks to all who helped her: Carla Allen, Nicole Tarullo, Tahj Dillard-Watkins, Jonathan Howard, various clubs who sold things, Herb Lynch, Liz Lynch, Dolores Leslie, Kate Stecklein, Samanda Davis, Zierra Couch, Peg O'Keefe, Beth Kellim, PTO Parents, Austin Kirk, Natalie Koncz, Admin team and Facilities team. Thanks to all for a fun fall celebration for our students!

TJ fans! We are here with your favorite merch. If you are in need of gear, 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. 

Denver Public Schools has recently partnered with A Better Way Athletics and will be emailing those who have registered in FamilyID for sports. You may  receive an email from A Better Way Athletics "assigning" you modules. These are optional trainings, but they are a good extra resource if you're looking for additional information and strategies to support your student and team. Coaches will also begin doing additional professional development through A Better Way Athletics, and we are excited to provide parents and students resources as well if you choose to complete any. 

Thank you to all guests and parents who attended the PTO meeting last Tuesday. Minutes and financials will be posted online the last week of October. If you would like to review them sooner, please email TJHSPTO@gmail.com

We are still looking for a couple of volunteers to be the class of 2028 Parent Representative and class of 2028 Member At Large. Interested? Please contact TJHSPTO@gmail.com

A few volunteers are also needed to help during dinner, see the sign up for shifts between 3:30-7:30pm.  Please help make this dinner happen by signing up here!

Dropping Off Your Food Donations: On Tuesday, October 8th, drop off your item in Room 111 between 3:30-4:00pm. If your item does not need to be refrigerated or heated, you can drop it off in the main office kitchen on Tuesday before 3pm. Soups, stews and chili should be delivered ready to serve in a crockpot fitted with a liner to help us with clean up. We have plenty of serving utensils so no need to bring any of your own. The staff truly appreciates your support during this busy evening. If you have questions or need to contact someone on the day of the event, please call or text Susan Dolson at 303-358-6655.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

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!

No- and low-cost vaccine clinic on October 8th!

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s mobile public health clinics provide low- and no-cost vaccines to Coloradans of all ages. Thomas Jefferson High School will host a vaccine clinic at 3950 S Holly St. Denver, CO 80237 on October 8th from 3:30 pm to 7 pm. The clinic will have the following vaccines available:

• Flu

• DTaP

• Hep A

• Hep B

• Hib

• HPV

• Polio

• Meningitis

• MMR

• Pneumonia

• Tdap

• Varicella

These vaccines are available at no cost for uninsured and underinsured Coloradans. Most health insurance plans also cover recommended vaccines for both children and adults at little or no cost.

This mobile public health clinic accepts appointments in advance and walk-ups while supplies last. Save time by making an appointment in advance online.

It is never too late to get up to date with school-required and recommended vaccines!

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 with your family.

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 Essay 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 

Monday, October 7th - Daniels Fund Scholarship Info Session p.3, Common App Support Sessions p.4-7 

October 15-17- CO Free Application Days 

Prepare your apps now to submit on FREE Days!  

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:  

OPT OUT Form

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…?

We have a wonderful Denver Health Clinic in our school! 

A few quick resources:

To sign up for the clinic, parents fill out e-consent for specific school in English and Spanish: https://www.denverhealth.org/services/school-based-health-centers 

For e-consent forms in other languages, please call SBHC at (303) 602-8958 or e-mail SBHC@dhha.org. 

To make an appointment, parents/students can e-mail SBHC@dhha.org or call 303-602-8958. The TJ school clinic direct number is 720-423-7190.

Here is a quick video to advocate for school health clinics made by teen advocate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxaoq-zeu-o&feature=youtu.be

Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW Resources: https://www.denverhealth.org/;  https://tjhs.dpsk12.org/denver-health-clinic/ 

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.

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

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.

Welcome! Stay tuned for Class of 2028 news! Questions? Want to get involved? Email TJHSPTO@gmail.com