Heads Up Hamilton: Friday, December 10th

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The Week Ahead

Tuesday, December 14

  • HMS Brain Bowl @ 8:30 am
  • Prospective Students Virtual Q&A 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm (more information below)

Wednesday, December 15

  • PTSA meeting 5:30pm -6:45 pm (Join Zoom Meeting)
  • Last day to delivery your items for Sponsor a Hamilton Family Basket (Sign up here)
  • Virtual Multilingual Education Districtwide Advisory Committee (MLE DAC) meeting 5:00 pm -6:30 pm (more information below)

Thursday, December 16

  • HMS Brain Bowl @ 8:30 am
  • Volunteer to make baskets 9:30am-2:00pm (see below)
  •  Super Citizens Virtual Awards 5:30 pm-7:00 pm

Friday, December 17

  • ELL Student Field Trip
  • Volunteer to make baskets 9:30am-2:00pm (see below)
  • Last Day to pick up Lost and Found ( Items will be dontated after today)

School Reminders & Updates

  • 12/18 Volunteer to distribute baskets 9:00am-11:00am (see below)
  • 12/20-1/3 Winter Break
  • 1/4 Students Return to in-person
  • 1/17 NO SCHOOL/Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • 1/31-2/4 Denver Health: School Oral Health Program (more information here)
  • 05/27/22 8th Grade Continuation

DRESS CODE REMINDERS

Scholars are not allowed to wear Pajamas or bring blankets to school. If the scholar is not adhering to the school dress code, they will be sent to the nurse’s office to change and families will be called to bring a change or clothes. Click on the link to read more on the dress codes.

  • Transportation Updates weather delay and cancellation procedures here
  • Lunch Updates (click the link to learn more)
  • Covid Protocols (click the link to learn more)
  • Free Citizenship Assistance with Catholic Charities of Denver (click on the link for more information)
  • Free Lunch & Snacks for All Hamilton Huskies (click on the link for more information)
  • Judi’s House Grief Center information

PEP Conferences– Click the link for more information.

DECEMBER LUNCH MENUS

Menu information is available on the Food and Nutrition Services website.


Safety Reminders

  • Winter is upon us and temperatures are cooling. Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Students will go outside unless the weather is below 20 degrees, and/or there is active snow or rain falling.
  • Extra masks- Please send your child with extra masks for the day. It is extremely important to continue to follow COVID protocols and understand that masks are required in the building. Many students do not like the masks we offer and prefer to wear their own. There has been an influx of scholars losing their masks throughout the day. Please refer to our HMS school policy page for information on mask exceptions and students who do not follow them.
  • Water Bottles- Have your child bring a water bottle every day! Students are not allowed to drink from the water fountains due to COVID Safety guardrails. Water bottles can be refilled within the building with our water bottle electric fountains.
  • Check out HMS school policy page for information on dress codes, NEW phone policy, drop-off and pick-up information, and more.
  • Dress Code Reminder– Students not allowed to wear hoodies, PJs. All clothes that must cover students mid-section.
  • Bus Reminder– Students without a mask will NOT be allowed to ride the bus. Buses will no longer provide masks to students. Please send your child to school with backup masks.
  • Mask expectations and Lunch Detentions– click the link to learn more
  • TikTok Challenges and Destruction of Property

Did You Know?

Did you know that Machine Gun Kelly and Don Cheadle attended HMS!?


Hamilton Administration Updates

Title 1 Information Q&A

Title 1 Information Q&A virtual meeting 5:00 pm -5:30 pm (Click here to join. Dial-in: (US) +1 929-266-2088, PIN: 516 468 750#)


Prospective Students Virtual Q&A

When: Tue., Dec. 14, 2021

Where: Google Meets

Meeting IDmeet.google.com/ckx-ubxe-fmt

Phone Numbers(‪US‬)‪+1 929-299-4130‬

PIN: ‪695 557 747#‬


Update on Hamilton Principal

Please take a moment to watch the Principal Presentations below and fill out the feedback survey.

Presentations Feedback Survey


SPARKS Industry Introduction Program

HMS is partnering up with SPARKS, Industry Introduction Program for 6th-8th graders where students will attend in-school or virtual workshops, and engage in fun projects while learning about different careers in a variety of industries. Workshops will start in January 2022! Here is more information on SPARKS.

Spark Handout Article: DPS highlights an inspiring student story about the Spark program.


Career Development Programs in DPS

Learn about your career passions and interests. Hands-on Classes. Connections with Industry Leaders. Career and College Opportunities. Career Development programs help students learn about their career passions and interests through early exposure in DPS!  Learn more here.


Sponsor a Holiday Meal

Join us in helping make 25 baskets for Hamilton families in need for the holidays! Please sign up here for as many slots as you’d like. The sign-up will close on Wednesday, Dec. 15th.

Wed., Dec. 1st – Wed., Dec. 15th (during school hours)

  • Drop off non-perishable items in the bin located in the front office
  • Drop off turkeys will be kept in our school freezer box. Please contact Dimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.org 720-423-9456 for drop off confirmation

Thu. Dec. 16th – Fri. Dec. 17th

  • Volunteer shifts to make baskets

Sat. Dec. 18th, 9-11 am

  • Volunteers to pass out baskets

Sign up here

If you have any questions please contact our liaison Dimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.net 720-423-9456


Multilingual Education Districtwide Advisory Committee

Please consider joining the DPS community at a virtual Multilingual Education Districtwide Advisory Committee (MLE DAC) meeting on Dec. 15 from 5-6:30 p.m. 

At this session, families will have the opportunity to learn more about DPS Board members. Families will also receive important information and resources about SchoolChoice, the Enrollment Process and ACCESS Testing.

Families can register here and join the meeting via Zoom. For more information, visit the MLE DAC site or call 720-423-2040.


Volunteers

Get involved! Any volunteers or community partners who interact with students will have their vaccination status verified in the front office. All people in the building whether they interact with students or visit the front office must be masked at all times.

Opportunities for InvolvementContact
Become a crossing guardRachel_Langberg@dpsk12.net
Join the Collaborative School CommitteeRachel_Langberg@dpsk12.net
Join the Multi-Language Education Parent Advisory CommitteeYuly_Melo-Laffey@dpsk12.net
Donate moneydimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.net
Parent-Teacher-Student Association hamiltonptsadenver@gmail.com
Start an African American Parent Advisory CommitteeRachel_Langberg@dpsk12.net
Volunteer with athleticsvictoria_elmore@dpsk12.net
Volunteer in the schooldimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.net
Have an idea to incorporate?! Reach out to our liaison to get more information about getting involved! dimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.net or 720-423-9456.

REMINDER: School doors open at 8:55 AM. There is no supervision for your child before that time. Please do not drop off your child before 8:55 am. Thank you for helping our scholars stay safe.


HMS Sports News

Basketball Tryouts

Please check the Athletics page for updates on schedules for winter sports being posted after next Tuesday.

If you have any other questions, contact the coach directly or visit Hamilton’s Athletics page for more information. Coach Elmore Victoria_Elmore@dpsk12.net


HMS Arts News

Thank you all for coming to the showing of Larceny and Old Lace. We had a great turnout! Our thespians did a great job and thank you for your support in the arts.


STEM News

Students just finished their puzzle cube challenge. They fabricated a puzzle out of wooden blocks that make a 3x3x3 cube. The goal was to design the most challenging puzzle to solve in the class. Aside from the everlasting fame and glory that comes with winning the first semi-annual Hamilton Puzzle Cube Challenge, the winning teams will get to take home 3D printed copies of their puzzle. 

The winners are 6th graders Samaya Herrera and Na’Shai (Lola) Ephriam and 8th graders Myla Washburn and Hillary Luna. Congratulations!

Community Resources

We Don’t Waste offers mobile food markets open to all! Drive-Thru food distribution areas are listed in the flyer below.

RTD Youth Special Discount Card

The Youth Special Discount Card (SDC) is one method of verification to receive the 70 percent fare discount for youth ages 6-19 on all regular bus and train services. If the passenger has a current middle or high school ID, or government-issued photo ID showing the passenger’s age, then the Youth SDC is not required. The youth discount is not offered on Access-a-Ride service. Youth must provide proof of eligibility when using discounted fare products when boarding a bus and when asked by a fare inspector. See eligibility requirements below.

More holiday resources can be found here.


Magnet Eligibility News

Magnet Eligibility Information

  •  Are you a parent/guardian of a newly magnet eligible student? Do you think your student could qualify as magnet eligible?
  • Are you looking for information about what magnet eligibility means?
  • Are you interested in knowing more about magnet programming and School Choice?

Watch this magnet eligibility Informational video to answer these questions and more!

Interested in Magnet Eligible Testing? Complete this nomination form here

The spring 2022 testing nomination window is now open through April 8th.

Please note: Students cannot be tested twice with a cognitive test in one calendar year (for instance, a student tested in the spring of 2021 would not be eligible to test again until the spring of 2022). During the fall semester, students enrolled in Kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th grades are tested with the NNAT as part of the universal screening process; those families do not need to submit this form. More information and translated documents can be found here (scroll down). If you have any questions please email GT Itinerant, Chelsea Chappell-Cox, at chelsea_chappell-cox@dpsk12.net.


Nurse’s Corner

Masks + Vaccinations + Boosters = Our Best Defense against COVID-19

Did you know that DPS students, staff, and family members can get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster at any of our Denver Health School-Based Health Centers? You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 303-602-8958. You can also contact your healthcare provider or visit the state of Colorado’s vaccine website to find an appointment that works for you. Help protect your family, friends, and neighbors — get a vaccine or booster today

Every Colorado Youth is now eligible for three free therapy sessions. Visit our Husky Herald post about the I Matter Program to learn more. Click the link to be sent to the Nurse’s Office page for health forms.

If your child is under the weather please keep them home. When a child is sick their immune system is low which makes them more susceptible to catching another illness. It also makes the spreading of germs to healthy kids greater. COVID-19 has changed the guidelines and extra care is required to keep your child as well as Hamilton healthy. Please see the attached flyer “How Sick is too Sick” for guidance on when to keep your child home.


8th Grade Families

Fred N. Thomas Career Education Center Early College (CEC) is a career and college-focused 9-12 public high school located in Northwest Denver. CEC is part of the DPS Choice process. See slide for more information.

My Colorado Journey

My Colorado Journey makes life planning easy and personalized. You can select goals and actions based on your ambitions and chart a path to achieve them. My Colorado Journey empowers you to choose a career and education path that’s unique to you—your interests, your talents, and your dreams.  Create an account for your child today! Click the link to start. 


PTSA News

The next PTSA meeting will be on December 15th at @5:30. Check the school calendar for the zoom link. Click the link to visit the PTSA webpage.

SCAN ME and Donate to HMS PTSA

HMS Diversity Calendar

We are committed to upholding an inclusive culture where students and team members can show up as their authentic and best selves. Click on the link to visit HMS Diversity Calendar for more information on what’s happening in the month of December!


How to Support Hamilton Middle School?

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.

Other Ways to Support Hamilton


AMAZON SMILE

Simply shop at smile.amazon.com and tap on “AmazonSmile” within the Programs & Features menu or Settings and follow the on-screen instructions. AmazonSmile will donate to Hamilton Middle School PTA, 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.


KING SOOPERS COMMUNITY REWARDS

Connect your Loyalty Card to Southmoor Elementary!

  • Click on the link
  • Link your account to Hamilton Middle and King Soopers will donate a portion of every dollar you spend back to our school.

Our school cooking club is looking for donations. If you have some cooking and baking utensils/tools that maybe you aren’t using or haven’t used, the Food Club will take them off your hands. 

What is needed:

mixing bowls, spoons, baking pans (cake and cookie sheets), aprons, kitchen towels, measuring cups, and spoons.

If you can contact the school liaison at 720-423-9456 or just drop off donations at Hamilton Middle attn: Mrs. Freeman (Food Club) 

Thank you in advance.

SCHOOL DONATIONS

Thank you Hamilton families for your support. Your help with donating any of these classroom supplies at any time during the school year is appreciated. If you would like to donate school supplies, click here for more information.

Our Design and Modeling STEM students will be designing and building prototypes of a foot orthosis (brace) for children with cerebral palsy. We need A LOT of supplies for the students to use. If you have any of the following materials in your home that you would be willing to donate please contact our school Liaison Dimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.org or bring them down to the front office. Thank you for your generosity and continuous support. 


Technology Update 

Dear Families, your scholars should already have received a school-issued Chromebook and charger last year.  If they are new to the district or need a new Chromebook due to damage, they will receive one on the first or second day of school. You MUST fill out this form so that we are able to prepare accordingly for our scholars to make sure we have what we need on hand for all scholars to be successful. Please have your scholar notify their teacher if they need a new Chromebook.


Questions?

Registrar Esther Blackmonesther_blackmon@dpsk12.org/720-423-9505
AttendanceTJ Rameythomas_ramey@dpsk12.org/ 720-423-9504
Technology Wes AkersWesley_Akers@dpsk12.net/720-423-9542
School LiaisonDimarlys Suarezdimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.net/ 720-423-9456
Transportationtransportation@dpsk12.org/ 720-423-4699
GT/504/SpEdRachel Langbergrachel_langberg@dpsk12.org

Parent Portal

  • Log in to Myportal.dpsk12.org
  • Tech. support? Call 720-423-3163 or email dps_portalteam@dpsk12.org

COVID-19 Updates

  • Gaiters and vented masks are NOT permitted at DPS, even if it has two layers or is folded to create two layers.
  • Please send them to the nurse’s office for an approved mask.
  • DPS Update on Masking and Health Procedures