Whole Child Team

School Counseling Support

School Counseling Department Mission Statement

Our mission as professional school counselors at Hamilton is to provide a comprehensive, equitable, developmental, data-driven program that endeavors to support and advocate for each student in reaching their personal level of excellence in academic skills, post-secondary awareness, and personal/social well-being.

As advocates, we commit to leading the way with our communication and actions toward the Black Excellence Resolution.  We encourage students to gain new perspectives as they learn from the rich cultural diversity experienced at Hamilton.  We believe collaboration with school, family, and community is essential to best equip our students with the necessary tools to reach their potential and thrive in our global community.

Academic Supports
  • Attendance
  • Study Skills
  • School of Choice support
  • Individual Academic Planning
  • 5th to 6th transition
  • 8th to 9th transition
  • Effective Learning Skills
College and Career Supports
  • Individualized Career and Academic Plans (ICAP) lessons with all students
  • High School Visits
  • High School Options Night
  • College Visits
  • College and Career planning and goal setting

Spark Industry Introduction

Middle school students learn about careers in science, technology, engineering and math through fun, hands-on activities.

Spark Industry Introduction is an opportunity for students in middle-school grades, 6-8, to visit professional workplaces and engage in fun projects while learning about different career options. Spark aspires to motivate students to pursue high-demand, high-wage careers they may never have considered prior to participating.

A particular focus in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art + design and math) industries can give students a head-start on their career identity development. Spark workplace visits typically last between two and three hours and feature lively speakers and hands-on and critical-thinking activities to inspire students. Read more

Personal and Social Support
  • One-on-one counseling
  • Small groups (specialized topics)
  • New student welcome team
  • Referrals to community services

Individual Career and Action Plan (ICAP)

Each quarter the school counselors visit classrooms to talk with students about their Individual Career & Action Plan (ICAP). ICAP is a multi-year process that intentionally guides students and families in the exploration of career, academic, and postsecondary opportunities. Students develop the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and skills to create their own meaningful and powerful pathways to be career and or college-ready.

Lessons have been created specifically for each grade level and differ in their content. If you are interested in learning more about a presentation we encourage you to connect with us and we will be happy to answer any questions.

Mental Health Team

Rebecca Taylor
School Counselor
720-423-9448
REBECCA_TAYLOR@dpsk12.net

Audrey Torrez-Fluent
School Social Worker
720-423-9511
atorre1@dpsk12.net

Emily Johnson
School Psychologist
720-423-9513
emily_johnson3@dpsk12.net

Alexis Wageman
School Psychologist
720-423-9507 
alexis_wageman@dpsk12.net

Erica Brooks
Psychologist Intern
erica_brooks@dpsk12.net

Health Team

Regan Thornburg
School Registered Nurse
720-423-9509
regan_thornburg@dpsk12.net

Click here to access health forms.

We have a large number of students that indicated during registration that they use medications daily. If your child is currently taking medication, we need documentation in the nursing office! Contact Nurse Regan at regan_thornburg@dpsk12.net

Click here and visit the Health Team page for more information.

Social Work & Psychology Supports

Overview

School Social Workers and School Psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams who provide direct educational, behavioral, and mental health services for children and youth, as well as work with families, school administrators, educators, and other professionals to create supportive learning and social environments for all students.  School Social Workers and School Psychologists have expertise and training in mental health, learning, and behavior.

Priority Areas Include:

  • Provide culturally responsive special education services
  • Provide evidence-based, culturally responsive interventions
  • Ensure student and staff safety with best practices in suicide risk reviews, threat appraisals, suicide prevention programs, and crisis response.
Team

NameDegree(s)PositionEmailPhone
Audrey Torrez-FluentMSW, LCSWSocial Workeraudrey_torrez-fluent@dpsk12.net720-423-9511
Emily JohnsonEd.S.,
NCSP
School Psychologistemily_johnson3@dpsk12.net720-423-9513
Alexis WagemanPsychologist alexis_wageman@dpsk12.net720-423-9507
Vision & Mission

Vision: Success in school, Success in Life

Mission: School Social Workers and School Psychologists work with you to remove barriers to student growth and achievement.

Our Goals: 

  • Equity: Our schools are places where every student is affirmed for who they are while being nurtured to excel.
  • Instructional Excellence: Our schools are places where every student receives high-quality instruction every day. This means we need to deliver the highest-quality support to our teachers and leaders as they work day in and day out with our students.
  • Collaborative Teamwork: Our schools are the center of our communities, and we must work hand in hand with our educators, families, and community members. We must build strong teams to help design solutions for our most persistent problems.
Services

Universal Interventions

  • School-Wide Attendance Interventions
  • School-Wide Social Emotional/Mental Health Interventions (Signs of Suicide, Safe2Tell, Risky Business)
  • Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS)
  • Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
  • School-Wide Data Analysis
  • BESS -Behavior and Emotional Screening System
  • Classroom Management/On-Call Support 
  • Supervision of Scholars 
  • Staff Development and Training- Suicide Prevention, Self-Injury Prevention and Safe2Tell Reporting
  • School-Wide Family Engagement-HMS Open House, Back to School Night, Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • School-Wide Crisis Management- Coordinating with District Crisis Team
  • Olweus Bully Prevention Program
  • Community Referrals – Clothes to Kids, 211 United Way, Food Baskets, School Supplies, and Transportation Referrals
  • Afterschool Snack Program

Targeted Interventions

  • Progress Monitoring of Academic/Behavioral Interventions
  • Targeted Social Emotional Intervention-Individual work with scholars
  • Emergency Classroom Interventions
  • Attendance Interventions/Contracting-Attendance Plans, Parent/Scholar Meetings Tardy Interventions
  • Sources of Strength Programming
  • Small Group Counseling-Mindfulness, Zones of Regulation, 2nd Step Program, Brain Wise Program
  • Home Visits/Family Engagement Support
  • Coordinate with Outside Agencies-Judi’s House (Grief and Loss), Young Men of Purpose, Mental Health Agencies
  • Conflict Resolution and Restorative Practices

Intensive Interventions

  • Individual Social-Emotional Interventions
  • Suicide Risk Reviews 
  • Threat Appraisals
  • Self-Harming Assessments 
  • Student Safety Plans 
  • Child Abuse Reports/Consult 
  • Functional Behavior Assessments/Behavior Intervention Plan 
  • Social Skill Support for Center-Based programs-Affective Needs Classroom, Multi-Intensive Classroom 
  • Targeted and Individual Assessments for Special Education (BASC-III, EDDT, Vineland, GARS, BRIEF, WISC-V,SSIS-SEL)
  • Student Intervention Team (SIT) 
  • 504 Plans-Provide mental health support and assessments
  • Attendance Interventions-Court directed interventions
  • Culturally responsive de-escalation strategies
Supports

Safe2Tell 1-877-542-7273 Anonymously report anything that concerns or threatens you, your friends, your family, or your community 24/7. https://safe2tell.org/

Talk to Someone Now 1-800-273-8255  If you are thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/

Colorado Crisis Services 1-844-493-8255 Whatever you are going through, Colorado Crisis Services can help get you the support you need and is available 27/7. https://coloradocrisisservices.org/

2-1-1 Colorado can connect you to critical resources simply by dialing a three-digit number. Whether you are searching for shelter availability, childcare, or rent payment assistance– 2-1-1 can connect you to available resources in your community. 2-1-1 is a confidential and multilingual service connecting people to vital resources across the state.  https://www.211colorado.org/

Call 1-844-CO-4-Kids (1-844-264-5437) to report child abuse or neglect. https://www.co4kids.org/

For Suicide and Crisis Lifeline dial 988

Crisis Information

If you or somebody you know is having a Mental Health Crisis or there is a concern for student safety, please contact 911 or go to the Emergency Room

Colorado Crisis Number (1-844-492-8255)
Safe2Tell(1-877-542-7233)
Suicide Hotline(1-800-273-TALK)
Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 1-844-CO-4-KIDS
(1-844-264-5437)
Non-emergency number for DPD720-913-2000

Safe2Tell

If you or your student ever has any concern about the safety of the school or a student or member of the community, please contact Safe2Tell. Counselors wear many hats and are often away from email or phones and may not be able to respond to an immediate concern. Safe2Tell Colorado is a 24 hour service that gives students a safe, anonymous way to help someone who is struggling or hurting. Learn what to look for, what to listen for, and what to report at the Safe2Tell website.

Mental Health Support for Colorado Youth 

I Matter provides up to 3 free behavioral health sessions for youth in Colorado. Visit I Matter.com for more information.

Colorado Crisis Services – Texting Service

Coloradans can now use text to receive immediate and professional help to deal with any type of crisis situation. The new statewide crisis text service launched by Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, a provider of Colorado Crisis Services (CCS), is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The text service is the latest resource for individuals needing mental health, substance abuse or emotional help before, during, or after a crisis.

We care for the students of Hamilton so that they can learn to care for themselves.

Parent Resources

News

No-Cost Child Safe Kit for Hamilton Middle School

No-Cost Child Safe Kits for Hamilton Families. Use the digital request form to request your FREE kit. Digital request form

Social Emotional Learning at Home

The recording is now available for… Social Emotional Learning at Home Click HERE to access the recording and presentation materials in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.Have a great day!

Upcoming Community Workshops

RSVP: Strategies for Navigating the Colorado Education System In collaboration with Black Parent Network, FACE University is hosting a four-part virtual series, “Navigating the School District.” Our goal is to empower Black families with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigateContinue Reading