Happy Thanksgiving Break!  School will resume on Monday, December 2nd and will be a regular schedule day.  

Please note that Wednesday, December 4 is a late start day for all students.  

There will be no first period classes.  Here is our Late Start Schedule

With the extended break, we will not post the JA Newsletter on Friday of next week. The next edition will be posted on our website on December 6th.

We also want to update our community that JA has hired a new Language Arts (ELA) teacher to join our team when school begins after winter break. Ms. Nelson, our 8th grade ELA teacher, has been given a tremendous opportunity out of state and her last day will be December 20th. Her departure ends three spectacular years at JA, enriching both students and our staff alike. We certainly share in the excitement surrounding her new path, but it is also bittersweet as we are always saddened when we know someone is leaving our family. We are very thankful for her service to our school, team, and community and will miss her greatly and appreciate her contribution to Jefferson Academy.

Beginning in January, Aimee DePasquale will join the staff in her place. Mrs. DePasquale is a 2017 Jefferson Academy graduate, joining us from Shaw Heights Middle School where she has worked as an interventionist and ELA teacher for the past four years. She shared, "As a graduate of JA, I am excited to return as a teacher. I am passionate about fostering a love of literature and critical thinking. I look forward to getting to know and working with you and your students."

High School Winter Sports Meeting

Please join us on Monday, December 2nd at 6:15pm in the main gym for an important parent meeting. We will discuss communication, expectations of the program, emergency preparedness, and other topics. Even if your student has played many sports at JA, we encourage you to attend.

High School Basketball

The season is underway for HS basketball. Come cheer on the Jags as they play their  first home games on December 3rd and 4th. JV games will start at 4:30, varsity girls will play at 6:00 followed by the boys at 7:30.

JH Girls Basketball

If your student attended tryouts for 3rd quarter basketball, this is your reminder that registration will open December 1st at noon. Your athlete will need a current sports physical in order to register. If your student does not have a current sports physical, call your doctor and make an appointment or visit your nearest urgent care. Most urgent cares provide sports physicals. Advanced Urgent Care will perform physicals for $35 and donate $10 back to the school. Don't delay your physical. This is the number one reason registrations are delayed. 

Sponsorship/Advertisement

Know a business that would like to sponsor the JA Athletic department and our athletes? Sponsorships start as low as $500 for a full school year of advertising either in our gym, along the fence line or on team rosters. Reach out to Mr. Q for details.

15 Days of Holidays!

Hey Jags! To count down the days to Winter Break, Student Council is doing a fun thing every day, starting Monday, December 2, The 15 days of Holidays! In addition to the planned events, keep an eye out for a mischievous elf. The first student to find and bring the elf to the office wins a $5 gift card to Starbucks daily. HERE is a calendar of events.

Holiday Care Packages: Spread the Cheer!

Help make the season brighter for JA/Summit families in need by sponsoring a family, donating a gift or gift card, or making a monetary contribution. Donations are accepted from November 18 to December 9 in the JA Elementary, JA Secondary, JA Coal Creek Canyon, and Summit Westminster front offices. Please refer to the first tab on the donation sheet for labeling and sign-up instructions. If you have any questions or are unable to drop off donations, contact Tiffany Blakley, Community Engagement Specialist.  Access the donation list here: tinyurl.com/HolidayCarePackages2024

Thank you for spreading kindness and holiday cheer!

FAFSA & Scholarships

FAFSA is now live, 8 days early! You can now go to studentaid.gov and start the FAFSA process. Please make sure you are completing the 25-26 form. Also, HERE is a list of upcoming and December scholarships with two additional ones below.

• Westminster Rotary: https://www.westminsterrotary.com/page/westminster-rotary-scholarships. This is a great local scholarship opportunity and JA students often win at least one of them.

• Foundation 649: scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders https://foundation649.com/

Teacher Office Hours Reminder

Reminder that all teachers have Office Hours for extra help. Click HERE for semester 1 Office Hours.

Upcoming College Visits (Juniors and Seniors only)

College Visit: Registration is encouraged to ensure we have enough seats, but it is not required.

• • Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, Friday December 6, Main Office Conference Room, 2:00 pm, sign up here

Military Visit:

• United States Marine Corps, Sergeant Justin Wright, Wednesday, December 4, Commons, during high school lunch, no sign-up needed.

Warren Tech Information & Open House

What is Warren Tech?  It is the designated Career and Technical education center for Jeffco that offers 36 innovative programs.  Students work with experienced faculty and industry partners to engage in real-world professional projects, internships, and apprenticeships.  Every Warren Tech student is taught Post-Secondary Workforce Readiness skills, and students can earn college credit and industry certifications. 

• Juniors and seniors would attend Warren Tech Central, North or South (depending on your program) for half the day and JA for the other half.  Most credits earned at Warren Tech count toward graduation elective credits. For exceptions, see Ms. LeValley.

• Interested in learning more about attending Warren Tech next year (2025-2026 school year)? Please attend the Open House on December 4, 2024, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., at each of the Warren Tech Campuses.  No registration is required. The Open House is a great way to experience Warren Tech as a potential student, and it is highly recommended! This is a self-guided experience, but there are informational presentations throughout the evening.

Finals Schedule 

Finals for all students happen on Thursday, December 19th and December 20th.  Both days are early release days and there are no First Period classes these days.  Students need to leave or be picked up as soon as possible after their last final each day.  Per JA Policy, early finals will not be scheduled.  If your student misses their final, they must contact their teachers and schedule a time on Monday, January 6th to make them up.   

Thursday, December 19, 2024

A Block 8:25-9:55

C Block 10:05-11:35

Friday, December 20, 2024

B Block 8:25-9:55

D Block 10:05 - 11:35

EnrollJeffco Opens December 5th

All current JA families will need to visit www.enrolljeffco.org on or after December 5th to let us know your student's enrollment plans for the 2025-26 school year. The earlier we know, the easier it is for JA to plan for the next school year and determine what tools and resources we need to provide a thriving experience for our students.  Please be sure to complete the Intent to Return in enrolljeffco during the Round 1 window.  

Thanksgiving Break November 25-29 - NO SCHOOL STUDENTS AND STAFF

Monday, December 2nd - 15 days of Holidays begins

Wednesday, December 4th - Late Start

School Accountability Meeting; 5:30 p.m. virtual and elementary library

Thursday, December 5th - SpongeBob the Musical  7:00 - 9:30 pm

Friday, December 6th - SpongeBob the Musical  7:00 -9:00 pm

Saturday, December 7th - SpongeBob the Musical  2:00 - 4:30 pm  &  7:00 - 9:30 pm

• Boosters

• JA Secondary Calendar

• Infinite Campus Parent Portal 

• Safe2Tell