Your Mental Health is Important!

Please connect with us to help support you with your needs!

Stephanie Rolf, School Counselor

6 Blazers & 6 Trekkers

📧 Email 📞 303-387-3371

Kyle Pedersen, School Counselor

6 Pathfinders & 7 Adventurers

7 Voyagers & 8 Mountaineers

📧 Email 📞 303-387-3316

Caroline Maiocco, School Counselor

7 Seekers & 7 Expeditioners

📧 Email 📞 303-387-3372

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

Parent Corner: The Reality Of Handling Tough Times

September Was Suicide Awareness Month

Suicide is still too often met with silence, stigma, or shame. With one conversation, asking someone how they’re really doing — and being ready to truly listen — can save lives. Because here’s what we know: No one has to face this alone. Help exists. Healing is possible. And all it can take is for one person to start a conversation.

The 988 hotline is there for anyone who is struggling, not only for people in a full crisis. The support is free, confidential, and available any time of day or night — and 988 is available in Spanish, for veterans, for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers via ASL Videophone and chat, and in more than 150 languages.
Colorado LIFTS is a statewide network that helps people get mental health, crisis, and substance use care — especially those who don’t have insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover the care they need.

The people in our lives can be a lifeline. Strong relationships and trusted connections help protect people when life gets hard.

Partners 'N Parenting

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.

Parent Forum: From Managing to Empowering

Join us for an empowering workshop with RHMS parent and Certified Family Coach Livi Maldonado!

Date: Tuesday, October 20th
Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Rocky Heights Middle School
Speaker: Livi Maldonado (Certified Family Coach, Founder of Family Dynamics)

What You’ll Learn: Get practical tools to help your family reinforce expectations and reduce everyday conflict around:

Tech boundaries
Organization
Building student independence

Learn how to shift from constant managing to coaching your middle schooler toward long-term success!

RSVP HERE | View Event Flier

Please reserve your spot ahead of time!

RCHS is offering a virtual parent night regarding eating disorders on October 19, 6-7 PM. HERE is a link to join this discussion.

Choose your own adventure with TAP Travel Abroad Program. When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow. Join fellow travelers on any of these upcoming adventures: Spring Break 2027 Portugal & Spain, or Summer 2027 Thailand. Travel informational meeting coming soon to get all the details

*Please Note: This trip is being led by an experienced educator who works in area schools and has been leading student travel groups for more than 20 years. This trip is not sponsored or approved by the Douglas County School District. Douglas County School District is not responsible in any way for injuries, losses, or damages associated with, caused by, or related to the trip.*

Community Resource Guide

Resource Guide Click Here

Volunteer Opportunities- Community Service

Volunteer hours (20 hours) counting towards high school graduation may be accumulated after your last day of 8th grade.

Volunteer opportunities will be posted here in the event we are notified of opportunities open to students from Rocky Heights Middle School.

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.

Our Children and Youth Mental Health Treatment Act (CYMHTA) clinician can help:

Make behavioral health recommendations that may lead to funded services paid by the state when insurance does not cover the care or a family is unable to afford co-pays
Provide resource connections for youth at risk of out-of-home placement
Offer services for youth at risk of further involvement with a county department of human services

Request an evaluation from Brett Snyder, LCSW, Manager of Care Coordination/CYMHTA Liaison at bsnyder@signalbhn.org . For questions regarding CYMHTA call (303) 996-6120 to connect with a CYMHTA clinician.

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

Call 720-379-4630
Appointment@clothestokidsdenver.org
Open M-F 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, leave message
Be prepared to provide the following:

First/Last Name & DOB
Sizes for clothing, shoes/socks
Color/style/clothing preference
Specific needs/requests

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.

STUDENT WEEKEND PROGRAM:

• Register here: https://www.backpacksociety.org/programs

• Your student will receive a bag with 6 meals, drinks, and snacks each week. The bag will be delivered to your student’s school to take home at the end of the

week.

FAMILY WEEKEND PROGRAM:

• Register here: https://www.backpacksociety.org/programs then find “family programs”

• Your family will receive a box of groceries to help you through the weekend.

• This program requires you to pick up at Backpack Society - 213 W County Line Road, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Thursday nights from 5-6 PM

• Your information is kept confidential and is NOT shared with the school.

QUESTIONS?

Please email info@backpacksociety.org or visit www.backpacksociety.org

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

Organizational Tools

Tutoring Resources