ThunderRidge Weekly Update

Grizzly Families,

We made it - finals are next week! Be sure to look at the final exam schedule below. Students will have mandatory Access for 60 minutes each morning before exams begin. Please remind them to take advantage of this valuable time to get any help they may need. Buses will be running on their regular schedule. Students who ride the bus can wait in the commons until 2:50, and the cafeteria will have lunch available.

Senior parents - second semester is upon us and there is a lot going on leading up to our graduation ceremony on May 16th. Please check the Seniors 2025 website regularly to stay up-to-date on senior events and deadlines.

I would like to thank our amazing staff for their dedication to ThunderRidge. Because of their efforts, ThunderRidge was named Favorite Public High School and Favorite Special Needs Program in the 2024 Colorado Parent Magazine Family Favorites contest, and was recognized by the Board of Education this past Tuesday night. I am grateful for each one of you, and all you do for our students.

Finally, I would like to thank the community for your continued support of our amazing school. ThunderRidge wouldn't be the incredible place it is without you. Wishing you all a great weekend.

Sean Patterson

Principal, ThunderRidge High School

December 13: NHS Finals Study Fest - 3:00pm-4:30pm - Commons

December 16-19: Fall Final Exams

December 19: Senior Ads for the yearbook are due

December 19: End of 2nd Quarter/1st Semester

December 20: Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL

December 23 -January 3: ❄️ Winter Break - NO SCHOOL ❄️

January 6: Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL

January 7: Students Return to School/Start of 2nd Semester

January 14: 8th Grade Registration

January 14: 8th Grade Parent Information Night

January 15: 8th Grade Registration Workshops - 4:00pm-6:00pm - Library

January 16 - 18: Winter Play - Murder's in the Heir - 7:00pm - Auditorium

January 17: Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL

January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

January 24: Registration for 25-26 School Year Closes

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16th

Access - 7:40-8:40

Period 1 - 8:47-10:17

Period 2 - 10:24-11:54

Access as needed - 12:50-2:50

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17th

Access - 7:40-8:40

Period 3 - 8:47-10:17

Period 4 - 10:24-11:54

Access as needed - 12:50-2:50

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18th

Access - 7:40-8:40

Period 5 - 8:47-10:17

Period 6 - 10:24-11:54

Make-up testing as needed - 12:50-2:50

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19th

Access - 7:40-8:40

Seminar - 8:45-9:15

Period 7 - 9:22-10:52

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20th

Teacher Workday - NO STUDENTS

Buses will run on their regularly scheduled times. Students who ride the bus can wait in the Commons until 2:50 pm.

Parents can play a crucial role in helping their students prepare for finals by encouraging effective study habits and utilizing strategies from our Test Taking Tips and Strategies handout.

Create a quiet, organized study space, help students create a realistic study schedule, and encourage the use of active study techniques such as summarizing notes, creating flashcards, creating practice tests/problems. Additionally, parents can promote healthy habits like taking regular breaks, limiting distractions, encouraging proper sleep, and balanced nutrition to ensure students are physically and mentally prepared. Offering encouragement and reducing stress by reminding students to focus on effort rather than perfection can also make a significant difference in their confidence and performance.

Our Annual Gift Card Tree will be set up the week of December 16th and we’d love to have it filled with a variety of gift cards. We are very very short on our goal of providing a gift card for all of the teachers and staff. Please see the link below with details on donating a $25 card. Also, if you could forward to other TR families and help spread the word we’d be so so grateful!!

Gift Card Tree donation link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A49AAAA2CA1FD0-52584742-december#/

Click the image above to keep up with all ThunderRidge Athletics information.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook @ThunderRidge Athletics.

The early bird ordering deadline is December 31st. Order online at www.urherffjones.com. For detailed ordering instructions, click here.

If you want to ensure your student gets a yearbook for the 24-25 school year, please place your order in MySchoolBucks by January 15th. The cost is $80.

There will be a very limited supply for sale on a first come first serve basis at a higher price of $85 during distribution in May.

Parents, as your student’s biggest support at home, you are integral to encouraging the importance of attendance. TRHS wants to make sure you have the tools you need to best support your student. Did you know that your parent portal enables you to receive up-to-date text messages about your student’s attendance? Simply log on and follow the instructions below:

-Click the person icon on the top right corner

-Click settings

-Click contact preferences

-Scroll to the bottom and choose how you want to receive your messages and to what number.

You can also go to settings, then notifications, to receive notifications about attendance, grades and assignments.

This past week in the counseling office, TRHS Counselors saw 334 students for academic planning and support, social emotional issues, and post secondary planning. Counselors are wrapping up meetings with students to select courses for next year, as well as helping students create plans for final exams, sending out transcripts to colleges, helping students find scholarships, providing tips and information on coping skills and stress reduction, and ensuring our seniors are on track for graduation, among many other things!

Resources and academic help for finals:

NHS Underclassman Finals Study Friday, 12/13, after school in the cafeteria/commons from 3:00pm-4:30pm

Tutors for all the major core subjects + world languages

Snacks provided

Staff supervision

NHS tutors are available during Grizzly Hour in room F224

TRHS offers free tutoring after school from 3:00 - 4:00 in room F224

All teachers are available for help during Grizzly Hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Attendance Matters!

Did you know that regular school attendance contributes to health and well-being? Regular attendance in high school fosters routine, social connections, and a sense of belonging, all of which promote mental well-being. Consistent engagement with school can reduce feelings of isolation, anxiety, and stress, while enhancing self-esteem and resilience, leading to better emotional and psychological health over time. We love seeing our students at school!

Mindful Minute:

Stressed about final exams? Mindfulness helps reduce exam-related stress by promoting focus, calmness, and emotional regulation. Practicing mindfulness techniques, like deep breathing and present-moment awareness, can improve concentration, lower anxiety, and enhance clarity, leading to better performance and a more balanced approach to high school final exams. Be kind to yourself; research shows that self compassion leads to better life outcomes in all areas of your life!

For all things Counseling, including college and scholarship information,

check the full Counseling Newsletter.

No Advisement lesson. Full travel day for students due to delayed start.

If you're purchasing wreaths, centerpieces, or garlands for yourself or gifts this holiday season, please consider purchasing them from Lynch Creek Farms to support ThunderRidge Girls Tennis. Lynch Creek Farms makes beautiful, high quality, handcrafted wreaths and fresh greenery on their family-owned farm in Shelton, Washington. There are more than 150 products to choose from and all products are shipped directly to you or your gift recipient.

Follow this LINK to place your order and 15% of your purchase will support the ThunderRidge Girls Tennis program.

Thank you for your support!

We are looking for 2 volunteers to help with childcare during each PTO/SAC meeting for the 2024-2025 school year at Eldorado Elementary. Meetings run from 6:00-8:30pm. Volunteers arrive 10-15 minutes early (5:45pm) to get set up (you will have access to PE equipment). Please sign up for any/all slots that you are available to help!

Please bring any volunteer forms needing to be completed and we will get those filled out at the end of the night. Please email Sarah Demers at secretary.pto.eldorado@gmail.com with any questions.

Sign up here

Students receive a Pass (P) or Fail (F) grade for Advisement based on 30% completion of work AND 70% attendance.

This class is a Pass (P) or Fail (F) class based on 70% attendance.

This class is a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade based on 70% attendance.

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