From Hamilton To Home

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Hamilton Elementary. As I enter into my third school year at Hamilton, I am excited about the continuous progress we have made and progress we will continue to strive for this year.

Please be sure to read through the entire newsletter as there is a lot of important information such as staggered start dates, Kindergarten Camp, Open House, arrival/dismissal procedures, the Hamilton Affirmation, the 3 Be's, and MUCH MORE!!!!

I would like to remind you about the importance of setting healthy school routines at home as you begin to switch your home routine from summer back to the school year.

• Go to bed at the same time every night
• Get at least 8 hours or more of sleep
• Eat a healthy breakfast every morning (all students receive a free breakfast and lunch)
• Get plenty of exercise to help you stay healthy
• Get into a routine of doing homework

Regular attendance at the elementary school level is crucial to each student’s success, as it sets up a good pattern for your child’s entire school career. Please make sure your child is here every day that it is possible. We will again be partnering with the Cleveland Browns Stay in the Game Initiative to support attendance awareness. We will be discussing this with students throughout the year and request parent/guardian support to ensure your child is at school daily and all absences are reported to the main office.

We are looking forward to a great school year and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the main office at 440-284-8007.

Thank you,

Principal Putt

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.

The 2026-2027 school calendar is now available on the district's website.

Like last year, students in kindergarten through 4th grade are starting the year with a staggered return, beginning Monday, Aug. 24.

The gradual start gives elementary school students the opportunity to meet their teachers and learn their new schedules in smaller, more individualized settings.

K-4 students will return to school alphabetically by their last name beginning Aug. 24.

• Students whose last names begin with A through G ONLY will return Aug. 24.
• Students whose last names begin with H through O ONLY will return Aug. 25.
• Students whose last names begin with P through Z ONLY will return Aug. 26.
• All K-8 students will attend on Aug. 27.

All Preschool students will return on Aug. 31. Your child's Preschool teacher will be in contact with you regarding orientation times.

It is important to note that parents/guardians may not enter the building during the arrival process, unless you have official main office business. Only parents/guardians of Kindergarteners may enter the building during arrival, on your specified staggered start date, for Kindergarten orientation.

Did you know that Hamilton Elementary has a Preschool classroom? Registration is currently open for our 1/2 day preschool program. Parents can choose between AM and PM sessions for their child. The following are the times for each session:

Preschool Sessions:

Morning = 9:10-11:40 AM, arrival begins at 8:55 AM

Afternoon = 12:40-3:10 PM, arrival begins at 12:35 PM

Use the link button below to begin the registration process.

Class lists will NOT be displayed on school grounds. You can see and access your child's teacher by logging into PowerSchool or at Open House on August 20.

• Here is the PowerSchool link https://ps-elyr.metasolutions.net/public/

Please read the attached letter regarding Kindergarten Camp and the classroom assignment process for the 2026-2027 school year. If you should have questions, feel free to contact the main office.

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.

LOG INTO POWERSCHOOL TO COMPLETE YOUR BACK TO SCHOOL UPDATE FORMS

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.

Ohio state law 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.

Open House for Grades 1 through 4 will be on Thursday, August 20th from 5:00-6:00 P.M. Come out and meet your child's teacher. School supplies may be brought in if you have them.

Open House for Kindergarten will be Tuesday, September 1 from 5:00-6:00pm. Meet your child's official classroom teacher following the completion of Kindergarten Camp.

Elyria City Schools will once again be partnering with GG&C Bus of Elyria.

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

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

20th:

• Grades 1-4 Open House 5:00-6:00 P.M.

24th:

• Staggered start for students whose last names begin with A through G ONLY

25th:

• Staggered start for students whose last names begin with H through O ONLY
  

26th:

• Staggered start for students whose last names begin with P through Z ONLY

27th:

• ALL K-4 students attend daily

31st:

• PreK students start

Sept. 1st:

• Kindergarten Open House 5:00-6:00pm

• 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