SPARTAN UP!

Thomas Jefferson Community Unites to Make TJ a Better Place!

What is Spartan Up?
Based on the belief, “If it is to be, it depends on me,” Spartan Up! is a philosophical directive developed by the TJ Culture Committee which, simply put, asks every member of the Thomas Jefferson Community to conduct themselves like true TJ Spartans: take pride in yourself, take pride in your school, take pride in your fellow man, take pride in your community. Now, show that pride by doing something extraordinary to make our community, our fellow man, our school, and ourselves better. Teachers at Thomas Jefferson High School have pledged to each commit to at least one Spartan Up!, and we are hoping that students, parents, and community members will follow our lead.
On this page we will list everyones’ pledged Spartan Up! When that Spartan Up! is completed, we will highlight that listing and link it to an article or a video that celebrates and describes the completion of that particular Spartan Up!
If you would like to submit your own personal Spartan Up!, please email Principal Sandra Just. Remember, this is something that YOU must take ownership of and see through to the end.
When you see this: √ Spartan Done! that means the Spartan Up has been implemented.

Adair, Eileen (teacher):
• I will hold a TJ coat drive between February 10 and March 1, and will take all donations down to the Denver Rescue Mission.  √ Spartan Done!

Atwood, Kristen (teacher):
• I will revitalize and organize the 2008 TJ staff holiday party. √ Spartan Done!

Almond, Rachel (teacher):
• I will facilitate all staff members receiving a plant in a brown and gold Spartan Spirit pot.

Blake, Natalie (teacher):
• I will host a pre-viewing party for Twilight the movie. We can pre-purchase tickets, make T-shirts, have snacks, and go to the show together. √ Spartan Done!

Coleman, Jeff (teacher):
• I will resurrect and sponsor the TJ Chess Club. It will meet every Tuesday at lunch in room 106. √ Spartan Done!
• I will refurbish the display cases in the Computer Magnet hallway. √ Spartan Done!

D’Andrea, Deborah (teacher):
• I will teach a Pilates Class! Pilates is a mind-body stretching class, with emphasis on relaxation. The class might be held on a Thursday from 3pm to 3:45. Any staff, any age and fitness level is welcome. √ Spartan Done!

Davis, Samanda (social worker):
• I will make a teacher recognition board in the main office so that teachers can thank teachers. I also want to expand it so students can thank teachers as well. √ Spartan Done!

Fornstrom, Stacey (teacher):
• I will organize and sponsor a TJ Game Club. It will meet every Thursday after school in room 104. We will have weekly game tournaments, featuring different games each week. √ Spartan Done!

Gagnon, Bob (teacher):
• I will team up with Rose Young to clean, dust, and reorganize all the trophy cases in the school.

Gerlits, Gabrielle (teacher):
• I will sponsor two freshman dodge ball teams for the renaissance fest. Fees, t-shirts, and sports drinks. √ Spartan Done!
• I will host a pre-viewing party for Twilight the movie. We can pre-purchase tickets, make T-shirts, have snacks, and go to the show together. √ Spartan Done!

Grant, Candice (teacher):
• As my Spartan-Up, I have harvested all the plantlings from my three prodigious aloe vera plants for TJ folks.  Please come to room 222. I have bags that you can use to take them home for planting. √ Spartan Done!

Gray, Charley (teacher):
• On behalf of JROTC, I will donate 2 new soccer balls to JoAnne Moreno’s soccer club.

Hamlett, Gayle (psychologist):
• I will send out post cards to parents of students going to the tutoring center and having success.

Hebert, Edwina (teacher):
• I will organize, train, and conduct a faculty choir that will perform the Thomas Jefferson alma mater.

Hudson-Raila, Jacquelyn (teacher):
• I will create a friendship garden (low maintenance and perennial) in the grassy strip between the teachers’ parking lot and the music windows, as well as cleaning up the weedy growth.

Hurd, Amy (teacher):
• I will organize a group of students and do a birthday club for the teachers, so that on the day or around it we would make a poster and give a treat for that teacher.

Just, Sandra (principal):
• I will I bring in toys, videos, and books to be used in our special needs center program. I will attempt to do so at intervals throughout the year. √ Spartan Done!

Kirschling, Paul (teacher):
• Beginning November 21st, I will host an Every other Friday lunch Alternative History with Mel & Monty. Students will experience history through the comedy of Monty Python and Mel Brooks.

Laman, Grant (teacher):
• I will produce a music video that will serve as the media call to action for Spartan Up! It will feature Danny Showers performing the Spartan Up! song (sung to the tune of Tighten Up by Archie Bell and the Drells).

Lessard, Scott (assistant principal):
• I will organize and lead a group of male teachers who will cook breakfast for all the female teachers at an in-service day during second semester. √ Spartan Done!

Mallaney, Mark (teacher):
• My Spanish classes will make holiday piñatas for donation to the Tesoro Foundation and Cultural Center in Morrison Colorado. The Tesoro Foundation will use our piñatas in their annual Christmas posada with the intention of spreading awareness of Colorado’s Latino history and culture. √ Spartan Done!

Nicolo, Matt (teacher):
• I will coordinate a gift collection from the TJ faculty and arrange for delivery of gifts to financially challenged families. √ Spartan Done!

Pitrone, Mollie (teacher):
• I will place an “Inspire Me” jar in the teachers’ lounge for teachers to be able to feel inspired on those challenging days!

Poole, Jon (teacher):
• I will place water jugs in different rooms throughout the building, including the main office and the DECA store. Hopefully the students will drop there loose change (and $100) dollar bills into the jug. Then every couple of weeks that money will be donated to different clubs and projects to improve TJ. One week we might donate it to Drama, another we might provide free ice cream to the students, etc.

Repensek, Elizabeth (teacher):
• We will create a “Spartan Staff” board. This board will have a fun picture of the teachers as well as a fun fact. This will allow the teachers to get to know each other as well as find common interest with teachers and students alike.
This will be up some where visible to all faculty, staff and students.
In light of this promoting unity amongst departments Aimee Witulski and I came up with this idea together and are planning on implementing it together as well!

Spampinato, Matt (teacher):
• I will organize and plan a breakfast for the women faculty at TJ. √ Spartan Done!
• I will create and publish a basic biography page for every teacher at TJ who would like one.

Starks, Kim (teacher):
• I will host the 2008 TJ holiday staff party at my house. √ Spartan Done!
• I will organize an education campaign in which students will educate people in the school and community about poverty and how micro-financing can help.  I will then organize a fundraiser in which students will raise money and finance the micro-loan of an entrepreneur in Africa. √ Spartan Done!

Stodola, Sudi (librarian):
• I will organize a school-wide donation to Warm up America, wherein the Knitting Club will make blankets for the homeless. √ Spartan Done!

Stokley, Sue (teacher):
• I will organize and lead Secret Santa this year. √ Spartan Done!

Stutzman, Rachel (teacher):
• I will organize a Teacher Appreciation night at a home basketball game. Details will be forthcoming. √ Spartan Done!

Thomas, Scott (teacher):
• I will have my classroom (Room 112) 100% solar powered! If things go well I am looking at expanding to Kirk’s room, 134, after that, and from there the sky is the limit!

Witulski, Aimee (teacher):
• We will create a “Spartan Staff” board. This board will have a fun picture of the teachers as well as a fun fact. This will allow the teachers to get to know each other as well as find common interest with teachers and students alike.
This will be up some where visible to all faculty, staff and students.
In light of this promoting unity amongst departments Elizabeth Repensek and I came up with this idea together and are planning on implementing it together as well!

Young, Rose (teacher):
• I will clean, dust, and reorganize all the trophy cases in the school.