Hamilton Elementary
September Lions Lines
Thank you all so much for a fabulous first week! It has been wonderful having our Lions back at school. As I walked through classrooms this week, I noticed that students were already making new friends, getting to know each other and beginning to dig into the curriculum. I know that it is going to be an amazing year!
A BIG thank you for your patience during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. With the construction on Grant Road, everything is taking longer than it has in the past. Until this big project is finished, I would continue to ask that you have patience, especially with the buses and each other in the car rider line. As bus drivers become familiar with the students and their routes and our Lions learn dismissal procedures, we anticipate that dismissal will continue to improve next week.
Beginning next week, we will only email and post on Facebook when a bus is leaving HES after 4:30.
Please be sure to read information below regarding our new homework policy and information on Curriculum Night.
Kind regards,
Mrs. Conn
Upcoming Events
19 Go Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness
Storytelling Enrichment for 2nd & 4th grades
21 Code of Conduct lesson w/ Grade Level AP during Lg. Group
22 2nd Grade Garden Day
School Spirit Day
26 Storytelling Enrichment for 2nd & 4th grades
28 Vision/Hearing Screening during Lg. Group
29 School Spirit Day
October
3 Storytelling Enrichment for 2nd & 4th grades
4 Progress Reports go home
6 5th Grade Garden Day
School Spirit Day
9:30 AM PTO Mtg.
9 Parent/Teacher Conference Day - Student Holiday
10 Storytelling Enrichment for 2nd & 4th grades
New Homework Policy
We are excited to introduce a new homework policy for our students this year. We have researched the benefits of homework for our young learners and determined that homework does not improve student achievement in elementary school. We believe that your child can reach their full potential with the instruction provided in the 7 hours and 15 minutes they are with us daily.
Research shows that the benefits of students playing outside, having fun with friends and spending quality time with family help to increase the "soft skills" needed for successfully navigating real-life. The one area of "homework" that research does show to strengthen student learning is reading. This year, homework will no longer be formally assigned by the teacher. Although formal homework will not be assigned, we do strongly encourage our Lions to spend time reading self-selected text at home, either on their own, to a younger sibling, or reading with a parent. Students will also be encouraged to practice math facts, study for upcoming tests, access math websites and games to review skills, practice spelling words, sight words and write creatively.
Your child’s teacher will communicate upcoming curricular topics, test dates and what is happening in the classroom through their weekly communication and post additional resources on their school webpages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since there won't be homework, how will I know what my child is learning at school? Teachers will continue to provide weekly updates and information either by email and/or by updating their teacher webpage with topics and skills that they are teaching for the upcoming week.
I have heard that there is a lot of homework in 6th grade. If there isn't any homework in elementary, how will my fifth grader be ready for 6th grade? Middle school teachers are very good at preparing their students for secondary school. They have assured us that what they need us to focus on is preparing students academically for each content area. In addition, time management skills can still be worked on at home. Helping students schedule out their day with school time, extra curricular/after school activities and by reading, practicing math facts, spelling words, etc. and family time.
My child struggles with math. How can I help them at home? Teachers will be posting resources for students to access for practice at home. If you are looking for additional ways to practice specific skills, your child's teacher will be happy to help connect you with resources that you can use.
I'd like to see the research that shows that homework is not effective. Here are several pieces of research to support the move away from homework:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/12/health/homework-elementary-school-study/
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/down-homework/
Transportation
- All transportation changes must be submitted in writing to the front office by 3:00 p.m. Please send the note to school with your child or you may drop the note off at the front office prior to 3:00 p.m. Transportation changes may not be made by email or phone.
- The note must be received in the front office and include:
- Date
- Child's first & last name
- Teacher's name
- How the child will be going home: bus, car rider or day care
- Parent signature
- In the event of an emergency (hospitalization, car accident, etc.), please call the front office and an administrator will assist you with your request.
Zonar ZPass Bus ID
All HES students have a bus ID attached to their backpack. These cards contain an RFID number (located on the front of the card) and are used to scan on and off of the CFISD bus.
Signup to receive notifications for when your child scans on and off of the bus, by clicking on the ZPass link below or parent portal link. ZPass is free of charge to all CFISD parents.
Elementary School ID Badges
Each student will receive two (2) photo ID badges at the beginning of the school year at no cost. The badges and the unique student number will be used to account for students utilizing transportation services, checking out library books and textbooks, purchasing food items from the cafeteria, providing a means for easy identification of students in common areas of the school and for other uses as determined by campus administration.
One of the badges will be attached to the student’s backpack to be utilized for transportation services.
The second ID will remain at the campus. Students must have the ID badge in their possession each day and follow campus procedures related to wearing the ID badge. If a student loses the ID, a replacement must be promptly purchased from the designated school office/location. Students unable to pay immediately will have the replacement cost(s) placed on the fees and fines list for later payment. Replacement costs are as follows:
· Plastic ID - $3.00
· Lanyard - $1.00
· Plastic Sleeve - $1.00
New to Hamilton students will have their picture taken by Lifetouch Photography on September 25th in order to start the new student card processing.
Birthday Books
Birthday Books have been extended to September 19th. No matter when the birthday, NOW is the time to order a Birthday Book. Only School Cash will be accepted as payment, and the receipt must be stapled to the order form.
Hamilton PTO
The Hamilton Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) extends a warm-welcome to those of you who are new to our school and a “welcome back” to all of those returning for the 2017-18 school year!
Throughout the school year, our PTO funds and sponsors many educational activities including Junior Achievement, Field Day, author visits, field trips, classroom parties, cultural arts programs, and more. These activities require financial support as well as many hands and minds to support them. Working together we can continue to provide these activities and truly make a difference in the lives of our children.
Top 5 Reasons to visit our PTO website
https://hamiltonelementarypto.membershiptoolkit.com/home
1. Join Hamilton PTO - $15/family
2. Order Spirit Wear (Hamilton T-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.)
3. Sign up and view all volunteer opportunities at Hamilton
4. Receive important email communications from the PTO
5. Be included in the online Student/Family directory (must have paid your annual dues to access)
We are looking forward to a great school year! Go Lions!
The Hamilton Elementary PTO
School Cash Online Payment System
Pay your child’s school fees online! Anytime, anywhere. Receive email notifications regarding school fees and events. School Cash Online is our school’s only method of payment.
When HES sets up items to purchase, parents will receive an email notification and the item will also show up in your child's School Cash Online account!
The following items have been set up to accept payment:
- Birthday Books
- 3rd Grade Readers Notebook (only necessary if you did not pre-purchase EPI school pack from HES)
- 4th Grade Recorders for Music (only necessary if you did not pre-purchase EPI school pack from HES)
- 5th Grade Recorders for Music (only necessary if you do not have recorder purchased last year in 4th grade)
- 5th Grade Choir Shirts
- K-5 School Supplies purchased during Meet the Teacher
Don’t delay, sign up for your School Cash Online account today! Register your account at https://cypress-fairbanksisd.schoolcashonline.com/
Hamilton Elementary Information & Quick Reference
Hamilton Staff - Who to Contact
Assistant Principal: Kerry Iselt (kerry.iselt@cfisd.net) / 281-320-7097
Assistant Principal: Lorie Gregurek (lorie.gregurek@cfisd.net) / 281-320-7098
Counselor: Michelle Erickson (michelle.erickson@cfisd.net) / 281-320-7055
Diagnostician: Ann Le (ann.le@cfisd.net) / 281-320-3206
Registrar: Amy Hoffman (amy.hoffman@cfisd.net) / 281-320-7051
Front desk: 281.370.0990
Stay Connected
Follow @Hamilton_Lions on Twitter
Follow Hamilton_Lions on Instagram
Don't forget to keep up to date with PTO events, news, and reminders by "liking" their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonElementaryPTO
Hamilton Elementary
Email: hamiltonelem@cfisd.net
Website: http://hamiltones.cfisd.net/en/
Location: 12050 Old Kluge Road, Cypress, TX, United States
Phone: 281.370.0990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonLions
Twitter: @Hamilton_Lions