From Hamilton To Home

September typically marks the unofficial end of summer for most. At Hamilton, we are now in full swing as students have been engaged in academics, social/emotional lessons, art, music, and PE for weeks. Students are adjusting to the new routines and schedules of school just as parents are. Our staff have been diligent in learning students and ensuring that all students feel valued and welcomed.

We have also been diligent in creating and sustaining systems that allow for our students to arrive and dismiss from school in a timely manner. Please continue to be patient as car riders, specifically at dismissal, as our staff ensures that students are where they need to be. We have approximately 160 cars registered for car rider dismissal this year and want to ensure every child gets home safely. Review the dismissal procedures below so you know where your student will be dismissing from.

Lastly, we are excited to invite all Hamilton families to our Back to School KickOff event on September 10 at the Ely Stadium Baseball/Softball Complex. We will have our annual Staff/Student Kickball Game. Details are listed below. Join us for an evening of food and family fun!

Best,

Principal Putt

Join us on Thursday, September 10, at Ely Stadium Athletic Complex for our annual Staff/Student Kickball Game. What was once our end of the year activity has become our back to school celebration. See the attached flyer for details. Hope to see you there!

Join Elyria Schools for an evening of music, conversation, and community at Ely Square on September 14 from 6–7 p.m.

Families and community members can enjoy performances by the Elyria High School Marching Band and Madrigals choir, along with conversations featuring students, staff, district leaders, and local community members.

The event will also include information about the district’s finances and Issue 4, the 8.9-mill current expense levy on the November 3 ballot.

The celebration and opportunities to connect with students will continue until 7:30 p.m. All are welcome!

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.

Dear Families,

Mark your calendars for 09/09/2026, we will be partnering with the Domino's Pizza Slice the Price program for a fundraiser everyone will enjoy! The proceeds of this fundraiser will support and raised money towards the back to school staff and student activities including our kickball game, pancake breakfast, bouncy houses, ice cream treats, teacher appreciation week, and much more!

Below, you will see a picture and description of our SLICE THE PRICE card. See how the card works with this short VIDEO: https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/934xj66gkh

Slice the Price Card:

• With the card, every time you purchase a large pizza at Domino’s, you will receive another large pizza FREE!

• The cost of the card is just $20, and our school profits $10 for every card sold!

• Use the card as many times as you would like until the card expires 06/30/2027!

• Cards will be sold from 09/09/2026-09/23/2026.

• When a customer buys a card through your online store, it will be shipped directly to them! If they purchase one card, the shipping fee is only .99 cents.

• Every student that participates will receive a free prize!

Information packets and order forms will be distributed on 09/09/2026. See all the locations where the card is accepted here: https://slicethepricecard.com/map.

Meet Our Safety Patrol!

We are excited to introduce our Safety Patrol team! Safety Patrol is a leadership program that helps keep schools safe. You’ll see our safety patrol team helping students, supporting safe arrival and dismissal, and setting a great example for others!

During the month of September, you will start to see Hamilton Safety Patrollers during arrival and dismissal. These student leaders have volunteered their time to help ensure the safety of all students at Hamilton. We have partnered with AAA to provide patrollers with the equipment and training to be an example to all Hamilton students. When you see a Hamilton Safety Patroller this year, please thank them for being a student leader. You will know who they when you see the bright yellow belt and hat.

Safety Patrol Coordinator

Mrs. Rodriguez-Nilges

Safety Patrollers

Ashton McDonald

Sah'layja Shelton

Anthony Quillen

Kelena Stone

Hazel Recznik

Dimitri Gass

Jil'Lea Pride

Jamei'cha White

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.

Every school day matters! Regular attendance helps elementary students build strong academic skills, positive relationships, and the routines they need to be successful. Learning builds from day to day, so when students miss school, they may miss important instruction, practice, and opportunities to build on what they learned previously. Research shows that chronic absenteeism in the early grades is associated with lower reading and math achievement. Students who are chronically absent over multiple years in the early grades are also much less likely to be reading at grade level by third grade.

Attendance also impacts behavior. Students who are frequently absent can have a harder time keeping up with classroom routines, expectations, and social connections. Consistent attendance helps children feel connected, confident, and ready to learn.

What is Chronic Absenteeism?

A student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school year, regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. Even a few absences each month can add up quickly.

When a student reaches chronic absenteeism levels, the school will work with families to identify barriers, monitor attendance, and provide support or interventions to help improve attendance and ensure the student stays connected to learning.

Excusal due to Religious Observances

Parents must submit a request, to the main office, for religious expression days within 14 days of the start of the school year OR within 14 days of a student transferring into the district. Student are permitted up to 3 days for this purpose.

*If you have not done so, please coomplete 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.

Vision to Learn is coming to our school!

We're excited to welcome Vision to Learn to our school on September 10th Vision to learn is a program that provides FREE vision screenings/ eye exams for students h, helping identify children who may be having difficulty seeing clearly.

If a student is found to need glasses, Vision to Learn can provide glasses at no cost to the family. The goal is to make sure every child has the vision support they need to be successful in the classroom.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to each out to the clinic at 440-284-8371

Eggoji Day: On Thursday, September 10th , the cafeteria will be serving fun emoji stamped waffles with a colby cheese omelet & syrup in celebration of Eggoji Day.

Elementary Lucky Breakfast Bag: On Monday, September 14th , 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.

Whole Grain Month/Better Breakfast Month: All of September is Whole Grain & Better Breakfast month. Please encourage students to eat breakfast and lunch daily and let them know that the average school breakfast provides them with ¼ of their recommended daily nutritional needs. A school lunch provides them 1/3.

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

9/1- Kindergarten Open House (5:00-6:00pm)

9/10 - Staff vs. Student Kickball Game @ Ely Athletic Complex (4:30pm)

9/10- Marcos Pizza Night

9/10- Vision to Learn Bus

9/28 - Second Harvest Food Bank @ Ely Stadium (Hamilton Staff Volunteer)

• 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