Heads Up Hamilton: Friday, January 28th

Posted January 28, 2022


The Week Ahead

Monday, January 31

Tuesday, February 1

  • Dental Sealant Service Day 9-4pm
  • HMS Brain Bowl at 8:30am
  • Basketball Away Game @ 4pm (Per COVID guidelines, we’ll not have spectators in the gym.)
  • First Day of Black History Month

Wednesday, February 2

Thursday, February 3

Friday, February 4


School Reminders & Updates

  • Transportation Updates weather delay and cancellation procedures here
  • Lunch Menus (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)

Hamilton Administration Updates

Virtual Town Hall Meeting

Did you miss the Virtual Town Hall this month? Don’t worry! You can check out the google slide presentation to get information discussed in the town hall as well as send your questions to Mrs. Dillon.

Virtual Town Hall meetings will be available every month. Our next Virtual Town Hall will be on February 23rd, 5:00 pm-6:00 pm. Download January’s Town Hall presentation here.


8th Grade Continuation Requirements

Please take a moment to review the Continuation Requirement video here and the official letter sent out to the parents here.


Way to Go Schoolpool Registration

We are pleased to partner with Schoolpool, a program to help parents get their students to/from school. It’s free and there is no obligation to participate. Schoolpool is a service of Way to Go, a federally funded program of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). For more information on how to register download the flyer below

Way to Go Schoolpool Registration


CSC Meeting

Our monthly CSC meeting has been moved to Mon., Jan. 31th from 5:30 pm-7:oopm. Open to the public and everyone is welcome. Click on the link to read the agenda and click here to join the meeting.


Safe2Tell

Safe2Tell provides students and adults in Colorado communities and schools an increased both prevent and report violence and other concerning behaviors by making a safe, ANONYMOUS report. The Safe2Tell solution was developed specifically to encourage and empower bystanders when they have a concern about their safety or the safety of others. Safe2Tell guarantees anonymity by Colorado state law.

Students use Safe2Tell to report: bullying, suicide concerns, depression, sexting, stealing, threats, cutting, abuse, dating and domestic violence, fights, drugs, alcohol, weapons, or other types of dangerous situations that threaten their safety or the safety of others for the purpose of prevention and interventions.

What Safe2Tell Can/Cannot Do For You:

  • Safe2Tell is a way for students to report threats to their safety or the safety of someone else in a way that keeps them safe.
  • Safe2Tell helps increase awareness when school staff and/or administrators may not be aware that a situation has or is occurring for the purpose of prevention, early intervention, education and awareness.
  • If you choose to make a Safe2Tell report in order to advocate for your child’s safety, the report will be sent to the school directly unless you specifically request notification to the Superintendent’s office instead.
  • Safe2Tell does not notify the Reporting Party of the report outcome. All outcome information is private and autonomous to Safe2Tell.
  • If you have previously reported the situation to your school staff and are not satisfied with the outcome, Safe2Tell is not able to enforce a different outcome. Please find the venue within your school district for escalating these concerns.
  • Safe2Tell is not a resource for keeping a “record” of your school or child’s history.

What You Can Do to Advocate for Your Child:

  • Attempt to keep lines of communication open with your child’s teacher, your school’s administrative staff and your Superintendent’s office.
  • Always keep the best interests of the child at the forefront of the conversation.
  • Please remember privacy laws protect EVERY student. No one is entitled to know the disciplinary outcome of another student.
  • Ask your school/school district if there is a preferred protocol or resource staff dedicated to parents who need assistance advocating for their child.

For more information about Safe2Tell and to find valuable resources for parents, visit safe2tell.org. 1-877-542-7233


DPS DECLINING ENROLLMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Declining Enrollment Advisory Committee will work to create recommendations on how the district should address ongoing declining enrollment, which impacts our ability to provide equitable, high-quality educational programs for our students. Superintendent Marrero will review the committee’s recommendations on criteria to identify, close, and/or consolidate schools with significant declining enrollment.

Diversity and inclusion will be an important consideration for this task force and members will include families, students, community partners, school leaders, teachers and staff, and central office leaders. 

View the online form to learn more about the committee selection criteria and submit an application.

For more information visit: https://www.dpsk12.org/declining-enrollment/

Please find the flyers in the consent decree attached or in the Google Drive


Hamilton Assessments

ACCESS assessments for our MLL students will continue to be administered this week.

Interim Assessments will be administered this week.

The CMAS, state summative assessment for language arts, math, science, and social studies will be administered this Spring. We will post more information as it gets closer.


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. Click on the link for more information.


School News

DU Men’s Basketball Attendance Incentive  

University of Denver Men’s Basketball team wants you to fill their seats like you fill ours! Come to school AND get to class on time from now until February 4th to earn tickets for you, your friends, and your family! For real, anyone with at least 80% attendance will be invited to request up to 4 tickets to attend the Saturday, February 12th DU vs University of South Dakota Basketball game at 2 pm.

School Choice is Open!

The 2022-23 SchoolChoice application window opens on January 14, 2022.

DPS has put together resources, including the annual Great Schools Enrollment Guides, which will be mailed this month to all transition-grade students (current ECE, fifth- and eighth-graders). Families can also check out a digital version of the guide or access our mobile-friendly school search tool, School Finder.

The DPS SchoolChoice First Round window for the 2022-23 school year is Jan. 14 through 4 p.m. Feb. 15, 2022.  For more information, call the SchoolChoice hotline at 720-423-3493, email schoolchoice@dpsk12.org or visit schoolchoice.dpsk12.org or you can reach out to our school liaison Dimarlys with questions.


HMS Sports News

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

Basketball– Practices are M-TH from 4:15-5:45 pm unless there is a game. No spectators at games. The game schedule can be found on the DSP Athletics page.

Floor Hockey Registration

COED Floor Hockey Registration is now open. Registration is now open for Girls & Boys floor hockey. Tryout dates will be announced at the end of January. Click here to register.

* Remember ALL athletes must register and have an updated & signed physical, haga clic aqui para espanol, BEFORE they are allowed to tryout*

We will not accept online physicals. Students must bring a hard copy to the front office or to the coach on the first day of tryouts.


HMS Arts News

Free Nine-Week Course

Beats By Girlz Denver, in partnership with Youth on Record, presents a nine-week series funded by Denver Arts & Venues, Denver Music Advancement Fund.

This free workshop series runs Thursdays, 4-6 p.m. starting Feb. 3, and will provide a solid foundation of Ableton Live + Novation Launchpads, Launchkeys, DJ, and electronic music production fundamentals.

Participants will build a “REMIX Tape Sculpture” from VHS, tape, CD, MIDI Art, MAX for Live Video, Sampling, DJ Remix, Bass & Wobble.

Learn more and register here.

HMS Spring Play

Aladdin will debut on April 28th and 29th. Save the date!


Nurse’s Corner

Mental Health Services

I Matter Colorado has mental health services free for students. Simply fill out the survey and talk to someone.

The Colorado Crisis Services hotline has counselors available to talk 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255. Or visit the Colorado Crisis Services website to learn more about how to speak with a counselor.

Free Orthodontic Evaluations

  • For kids up to age 18: Provided by the Colorado Orthodontic Foundation
  • February 4, 2022 (Friday)
  • Tri-County Health Department Building 4201 E. 72nd. Ave. Suite #D, Commerce City, CO 80022
  • Call for an appointment at 303-501-3691

Kids In Need of Dentistry for kids up to age 18: Free dental care

  • February 5, 2022 (Saturday) Tri-County Health Department Building 4201 E. 72nd. Ave. Commerce City, CO 80022
  • Call for an appointment at 720-619-5333

Staying Safe and Healthy

We have automatic no-touch drinking fountains for students to fill their water bottles. Students are not allowed to drink water directly from the water fountain. Please make sure students bring a water bottle to school every day. 

Students must bring a mask to school and wear it properly, covering their mouth and nose. If a student is not wearing their mask properly, we will call parents/guardians to support us and pick them up from school if the behavior continues. Please help us at home by talking to your student about proper mask usage and by providing them with a mask that fits comfortably.

Denver Health: School Oral Health Program

Nurse’s CornerThe Dental Sealant program is coming to 6th and 7th graders during the last week of this month. Parent permission forms are required to receive care. Forms have been distributed through your child’s advisory class. Please have these forms filled out and turned in as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact our nurse Regan Thornburg. Click here to read more about the program.

COVID-19 Vaccinations and New Protocols

As you know, our Denver Health School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are now offering vaccinations for free at 18 locations across the city. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and new protocols click on the link.

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.

Bullying and Cyberbullying

If you are concerned about bullying at your school, we recommend contacting your school’s principal, social worker, school psychologist, or teacher directly to address the issue. We encourage you to talk to your student about bullying and to teach your student to always tell a trusted adult if he or she, or another student, has been bullied or cyberbullied.

Learn more about bullying and cyberbullying at:

You can anonymously report any bullying behavior that threatens you, your family, or your community through Safe2Tell by calling 877-542-7233, by visiting Safe2tell.org, or by using the Safe2Tell app on a mobile device.

For more information on DPS Bullying and Cyberbullying Policies & Procedures click on the link.


PTSA News

January PTSA General Meeting notes can be found here.

The Next PTSA General Meeting will be Wednesday, February 2nd at 5:30 pm. Click here to join the meeting.

Hamilton’s Virtual Trivia Night Fundraiser

First-ever Hamilton Virtual Trivia Night! Hosted online by a live, professional host from Triviahub.

Compete on a team of friends, family, or on your own for prizes! You must pre-register by Feb. 8. Registration is for one computer, phone, or tablet. Registering more than one device is welcome. Donate in any amount to play. Recommended donation: $25 per device. Fundraiser for Hamilton PTSA sponsored teacher appreciation and classroom funding.  Register here.

When: Friday, Feb. 11, 2022; 7:00-8:00 pm (register by Feb 8 to get a spot)

Where: Zoom

Why:  For Fun, Prizes, and fundraising for classrooms and teacher appreciation.

Register here

Want to help plan the PTSA Plant Sale in May, contact PTSA at Hamiltonptsadenver@gmail.com

Thank you for your continued support of the PTSA and we look forward to more opportunities to serve in 2022!


Technology Update 

Wondering about how to navigate Schoology? Check out these resources for families!

DPS Schoology Resources for Parents:

DPS Schoology for Parents (2 min video)

Schoology Parent FAQ (doc)

DPS Schoology Guide for Parents (doc)


HMS Diversity Calendar

February is Black History Month, a time when the nation reflects and pays tribute to the generations of African Americans who fought with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society, according to the official website. There are teaching resources provided from the National Archives, Library of Congress, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum available here

Additional Resources

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 February!


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. 


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