ThunderRidge Weekly Update
April 7, 2023
Patterson's Perspective
Grizzly Families,
Today is a big day at ThunderRidge as the seniors present their Senior Projects. They spend the entire year working on these and it's wonderful to see their final products. Thank you, Seniors, for all of your hard work, you should be proud. I would also like to thank the teachers and community members that sit on the boards and evaluate the projects. This important day would not be possible without your support.
I would also like to extend a big thank you to our Grizzily Gratitude families that provided an Opening Day Hot Dog Lunch to our entire staff yesterday. Your generosity is always appreciated.
Next week is Spring Testing. Please be sure to take a minute to look at the modified schedule below. Also, please encourage your students to get plenty of sleep and eat a good breakfast on their testing days.
Hope you all enjoy the warm weather this weekend.
Sean Patterson
Principal, ThunderRidge High School
ThunderRidge Athletics
TRHS Online Apparel Store
TRHS Athletics has partnered with BSN Sports to open our very own online apparel store! You can select the design you like and then the product you want to customize your own gear. Click the image to the left to shop! AND - for a limited time only - take 20% off your purchase of $60 or more with promo code GEAR.
Click the image below to keep up with all ThunderRidge Athletics information!
Activity Highlights
Polar Plunge
Unified raised money to participate in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge on April 1! They raised $2300, and 11 lucky teachers and students got to run into the Aurora Reservoir. Half of the donations went to Special Olympics, and the other half is going to go to TR's Unified Program to purchase new basketball uniforms!
ThunderRidge Apple Award Recipient
Congratulations to Stephanie Weber, recipient of a 2023 Apple Award for Classified Employee of the Year! Stephanie is an SSN Paraprofessional at ThunderRidge. She works hard to provide as many opportunites as possible for the students she works with. This year, she created a culinary class that allows for a more functional setting for two students with special needs. Stephanie also works with the Unified Sports Program and helps TRHS become nationally recognized as a Special Olympics Banner School. Join us in congratulating Stephanie!
Congratulations to Our Staff of the Month
Important Dates
✏️ April 10-14 - Spring Testing
🎵 April 6-8 and 13-15 - Spring Musical - Addams Family
✏️ April 12 - SAC Meeting 4:30-6:00 TRHS Library
⚾ April 14 - TR Baseball Game at Coors Field (Signed permission form required.)
✏️ April 15 - ACT
✏️ April 18 - Academic Lettering Ceremony
✏️ April 21 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Comp. Day
💃 April 21 - Prom
✏️ April 24 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day
✏️ May 2 - Summer school registration opens
Schedule for the Week of April 10-14 Spring Testing
Click on the schedule to enlarge.
A Message from the Counseling Department - Spring Testing
Hello TRHS Grizzlies-
It’s that time of year again, Spring testing is upon us! CollegeBoard State Assessments (PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, SAT, and CMAS) are scheduled for the week of April 10, 2023. We are beginning the planning process for these assessments and want to make sure that we are communicating with our students and their families details regarding this week.
If you are currently enrolled at ThunderRidge High School, you are automatically registered for your grade level assessment. You do not need to do anything further to ensure your registration.
Please note the following grade level assessments and their dates:
Juniors - CMAS Science on Tuesday April 11th
Juniors - SAT on Wednesday April 12th
Sophomores - PSAT 10 on Thursday April 13th
Freshmen - PSAT 8/9 on Friday April 14th
Seniors - No State Mandated Testing
Only students who are testing will report to ThunderRidge at 7:30am the morning of their assigned assessment. All students will return to the building in the afternoon for their classes. Please review the schedule for a breakdown of how the week will look. This schedule is also posted on the TRHS website under Academics tab and State Mandated Testing.
If you wish to opt your student out from CMAS or CollegeBoard assessments, please view our State Assessment Parent Excusal Instructions.*
Please stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks,
TRHS Testing Team
*DCSD graduates must meet graduation competencies in Math and English. The number one way our students will do this is through their SAT scores their Junior year. Even if you are not a college bound student, we highly recommend that all students take the PSAT/SAT in order to practice for and meet these requirements.
TRHS Counseling Department
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Attention Junior Grizzlies and Parents-
In light of recent events, and in hopes to not bombard students with a harsh transition back to school, the Signs of Suicide presentation originally scheduled for March 21st has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 25th. To opt your student out, please click here.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility. Reach out to your student's counselor with any questions.
TRHS Counseling Department
Spring Musical - The Addams Family
Tickets are now on sale through SeatYourself for the ThunderRidge Spring Musical, The Addams Family!
Pricing for all shows is:
Adult - $12.00 / Senior or Military - $11.00 / Student - $10.00
April 6, 7, 8 @ 7pm
April 8 at 1:30pm
April 13, 14, 15 @ 7pm
2023 Junior/Senior Prom - Under The Lights
April 21, 2023
8:30-11:00pm
Tickets will be on sale 4/1 - 4/19 for $35 on myschoolbucks or available at the door on April 21 for $50.
The completed Prom Guest Approval form is required for all guests attending from another school. Approved forms are due to the front office 4/19.
A Message from Grizzly Gratitude
Hello Grizzly Gratitude community! It's hard to believe we're in the last weeks of the 2022-2023 school year. We are grateful for this growing group of parents who have supported our teachers and staff throughout the year. Thank you to Manager, Vonley Starkey and Area Leader / TR parent, John Jackson for the coffee and donuts breakfast sponsored and delivered by the Town Center 7-11. We very much appreciate their involvement in our community. If you or anyone you know has a small business and would like to sponsor an event next year, please let us know!
Thank you Molly Gustafson for dropping off treats for all of the April birthdays!!
"Rockies Opening Day" was another opportunity for us to provide lunch for the staff in April...all were treated to hot dogs, chips, soda, peanuts, cracker jacks, and bubble gum on Thursday! It wasn't Coors Field, but we did our best to bring some baseball fun to the ThunderRidge lounge. :) Thank you to Derek Friedman at Sportsfan for donating Rockies hats that were raffled during lunch. Congratulations to Denise Orsini (English teacher) and Chris Hecker (Art teacher), the two lucky winners!
As teacher appreciation week approaches, we have one more request for volunteers. Below is the sign up for Cinco de Mayo lunch....we're in need of food items and gift cards for BINGO as well as extra hands to help set up. As you can see, there are many slots, so please feel free to pass along to any other TR parent who might like to get involved. THANK YOU!!!!
Sign up link for Cinco de Mayo lunch:
Please reach out with any questions!
Grizzly Gratitude Core Team
Community Events and Fundraisers
ThunderRidge High School - Grizzly Walk Brick Fundraiser
ThunderRidge High School is selling engraved bricks to resurface the sidewalk at the main entrance of the building. These bricks are a great way for families to commemorate their time as Grizzlies for years to come! Funds raised through the sale of these bricks will go directly back to improving facilities for our students. Portions of the funds can also be given to the club/sport/activity of your choice, just choose which organization you would like those funds to go to and we will take care of the rest.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY, ORDER YOUR ENGRAVED BRICK TODAY!
Community Service Opportunities
Roxborough Primary and Intermediate School - We are looking for responsible high school volunteers for our Daughter Dance (previously known as the Father Daughter Dance) on Friday, April 14th. Sign up here if you are interested.
Coyote Creek Elementary School- PTO/SAC Meeting Childcare needed throughout the school year. Find out more information and sign up here.
Seniors - Required community service hours are due April 18th! Turn your forms in to the counseling office.
Chris Tabeling Memorial Scholarship Opportunity
The Chris Tabeling scholarship is in honor of ThunderRidge Principal Chris Tabeling. Mr.Tabeling was a true Grizzly who had a passion for this school and a love for every student at TRHS. He came to work every day even throughout his difficult battle with cancer, and he always had a smile on his face and worked to ensure everyone felt welcome. Mr. Tabeling wanted to make sure that ThunderRidge maintained its reputation as one of the best high schools in Colorado and continue the TR traditions that have been instilled in each and every one of us. His love for ThunderRidge was obvious to everyone who knew him.
This scholarship goes to an individual who exemplifies the same love and passion for ThunderRidge. They see everyone as equal, willing to help others, and gives back to the community. The recipient is involved in a multitude of activities and carries themselves in a positive manner. They truly are a GRIZZLY.
Click here to apply. Application closes April 21, 2023
Fundraiser
Summer Camps
IB Update
The first week in April this year sees the culmination of our senior student's Senior Projects. The same can be said about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Students who will show off their CAS Projects during the Senior Boards. The CAS Project in IB is very similar to the Senior Project in that it helps students engage in meaningful learning connected to their individual educational experiences. The CAS Project differs from the Senior Project in several ways, but most importantly, it allows the IB students to collaborate in the process and mandates that they have a service component embedded in the experience. It is also a culmination of their Creative, Active, and Service based learning within the IB Diploma Programme.
We have some pretty amazing CAS Projects this year including, but not limited to:
- A gorgeous ThunderRidge/IB mural up at the entrance of the school
- Bringing theatre education to our local elementary
- A Math Club here at TRHS called Mu Alpha Theta
- A Creative Writing club at Stone Mountain Elementary
Good luck to all of our Seniors on Friday for their Senior Boards!!
Advisement Notes
Freshmen
Freshmen examined their personal organization. Students calculated how much time is lost due to poor organization and reflected on how better organization can save time.
Sophomores
Sophomores submitted their final REPORT for their Personal Project in Canvas. In May the students will present their PRODUCT to show what they did for their project.
Juniors
The juniors continued their exploration of the SAT. We did a deeper dive into the math portion of the exam. If students would like more practice there is an old SAT on the Canvas Junior Advisement page.
Seniors
Seniors received final reminders and logistic information for
Senior Boards which are Friday, April 7th. Following the Google Meet, Seniors reviewed their portfolios with their Advisement teachers to ensure that all documents were accessible.
Required community service hours are due April 18! Be sure to turn the forms in to the counseling office.
If you haven't ordered your cap and gown, the deadline is May 1st. Order yours today!
The following elementary schools are hosting Senior Breakfasts to congratulate their former students before they graduate. Click on your school's name below for details. Please contact your feeder school directly if you have questions.
Coyote Creek / Trailblazer Elementary / Stone Mountain Elementary / El Dorado Elementary / Roxborough Elementary
Graduation for the Class of 2023 is May 16th at 4:00pm at University of Denver Magness Arena! Click the bar above for senior/graduation information.
Congratulations to our Students of the Month
ThunderRidge is proud to offer a wide variety of clubs and activities!
Click the bar above for a full list including times, days and locations.
Grizzly Broadcasting: Grizzly News
Not only is this week Senior Boards, it is also the opening week for TRHS Theater! We have put together a little promotional piece for this year's spring musical THE ADDAMS FAMILY (some of y'all just heard finger snapping in your brain...it's okay).
As always, thank you for the support of our program and all the other amazing programs and students at TR!
About Us
Principal Sean Patterson
Mission Statement:
Empowering Grizzlies through curiousity, compassion, courage, community and service.
#AlwaysAGrizzly
Website: trhs.dcsdk12.org
Location: 1991 West Wildcat Reserve Parkway, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
Phone: 303.387.2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TRHSGrizzlies?mibextid+LQQJ4d
Twitter: @TRidgeGrizzlies
Better Your Home, Better Your School
Support our school by shopping at American Furniture Warehouse! Mention TR at check-out and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to the school!