Heads Up Hamilton: Friday, September 16th

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The Week Ahead

Monday, September 19

Tuesday, September 20

  • Brain Bowl Practice 8:00-9:00 am
  • Right at School Enrichment 4:15-6:00 pm
  • Boys Soccer & XC Practice @ 4:15 pm
  • NO Soccer Practice

Wednesday, September 21

  • Right at School Enrichment 4:15-6:00 pm
  • Breathe for a Change Wellness Workshop 4:30 pm -5:30 pm (register here)
  • Boys Soccer Away Game @ 4 pm
  • Softball Home Game @ 4 pm
  • NO XC Practice

Thursday, September 22

  • Brain Bowl Practice 8:00-9:00 am
  • Right at School Enrichment 4:15-6:00 pm
  • Softball & Boys Soccer Practice @ 4:15 pm
  • XC Race @ 4 pm

Friday, September 23

  • Student Council Meeting 8:15-8:45 am in Rm 219
  • LifeTouch Fall Photos (Individuals)
  • Right at School Enrichment 4:15-6:00 pm
  • Softball Away Game @ 4 pm
  • XC & Boys Soccer NO Practice

Upcoming Events
  • 9/27 Boys Soccer Away Game @ 4 pm
  • 9/28 ELA- PAC Meeting 5:00-6:00 pm
  • 9/29 HMS Fall Fest 10 am -1 pm
    • Dine Out at CRAVE Hot Dogs & BBQ
  • 9/30 Non-Student Contact Day

Check out our Family Calendar and Year at a Glance Program Events Flier. We will continue to update and add dates throughout the school year. Our most up-to-date calendar is on our website and can be found here. Feel free to reference this calendar anytime.

Picture Day is Sept. 23rd

Picture Day has been rescheduled for Friday, Sept. 23rd. LifeTouch picture packets have been sent home with your child. If you are interested in buying pictures you may:

Complete the Lifetouch packet at home and have your child bring it in on picture day (Sept. 8th) with payment. Please note that we will not be taking packets and payments before Sept.8th. 

Order before Picture Day on mylifetouch.com with your Student’s School ID or Picture Day ID: EVTBGTJKM. If you have any questions, please contact Ricardo Guerra, 720-423-9504  in the main office.

Hamilton’s Fall Festival

Make sure to save the date on your calendar because it is going to be big!

What: HMS Fall Fest

When: Sat., Oct. 29th

Time: 10 am -1 pm

Where: Hamilton’s fields


Hamilton Administration News

There are so many wonderful things happening at Hamilton and we would like to invite you to be a part of it. If you have any interest in volunteering this school year, please make sure you complete the FREE DPS volunteer background before signing up to volunteer.

Our community is in need of transportation to and from school. As you may already know, we are facing a bus shortage and have many families in need of carpooling. Let’s come together and make this community a #HuskyStrong community.

We have partnered with Schoolpool, a program to help parents get their students to/from school. It’s free and easy to use. It is a way to connect families who are willing to assist with rideshare in a safe way with those who need rideshare.

How does Schoolpool work?
  1. Using a computer (not a smartphone or tablet), create an account and register your household address or intersection with a link only obtained by emailing our school liaison Dimarlys Suarez, once you have been verified as a parent of a Hamilton child. To maintain the highest level of privacy and security, this link is the only way for Hamilton Middle school participants to register.
  2. Add comments to indicate special requests or preferences, such as “can provide morning rides in exchange for afternoon rides,” “student is in after-school activities,” or “looking for a walk buddy in the mornings.”
  3. Find and contact interested Hamilton families in your neighborhood or along your drive to/from school.

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 REWARDS PROGRAM

Connect your Loyalty Card to Hamilton Middle School!

  • 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
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. If you have any questions, contact the school liaison at 720-423-9456.


Reminders

School Hours

  • School hours are 9:05 am- 4:05 pm
  • School starts at 9:05 and doors open at 9:00
  • Breakfast is served between 8:20 and 8:45
  • No Early Pick-up After 3:45 pm (to ensure there is no interruption to their instructional time)
  • Adult supervision for our students will be available from 8:55 AM-4:05 PM ONLY unless your child is signed up for after-school activities.

Application for Student Meal Benefits 

All Hamilton families should complete this application as it helps the school receive funds. The submission and approval of a Household Application for Student Meal Benefits provide advantages beyond eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals.  It also helps ensure students receive the maximum amount of benefits they are eligible for, including discounts on bus passes and some school fees, such as athletics, and reduced AP testing fees. It ensures schools receive additional resources to support healthy meals for students and after-school programs. Your assistance in completing and submitting the Household Application for Student Meal Benefits is greatly appreciated and has the potential to help all DPS schools.  Apply now at myschoolapps.com. If you have questions, please email foodservices@dpsk12.org.

Parent Teacher Home Visits at Hamilton

In case you missed the info session about the Parent Teacher Home Visit Program, check out the slide deck and interest form here.

Virtual Multilingual Education Districtwide Advisory Committee (MLE-DAC)
Join DPS for a virtual Multilingual Education Districtwide Advisory Committee (MLE DAC) meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 5-6:30 p.m. 
At this session, families will receive important information and resources about: 
  • Multilingual Education Programs & DPS Newcomer Centers. 
  • Parent’s Rights & Responsibilities
  • ESSA-Title I Funds
  • Career and College Month Celebration

Register for this event here!

TJ Tours and Shadowing

Tours and Shadowing are officially happening at TJ! All of the info and How-Tos are listed here: https://tjhs.dpsk12.org/parents-students-2/visit-tj/


We Want to Hear From You

Tell us what you thought! If you have attended our recent events, please take a moment to give us some feedback.

If you didn’t get a chance to complete the Family Engagement Needs and Interests Survey at our Back to School event, you still have time. Click here to complete.


Check out this section for helpful information. If you have any questions, contact our school liaison, Dimarlys Suarez 720-423-9456.
Sign Up for Digital Deets

Hamilton will be using Digital Deets to streamline school-to-home communication this year. Their “one app for all” solution enables all of the members of a school community to easily receive information. Here’s how you can sign up:

  1. Head to www.digitaldeets.com or download their mobile app available for iOS and Android.
  2. Sign up and connect to your child. (No Digital Deets Code for your child? No problem! Use the Look it Up Link.)
  3. You will begin to receive targeted, relevant information related to your children.
Family Connection Presentation

Please review our Family Connection Presentation to get information on our IB programs, arrival and dismissal, extracurricular activities, and more!

New Parent Corner

Visit our Parent Corner for information on school policies, lunch menus, Way to Go School Pool, Parent Portal, family resources, and more!

New Student Corner

Visit our Student Corner for more information on our bell schedule, school supplies, school trips, HMS school calendar, and more!

Lunch Information

Due to the expiration of Federal Waivers that Nutrition Services has been operating under since the beginning of the pandemic, school lunches will no longer be free for all students in the 2022-23 school year. All students will need to be recorded by student ID numbers when they take their breakfast and lunch. Breakfast will remain at no charge for all students.

Lunch prices for 2022-23 will be as follows:
Elementary lunches: $2.60
Middle School lunches: $2.75
High School lunches: $3

Whole Child Team
Community Liaison: Dimarlys Suarez
dimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.net
720-423-9456
Social Worker: Audrey Torrez-Fluent
audrey_torrez-fluent@dpsk12.net
720-423-9511
School Counselor: Rebecca Taylor
REBECCA_TAYLOR@dpsk12.net 
720-423-9448
Dean of Culture (7th | 6th last names M-Z): Ike Ogbuike
ike_ogbuike@dpsk12.net 
720-423- 9461
Dean of Culture (8th | 6th last names A-L): Michelle Powell
Michelle_powell@dpsk12.net 
720-423- 9521
Student Support Liaisons: 
Gloria Sanchez
gloria_sanchez22@dpsk12.net 
Katrina Craig
katrina_craig@dpsk12.net 
720-423- 9533
Psychologist: Emily Johnson
emily_johnson3@dpsk12.net
720-423-9513
Psychologist Intern: Alexis Wagemanalexis_wageman@dpsk12.net
720-423-9507 

School News

HMS Clubs

Drama Club

The Drama Club will be meeting every Monday in the drama room from 4:15 -5:15 pm.

Student Council

Student Council meetings are every Friday from 8:15-8:45 am in Rm 219

Brain Bowl

Brain Bowl Team will start on Tuesday, Sept. 13th, from 8:00 am-9:00 am.

Do you like trivia?  Join the Hamilton Brain Bowl team to flex your trivia muscles and have some fun!  We will practice in the community room 143 Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00-9:00 am starting September 13th. Brain Bowl is open to all Hamilton students; regular attendance is required to be a member of a competition team.  The Brain Bowl tournament will be Saturday, January 21, at Heritage High School in Littleton.  Read more about Brain Bowl at https://optimistbrainbowl.org/ or contact our school liaison Dimarlys Suarez dimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.net  with any questions.


Join Student Council

Hamilton Student Council members are searching for 15 new members. Most of our new members will need to be 6th graders, but we do have a few spots for 7th and 8th-grade students as well. Current Student Council members will visit 6th-grade Advisory classes on Monday, Sep 19th, to explain the application and selection process. The last day to apply is Sept 30th. Student Council Application

More Information on Requirements

Teachers can recommend a student or students can complete the application on their own. The link for the application can be found on posters in the hall and will also be available for teachers to post on Schoology for students. 

Requirements: Recommended students must be passing ALL classes with either an A, B, or C. They must have 85% attendance or higher. Students must also commit to meeting every Friday morning from 8:15-9. 

If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Sheikhan or Mrs. Freeman.


Great Things Happen at Hamilton

What a great masterclass with professional bass player Mark Stefaniw.  Mark is a highly sought after bassist who plays with the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra and Denver Philharmonic Orchestra.  He also works frequently at the Denver School of the Arts.  Mr. Mark will come back every Thursday for the next 8 weeks to work with our kids!!  We’re so lucky to have him. 

Class Trips for 7th & 8th Graders

Class Trips for 7th & 8th Graders

7th Grade Yellowstone Trip

Our 7th graders have the opportunity to go to Yellowstone this year and will be fundraising soon. Please make sure to register for the trip by Sept. 30th to reserve your spot. For registration and information visit our website here.

8th Grade Washington DC Trip

Each year, WorldStrides provides more than $2 million dollars in financial assistance to families who qualify for need-based aid. Applications are distributed by our Customer Support teams – contact the number below to apply! FLAG Financial assistance will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. For registration and information visit our website here. FLAG Financial Assistance for K-12 Students – Learn more and apply by contacting Customer Service at 1-800-468-5899.

Right at School Program

Right at School 

Every day from 4:05pm-6:00pm

email jennie.vie@rightatschool.com

Fill out the registration here. (Access Code: DPSHamilton22)

ONLY 40 spots available. Kids receive daily homework support, hands on learning experiences, engage in activities like chess, art, reading, and team projects, and participate in fitness games and sports. Daily activities are designed to build positive character traits, self awareness, and lifelong social skills. Are you interested?

Justo en la escuela

Todos los días de 16:05 a 18:00

envíe un correo electrónico a jennie.vie@rightatschool.com

Llena el registro aquí. (Código de acceso: DPSHamilton22)

SOLO 40 lugares disponibles. Los niños reciben apoyo diario con la tarea, experiencias prácticas de aprendizaje, participan en actividades como ajedrez, arte, lectura y proyectos en equipo, y participan en juegos y deportes de acondicionamiento físico. Las actividades diarias están diseñadas para desarrollar rasgos de carácter positivos, conciencia de sí mismo y habilidades sociales para toda la vida. ¿Estás interesado?

Other Programs Coming to HMS

AAYLS Program Coming to Hamilton

Colorado Uplift Program Coming to Hamilton

Learn More

UpLift‘s unique, relationship-based approach employs full-time staff who represent the community they serve. Part teacher, part mentor, part life coach, our dedicated team members make themselves available 24/7 to build relationships with students. The strength of these relationships is developed through five key program areas. https://coloradouplift.org/


HMS Sports

The Fall Sports calendar is now available. Please visit our Athletics page for more information on Hamilton Sports.


Nurse’s Corner

A bill to extend the I Matter program, House Bill 22-1243, passed the Colorado Senate on April 29. With the Governor’s signature, free mental health services will be available to all Colorado youth for another two years. Read these stories of impact on the Rocky Mountain PBS blog and at KSBY.com.

I Matter provides free therapy sessions in English and Spanish for youth in Colorado age 18 and younger, or age 21 or younger if receiving special education services, and has reached 2,350 youth with at least one session.

Visit the Nurse’s Corner here.


PTSA News 

Purchase Hamilton Spirit Wear – Online School Store Open NOW – limited time only

Hamilton PTSA announces the opening of our spirit wear and online store. Here are the details:

  • Items range in price from $4 to $39.
  • Choose from many different types of clothing items.
  • The store includes clothing for the entire family and fits all shapes and sizes.
  • Consider purchasing an item as a gift.
  • Items will be delivered to the school and distributed there.

School Store Closes soon. ***Window to order is shorter than in years past, so don’t delay. ***CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE HAMILTON SPIRIT WEAR STORE!! You can also find the Hamilton Spirit Wear store in the Bookmarked Resources in Digital Deets. Head to the Spirit Gear folder. #HMShuskystrong


Dine Out on 9/29 at CRAVE Hot Dogs & BBQ

Our first Dine-Out night is Thursday, September 29th! Eat at CRAVE Hot Dogs & BBQ from 4 pm-9 pm and Hamilton gets 15% back on to-go, dine in, and app orders. Mark your calendar!

If we are the first school to reach $2000 in sales at CRAVE – we win a dinner for our entire staff! They are located in The District Apartments at 6300 E. Hampden Ave.

If you are unable to attend our Dine-Out event, you are welcome to donate any amount to our PTSA fund. Click here for more information. All Dine-Out events are organized by your Hamilton PTSA. Thank you for your support!

Did you miss the PTSA meeting last Wednesday? No problem, here are the minutes from the meeting. 

Are you looking to help out within the Hamilton community but you are not sure how? Are you needing something easy to do that doesn’t take a big time commitment? Then email us at hamiltonptsadenver@gmail.com. We have plenty of opportunities available for you to volunteer. 



Community Information

Thomas Jefferson Paint Recycling Day

The Junior Class at Thomas Jefferson High School (Class of 2024), our boundary high school, is sponsoring a free paint recycling day at the high school on Saturday, September 24th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The school is located at 3950 South Holly Street, Denver. This is not only a great fundraiser for the Class of 2024, but the greater cause of proper paint disposal is so very important for our environment!

The Juniors, along with parent volunteers, have teamed up with GreenSheen, a company that recycles the paint and creates new paint stock. Students will be greeting those wishing to recycle paint. All donations are appreciated and go directly to the Class of 2024 for their Senior Prom. Bring your paint and help our neighborhood high school.

Energy Day At East High School

“Spark Your Child’s Interest in STEM at Energy Day Colorado” Curious how your child can become a part of a greater tomorrow? Where your child could be a lead scientist, technologist, engineer or mathematician? Energy Day Colorado features interactive demonstrations to encourage your child’s interest in opportunities across the energy industry and STEM!

Click Here For More Information About This Activity

Free Admission To 18 Colorado Museums on Saturday, Sept. 17th
 Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
UC Medical Summit: Black Men in White Coats
Healthy Food Boxes Program

Questions?

Registrar Esther Blackmonesther_blackmon@dpsk12.net | 720-423-9505
AttendanceRicardo Guerrajose_guerra@dpsk12.net | 720-423-9504
Technology Jean Barcelo-Cabezajean_barcelo-cabeza@dpsk12.net | 720-423-9542
School LiaisonDimarlys Suarezdimarlys_suarez@dpsk12.net | 720-423-9456
Transportationtransportation@dpsk12.net | 720-423-4600
GT/504/SpEdRachel Langbergrachel_langberg@dpsk12.net | 720-423-9508