Posted February 11, 2022
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.
Join Schoolpool
Are you looking for a way to be eco-friendly? Save on gas? Or maybe just have some time to connect with others in our community? Sign up for Way to Go SchoolPool! Use it to plan carpools, walking groups, bike trains, or to find buddies to ride RTD together.
If you need help getting your children to and from school, Way to Go can help you get started with Schoolpool for FREE.
This secure matching system will connect you with families in your neighborhood to share the responsibilities of going to school and back by carpooling, walking, biking, or riding either RTD or the school bus together. Thousands of other families are already connected.
All schools have their own Schoolpool network. For login information for Hamilton, contact our school liaison, Dimarlys Suarez, by email dimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.net.
Carpool participants are advised to discuss and agree to precautions like wearing masks, opening windows, washing hands, getting as much distance as possible between the driver and unrelated parties, riding with the same people, reviewing risk-level comfort, and following county health guidance.
SchoolChoice Window Closes Tuesday, Feb. 15
DPS’ SchoolChoice open-enrollment process closes Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m., which means you still have time to list your school preferences for the 2022-23 school year. All applications are treated equally, as long as they are submitted by the deadline. Get started now by accessing the application here. Create an account or sign in using your Parent Portal login. Then, rank up to 12 school options and submit them by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15. As a reminder, by applying during the first round of SchoolChoice, you’re more likely to get your top selection!
Families can expect their SchoolChoice placement result in late March. Our system is designed to maximize the number of students getting their most-preferred school. Last year, 89% of transition-grade applicants were placed in their No. 1 option! Round 2 of SchoolChoice — for families who did not participate in the first round, or who did but want to revisit their school options — will open in early April. Find more information about Round 2.
Questions? Contact the SchoolChoice Hotline at 720-423-3493, email schoolchoice@dpsk12.org, or visit schoolchoice.dpsk12.org. You can also contact your school directly.
Global Leadership Conference
The DPS community is invited to the Global Leadership Conference hosted by the African American Young Ladies Summit (AAYLS) on Feb. 18-19. All African-American young ladies in sixth grade through college are welcome to participate. On Feb. 18, the conference will offer a virtual Black Money Matters and Black Minds Matter session from 6-8 p.m. and a virtual slumber party at 8:30 p.m.! Check out this one-pager for more information. Questions? Email higherlearningu@gmail.com.
February Virtual Town Hall Meeting– Read more
New Spring 2022 Bell Schedule –Read more
8th Grade Continuation Requirements– Read more
Safe2Tell– Read more
DPS Declining Enrollment Advisory Committee– Read more
Want to Volunteer? Read more
Hamilton Assessments
The CMAS, state summative assessment for language arts, math, science, and social studies will be administered this Spring. For more information on testing and schedule click here.
DU Men’s Basketball Attendance Incentive
We have over 300 tickets distributed to our students and their families today so they can attend the basketball game tomorrow. Way to go Hamilton!
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!
COVID Updates
Make sure to check the new COVID-19 updates under “Nurse’s Corner”
Floor Hockey Practices are on Mondays and Wednesdays 4:15-5:30 pm
Broncos Futures Football 2022
QR Code To Register for Futures
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
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!
Click the link to be sent to the Nurse’s Office page for health forms.
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.
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
UPDATE: DPS will no longer require schools to send general COVID-19 notification letters to families when there is a COVID-19 case reported in a school or workplace. Instead, we are encouraging families to check the COVID-19 Dashboard to see the latest updates regarding DPS cases. Please read this letter about COVID notifications to families.
This week, the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) announced that its order requiring masks in all schools and childcare facilities will expire at the end of the day on Friday, Feb. 25. Please remember that masks are still required in all indoor school settings through Feb. 25. And they will still be strongly recommended even after the city’s mandate has expired.
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.
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.
The Slices Fundraiser made $400. Thank you to everyone that came out and supported Hamilton.
PTSA Staff Appreciation event on Monday the 14th for all Hamilton staff.
Next meeting March 9th 5:30pm. You can find the meeting link in the school calendar here.
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 |