Counseling

Counseling Corner

The Counseling Department at McAuliffe Manual is led by our School Counselor, Savannah Thomas. The School Counselor is a part of a larger team of mental and physical health professionals that comprise the Wellness Team for McAuliffe Manual Middle School, including a full-time school social worker, a part-time school-psychologist, a school nurse, and 3 licensed counselors as outside providers who meet with students at school during the day.

We draw students from a wide range of neighborhoods; many of them within a 1-mile radius of our campus. Racially, our students identify as the following: 25% Black, 22% White, 44% LatinX, and 9% Multiple races.

The majority of our students (approximately 68%) receive free or reduced lunch; we classify as a Title 1 school. We serve a highly impacted community and many of our students have experienced complex trauma. A large number of our students come to us well below grade level, especially in Math and English, and have had mixed success in school. We work diligently to bring our students to or above grade level with the implementation of interventions, academic support, and remediation courses.

Counseling Department Vision Statement

The vision of the McAuliffe Manual Middle School Counseling Department is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young citizens. It is the goal of this program to empower students in who they are, what they love, and who they want to become. It is a program designed to create space for students to develop a voice, face injustices, explore social issues, invest in their community, and take ownership of their place in this world.

The Counseling Program at McAuliffe Manual Middle School will constantly shift and re-evaluate its practices to best serve the students it exists to serve. In collaboration with families, staff, and the McAuliffe Manual community, we hope to ensure success for all students by creating diverse, lifelong learners for a constantly changing world. The counseling program is guided by the American School Counselor Association National Model and is designed to intentionally meet each student’s social-emotional, career and college, and academic needs.

How We Serve Students

The School Counselor serves the entire student body and provides tiered services throughout the school year:

Tier 1 Services: All Students
Tier 2 Services: Students That Need a Little More Support
Tier 3 Services: Students That Need Extensive Support

1:1 Weekly Check-ins (not to exceed 15 minute sessions)

The School Counseling program at MM is driven by the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) National Model. This model divides the program into three main areas: academic, personal/social, and career. You can learn more about the ASCA Model here!

How Can I Access the School Counselor?

Parents, families, students, staff, and community members can contact Counselor Savannah Thomas via phone or email. To schedule a time to meet in person, please send an email.

Phone: 720-423-6546

Email: savannah_thomas@dpsk12.net

During the school day students can fill out the virtual “Need to Talk” form that is accessible by the Wellness Team and is monitored by the school counselor. A Wellness Team member will then follow up with the student who requested to talk within 2 days. If it is an emergency, students have access to the Wellness Team all day at school.

School Counselor Savannah Thomas

Resources & Important Links

Please see below for quick access lists of support and resources both at McAuliffe Manual, Manual High School, and in the Denver-Metro Area.

Denver Health School-Based Health Center

Denver Health School-Based Health Center on Manual Campus

Denver Health’s School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) offers services for any DPS student and is available throughout the school year. SBHC offers convenient care at no charge to the family or student patient. Parental/Guardian consent is required and must be resubmitted each school year. Students in 6th grade and above may visit the health center without their parent/guardian present. Clinic staff encourages patients to discuss their health care with their parents. However, Colorado state law allows some visits to the health center to be confidential as appropriate. Information is not shared without patient and/or parental permission. The only exception is a life-threatening situation. Consent forms may be accessed here.

Safe2Tell

Safe2Tell Colorado

Safe2Tell Colorado 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 here.

Colorado Crisis Services Text Service

Colorado Crisis Services Text Service

Coloradans can text HOME to 741741 to receive immediate and professional help to deal with any type of crisis situation. The statewide crisis text service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The text service is for individuals needing mental health, substance abuse or emotional help before, during or after a crisis. Read more about the service here.