Hamilton Avenue Update

Hello from Summer 2026! I hope you are all having a restful summer. I am sharing some information from Hamilton Avenue and the community that may interest you. Our beloved custodians, and some teachers, and I have been working hard to prepare for "Back to School 2026." Feel free to email us if you have any questions or need anything. I wanted to send this memo to emphasize the importance of reading with your children EVERY DAY over the summer! EPIC is an excellent resource for families!! See below for helpful hints on maintaining academics over our summer break.

Look for my FIRST newsletter of the year on 8/14/26!

Best,

Mrs. Fox

The K-8 Seamless Summer Learning Playlists are designed specifically to promote choice and anytime-anywhere access for all students throughout the summer months. Learners can choose from the extensive lists of self-directed activities focused on practicing and deepening students' knowledge of reading, writing, languages, social studies, science, math, and the arts.

Whether your child has a school-issued device or is accessing the resources from any web-enabled device, all students will be able to participate in the programming available for summer learning.

Purpose of Seamless Summer Learning Experiences:

• Provides access to familiar GPS digital tools and resources (app or web-based) in all content areas
• Provides a digital library of titles to support student choice and "just right" reading
• Participation has the potential to lessen "summer learning loss"
• Provides optional and engaging learning experiences throughout the summer

CLICK HERE for more information!

• Recent research confirms that students who do not read or engage in meaningful thinking activities can lose up to 30% of progress gained during their school year.
• The good news is that the research also shows that students who engage in reading book offerings, discussing books, and offering opportunities to have books read aloud or read-along counteracts any possible summer slide.

Establishing a habit of lifelong reading early and nurturing it throughout our children’s school years is critical to a child’s success in life.

We strongly encourage all parents to explore the GPS Summer Reading resources.

K-5 students will have access to the following technology tools throughout the summer. Tools marked with an asterisk (*) will be turned off on August 7, so we can prepare the tools for use in the new school year.

• Destiny (online Library)
• Discovery Education*
• EPIC
• IXL Math*
• IXL ELA*
• Sora by Overdrive
• Typing Club/Ed Club
• World Book

Click here for information on how to access the tools above: GPS Elementary Digital Tools and Log in Credentials

The following iPad apps will also be available throughout the summer for K-5 students.

• Book Creator
• Brainpop
• Code Monkey Jr.
• Educreations
• GarageBand
• iMovie
• Khan Academy
• Padlet
• Soundtrap

Click here to access login information for these applications and more: GPS Digital Toolbox.

Need technical support from Greenwich Public Schools Instructional Technology Department? Submit an email to portal_support@greenwich.k12.ct.us.

Ham Ave is proud to share our field and parking lot with our neighbors from St. Roch's Church. Bring the entire family and have loads of fun!!! Come and visit while listening to live music every night. Indulge yourself with their famous Pizza Fritta, sausage & peppers, hamburgers & hot dogs. Rides and games and lots of sweets & treats for kids of all ages. The live Raffle Drawing is Saturday evening for the grand prize of $30,000!! You may even see some of your favorite teachers and administrators there!
Wednesday, August 9th – Saturday, August 12th

Division of Family Health

Town Hall, 3rd Floor

Are You Ready for School?

School Required Vaccines, TB tests

School Physical Examinations

By appointment

For information, call (203) 622-6495

AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

LEARN. GROW. THRIVE. Our after-school program focuses on building self-confidence and character. We emphasize the Y’s four core values in character development — caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility – in every activity and interaction. In addition to supplementing what students learn in school, they have the opportunity to participate in a variety of structured activities, get assistance with their homework from trained YMCA staff, have a chance to socialize with their peers, and form new relationships.

Students from Hamilton Avenue who are enrolled will take a school bus to the YMCA after school. Click Here to register. Start Date: September 1.

Since 1910, Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich has been a trusted place where young people learn, grow, and thrive. Today, that tradition continues in our beautifully renovated 63,000-square-foot Rebecca S. Breed Clubhouse, where youth ages 6–18 enjoy a safe, engaging after-school experience led by caring, professional staff.

Whether your child wants to swim, play sports, create art, explore STEM, finish homework, or spend time with friends, there’s something happening every afternoon.

Registration for the 2026–2027 School Year is Now Open.

A Typical Afternoon

With free transportation from all Greenwich Public Schools, members enjoy a variety of engaging activities each afternoon, including:

• Healthy afternoon snack

• Homework help through Power Hour

• Free swim and swim lessons

• Gymnasium and outdoor recreation

• Arts & crafts

• STEM activities

• Leadership programs

• Games, clubs, and time with friends

Evening enrichment classes are also available throughout the school year in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions.

Program Information

• Ages: 6–18

• Hours: Monday–Friday, 2:30–6:00 p.m.

• Location: Rebecca S. Breed Clubhouse, 4 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich

• Transportation: Free from all Greenwich Public Schools

• Annual Membership: Greenwich Residents: $95 • High School Students: $25

• Non-Residents (with a parent working in Greenwich): $175

Transportation options

Greenwich Public Schools bus to Clubhouse (free)

Pick-up from the Clubhouse by parent or guardian

Contact

Don Palmer

VP of Programs & Youth Development

dpalmer@bgcg.org

2023-869-3224 ext 102

Location

4 Horseneck Lane

Greenwich, CT 06830

YWCA Greenwich provides quality after-school care that entertains and stimulates the social, physical, and academic growth of elementary-school-aged children. All of our activities strive to promote interpersonal skills and self-esteem within a supportive, fun atmosphere. Transportation is provided from Hamilton Avenue School.

Kaleidoscope

Girls & Boys Kindergarten through 5th Grade

Ongoing registration is based on availability.

• Fall: September 1, 2026 - December 22, 2026
• Winter: January 4, 2027 - March 19, 2027
• Spring: March 2, 2027 - June 11, 2027

A few things to know:

• Choose 3 to 5 days per week, per session
• Attendance must be on the same day(s) each week
• All fees are billed in monthly installments
• Transportation is provided to the YWCA from most Greenwich public elementary schools
• Kaleidoscope follows the Greenwich Public School district-wide calendar

Financial Aid is available for all qualifying applicants.

For more information, please contact the Director of Youth Programs, Arthur Smith at 203-869-6501, ext. 251 or a.smith@ywcagreenwich.org

FREE Afterschool HW Club Program

WHO: Grades 2nd -8th

WHEN: Mondays - Thursdays. NO program on Fridays.

TIME: 3:00pm-5:00pm

LOCATION: TBD

APPLICATION: Click here for ENG or SPA

First day will be on:

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Transportation is provided from Ham Ave School to Barbara's House. Qualifying families must receive free & reduced lunch or live in subsidized housing.

Pre-K families will soon receive an email inviting families to apply for a lottery spot for Pre-K Play. This is a free after-school program generously funded by the Greenwich United Way. The program will take place in our preschool classroom(s) and is overseen by two of our preschool teachers. PreK Play will run Monday through Friday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with a projected start date of September 14th. Contact Katherine_Natale@greenwich.k12.ct.us with questions.

Kids in Crisis is a Connecticut based non-profit that provides free, 24/7 emergency shelter, counseling, and community education for children, teens, and families. We are Connecticut’s only 24/7 emergency youth shelter program serving newborn to 17-year-olds. In addition to this, we provide 24/7 Helpline services and 24/7 face to face intervention for families, providing immediate crisis intervention, mediation and mental health support. Kids In Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 to support and connect you with the resources needed to help your children thrive. Don’t hesitate to call (203) 661-1911 if you have any questions or concerns. Our new TextLine is now open every day 9AM – 9PM. We have our KidTalk and TeenTalk programs, in which we provide mental health education in elementary schools, our Lighthouse program in which we provide weekly and monthly social safe space for LGBTQIA+ teens, and we host Greenwich Together, a local coalition dedicated to preventing substance use in youth.

Clothes to Kids of Fairfield County (CTKF) provides clothing to eligible school age children, kindergarten through 12th grade. Each eligible child may visit the CTKF Store twice in a 12-month period, to shop for a full week’s worth of school clothes (the CTKF Wardrobe). Extra items, such as pajamas, gloves, hats, scarves may also be available. Our ability to provide a week’s wardrobe is based upon the available clothing, donated or purchased. All underwear, socks, and bras are new; whereas all other clothing is a combination of new and gently used items. Click here for more information: ENG/SPA/PORT or contact our Kid Talk Counselor ehenry@kidsincrisis.org .

The Greenwich Public Schools provide all of the materials students need to participate in classroom learning activities. Supply lists are frequently requested by parents for back-to-school preparation. They are not mandatory.

Please click on the appropriate link for school supply lists.

School Supply List (English) (SPA)

August

August 27: Kindergarten Visit at 9:00-9:30 AM

August 27: Pre-K Visit 11:30-12:00 PM

August 27: New student visit 2:00-2:30 PM

August 28: First day of School! 7:45 for 1st-5th graders on the field

August 28: First day of School! 8:45 for Kindergarten on the field

August 28: First day of School! 9:00 for Pre-K students on the patio

September:

September 7: No School, Labor Day

September 17: Open House

September 21: NO SCHOOL - Yom Kippur

The hours for Hamilton Avenue School this year will be 7:45 AM-2:15 PM for all K-5 students.

🤍💙

Hamilton Avenue PreK hours will be the following:

7:45 AM-2:00 PM (extended classrooms)

7:45 AM-12:45 PM (not extended)

About Us

Email: Diane_Fox@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: https://has.greenwichschools.org/
Location: Hamilton Avenue School, 184 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: (203)869-1685