The Hamilton School District community experienced heartbreaking losses of several students during the 2024-25 school year. These tragedies affected many families in many different ways. As the new school year begins, the district is offering support and resources by inviting families to attend free evening presentations by local professionals who specialize in helping children of all ages navigate grief.
“Navigating grief looks different for children of different ages,” explains Hamilton High School Counselor and Hamilton Connects Coordinator Kristin Hasbrook. “We felt it was so important to offer these resources to all our families as we welcome students back to begin a new school year. These presentations will help families understand how to navigate grief in healthy and compassionate ways tailored specifically to the age of their children.“
The first program features a licensed psychologist and licensed counselor from Balanced Collective in Wauwatosa. “Helping Adolescents Navigate the Grieving Process” will be held September 23 in the Hamilton High School Library from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The presentation is for families of students in grades 7-12 and will explore how children grieve at different ages, what typical grief responses look like and warning signs that additional support may be needed.
The second program titled “Understanding Grief at a Young Age” is for families of younger students in grades 4K-6. Hamilton School District has partnered with the professionals from Children’s Wisconsin for this presentation that will be held September 30 at Silver Spring Intermediate School from 7:00- 8:30 p.m. and will focus on how children experience and express grief at different developmental stages. Parents will learn what is typical, what signals a need for additional support and how to help their children, and themselves, process tragic events.
The Hamilton Connects program was created more than a decade ago to connect, educate and support families within the Hamilton School District. Every year, families are invited to attend Hamilton Connects evening presentations at different school buildings throughout the school year. Most are free and only require advanced registration. Those who attend gain access to a wide range of resources and support that can help navigate the intricate journey of parenthood with confidence and knowledge.
Hamilton Connects presentations for the start of the 2025-26 school year:
September 23: Helping Adolescents Navigate the Grieving Process
September 30: Understanding Grief at a Young Age
October 14: What College Really Costs
November 18: Resilient Parenting – Secret Weapons to Help Navigate the Teen Years
Visit the Hamilton Connects page on our Hamilton School District website for a list of presentations and to register.