Artwork by Kiera Classen

On Saturday, February 11^th, TJHS will host the annual Eros Dance in the gymnasium from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Eros is TJ’s traditional Sadie Hawkins dance that takes place every winter, in which tables are turned and the girls are expected to ask the boys out.  “I love Eros because it gives the girls the opportunity to get creative and ask the guys.  My friends and I always have a lot of fun helping each other with asking our dates, plus it shows them [the boys] how asking someone to a dance is really done,” said Senior Maddi Doro.

Each year Eros Royalty is nominated by teachers, and includes a King and Queen, Prince and Princess, Duke and Duchess, and Count and Countess.  Royalty nominees will be announced on the Spartan Edition within the next few weeks, and students will be able to vote after they arrive at the dance.  Ballots will be counted as students dance the night away with their friends and significant others and, finally, royalty will be announced at the end of the night.

Foreign Language Teacher Kyler Jackson will DJ the dance, and TJ Partners will provide refreshments outside of the gym for students to enjoy as they take a break from getting their boogie on.

“The one thing different this year is that we are not selling couples tickets.  We’re really just trying to encourage everybody to go without the pressure of getting a date,” said Administrator JoAnne Moreno.  All tickets will be sold for ten dollars, and ticket sales will begin on February 1^st in the Treasurer’s Office.

Artwork by Ed Gloor

Monday-Dress Like a Teacher Day
Do you have a teacher you’re just dying to twin up with? This is your chance! Senior A’Laon Maxwell couldn’t be more excited. “I love Mr. Vore so I’m going all out. I’m slicking my hair back, wearing an Einstein shirt over a black turtleneck, and glasses to top it off. I can’t wait!”

Tuesday- Classy Day

Classy Tuesday has been a long held tradition here at TJ and it’s time to bring it back. Show up to school dressed to impress, looking fresh and smooth. Senior twins Dani and Jacki Ruzycki plan on wearing snazzy bow ties and famous, Mr. Christoff sweater vests.

Wednesday- TV Show/ Movie Day

Show off your creativity Wednesday by impersonating your favorite TV or movie character. Get a group of friends together and have a lot of fun. Ideas include Harry Potter, That 70’s Show, Scrubs, Scooby Doo, and a teen favorite, Jersey Shore.

Thursday- Back in the Day Day

Do you imagine yourself better suited for a different generation? Bring those times back in your favorite gear. Whether it be the 80s, 70s, 60s, 50s, or maybe a whole different century altogether; make sure to go all out!

Friday- Brown and Gold

Show your Spartan spirit Friday by repping all your TJ gear. TJ shirt, brown socks, and yellow pants will make you the hit of the day. Be goofy, be loud, be proud but whatever you do, wear your brown and gold!

Seniors Mallory Baker and Becca Hansen hit the books to fight senioritis. Photo by Ed Gloor

It’s January and college acceptance letters are piling up, certifying every senior’s wishful thoughts of future days. However, teachers and parents are urging students to stay focused through this final time. For those of you in AP classes, your attention in these last months can be the difference between having to take that dreaded math or science class next year instead of being able to minimize your schedule and enjoy extracurricular activities in college to the fullest. And for those striving to get their last, needed credits, every day is all the more important with graduation on the line. As much fun as it was to paint your senior parking spot last summer, it won’t be as exciting next year.  So if you bare this in mind you may learn the few essential tips that will keep you moving full speed ahead.

Look Forward to Interim Events: Thinking about the next five months as a whole will make the rest of your year drag along like an eternity. Instead of spending your days daydreaming of summer break, focus on events such as Eros (Feb 11), the week off for CSAP (March 5-9), Spring break (March 26-30), the Mr. TJ Pageant (April 13), and Prom (April 21).

Stay Busy- DO MORE not less: Just because you’re tired of school doesn’t mean you should give up all activities relating to it. Join a club or even a sport; spring activities are right around the corner. For the guys: lacrosse, baseball, swimming, and track. For the girls: tennis, soccer, golf, and track. This will help keep you going and will be an extra release. Participation in a sport requires passing grades, so this may be the motivation you need. You may even meet someone new!

Take Pride: Strive to be proud of yourself for finishing strongly. When you sit down in the crowd of graduates, realize how much you deserve to be there, knowing how much work you put into it all. It’s important to remember that the energy you finish with one year will be the energy you begin with the next year. College will be a new and exciting time without a doubt; however, if you spent the last year of high school sliding by and taking classes that didn’t truly push you, you may find yourself trying to furiously catch up rather than easily adjusting and soaking the experience in.

Plan Ahead: College applications are long and tedious. The fact that you must completely expose everything about yourself in order to be accepted is pressure enough, and that’s not even including the burden of writing the numerous essays that scholarships require. Trying to balance all of this on top of making the most out of the time with your friends and family can be more than hectic. Look at every scholarship that relates  to you and apply! Map it all out. Write down the dates of when scholarships are due to help you space out the whole application. Using your planner or a calendar for the next few months will help you organize and prioritize, saving you from a complete mental breakdown.

Have Fun: Gandhi put it best: “There is nothing that wastes the body like worry.” Applying for everything is important, but in the midst of all the turmoil it’s easy to forget to enjoy it all. Many adults find that reliving their high school days is what keeps them young. This may in fact be one of the best times of your life, so enjoy it to the fullest and don’t regret a moment.

I have good news for the class of 2012: The end (…or the beginning) is in sight.

Christoff's daughter sporting a classy sweater-vest. Artwork by Ed Gloor

Mike Christoff, TJ Assistant Principal, became a recent member of the TJ family last year himself when he joined the crew from Morey Middle School, but he also just added on to his own family. In the wee hours of the morning, Christoff’s wife Ashley gave birth to a little girl. “Her name is Jocelyn Ginger Christoff and weighed seven pounds and thirteen ounces. She was nineteen inches,” said the proud father.

There is a little history behind the name of this little Spartan. “We decided on the name Jocelyn together and then her middle name is one that runs in the family. Ginger is my wife’s grandma’s name, so we thought that was a perfect name,” said Christoff.

With a new addition to the family, some changes came along with her. As many know, sleeping and babies don’t mix. “I definitely get a lot less sleep. Now, I start getting ready for bed around seven, which is a change for me. We have to work on Jocelyn’s schedule, which is boloney,” commented Christoff. The family of three also finds it harder to go on outings. “Everything takes longer now; we have to start getting ready about two hours before we want to go somewhere.”

Even though Christoff had to make some changes, he says he has no complaints. “I love being a father for the first time; it is better than I thought it would be. I was excited to be a father the whole time, but it is different now that she is actually here. It’s weird because your kid is like a mini you.”

Jocelyn is definitely a mini Christoff, as she already has the hairstyle down. “I like to think that she looks more like me. She has a bunch of hair already and it kind of looks like mine. Unfortunately, Jocelyn got most of my looks,” Christoff said with a giggle.

So far, the new father says the baby is a joy to have around. “She gets a little fussy when she wants to eat but she doesn’t cry more than the normal baby,” he says.

Jocelyn Christoff is going to be brought in very soon to meet the Spartan family. Watch out for a mini Christoff in the halls, and make sure to give her a nice TJ welcome!

Artwork by Ed Gloor

LEAP is an acronym that stands for Leading Effective Academic Practice, and is Colorado’s new teacher evaluation program which teachers at Thomas Jefferson High School will be getting to know intimately this year.

This new pilot program during the 11-12 school year in DPS schools involves all classroom teachers, specials/electives teachers, intervention teachers and all special education teachers as subjects for how this program can be effectively implemented. TJ Assistant Principal Scott Lessard says, “LEAP will focus teachers on 21 identified best practices, identified by experts with the objective of teachers growing their skill in these areas and therefore improving student learning overall.”

Teachers will be evaluated four times in a school year; twice by an administration member at the school, and twice by a “peer observer.” The LEAP website for DPS defines “Peer Observers as, “… fellow teachers who have been hired specifically for this role because they are recognized for their experience and expertise in content, classroom instruction, student achievement, and best practices.” Software Engineering Teacher Stacey Fornstrom says he doesn’t mind the peer evaluations. “Many people have come to visit/observe my class through the years. I haven’t gone through peer observation yet, so it will be interesting to get input from someone new.”

Since this is a pilot program, schools in the Denver Public Schools district had the choice to participate in this program. All teachers voted and the decision was made based on a majority vote specific to each school. Fornstrom also talked about the voting process. “TJ as a school voted for the pilot; it’s either everyone in or everyone out. TJ teachers voted yes so they can see what is involved in the new evaluation system and make recommendations as to what the final form should look like,”  he said. Since this is a pilot program, no teachers will be affected by program outcomes.

This program is a response to Senate Bill 191, which has the same criteria as the LEAP program, and was lobbied for and made an initiative by teacher unions according to The Denver Post. It is already state law, DPS is just figuring out how best to implement it. This response is the LEAP program. The bill states its purpose as “…to serve as a basis for the improvement of instruction; enhance the implementation of programs of curriculum; serve as a measurement of the professional growth and development of licensed personnel; and evaluate the level of performance based on the effectiveness of licensed personnel; and provide a basis for making decisions in the areas of hiring, compensation, promotion, assignment, professional development, earning and retaining non-probationary status, dismissal, and nonrenewal of contract.”

Lessard explains this as, “The big difference [in the changes from using the LEAP system] is historically teachers were granted continuing employment based solely on the evaluation of their school administrator. Under SB 191 the administrator’s opinion is now only worth about 12.5 percent of a teacher’s evaluation. The rest is made up of a peer observation, student perception surveys and 50% is based on student growth as measured by a variety of assessments.”

The program measures teachers through 21 indicators, including: 21st Century Skills, Academic Language Development, Masterful Content Knowledge, Differentiation, High Impact Instructional Moves, Standards-Based Goals, Effective Classroom Management, and Positive Classroom Culture & Climate. Teachers score from “Not-meeting” to “Distinguished.” The grading scale is broken up into four groups: Not Meeting (1-2 points), Approaching (3-4 points), Effective (5-6 points), Distinguished (7 points). “The teacher receives a grade in each of the 21 categories and then the teacher focuses on two predetermined areas for growth. If there is growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year the teacher is given a good grade,” said Lessard.

The administrative evaluation comprises 25% of the total scores for teachers. Test scores (CSAP, benchmarks, etc) make up 50%, and student and peer evaluation are 25%.

The most important factor of the student evaluation portion of this program is measuring student growth, which is defined by an individual’s growth rate compared to students with the same score. For example, Student “A” has a specific score on, say, her 9th grade Reading CSAP. Next year, her score improves by 112 points. That score is not only compared to her previous score, but to the range of scores that other students in 10th grade who also had the same score as student “A” in 9th grade had.

DPS is not using the “Student Outcomes” bracket for the pilot program. This section is still in development.

Fornstrom and Lessard also spoke on their personal thoughts about the program. “One positive for student learning is that it will require teachers to be very intentional about everything that happens in their classroom. I think this will help students because teachers will put new emphasis on things that might not be one of their strengths,” said Fornstrom.

Lessard agreed, saying, “I think the 21 best practices are very important skills a teacher should work to master. If they master them then the hope is that teachers will be more effective and therefore students will be better taught. Student learning should improve and there will be much rejoicing.”

Photo by Kiera Classen

On Tuesday, December 6^th Thomas Jefferson High School’s DECA Chapter participated in the District 13 Leadership conference; the Spartans walked away with sixteen state qualifiers out of forty-four TJ participants. Matthew Nicolo, the DECA advisor at TJ, said, “Our students performed right on par for where we should be. We had a good mix of first timers and veterans that qualified for state. It will be interesting to see how these students perform at the state level.”

Some of the schools that competed in this competition are: Arapahoe, Gateway, Grandview, Heritage, Hinkley, Littleton, Martin Luther King Jr. Early College, Overland, Rangeview, West, and Thomas Jefferson High Schools.

TJ has three different DECA classes: the first year class, Marketing; the second year class, Algebraic Principals of Marketing; and the third year class, School Store. Every year Nicolo requests that students from each class take part in district competition, which is a choice for students but is recommended by Nicolo if they want to excel in the business field.

At DECA districts students select a category in which they would like to compete. Categories range from accounting, to apparel and accessories, to management. There are thirteen categories in total. There are also team categories where two people compete together in some of the same categories.

To receive the honor to qualify and participate in state competition the students must receive one of the few top scores in their category. For example, the category of Marketing Management had seven competitors district-wide, but only the top four scorers qualify for state. Students are scored cumulatively on their test and their two role-plays. Each role-play and the test are worth 100 points each, meaning the highest possible score is 300 points.

The DECA test is composed of general marketing questions from all twelve DECA categories. A role-play is somewhat like acting, but students rely on previous knowledge to propose a solution to the problem. Each competitor at districts has two role-plays, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, whether team or individual. Students are given a scenario and five or six indicators, which they must answer. Students receive ten minutes to prepare their presentation for the judge. After the preparation time students go in front of a judge and present the resolution to their scenario for ten minutes, and finally the judge reserves five minutes to ask questions.

This year DECA districts were held on December 6^th at the Doubletree Hotel in the Denver Tech Center. In previous years this district competition has been held at Johnson and Wales and the Brown Palace. The state competition is held at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs every year.

The state competition is three days in length it is held at the end of February the 25^th-28^th. At the state competition students also have to take a test and perform two role-plays. But the last day of the state competition students get to participate in a social dance. Tyler Bybee said, “The dance is the best part of the whole competition. It is the part of the competition that we all get to relax because we know it is over.”

Danny Showers, the Thomas Jefferson High School Career and Technology Resource Specialist stated, “All the state qualifiers worked exceptionally hard to attain this tremendous honor. They each displayed great character, class, and integrity to reach this goal.”

State Qualifiers:

Photo by Becca Hansen

On Tuesday December 6, 2011 TJ’s very own choir held a concert offered to the community at no cost, to show off their vocal skills in performing classic holiday songs and carols, filling the auditorium with holiday spirit.

Students work on the holiday show in advance to refine their skills, perfect the songs, and collaborate cohesively as a group. “We worked to learn the songs in sectionals. The groups also utilized off time during Excel, before school, and after school to practice,” said Choir Teacher Linda Sorenson.

In the concert, students sang classics such as Winter Wonderland and Jingle Bells. Students performed in their own specific groups within choir, and concluded the event by singing three songs as a whole choir. “I think the students did awesome. It offered the school a good chance to get into the holiday spirit,” said Sorenson.

Hard work and preparation for the concert ultimately made the presentation a festive and exceptional event to be seen by the TJ community. “I love to sing, so being in choir is a fun thing for me. I am part of the advanced choir, and personally I think we sound great; we put a lot of energy into our performances and we’ve worked for nine weeks on this performance,” said Sophomore Ben Schweitzer.

Senior Cory Adams was also happy with the group’s performance and says he was glad to see their dedication and commitment pay off. “We were having trouble coming together as a group and perfecting our songs but we came together for tonight’s show  making it a success, proving that through tenacity and patience anything can be achieved if simply believed.”

This year TJ’s choir program has 95 students, nearing the typical 100 students that participate annually. There is beginning choir classes as well as advanced choir and there is both men’s and women’s groups. “Music is my passion; choir is a great place to be,” said Senior Keith Hussey.

Sorenson encourages anyone who likes music and has a passion for singing to join. “If singing is something you enjoy join Choir, we need the voices!”

Photo by Becca Hansen

For those who don’t know, the rest of the week, the schedule will be different due to finals. Here is a copy of the schedule so everyone can be prepared.

Wednesday, December 14^th

7:30 to 8:00 (Study Time)
Period 6- 8:00 to 9:30 (Final)
Period 7- 9:40 to 11:10 (Final)
Period 8- 11:20 to 12:50 (Final)
Lunch 12:50 to 1:50
1:50 to 3:00 Test make-up and teacher conferences

Thursday, December 15^th

7:30 to 8:00 (Study Time)
Period 3- 8:00 to 9:30 (Final)
Locker Clean out – 9:30 to 9:50
Period 4- 9:50 to 11:20 (Final)
Test make-up- 11:20 to 12:50 (Finals Make-up)
Lunch – 12:50 to 1:50
1:50 to 3:00 Test make-up and teacher conferences

Friday, December 16^th

7:30 to 8:00 (Study Time)
Period 1- 8:00 TO 9:30 (Final)
Period 2- 9:40 to 11:10 (Final)
Test make-up- 11:10 to 12:40 (Finals Make-up)
Lunch – 12:40 to 1:40
1:00 to 3:00 Test make-up and teacher conferences

With a schedule in hand, students can start making studying plans so they are ready for those tests. One huge tip for all the Spartans would be a great breakfast. Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, so make sure not to skip it! Eggs are recommended because they are rich with nutrition. Other foods that should be on the breakfast table are fruits, milk or juice, and some kind of bread! To really be prepared for finals, some study tips are flash cards, study guides, or study partner. Reviewing all of the knowledge from class will help in the long haul and make a world of a difference. The best time to study is before bed because all the knowledge sinks in and stays over night. So, get out those books Spartans so we can knock the finals out of the way and enjoy our break! Good luck everyone!

Artwork by Kiera Classen

Does being hungry in the morning make students perform worse in school? Lunch Room Manager Dave Rikert thinks so. “Yeah, I think students who eat breakfast in the morning will do better in school,” said Rikert, who arrives at Thomas Jefferson High School at five in the morning to make the students and staff breakfast.

Many Thomas Jefferson students don’t eat a meal in the morning, but why not come in a little earlier to eat a free breakfast? “We started the program to give kids better nutrition. I worked at GW [George Washington High School] for 15 years. When I came in early, there were kids sleeping on the loading dock, and I thought these kids need to eat,” said Rikert. The free breakfast program started in the middle of the last school year, and has been here ever since.

TJ’s free breakfast program offers a large and varied selection. Every morning, Rikert might feature waffle sticks, bagels, yogurt baskets, sausage and cheese biscuits, juice and milk, fruit bars, or french toast sticks. This ensemble of foods sounds like it can please everyone, but not all of these choices are offered every day. “Some kids like eggs, some don’t. We can’t always please everyone,” said Rikert.

The free breakfast is completely funded by the federal government, as well as the free and reduced lunch program. However, the free/reduced lunch program is based on the household income of a student, while the free breakfast program is free to everyone.  “I think that some students who don’t usually get here on time will get here on time for the free breakfast,” said Rikert. With numbers that started at about 43 people the first day, increasing to about 180 people per day, and finally rising to 263 people this year, more people have begun coming in for the breakfast.

It has been said that a good breakfast in the morning can improve a students’ performance in school. Rikert believes this 100%. “In college, I was sometimes going to classes at night. If I didn’t eat dinner, I didn’t even feel like being there,” said Rikert, who says he doesn’t just want the kids to just have breakfast, but he wants them to have a healthy breakfast available. “If kids come in hungry, they might eat unhealthy, like something from the vending machine,” said Rikert.

Free breakfast is a privilege here at TJ. It is available to every student and staff member coming into school hungry. Some people take advantage of the program occasionally, like CCT Teacher Jerry Esparza. “Its great that the school provides it for kids that don’t have the opportunity to eat breakfast at home,” said Esparza.  Rikert would like to have more kids eat breakfast in the morning, so “Free breakfast? Why not?”

Artwork by Mateo Rocha

Starting on December 2, 2011 Candy Cane Grams are being sold for students and teachers to purchase and send to their special someone. The grams will be sold until December 8, 2011 and can be purchased at lunch in front of the main office. These special little gifts only cost one dollar and one can even attach a note relaying to the friend or loved one a personalized message. The treats will be delivered to the candy cane recipients during their second period on Monday the 12^th  of December.

Student Council Advisor JoAnne Moreno says that these candy grams are a great way to give back to the Spartan community.  The money raised from the grams will go to the Interact Club at TJ. The money will then be put toward holiday baskets that the club puts together for less fortunate families. “It’s nice knowing that you can help everyone celebrate the holidays and give back to the community,” said President of the Interact Club and Student Council member Daniela Cardona.

These grams are also a plus when trying to figure out a Christmas present. “It’s a very easy and affordable present to send to a friend or loved one,” said Cardona. “It’s also a great way to remind people during the holiday season how thankful you are for them.”

So Spartans, gather up some change and go buy a Candy Cane Gram for a special someone. “I’ve already bought a couple grams for my closest friends,” said Senior Rachel Leiker. “I love being able to brighten their holiday season.” This year will also be different from any other, because a special visitor will be delivering the grams!