ThunderRidge Weekly Update
Happy first Friday of finals week! If you have 9th-11th graders, you are approaching a four-day weekend - which I hope you enjoy to the max. Remember that our schedule next week is wonky, so feel free to review it here.
If you have a 12th grader, or would like to support any of your students’ friends who are graduating, our graduation is at DU on Tuesday at 9AM. Our Senior class and our staff did us proud at the Senior Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening. We have some phenomenal students! Many thanks to the Main Office team who worked tirelessly to get all the certificates, cords, pins, and scripts ready for this event. It’s a massive undertaking!
This week, a number of our coaches made the trip across the parking lot to greet incoming 9th graders, and to share information about upcoming options in the sports world. We had a great turnout and look forward to getting to know all our new Grizzlies next year. If your students, including our current Grizzlies, would like to participate in any of our athletics summer camps, please check them out here.
Looking ahead to next year, here are four important changes to be aware of:
We will have a new start time! Classes will begin at 7:50 next year - and school will let out at 3pm instead of 2:50. We are making this change to hopefully alleviate some of the congestion with 6th graders coming to Ranch View next year.
Remember that the district’s new communication device (AKA cell phone, smart glasses, etc.) policy will begin in August 2026. You can read it here. However, here are the highlights:
Unless your student has a documented need to keep their phone nearby (e.g. diabetes monitoring or similar), students’ phones will be stowed away at the start of each class and returned at the end of it.
They will be allowed to have their phones before school, after school, during passing periods, and during lunches.
Because cell phones will be put away, we are expecting all students to bring a laptop to school next year for those times when electronics are necessary. If students have a laptop already, they can bring that one. Chromebooks are acceptable. We also have a limited number of Chromebooks we can check out to students, should your family be unable to purchase one.
Next year, we will be changing the structure of Grizzly Hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays to respond to safety concerns and intervention needs. We are working out the details now and will share those with you in August, so keep your eyes peeled for this information.
Next week’s Perspective is my last one for this year, so I will provide a link for you to give me some feedback on my first year in that edition! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your lives and those of your students. It’s an honor to get to work at TR.
Hugs,
Liz
TRHS Welcomes New Girls Volleyball Coach
We are excited to introduce Coach Pascal "Pasky" Guessas as our ThunderRidge Girls Volleyball Coach. Coach Pasky is excited to join the ThunderRidge Family and is ready to make TRHS Volleyball proud. Welcome to the Grizzly Family, Coach Pasky!
Graduation Information and DU's Visitors Guide
For your convenience, DU has provided a visitors guide for graduation. Please see the guide here for maps on where to park, how to enter Magness Arena, and where to meet your graduate after the ceremony. A list of prohibited items is also included. Please note that DU has a clear bag policy for graduations. Diaper bags and medical bags of a certain size are allowed. Please plan accordingly.
Tickets are not required and seating is on first come, first served basis. Doors open at 8:15am, and the ceremony begins at 9:00am.
Congratulations, IB Students!
This week marks an incredible milestone for our IB Diploma Programme students as they officially completed their 2026 IB examinations. We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to every student for the hard work, perseverance, resilience, and dedication they demonstrated throughout the exam season.
Over the past several weeks, students balanced rigorous preparation, long testing days, and the emotional challenges that come with completing such a demanding academic program. Through it all, our students represented the spirit of the IB learner profile with determination, integrity, and reflection.
Completing IB exams is not simply the end of a testing period—it is the culmination of two years of growth, inquiry, writing, collaboration, and critical thinking. From Internal Assessments and Extended Essays to CAS experiences and Theory of Knowledge discussions, our students have accomplished something truly meaningful.
We would also like to thank our families, teachers, counselors, proctors, and staff members who supported students every step of the way. Your encouragement and commitment helped make this successful exam session possible.
As students now transition into summer, graduation celebrations, and future opportunities, we encourage them to take time to rest and celebrate this achievement. Whether students are heading to universities, pursuing careers, traveling, or exploring new passions, the skills they developed through the IB Programme will continue to serve them well.
We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and all they have achieved.
Congratulations again on finishing your IB exams—you did it!
Stone Canyon Summer Camp
Looking for fun, engaging, unplugged summer activities for your child this summer? Consider Stone Canyon's Summer Camp programs! Join us for a summer of fun, adventure, and friendship. Find registration links and more information here: https://www.stonecanyonedge.org/summercamp.
Located in Larkspur, we offer week-long Overnight Camps for 9-15-year-old campers and 3-day Day Camps (including transportation to/from camp out of Castle Rock) for 6-9-year-old campers.
About Us
Principal: Liz Walhof
Mission Statement:
Empowering Grizzlies through curiosity, compassion, courage, community and service.
1991 West Wildcat Reserve Parkway, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
303.387.2000
Instagram: @thunderridgehs
Facebook: ThunderRidge High School