ThunderRidge Weekly Update
Happy Friday, Grizzlies!
Thank you to all the parents and students who attended Back to School Night this week. If you weren’t able to make it, the slideshow can be found here. A special thanks to Mr. Canono, Ms. Todd, the main office team, and the students from clubs and activities who helped make this evening a success.
Depending on how detailed your students are in their feedback to you about all things TR, you may already be aware of some of the changes we’ve been making this semester. I want to highlight three such areas this week.
Our deans are working diligently to help students get to class on time. We had our first small crew of folks with lunch detentions for unexcused absences or tardies yesterday. If you or your students ever want to have a follow up or face to face conversation with our deans about this process and our expectations, please don’t hesitate to reach out to set up a time to meet. Mr. Canono (macanono@dcsdk12.org) supports students with last names A-K and Mr. Lewis (jlewis7@dcsdk12.org) supports students with last names L-Z.
Yesterday, our students got to see how they can request to see teachers during Grizzly Hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays (starting on 9/3). As with any systems-level change, our students (and our staff) are having lots of feelings as they adjust. If your students want to debrief this with you, please don’t hesitate to listen, help them problem solve ways they can still get their needs met (even with a new system), and reach out to me with any questions or concerns (ejwalhof@dcsdk12.org).
We have thought this change through as well as we can, but I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t expect some hiccups in the next few weeks as we actually put our boots on the ground with this new system. Stepping back from the nerves, though, what a celebration of the students at TR that they seem most panicked about not being able to see lots of teachers for academic help during Grizz Hour. This is a problem admin in other school systems would trade anything to have!
We know drop off in the morning is still a challenge for those who drive their students to school. We’re working with the district to have a traffic expert come out next week to analyze our flow and see if/how we can adjust and improve. Fingers crossed, we get some great solutions in partnership with RVMS that helps ease that stress for parents.
I’m guessing that if you have any kind of social media, you have already been hearing that DCSD’s Board of Education agreed on Tuesday to put a request for a mill levy override (an MLO) on the ballot in November. Please click on the following links if you’d like to learn more about how schools are funded and get answers to FAQs about MLOs and about this one. I hope we will each take the time to dig in deeply about all the items and candidates on the ballot, educate ourselves independently, and then engage by voting in whatever way best aligns with our values in November. If your students are voting age, I hope these topics generate good, critical, civic conversations in your homes.
On a separate and celebratory note, I want to shine a spotlight on one of our amazing students. Congratulations to Channing Copeland (pictured with me above), who just earned the rank of Eagle Scout— one of ThunderRidge’s first female Eagle Scouts! While just now a freshman, Channing has dedicated years of hard work to Scouts, earning an incredible 89 merit badges (with a goal of earning all 141). Her Scouting adventures have included sailing at Sea Base in the Bahamas, backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch, and even ice climbing—where she landed on the cover of Scout Life Magazine! We’re so proud to celebrate Channing and this incredible accomplishment!
I wish you a restful and restorative weekend.
:) Liz
Thank you, Grizzly Gratitude, for the popcorn, drinks, and treats!
Huge shout out this week. Thank you to all who made this possible. It was such a fun treat and we are grateful for your support.
TRHS is starting a chapter of the national history honor society, Rho Kappa. This is open to juniors and seniors with a minimum unweighted GPA in social studies of 3.0 and overall GPA of 3.0 who have completed 4 semesters of social studies and intend to complete at least 6 semesters.
Interested? Please attend either meeting (just one): Tuesday, September 15, 2026 @ 7:15 am in C212 OR Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:15 in C212.
Questions? Please email Ms. Basile (abasile1@dcsdk12.org).
Senior Extended Essay First Drafts Are In!
Huge congratulations to the Class of 2027! This week, our seniors crossed one of the biggest finish lines in their IB Diploma Programme journey: officially submitting the First Draft of their Extended Essay (EE).
If you noticed a collective sigh of relief in our IBDP senior class, the submission of the Extended Essay First draft is probably why. Reaching this milestone takes months of curiosity, research, late-night writing, and perseverance.
What Exactly Is the Extended Essay?
For those new to the IB Diploma Programme, the Extended Essay is one of the three compulsory "Core" components that every IB Diploma candidate must complete, alongside Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).
The Core Assignment: An independent, self-directed piece of academic research resulting in a 4,000-word paper.
Student-Driven Topics: Students choose their own research question in a subject of personal passion—ranging from analyzing the economic impact of local energy policies to evaluating literary motifs in translated poetry, or running original lab experiments in Chemistry.
College Prep at Its Best: The EE simulates university-level research. Students learn how to formulate a high-level thesis, evaluate primary and secondary sources, cite correctly, and construct a sustained academic argument under the guidance of a faculty supervisor.
This is a major accomplishment for our IBDP Seniors, and they deserve a huge shout-out for all the work they have put into their essays thus far!
Support ProStart!
Our students learn by doing...catering events, exploring the hospitality industry, and working with guest chefs and mentors. Your donation helps us give students more hands-on opportunities to learn, create, and grow.
Scan the QR code to support our ProStart students!
AFW's Back to School Rally
The AFW rewards program is coming to a close. Let's rally to help maximize our final reward!
Purchase online at AFW.com, at any store, or by phone at 800-992-7997.
Invite others to participate. Friends and family can help too!
Mention ThunderRidge when you shop at American Furniture Warehouse, and a 2% donation on any purchase or 4% on Beautyrest or Serta mattresses will come back to the school.
Calling all aspiring actors, singers, dancers, techies, and artists!!
Are you interested in being a part of the fun and collaborative ThunderRidge Theatre community this school year? Please join us on Tuesday, September 1st, at 6pm in the TRHS Auditorium for an important information session!
Both parents and students alike, as well as new and returning TRHS Theatre participants, are encouraged to attend! This meeting will be brief but packed with important "must-knows" for how to make the most of your experience with this creative and dynamic organization. We hope to see you there!
While in person attendance is highly recommended, if you are unable to attend, please reach out to Elizabeth Johnson at TRHSDramaMP@gmail.com to be added to our email list for important future updates.
For more student info, follow @thunderridgetheatre and @thunderridgetech on instagram.