August 21, 2017
Administrator's Corner

Dear TJ Spartan students and families,

Welcome back! I am extremely excited to get this school year started! TJ had another great year with so many more accomplishments! We again set the bar very high for our students and they continue to rise to the challenges! 

The mission of TJ will continue to be that TJ is THE high school to go to if you want to go to college. We will not deviate from the efforts that we have been making over the course of the many years of this work. Our work moving forward is to relentlessly pursue opportunities for our students to ensure that they are prepared for college and career. 

Please click here to read more about policies and procedures that will continue to be enforced. 

Thanks for your ongoing support of TJ. We look forward to meeting and seeing you at the Back to School and Information night on September 6th, 2017, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. We will begin in the auditorium and there will be more on this as the date approaches.

Click here to read the full welcome letter from Mr. Christoff about successes and expectations.
 
Mike Christoff
Principal

Estimados estudiantes y familias de TJ,
 
¡Bienvenidos!  ¡Estoy muy emocionado de que comenzar este año escolar!  TJ tuvo otro gran año con tantos más logros!  ¡Una vez más, hemos subido la meta más alta para nuestros estudiantes y ellos continúan alcanzando las metas!
 
La misión de TJ seguirá siendo que TJ es la escuela secundaria para ir si quieres ir a la universidad. No nos desviaremos de los esfuerzos que hemos estado haciendo a lo largo de los muchos años de este trabajo. Nuestro trabajo moviéndonos hacia adelante es perseguir implacablemente oportunidades para que nuestros estudiantes se aseguren de que están preparados para la universidad y la carrera.
 
Por favor, haga clic aqui­ para leer más acerca de las pólizas y procedimientos que se seguirán aplicando.
 
Gracias por su continuo apoyo de TJ. Esperamos encontrarnos y verlos en la noche de regreso a la escuela y la noche de información el 6 de septiembre de 2017, de 5:00 pm a 7:00 pm. Comenzaremos en el auditorio y habrá más de esto acercándonos a la fecha.

Haga clic aqui para leer la carta de bienvenida completa del Sr. Christoff sobre los éxitos y las expectativas.
Quick Links
TJ's Tardy/Truancy Policy
Thank you for your su pport in keeping our attendance at its best!

Please click here to view TJ's attendance policy

Please click here to view Colorado's student attendance policy
Download Our New Moblle App Today!
Week at a Glance - Week of 8/21-8/25
Monday
  • Freshmen return
  • All freshmen will have their ID pictures taken during their math class
  • Please click here (or see the above "Athletics Schedule" quick link) to see athletic events for the week
Tuesday
  • All students return
  • All sophomores will have their ID pictures taken during their math class (Integrated Math 2/Honors)
Wednesday
  • All upper classmen (juniors and seniors) will have their ID pictures taken during their math class (Pre-Calc, 055 Prep, Advanced Algebra 2 Honors, Honors Pre-Calc, AP Calc AB, AP Stats) 
  • Office Hours/early release
Thursday
  • Informational meeting for Grease in the Auditorium - 3:00 p.m.
Friday
Kudos Korner
  • At the DPS Coaches Conference in May, TJ had five coaches awarded with Coach of the Year for their sport: Jason Klimczak, Erik Rhee, Damion Allen, Kyler Jackson, and Jeff Zinke. Congratulations! All TJ coaches work tirelessly to make our sports programs fun, competitive, and meaningful for our students.  Athletics is often used as a catalyst for growing academically, and for some kids it's the reason they come to school each day.  This year student-athletes had an average attendance rate of 94.9% and an average GPA of 3.43. Thanks to all of our coaches for their awesome support of our student athletes!


  • On Saturday, August 5th, Thomas Jefferson students, faculty, staff and parents participated in a TJ CleanUp Day! Volunteers maintained landscape, beautified flower beds, picked up trash around the campus and gave the 'TJ Spartans" sign and logo a beautiful fresh coat of Spartan GOLD! Our fresh, clean campus is ready to welcome students to the 2017-2018 school year!
Download the new TJHS Mobile App today!
At TJ, preparing students for the 21st century means we need to use 21st century tools to keep everyone engaged. We are very pleased to announce that we've partnered with BlueTreeApps to create our very own custom school app for TJ. Custom school apps are not only powerful and easy to use, but they receive high ratings from administrators, parents, teachers and students. 

We encourage you to download the app from the App Store or Google Play at no cost (scan the QR codes below or simply search for "TJHS"). We will be finalizing formatting and loading new content in the coming weeks, so please be patient and check the app frequently for new information! Our hope is that this will be yet another way to strengthen communication for our community. 
Purchase School Supplies at Office Depot or Office Max and Give Back to TJ!

Education is the Foundation for a Brighter Future: Give 5% Back To Your School!
Simply make a purchase of  qualifying school supplies, provide your school ID at checkout and your designated school will receive 5% back in credits for FREE supplies!

It's a small act that can make a huge difference.

TJ's school code is 70017648
Grease is the Word!
seats_theater.jpg
TJHS Theatre will be performing Grease in the Fall of 2017. It will be a fun, energizing, and exciting show! We need plenty of people to come on board to be apart of this amazing production including: Actors/Ensemble members, Theatre Tech, and Hair and Make-Up crew. An informational meeting on this production including audition information, time, fees, and other miscellaneous information will be discussed then. The meeting will be in the auditorium on Thursday, August 24th @ 3pm. All are welcome! Grease is the word!
Adventure!



























If you are looking for adventure in June 2018, PERU  is the trip for you! White water rafting, hiking to scenic Machu Picchu, shopping in Peruvian markets, feasting on incredible local foods... among so many other adventures! 

Space is limited! Enroll today!  Contact jennifer_sonheim@dpsk12.org  or Click here for more details about the trip. 

Mental Health and Social/Emotional Tips
Greetings, TJ Community!

This year, we are excited to announce that the mental health staff at Thomas Jefferson High School will continue to provide Mental Health and Social Emotional tips. This year we will be adjusting our contributions slightly- our tips will now be titled, "Did You Know...?" and will be in a quick-fact format; shorter and straight to the point!
 
The intention of these tips is to help our entire community support academic, social and emotional growth and achievement.  We are their village, and together we can make significant and positive impacts on their overall well-being.
 
If you have a topic you would like to suggest for us to cover or would like to know more about a specific topic, please  feel free to contact us. We look forward to a great year.

Did You Know...?

Your ability to learn new things drops by 40% when you don't get enough sleep.

Because memories are consolidated while dreaming and during deep sleep, resting long enough to move fully through those sleep stages may improve your memory.

AND

If you're 18-60 years old, experts say you need at least 7 hours of sleep each night.

Need more sleep? Here are five ideas to try:

1) Exercise regularly, vigorous is best
2) Avoid heavy meals, cigarettes and alcohol in the evening
3) Establish a soothing bedtime routine with time to unwind
4) Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on the weekends.
5) Keep your room cool, dark and noise-free. 
Mental Health and Social Emotional Tip: Compiled by Samanda Davis, LCSW, MSW and Natalie Koncz, Ed.S., NCSP  
Parent Training Opportunity 
Spirit Store Items
Get Your Gear On!
The TJ Spartan Spirit Store is a virtual store which is online. The store is also set up at some school events such as athletic events, concerts, plays and conference nights.
 
Check out the new American Apparel soft 100% cotton v-neck t-shirts in dark gray or white with gold TJ on the front and Spartan on the back. Also, get a new gray fleece blanket with gold TJ embroidered in the corner to keep you warm while cheering on the Spartans this winter. 

New XXL and XL sizes in men's Under Armour ankle zip sweatpants and new inventory in the Under Armour 1/4 zip long sleeve pullovers in graphite gray stripe with embroidered TJ. XXL hoodies and T-shirts now available.
Public Input Opportunity
Class News You Can Use
All Classes 
  • Everyone Welcome to Join us for an All-School Fundraiser on Saturday, 8/26:
     
    What: Season Opener Party
    Where: At the Aldridge/Sensenbrenner Home:  3710 East Dartmouth Avenue Denver, CO 80210
    When: Saturday, August 26th from 6:00pm to 10:00 pm
    Why: Meet other parents, celebrate the start of the school year and raise money for the PTO 
    Details: * $25 per person, payable at the door (checks made out to TJ PTO) all proceeds will go directly back to the school.
                   * Show your team spirit by coming in your favorite team's attire- TJ, the Broncos or the                           college of your choice
                   * A variety of stadium food and beverages will be served
     
    RSVP to  karycramer@msn.com if interested

     
  • Great news! All Class T-Shirts are now available (as wells as other TJ gear) in the Spartan Store!
Class of 2018 - Seniors
  • Please look for more opportunities this school year for parents to socialize, get connected and contribute to the Class of 2018 fundraising efforts. Please email karycramer@msn.com if you're interested in helping out at any point this year. We need you!
Class of 2019 - Juniors
  • We are excited to introduce the Class of '19 retro t-shirt for sale (picture above)!  T-shirts are $15 each and proceeds will help fund Class of '19 Senior Year activities, including After Prom.  Shirts can be purchased directly from Julie Thibodeau, online at the Spartan Store, or at various school events.  THANK YOU for supporting the Class of '19!
     
  • If you have an idea for fundraising, community building event or volunteer opportunity, please contact Jane Bulger:  janeebulger@gmail.com
Class of 2020 - Sophomores
  • Thank you to Megan Perkins and Lisa LoJacono, the parent representatives for the Class of 2020. Please look for important information to come.  If you are interested in getting involved please email Megan at:   megandperkins@gmail.com  or Lisa at:   lisalojacono@gmail.com .
Class of 2021 - Freshmen
  • New Graduation Requirements! DPS has adopted new, evidence-based graduation requirements that will go into effect this year for the graduating class of 2021. Click here
    to read more!
News from the Future Center
For upcoming events, college visits, financial aid workshops, scholarships, and much more, visit the Future Center wikipage !
 
Rena Maez 
College Advisor, Thomas Jefferson High School 
Denver Scholarship Foundation | a 501(c)(3) Public Charity  
3950 S. Holly Street  |  Denver, CO 80237 
O 720.423.7134   F 720.423.7098
   
rmaez@denverscholarship.org |   www.denverscholarship.org