Hamilton Intermediate News

Ranger Families,

It has been a fantastic start to the 2026 year at Hamilton Intermediate School! Our students are truly embracing our "Ranger Leader Focus," transitioning from practicing Habit 5 (Seek First to Understand) in January to learning how to Synergize this February. I am incredibly proud of our students' hard work, from the 5th graders reaching their 100 perfect iReady math lesson milestone to the collaborative spirit shown by our Connection Crew and Lighthouse Team. As we look forward to the PTO "Fill the Heart" fundraiser and our 6th Grade Dance, please remember that your partnership is essential to supporting the "whole child." Let’s continue to show our Ranger Pride by prioritizing attendance and working together to help every student grow.

With Ranger Pride,

Kelly Altiers
Principal

ELA Classes Kick Off Eureka Student Inventor Unit!

This engaging, hands-on unit challenges students to collaborate, problem-solve, and think critically as they compete in the exciting Eureka Game Show. Along the way, students dive into informational texts and learn about famous inventors who changed the world. Most recently, students worked with their lab partners to design their own inventions, applying creativity, teamwork, and innovation to bring their ideas to life.

A Sweet Success in Math

The fifth graders reached an exciting milestone in math! As a grade level, students earned 100 perfect scores on iReady math lessons, and we celebrated with a special cake. Mrs. Cook’s homeroom was the first class to reach this goal, showing terrific effort and determination. The cake was decorated with “100” candles to mark the achievement, and students were proud of their hard work. We look forward to seeing how many perfect scores they can earn next!

Putting Expectations into Play

Mrs. Wagner’s class has been hard at work practicing our classroom norms and expectations in a fun and engaging way! Last week, students played a lively game of charades to review what positive classroom behaviors look like. From “active listening” to “working as a team,” students did a great job acting out and identifying key expectations while having a lot of laughs. We’re off to a great start!

It's that time of year... it's Clay Time in Art Class!

The students are working with Mrs. Enright to create fun and creative 3D clay sculptures in all three grades. The 6th grade are creating "Clay Mash-ups", 5th graders are building Clay Food Sculptures of some of their favorite foods and snacks, while 4th grade are working on creative Clay Creatures made out of pinch pots. Clay is the favorite project for many students! Sculpting clay is fun yet challenging and brings out a different side of the students' art skills. Be on the lookout for these wonderful clay projects to come home in the beginning of March!

January Leaders of the Month

In January, we celebrated students who practiced Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood! These leaders listen carefully to others, show empathy, and think before they respond. They work to understand different perspectives and communicate their own ideas clearly and respectfully.

February Leaders of the Month

In February, we are celebrating students who know how to Synergize — they work well with others, value different ideas, and understand that teamwork leads to better results. These leaders listen, collaborate, and show respect, helping their teams succeed together every day!

Encourage your child to:
✅ Work cooperatively with others ✅ Share ideas and build on others’ strengths
✅ Listen to different perspectives ✅ Be respectful and supportive in group work

The Lighthouse Team traveled to the high school to meet with the Power Rangers for a collaborative leadership experience. To kick things off, students participated in fun get-to-know-you games that helped break the ice and build comfort across grade levels. Throughout the visit, students engaged in meaningful discussions about leadership, responsibility, and teamwork, while exploring real-world examples of what it means to be a leader both in and out of school. The experience allowed our students to ask questions, make connections, and learn from older student leaders, inspiring them to grow their own leadership skills and confidence.

Students read about Sadako and the Japanese story of the 1,000 paper cranes, learning about themes of hope, perseverance, and peace. Through discussion and reflection, students explored the historical context of the story and its lasting message. They were then given the opportunity to explore the ancient paper art of origami, carefully following step-by-step directions to create their own folded designs.

The Connection Crew synergized with the Specialized Learning Classroom to cut, glue, and create puppet zebras. Students worked side by side to follow directions, share materials, and support one another throughout the activity. This collaborative experience encouraged communication, creativity, and inclusion, while reinforcing the importance of teamwork and kindness. Together, students showed how working as a team can make learning both meaningful and fun.