Heads Up Hamilton: Sunday, March 7, 2021

Posted March 7, 2021

Upcoming Week

Important dates & information for the week ahead.

Weekly Overview

Next Week is Spirit Week! Click here to see the full schedule!

  • Monday, March 8
    • Group A hybrid students in-person, all other students virtual
    • 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Tryouts, 4-5:30pm: Read More >>>
    • Coed Flag Football Tryouts Start, 4-5:30pm: Read More >>>
    • Spring Virtual STEM Fair Planning Meeting, 5-6pm: Read More >>>
  • Tuesday, March 9
    • Group A students in-person all other students virtual
    • 8th Grade Girls Volleyball Tryouts, 4-5:30pm: Read More >>>
    • Coed Flag Football Tryouts Start, 4-5:30pm: Read More >>>
    • CSC Meeting, 5-6:30pm: Read More >>>
  • Wednesday, March 10
    • All students virtual. All students must go to their Math or Language Arts class at 9am for their short cycle assessment!
    • African American Young Ladies Summit: 3:15-4pm: Read More >>>
  • Thursday, March 11
    • Group B in-person learning, all other students virtual
    • Coed Flag Football Tryouts Start, 4-5:30pm: Read More >>>
    • Sesión informativa sobre estudiantes Dotados y talentosos en Colorado, 5-6pm: Leer más >>>
  • Friday, March 12:
    • Group B in-person learning, all other students virtual.
  • Monday, March 15: Hamilton’s Second Dose Vaccination Day
    • Monday, March 15 will be a virtual asynchronous day for all students so that Hamilton staff can get their second COVID-19 vaccination!

Students, please remember when you are in the building no hats, no hoods, and no phones. Please maintain social distance in the classroom and hallways, and use hand sanitizer frequently.

Christian’s Corner

Hi Hamilton Huskies!

I truly hope you are well and healthy. As I wrap up my week, I want to share a few updates with you.

  1. Ms. Ana Mendoza, an amazing, veteran school leader and retired DPS principal, will be serving as the Interim Principal of Hamilton while I am stepping away for my medical leave. Her first day will be Monday, which will be my last day before my leave. She and I will be making a special video to send to all of you and our Huskies, but I wanted you to know this exciting news. I am very grateful to know our school will be in such great hands as I must step away.
  2. Monday, March 15 is the second vaccine dose day for Hamilton staff. Because so many staff will be off campus to obtain the vaccine dose, we must have an asynchronous day for that day. We do not have sufficient staff to run the building on that day. All students will receive their assignments to complete at home asynchronously.
  3. For the day after our staff’s second dose of the vaccine, we will monitor our symptoms and make any needed changes to our plan for Tuesday, March 16, after we know more about how the dose impacts our staff health. We will need all Husky families to closely monitor our communications on the evening of March 15 for any needed updates, should we have to share changes to the plan for March 16. Our goal is to have in-person school for Group A, as planned.
  4. This week, we have received some updated information from DPS about new safety guidelines after Spring Break. We are carefully studying this information and will work with our elected teacher committee, our SLT, to determine any changes for after Spring Break. We will absolutely share any changes with you as soon as possible. I do want you to know we are studying all of this so we can understand the changes and plan for how they will shape our time after Spring Break. Our hope is always to increase the number of in-person students each day, while doing so with careful safety and good organization.

Finally, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to our PTSA community for such a thoughtful, touching gift today. I received a caring card and flowers wishing me well in my upcoming medical leave. I am honored and grateful to get to be at Hamilton and part of this community. Every day I get to work with our Huskies, I am genuinely reminded of how bright and hopeful our future is. Thank you for thinking of me in my personal journey. It made my day!

GO HUSKIES!

Christian

Monday Morning Meeting

In-Person Health & Safety
Technology

If your child needs to replace a damaged chromebook or charger come to Hamilton for:
Technology Support Office Hours
by appointment
Monday: 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Wednesday: 12:30 – 2:30 pm

Please email our School Technology Partner, Mr. Driggers, at DAYTONA_DRIGGERS@dpsk12.org to let him know that you are coming.
Thank you for respecting social distancing guidelines.

CMAS

We will be pushing back the CMAS testing schedule so that all testing takes place after spring break!

We cannot publish the testing schedule at this time because we must wait on guidance from the School Board that may allow us to bring more students into the building at the same time. This would mean would be able to have fewer test days overall! We hope to know by Wednesday.

We will have a CMAS Town Hall on Thursday, March 18.

Livestream: https://stream.meet.google.com/stream/e23ad31d-3868-4a46-8fde-420bd8aa3baa

Spanish Interpretation: ‪(US) +1 267-766-0103‬ PIN: ‪798 112 135‬#

Arabic Interpretation: ‪(US) +1 716-941-1097‬ PIN: ‪784 386 909‬#

Families

Opportunities for families

ACTION REQUIRED! Mandatory Immunization & Exemption Requirements 2021-2022 school year.

Please read the letter about Mandatory Immunization & Exemption Requirements for Denver Public Schools & Hamilton Middle School Students for the 2021-2022 school year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Cortney Peters, School Nurse at 720-423-9509 or School Health Tech, Amel Benaissa at 720-423-9506.

All For One Golf Tournament – Support Hamilton!

The 7th Annual All For One Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 12, 2021 at Wellshire Golf Course.  MARK YOUR CALENDAR now for one of the best golf tournaments of the year.  To learn how you or your company can be a part of this great community event, click here.

Tournament History

The Annual All For One Golf Tournament began in May 2014 with a simple idea: Bring the community together around a fun golf tournament to benefit our local schools (Samuels, Southmoor, Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson).  School System funding has been reduced and many beneficial activities were being eliminated.  Six years later with over $20,000 in donations to our schools, the All For One Golf Tournament continues to make an impact for students in our local community.
Here are a few things that were made possible through All For One donations:

  • Bus stipends for Field Trips. Many kids will take memories of favorite field trips with them throughout their lives. Getting out of the classroom and into the field for both educational (museums, etc.) and fun (performing arts, etc.) with classmates builds lasting friendships.
  • Materials purchased for afterschool studying and tutoring, allowing kids to reach their highest potential and staying ahead in their more challenging subjects.
  • Inspirational prints and other scholastic-themed art have been used to decorate breakout and community rooms at school. Kids are provided a space to gather for sharing ideas and thoughts on their school life and community at large.
  • A Buddy Bench was set up with to provide a safe place for discussions when students are feeling down.  Students have a spot that is inviting for peers to sit and interact, collectively lifting spirits. 
  • Each year, one school receives the Principal’s Cup Award.  The award is given on behalf of the winning team representing the school.  Players include neighbors, local businesses, and past students.
CSC Meeting Tuesday, March 9

Hello Hamilton Community,

To learn more about the CSC and it’s function within the school community please view the information on our website. You can find the information here: Hamilton CSC 

Tuesday’s agenda and Google Meet information is posted below. Please note, you need to access the Google Meet through your child’s Chrome Book. GO HUSKIES!

Thank you, 

Heather Wilson – CSC chairperson, Hamilton Parent

Date: 3/9/2021

Time: 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Google Meet Information: 

Meeting ID meet.google.com/iha-cqpx-kqi

Phone Numbers (‪US)‪+1 520-800-2583

PIN: ‪871 335 951#

CSC Agenda:

  • -Welcome, norms, agenda, and check in -Update on budget -Updates from Principal
    • Where we are with hybrid learning
    • What we know about our future with in-person learning – this year and next year? 
    • Learning loss and planning to support students
    • Open dialogue, collaboration, and feedback together 
    -CSC Recruitment for next year discussion-Plan for leadership while Christian is on leave -Community questions and input
Denver’s Department of Transportation Needs Your Input!

Denver area parents – we want to hear from you! Denver’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) is developing a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Action Plan, which will prioritize transportation projects that will get students to and from school safely whether they walk, bike, take transit, carpool or drive. The 5-Year Action Plan will outline strategies aimed to improve safety for all students getting to and from school, as well as identify essential partnerships and potential funding opportunities to implement the strategies. The plan will include schools that are public and private throughout City and County of Denver.

In order to create a successful action plan though, we need your input! Visit DOTI’s self-guided online event anytime between now and March 12 to learn more about the Denver SRTS program and action plan as well as provide your feedback. Visit https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Departments/Department-of-Transportation-and-Infrastructure/Programs-Services/Safe-Routes-to-School to access the event.

For more information about the SRTS Action Plan, contact Brenden Paradies at Brenden.Paradies@denvergov.org.


Padres del área de Denver: ¡Queremos conocer sus opiniones! El Departamento de Transporte e Infraestructura de Denver (DOTI) está desarrollando un Plan de Acción de Rutas Seguras a la Escuela (SRTS, en inglés), que priorizará los proyectos de transporte que llevarán a los estudiantes hacia y desde la escuela de manera segura, ya sea que caminen, anden en bicicleta, tomen el transporte público, compartan el automóvil o conduzcan. El Plan de Acción de 5 años delineará estrategias destinadas a mejorar la seguridad de todos los estudiantes al ir y venir de sus escuelas y también identificará oportunidades para trabajos en conjunto con asociados claves y potencial financiamiento para implementar esas estrategias. El plan incluirá escuelas públicas y privadas en toda la Ciudad y Condado de Denver.

Sin embargo, para crear un plan de acción exitoso, necesitamos su opinión. Visite el evento en línea autoguiado del DOTI en cualquier momento entre ahora y el 12 de marzo para obtener más información sobre el programa y el plan de acción de Denver SRTS, así como para proporcionar sus comentarios. Visitar https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Departments/Department-of-Transportation-and-Infrastructure/Programs-Services/Safe-Routes-to-School para acceder al evento.

Para obtener más información sobre el Plan de Acción SRTS, comunicarse con Brenden Paradies al Brenden.Paradies@denvergov.org.

Parent-Teacher Student Association

JOIN THE PTSA!
The Hamilton Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) welcomes ALL Hamilton families, staff, and students to become members! CLICK HERE to complete a membership form and pay annual dues.

SUPPORT OUR HUSKIES
AMAZON SMILE
Experience feel good shopping! Begin your shopping at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to Hamilton at no cost to you!

BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION
The new and improved Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school’s earnings online. Learn more at boxtops4education.com.

Spring STEM Fair

Coming Soon! The Hamilton Middle School Virtual STEM Fair! Did you know that a team of Hamilton 8th graders built a device that can measure greenhouse gas levels in your house? The Hamilton Huskies have been busy designing apps, 3D-printed inventions, and more this year in their STEM classes, and will soon have the opportunity to share their work with the rest of the school!


At the Virtual Hamilton STEM Fair, students, families, and staff will be able to explore some of the amazing projects our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade designers have created this year. This event will be completely online so everyone in our community can join the STEM fun!


If you have ideas for the STEM fair or are interested in helping Ms. Kennedy and Ms. Fussner plan the event, email Ms. Kennedy at kirsten_kennedy@dpsk12.com or join the STEM Fair Planning Committee at our first meeting this Monday, March 8th at 5PM on Zoom: https://pltw.zoom.us/j/97136813202?pwd=aWpUUDl3N3hOVGcxb01CRWg1NDJ2Zz09

Meeting ID: 971 3681 3202Passcode: 223640One tap mobile+12532158782,,97136813202#,,,,*223640# US (Tacoma)+13462487799,,97136813202#,,,,*223640# US (Houston)

Yearbooks on Sale Now!

People are reserving their yearbooks! They cost $25, to purchase a yearbook go to yearbookordercenter.com.

Message From Gifted & Talented Coordinator
English

Dear Parents/Guardians:

This letter is to inform you that your child will soon be given an assessment to help us determine the best educational programming for him/her.  A description of the assessment is included with this letter.  This tool is one of the many measures that can be used as a part of a larger body of evidence to identify students who may need accommodations for their learning.

How your student can prepare for test taking—and what you can do to help

You can help your student do his or her best by considering these tips:

  • Make sure your student is in school and on time on test days. Reschedule dentist appointments and other out-of-school time on non-testing days.
  • Make sure your student gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.
  • Remind your student that these tests are only one part of the school day. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible. 
  • Remind your student to listen carefully to the directions and to each question as it is read aloud during testing, and to ask the teacher for help if he or she does not understand the directions.

This assessment will be administered at your child’s school between 

March 8-26, 2021

The school will receive test scores within a month of testing. These scores will indicate how your student performed on the test compared with students across the nation in the same grade and/or age group. You will be notified of your child’s performance. If you have any questions concerning this assessment, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Judith Metz

Gifted and Talented Education Teacher

judith_metz@dpsk12.org

Español

Estimados padres y tutores legales:

Esta carta es para informarles que pronto evaluaremos a su estudiante a fin de determinar el mejor programa educativo para él/ella. Incluimos una descripción de la evaluación en esta carta. Esta herramienta es una de las muchas evaluaciones que se pueden utilizar como parte de un conjunto de pruebas más amplio para identificar a los estudiantes que pueden necesitar acomodaciones para su aprendizaje.

Formas en que su estudiante puede prepararse para realizar pruebas y qué pueden hacer para ayudar

Pueden ayudar a su estudiante a que se esfuerce al máximo si consideran estos consejos:

  • Asegúrense de que su estudiante asista a la escuela y llegue de forma puntual los días en que realice pruebas. Vuelvan a programar citas con el dentista y tiempo en que deba ausentarse de la escuela durante días en que no se realicen pruebas.
  • Asegúrense de que su estudiante duerma bien y coma un desayuno saludable antes de cada día que se realicen pruebas.
  • Recuérdenle a su estudiante que estas pruebas son solo una parte del día escolar. Hagan hincapié en que tienen confianza en su capacidad de desempeñarse lo mejor posible.
  • Recuérdenle a su estudiante que escuche atentamente las instrucciones y cada pregunta que se lee en voz alta durante la prueba y que pida ayuda al maestro si no entiende las instrucciones.

Esta evaluación se administrará en la escuela de su estudiante entre

March 8-26, 2021.

La escuela recibirá los resultados de las pruebas un mes después de tomarlas. Estos resultados indicarán cómo se desempeñó su estudiante en la prueba en comparación con los estudiantes de todo el país en el mismo grado y/o grupo de edad.

Se les comunicará el desempeño de su estudiante. Si tienen alguna pregunta sobre esta evaluación, comuníquese conmigo.

Atentamente,

 Judith Metz

Maestro(a) de educación para estudiantes dotados y talentosos

judith_metz@dpsk12.org

Students

8th Grade STEM Students

If you are an 8th grader interested in the CCT STEM Magent program at Thomas Jefferson High School please reach out to Ms. Fussner!

Even if you did not choice into TJ you can still be recruited to the magnet program with a recommendation from Ms. Fussner, email her through Schoology with any questions!

African American Young Ladies Summitt

Create spaces for AA young ladies to belong, be safe to grow, learn and feel like the amazing creations they are. Hamilton has a YYAFS group! We meet on Wednesdays from 3:15 – 4:00 pm. Google Meet Code: GGAAYLS.

African American Young Ladies’ Summit (AAYLS) consists of young ladies from 6th grade through college. The program started with 9th-12th grades and has expanded due to the demand of students and the community. Each gathering provides culturally responsive support in a trauma-informed/sensitive environment enriching the educational, social, intellectual and interpersonal opportunities for African American young ladies. LEARN MORE >>>>

Love Peace Diversity (LPD) Club

We welcome new and old members on Fridays! LPD = Hamilton’s GSAClub meets every other Friday.Meeting Time 12:10 – 12:55 pmQuestions? Send a Schoology message or email to Ms. Flipse, Mr. Mollman, or Mrs. PetersGoogle Meets code: HamiltonLPD

National School Breakfast Week!

Next week is National School Breakfast Week and the Food and Nutrition Services team have created fun activities to share with your students.  Beginning on Monday, March 8th, through Friday, March 12th, we have created fun activities and information that may be downloaded and given to students to do at home (or at school).  On Monday we have a coloring contest and we will pick (3) random winners who will receive a gift card and their art will be published on the FNS FB page. 

Tutoring Services for Students

DPS CARES Employee Volunteer tutors in the virtual classroom can be great resources for both students and teachers.  Please complete this form is you are interested in a DPS CARES Employee Volunteer Tutor
 https://go.pardot.com/e/742223/ajJRoaoY9G8BT6jS9/c798l/284650377?h=k-b6uzFpVC3Hzy2-fT_vxYnjK6isBIqj-2e–Dxni7g

Yearbook

Submit your selfies and photos of remote learning  for Hamilton’s 2020-21 yearbook with our yearboook app. Hamilton families can load the app HJeShare onto their phones. The school code is hamilton. You can upload photos directly from your camera or photo files onto the yearbook website for us to use. 

Spirit Week
DayTheme
MondayDecades Day
TuesdayMeme Day
WednesdayMonochromatic Day
ThursdayCharacter Day
FridayHusky Pride Day! And, Talent Show!

Friday Funday Schedule

Time6th7th8th
Morning MeetingMorning MeetingMorning Meeting
9:00-9:30Advisory AdvisoryAdvisory 
9:30-10:15Core 1 Core 1 Core 1 
10:15-11:00Core 2 Core 2 Core 2 
11:00-11:45Lunch Lunch Lunch 
11:45-12:30Core 3Core 3Core 3
12:30-3:05SessionsSessionsSessions
3:05-3:15Dismissal for in person studentsDismissal for in person studentsDismissal for in person students

Resources

Clothes for Kids

CLOTHES TO KIDS OF DENVER 
The mission of CTKD is to provide new and quality used clothing to students from low-income or in-crisis families in the Denver Metro Area, free of charge.

Shopping at CTKD is as easy as 1 -2 -3: Call us at (720) 379-4630 and dial “0.” Phones are open Monday – Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. If we don’t answer, please leave a voicemail, and we will call you back as soon as possible. You can also request a wardrobe by emailing us at appointment@clothestokidsdenver.org
Please go HERE for more information.

COVID-19 Vaccination

Read about the COVID-19 Vaccination
Health Care Resources

FREE COVID-19 TESTING
Now through the end of December, free COVID-19 testing is available to all community members. Through a partnership with Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, COVIDCheck Colorado — which has been providing free testing to all DPS employees — is offering free tests for all employees, their families and members of the Denver community to help slow the spread of COVID.

Community members can use this link to schedule a free test at one of several locations throughout the Denver-metro area. 

HEALTH CARE FROM HOME

Hazel Health and DPS are extending our partnership to offer “Hazel at Home”, our telehealth platform that allows Hamilton students to connect to a licensed medical provider from the comfort of their home using any device with a web browser.

In addition, there are no copays for any families through the end of the 2020-21 School Year, due to the pandemic.

Hamilton Families can now sign up for Hazel at Home by navigating to: my.hazel.co/dpsk12

DENVER HEALTH SCHOOL BASED CLINICS
We are open to all DPS students for both in-person and telehealth appointments for both new and existing patients. Our services are provided at NO COST to all DPS families.
Flu shots are now available.

For more information visit https://www.denverhealth.org/services/school-based-health-centers

Thomas Jefferson School Based Clinic: 720-423-7190
Place Bridge Academy School Based Clinic: 720-424-2050

Food Resources
FREE MEAL DELIVERY 
Sign Up for Colorado Food Cluster Meal Deliveries
Colorado Food Cluster (CFC) provides free meals to youth ages 6-18 in the Denver Metro Area (within 20 miles of downtown). Any students ages 6 – 18 are eligible – they just need a student ID to enroll and families can enroll multiple students in each household. 
Each student will receive a weekly delivery of 7 dinners and 14 snacks, including fruit and milk, until June 30, 2021. Complete this form to enroll!
FREE LUNCH & BREAKFAST FOR STUDENTS
Hamilton is a food distribution location
Denver Public Schools is distributing DPS student breakfast and lunch meals at sites throughout the city this fall. Sites are open Monday through Friday from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Hamilton Middle School is now a distribution site. You can view the list of curbside pickup locations HERE.
FREE AND REDUCED COST LUNCH FORM Fill It Out or Update before In-Person Learning
DPS is committed to feeding every child, every day! 
To apply for Free or Reduced Lunch or to update your application visit https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

Community Food Resources

Drivethough Foodbank 
Hertiage Christian Center has a drive through Food Pantry open every
Tuesday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm &
Saturday from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.
No registration required.

Heritage Christian Center is located at 14401 E Exposition Ave Dever, CO 80224.
Call 303-738-5080 with questions.

Neighborhood Food Pantry
The Community Life Center has a Food Pantry open on the third Friday of the month from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The registration is required. Community Life Center is located at 9725 E Hampden Ave, G-106 Denver, CO 80231. Email iolcmauroraFoodBank@gmail.com with questions.

Food Pantry – REGISTER HERE.

Jewish Family Services Weinberg Food Pantry
The Weinberg Food Pantry is providing pre-packed boxes of food to anyone experiencing food insecurity with no documentation or sign up needed. To limit face-to-face interactions and promote social distancing, boxes of food are distributed through a pick-up system directly outside of the pantry.

Struggle of Love Foundation Food Pantry
Struggle of Love offers alternatives to those with limited opportunities that may not qualify for any other community based assistance programs. SOL’s wish is to inspire and educate our future generation so that they can make a positive difference in the world’s future.

Coventant Cupboard Food Pantry
Weekly food distributions to ensure that immediate food needs are met.

Whole Child

Whole Child Resources

No-Cost Child Safe Kit for Hamilton Middle School

No-Cost Child Safe Kits for Hamilton Families. Use the digital request form to request your FREE kit. Digital request form

Social Emotional Learning at Home

The recording is now available for… Social Emotional Learning at Home Click HERE to access the recording and presentation materials in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.Have a great day!