From Hamilton To Home

October starts the fall season and many activities at Hamilton. This edition of From Hamilton to Home has information regarding 3rd grade state testing, parent teacher conferences, new fundraising, bike to school day, family night at Schuster's Farm, Halloween Math Night, and so much more.

Thank you to all car rider families for hanging in there with us as we navigated the increased car traffic over the last month. We have successfully increased our dismissal time down to a manageable amount of time. We greatly appreciate your patience while we made adjustments to the process.

I hope to see everyone throughout the month at our various events. Enjoy the start of the fall season.

Best,

Principal Putt

Hamilton will be hosting 2 different Parent Teacher Conference nights this month.

October 15, 2026

October 22, 2026

Each conference night will run from 3:30pm - 7:30pm. Sign up for either conference night by using the link below. Conferences are scheduled first come, first served. If time slots fill up, you will have the ability to schedule for future conference nights.

Picture Day is coming on Thursday, October 22!

Please consider supporting Hamilton Elementary by participating in our monthly Marcos Pizza Night. A portion of the proceeds comes back to Hamilton to support the various student activities that we engage in each school year. It's a great way to not have to make dinner while supporting your school. Information is in the attached flyers.

On October 20th and 21st, all third-grade students will be taking the OST-ELA. This will be a two-part assessment. We strongly encourage students to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time and ready to do their best. Your support in helping your child feel prepared and confident on testing days is greatly appreciated!

Join us for an evening of costumes, candy, and math fun! The festivities start at 4:30pm and run until 6:00pm. Hope to see you at Hamilton!

Meet Our Preschool!

Our preschool team includes Ms. Henes, our preschool teacher, and Mrs. Lopez, our paraprofessional. The program is designed for children who turned 4 years old by August 27, 2026 and reside in the Hamilton School neighborhood. Class is in session Monday through Friday, with an AM session from 9:10–11:40am and a PM session from 12:40–3:10pm. The district provides preschool students with a daily snack as well as bus transportation to and from school. Families interested in enrolling in our free preschool program can visit the Elyria City School District website for more information.

Link to Enrollment

Learning Through Play

In preschool, play is an important part of learning! Through play centers such as blocks, dramatic play, art, books, puzzles, and sensory activities, children are developing language, problem-solving, creativity, fine-motor skills, and social skills. While children may simply look like they are having fun, our teachers are intentionally providing opportunities for them to explore, make choices, communicate, and learn from one another.

Why It Matters: Play helps young children practice important skills in a way that is engaging and meaningful to them. These experiences help build a strong foundation for future learning.

Try It at Home: Give your child an open-ended opportunity to play and ask, “Tell me about what you're making!” You may be surprised by how much learning happens through their answer.

At Hamilton, we believe in teaching students to be confident young people. Every morning, we start the day by reciting the Hamilton Affirmation which states:

I am SOMEBODY

I and CAPABLE and LOVEABLE

I am TEACHABLE

Therefore, I can LEARN

I will not waste TIME

Because, it is too VALUABLE

And I am too PRECIOUS and BRIGHT

I am SOMEBODY

Please practice the affirmation with your child and review what it means. I am also looking for students who can proudly recite the affirmation during the morning announcements.

*If you have not done so, please complete the online Back to School Updates. This is extremely important so we have the current information for each student.*

School hours are 9:10am-3:10pm.

Doors do not open until 8:55- please do not drop off early or allow students to walk early.

If you are dropping off, please hold your child in the car with you until 8:55am.

Please call the office to report your child(ren)’s absence at 284-8007 before 9:30AM. Our phone has 24-hour voicemail so that you may call and leave a message anytime. Please leave a voicemail if no one answers the phone in the office; voicemails are frequently checked and the office will receive your message.

Please make sure you, or your designated pickup person, always have a photo ID when you come to the school. This is for the safety of our students.

The Main Office of any school building is a hub of activity. Students and staff are always on the go, in and out of the space throughout the school day. It’s an active place for regular check-ins and meetings with students, as well as staff conferences and daily interactions with school principals and counselors. The Main Office is also a confidential space at times for conversations and interactions between school personnel and students.

Parents and caregivers are part of the equation, too. For any number of reasons, parents may be asked to come to their child’s school during the day. When that happens, parents should follow the district’s visitor procedures by using the school’s main entrance buzzer and intercom system to gain entrance to the school, and then signing in at the front desk.

If parents/caregivers do not have a meeting at the school but still need to come to the school during the day to see their child or to speak to a staff member, call-ahead notice or an appointment is required.

This ensures parents will be seen in a timely manner and upholds the safety practices of the school. To contact the Main Office, please call 440-284-8007 and choose option 0.

Hoodies, and similar tops or jackets with hoods, are "fan favorites" when it comes to school attire. We like them, too, but not when they are worn up and over the head during the school day.

The district's Student Code of Conduct provides direction on headgear, stating that it may not be worn over a person's head or scalp (excluding headgear that's worn for religious or medical reasons.) Hoods can make it difficult to identify an individual in an emergency, and they can also be a distraction in class. Please remind students that hoods may not be worn up during the school day.

The Student Code of Conduct also offers guidance on attire. Clothing must be school appropriate and may not present a health or safety hazard or disrupt the educational environment. Pants and tops must fit properly and be in good repair; crop tops are not permitted.

Additionally, footwear must be school appropriate--slippers and slipper socks are not permitted. Blankets also may not be worn in school.

Important Update: Ohio Law Restricts Student Cell Phone Use During School Hours

An updated Ohio state law now prohibits students from using cell phones during instructional time throughout the school day. While Elyria Schools already has a policy in place that restricts cell phone use during learning time, this new law now requires that the policy be enforced in all schools.

As a result, students may not use their cell phones during the instructional day. Phones must be powered off and stowed away during school hours.

More details will be shared as the school year begins, but we’re asking for families’ attention and support in helping students understand and follow these rules. Our goal is to maintain a focused and respectful learning environment for all students.

While we’ll always start with reminders and redirection, continued disregard of the policy will lead to appropriate consequences in line with our student code of conduct. According to the law, exceptions can be made for medically documented situations and emergencies.

Thank you for your partnership in preparing students for this important change and helping ensure a successful start to the year.

Car Rider Arrival:

• Car riders will enter through the main entrance doors (1 and 2) off of Middle Avenue. The entranceway at 12th Street will be closed until 8:45 A.M.

• The Middle Ave. entrance will be closed until 8:55 A.M.

• The drive is one-way (12th towards Middle). Cars will fill the right lane (lane 1) first, then the left lane (lane 2).
  
• Once lane 1 and 2 are full, student(s) from lane 1 will exit the car on the passenger side. Lane 1 cars will be dismissed by school personnel and will exit right onto Middle Avenue. After lane 1 is clear, student(s) from lane 2 will exit the car on the passenger side.
  
• Lane 2 cars will be dismissed by school personnel and will exit right onto Middle Avenue.
  

Car Rider Pick-Up:

• All cars must enter the driveway off of 12th St. from West Ave and not Middle Ave.
• Cars will need to display their number card on the dashboard so the staff can see the number. If you need a number, you will register with a staff member at the 12th St. driveway entrance or call the main office at 440-284-8007.
• The individual who is picking up the student MUST be listed on the Contact List in PowerSchool so please make sure all of the information is up to date. Proper identification will be required for student pick-up.
• Once the number is received, the number will be communicated with the staff inside the building and the student will exit the building. PLEASE DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR.

• Car riders will exit through the main entrance doors (1 and 2) off of Middle Avenue. The entranceway at 12th will be open for lane 1. The drive is one-way (12th towards Middle). Lane 2 will be closed until 2:50 P.M. Cars are not allowed to park on 12th street. Students from lane 1 will be released first. Lane 1 will then be dismissed. Once lane 1 cars are dismissed, lane 2 students will be released. Lane 2 will then be dismissed.

• The staff member will open and close the car door. Staff will not be responsible for buckling students into car seats or securing seat belts on students.
• There will be a line so please be patient. PLEASE DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR OR PARK AND WALK UP TO THE DISMISSAL AREA. Anyone who walks up and asks for their child will be redirected to your vehicle or a walker exit.
• If you do not want to wait in the long line, it may be best to arrive between 3:10-3:15 P.M. The line moves fast once the process is followed.

Car riders are NOT permitted to be dropped off on 13th St. for arrival and/or dismissal to cross through traffic and the buses, or on Middle Avenue! This is a safety matter and we must have parents’ cooperation.

All walkers may arrive through either the main entrance on Middle Ave. or the 13th street entrance by the busses. Walker dismissal will once again take place at either the gymnasium exit off of the staff parking lot or the 12th street exit by the small playground. Students will be assigned to the following areas by grade level.

• Kindergarten and First Grade - 12th street exit by small playground
• 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade - Gymnasium exit off of the staff parking lot

*Any 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grader with younger siblings, will exit with their younger siblings*

If your child is deemed a walker, please DO NOT park in the front lot by the Main Office for arrival and dismissal. In addition, DO NOT cross your student in front or behind busses on 13th street. We must make every attempt to maintain student safety during car and bus rider arrival and dismissal.

GG&C Bus of Elyria is the official bussing partner of Elyria City Schools.

Bus Transportation App!

We know how important it is to keep track of your child’s travels. That’s why we’re excited to offer a transportation app that lets you see your student’s bus in real time.

With this handy app, you’ll have access to:

• Real-Time Tracking: You can see exactly where the bus is, so you’ll always know when to head out for pick-up or drop-off.
• Mobile Friendly: Whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go, the app is easy to use on your phone.
• Timely Alerts: Get notifications about any delays or changes in the schedule. Stay in the know and reduce the stress of school drop-offs and pick-ups.

However, if you know your student's ID and you're ready to dive in and sign up now, just click the links below:

1. WATCH this fun video about the app! Powered by Edulog
2. READ Parent Portal Infographic_12.2023.pdf and DO sign up!

Please see the District Website for more information and to answer questions related to your child's bussing needs.

National School Lunch Week: Celebrate National School Lunch week starting on Monday, October 12th , in which the cafeteria will be bringing the circus to students via the main line with special themed entree items for lunch.

Monday- Mini Corn Dogs w/ Cinnamon Churros

Tuesday- Soft Pretzel w/ Cheese Sauce

Wednesday- Nacho Cheese Walking Taco

Thursday- Dutch Waffle w/ Turkey Sausage & Syrup

Friday- Pizza

Elementary Lucky Breakfast Bag: On Monday, October 19th , we will be doing a Lucky Breakfast Bag promotion at each ELEMENTARY school only. We will be distributing 50 prizes for each school that will be randomly placed in breakfast bags.

Pumpkin Day: On Tuesday, October 27th , in acknowledgement of the season and National Pumpkin day having been the day prior, one of the breakfast options will be the sweet pumpkin bread.

The expectation at Hamilton is that students are always practicing and modeling the 3 B's which are Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Ready to Learn in all areas of the school. We encourage parents to have regular discussion on what the 3 B's look like and what happens when they model the 3 B's.

BE RESPECTFUL

BE RESPONSIBLE

BE READY TO LEARN

10/5 - Tech E Club (3:30pm)

10/7 - Walk and Roll to School Day

10/8 - Marco's Pizza Night, Student Council (3:30pm)

10/9 - NEOEA Day(No School)

10/14 - PTO Family Night @ Schuster's Farm

10/15 - Parent Teacher Conferences (3:30-7:30pm)

10/19 - Tech E Club (3:30)

10/20 - 3rd Grade Ohio State Testing (OST)

10/21 - 3rd Grade Ohio State Testing (OST), PTO Meeting (3:30pm, All are Welcome)

10/22 - Picture Day, Parent Teacher Conferences (3:30-7:30pm)

10/23 - End of Quarter 1

10/26 - Records Day (NO SCHOOL)

10/27 - Safety Patrol Meeting (3:30pm)

10/28 - Halloween Math Night (4:30-6:00pm)

10/30 - PreK - 4 Halloween Parade

• Learners thrive when school is engaging and personally meaningful
• All Pioneers have a voice in decisions that affect them
• Excellence is achieved through vision, commitment and moral leadership

Email: puttquintin@elyriaschools.org
Website: https://hamilton.elyriaschools.org/home
Location: 1215 Middle Ave, Elyria, OH, USA
Phone: 440-284-8007
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElyriaHamiltonElementary