February 25, 2016
Administrator's Corner

Over 50 TJ supporters turned out for the BBQ, Beer N Bourbon social at Jim N Nicks last Saturday for barbecue feasting and bourbon sampling. It was a fantastic parent group and provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with families from other classes and parents whose paths may not otherwise cross at school. Net proceeds totaled over $1000.00 and will help fund PTOs classroom grant program which benefits every teacher and student at TJ by helping to provide vital equipment and supplies. PTO plans to host other similar events in the future so families can continue to get to know one another and simultaneously benefit the school.   

Congrats to both the boys' and girls' basketball teams for making the playoffs! Be sure to come out and support your teams. 

Más de 50 partidarios de TJ asistieron al social, "BBQ, 
Beer N Bourbon" en Jim N Nicks el pasado sábado para festejar barbacoa y tomar de muestras de borbón (whiskey).  Los participantes fueron un grupo de padres fantásticos y proporciono una excelente oportunidad para conectar con familias de otras clases y los padres cuyos caminos de otra manera no cruzarían en la escuela. Los ingresos netos ascendieron a más de $1,000.00 y ayudará a financiar el programa de donación, PTO. El programa beneficia a cada maestro y estudiante en TJ, ayudando a proporcionar equipos y suministros vitales.  El PTO planea organizar otros eventos similares en el futuro para que las familias puedan seguir conociéndose unos a otros y al mismo tiempo beneficiar a la escuela TJ.
 
Felicidades a ambos niños y niñas de los equipos de baloncesto en llegar a los juegos finales, los playoffs! Asegúrese de salir y apoyar a sus equipos.
 
Suzanne Morris-Sherer 
Principal   
Quick Links
Please note: Saturday school will be held February 27 th   from 8-11 a.m.
Final ACT Practice Session
The next  and LAST ACT practice test will be offered on Saturday February 27, 2016 from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. here at TJ.  It is free for all Juniors and they will get their scores back in two weeks. Interested students can sign up on the sheet on the window outside the office or outside of room 134.
Kudos Korner
  • Shout out to Kerry Black from Karie Shuler: "You put kids first and now they are first in line to apply for our ACEConnect Summer Internship Program. They are "preferred candidates" because they registered and completed (1) a CareerScope Interest & Aptitude Inventory AND (2) participated in the Pre-Internship lessons developed by the ACEConnect Team in Fall 2015. Thank you for your time to coordinate these transition activities to support your students to reach their post-school goals. Now let's get them some work based learning."
  • On Wednesday February 17th, our TJ AVID hosted the first annual AVID Parents Night here at TJ. It was for AVID students and parents from TJ and Hamilton Middle School. There were about 60 people with standing room only. Great job, Team!!
Goodbye ACT, Hello SAT
Colorado has switched from an ACT state to an SAT state, requiring juniors to take the SAT instead.
For 15 years, high school juniors in Colorado have been required to take the ACT as an entrance exam into colleges; however, in December of 2015, a committee of teachers and administrators from around the state selected the SAT as the new required exam. The switch was made due to several reasons: the redesigned SAT tests the skills and knowledge that are needed for college and career readiness, it is accepted by nearly every school in the country (including every college and university in Colorado) and the PSAT, will replace the PARCC test for sophomores-this test will take only three hours as opposed to eleven hours of PARCC testing. Read more 
GT Leap Day Party at Southmoor - February 29th



FAFSA Fridays!
Financial Assistance Available
For seniors who have not yet completed their FAFSA, Ms. Maez is available to help! She has reserved the following Fridays for drop in FAFSA/financial aid support: 3/11, and 3/18, from 8-2:45 p.m.  Students and families can make appointments with her if those dates/times do not work. Click here for more information!  
GT News and Events
Click here to learn about other upcoming GT events, including a seminar led by our very own Brian Weaver!

Counseling Corner
It is almost that time of year again to choose classes.  The IC student portal will be open starting the week of March 7th  and will close on the 18 th all current TJ students must request classes in the portal.  All choice forms can be found on the TJ website under the Counseling tab.  The counselors will be available for assistance during office hours in the computer lab 121 on March 9th and 16 th.  Incoming 9 th grade choice will happen March 22 nd or 23 rd from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. 
 
Seniors who are still undecided or have not applied to college we will be hosting a trip to Northeastern Junior College on March 2 nd.  See Ms. Stone for more information.  This trip is limited to 14 students.
Support TJ Football on Friday, March 4th
Annual Blood Drive - March 1
On March 1st Thomas Jefferson High School will host its Annual Blood Drive in conjunction with Bonfils Blood Center. On this day administration, staff, and students have the opportunity to donate blood. Each donation can save up to 3 lives!
  • All minors (16 and 17 year olds) must get a consent form signed by their parent and/or guardian and return it to the school nurse as soon as possible.
  • Students who are 18 years and older can consent themselves.
  • Students 15 and under cannot donate until they reach the age of 16.
  • Donors must weigh between 115 and 350 pounds.
  • The School Nurse, Deb Samuels, has a list of Donor Pre-Screen Questions that need to be answered "NO" before a donor is qualified. Pre Screen Questions include things like recent tattooing, body piercing, active infection, or travel outside the country.
  • Donors should eat a good breakfast and lunch and drink a lot of fluids prior to donating. Snacks and beverages will be provided by Bonfils after donation.
Bonfils will provide a safe and positive experience for all who care to participate! If you have additional questions or concerns, or care to donate yourself, please call Deb Samuels, RN (School Nurse) at 720-423-7061
Class News You Can Use
All Classes 
Class of 2016 - Seniors
  • Yearbook - Purchase here and personalize a page : Yearbook Link
  • Get your class T_shirt! at: mkt.com/tj2016
  •   Skate Party, 3/4 - Fundraiser for prom. All Spartan students are invited!! Be ready to roll on  March 4th from 10:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. !!!  You won't want to miss the fun! Stay tuned for details!
  • Prom is blooming for the class of 2016, Rose A Gram sales are helping to pay for decorations 
  • Mr. TJ, Fri. 4/15 -  . Nine  of the esteemed class of 2016 young men will be joined by their escorts and emcees to compete for the title of Mr TJ by showcasing their style, grace and talents.   It's going to be "Raining Men" and you won't want to miss it.
  • Prom, 4/23, 8-11pm at the Curtis Room in Landmark (DTC). I t's sure to be a grand time!  We will be looking for parent volunteers to help with various aspects of prom in the coming weeks, stay tuned to the newsletter for updates.
  • The class of 2016 will also be providing corsages and boutineers for Prom. Details to come.
  • After Prom Event - A fter much discussion with the students, it has been decided that there will be no official after prom event held this year.  The After Prom committee will be working with the prom committee to support prom efforts and host other special events for the seniors in the coming months to support the Class of 2016 as they look toward their futures!!  Watch the newsletter for more updates coming soon.  
Class of 2017 - Juniors
  • March 14-18   - all week - Beau Jo's . The next Neighborhood Eats in support of 2017! Diners must bring flyer for TJ 2017 to get credit. (Flyers are coming soon!)

  • Get in touch with questions, ideas & support : tjhs2017@gmail.com

  • Class of 2017 t-shirts - get yours now at  mkt.com/tj2017 
  •  ACT test - register at http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html - next test in Denver is 4/9
Class of 2018 - Sophomores
  • Parents of 2018 Sophomores look for a "Meet and Greet" fundraiser coming in April. This will be the perfect opportunity to make new friends and stay connected with important class events.
  •  Parents wishing to help with class events, contact Kary Cramer, karycramer@msn.com 
Class of 2019 - Freshmen
  • Parent Meeting 3/15 - RSVP by 3/7 - The Parent Class Liaisons invite you join in on a fun, relaxed time of getting to know each other at Esters Neighborhood Pub (1950 South Holly Street, Denver) on Tuesday, March 15 at 6 pm. Please RSVP here by March 7 so Esters can plan for us. Questions? Email Debi at getaholdofdebi@gmail.com
Wanna Be on TV?
"Mile High Discussions" is in its season premiere on DPS' own TV network.    
The premise of the show is to feature and elevate strong student voices to another dimension by inviting a panel of 3-4 high school students each show to have w ell-balanced and "deep dive" conversations with popular and randomized topics. Guests enjoy in-depth, intellectual discourse with a twist ... They are not given topics or questions in advance!

Click here to see an episode of Mile High Discussions featuring Spartan Molly Berenbaum 

This activity is open to all students as it is casted through the GT Office.  Any student wishing to appear should contact Mr. Weaver for an audition. 
Health Close to Home
TJ's school-based health clinic provides students and families with convenient and quality health care.
Last year, one of Denver Health Medical Hospital's school-based health clinics opened at TJ. TJ's clinic is one of eighteen locations around the Denver Public School district that provides students and families with access to health care and important information about healthy lifestyles. The clinic allows students to take charge of their own health care, and provides a method to aid students quickly and efficiently. Read more 
Hello, Dolly!
Save the Date
Hello, Dolly! will be performed on March 16, 17, 18, and 19 at 7 p.m.

-On 3/16 & 3/17 Horace Vandergelder will be played by Sam Trout and Ermengarde played by Annabel Weizenbeck 
 
-On 3/18 & 3/19 Horace Vandergelder will be played by Beck Moore and Ermengarde played by Maddi Abram

Tickets will go on sale at the end of February from students, online through the TJ Journal, and at the door: Students-$5 Adults-$10
Hello, Dolly! Sponsorship Opportunities
Creative Industries Summer Internship
Accepting Applications Now!
This summer the Center for Visual Art (CVA) at MSU Denver will host a high school internship program in collaboration with Goodwill Industries. Building on the success of previous years, interns will contribute to OhHeckYeah!
 
We partner with OhHeckYeah!, an organization whose mission is to create community through play:  https://vimeo.com/103351554   .

This project-based internship exposes young creatives to the local professional sector and engages the next generation in the Denver arts community.
 
Interns will:
Engage in challenging, though provoking, collaborative art projects;
Learn from leading art and technology industry professionals;
Explore future careers in the arts;
Meet amazing friends and have a blast!
 
Application Deadline March 18 . Please encourage young artists ages 16-20 who might be working towards a career in the creative industries to apply here.
 
Graduation for All Campaign
Some students don't walk across the graduation stage... and not for the reason you think.

They have the grades.
They have the credits.
They may have even been accepted to college already.

Then they get the order form for the cap, gown and graduation announcements, and that's where it stops.

The basic graduation expenses at one Denver high school start at $46 for just the cap and gown. For many of us $46 is what we spend on coffee for the week. Add in announcements and senior pictures, and the cost is a real burden or even impossible for some families.

The Graduation for All Fund helps those for whom the graduation ceremony is out of reach.

Click here to donate

Thanks to your donations, we can make sure that these kids have the same experience as everyone else in their class. Imagine the pride their families will feel when their senior marches across the stage, gets a diploma and a handshake, and takes the next step in their adult life. 
Big Z Steppin' It Up
Zoya Robbins is a triple impact player, in the classroom, on the field and on the court.
Sophomore Zoya Robbins is known around TJ as a young student athlete who excels in the classroom as well as on the field and the court. She stays engaged with school activities because of her role in leadership class and DECA. Before meeting her, many people can already tell she's someone who is just a joy to be around. Through her sports and school work, she works very hard to reach her goals and succeed. Read more
News from the Future Center
graduation_cap.jpg
10th Graders:  If you have at least a 3.0 GPA, are enthusiastic and motivated, want to attend a four-year college, and have financial need, you should apply for the Access Opportunity program before March 1 of this year.  (If accepted, you get college counseling, leadership workshops, personalized test prep, and $10,000 for college-related expenses, among other benefits).  If interested, please talk to Ms. Maez in the Future Center or Mrs. Buffington in room 229.  You can also check out Access Opportunity's website at   www.accessopportunity.org.

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