Your Mental Health is Important!

Halie Snider, School Counselor

8 Explorers & 8 Navigators

📧 Email 📞 303-387-3314

Clark Wilhelm, Counseling Program Specialist

📧 Email 📞 303-387-3358

Amy Freeman, Social Worker (T/Th)

📧 Email 📞 303-387-3432

Jenna Mukai, Social Worker (M-F)

📧 Email 📞 303-387-3341

Jeff Budd, Psychologist

📧 Email 📞 303-387-3356

Terra Berens RN, Nurse

📧 Email 📞 303-387-3310

• 📅 We are available individually by appointment.
• Contact us directly.

As summer winds down and a new school year begins, families can help children feel confident, prepared, and excited by easing back into school routines together. A smooth transition helps reduce stress and sets the stage for a successful year both academically and socially. Here are 10 simple ways families can prepare for the return to school:

1. Begin adjusting bedtime and wake-up schedules one to two weeks before school starts.
2. Re-establish morning and evening routines to create consistency.
3. Visit the school, playground, or bus stop to help children feel familiar and comfortable.
4. Organize school supplies, backpacks, and clothing ahead of time.
5. Practice healthy habits such as eating nutritious meals and limiting screen time before bed.
6. Create a family calendar for school events, homework, and activities.
7. Encourage daily reading to help students transition back into learning mode.
8. Talk positively about school and encourage children to share their feelings or concerns.
9. Set up a quiet homework or study space at home.
10. Model organization, responsibility, and positivity as parents and caregivers.

Being at school on time every day is one of the most important habits families can help children develop. Arriving on time allows students to begin the day calmly, participate in morning instruction, and feel connected to their classroom community. Consistent attendance and punctuality teach valuable life skills such as responsibility, dependability, time management, and respect for others. These habits not only support academic success but also help build strong character traits that children will carry with them throughout life. When families work together to create routines and expectations, students are more likely to feel confident, capable, and ready to succeed.

We are in the process of setting up our Parent Forums for the year. These engaging 1 hour parent meeting are held 4 times a year and content is based on your needs. Is there something you would like support with? Are you struggling as a parent to understand your tween? Would you like time to meet parents that share your same needs? Please use this QR code to give us input on topics you would like us to consider for a Parent Forum.

This code will accept responses until September 1, 2026. Updates on selected topics and meeting dates will be published in this newsletter and on our website as soon as they are organized.

Children and Youth Mental Health Treatment Act (CYMHTA)

• Do you have a child who has been denied a behavioral health benefit by insurance?

• Have you been denied by your insurance for residential placement, in home services, day treatment or a higher level of care for your child?

• The Colorado Office of Behavioral Health has designated AllHealth Network as an organization that can help navigate these requests.

• CYMHTA funding can be available when there is no other appropriate funding source for treatment, such as private insurance. Click here to learn more about CYMHTA.

Clothes to Kids- Parents and caregivers now have the opportunity to request a wardrobe for any student age 3-21 in need.

Backpack Society

Backpack Society is excited to partner with our school to provide students, their families, and school staff with food for weekends and during school breaks.

Check out these other helpful resources based on your family needs.

Organizational Tools

Tutoring Resources

Therapy

• Therapist List

Stress/Trauma Management

With the state of the world and current events, some of us and the children we serve may be experiencing increased concern, worry and anxiety.

Other Helpful Resources

📂 To request a 504 plan or need guidance about a 504 please use the contact information below:

📧 Clark Wilhelm, Counseling Program Specialist

What is a 504?

DCSD 504 Handbook

Parent/Student Rights

Website: https://rhms.dcsdk12.org/
Location: 11033 Monarch Blvd. Highlands Ranch, CO 80124
Phone: (303)387-3300

Attendance Line: (303)-387-3302