1. education
2. school

Grand Junction
Main Office: (970) 254-6900
School Hours: Mon, 8:00-2:50, Tues-Fri, 7:25-2:50
1400 N 5th St, GJ, CO 81501|gjhs.mesa.k12.co.us
High School
Bill Larsen, Principal | Carol Coburn, Asst. Principal | Tom LeFebre, Dean of Students
Alicia Timbreza - Asst. Principal | Carol Sams, Athletic Director | Meghan Roenicke, Asst. Principal
Important Dates
April 2015
A Message From the Principal:
Orchestra Concert
April 9, 2015
7:30 pm @ Auditorium
Dear GJHS Parents and Learning Community,
April is here and we are on the homestretch of the 2014-15 school year
with just seven weeks before the last day of school on May 20. I hope this
newsletter finds you enjoying the beautiful spring in our valley, as well as
the opportunity to find some extra time with your student during the two
week Spring Break that just passed. I am pleased to announce that during
Choir Concert
the March 17 Board of Education meeting, Mr. Ari Goldberg was officially
April 14, 2015
approved by our Board to become the new principal for GJHS beginning
7 pm @ Auditorium
July 1, 2015. Mr. Goldberg is currently serving as principal at Summit Ridge
Middle School in Littleton’s Jefferson County Public School District. Prior to
Parent/Teacher
becoming principal at Summit Ridge in 2011, Ari Goldberg was the principal
Conferences
of Littleton’s Leawood Elementary School from 2007 to 2011, and assistant
April 16, 2015
3:30-7:30 pm
principal of Chatfield Senior High School, also in Littleton, from 2004 to 2007.
Ari Goldberg: New Principal You will have the chance to meet Mr. Goldberg during an open forum we will
(5:30-7:30 pm)
host on April 16, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the GJHS Cafeteria. Please note
this informal “Open House” setting will take place during the 4th Quarter
Junior Family Night
Parent/Teacher Conferences that will run from 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. on April 16.
Jazz Band Concert
April 13, 2015
7 pm @ Auditorium
April 16, 2015
6-7 pm @ Library
Prom
April 18, 2015
3:30-7:30pm @ GJHS
In This Issue:
ACT
PARCC
School of Choice
Volunteers
Lunch Fees for Seniors
Booster Club
Tigers Roar
Concussions
Tiger Activity Night
Drama News
All School Awards
PARCC Parent Refusals
Senior Calendar
2
2
3
3
3
4
5
8
8
8
8
9
9
The last week in April will be a very busy week as we continue the second
part of the PARCC Tests on April 27-29, and the ACT Test on April 28. Please
be reminded your student will attend school only on the days dedicated for
their grade to take the tests. See more details under articles on PARCC and
ACT Tests. April 28 will also be the Superintendent’s Scholar Luncheon for
Seniors who have maintained a 4.0 GPA, and April 29 will be the GJHS All
School Awards that will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. There is no
school on April 30 and May 1 as all high schools in D51 are not in session.
Our Senior Class of 2015 is looking forward to GJHS Graduation that will
take place at Lincoln Park on May 12 at 8:30 a.m. See more details under
“2015 Senior Calendar” article.
As we continue this 4th quarter, do not hesitate to contact our staff for
any way we can support the success of your student. Thank you for your
support and partnership in providing our students with the best education
that is truly the key to their success and the hope for their future.
Sincerely,
Bill Larsen - GJHS Principal
Grand Junction High School| (970) 254-6900 | 1400 N 5th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501 | gjhs.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 1
ACT
Attention Juniors and Parent/Guardians of Juniors: The ACT will take place on
Tuesday, April 28th. ACT Registration will take place during Advisory beginning
April 6th and continuing on April 13th and 20th. It is important for Juniors to be
in Advisory every Monday during the month of April.
PARCC
As outlined in the last newsletter, the PARCC test has two components as
follows:
Performance Based Assessment (PBA) was given when 70% of instruction
had been completed. GJHS students were tested on March 9, 10, 11 &
12, unless a parent had signed a PARCC Parent Refusal* form in the GJHS
office.
End of Year (EOY) is given when 90% of instruction is completed. The test window allowed by CDE is
April 27 - May 20. GJHS will test students on April 27, 28 & 29. (See test calendar below)
All four high schools in District 51 are faced with the challenge to test all students on computers during
a “regular” school day. This has proven impossible due to the student numbers far exceeding the
number of computers, as well as other challenges outlined on the following page. Thus a PARCC Testing
Schedule will take place April 27, 28 & 29. (See test calendar below)
In response to the PARCC testing, PLEASE be sure to have your students in attendance on the following
days unless you have signed a PARCC Parent Refusal* form in the GJHS office:
April 27 – 9th Grade PARCC Testing (No School Grades 10, 11, 12)
April 28 – 11th Grade ACT Testing
10th Grade PARCC Testing (No School Grades 9 & 12)
April 29 – 11th Grade PARCC Testing (No School Grades 9, 10, 12)
9th & 10th Grade PARCC Make-up Tests
April 30 & May 1 – Non-Contact Days (Already on calendar)
Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry Camp
July 13 - 16, 2015
•
9 a.m. – Noon
Establish the groundwork for success in Calculus and college
math. This camp prepares students for higher math and fills
gaps in student learning.
Instructor: Amy Johnson-Lambert (former high school math teacher)
Get more information at www.essentialsinlearning.com.
Grand Junction High School| (970) 254-6900 | 1400 N 5th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501 | gjhs.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 2
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Important Dates
Freshman Tiger Tour
April 23, 2015
6-8 pm @ East Gym
PARCC Testing
April 27-29, 2015
ACT Test
April 28, 2015
7:30 am - noon
All School Awards
April 29, 2015
6 pm @ Auditorium
No School
April 30, 2015
May 1, 2015
Last Day For Seniors
May 5, 2015
Baccalaureate
May 10, 2015
7 pm @ Auditorium
Graduation
May 12, 2015
8:30 am @ Stocker
Last Day of School
May 20, 2015
School of Choice
The application window for School of Choice closed on March 20. Letters
will be mailed on April 15, 2015 to notify applicants of their application
status (acceptance or denial). If the parent receives notice of acceptance,
the letter of commitment must be returned to GJHS by April 30, 2015 to
attend school for the 2015-2016 school year. Following the closing of
the School of Choice window, a parent/guardian may utilize the option of
requesting a transfer from one school to another.
Volunteers
Thank you to all of the Volunteers who have given of their time and energy
to the students of Grand Junction High School. During the month of
February alone, we had 100 volunteers donate over 350 hours of time. It is
because of the generous time and effort of these many volunteers that our
programs continue to operate and perform at high levels.
Lunch Fees for Seniors
Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2015: If your student will be graduating
this year and does not eat the school lunch, perhaps this is the best time to
check on his/her lunch account. If the student owes money, it can be paid
up at any time before graduation. If the student has excess money on his/
her account, we have several options to consider:
1) If you have another student attending school within the District, the money can be transferred into that account. Contact the Kitchen Manager
2) If you would like a refund, contact the Kitchen Manager. Any amount over $10 must be paid with a District check.
3) If you would like to donate the money to the Class of 2015, we will apply it to any account that the student might need some extra help paying off.
Thank you,
Nancy Lauridsen, GJHS Kitchen Manager
Tel: (970)254-6900, ext. 24280
Grand Junction High School| (970) 254-6900 | 1400 N 5th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501 | gjhs.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 3
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Booster Club
The Grand Junction High School Booster Club
needs your help. Our membership has declined due
to a number of parents no longer being members
after their child graduates. In order for the Booster
Club to continue to function and provide continued
support of our 40 plus Tiger activities, we need more
parent members and parent involvement.
Last school year the Booster Club was able to
donate over $64,000 to many of the Tiger programs
and activities. Without this generous support of time
and money, we would have to continue to cut back
on programs and what our programs are able to
offer and accomplish for your students.
If you have never attended a Booster Club meeting
and are interested in doing so, please come and check it out. The typical agenda for a meet is: to first
hear requests from school groups asking for money, then discussion and voting on approving the
requests, followed with a monthly financial report, and finally a discussion of Bingo business. We like
to keep the meetings to about an hour. Meetings are held the second Monday of the month during the
school year at 6:30 pm in Room 115.
The April Booster Meeting will be on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 6:30 pm, Room 115.
At the March Booster Club meeting, the Booster Club approved $4000.00 in funding requests to support
the following programs: Wind Ensemble $2000.00 for travel expenses to the State Championships,
Boys’ Tennis $1000.00 for uniform replacements, and Athletics $1000.00 for the John Hinton Memorial
Scholarship. Thank you to our Booster Club and all of the volunteers for your continued support of Grand
Junction High School students, staff, and all of our activities.
If you are interest in becoming a Booster Club member or in volunteering, please contact: Booster Club
President Trina Brillhart at trina.brillhart@gmail.com or GJHS Athletic/Activities Director Carol Sams at
254-6900 or carol.sams@d51schools.org.
Grand Junction High School| (970) 254-6900 | 1400 N 5th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501 | gjhs.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 4
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Tigers Roar
Students of the Month
Congratulations to the following Grand Junction High School March Student of the Month nominees. The
Daily Sentinel Student of the Week for this month is Aaron Gossage, son of Michelle Gossage. The
Kiwanis Student of the Month for March is Caroline Straw, daughter of Sherman and Betsy Straw. The
Alpine Bank/CMU students of the month are Stephen Foster, son of Tim and Lisa Foster, and Kristen
Balke, daughter of Per and Sheri Balke. Grand Junction High School is proud to recognize these
students for their outstanding work in the classroom, and for the leadership they demonstrate in our
school.
Choir
The performing arts department would like to welcome Brad Hirsh as the new choir director for GJHS!
Band
The Wind Ensemble earned a Superior rating at the CBA State Qualifier. They will also represent GJHS
at the CBA State Concert Band Festival on April 13th. The band program has earned the Colorado
Bandmasters Association Exemplary Band Award for the 8th year in a row.
Mock Trial
The Mock Trial Team competed in the Western Slope Mock Trial Regional in Glenwood Springs, in early
March, after not fielding a team for the last three years. The team finished with two wins and three losses
and finished only behind the four teams from defending state champion Glenwood Springs High School,
while posting wins over Rifle and R-5. Senior Kassidy Roberts was named to the All-Regional team
as an Outstanding Attorney, and Sophomore Sierra Wakefield was named to the All-Regional team
for an Outstanding Witness Portrayal. The team was presented with the Judges’ Award for exhibiting
outstanding courtroom etiquette and professionalism. This is the 5th time in the last eight GJHS seasons
that Tiger teams, coached by Mr. Carris, have won this award
Girls Tennis
Our 2015 Tiger Girls’ Tennis Team is filled with new faces. With
just 4 returning varsity players from the previous year, the Tigers
are looking for a lot of leadership from the veteran’s. Carolena
Campos is in the #1 spot for the third straight season as a
junior, McKenna Brooks is returning and is #2 singles player
this year after playing doubles last year, and Sarah Megan Erb
is at #3 singles spot for the second straight season. Rounding
out the returning players is Jessi Smith who will help our young
doubles’ teams develop, and she is part of our #1 doubles team.
Our season starts off with a bang with our first big tournament
of the year – the Western Slope Open hosted here in Grand
Junction. Many high caliber Eastern Slope teams will be in
attendance to showcase their talent. The Tigers play a lot of
matches during that weekend and hope to continually get better
with every hit of the ball. Go Tigers!
(continued on next page)
Grand Junction High School| (970) 254-6900 | 1400 N 5th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501 | gjhs.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 5
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(continued from previous page)
Baseball
The 2015 baseball season has started and Tiger Baseball is alive and
well. The varsity team is off to a hot 3-1 start. Tyler Mantlo has had 2
stellar pitching performances and the offense is in full force scoring 25
runs in 3 games. The JV and C teams are catching their stride and are
having some success as well. All teams will continue to play/practice
on a limited schedule throughout the Spring Break and be back to a full
strength on April 6th. GJ ALL DAY!!!
Girls Soccer
The 2015 Girls’ Soccer season at GJHS is off to a strong start. Thirty
three student athletes make up this year’s varsity and Junior Varsity
teams. Eight Seniors return to the team and are providing valuable
experience, maturity, and poise in both practices and games. After an initial loss at both the varsity and
Junior Varsity to Ralston Valley, both teams have bounced back in the following practices and games.
The varsity starts the early season at 2-1 and the Junior Varsity team has drawn even to 1-1. The overall
talent and depth between both teams promise to keep the GJHS Girls Soccer program for years to come!
Boys Lacrosse
The GJHS Boys Lacrosse Team started the 2015 season with a trip to Denver to play two non-league
games....first time in three years the team made it over the Rockies without being turned around due to
bad weather! Both the Varsity and JV had big wins against Prairie View High School with double digit
scoring. On Saturday against Windsor, the JV struggled and ended with a loss but learned how to be
good losers as well as good winners! The GJHS Tigers varsity team took a tough loss to Windsor, after a
key defensive injury and several lost face-offs. It was great to travel to the eastern slope and learn that the
Tigers can compete with the “big boys”.
Both the Varsity and the JV teams played Summit last week in the first league game of the season. The
varsity came away with an impressive 8-7 victory. With 22 new Freshman on the GJHS team this year, it is
great to see the improvement mentally as well as physically on the field. There are 19 Seniors leaders on
the team this year also. While those Seniors will be missed next year, the strong group of underclassmen
show promise with continued development of stick skills and on-field play.
(continued on next page)
Developing Self-Management Skills
July 20-21 and 23-24, 2015
Learn to: focus attention, develop social skills, manage
time, organize materials, and manage technology.
Instructor: Al Kreinberg
Get more information at www.essentialsinlearning.com.
Grand Junction High School| (970) 254-6900 | 1400 N 5th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501 | gjhs.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 6
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(continued from previous page)
Track & Field
With two track meets completed for the season so far, the GJHS Track & Field team is off to a great start!
Athletes have competed in relays, sprints, jumps, throws and distance so far and they’ve all represent
GJHS well! At the Delta High School Invitational meet, the boys’ team took 2nd place and the girls’ team
took 5th place out of 20 schools!! We’re looking forward to the Mickey Dunn Invitational March 21st at
Stocker Stadium and the Frank Woodburn Meet on April 4th. GJHS has a long history of being a state
wide competitive track and field team and they are well on their way to continuing that tradition!
Girls Golf
The GJHS Girl’s Golf season is up and running. With fourteen
golfers on the team and eight of them being ninth graders, the
future of Tiger Golf is very promising. The varsity team has
competed in four tournaments thus far, placing second in two
and third in one. We are excited to host the Bookcliff Country
Club Invitational on March 30th starting at 10 am. Come out and
enjoy the great weather we’ve been having and watch some
Lady Tigers Golf.
CHSAA All-State Academic Recipients:
We are proud to recognize and congratulate the following 28 Winter Sports Student Athletes
who were selected as CHSSA All-State Academic or Honorable Mention Student Athletes.
Basketball (Boys):
All-State Academic- Benjamin Rasmussen, Jacob Wilcox,
Ridge Droskin, Stockton Rock, Nathan Rockwood,
Benjamin Volkmann, David Wells
Honorable Mention- Peyton Miller
**Recognized as an Academic All-State Team**
Basketball (Girls)
All-State Academic- Tori Catlett, Sheridan Grace, Avery Hill,
Jill Payne, Rebecca Wilkinson, Melissa Atchley, Sydni
Brandon, Jaryn Gibb, Keri Rogers
**Recognized as an Academic All-State Team**
**Received Les Schwab Award for highest overall team GPA**
Speech/Debate:
All-State Academic- Mari McCarville, Samantha Betzen, Tyler
Jones
**Recognized as an Academic All-State Team**
**Received Les Schwab Award for highest overall team GPA**
Swimming (Girls):
All-State Academic- Emily Pitcher, Taylor Kidd, Mary King,
Taylor Kochevar, Marina Silva, Kaitlyn Talley
**Recognized as an Academic All-State Team**
Grand Junction High School| (970) 254-6900 | 1400 N 5th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501 | gjhs.mesa.k12.co.us| Page 7
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(continued from previous page)
Wrestling:
All-State Academic- Isaac Rider
Honorable Mention- Jacob Trujillo
Concussion Management
If your son/daughter has sustained a concussion this school year, and intends to participate in any Grand
Junction High School sports team during the school year, he/she must be cleared by a physician in order
to begin the Return to Play process. If your child has been cleared to begin the RTP process by your
physician, you will need to contact our Certified Athletic Trainer Ms. Erin Glavan at the Saint Mary’s Life
Center, Wellness Department, at 970-244-6080 or 970-773-3155 to schedule time to begin and complete
the RTP process. If you have questions, please contact Athletic Director Carol Sams at
carol.sams@d51schools.org or 254-6900.
Tiger Activity Night
One of the keys to success in high school is being involved. At Grand Junction High School, we offer
many club, activities, groups and teams to join. On April 23, 2015, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, all of our
clubs, sports teams, student organizations, and activities will each have a table set up in our east gym.
Please join us for Tiger Tours as you will have a chance to see how you might be connected, including
some of the following unique opportunities:
• MESA (Math, Engineering, Science and Achievement) Club
• Ski and Snowboard Club
• Knitting Club
• ALT (Advanced Leadership Team)
• Tennis
• Cross Country
Join us to find out about being a TIGER and all that GJHS has to offer!
Drama News
The final show of the GJHS DRAMA CLUB AND THEATRE DEPARTMENT’S 2014-2015 season is almost
here, and it is the Greek Tragedy masterpiece OEDIPUS REX! Mark your calendars for April 30, and May
1st and 2nd, 7:00 pm shows, with a Saturday Matinee at 2:00 pm. For more information, join the GJHS
DRAMA PRODUCTIONS page on FACEBOOK: there you will find fun photos of the cast and set, show
details, as well as updates on pre-sale ticket prices!
Don’t miss this fabulous show; all proceeds go to the support of GJHS DRAMA.
All School Awards
Our All School Awards
Night will be on April 29 at
6 p.m. in the auditorium.
Please mark it on your
calendar. Students who will
be recognized will receive
invitations.
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PARCC Parent Refusals
Parents who have already signed a PARCC Parent Refusal form in the GJHS office during the March
PARCC Test, DO NOT need to sign another form for the PARCC Test (EOY - End of Year) given in April.
Your student will automatically be taken out of the April PARCC Test.
Parents who choose TO NOT HAVE their student take the PARCC Test (EOY - End of Year) in April, and
DID NOT already sign a PARCC Parent Refusal form, must come into the GJHS office and sign a form no
later than April 17 so we can accurately arrange our technology to fit the actual students testing on April
27-29.
Senior Calendar
May 4, Monday
• Senior Check-out forms distributed during 1st hour, and 3rd hour (for students with 1st hr. release) AM
classes follow the normal schedule.
• 5th and 6th Period Final Exams from 11:35 am – 1:10 pm
• 7th and 8th Period Final Exams from 1:15 pm – 2:50 pm
May 5, Tuesday
• 1st and 2nd Period Final Exams from 7:25 am – 9:00 am
• 3rd and 4th Period Final Exams from 9:05 am – 10:40 am
• Turn in completed Check-out forms and transcript requests in Auditorium Lobby, starting at 10:45 am
(check-out forms with fees due will not be accepted; questions go to your AP.)
May 6, Wednesday (No Senior Contact Except for)
• Make-up exams at 8:00 am
• Final day to pay all fees and fines
• Final day to submit copies of all scholarship offers to Counseling Office by noon
May 7, Thursday
• Cap and Gown Distribution, Voter Registration – Auditorium Lobby from 8:30 am – 11:00 am
• Baccalaureate Practice – Old Gym and Auditorium from 11:00 pm – 12:30 pm
• Yearbook Distribution Foyer of Old Gym and Senior Picnic – Sherwood Park south end shelter 12:30 pm
– 2:00 pm
• Spring fest 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
May 8, Friday
• No Senior Contact
May 10, Sunday (Mother’s Day)
• Baccalaureate
Seniors be in old gym by 6:00 pm
Ceremony starts at 7:00 pm – Auditorium
Senior Slide show and social immediately following
May 11, Monday
• Mandatory Graduation Practice – Suplizio Field (baseball field) at Lincoln Park at 1:00 pm
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