Posted February 4, 2022
Message from Mrs. Dillion
Dear Hamilton Families,
I have spent my first month at Hamilton collecting feedback from students, families, and teachers. I appreciate everyone’s partnership and would like to announce a few changes we are making at school in collaboration with the School Leadership Team.
The bell schedule is going to change, starting on Monday, February 7th. Advisory will no longer happen at the end of the day. Students will have 20 minutes of Advisory time during their extended first-period class. Advisory lessons focus on Social, Emotional, and Academic learning that helps students’ academic growth and positive behaviors both inside and outside the classroom.
Students at Hamilton tell us they enjoy the snacks provided by the cafeteria and starting on Monday, snacks will be served in the morning during Advisory. We hope this change will be beneficial to their health and to their readiness to engage in academic learning.
We truly value your partnership with us. Please contact teachers via email if you have questions about your student’s academic progress. The Hamilton website has an updated list of our email addresses. We are here for your children and for you. Please let us know how we can help and what questions you have.
Thank you for your partnership with us,
Fernanda Dillon
Principal
Click here to read the letter and see the new bell schedule.
Reminder
Students cannot be checked out between 3:30 PM and 4:05 PM unless they have a doctor’s note at the time of pick-up. The office staff will be closing out the school day and preparing for the end-of-day and after-school activities. For the safety of our students, parents must come to the door to authorize student checkouts. DPS requires schools to release students to authorized adults and IDs must be presented at the time of pick up.
February Virtual Town Hall Meeting– Read more
8th Grade Continuation Requirements– Read more
Way to Go Schoolpool Registration– Read more
Safe2Tell– Read more
DPS Declining Enrollment Advisory Committee– Read more
Want to Volunteer? Read more
Hamilton Assessments
NAEP Testing for 8th Graders
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.
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! Read more
GT Information
Did you know that DPS runs a Curiosity series where experts in archeology, architecture, computer science, biochemistry, cooking, criminal justice, engineering, fashion design, medicine, AND MORE share their expertise with students?! OH MY!
They just opened to middle school students so have kids read about each topic and sign up here! No way they can be bored with these opportunities!
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.
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!
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
Kids In Need of Dentistry for kids up to age 18: Free dental care
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.
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.
January PTSA General Meeting notes can be found here.
The Next PTSA General Meeting will be Wednesday, February 9th 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.
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!
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)
If accessing Schoology via SmartPhone:
DPS Schoology- Parent Mobile App Login Instructions (doc)
Tips for Parents Using the Schoology mobile app (1.5 min video)
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Connect your Loyalty Card to Southmoor Elementary!
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.
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.
| Registrar | Esther Blackmon | esther_blackmon@dpsk12.org/720-423-9505 |
| Attendance | TJ Ramey | thomas_ramey@dpsk12.org/ 720-423-9504 |
| Technology | Wes Akers | Wesley_Akers@dpsk12.net/720-423-9542 |
| School Liaison | Dimarlys Suarez | dimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.net/ 720-423-9456 |
| Transportation | transportation@dpsk12.org/ 720-423-4699 | |
| GT/504/SpEd | Rachel Langberg | rachel_langberg@dpsk12.org |