December

Our Saturday, November 23rd our Hamilton Elementary Girls on the Run team did a great job in the cold at Fortress Obetz! Unbelievable to see so many girls from around the state coming together with their coaches and families to participate in this season-culminating 5K! Giant thank you to our coaches, parents, and community for working all season to make this happen. So proud of our 3rd grade girls and all they've accomplished. Great day to be a Ranger!

Check out Miss Brinkman's second grade class create their very own Thanksgiving Day parade after reading Balloons over Broadway. Students learned about the Thanksgiving day parade and how the balloons were made before designing their own!

The park naturalist from Three Creeks Metro Park visited Kindergarten to talk all about what animals do in the winter. Students learned there are active animals, animals that migrate, and animals that hibernate.

In music class this month, classes are learning about The Nutcracker story and ballet! They are first reading a book of the story and then will be listening to different selections from a variety of ballet performances from across the world. They will then be doing different activities for each piece, using different instruments, ribbons, and dances to actively listen and interpret each part of it. Here is Miss Matheny reading the book, The Nutcracker by Alison Jay, to Mrs. Strickland's kindergarten class.

Respect is essential for becoming a healthy, happy and productive person. Following the Golden Rule of treating others with respect and acceptance is important in a civilized society. Respect is using good manners and acceptable language. It is resolving disagreements peacefully and without insults. Respect is not threatening, insulting, hitting or hurting others. Check out the December Counselor Corner to learn more that important topic.

Also, watch this read-aloud below with your child all about Respect!

Each day your child is striving to meet three positive behavior goals: Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful! Use the questions below provided each night to talk to your child about his/her positive behaviors and experiences throughout the day.

This week, we learned about Big Rocks—the important actions that move us forward toward our goals. Big Rocks are the most important things for you to do, such as spending time with your family, planning family meals, and getting an education. Little rocks are the less important things for you to do, such as watching TV for long periods of time, playing video games, or aimlessly searching the Internet/social media. Watch this video on Big Rocks together and discuss the importance of putting our big rocks first! Also, check out this resource to learn more ways to practice Habit 3 at home.

Here is Mrs. Baker's second grade class doing a reader's theater of the fable, The Ant and the Grasshopper and discussing priorities/Big Rocks.

The following students were our Ready Rangers winners for being Responsible, Respectful and Safe: Godric McCartney, Jahmad Martin, Payton Reed, Knox Smith, Lyric Stamper, Nova Anderson, Serenity Hollingsworth, Christi’onna Lynch, Graham Hall, Dominik Carson, Mack McQuirt, and Braidyn Good. Way to go Ready Rangers!

Check out our Big Stars being leaders and helping our younger students in the lunchroom!

The following classes are our lunchroom winners and have done a great job being responsible, respectful, and safe during lunch:

Kindergarten- Mrs. Maynard

First Grade- Miss Courter

Second Grade- Mrs. Loprinzi

Third Grade- Mrs. Windle

Congrats to all our lunchroom winners!

Friday, December 20th

December 23-January 6th- Winter Break & Teacher Professional Day

End of 2nd Quarter: Friday, December 20th

Report Cards: Thursday, January 9th

See if any of these month's finds belong to your child. Your child can visit lost and found to retrieve the item.

EVERY RANGER. This phrase is meant to include everyone—every student, every staff member, every graduate and every community member. All of us working together.

EVERY REASON. The primary focus of every school system is the academic achievement of all students. Our staff and, by extension, our community take on the challenge of doing even more for our students. We educate the whole child. Whatever the need, whatever the issue, whatever the REASON we are going to work together and do the best we can for each other.

EVERY DAY. Thank you to our HLSD community for making our students a priority every day, and for always pitching in to help one another