News and events
The best life's lessons...
As educators, we come with the mindset that we are here to teach students. We teach them to read and write, to problem-solve mathematical equations, as well as learn how to build positive relationships. But, it's the unexpected life's lessons that come our way that are the best learning lessons of all. These are the lessons that we, the educators, learn from our students. As an educator myself, I know the time spent on reflecting upon the instruction we bring to students, the conversations we have with each other, and the questions students ask. So I found myself recently reflecting on a lesson from one of my 2nd grade students years ago that I continue to find value in. I was working so hard to help this student move forward in their reading and we continued to get stuck on one little thing. I focused my time on how to address this one little thing that was a sticking point. I had to take a step back to reconsider how to approach this differently. Well, when I came back to the table to instruct this student, the student read the passage fluently without any trouble.
What I realized was that I was focusing on the obstacle rather than the strategies they already knew to problem-solve. When I took a step back to see the bigger picture, the student's strengths were able to shine through. Sometimes we hold on too tight to the obstacles and lose focus on the bigger picture. So with that... today's life lesson is to let go of the obstacles to focus on the strengths that surround us!
Virtual Art Gallery
Please be sure to check out Hamilton's 2022-2023 Virtual Art Gallery. Student's artwork will be posted here once complete. It will include artwork from the start of the year and continue to grow as the year progresses. Look for your child's classroom tab and scroll down. Can't find your child's classroom tab? The grades start with Kindergarten and progress up to 5th grade as your scroll to the right.
Bus Safety Poster Contest
Students created Bus Safety Posters that line our hallways.
The theme for the posters this year was "Safely rolling to my destination!" We received hundreds of entries!
A winner in each grade received $10.00!
Kindergarten - Elena
1st Grade - Layan
2nd Grade - No entry
3rd Grade - Audrina
4th Grade - Maggie
5th Grade - Kylie
Family Fun Night
Family Fun Night was Thursday February 9.
Families enjoyed a FREE activity night of family fun. From Board games and dodgeball to Bingo and building wooden crafts, there was a lot for our students to do!
Parents were able to attend a presentation on Mental Wellness from Nell Aburto, M.Ed. and Jodi Sandquist, LICSW. Topics that were discussed: love at home, family night, morning and night routines, screen time, and phone safety and child directed play, building peace into your home, and calm down spaces.
This event is Co Sponsored by Community Ed and Hamilton Elementary School.
If you are looking for a fun and easy way to be more involved with your students school and community, then I highly encourage coming to a meeting to see what PAC/PTO is all about! PTO will meet in the media center at 6:30pm on the following dates for the 2022/23 school year: 2/16/23, 3/9/23, 4/20/23 and 5/18/23. If you are unsure about meetings but still want to be involved, I encourage you to become a volunteer within the school.
I have opportunities available daily which include:
ACCESS testing monitors: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAA2DA1FBCF8-testing
Watch DOGS: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAA2DA1FBCF8-watch
Teacher Projects: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAA2DA1FBCF8-hamilton1
Lunchroom: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAA2DA1FBCF8-hamilton
Recess: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAA2DA1FBCF8-recess
BANGO: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAA2DA1FBCF8-ilovereading
To be a volunteer, please complete the two online forms: Volunteer Application and Criminal History Release Form. I am available via email (amanda.ulrich@ahschools.us) or phone (763-506-2730). I am in the building Tuesday-Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm and I would love to help you get involved!
Reading Corner
Reading 101
Learning to read is complex, here is an article that will discuss what learning to read looks like.
Math Corner
This month's Graham Fletcher video explains the progression of division.
The month of February we have fun activities!
Thank you for supporting Community Education. Classes starting in February are:
Outer Space Fun Do you like outer space? Join us for a fizzing Jupiter experiment, making a galaxy jar and some galaxy play dough.
Class meets on Friday February 17 3:30-4:30 pm
Attendance is important
When students miss too many days of school, they fall behind and struggle to keep up with their classmates. Whether the days missed are due to illness, travel, or for any other reason, the result for the student is the same----learning time is lost. Children and adolescents will get sick at times and may need to stay at home, but we want to work with you to help minimize the number of days your student misses school.
Missed days add up quickly!
- Just a few missed days a month adds up to several school weeks missed in a year.
- Both excused and unexcused absences can make it more difficult for your student to keep up with other students especially in math and reading.
Helpful ideas:
- Make appointments with your medical provider or dentist outside of the school day. If that is not possible, make them in the late afternoon so your student misses as little school as possible.
- Always provide medical documentation of all appointments to the school personnel.
- If your student has a chronic disease, make sure that the school nurse is aware of the disease and provide medical updates so that they can assist your student if he or she becomes ill.
Promoting health and wellness in school, early influenza season
Minnesota is starting to see an uptick in flu cases, according to new data from the state department of health. Now is the perfect opportunity to remind your students about healthy habits to prevent the spread of germs and illness. Use these conversation tips at home to stay healthy this school year:
Wash hands frequently: Scrub hands and fingers with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds.
Cover coughs and sneezes: Use an elbow or a tissue.
Avoid touching your face: Germs can enter your body through your eyes, nose and mouth.
Practice healthy eating habits: Food is your body’s fuel. Choosing well-balanced meals boosts energy and health. Avoid sharing food/drinks/utensils with others.
Get plenty of rest: Sleep is important and restores your mind and body.
When to stay home
Ensuring schools are safe and healthy for all students is the first priority for Anoka-Hennepin. If your child does get sick, keep them home from school so they don’t share their illness with others. Reference school district guidelines to help with this decision:
If a student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student must stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without fever reducing medication.
If a student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student must stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
If a student has had any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with your family physician before sending the student to school.
If a student is ill, please call the school daily to report the illness.
For more resources and information contact your school health services office or visit ahschools.us/healthservices.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 29: Stay Above the Line - promoting sportsmanship and positive fan behavior
Sportsmanship is everybody’s business, and Anoka-Hennepin Schools and the Northwest Suburban Conference (NWSC) are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all at athletics and activities events.
Earlier this year, around 100 students from all five district high schools and NWSC member schools participated in a sportsmanship seminar titled “Stay Above the Line,” an initiative to promote positive spectator behavior and expectations.
In the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast episode, host Liz Burgard is joined by two high school seniors to learn more about the “Stay Above the Line” initiative. Coon Rapids High School senior Eleanor Defoe and Blaine High School senior Kendall Stadden both represent their schools as Bleacher Captains.
Bleacher Captains will be visible at all NWSC-sponsored activities to help promote a positive environment and respectful behavior and cheers for all players, fans, opponents and game personnel.
In this episode, both Defoe and Stadden share insights into what it is like at a high school sporting event both from the spectator and student-athlete perspectives.
Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin hopes that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen the bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.
This e-newsletter is published by Hamilton Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.