Raider Reporter

THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL
4248 288TH ST
AUBURN, WA 98001
253-945-5600
Raider Reporter
F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H
2 0 1 4
H T T P : / / S C H O O L S . F W P S . O R G / T J /
Principal’s Corner
Events
Date
HSPE Week
3.17 3.21
Talent Show
Auditions
3.18 3.20
Tolo - 8-11 PM
3.22
Appreciation of the
Arts Assembly
4.3
Student Success
Conferences
4.16 4.18
Spring Recognition
Assembly
4.24
Talent Show 6-8 PM
6-8 PM
4.25
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Strong Second Semester Start
We are six weeks into the second semester and I have some positive information to share. Our student population as a whole are starting second semester with higher grades than we have ever experienced before. 37% of
our students achieved As, 23.6% Bs, 23.2% Cs, and 12.5% Fs.
That means that 83.5% of our student population earned passing grades. This is huge in our
efforts to increase our graduation rate. We attribute the variety of additional opportunities open
to TJ students to experience success.
Looking specifically at our freshmen students, 321 out of 457 students passed all 7 of their
classes. That is 70%, compared to 51% last year.
Raider Way, Raider Advantage, Success Track, Credit Retrieval opportunities, teachers willing
to provide support before and after school, and parents scheduling staffing meetings to better
understand their children’s struggles has played a part in this heightened level of success.
I feel so proud of the work going on at TJ – Go Raiders!!
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE:
Our Student Success Conferences are just around the corner – Wednesday, April 16th to
Friday, April 18th.
Student
Recognition
2-4
The Conferences are a very important time when you can chat with every one of your student’s
teachers. It is vitally important to know how your child is progressing. School/home collaboration is critical for every student to achieve success.
RPM Thank
You
6
HSPE
Schedule
6
Talent Show
7
Tolo
7
LSU
Carnival
9
Featured
Staff
10
The Conferences are held in the Commons, Cafeteria, Deuce, and Library. Letters break outlining where each department is located will be coming home after the Spring break. Teachers
are available during the times outlined below. We will have refreshments available, college
scholarship and admission information. It is our intention to make our Student Success Conference a valuable time for students, teachers, and parents to maximize every student’s ability to
be successful.
Our conference schedule is deliberately designed to be flexible for your convenience. Please
drop in any time during the times listed below. On Friday, April 18th meetings are by appointment only and must be scheduled with the teacher by Monday, April 14.
Wednesday, April 16th – 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 17th – 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Friday, April 18th – By appointment only.
Yours Sincerely,
Liz Drake
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2
TJHS FORENSICS SCIENCE
On Saturday February 1st , Thomas Jefferson High School hosted
the SkillsUSA Regional Crime Scene Investigation Competition.
There were 10 teams competing, representing 3 regions within the
state of Washington, for berths to the SkillsUSA State Championships in April. Each team was composed of three competitors that
have been working hard-honing their skills at documenting and
processing crime scenes, as well as learning how to collect different types of evidence.
In the overall competition, our gold medalists were two points behind the top placing team from Peninsula High School, out of the
Olympic Region. It's going to be a great competition at State. The
State Championships will be held in Tacoma on Friday, April 18th.
TJHS had three teams competing this year and they did an amazing job! In the Puget Sound region, our teams came three points
away from sweeping the top three spots on the awards podium:
Gold Medalists: Josh Coleman, Josh Madden and Jacob Nugent
Silver Medalists: Michael Demchuck, Jacob Knapp and Brenda
Salinas
4th Place: Vivek Ajudia, Joseph Cervantes and Angelica Hernandez
RAIDER
REPORTER
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3
FEBRUARY/MARCH
2014
EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPRESENTS AT REGIONALS
Congratulations to the following Emergency Responders who came home with the Skills USA
Puget Sound Regional Championship!
Top Ten Places:
Gold Medal - Jesus McCloskey
Silver Medal - Joanna Lemus
Bronze Medal - Marina Marchant
4th - Tom Amato
5th - tie - Edgar Onofre and Jack
Chandler
7th - Sajeed Farouk
8th - Josh Barcenas
9th - Kevin Lu
10th - tie - Kendra Wallace and
Olivia (Ruby) Herrera
The Raider Emergency Response team
will now head on to the State Competition
in April! We wish them the best of luck in competing and representing Thomas Jefferson High
School.
Our TJHS Emergency Response team!
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4
BOYS & GIRLS WRESTLING
The TJHS wrestling team had a very successful season. The team had 7
qualifiers for the regional competition. At sub-regionals, 7 Raiders qualified
and placed in their weight classes: 1st place- Jasmine Pleasants, 3rd PlaceHeng Yon, Leann Donoso, 4th Place- Justin Madden, Alex Murray, 5th place Sarah Conrad, Nate Bullington.
Heng Yon and Jasmine Pleasants
both qualified for STATE at the Tacoma Dome on February 21st and
22nd. Junior Heng Yon represented
TJ well and finished as the 8th best
wrestler in the state at his weight.
Freshmen Jasmine Pleasants continued to rack up victories,
ultimately earning a 1st place finish
in state. A historic feat becoming
the FIRST ever female wresting
state champion from Thomas
Jefferson. Congratulations to the
team, coaches and these two hard
working wrestlers! The future is
bright for wresting at TJHS!
RAIDER
REPORTER
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5
FEBRUARY/MARCH
2014
SPEECH AND DEBATE
This year TJHS got to compete once again at Standford University. TJHS Speech and Debate
has participated in this competition for 10 consecutive years against teams from 5 countries
and 232 total schools. Seventeen Raiders got to participate competing in multiple different
events. This is also the 10th consecutive year TJHS has had a student make it to the finals at
Stanford with Ben Richmond (sophomore) placed 7th in his event. In the semi finals, Daanish
Khazi placed 10th while Alyssa Yun placed 8th. Overall TJHS did very well and we want to
congratulate everyone who participated.
TJHS Speech and Debate Team and Standford!
SPEECH AND DEBATE TO KANSAS
Congratulations to Alyssa Yun, Jina Yi, Daanish Khazi, and Christina Huber who qualified for
the national speech and debate tournament in Kansas City (woo-hoo) June 15-20. There are
2000 competitors in our district and 300 of them qualified to compete at districts this weekend.
From that pool 20 entries made it on to Nationals. Jina will go in congressional debate, Alyssa
will go in dramatic interpretation, Daanish will go in extemporaneous speaking, and Christina
will go in oratory. Well done Raiders!
In addition, Thomas Jefferson Was given the "Leading Chapter" award for our continued accomplishments at this tournament.
PAGE
REMINDERS
6
RPM AUCTION A HUGE SUCCESS
The annual RPM “A Heart for TJ” auction was held March 1st at Emerald
Downs in Auburn. Co-Chairs Dara Mandaville and Christina Reagle spear
headed the operation leading a number of dedicated parent liaisons and
committee members. From a silent auction with a gift card wall to dinner
and live auction with huge items including signed Seahawks memorabilia
and trips galore, the auction had it all. Thomas Jefferson owes a lot of it’s
success to dedicated parents like those who helped plan and attend the
event. The staff and students of TJHS applaud and appreciate you all for
truly having a heart for TJ!
INFO ON ECEAP
ECEAP and Head Start are free preschool programs for low-income families. Thomas Jefferson has an ECEAP program (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) located on campus. This preschool program
is supported by our Child Development classes, and provides a wonderful
learning opportunity for all of those involved. Applications for the 20142015 school year are now available. Priority is given to children turning
age four before September 1, 2014, but limited space may be available for
three-year-olds as well. If you have any questions or would like to request
an application, call the ECEAP/Head Start Information Line at 253-9452379.
HSPE/SAT TESTING
HSPE testing for all 10th graders and those 11th & 12th graders who have
not passed the HSPE on March 18th-20th. There will be a late start for 9th
grade students and 11th &12th grade students who are not testing. This
means school will begin at 11am for those who aren’t testing. (18th-20th)
There’s a special schedule throughout the week as well.
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Mon.– periods 1,2,3,4,6,7 (lunch based off of 4th)
Tues.– (late start) periods 1,4,5 (lunch based off of 1st)
Wed.- (late start) periods 2, advisory, 6 (lunch based off of 2nd)
Thurs.- (late start) periods 3,5,7 (lunch based off of 3rd)
Fri.– Normal Friday schedule, periods 1-7
More information on scheduling: go to http://schools.fwps.org/tj/calendar/
#mc_300-18-calendar
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7
ATTENTION FRESHMAN PARENTS
Attention 9th Grade Parents, GEAR UP wants to take you on a parent field trip for
our overnight Central Washington University trip on April 17th and 18th. Please let
us know if you can chaperone; meals and lodging will be provided for you and your
student! Please call either Gary Alexander at 253-945-5752 or Stephanie Gilbert at
TALENT SHOW AUDITIONS - March 18th - 20th
The annual TJHS talent show will be April 25th at 6 PM, but auditions are here. March
18th-20th from 2:30-4:00 PM in the cafeteria. Sign up in the cafeteria and get your act
together. You won’t want to miss out on this fun opportunity to showcase your gifts!
GREAT JOB FRESHMAN
This year 71% of the class of 2017 passed all their classes. This is a 20% increase
from last years freshman class. We are so proud of all our Freshman for working
incredibly hard and being willing to succeed in High School. Keep up the good work!
OPPOSITES ATTRACT - March 22nd 8-11 PM
TJHS Tolo dance is coming up soon! It’s a girls ask guy dance happening on Saturday,
March 22nd 8-11pm! The theme is opposites attract! Come to the dance, take pictures,
and have fun! Tickets will be sold in the finance office and not available at the door.
Prices are $10 with ASB and $20 without.
SPRING SPORTS ARE HERE
Keep a look out for Thomas Jefferson High School’s 2014 Spring
sports! These sports include: Boys and Girls track and field, boys
base ball, girls soft ball, boys soccer, and girls tennis!
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8
STUDENT SUCCESS CONFERENCES
Keep your eyes open for information on the April 2014 Student Success Conferences. Conferences will be held April 17-18th. Be sure to come and meet your child’s teachers and check up
on their grades. This is the perfect opportunity to come to TJ and see what your child is
learning.
IB ART
IB Art students and Design and Applied art students in Ms Beck's class
are collaborating on a four
panel work of art that will
go into the ESC at the end
of the school year. Lead
artist Elleyce Pahang has
designed a four panel silk
piece that celebrates the
water habitat and water
birds that are a part of our
life in Federal Way. The
water theme also mirror's
TJs theme of 'Go Blue'
which is our school's focus on clean water availability for our home and
as well as the world
abroad. Elleyce has already completed a panel
and a select group of
student artists will complete her design.
CHEER TEAM FUNDRAISER
LUMPIA AT LUNCH!
The Cheer Squad will be selling homemade Lumpia on select Thursdays
during the Month of March. Pre-order bags of 20 can be purchased for $10.
If you are interested please contact Coach
Eileen Uson Wilson at [email protected]
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9
COME TO THE
LATINO STUDENT
UNION’S 2ND
ANNUAL
CARNIVAL!
MARCH 25TH
6:30-9:30
IT WILL BE LOADS
OF FUN FOR THE
WHOLE FAMILY
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10
FEATURED STAFF OF THE MONTH
Mrs. Appelbaum
Q: What classes do you teach at Thomas Jefferson?
A: Freshman Science, Biology, and 1st year IB Biology.
Q: What is your favorite part about TJ?
A: The community is very warm, including all of the students and staff.
Q: What other activities do you participate in at TJ besides being a teacher?
A: Green Team Club, and I help out at Raider way.
Q: How many years have you been teaching at TJ?
A: This is my 3rd year teaching.
Other: Mrs. Appelbaum really enjoys teaching at TJ. She loves all her students and she gets joy
from being with and helping her students learn.
Mr. Storm
Q: How long have you been here at Tj?
A: Since August, I moved here from San Diego this year.
Q: How long have you been involved with teaching and administrating?
A: Ever since 2006 but I’ve been involved with teaching Martial arts my whole life.
Q: Has anybody ever told you that you share a resemblance with Paul Rudd the actor?
A: Yes, but I’m funnier even though I get paid less.
Other: Everyone is so happy to have Mr. Storm as a part of the TJ family. He is a great
addition to our staff.
Got something to share? Want to recognize someone in the TJHS community?
Send us your stories to be featured in the Raider Reporter at [email protected]

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