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September 30, 2024
There are a lot of good things going on academically at TJ. As we celebrated Honor Roll last week, here are some highlights from AP Testing season last Spring:
131 AP Scholars, comprised of 77 AP Scholars, 25 AP Scholars with Honor, and 29 AP Scholars with Distinction, who had an average test score of 3.97 on AP Exams.
Let's keep up the good work and continue to be a high scoring school in the district. Click here for more district information.
Paula Hammel
Assistant Principal
Monday-
Regular School Day
Tuesday-
PTO Meeting: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday-
Regular School Day
Thursday-
TJ Shadows: 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Voter Registration Drive: 5th period lunch
Fall Instrumental Music Concert: 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday-
TJ Tours: 9:00-10:30 a.m.
First Friday Fall Festival: 2:35-3:35 p.m. (details below)
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.
Congrats to all of the Spartans who were celebrated last week for being on the Honor Roll! Keep up the hard work! Special congrats to the winners of the Honor Roll awards/prizes.
Bronze - Daniel Fisher (Nintendo Switch),
Silver - Sophia Leatherman (Headphone),
Gold - Lilah Tuchez (Oculus),
Platinum - Yoel Yohannes (Xbox),
Academic Lettermen - Micah Gruenwald (PS5),
Bonus Prize - SophieAnn Scott (Camera and bag of goodies).
Last week's Homecoming events went really well. Thanks to Erin Thompson and Leadership students for putting in the time and effort to organize the festivities. From the Bonfire and Powder Puff game to the Pep Rally, Tailgate, Football game and Dance, the Spartan community really came together to make it a memorable week. Thanks to faculty and staff who stepped up to chaperone the events. It takes a village!
Shout out to Emily Webster and Alyssa Baker and all they do for TJ through the Denver Scholarship Foundation! We are most definitely a leader in college enrollment! See below for an impressive breakdown of information.
TJ fans! We are here with your favorite merch and have some new designs that you will love. 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. You will also find us at the Homecoming football game. 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.
Mr. Behling is looking for students who'd like to film a short spot on the SPARTAN Edition to promote our upcoming Voter Registration Drive here at TJ.
Mr. Laman's staff will have the following info on the screen and/or give it to the volunteers as a script:
TJ will be hosting another Voter Registration Drive on Thursday, October 3rd in the main lobby during 5th period lunch
In the state of Colorado, anyone who is a citizen and is 16 years old can pre-register to vote
Make sure you have some form of ID number
Once you turn 18 and are registered you can cast your vote
It's a Presidential Election year so make sure to get registered so you can have your voice heard this November! (This is where a student may add a brief statement)
If you know any students who would be interested? If so, please ask them to stop by Mr. Laman's classroom during 1st or 2nd period beginning today!
We wanted to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated snacks and treats for the homecoming dance! We appreciate you all so much!
OCTOBER MEETING - SAVE THE DATE:
Next month's PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1 at 6pm in Room 111. Our guestspeaker will be Becca Norris, volunteer with the DPS Bond Oversight Committee to discuss the upcoming bond measure on the November ballot.
Hello TJ Families! It is a tradition here at TJ to provide dinner for the teachers/staff during parent teacher conferences. In-person conferences will be held this year on Tuesday, October 8th (virtual conferences will be held on Wednesday, October 9), and our staff will be at school all day on the 8th. Please use this link to sign up to bring something for the staff dinner. We could not do it without you! Thanks so much for helping. If you have any questions, please reach out via text or phone call to Susan Dolson 303-358-6655.
Questions? Want to get involved? Join our e-mail list: TJHSPTO@gmail.com
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!
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.
Could your child benefit from some extra support? Consider signing them up for Denver Kids! https://www.denverkids.org/
Denver Kids is a nonprofit organization that has been supporting the youth of Denver for over 75 years, and this year we are excited to expand our presence at Thomas Jefferson High School! Our program offers personalized, one-on-one meetings during school hours, focusing on academic support, social-emotional learning, skill development, career & college exploration, and much more. Each meeting is thoughtfully tailored to meet your child's unique needs, interests, and experiences.
If you are interested in learning more or signing up your child, you can contact me directly at Justin_Protentis@dpsk12.net or via text at 720-255-5210.
Spartan Seniors and Families,
Click here to learn more about the Denver Scholarship Foundation and the DSF Scholarship for students with financial need. We’ve enjoyed seeing so many of you in the Future Center this year. If you have not stopped by yet, please do so soon! (Room 135, across from the Main Office)
Seniors: 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
Wednesday, September 25th - College Rep Visit in the TJFC:Willamette U, Miami U- Oxford
Thursday, September 26th- College Rep Visit in the TJFC: Community College of Aurora, QuestBridge Scholarship application DUE
Out of State College Fair at South High School- 5:30pm Registration REQUIRED!
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
There is one quick and easy way to help your mental health?
Cutting your social media use to 30 minutes a day lowers:
Anxiety
Depression
Loneliness
FoMO (fear of missing out)
Children and adolescents ESPECIALLY need help with this, as some of their cognitive abilities (such as emotional and behavioral regulation) are not fully developed yet.
To help you regulate specific app time limits for yourself, or a family member, go to:
Settings, Screen Time, then App Limits.
Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. Resources: BHG October 2023; MSU Denver; NPR
After Prom 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.
Thanks to Thrivent and all the Amazing Parents who donated their time, food, and drinks to the TJHS Homecoming Bonfire on Monday night. It was a great turn out and a lot of fun for the students. We will announce how much we raised at our next parent meeting.
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
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