Greetings Hamilton Families!

 

We have missed our HAWKS over the summer. It’s hard to believe that School Year 2023-2024 is quickly approaching! We wanted to check in with our families and provide some additional information and updates. Please take some time to read the letter in its entirety. The letter is lengthy, but we wanted to ensure that all families received the most up-to-date information. We also ask families to check our school website frequently for updates.  https://www.hamiltonelementarymiddle.org.

 

​Arrival and Dismissal

• 7:30  a.m.- All students must be outside and ready to enter the building at 7:30 a.m. The doors will open at 7:30 a.m. Students will be allowed to come in for breakfast starting at 7:15 a.m. Breakfast is optional, but all students must be prepared to enter the school at 7:30 a.m. to start class.   After the first week of school, students will be marked tardy after 7:40 a.m.

• 2:10 p.m.- Dismissal (Please arrive by 2:05 p.m. to pick up children on time if they are not walkers or bus riders). We do not have staff to hold students past dismissal time. It’s imperative that all students are picked up on time. If you need before or after-school care, please reach out to Fitness Fun & Games. Financial Assistance is available based on income. Information on Fitness Fun & Games can be found at the bottom of this letter. Elementary students will be in the front of the building near the door in which they entered.  Middle school students will be in the back of the building.  If students have permission to walk home (grades 3-8), they must leave the grounds immediately following dismissal.  Middle school students who pick up elementary siblings can walk to the front of the building to get them.  

• Early Dismissal - If you must pick up your child earlier than 2:10 p.m., you must do so before 1:40 p.m.  Students are often in transition between 1:40 p.m. and 2:10 p.m.  They are preparing to leave by completing exit tickets, gathering their belongings, or reporting back to their classrooms from resource or recess. Consequently, we are asking that parents/guardians refrain from requesting an early dismissal after 1:40 p.m.

 

 

Important Upcoming Events

 

Hamilton’s 3rd Annual Back-to-School Block Party!-Saturday, August 12, 2023

1 to 3:00 p.m., Rain date: August 13, 2023, 2 to 4:00 p.m.

Our Back-to-School Block Party is always a blast!  Please join us for free food, snow cones,  and free school supplies.  We will have a moon bounce and vendors available with resources such as free tutoring services, Boy Scout troops, MECU, etc. 

 

Pre-K and Kindergarten-Sneak-a-Peek at Your Seat!-Thursday, August 24, 2023 

4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Families will have an opportunity to learn about the pre-k and kindergarten program, meet staff and tour the classrooms. We will also have time for you to “Pop-in” for popcorn with Principal Pouncey in the front of the building from 4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Welcome Families New to Hamilton-Friday, August 25, 2023

1 to 2: 00 p.m.

Families new to Hamilton will be able to visit their classrooms. Teachers will not be available to meet, but you will be able to take a tour of the building to see the classroom space. We want to provide our students new to Hamilton an opportunity to see the building before their first day of school. 

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First Day of School-Monday, August 28, 2023 at 7:30 a.m.

First day of school for students.  Please see the first day logistics section below. On the first day of school, staff will come outside to greet students. Students will then be escorted into the building by Hamilton staff. Families will drop off students outside of the building. 

 

Immunizations

7th-grade students need 1 dose of Meningococcal (MCV4) and 1 dose of T-Dap.

Kindergarten students need 2 doses of Varicella and 2 doses of MMR. Students who are out of compliance will require these immunizations to avoid being excluded from school in September.  Please read the following to ensure you are in compliance:

• Families are advised to make an appointment with their primary care facility as soon as possible. If they are unable to get an appointment with their primary care provider, they may seek alternate locations, see below.

• The Baltimore City Health Department TIKE Immunization Clinic is open in August on MondayTuesday, and Thursday, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. The TIKE clinic has limited available appointments each of those days. As we get closer to the first day of school, those appointment times will fill up quickly. Call (410) 396- 4454 for more information.

• The Rales school-based health center at KIPP Baltimore (2000 Edgewood Street) continues to offer immunizations to students that attend a Baltimore City Public School.  Please call to schedule an appointment at (443) 642-2027.

 

Before and After Care

Before and After Care is provided through one of our community partners, Fitness Fun & Games (FFG). These spaces are limited so please do not wait to register. Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesiD9quIrXur-yGUI0mTJoclpqn2_QjMiAeFqOftiRBMcfMQ/viewform . For more information about FFG please visit ​Hamilton@FitnessFunandGames.org. You may also contact Director Mohan at 443-602-4030.  Again, this program is separate from Hamilton. Please direct all questions straight to FFG. 

 

​Supply List

The school supply list is under the tab labeled School Year 2023-2024, on our school’s website, and attached to this letter.  Please reach out to your grade level administrator or myself if you need assistance with the school supply list.  Please read the entire list.  There are items at the top to share with the class and important information about bookbags and cell phones.

   

Uniforms

Hamilton students are required to wear school uniforms. We also have information related to our school uniforms on our school website and attached to this letter. 

Top: Burgundy shirt.

(Elementary School)Bottoms: 4 options-Khaki pants, Khaki shorts, Khaki below-the-knee skirt, burgundy, and gray plaid below-the-knee uniform skirt.

(Middle School ) The middle school scholars will be wearing black bottoms and burgundy tops. All sweaters or jackets must be burgundy. Pants cannot be leggings or athletic wear ( no sweatpants).  They should be Khaki material, but the color black.

Possible Options:

Bottoms: 4 options-Black khaki pants/slacks, Black Khaki shorts, Black Khaki below-the-knee skirt. All bottoms MUST be black for middle school students.

Dresses: 2 options- 

Black Khaki uniform below the knee dress, burgundy/gray plaid below the knee uniform skirt or dress.

Sweaters/ Hoodies/Cardigans/Blazers: 1 option-all sweaters, cardigans, blazers, or hoodies must be burgundy only. No other colors will be permitted to be worn during the school day. 

 

You may also purchase school apparel with the Hamilton logo from Sportsline/Xsell Promotions. Hamiton’s Uniform Webpage (https://hamilton23-24.itemorder.com) will be active starting July 30, 2023.  Xsell Promo’s contact information is: mmarucci@xsellpromo.com. They are located at 8001 Harford Road in Parkville, Maryland and the phone number is (410) 882 - 8001. Our contact person is Ms. Marie . These items are optional. You are not required to purchase apparel with the school logo. 

 

Cell Phone Policy

1. All cell phones must be placed in their individually assigned locker at the onset of the school day. Parents can reach the school by calling the office in the event of an emergency. There will be no exceptions to this rule.  Students caught on their phones, will turn them into the office. Parents will be required to pick up the phones at the end of the day.

2. Hamilton EMS will not be responsible for any cell phones, earbuds, or electronic devices.  

3. Cell phones are not permitted during recess, lunch, or resource. 

 

Class Assignments/Schedules

Class assignments will be available after Monday, August 21, 2023.  You will be able to look on the parent portal starting August 21st for homeroom assignments.  If you have never set up a Parent Portal account or need to add a new student, please email Mrs. Chalk at lchalk@bcps.k12.md.us or Mrs. Becker at CWalker@bcps.k12.md.us  for the Parent Portal Activation letter.  If you have already set up your account, but forgot your password, you must call 443-984-2000 to get it reset.  If you are unsure, request the activation letter first.  This is the website: https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/campus-portal.  It is imperative that parents set up a Parent Portal account not only for the homeroom assignment but also to check grades and report cards throughout the year. 

 

PTA

At Hamilton, we believe in the beauty and power of community. Our families are such a major part of our story. We are so thankful for our partnership with our Hamilton PTA. Please reach out to our Hamilton PTA and become a member if you haven’t already.  You may find additional information about our PTA on our school website. You may also inquire via email at HamiltonEMSPTA@gmail.com.

 

First Day of School Logistics

All teachers will be outside to greet students on the first day of school.  Teachers and staff members will help direct you and your child to the correct entrance. Parents will drop off their students outside of the building.  Elementary students (1st - 5th) will enter through one of three entrances in the front of the building.  Middle school students (6th - 8th) will enter from the back of the building. 

 

Pre-Kindergarten and Ms. Gray’s Kindergarten class will meet inside the “tot lot” located at the rear of the building near the playground. (Fenced in area)

 

When facing the front of the building,  Ms. Roberts’ Kindergarten and Mrs. Riga’s class will wait at the door to the right of the flagpole. 

 

When facing the front of the school, Grades 1-3 will line up at the door to the left of the flagpole.   (The elementary breakfast door.)  The homeroom numbers are painted on the ground.  Grades 4-5 will enter at the main entrance.  Grade 4 lines up beside the burgundy railing on the left.  Grade 5 lines up next to the burgundy railing on the right.

 

Middle school will line up in the rear of the building. All middle school students will line up according to their homeroom number which is on the ground outside.  For example, students in homeroom # 603 will line up behind the “603” sign which is spray-painted on the ground.  

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Please note that due to safety and ensuring an orderly first week of school as we set routines and procedures for students, parents will not be permitted to walk children to their classrooms.  We are holding pre-kindergarten and kindergarten orientations and a “Sneak-a-Peek at your Seat” for students new to Hamilton in order for parents to see the building and classrooms.  

 

I thank you for taking the time to read this entire letter (smile). Please know that we hear you and we are working to ensure you receive the most updated information. We will continue to provide ongoing updates throughout the school year. I hope we can continue to work together as a school family and build off of the incredible work we have already started. Our community and families are our hearts and we value our bonds with our village. We are honored to serve the students and families of Hamilton Elementary Middle School. We look forward to an amazing year with you all. 

 

If you have any questions, please call us at 410-396-6375 between 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. or email us. If you leave a phone message we will be sure to respond within 48 hours. Please note, this information will also be sent home via postal mail service. 

 

Natasha Pouncey- Principal-npouncey@bcps.k12.md.us

Zaakira Muhammad - Assistant Principal- Middle School-zmuhammad@bcps.k12.md.us

Lorrie Randall- Assistant Principal- Elementary School-lharris04@bcps.k12.md.us

Mrs. Chalk- Support with enrollments-lchalk@bcps.k12.md.us

Mrs. Myers- Support with withdrawals-mbmyers@bcps.k12.md.us

School Website: https://www.hamiltonelementarymiddle.org

 

Highest Regards,

Natasha Pouncey, Principal

Home of the HAWKS! 

💗(HEART)work is (HAWK)work

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