Principal Selection Process

May 29, 2013

Dear Thomas Jefferson High School Community,

After a thoughtful and competitive interview process, we are pleased to announce that Suzanne Morris-Sherer has been named principal for Thomas Jefferson High School. We are thrilled to introduce her to the TJ community, and are confident she is the right leader to ensure all students are able to achieve their personal best.

Ms. Morris-Sherer joins Denver Public Schools from the Aurora Public Schools district, where she has most recently worked as principal of Side Creek Elementary. During her time at Side Creek, the school was recognized by 5280 Magazine as “One of the Top Elementary Schools” in the Metro Denver area. Prior to this role, she worked as a teacher, literacy coach, dean of students and assistant principal in schools in Cherry Creek and Denver Public Schools.

Ms. Morris-Sherer has been the recipient of several awards and distinctions, including the Colorado Governor’s Distinguished Most Improvement Award, given to schools in the state for the highest rate of student longitudinal growth on state assessments, for 2010, 2011 and 2012. Originally from New York, Ms. Morris-Sherer has been part of the Denver community for the past 22 years. She is married to a current DPS teacher and their two sons are DPS graduates.

Ms. Morris-Sherer is thrilled to begin meeting TJ students, staff and parents and will be at the school this Friday, May 31st. From 12:45 to 2 p.m. she will be present during lunch and during class changes so she has the opportunity to meet students. After school, she plans to meet with the TJ staff from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a formal introduction. Parents and community members are welcome to come to meet Ms. Morris-Sherer during the day or attend the after-school meeting.

I would also like to thank Sandra Just for her years of service and commitment to Thomas Jefferson High School. We wish her the best in her new role with the DPS human resources department.

We plan to continue to provide opportunities to get to know Ms. Morris-Sherer. Thanks again for your continued support of Thomas Jefferson High School!

Sincerely,

Greta Martinez
Instructional Superintendent, Middle and High Schools
Denver Public Schools
720-423-3851
Greta_Martinez@dpsk12.org

Denver Public Schools Suzanne Morris-Sherer –Biography:

Suzanne Morris-Sherer earned her MA from the University of Missouri-Columbia in journalism and her BA in speech communications from the State University of New York at Oneonta. Suzanne was a Ritchie Fellow and completed her administrative license at DU. She has been with the Aurora Public Schools for the past 6 years, as Principal of Side Creek Elementary. Prior to becoming a principal, Suzanne was a teacher, literacy coach, dean of students and assistant principal in elementary schools and a middle school, in Cherry Creek and Denver Public Schools.

Suzanne has been the recipient of several awards and distinctions, including the Colorado Governor’s Distinguished Most Improvement Award, given to schools in the state for the highest rate of student longitudinal growth on state assessments, for 2010, 2011 and 2012. Her school, Side Creek, was also recognized by 5280 Magazine as “One of the Top Elementary Schools” in The Metro Denver area in 2010. She is a Colorado transplant and has been in Denver for the past 22 years, she is originally from New York. Suzanne is the wife of a current DPS teacher and their 2 sons were DPS graduates. She is looking forward to working with the teachers, community and students of Thomas Jefferson High School.

 

 

 

 

Podcasts

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The Ever Changing Culture of Football?
February 10, 2013 by Matthew Fabian
How one sport has dominated not only a nation, but also an entire culture since its small beginning
Read the article!

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The Ultimate Ascent

This spring, two teams from the Thomas Jefferson High School CCT Magnet Robotics class will be participating in the FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC), beginning in January.

January 2013

Dear Families,

Here at Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ) and throughout Denver Public Schools, the safety and well-being of our students is always of the utmost importance. Understandably, the recentevents in Newtown, Connecticut bring the issue of student safety to the forefront of our minds. While this tragedy has filled our hearts with sadness, these events serve as a reminder of how we can and must maintain a commitment to take care of one another in our Spartan community.

I truly believe that the students, faculty and staff at TJ work hard to create an environment that models our values of Respect, Commitment, Honesty, Empowerment and Understanding. In the instances where our values may be overshadowed by poor judgment or behavior, it is each of our responsibilities to stand up, speak up and support each other in maintaining a warm, caring environment that welcomes and embraces all students.

By providing a safe environment for all, we can maintain a focus on helping each student achieve his/her personal best.

From a building perspective, TJ will continue to exercise consistent security measures to ensure student safety. This includes having all visitors enter through the front doors and sign in at the security desk. All other exterior building doors will remain locked. In accordance with state and district regulations, we will continue to practice lockdown drills each semester so that students and staff are prepared in case of emergency. If there is ever a threat to student safety, we will make every effort to keep you informed of our efforts to protect students.

The interactions from student-to-student and from student-to-adult also play a critical role in keeping students safe. We expect all students to have the opportunity to participate in class and extracurricular activities without fear of bullying or harassment. Activity associated with bullying, physical/emotional abuse, racial slurs and/or hazing will not be tolerated. If you become aware of any of these types of behaviors, please bring it to the attention of a teacher or administrator immediately. Reported incidents will be investigated and appropriate consequences will be applied.

I am confident TJ will continue to serve our students, faculty and staff in a safe and healthy environment in which everyone can thrive. We must continue to work together in this effort. Thank you for all you do to support TJ. Have a safe and happy holiday season, and we’ll see you in 2013.

Sincerely,

Sandra Just
Principal

November 2012

Dear Spartan students, families and faculty,

Studies have shown that students who are made aware of their test sores, grades, and the implications they will have on their future, tend to perform better in all academic areas. It is our hope that in making these one-on-one connections and by including added supports,we can help to elevate students who typically score within the middle range of performance in all academic areas.

The staff at TJ has graciously taken on the opportunity to focus in on 500 students who have been identified with the following criteria:

-Students’ reading, writing and math scores from TCAP.
-Students who are on the cusp of being partially proficient and proficient on TCAP and ACT status.
- Students who fall within the 40th-55th percentile in yearly growth.

This is one of our key action steps in our school’s Unified Improvement Plan and we are incredibly excited that we have been able to hit the ground running so swiftly on an undertaking that will have such a positive impact on our students and for our school.

The 500 students who have been identified have been adopted by staff members who will be meeting with students weekly to discuss grades, talk about test scores and what they mean to and for the individual student, as well as connect with each student – trying to build supports around the students needs.

We are all committed to the success of every student, and will continue to build in supports and opportunities to improve our students at every level.

September 2012

Dear Spartan students, families, and faculty:

We could not have asked for a better start to a wonderful school year. This year we had the pleasure of our senior class continuing our newest tradition with the senior sleep out. Over sixty seniors greeted our largest freshman class to date at the front of the school bright and early to welcome them on their first day of high school. The excitement and energy that the students brought in with them has definitely set the tone for a positive and productive school year.

As a staff we want to do all that we can to keep the positive energy going and maintain a dynamic learning environment. We are making a conscious effort to ensure that all students are abiding by the dress code, and we are asking for your assistance as well. The student dress code is found in the student planner and was recently sent it out in the TJ Times, as well. We ask that all parents review the dress code and help make sure that your student is abiding by the code when he or she comes to school. We thank you in advance for your help and standing with us in this effort.

I would also like to take the time to remind you of the various support systems that we offer here at TJ, to make sure that your student has every opportunity to achieve success. If your student is struggling in any area of school please reach out to a staff member so that we can stand in the gap and create a plan/system for your student to be successful.

Read more

And So It Begins

The Senior Class of 2013 begins its final year of high school with one of TJ’s richest traditions: Senior Sleep-out.

Read more

May 2012

Dear Spartan students, families, and faculty:
I would like to thank you for a wonderful school year. We have accomplished so many important and rewarding things this year:
1. We are predicting an enrollment of close to 400 incoming freshmen for next year due to the new choice process that the district used this year.
2. Over 300 AP exams were given during the month of May
3. 262 students participated in Concurrent enrollment classes- earning both college and high school credit.
4. 214 students graduated on May 17th.
5. Our allocated school budget for 2012-2013 did not decline. This is a first, after several years of budget cuts.
6. We will be adding a robotics course and strand through the Center for Communication Technology Magnet.
7. 75% of the class of 2013 has participated in an AP or concurrent enrollment course,
65 % of the class of 2014 has participated in an AP or concurrent enrollment course
34% of the class of 2015 has participated in an AP or concurrent enrollment course.
8. Over 1000 hours of community service has been performed by students this year.
Thank you to everyone for your continuing commitment to excellence. I look forward to an even more successful year in 2012-1013. Have a great summer.

Click Here for important Summer Dates!

Sandra Just, Principal
Thomas Jefferson High School

Freshman Academy 2012-2013

Ninth Grade Academy:

When: August 13-16 from 7:30 -11:30 am
Where: Thomas Jefferson High School
How: Sign up at ninthgradeacademy@dpsk12.org
Include:
High School Name
Student’s Full Name and ID Number
Student’s Address and Phone Number

Need more information? Call JoAnne Moreno at 720 423 7149 or email JoAnne_Moreno@dpsk12.org

UPLOAD FORM HERE

 

2011-2012 Senior/Graduation Info

April 5, 2012: Announcement delivery, during lunch hour
April 13, 2012: Senior class panorama picture taken, time: TBD
April 13, 2012: Mr. TJ Pageant (Auditorium) 7:00 pm
April 20, 2012:  Senior Award verification deadline for Senior Award night program
April 21, 2012: Senior Prom – Museum of Nature & Science Atrium After Prom – Fat City [bus leaves TJ @ midnight]
May 2, 2012: Graduation Mini-Rehearsal (Auditorium) During EXCEL time   *Required*
May 3, 2012: Senior Awards (Auditorium) 7:00 pm
May 7 – 11, 2012: AP Testing
May 10, 2012: Last full day of school for seniors *Required attendance at all classes*
May 11, 2012: Final Senior check-out 8 – 9:45 am
[Graduates will receive their cap & gown as well as their 14 graduation tickets at end of check-out]
May 16, 2012: Graduation Rehearsal 9:00 – 10:30 am.  DU Ritchie Center at Magness Arena *Required*
May 17, 2012: Graduation Exercises, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at DU Ritchie Center at Magness Arena *Graduates must arrive by 6:00 pm*

**ATTENTION** The 2012 graduation venue has been changed to University of Denver, Magness Arena: 2201 E Asbury Avenue, Denver, CO 80208

Arena rules & regulations:
1. Does NOT ALLOW noisemakers or balloons of any kind.
2. Magness Arena employees will be conducting active security screening (i.e. open bag search and light pat down when entering the arena).

For questions please contact Thomas Jefferson High School 720-423-7000 or email Pam_Collins@dpsk12.org

 

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