ThunderRidge Weekly Update
Principal's Perspective
Welcome (almost) back!
We hope you are enjoying these last several weeks before school starts! As you saw above, this year is our 30th anniversary as a school. Even though our 30th anniversary is not necessarily hugely different from Year 29 or Year 31, I do want to take advantage of the anniversary to allow each of us to reflect and act on who we want TR to be for the next 30 years.
Thank you to those of you who filled out the “What does it mean to be a Grizzly?” questionnaire sent out earlier in the summer. As a team of us were reflecting on your answers and who we want to be as a community, we were inspired by those responses and by some of the traits of actual Grizzlies. They are strong, they are committed, they are fearless, and yet they work together more than people might realize.
So, as you battle all the Back to School tasks - like shifting sleep schedules, getting school supplies, buying those first day of school outfits, and making sure all summer work is done - I encourage you to remind yourselves that, as Grizzly families, you too are strong, committed and brave. I have confidence that we will each lean in to making it a great year.
With love,
Liz
Important Dates
August 12 - Freshmen Orientation (Half-Day)/All Student Check-In (See schedule below)/Picture Day
August 12 -11th-12th Grade Parking Pass Pick-Up (for pre-purchased/paid passes ONLY)
August 13 - First day of school for all students - modified ALL day - see bell schedule below
August 18 - Freshmen/New Student Parent Night
August 23 - Senior Parking Lot Painting
August 25 - Make-Up Pictures
August 25 - ROAR College Fair
August 26 - Back to School Night / Activities Fair
August 26 - Senior Parent Post Secondary Night - Auditorium
August 12, 2026 - Freshmen Orientation and Student Check-In
Sophomore, Junior, & Senior Students that are new to TR - 7:30 - 9:00am
10th, 11th, 12th grade students that are new to TR will attend orientation on Wednesday, August 12th from 7:30 - 9:00am. Look for the Link Crew leaders with a 'New 10th - 12th graders' sign near the flagpole in the front parking lot at 7:30am. You will have your school ID and yearbook picture taken during this time.
Freshmen - 7:25am -12:50pm
Freshmen will have a half-day on Wednesday, August 12th. Please plan to arrive at TR by 7:25am to allow for plenty of time to find your Seminar teacher near the main entrance on the west side of the building. Have a printed copy of your schedule with you, or have it saved to your phone for easy access (do not rely on technology to login to Infinite Campus at school). Students will have yearbook and ID photos taken that day. The day will end at 12:50pm.
Sophomores - 8:00am - 9:30am
Sophomores may arrive any time between 8:00am - 9:30am to have their school ID and yearbook picture taken. They are then free to go.
Juniors - 11:30am - 12:30pm
Juniors may arrive any time between 11:30am - 12:30pm to have your school ID and yearbook photo taken in the Commons. If your application for a parking permit has been approved and you have completed payment by August 7th, you will also pick up your parking permit during this time in the small gym. Permits purchased AFTER August 7th may be picked up at the security kiosk when school begins on August 13th. Note: Parking permits will not be available for purchase on-site on Wednesday, August 12th.
Seniors - 12:45pm -1:30pm
Seniors will only attend on-site check-in if they need to pick up a pre-approved/paid parking permit. If your application for a parking permit has been approved and you have completed payment by August 7th, you will pick up your parking permit during this time in the small gym. Permits purchased AFTER August 7th may be picked up at the security kiosk when school begins on August 13th. Note: Parking permits will not be available for purchase on-site on Wednesday, August 12th.
Returning seniors will not get a new ID/yearbook photo taken. Student ID photos will roll from last year and IDs will be distributed by your Seminar teacher.
Returning sophomores, juniors and seniors, if you are unable to attend during your scheduled time, you may come in from 1:00pm - 2:00pm. This is a small window, so please do your best to attend during your scheduled morning time.
Bell Schedule for August 13 and 14
Thursday, August 13th
Modified ALL Day
Seminar: 7:50-8:49
1st: 8:54-9:37
2nd: 9:42-10:25
3rd: 10:30-11:13
4th: 11:18-12:01
5th: 12:06-1:24
A Lunch: L=12:01-12:36 / 5th=12:41-1:24
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B Lunch: 5th=12:06-12:49 / L=12:49-1:24
6th 1:29-2:12
7th 2:17-3:00
Friday, August 14th
ALL Day - NO PLC
1st: 7:50 – 8:42
2nd: 8:47 – 9:39
3rd: 9:44 – 10:36
4th:10:41 – 11:33
5th period 11:38 – 1:06
A Lunch : L=11:33-12:09 / 5th=12:14 -1:06
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B Lunch : 5th = 11:38 - 12:30 / L=12:30-1:06
6th: 1:11 – 2:03
7th: 2:08 – 3:00
Bell Schedule for the 26/27 School Year
Summer Assignments
Attention AP, IB and Honors Students:
Be sure to check the website to see if you have any summer assignments due before you return to school.
Reminder: Complete Express Check-In!
Click here to complete Express Check-In in your EngagED Parent Portal before August 5th!!
***Please note: your single sign on email address is not your personal email address.***
You will need to enter your username followed by @p.dcsdk12.org as your single sign on email address (i.e. username@p.dcsdk12.org). Your password is the same as your Infinite Campus parent portal password.
Need help logging in?
If you don’t have an account or need assistance, please email the Registrar at: trhs_registrar@dcsdk12.org
Don’t know your username? Click here to retrieve it.
Forgot your password? Click here to reset it.
Information for the Class of 2027
Reserved, Personalized Parking Spots for Class of 2027
Important: You must purchase a TRHS Parking Permit in addition to this personalized parking spot.
Applications for Reserved Senior Opening August 3rd, 2026 at 8am.
Limited Spaces in Lot A, C and F will be available on a first come, first paid basis.
Applications and payments (myschoolbucks) are date and time stamped for parking lot selection preferences or until the lots are full. Once the lot is full, you will only be able to select and pay for lots that have availability. Parking spot assignments will be posted on a map on trgrizzlydeca Instagram and outside room E217 showing your specific assigned spot starting August 14, 2026. See Mrs. Bennett ASAP if you have any questions on your spot.
Drawings are due to Mrs. Bennett room E217 by Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 3pm. No late applications or drawings will be accepted. Whatever design is left in the parking spot you are assigned must be painted over. If you would like to prime your spot, you may do so on Sunday, August 16, 2026 so the paint can dry before the official paint day. The official day to paint your spot with the approved design is August 23, 2026 from 8 am to 3 pm. This is the only day that painting will be allowed in the school parking lots.
Please contact Mrs. Bennett at gabennett@dcsdk12.org if you have any questions.
ThunderRidge is proud to offer a wide variety of clubs and activities! Click the bar above for a full list including meeting times, days and locations.
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