ThunderRidge Weekly Update
Happy Friday, Grizzlies.
What a wild week, huh? We got our first snow day (which was a delight) but then ended the week with Canvas (our online learning management system) being a part of a nation-wide ransomware attack. Thank goodness Canvas’ team was able to get the program back up and running as quickly as they did. If you're like me, though, there was some stress in your household during the hours it was down on Thursday afternoon and evening. Sadly, this was not anything we could control and it certainly caused extra stress that none of us needed.
Monday and Thursday this week, TR was recognized as having won the John Irwin award for academic excellence. Superintendent Kane also presented the State of the District and several of our TRHS students showed up to learn more. I’m glad they were there as they were having a much better hair day than I was!
Thursday was a big day. We started with our Perseverance Scholarship celebration at the district (you can see our school’s PS winner here). We had our Underclassman Awards ceremony that evening (many thanks to all who came!), and Girls Soccer advanced to the next round of playoffs. I hope anyone who is able will make the trip to support them as they play the next round tomorrow night at Fossil Ridge in Fort Collins at 6pm.
Next Wednesday and Thursday are our last instrumental and vocal concerts of the year. If you’ve not had a chance to go yet, I hope you take time to see them in the evenings. Instrumentalists are on Wednesday and Choir will be on Thursday. IB parents and students, the IB senior banquet was also rescheduled to Thursday evening.
Remember, next week is Senior Finals and we will have a modified schedule on Friday due to the Moving Up/Last Blast ceremonies. Please double check if you bought a yearbook for your student as those will be handed out at the end of next week. Congrats to first year TRHS teacher, Emma Woody, and her whole Yearbook team for creating a yearbook that students will be so excited to own.
Senior families! Two announcements just for you. First, if you have good-condition TR gear you no longer want to own, please wash it and drop it in a bag and bring it to the TRHS main office. We’ll redistribute it to new staff and to students next year. The second is super weird. Please check your graduating Senior's lunch account balance. While we recognize that we’ve not charged for lunch in a while, we did when your students were younger. Please read the Graduating Seniors letter from Nutrition Services to decide if you want to transfer, donate, or get a refund for any remining balance in your account .If you do not act on the balance, it will be sent to the State Unclaimed Property department (<-- That’s the weird part!).
In these last few weeks of school, we want everyone to finish strong! Please help your students stay vigilant regarding attendance, grades, and missing work. If you are missing a return email from a teacher or staff member, please check your spam folders! Lots of our communications seem to be ending up there this year.
Cheers to the last three weeks of school! Together, we’ve got this.
Hugs,
Liz
May 4-15 : AP Testing
May 11-13 : Senior Finals
May 12: SSN Banquet and Senior Celebration - 3:30pm - Auditorium
May 13 : Instrumental Concert - 7:00pm - Auditorium
May 14 : Choir Concert - 7:00pm - AuditoriumMay 15: Senior Checkout
May 20: Senior Awards Ceremony - 6:00pm - Main Gym
May 26: No school due to Graduation 🎓
May 26: Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony - 9:00am - University of Denver Magness Arena
May 22 - 29 - Underclassmen Finals
May 29: Last day of school
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.
Senior Breakfasts
The following elementary schools are hosting Senior Breakfasts to congratulate their former students before they graduate. Click on your school's name below for more information, or contact your feeder school directly with questions.
Represent our school at football games, parades, field shows and assemblies.
Don't play an instrument? We've got a place for you in the Color Guard!
Friday, May 8th at 6:00pm
TRHS Band Room
More of the same from IB this week as exams continue. With that being said, keep the same things in mind as last week!!
Arrival Time
All students must arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of their exam. This allows time for check-in, seating, and distribution of materials without unnecessary stress or delays. Late arrivals may not be permitted to test, so please plan accordingly.
Exam Location
All IB exams are being held at the Mission Hills Church
Students should be sure they know the route, allow extra travel time for traffic, and arrive ready to go with all required materials.
General Reminders
- Bring required materials (pens, pencils, calculator if permitted, etc.)
- Leave prohibited items (phones, smartwatches, notes) outside the testing room
- Get a good night’s sleep and eat beforehand
- Stay for the full duration of the exam session
We are proud of how our students have represented ThunderRidge during this important time. Let’s keep the momentum going and finish strong!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the IB team at trhsib11@dcsdk12.org
Dining for ThunderRidge Cheer
Monday, May 11
Romano's Pizzeria
Tell your server that you are dining to support ThunderRidge Cheer and 20% of your check will be donated to the team.
5666 S. Windermere St.
Roxborough State Park is currently seeking mascots for 6th Annual Bigfoot Goin' to Rock the Rox event
Roxborough State Park is currently seeking six enthusiastic people to be our Bigfoot and Elbert (CPW big horn sheep) mascots at our 6th Annual Bigfoot Goin' to Rock the Rox event. This public event is on Saturday, June 6 from 9:00am - 2:00pm, with mascots needing to be there from 8:00am-2:30pm.
Roxborough State Park partners with the Leave No Trace organization and was the first park in Colorado to receive the Gold Standard designation of achievement. The event offers many fun opportunities for the public to learn the principles of recreating responsibly. An important part of the day is our guest appearances of Bigfoot and Elbert. You will switch off being a mascot and being a handler for photo and engagement opportunities with our visitors. No speaking is required. You earn community service time towards graduation requirements while having a lot of fun!
Always a Grizzly… my son and I did it a few years back and the majority of our mascots have been recruited from TRHS over the years. If you are interested or would like additional information, please email me, Alex Fountain, at apfountain65@gmail.com.
Thank you very much for your interest and consideration!
TRHS Boys Basketball Summer Camps
13 Final Fours / 9 State Finals / 2002, 2003, 2021, 2022 State Champions
Full Day Camp
June 15 - 18 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm.
Next year’s 3rd – 8th graders Cost: $180
This is our traditional camp that we’ve had for 29 years. Each day will include 3 hours of group instruction, participation in practice, 2 mini games, cutthroat or contests. Campers must bring a sack lunch every day. Concessions will be available.
Elite Camp
June 22 - 24 5:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Next year’s 9th and invited 8th graders Cost $100
This is an advanced camp that will run much like a high school practice. We will implement the drills and points of emphasis we use with our players every day. We will begin each day with a team meeting. We want to create an atmosphere of high intensity, great focus and proper execution. We are limited to the first 22 campers to apply.
Register at
Questions? Email Coach Ortiz - joseph.ortiz@dcsdk12.org
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
Facebook: ThunderRidge High School
X (formerly Twitter): @TRidgeGrizzlies