ThunderRidge Weekly Update
Grizzly Families,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! It's great to have our students back in the building!
We are looking forward to a great school year. Academic success is an important part of ThunderRidge and the cornerstone of our traditions. We want to make sure that every student that leaves our school is prepared and has the opportunity to be successful.
Our Mission:
- Empowering Grizzlies by fostering curiosity, compassion, community and service.
- Every student pursues their chosen path in society, including but not limited to post-secondary education, career, or military service.
- Safety/security, Academic Relevance, Relationships, Skill Development, Critical Thinking and Inquiry skills.
Attendance is key to learning and acquiring life-long skills. Poor attendance is a nationwide problem, and we want to increase our attendance rate through education, support, and community partnership. If students are attending school they will learn, get involved, and be successful. This is going to be a focus of our school this year.
Attendance Policy:
Parents/Guardians please call your student in at 303-387-2002 within 24 hours of their absence.
Excused Absences - Students with excused absences are responsible for contacting their teachers to determine learning opportunities missed due to absence. Students are strongly encouraged to use teacher websites and email to obtain information regarding missed learning. They will have two (2) days for each day missed to make up the learning information/activities missed due to absence.
District Policy is two class periods with that particular teacher to turn in work without a late penalty missed for absences. For example if a student misses a Monday and returns on a Wednesday, that assignment is due on Friday. If your student is a freshmen and you are picking them up early, you must come into the building and check them out. You will enter through the main entrance and check-in with security.
Unexcused Absences - Students with an unexcused absence are responsible for completing the learning missed during their absence. Because ThunderRidge values learning, students with an unexcused absence are expected to complete the learning missed within the allotted time; there will be a maximum of two school days (48 hours) from the unexcused absence date to complete learning. Learning not completed within this specified period can result in a grade of zero (no credit).
48 Hour Rule (school days) - if an absence is unexcused, missing work should be turned in within 48 hours. After 48 hours, assignments may be recorded as a zero and can be made up for learning but not for credit.
IEP/504 Accommodations will be followed per the student’s individualized plan.
If we all work together and promote the importance of attending school, we will all see the benefits. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Senior Parents
This is a bittersweet time for you. This year will go by quickly, and before you know it, we will be celebrating your students at graduation at the University of Denver. We will not have a confirmed graduation date from DU until later this semester, but be assured that you will be the first to know once we do.
Freshman Parents / Parents of New Students to TRHS
There will be a Q & A meeting for Freshmen parents and parents of students who are new to ThunderRidge at 6:00pm on Monday, August 12th in the Auditorium. We will go over information about ThunderRidge and how your student can become involved and be successful during their time here.
ALL Parents
Back to School Night will be on Wednesday, August 21st. There will also be a Senior Parent Information meeting on that night, as well. We are still finalizing times and schedules, but once we have this information, we will send it out.
Finally, our counselors have been doing a great job trying to balance classes and schedules. Schedule changes will only be made if a student needs a certain class, does not have enough classes, or needs a level change. Students must email their counselor if they have questions about their schedule.
Thank you all. I hope you have a great weekend and please let me know if you have any questions.
Sean Patterson
Principal, ThunderRidge High School
August 12 - Freshmen/New Students to ThunderRidge Parent Night - Auditorium - 6:00pm - 7:30pm
August 14 - Make-up pictures in the upper lobby
August 21 - Senior Parent Post Secondary Night - more information to come
August 21 - Back to School Night - more information to come
August 25 - Senior parking lot painting
September 2 - Labor Day/NO SCHOOL
September 4 - Senior Project Parent Information Night - Auditorium - 5:00pm - 7:30pm
September 13 - Picture re-takes in upper lobby
September 20 - Professional Development Day - NO STUDENTS
September 21 - Homecoming Parade
September 26 - Homecoming Game
September 27 - Field Day - NO PLC
September 28 - Homecoming Dance
Friday, August 9th
Monday - Blue Day
Tuesday - Green Day
Wednesday - Blue Day
Thursday - Green Day
Friday - All Day with PLC
TR has PLC's every Friday morning if it is a regular 5-day school week.
Classes begin at 8:25am on PLC days. If your student needs to arrive at school prior to 8:25am, they may go to the Library or Commons until class starts. Breakfast will be available in the cafeteria.
Lifetouch will be taking pictures in the front lobby on Wednesday, August 14th, from 7:30am - 2:30pm, for students who were unable to attend Student Check-In. This is not for re-takes, but intended for those who have not yet had a photo taken and a student ID issued. Retakes will take place on September 13th.
Field Day T-Shirts
Field Day t-shirts ($15) must be purchased by Friday, Aug 16th to guarantee your size. T-shirts are designed by TRHS students for each grade to proudly wear at field day, assemblies, and competitions throughout the school year.
Yearbooks
Yearbooks ordered and purchased before Oct 11th are $75.
Between Oct 12th to January 15th, the price will go up to $80.
A limited supply of extra yearbooks will be available for purchase on a first come, first serve basis for $85 during distribution in May.
Parking Permit Sales Will Re-Open Between 8/15 to 8/30 (juniors and seniors only)
If you are getting your driver's license later in the year, you still must purchase the permit now to be able to park in the school lots after 8/30/24 without fines or tickets. For example, you get your license on 9/14, you must purchase your parking permit by the above deadline, simply note your drivers permit number on the form where the drivers license is required.
TRHS Counselors would like to extend our warmest welcome to all of our Grizzlies for the 2024-2025 school year! It’s a busy time in the counseling office, as we work to ensure our students have the supports they need, while welcoming our new students. We also have a lot of exciting things we will be helping students with this year. Seniors can begin scheduling their senior meetings; please refer to the email that was sent out by Mrs. Szilagyi on August 2nd for all the info. These meetings are designed to help our seniors finalize their post secondary plans, including identifying career paths, completing senior tasks, reviewing progress towards graduation, college applications, scholarships, financial aid and more!
One of the most exciting post secondary offerings we have is our Career Exploration Series. This series provides students the chance to hear about careers in a broad variety of industries around our area. Every Tuesday we will host a different career speaker who shares with us about their job, their career journey, the skills and interests needed, and much more. Each month we will send out an email with the following month’s career speakers, and a link to sign up.
August 20th, 10:20am - 10:55am: Jeff Rehnberg - Founder/CEO-Hospitality/Hotel Management August 27th, 10:20am-10:55am: Phil Walker - Artemis Test Engineer - NASA
September 10th, 10:20am-10:55am: Josh Thies - Realtor
September 17th,10:20am-10:55am: Milinda Tanner, Owner/Escrow - Title Insurance
Please click here to sign up, (Parents, please note that only students can click on the form and sign up.)
Mindful Minute: As we begin the school year, it’s important to take a moment to feel what you feel and notice your thoughts. Only if you notice your thoughts and feelings can you choose how and whether to act on them. Start with understanding what beginning the school year means to you and what you need. Mindfulness helps high school students by reducing stress and anxiety, and improving focus and academic performance. It enhances emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience, aiding in better decision-making and social interactions. Overall, mindfulness fosters a calmer, more balanced school experience, supporting both mental health and learning. Here’s to a great school year!
Welcome to the 2024/2025 school year from the team in the International Baccalaureate (IB) department here at ThunderRidge High School!
Starting a new school year at any IB school is very exciting, but to be starting the year at ThunderRidge is even better! The IB program here at TRHS is all about fostering a global perspective, critical thinking, and a love for learning. Whether you're a student, teacher, or part of the community, it’s a great opportunity to dive into diverse subjects, globally focused inquiry, and collaborative learning. We offer both the Middle Years Programme for our Freshmen and Sophomores as well as the Diploma Programme for our Juniors and Seniors.
If you have a freshmen, or a student new to ThunderRidge, and would like to learn more about our IB Programmes at TRHS, please come to the Freshmen Night next Monday.
For more information, check out our Website HERE, or reach out to any of the IB Leadership team below:
- IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator/Administrator: Cristina Berrett-Braun
- IB Diploma Programme Coordinator: Kelse Risner
- IB Assistant: Sandi Lakeland
Welcome to the new school year!!
The library is always buzzing with activity at TR!
We are in dire need of supplies like Elmer's glue sticks, lined index cards, Clorox wipes, and, most of all, tissues. 🤧
Your generous contributions will help us continue to provide a welcoming and well-stocked space for all of our learners. Thank you in advance for your support! Please send donations to the library with your student or leave at the security desk, marked with "Library."
ThunderRidge Basketball Boys Feeder Program Tryouts
Monday, Aug. 19th
4th, 5th & 6th 6:00-7:30 p.m.
*Quick parent meeting at 6:00 in team room
7th & 8th 7:30-9:00 p.m.
*Quick parent meeting at 7:30 in team room
Tuesday, Aug. 20th
4th, 5th & 6th 6:00-7:30 p.m.
7th & 8th 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Tryouts are at ThunderRidge High School
Tryout fee is $20 - Make checks payable to GBBC
Click here to register.
Our Feeder Program is an extension of our High School Program
We will form 2 teams at 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade levels
Our objectives:
Give players the opportunity to play and love the game
Develop players to participate in our high school program
Follow up parent meeting soon after tryouts
Fall Season (optional) will begin in September for those not playing in a fall sport.
Winter Season practices begin in early November - Games begin in December- Season ends in late February/early March
Feeder practices will be at ThunderRidge HS or Ranchview MS
Our High School staff conducts tryouts, picks the teams, hire the coaches and oversee the development of our future Grizzlies.
ThunderRidge High School has a great basketball tradition with 24 Senior Classes
13 Final Fours ∞ 9 State Finals ∞ 4 State Championships
85% of our High School players come from our feeder program
For questions email: Joe Ortiz coachortiz4@gmail.com or Richard Ray
About Us
Principal: Sean Patterson
Mission Statement:
Empowering Grizzlies through curiosity, compassion, courage, community and service.
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
X (formerly Twitter): @TRidgeGrizzlies