Making Waves

Dear Old Hammondtown Community,

For the first time in my career, I have the privilege of working with sixth graders. Having spent my entire career in K–5 schools, stepping into our unique 4–6 model at Old Hammondtown was something new for me. And while I was incredibly excited to begin this journey, I have a little confession to make. I was nervous about sixth grade.

Would they like me? Would I be able to connect with students who were a little older than those I had always worked with? I can still remember standing outside on our very first morning, watching the buses pull up and our students step off. Almost immediately, those worries disappeared. There was something about the smiles, the conversations, the personalities, and the energy of our sixth graders that made me realize just how special this experience was going to be.

What makes me smile even more is that our students remember that first morning, too.

In fact, a group of sixth graders loves to remind me, "We pulled up on day one and saw you in your green dress, and we knew it was going to be a great year!"

I cannot tell you how many times I have thought about those words.

Because what they remind me is that children are forming connections, building trust, and deciding how they feel about school from the very first moments they walk through our doors. Sometimes, a smile, a greeting, or simply the feeling of being welcomed can begin to shape a child's entire experience.

And what began as a few nervous questions on my part has turned into one of the most unexpected joys of my first year at OHS: our sixth graders have absolutely stolen my heart.

If you happen to walk through our cafeteria during sixth-grade lunch, you will likely find me moving between tables, catching up on conversations, laughing about our latest inside jokes, or hearing about something important happening in their lives. Somehow, every table has developed its own personality, its own stories, and its own little traditions with me. It has become one of my favorite parts of the school day.

But what I have come to appreciate most about our sixth graders goes far beyond the laughter we share. They are the leaders of our building.

Our unique fourth through sixth grade model gives our oldest students something incredibly special: the opportunity to spend three years growing within a school community and then step into the role of its oldest members. By sixth grade, they know the ins and outs of OHS. They understand our traditions, our routines, and the little things that make this school feel like home.

And as a new principal, I have quickly discovered that they have just as much to teach me as I have to teach them.

A few weeks ago, I sat down at a lunch table with a group of sixth-grade girls. Somewhere between our usual conversations and laughter, one of them asked me a question that I have not stopped thinking about. "Can we start a Principal's Advisory lunch with you? We have so many ideas!"

I loved everything about that question. Not simply because they wanted to have lunch with their principal, but because they saw themselves as people who could help shape their school. They had thoughts they wanted to share, changes they wanted to explore, and a genuine desire to be part of something bigger.

When I told them that we could absolutely bring their idea to life, their excitement was immediate! There were already conversations about what we would talk about, how students could participate, and, of course, whether we could have T-shirts. Although I was quickly corrected that what we really needed was "merch."

And just like that, an idea born at a cafeteria table began turning into something real.

This week, I visited sixth-grade lunch to officially introduce Principal's Advisory, which begins this Friday. I explained that students would have the opportunity to sign up for lunch with me, share their perspectives, brainstorm ideas, and help us continue making OHS an even better place for everyone. Each month, different students will participate, ensuring that new voices, experiences, and ideas are part of the conversation.

I told them the sign-up sheet would be waiting outside my office door. And the reaction was something I wish every family could have witnessed. The smiles. The excitement. The students practically springing out of their seats, eager to sign up and be part of something that was only just beginning.

There is something incredibly powerful about watching children realize that their ideas matter enough to become reality.

That adults are not simply there to make decisions for them, but to listen to them, learn from them, and invite them to help shape their school. That leadership does not have to wait until they are older. Sometimes, leadership begins with a simple question asked over lunch: "Can we try something?" And sometimes, one of the most important things we can say to a child is, "Yes. Let's see what we can build together."

Our sixth graders are not simply preparing to become leaders someday. They are already leaders today. And when we give them opportunities to lead, we give them something equally important: the confidence to believe that their voice has value.

I think back to that first morning in September, standing outside in my green dress, wondering what it would be like to work with sixth graders for the very first time. I had no idea that, just a few months later, I would be sharing inside jokes at their lunch tables, learning from their experiences, and bringing an idea they dreamed up to life.

I arrived at OHS hoping to make a difference in the lives of our students. What I didn't fully anticipate was just how much they would make a difference in mine.

To our sixth graders, thank you for welcoming me, making me laugh, teaching me about your school, and reminding me of the incredible things that happen when we take the time to listen. How fortunate we are to have a school where our oldest students have the opportunity to find their voices, grow as leaders, and leave a lasting mark on a community they love.

Sometimes, the biggest waves begin with the smallest conversations. All it takes is a lunch table, an idea, and a group of children who know their voices matter. Because small acts of kindness and hard work create big waves—and every wave starts with you. 🌊💙

Warmest Regards,
Ms. Amanda Chamberlin
Principal, Old Hammondtown School

Our fourth graders welcomed back the Grow Education Project from the Marion Institute this week for another wonderful hands-on learning experience! Students explored the fascinating world of bees, learning about their important role in our environment and the process of making honey. The experience even included a special honey tasting! We are so grateful to Farmer Nate and Farmer Jocelyn for continuing to bring engaging, meaningful learning opportunities to our students and helping them connect classroom learning to the natural world! 🍯

While our students enjoyed a day off for Election Day on Tuesday, our teachers were hard at work learning and collaborating! Educators from Old Hammondtown School and Center School came together for professional development focused on The Writing Revolution, an instructional approach designed to strengthen students' writing, critical thinking, and understanding across all subject areas. Throughout the day, teachers engaged in meaningful discussions, collaborated to create anchor charts highlighting instructional strategies, and shared their learning through group presentations.

So much of the important work our teachers do happens beyond the classroom! Tuesday was a wonderful example of the dedication, expertise, and care our educators bring to their work each day. We are incredibly fortunate to have teachers who are continually learning, growing, and working together to provide the very best for our students! 💙

This week's Seahorse Spotlight shines on Lillian, a fourth grader whose kindness and compassion make such a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her!

Lillian has a special gift for recognizing when someone might be feeling nervous, having a difficult day, or simply needing a friend. Without hesitation, she is there to offer a comforting hand, sit beside someone, share encouraging words, or make sure everyone feels included. Whether in the classroom, cafeteria, or throughout the school day, Lillian finds thoughtful ways to help others feel safe, welcomed, and supported.

What makes Lillian so special is how naturally her kindness comes to her. Her presence makes such a difference that it is truly felt when she is absent. One classmate even shared just how much she misses Lillian on the days she isn't there, a beautiful reminder of the comfort, friendship, and sense of belonging Lillian brings to those around her.

Lillian is a wonderful reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest waves! We are so lucky to have her as part of our Seahorse community! 💙

In honor of Veterans Day, our OHS students have been finding meaningful ways to show their gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our country! Students have been working to create heartfelt letters and messages of appreciation, while each grade level has also contributed to a special collection of items for veterans. The thoughtful words our students shared, along with the generosity of our OHS families, are beautiful reminders of the kindness, compassion, and gratitude within our school community. We are so proud of our students for honoring those who have given so much for others!

Did you know that our students have the opportunity to participate in health lessons with Ms. Guertin, who visits our fourth through sixth grade classrooms on a rotating schedule throughout the school year?

This past Friday, our fifth graders explored the fascinating world of the brain, learning about its different parts and the important roles they play in how we think, feel, learn, and respond to the world around us.

We are so fortunate to have Ms. Guertin bringing these engaging and meaningful learning experiences into our classrooms, helping students better understand themselves and the incredible ways their minds and bodies work! 💙

Meadow Farms Fundraiser – Open Through 11/11!

The Mattapoisett PTA’s Meadow Farms fundraiser is underway!

Important: Every student who is selling MUST be registered. Registration takes about a minute and creates their own online store. This is how online purchases are tracked and credited toward our fundraiser!

👉 Register here:

https://portal.meadowfarms.com/?page=authSignup&groupid=1032141

🎁 A little extra incentive!

Every student (or staff member) who sells 5 or more items will be entered to win a gift card! We’ll have two winners – one from Center School and one from Old Hammondtown!

Paper order forms can also be returned to school through Friday, 11/13.

All proceeds help the Mattapoisett PTA support student field trips and enrichment opportunities in our schools. Every order makes a difference, and we appreciate your support!

📚 Thank You, Mattapoisett!

A big thank-you to everyone who supported our Scholastic Book Fairs! We’re especially grateful to all of our volunteers who gave their time to help make both fairs a success.

Family Literacy Night was such a fun evening, bringing families together to enjoy dinner, books, and time with friends. Thank you for making it a great night! 💙

Thank you for continuing to support the Mattapoisett PTA and our school community!

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!