Counseling
Welcome to the SHMS Counseling Department
Counseling supports the development of the whole child by advocating for the academic, social/emotional, career and postsecondary needs and strives to develop life-long learners and productive citizens.
The counseling program in Adams 12 Five Star Schools works collaboratively with parents, community members and educators to empower every child, regardless of individual differences or obstacles, to ensure all students are prepared for meaningful, productive learning through a data-driven comprehensive K-12 school counseling program. It is our privilege and our passion to support and assist students and their families in ways that promote student achievement, success, and growth and that build and bridge relationships that connect us as a community.
We are so excited to be working with our students and are looking forward to an amazing year at Silver Hills!
Meet Our Counselors
Office Hours
Office Hours for all counselors is Monday - Friday 8:05-4:05pm
Please reference our contact information below. Outside of these hours we will still make every effort to return parent/guardian/student communication within one business day. You may contact us via phone or email. However, if you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis/emergency or in you are concerned for your own or someone else's safety, please use the following resources below:
If you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs medical attention, call 911.
Mental Health Crisis Services:
Colorado Crisis Support Line - 844.493.TALK (8255)
Colorado Crisis Text - text TALK to 38255
Safe2Tell: https://safe2tell.org/
text S2T to 274637, or call 1-877-542-7233
Community Reach Center - Emergency Services: https://www.communityreachcenter.org/services/child-youth-and-family-services/colorado-crisis-services/
COUNSELOR CONTACT INFORMATION
Anita McKiernan 6th Counselor |
720-972-3005 anita.mckiernan@adams12.org |
| 6th Grade Student Counselor Request: Ms. McKiernan | |
|
Molly Geiger |
720-972-3014 Molly.K.Geiger@adams12.org |
|
Sara Bloom |
720-972-5010 Sara.B.Bloom@adams12.org |
|
Counselor |
720-972-5009 Katie.S.Wolver@adams12.org |
School Based Therapist
We are also very lucky to have two part-time School Based Therapists through Community Reach at our school. Our therapist helps students in need with one-on-one counseling during the school day. If you have concerns that your child needs to meet with a School Based Therapist, please contact your counselor to fill out the appropriate paperwork. You can also learn more about Community Reach through their website http://www.communityreachcenter.org/.
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Lacy:
Lacy.M.Szabo-Pruyne@adams12.
org 303-853-3454 (C)
720-972-3039 (O)
Announcements:
Student Safety
In the same manner that we do when we are at school, if a member of our mental health team is ever concerned about your student’s safety, we will reach out to a parent/guardian right away. Please be sure to respond to correspondence in a manner as timely as possible to help us support your student’s safety. If a parent does not answer, the mental health personnel will follow district protocol to contact an outside agency (such as law enforcement) to help us initiate a well-being check. If you become concerned about your student’s safety and/or well-being, please use the resources below to access immediate mental health support for your student. If safety is an immediate concern, contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255; www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center: www.sprc.org
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: www.afsp.org
- Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth): 1-866-488-7386; www.trevorproject.org
- Crisis Text Line: 741-741; www.crisistextline.org
- If your student is concerned about a peer please encourage them to use the Safe2Tell Button and communicate to their counselor.
Colorado passed a bill that provides temporary behavioral health services program to provide access to mental health and substance use disorder services for youth, including addressing needs that may have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is open to youth 18 years of age or younger or 21 years of age or younger if receiving special education services.
The program, called I Matter, is funded by the Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health. The program provides up to 6 free virtual behavioral health sessions for youth in Colorado and reimburses participating providers, which are licensed clinicians from agencies and independent contractors. The I Matter program also has a statewide public awareness and outreach campaign that includes digital ads on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat, and on-the-ground outreach to schools and youth organizations. Both the awareness campaign and the IMatterColorado.org website were informed by youth feedback.
Academic & Community Resources
Please take a look at the following family resources and district academic support:
- FLEX Lab tutoring: is a space where 6th−12th graders can receive academic support, tutoring, & assistance with credit recovery classes from Adams 12 teachers & support staff!
- Community & Family Resources
Resources for Undocumented Families:
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Learn about Relevant Institutional Policies & Legislation
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Find & Advocate for Scholarships and Financial Support
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Access Reputable Legal Information & Assistance