February 2013

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Over the last eight years, I have served as the proud leader of the Thomas Jefferson High School Spartans. During this time, I have enjoyed working closely with TJ students, parents and teachers to create a supportive environment that welcomes and embraces all students.

It is with a heavy heart that I announce my plans to resign as principal of TJ at the end of the 2012-13 school year. I have accepted a new role with Denver Public Schools (DPS) working with the HR School Support Team as the Performance Management Advisor.

Having loved my time as principal of TJ, it was a very difficult decision to leave. However, I am excited for this new chapter in my career and having the opportunity to impact DPS students in a new and exciting way.

The TJ community will always be a special place to me, and I look forward to seeing continued progress on all of the wonderful initiatives in place to benefit TJ’s students and families.

DPS will launch an extensive principal search for my replacement. DPS will look locally and nationally to ensure the right candidate is selected to continue moving forward our mission of helping all students achieve their personal best. DPS will also be looking to the TJ community for input during the principal selection process. Additional information about this process, and how the community can get involved, will be shared soon.

I encourage you to call me or stop by my office if you have any questions about my transition. Thank you all for your incredible support over the last eight years. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the TJ community.

Oprima aqui para leer esta carta en espanol (Click here to read this letter in Spanish)

Warm Regards,

Sandra Just
Principal
Thomas Jefferson High School

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.

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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

March, 2012

Dear Parents and Students:

We are fast approaching TCAP and ACT testing. Students have opportunities to grow their academic learning in classrooms, as well as additional post-secondary readiness and ACT tutoring sessions. These assessments give us an opportunity to see how students’ learning is improving. Please remind your student how important it is to be well rested and ready to do their best.

I have begun budget preparation for the 2012 – 2013 year. Our budget expenses reflect our vision of:
• Increasing number of students on track at each grade level, thus increasing the graduation rate
• Providing intervention support to struggling and advanced students
• Ensuring that all students participate in at least one AP or concurrent enrollment class prior to graduating.

As we continue through the budget process, I will update you on any new information.

Sandra Just, Principal
Thomas Jefferson High School

October 2011

Dear TJ Families,

Autumn is in the air, and Homecoming is just around the corner. This is a time when alumni come back to honor traditions and current students show their Spartan Pride. This year we will be having some additional activities to honor our Spartan traditions. The field will be officially named in honor of former TJ Coach and Teacher Herman Motz. This gentleman embodies the characteristics that we all aspire to: integrity, dedication, loyalty, and compassion. We will be inducting alumni into our first hall of fame at this same time. What an amazing way to honor our community members.

I encourage everyone to come out and participate in our Homecoming events. Spending time together as a community is a wonderful way for us to learn more about each other and support our students in out-of-school activities. There is something for everyone; the field naming, the tailgate party, or the game. Everyone is always welcome to stop by the dance, as well.

I want to congratulate and thank our teachers, staff, and community for their continued commitment to our students. Thomas Jefferson HS was rated Green on the DPS School Performance Framework. We still have much to do, but we do need to stop a minute and reflect on all of the positive work that is going on. I look forward to all of the academic work and conversations we have, but let’s not forget to enjoy each other as a community. I hope to see everyone at one or another of the Homecoming events.

Sincerely,
Sandra Just, Principal
Thomas Jefferson High School

 

August 2011

Dear TJ Families and Community,

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year. The summer has brought many new changes to the school’s structure. The auditorium has a new sound system and electronic stage curtain, we have a new gym floor and bleachers, new heating vents have gone into all classrooms, the parking lot was repaved, and the front steps have been redone. Thanks to all voters who supported the bond allowing for this work to get done. It makes a world of difference.

Our teaching staff has agreed to pilot the new evaluation system. It is called Leading Effective Academic Progress (LEAP). Staff have spent the six days prior to school in professional development learning about the system and discussing best practices for academic achievement of students. This work will continue on throughout the school year. I applaud the staff for their work on this effort.

Our school expectations are that all students will take at least one Advanced Placement or Concurrent Enrollment course prior to graduation. Students will also complete 10 hours of community service per year for a total of forty hours prior to graduating.

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May 2011

Dear TJ Families,

Thank you for a wonderful school year. I hope you all have a restful summer. Classes will resume on August 18th for ninth graders and grades 10-12 will return on August 19th. While students are enjoying their summer, many activities will be going on at TJ:
• A new gym floor and bleacher construction is underway
• There will be new paving placed in the parking lot
• The auditorium will have installation of a new stage curtain and sound system.
• All heating units in classrooms will be replaced.
• Teacher leaders will receive training in LEAP- the new teacher appraisal system
I look forward to seeing everyone in the fall for the 2011-2012 school year.
Have a great and safe summer, Spartans.
-Sandra Just, Principal

April 2011

Dear Spartan Community,
We are nearing the end of the school year and there is much anticipation as we count down the last days for seniors. The 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students are prepared to move on to the next grade level as we celebrate the accomplishments of the year, but also begin planning for next year.

As we move toward the finish line, it is important that we keep focused on maintaining strong attendance and staying on top of our academic work. We talk with students frequently about being on track to graduate. This means that students are passing the courses that they are in. When a students fail even one course they put graduating in four years at risk. We do have a credit recovery system that has been very helpful in supporting students to recuperate lost credit, but we also want to ensure that students are learning the necessary study skills to be successful in future classes at high school and college.

I encourage you to take some time to really look at your student’s transcript to understand if he/she is staying on track to graduate. If you have questions, please make some time to talk with your child’s counselor. They are always glad to help create a plan to stay on track or to offer alternative options so that a student can find success.

-Sandra Just,
Principal

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