QUICK LINKS
TJ Journal
TJ Calendar
Spartan Edition
Athletics Schedule
Performing Arts Calendar
Schoology
www.schoolcafe.com
My School Bucks
Multilingual Education Resources
Immigration Resources for Families
September 8, 2025
Thank you to everyone who attended Back to School Night! It was a fun night where parents were able to walk their student's schedule and meet their teachers. Even if you were not able to attend, you can always email a teacher if you have specific questions regarding your students progress in their class. Please also check Parent Portal often, as it gives helpful information on grades and attendance. We are all here to help your student be successful and very much appreciate your support!
Fall sports are in full swing! Get all the latest event schedules here: https://dpscalendars.org/public/genie/757/school/11/
Anne Rice
Athletic Director
Assistant Principal
Monday-
Regular school day
Tuesday-
Class of 2027 Dairy Queen Fundraiser (details below): 3:00-11:00 p.m.
Food Bank Distribution: 3:30-5:00 p.m.
PTO Meeting: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday-
Regular school day
Thursday-
TJ Shadows: 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Friday-
TJ Tours: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Saturday-
Thanks to Erin Kimmel, PTO Treasurer and Spartan parent extraordinaire, we have an amazing new fundraising dashboard that will automatically update as classes raise money. This will have a permanent spot under the "Class News" section. Thanks for all that you do, Erin!
The TJHS PTO would like to extend a warm welcome to all TJ families! We’re a group of parent volunteers who support the school-wide activities and programs that make TJ the DPS neighborhood high school of choice for Southeast Denver. Everything the PTO does is in support of our remarkable students and staff. YOU make all the difference!
To be part of this engaged group of parents, visit the PTO webpage and click on the JOIN Today! link at the top. This will subscribe you to our emails about meetings and events.
Our monthly meetings are a great way to meet other parents and get information and questions answered. PTO meetings are typically held on the first Tuesday of each month, from 6-7pm at TJ. Our meetings often feature a member of the school administration speaking or community official on a topic of interest to parents. We hope to see you sometime this fall!
Our September meeting is Tuesday, 9/9 from 6-7pm in the Community Room at TJHS - Room 111.
Please consider how you can use your skills to help TJ be the best it can be.
Current leadership opportunities include:
Member-at-Large for Class of 2029
Class Committee Chairs for Class of 2029
Please reach out if you have any questions/comments/concerns. We know how stressful new environments can be for students and parents. The PTO is a great resource!
Questions? Want to get involved? Email TJHSPTO@gmail.com
The September Food Bank distribution will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, September 9, from 3:30–5:00 PM at TJ. Distribution will be located at the north end of the building, outside of the robotics hallway near the softball field.
Please reach out to Megan Perkins (megandperkins@gmail.com) Becca Mahoney (beccaandjoemahoney@gmail.com) or Jillian Krause (jillian.krause@gmail.com) with questions.
Link to Sign Up: https://forms.gle/Etk5GxLj26gyMNJB8
Join us for an informational meeting on Wednesday, September 24 from 6:00-6:30! Please scan the code below to RSVP.
Reporting and Monitoring Absences
Save time and get a quick response letting us know that your student is going to be absent, arriving late or an early dismissal by using the Parent Portal attendance tool.
Guardians of DPS students must have an active DPS Parent Portal account to use this new feature. Visit myportal.dpsk12.org to sign up, or to check that your account is active and ready.
Learn more about how to use this new feature.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Denver Public Library and Mexican American poet, novelist, and painter, Raquel Vasquez Gilliland! Vasquez Gilliland will be at the Thomas Jefferson High School Auditorium on Wednesday September 17th, starting at 4:30pm, to discuss her works, including Pura Belpré Award-winning young adult novel, How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe, and more. Books will be available for purchase at this event. Teen and adult readers alike are welcome!
Buy Your Yearbook Here: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A00921800
Whether you’re graduating in ’26 or down the road, show your class pride with custom swag that highlights your graduation year.
» Shop your Spartans Sideline Store
If you’re looking for in-house gear stop by the DECA store in the cafeteria or look for us at the Homecoming football game. Feel free to email with any questions.
Share Board Engagement Sessions Information with Your School Community
Dear School Leaders,
With only one year remaining in the implementation of the current Strategic Roadmap, it’s important that the Board of Education makes changes and modifications to its Ends Policies to drive the development of the next Strategic Roadmap.
Denver Board of Education Member, Kimberlee Sia, is holding two engagement sessions to gain feedback from the community she represents. Additionally, At-Large member, Director Scott Esserman, is also hosting two in-person engagement sessions. Feedback gathered from the sessions and the survey will directly influence the Ends Policies for the 2025-26 school year and beyond.
Session details are listed below. Please share these dates with your school community and encourage families to register and attend the session that works for them. Childcare, light refreshments and interpretation services will be available at each meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Board Liaison Lori Atwood.
Board District At Large (All of Denver)
Director Scott Esserman
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 6-8 p.m.
Location: Evie Dennis Campus (4800 Telluride St.)
Board District 1 (Southeast Denver)
Kimberlee Sia, Treasurer
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6-8 p.m.
Location: Thomas Jefferson High School (3950 S Holly St.)
From the Health Office at TJ
Welcome Back! A few reminders to help keep our school healthy and safe:
- Medications- All Medications (prescription or over-the-counter) require a new provider order/signature, parent/guardian signature, and school nurse signature. The Medications authorization forms are good for 1 calendar year. Please bring medications to the health office in the original labeled container.
- Health Plans- If your student has asthma, allergies, diabetes, seizures or other health needs, please share updated action plans with the nurse.
- Keep students home if they have a fever of 100.4 F or higher, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms of contagious illness. Notify the health office if your child is diagnosed with communicable diseases (e.g. strep, chickenpox, flu, etc.)
- Stay Connected- Please update us if your child's health changes during the school year.
Thank you for your partnership!
Spartan Seniors and Families,
Click here to learn more about the Denver Scholarship Foundation and the DSF Scholarship. Your TJ Future Center (college advising) is in room 135 across from the Main Office. We look forward to scholars visiting during their off periods and/or with permission from their teachers!
Seniors: In your Future Center: TJFC2026 schoology course, you will find many resources to help you with your college planning process. Please review the course updates and calendar at least weekly with your family. You will find a list of Scholarship Highlights posted weekly in addition to information about College Rep Visits in the TJFC, College Fairs, major deadlines, reminders about your next steps for college and more! Most importantly, please drop by the Future Center to say hi and ask questions!
College planning tasks from your Future Center schoology to work on now:
Start your applications through the Common App or directly through the schools’ website.
Be sure to review your Steps for Complete College Applications document. Using this document will help ensure your applications are complete. Using MAIA Learning, linking your Common App to MAIA, and completing transcript request form(s) are all REQUIRED for all TJ Seniors applying to college!
Complete the FAFSA application for the 26-27 school year! Click here.
Upcoming Events: For more information, please visit the Future Center schoology course calendar
Tuesday, September 9th- Boettcher Foundation Scholarship Webinar
Wednesday, September 10th- University of CO Boulder Rep Visit in the TJFC 2:32pm
Thursday, September 11th- Virtual Career Panel: Multimedia Design/Content Creators 11am
Saturday, September 13th- CU Boulder- Business at a Glance Info Session
Emily Webster, M.S. Alyssa Baker, M.Ed. Alejandra Rivera-Lopez, M.S.W Candidate
DSF Lead College Advisor, DSF College Advisor, DSF College Advisor- Intern
emily_webster@dpsk12.net alyssa_baker@dpsk12.net.arivera-lopez@denverscholarship.org
Did You Know...?
You don’t have to wait until you have a solid chunk of time to get some exercise in your day …
Mental Health and Social Emotional “Did You Know”: Compiled by Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP and Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW. Resources: www.BHG.com, article from June 2018 issue- “Sneak Exercise into Your Day.”
A huge thank you to all the parents who generously contributed their time, food, drinks, and games to make Senior Sleep Out a success! With over 100 students participating, the night was a fantastic kickoff to what promises to be an exciting Senior year. We’re looking forward to making unforgettable memories with the Class of 2026!
Carrie and Sheila
Mark your calendars! The Homecoming Bonfire is Monday, September 15 at 6:30pm. The Junior class is responsible for selling food at the bonfire and proceeds will go towards the Class of 2027’s fundraising efforts! We need your support and donated items to help make this event a success!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084CA8AE29A3FB6-58357541-homecoming
🍦Class of 2027 Fundraiser!!! Don’t forget to head to DQ on Tuesday, Sept. 9 from 3–11pm, (4650 S. Yosemite St) to support the Class of 2027. Grab a sweet treat and a portion of the sales will go right back to our class. Mention TJ at checkout!
Please 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. 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
We have a lot going on this year, starting with the Class of 2028 Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, September 13. This will be a 2-mile jaunt around the TJHS neighborhood – and it’s open to everyone. You don’t have to be a member or family member of the sophomore class to take part. While supplies last, your $20 donation will get you a T-shirt that’s sure to be a collector’s item in the future. Sign-up today. T-shirts and registrations will be at Back to School Night.
We will need people to help with day of registration, water, check-in, etc. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084CA8AE29A3FB6-56150578-class to help.
We are also doing a year-round flower fundraiser. This is a great way to add some colorful flowers next spring by planting bulbs this fall – and benefiting the Class of 2028 all at the same time. If you are not looking to plant bulbs this fall, you will also find Christmas items and spring flowers. Check out the website to see what’s offered (and feel free to pass it along to friends and family who need plant ideas as well).
We are also busy scheduling regular Class of 2028 nights at area restaurants. Our first restaurant fundraiser is September 24 from 4-8 pm at the Chipotle at 7350 E Hampden. Stop by and let them know you are from TJ.
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.
Remember, all money raised by these events and donations will help fund an amazingafter-prom event during the students’ senior year.
Stay tuned for freshmen class news!