Making Waves
Old Hammondtown School Weekly Family Newsletter
Dear Old Hammondtown Community,
There are moments in education that remind you exactly why you chose this profession. And then there are moments that remind you why you cannot imagine doing anything else. This week, I experienced one of those moments.
October is National Principals Month, a time to recognize the work of school leaders across the country. Over the past two weeks, unbeknownst to me, our students and staff had been working together on something incredibly special. During Friday's Whole-School Meeting, students approached the microphone carrying flowers and a binder filled with more than 180 handwritten letters of appreciation. Each letter had a seahorse on it, and each contained words from a child about what our school, our relationships, and the moments we share mean to them.
I was completely overwhelmed.
But as I began reading their letters, what stayed with me most was not the recognition itself. It was the extraordinary things our children notice, the moments they remember, and the feelings they carry with them throughout their school day.
One student wrote, "We always have big conversations."
Another shared, "You make me feel at home."
One wrote, "The start of everyone's day is amazing because of you."
Another simply said, "I feel good here. I like my new school."
And then there were the words that stopped me in my tracks.
"You think of others when they need it."
"You are doing a hard job and teaching us respect that we might not have had in the past."
"You have built us a new community and have relationships with everyone."
I wish I could explain what it feels like to read those words from children.Not because they were written about me, but because of what they tell us about the things that matter most to our students. They notice when someone takes the time to listen. They remember the conversations that make them feel important. They recognize when someone goes out of their way to make their morning a little brighter. And perhaps most meaningfully, they understand what it feels like to belong.
Of all the things I could hope our students would say about their school, "You make me feel at home" might be one of the most meaningful.
Because isn't that what we want for every child? To walk through our doors and feel safe. To know that someone is genuinely happy to see them. To feel comfortable being themselves, confident that their voice matters, and certain that they belong to something special.
I have spent much of my career believing that relationships are not something we build alongside the work of education. Relationships are the work. They are the foundation that makes everything else possible. And these letters reminded me that children feel that foundation in ways we may never fully realize.
I have said to so many people since arriving at Old Hammondtown that I feel like I hit the lottery. And I mean that with my whole heart. I hit the lottery with our students. I hit the lottery with our staff. And I hit the lottery with a school community that has welcomed me so openly and made this place feel like home to me, too.
There is something incredibly special about waking up each morning genuinely excited to go to work. To stand outside and greet our students as they arrive. To hear about their weekends, their accomplishments, their worries, and the things that make them laugh. To walk into classrooms and witness learning, curiosity, and moments of connection. To end a day knowing that, even in the smallest way, you may have made a difference in someone's life.
That is why this job has never felt like just a job to me. It is a responsibility I take seriously, a passion I carry deeply, and work that comes from the heart.
And none of what our students described in those letters happens because of one person. It happens because of the extraordinary people who fill this building every day. This week was a perfect example of that. Between thoughtfully planned lessons, parent-teacher conferences, classroom celebrations, and all the excitement of Halloween, our teachers and staff gave so much of themselves to make the week meaningful for our students and families!
As I stood in our gym on Friday, I couldn't help but think about the culture we have been building together. Our students have spent weeks recognizing staff members at the microphone, celebrating one another through Seahorse Spotlight, and learning the power of making others feel appreciated. The most beautiful part of a culture of kindness is watching our children carry it forward in ways entirely their own. Those 180 letters are something I will treasure forever, not simply for the words written about me, but for the thoughtfulness and gratitude behind each one.
To our students, staff, and families, thank you for making this community what it is. Being the principal of Old Hammondtown School is one of the greatest privileges of my career, and if our students feel even a fraction of the joy, gratitude, and sense of belonging that I feel here each day, then we are building something truly special. Our Think. Learn. Care. values are coming to life through the relationships we nurture and the kindness we share.
Small acts of kindness and hard work create big waves—and every wave starts with you. 🌊💙
Warmest Regards,
Ms. Amanda Chamberlin
Principal
🌊 Weekly Seahorse Spotlight: Sixth Grader, Vera!
This week's Seahorse Spotlight shines on Vera, a sixth grader who goes above and beyond to make every student feel welcomed and valued at OHS! Each morning, Vera joins Ms. Chamberlin outside to greet students as they arrive. From welcoming friends stepping off the buses to walking right up to cars at parent drop-off, Vera makes it her mission to start everyone's day with a smile. She greets students by name, offers the sweetest compliments, and even walks alongside our students as they make their way into school.
What makes Vera so special is that no one asks her to do these things. She simply sees an opportunity to make someone's morning a little brighter and takes it! Her genuine kindness, thoughtfulness, and caring heart are a beautiful reminder that small acts of kindness truly do make big waves.
Keep making waves, Vera! 💙🌊
PTA Updates: Meadow Farms Fundraiser and Family Literacy Night at Center School!
Meadow Farms Fundraiser
The Meadow Farms fundraiser has begun! Every student who's selling needs to be registered. Registration creates your own online store, and purchases turn into money!
https://portal.meadowfarms.com/?page=authSignup&groupid=1032141
Every student (or staff member) who sells 5 or more items is entered to win a gift card. There will be two winners, one from each school. The PTA is raising money to help support field trips and enrichment programs in school.
Stay Connected!
In addition to our weekly newsletter, there are a few other ways to stay connected and keep up with all that is happening at OHS!
- Follow us on Facebook for school updates, photos, reminders, and celebrations.
- Download the ORR Connect App on your mobile device to receive the latest school and district news, announcements, and updates. The app can be found in your device’s App Store.
Most importantly, please know that my door is always open. Families are always welcome to reach out to me by phone or email with questions, concerns, or simply to connect, and I am always happy to make time to meet. I truly value hearing from our families and look forward to getting to know you and working together throughout the year!
