ThunderRidge Weekly Update
Welcome to another not-so-snowy Friday in our neck of the woods.
At the conference I attended at the end of the week, I heard from some of our mountain principals that they have finally gotten some snow! I was at the Winter CASE Conference with other DCSD leaders yesterday and today and got to see former TRHS Principal Nikki Ballow! In addition to attending sessions to learn how to principal (is this a verb?) more effectively, attendees also got to hear from a few of the Colorado Gubernatorial candidates. If you have a chance to watch or listen to various candidates over the next weeks and months, I strongly encourage you to do so. It’s always good to be able to hear more than the soundbites that may be played in the runup to an election.
Can I tell you how much I love TRHS’ support for our Unified Sports Program? Seeing our Unified athletes and their families as well as all the staff and students who helped Pack the Gym this week was so heartwarming. And our StuGov students doing the color commentary in their suits? They looked so dapper. Thank you to all who showed up to support our Unified athletes and program this week.
If you are a person who likes to be in the know for all things education, Colorado is in the process of finalizing new math standards. While this may not matter to you at all, if you are curious, you can learn more here. Our math department is already aware and will make any changes or adjustments as needed. Colorado has also implemented a new Personal Financial Literacy course requirement for students that our district is working with our DCSD School Board to navigate. TRHS teachers have begun training for this as well, and we’ll keep you updated on who this will impact and how we’ll approach it in future weeks.
Next week brings several State competitions as these past few weeks did as well. We had State finishers in Career and Technical Education (more on that below), and we have good news to share in our Athletics update section. We look forward to strong showings at DECA State next week at the Broadmoor and can’t wait to learn how our ProStart students do in their competitions. We’re sure all they make will be delicious.
Thank you to all 340+ people who attended Grizzly Path Thursday night - and to all who organized and worked that event. We hope it was beneficial to you and your student. If you attended the event, we would love your feedback as to how we can make it even better! Click on this link to provide your feedback.
On the admin side of life, members of the admin team and various teachers will be involved in facilitating interviews in the next two to three weeks to fill any vacancies we have for next year. Please bear with us if our response time is a little delayed on those days when we are facilitating interviews. Included in those interviews will be for an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director. Our AP/AD of the past four years, Josh Stephenson, is moving on from TRHS next year. Please wish Josh good luck and thank him for his service if you see him out and about.
Have a restful weekend,
Liz
March 2-6 - Grizzly Gives Week
March 9-10 - Orchestra Concert - Auditorium - 7:00pm
March 10 - Band Concert - Auditorium - 7:00pm
March 10 - Grizzly Gives Assembly
March 11 - Choir Concert - Auditorium - 7:00pm
March 12 - Choir Concert - Auditorium - 7:00pm
March 13 - End of 3rd Quarter
March 16-20 - Spring Break 🏖️
April 2-4 & 9-11 - Spring Musical: Mama Mia
April 10 - Senior Boards
April 10 - 15 - Spring Testing
April 15 - IB Art & Film CreateFest
April 20-22 - CMAS/SAT/PSAT Make-Ups
April 24 - PD Day - No students
April 24 - Prom - Chatfield Farms - 8:30-11:00pm
Monday - Blue Day
Tuesday - Green Day
Wednesday - Blue Day
Thursday - Green Day
Friday - ALL Day with PLC
Over the past week, TRHS Counselors saw 153 students to assist with academic planning and support, social emotional support, and post secondary planning. Counselors have been busy working to develop academic plans and pathways for underclassmen, and to ensure seniors have what they need as we swiftly approach graduation.
Seniors - deadline to complete community service hours for graduation is April 1st!
Our most recent report shows that just over 200 seniors have not yet met the 20 hour community service requirement for graduation, with 81 seniors having 0 hours. If you or your student need hours, check out this newsletter, the TRHS Counseling newsletter, or the Helper Helper app for community service opportunities.
ThunderRidge High School – February Career Exploration Series 🌟
Join us during Grizz Hour (10:25–10:55) in the Post Grad Room (Library) for three exciting career speakers this month!
March 3 – Military (David Pfromm, U.S. Marines – NROTC Scholarship)
Learn about the NROTC scholarship opportunity, which can provide up to $180,000 in tuition assistance, along with potential support for room, board, books, and leadership development. This session is especially valuable for juniors interested in exploring military-affiliated college pathways — with no obligation to accept the scholarship if selected.
March 24 – Marketing (Molly Busch – UCSF Health Marketing & Communications)
Discover how digital marketing connects patients with healthcare services at UCSF Health. Students will learn about careers in marketing, communications, and technology, including managing online campaigns, improving search tools, and launching digital platforms used by thousands of employees.
Click here to sign up!
Become a TRHS Peer Counselor!
Applications for Peer Counselors for the 26-27 school year are now open to all sophomores (Class of 2028).
Peer Counseling is a unique program at TRHS where students are trained, through a Peer Counseling class for which they receive graduation credit, to help other students with various academic, personal, and social issues. Students who serve as Peer Counselors have the opportunity to make an incredibly positive impact on their school, while gaining valuable life skills.
Click here to visit the Peer Counseling website for all the information and application. Applications are due by Monday, March 2nd at 3:00 pm.
We are thrilled to share news about two dynamic courses being offered within the IB Programme next year: IB Psychology HL and IB Physics SL/HL. These additions expand opportunities for students to explore new disciplines, challenge their thinking, and engage with the world in meaningful ways.
Introducing IB Psychology
IB Psychology invites students to explore the fascinating study of human behavior and mental processes. The course examines how biological, cognitive, and sociocultural factors influence the ways people think and act. Students will engage with real-world research, analyze case studies, and develop critical evaluation skills while considering ethical questions and diverse perspectives. This course is ideal for students curious about human behavior, social sciences, health fields, or simply understanding themselves and others more deeply.
Introducing IB Physics
IB Physics offers students the opportunity to investigate the fundamental principles governing the universe. Through conceptual learning, problem-solving, and experimental work, students will explore topics such as mechanics, energy, waves, and modern physics. The course emphasizes analytical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and hands-on inquiry. IB Physics is well-suited for students interested in engineering, technology, medicine, or any field that values strong quantitative and scientific reasoning skills.
Why These Courses Matter
Both courses embody the core values of the International Baccalaureate by encouraging curiosity, inquiry, and connections to real-world contexts. Students will not only build subject-specific knowledge but also strengthen transferable skills such as critical thinking, research, communication, and reflection. If you have any additional questions or are interested in these courses, please see Mr. Risner in the IB Office for more details.
Support the TRHS Girls Tennis Team
Modern Market Eatery
Saturday, March 7, 2026 - All Day
537 W. Highlands Ranch Pkwy, Suite 108
Enter the coupon code GIVEBACK upon ordering online through the Modern Market mobile app or website or in Modern Market on March 7th. By applying this code, Modern Market will contribute 25% of your order to support the ThunderRIdge High School Girls Tennis team.
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
Facebook: ThunderRidge High School
X (formerly Twitter): @TRidgeGrizzlies