Hamilton Happenings

Hi Hamilton Families!

I hope you are off to a wonderful start to the long weekend! I think it’s safe to say we had a slightly more eventful week than any of us planned. 😊

I want to start by thanking you for your patience, flexibility, and cooperation as we navigated an unexpected early dismissal, severe weather shelter-in-place, and an alternate dismissal plans. While certainly not how we pictured the week going, the way our staff, students, families, and community worked together made all the difference. Thank you for trusting us and helping us to keep our Hawks safe.

Most importantly, I don’t want the "excitement" of this week to overshadow the incredible first two weeks of school our Hawks have had! Despite everything, our teachers have been busy building classroom communities, establishing routines, creating meaningful learning experiences, and making these first days memorable for our students. There is already so much learning, connection, and growth happening inside our walls!

Below, you’ll find important updates and reminders, along with a glimpse at some of the wonderful things happening at Hamilton over these first two weeks.

The Hamilton Happenings will be shared bi-weekly, and I thank you in advance for taking the time to read through each edition and stay in the loop. Your partnership truly helps make Hamilton such a special place to learn and grow.

Enjoy the long weekend, Hawks & see you Tuesday! 💙💛🤍

In partnership,

Ms. Reba McNally

rmcnally@troy.k12.mi.us

• Friday, 9/4 - Monday, 9/7: No School
• Tuesday, 9/8: School Resumes

• TUESDAY, 9/15: Rescheduled Curriculum Night 6:00-7:15

• Friday, 9/18: PTA Movie Night

• Wednesday, 9/23: Picture Day!

• Friday, 9/25: Jog-a-thon!

Each day, nearly 500 Hawks enter and exit Hamilton each day, and thanks to the patience, cooperation, and teamwork of our families and staff, we’ve had a successful first two weeks (on our typical days!)!

We put together a quick video with a few tips to help make the daily adventure of arrival and dismissal a little smoother for everyone. 🎥🚗

A few important "must knows":

• ⏰ Students should not exit cars in the loop before 9:00 a.m.
• 🚪 Please do not leave students unattended at classroom doors before 9:00 a.m.
• 👀 Staff supervision is not guaranteed until 9:00 a.m., so students should remain with an adult until then.
• 🚗 If you use our parking lot or car loop, please watch the video below for some helpful tips to keep cars moving and, most importantly, our Hawks safe!

Thank you for your patience, kindness, and cooperation—and for helping us conquer the daily arrival and dismissal shuffle!

Each fall, the Hamilton Hawks community comes together for one joyful, high-energy event that brings out the best in our students, families, and staff: The Hamilton Hawks Jog-A-Thon!

It’s a simple fun run that has turned into a day filled with music, movement, laughter, and school spirit. Students jog, cheered on by teachers, parents, and classmates, not just for the thrill of running but to raise vital funds for the programs and resources that make Hamilton so special.

From student enrichment, community/family events, and teacher appreciation and classroom support efforts, the funds raised from the Jog-A-Thon go directly back into the school, helping every child thrive.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us go further!

Ready, set, support! Let’s make this year’s Jog-A-Thon the best one yet.

The Hamilton PTA is working to make important updates and information timely, simple, and easy to access!

Sign up to receive PTA text updates through Remind by scanning the QR code or clicking the link below for your student’s grade level.

Stay connected and never miss an important PTA update! 💙💛🦅

Pikmykid/VisitU is an easy-to-use school safety and dismissal platform that has replaced the attendance phone line at Hamilton. Instead of calling the school, parents will now use the app to record their student’s absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals.

Student Sign-Out & Release Procedures

• All students must be signed out through the office vestibule.
• Students will only be released to adults who are listed as an authorized contact in PowerSchool or who have been authorized by a personal letter provided to the school.
• Parents and other authorized adults must enter the building and use the VisitU kiosk to verify their identity before a student can be released.
• The VisitU kiosk replaces the sign-in/out laptop that was previously located inside the main office.

Before the School Year Begins

Please take a few minutes to make sure your Pikmykid/VisitU app is downloaded, up to date, and working properly before the school year begins. This will help ensure a smooth process for attendance and dismissal from the start of the year.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, efficient, and consistent process for all Hamilton students!

All visitors must check in using the VisitU kiosk located in the main entrance vestibule.

Please:

• Bring a valid driver’s license or state ID.
• Use the visitor kiosk in the main entrance vestibule to check in.
• Scan your ID, take a photo, and enter who you are visiting or your reason for being at school.
• A visitor badge will be printed inside the main office. Please wear your badge at all times while in the building.
• When leaving, return to the kiosk and check out using the QR code on your badge.

If you do not have an ID, please use the Airphone located near the kiosk for assistance.

Student item drop-offs:

Items being dropped off for students should now be placed in the vestibule on the white cube shelves. Supplies will be available to label items if needed—please be sure to include your child’s name. Staff will ensure all items are delivered to students.

If you have questions or need help, VisitU/PikMyKid support is available 24/7 at success@pickmykid.com or at www.pikmykid.com.

Thank you for your support as we implement this system to help keep our school safe!

We are currently operating under the Michigan School Meals Program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students! Breakfast will be an option for all students and offered first thing in the morning as students arrive.

If you have any questions, please contact the TSD Food Service Department at 248-823-5089

All grade levels have a 40-minute lunch block, with 20 minutes to eat and 20 minutes of recess. As always, families also have the option to send their child to school with a lunch from home or to get a lunch from the cafeteria.

• If receiving a lunch from our cafeteria, students receive a five-component meal with an entree, fruits and vegetables. If students want additional food, juice, or to get a bottle of water, those items are available for purchase. If you want your child to have access to purchase these a la carte items, you will need to create an account with My School Bucks and add funds to their account.
  
• We encourage families to complete the application for the Free and Reduced Lunch program, regardless if the subsidized program continues. This application allows families access to scholarships for field trips and enrichment programs (in addition to school-based food options).We encourage families to complete the application for the Free and Reduced Lunch program, regardless if the subsidized program continues. These applications will be sent home with children in their red folders on the first day of school (or at the Open House).

Please note that parking on the grass/easement off of Northfield Parkway is not permitted during arrival and dismissal, or other events. This rule is in place to ensure the safety of our students and families.

For events, once our lot is full:

• Feel free to park in the business lot across from Hamilton (5607 New King Drive) and use the crosswalk to get to Hamilton.
• Please avoid parking in the Manor Homes of Troy subdivision.

If you are unable to find a parking spot during arrival or dismissal, please plan to use the loop, wait for a spot to open, where staff can safely greet your student and help them get to class. It is not permitted to park in any area of the lot that is not a designated spot. This is to ensure our buses have room to pass and safety of all.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe!

If you qualify for transportation, we strongly encourage students to ride the bus as it promotes independence and helps with traffic flow. The bus loop is directly in front of the school. For arrival, Hamilton support staff and 5th grade student safeties will be ready to direct your students from the bus loop to the exterior classroom door, which opens at 9:04 am.

For dismissal, your students will exit the building and load their bus beginning at 4:07 pm. Hamilton support staff oversee this process, and 5th grade safeties are trained to lead Kindergarten and 1st grade students to their buses.

For families who are eligible, all information regarding transportation (bus stop times and locations) will be available in the Power School Parent Portal on August 21, 2026. Please be sure to check this year's information, as routes do change over the summer.

While we strongly encourage using bus transportation if you qualify, you can also drive your student to school. The car loop is adjacent to the school. For arrival, Hamilton support staff will oversee your students walking from the car loop to their exterior classroom door. At 9:00 am your student may exit their car door and begin walking toward the main entrance which will open at 9:04 am. Parents should remain in the vehicle at all times.

You will notice that half of the parking lot in front of the school is for parent parking. At both arrival and dismissal, parents who wish to park and walk their students to their classroom may do so. This is a great option for parents with Kindergarteners. Students must be accompanied with their guardian as they walk across the parking lot.

For dismissal, your students will begin walking to the bus loop at 4:07 pm. 5th grade safeties will walk Kindergarten and 1st grade students to this location. Ms. McNally and/or several staff members will help direct traffic and kids into correct cars. In order to expedite this process, it is a good idea to have your student’s name and teacher’s name posted in the right side of the car window the first few weeks. Please pull all the way ahead and you may only load in the right lane. Please stay in the car during this process. When parents have multiple students, the older student is encouraged to stand with the younger students.

For arrival, please wait to enter campus until 9:00 am. You may either walk your child to their exterior classroom door or until they are safely on the sidewalk. There is also a bike rack for students to utilize.

For dismissal, please meet your child outside their exterior classroom door at 4:07 pm. When the teacher opens up the door at the end of the day, your child will be released directly to you

If your student is new to Hamilton and has a medical need that will require attention or medication at school, please contact me prior to the start of the school year at rmcnally@troy.k12.mi.us

I want to ensure that we have all the necessary information to keep your child safe while they are in our care.

• All medications that need to be administered at school must be submitted to the office with the accompanying Medication Authorization Form that is signed by the doctor. Each medication requires its own form.
• Students with a diagnosis of Asthma, Severe Allergies (anaphylaxis), or Seizures should have a Medical Action Plan on file along with their medication authorization form. The action plans outline what to do in an emergency. Most medical offices have their own Action Plan Forms and we accept those, too.

By having a student at Hamilton, you are automatically a member of the PTA! 🎉

The PTA is a wonderful way to get involved, volunteer, contribute, and stay in the know about what’s happening at Hamilton.

No involvement is too small! Whether you have a few minutes, a few hours, or simply want to stay connected, we are so happy to have you as part of our Hamilton community! 💙💛

The PTA Facebook page is moving! Please join the new page below to stay up to date!

CARE is our district's before and after school childcare program. Click below for more information and registration.

• Tuesday, August 25: CARE is available only in the morning. There is no afternoon CARE on this day.

• Starting Wednesday, August 26: Both morning and afternoon CARE will be available.

• Kindergarten CARE: Afternoon CARE is not offered during the first week for kindergarteners due to their early dismissal.

• CARE registration closes on August 15th and will reopen on September 1st.

School Address:

5625 Northfield Pkwy

Troy, MI 48098

School Hours:

• Full Days: 9:04 am - 4:07 pm
  
• Half Days: 9:04 am - 12:59 pm (no lunch service)

Phone Numbers:

• Attendance Line: 248-823-4401
• Main Office: 248-823-4400