The Hamilton Weekly News
Upcoming Dates
September 13th
- Girls Soccer Tryouts | 4-5:45pm | Lower Woodland Field
- Ultimate Frisbee Tryouts | 4-6:00 pm | Wallingford Park Field
September 27th
- Curriculum Night
- 6 - 6:30pm | 6th Grade Families Only
- 6:30 - 8pm | All Grades
October 5th
- First Fridays Parent Coffee
October 11th
Please check the calendar on the Hamilton Calendar for a complete listing of events.
Welcome to this school year's first edition of the Hamilton Weekly News! The Hamilton WeeklyNews (HWN) is produced by the Hamilton PTSA and and is where you can look for the latest Hamilton-related news, announcements and information. Each week, we'll bring you...
- Upcoming Events
- Principal's Letter
- Hamilton Happenings
- PTSA News
- FOMAHI News (Friends of Music at Hamilton International)
- HOST (Hawks Out of School Time) After School Activities News
- Athletics News
- and much, much more!
To help you prepare for each week ahead, look for the Hamilton Weekly News online every Thursday, or better yet, sign up to receive a link to each new issue, emailed directly to you. Subscribe at PTSA Hamilton Weekly News Signup.
PTSA News
★NEW A Letter from the PTSA President - Camilla Layman
Hello and welcome to the Hamilton community and the 2018-2019 school year! This is the first edition of Hamilton Weekly News, and now that we've had a full week of school under our belts, we are ready to start cruising. We figured we'd kick the year off with some questions/comments overheard at the Parent Coffee on the first day of school.
"How do I find out what's going on?"
If you're receiving this newsletter, this is a good start. This is our regular newsletter (produced and edited by parent volunteers) for the Hamilton community. We're working with school staff and administration to put the most relevant info in here each week. We hope you find it useful and welcome your suggestions for upcoming issues (hamiltonweeklynews@gmail.com). If you know of someone who isn't receiving it but might like to, please forward it to them. They can sign-up here: https://mailchi.mp/a2be915df8be/hamilton_ptsa_email_signup
"Am I supposed to be filling out forms or something?"
Yes, and we're not in charge of this but are happy to share what we know. There's a start of school packet that you can fill-out and submit online: First Day Forms It includes information about supplies, emergency contact info, field trip forms, the volunteer screening process you need to complete in order to volunteer at school, yearbook info, and all the other forms/details that the school would like back from us. There is a link to this packet on the school's homepage: http://hamiltonms.seattleschools.org. If you'd like to be a part of the secure online school directory, you can sign-up here himsptsa.ourschoolpages.com (while you're there, you can become a PTSA member there, sign-up for email, and get in the volunteer database at the same time if you choose.)
"I want to help out this year, but I'm not sure what I can commit to...."
Hey, we get it! The good news is there are plenty of ways to be involved at Hamilton this year. If you sign up to receive our emails (https://mailchi.mp/a2be915df8be/hamilton_ptsa_email_signup), we'll keep you in the loop on volunteer opportunities and you can sign-up for what's right for you.
"I'm dying to find a larger role so I can be a part of building a vibrant PTSA and get to know other fun, growth-mindset-oriented parents."
OK, we didn't actually hear that at the Parent Coffee, but we're pretty sure a few of you were thinking it. If you'd like to join us as VP of Events, Co-Legislative Liaison, Matching Grants chair, or be an event lead for a future Parent Coffee, International Movie Night, or Pi(e) Night, let's talk. (HamiltonPTSA@live.com)
If you have other questions you'd like answered, let us know via email, or ask us in person at Curriculum Night (Sept 27th), a First Fridays Parent Coffee (next one is October 5th), or our October PTSA General Membership Meeting on October 11th.
Happy Back to School Season to you and yours,
Camilla Layman
Hamilton PTSA President
HamiltonPTSA@live.com
Letter from the Principal
Dorian Manza
Dear Hamilton International Middle School Families,
We are off to a great start to the school year! Last week it was wonderful to see students who were excited to be back and eager to learn. The enthusiasm that teachers brought to the building was very evident. I appreciate our staff’s dedication to their craft and their love for working with kids! We spent the first three days helping students get back into a routine, building positive relationships, and creating a welcoming classroom environment. We made sure that students had plenty of time to practice their locker combinations and familiarize themselves with their class schedules. As we get close to completing the first week of school the positive energy from students and staff is highly visible. I want to thank families and the community for your role in helping us kick off the school year on a positive note!
I am excited to continue our focus on highly effective teaching and instruction, strong systems for academic and social-emotional support, and eliminating the opportunity gap. This week teachers are diving into their lessons while students roll their sleeves up and dig into the learning. In addition to launching units of study we also started our Advisory period this week. Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays are dedicated to Hawk Time for Advisory. During Hawk Time students can catch up on work, read, finish projects, and participate in clubs. Tuesdays, we are focused on building culture which includes social/emotional learning, tolerance and diversity, and growth mindset. Wednesdays our students will be working on mindfulness, planning, and organization. Our staff has put a lot of time and energy into planning and enhancing advisory for our students this year and we are looking forward to the positive outcomes it will bring. We are going to make it a great school year!
Go Hawks!
Dorian Manza
Principal
Hamilton International Middle School
Hamilton School News
★NEW Start of School Forms
Welcome back to school. The "First Day Packet" is available online. It includes the School Welcome Packet and General Information as well as all of the required forms for the start of school. If you haven't done so already, please fill them out and send them to school with your student as soon as possible.
http://hamiltonms.seattleschools.org/about/calendar_and_news/news/start_of_school_packet/
★NEW Drop-off and Pick-up Directions - Don't get caught causing a traffic jam!
For the safety and benefit of all our parents and guardians, dropping off and picking up their students, please TRAVEL WEST ONLY on North 41st St. (the south side of Hamilton). Otherwise traffic gridlock, unsafe conditions, and angry drivers results. Please refer to the Hamilton Traffic Flow Map.
★ NEW Math Department - Volunteers Needed
Greetings Parents! The math department is working with all-new curricular materials this year! Also, this year marks I believe the 10th anniversary of the "new" Hamilton building. When you put those two together, it equals a math storeroom that is in dire need of a purge and an overhaul. Do you enjoy organizing spaces? If you would be willing to volunteer about 3 hours of your time we could make the storeroom usable again for our teachers. I think 3-4 volunteers would be plenty. If you can do this, please email me and we can set up a time that works for everyone. Thank you!
Seth Bundy
Math Teacher and Placement Specialist
Hamilton International Middle School
ssbundy@seattleschools.org
★NEW 6th Grade Parents Orientation & All-School Curriculum Night
Thursday, Sept. 27th
- 6th Grade Parent Orientation | 6:00 - 6:30pm | Parents of 6th Grade Students Only
- Curriculum Night | 6:30 - 8:00 pm | All Hamilton Parents
Come meet your students teachers, sit in their classroom chairs and squeeze through the hallways as you follow their daily route through Hamilton. What's not to love? You won't want to miss it!
Sixth grade parents – you're invited to come in a half hour early (6pm) and get oriented by Principal Manza. Learn more about school policies and procedures.
Questions? Contact the Hamilton Main Office at (206) 252-5812
★NEW HAMILTON YEARBOOK
Order your HAMILTON YEARBOOK by SEPTEMBER 15 for the early bird price of $20!
To be in accordance with WA state sales tax policies and District policy, we will close sales for yearbooks on September 15. (There will be another sales period during October 14 – November 3.)
To order a yearbook using your credit or debit card, follow this link: https://www.schoolpay.com/link/HIMSYearbook18-19
Note: It is Hamilton's intention that each student who wants a yearbook should have one. If your family would like to request a scholarship to cover the cost of your student's yearbook, please email Fiscal Specialist lmmelenyzer@seattleschools.org or your student's counselor.
Alternatively, if your family would like to help subsidize the scholarship program for yearbooks, you can add a donation to the cost of your book. All funds collected for the yearbook are deposited into an account managed by the Hamilton Associated Student Body organization and used to benefit students.
Hamilton Athletics
Fall Sports
Girls Soccer
Ultimate Frisbee
For more information:
Hamilton Athletics: Webpage
Seattle Schools: SPS Athletics Webpage
Schedules and Information
Follow SPS Athletics on Twitter
Music News
★ NEW Get Connected with with FOMAHI!
We’re the Friends of Music at Hamilton International (FOMAHI), a 100% volunteer organization that fundraises for—and supports—the school’s music program. Throughout the year, we license sheet music, pay for instrument tuning and repairs, subsidize out-of-state trips to major competitions, fund additional classroom instruction, and provide scholarships to students in need.
NEW and RETURNING music students, please register your music student(s) today at https://fomahi.membershiptoolkit.com. $25 registration fee is requested, but not required. Click "register" on the left column.
★ NEW Join the Board!!
We are still looking for Board Members. Don’t be intimidated, it’s actually pretty fun and doesn’t take a lot of time.
- Vice President for Director of Concert Operations: Helps coordinate concerts operations 3 times/year for band/choir/orchestra including delegating bake sale coordinators, audio/visual recordings, and concert programs. Attends monthly board meetings.
- Secretary: takes meeting minutes, maintains files. Attends monthly board meetings.
Email FOHAMIhelp@gmail.com if interested.
★ NEW Register for Junior Jazz Band
Registration for Fall Junior Jazz is now open.
Junior Jazz is a fee-based, after-school enrichment program that develops concepts in jazz and improvisation, that is managed by FOMAHI. Students need to have at least one year of experience on their instrument. All grades are welcome.
Fees are $100/session, and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, 3:55 to 5 pm in the Band Room.
Register at https://fomahi.membershiptoolkit.com under “Jazz at Hamilton”.
HOST After-School Program
HOST - Hawks Out of School Time
★ NEW HOST Session Registration Now Open!
Hello Families!
I would like to announce that HOST Registration is NOW OPEN! You can go online to: https://positiveplace.org/clubs/hamilton/
You will be able to access our class offerings under “School Year “ & “Register”
*Note* If you are already a Boys & Girls Club member, all you need to do is log in to your account, if you are new please create a new account.
A flyer with more information will be sent out to students in the next couple of days!
If you have any questions please contact Jonathan at jdelcid@positiveplace.org
For more information:
Jonathan Delcid
Hamilton Boys & Girls HOST Director
jwdelcid@seattleschools.org
Office 206-252-5831
Room 104 (across from the main office)
HOST Program: HOST Webpage
Seattle Schools News
★ NEW Lincoln High School
As we prepare for the opening of Lincoln High School this section "Lincoln High School" will remain in the newsletter under "Seattle Schools News" as an ongoing place to find the latest updates. Many of our Hamilton students will attend LHS, so keeping this section static will help keep our families informed.
★ NEW Lincoln High School Community Planning Meeting
October 1st | 6:30-8:30pm | John Marshall Building
520 Ravenna Blvd - Seattle
Come join us for an update and breakout session on the progress of reopening Lincoln Seattle:
- Meet our new staff
- Update on academic programming and deeper learning opportunities
- Transition plan for incoming 9th and 10th graders
- Planning for Athletics and Activities
- Q & A with the LHS Staff
Like LHS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnSeattle/
Follow LHS on Twitter: @lincoln_seattle @CoreyEichner
LHS Web profile: Lincoln High School
★ NEW Lincoln PTSA Formation Meeting
Thursday, Sept. 20th | 6:30-8:30pm | Friday Afternoon Tea
4228 Stone Way North - Seattle
Happy start of the 2018-19 school year, and welcome to the start of our journey to forming a Lincoln PTSA! Let's get together to start mapping out how a super-parent-powered PTSA can help make Lincoln the high school of our – and our students' – dreams!
Please join us on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 6:30-8:00pm, at Friday Afternoon, 4228 Stone Way North.
We'll get introduced, share some goals, talk about logistics (meeting frequency, tasks, etc.) and brainstorm ideas on where to start putting our energies as we get a Lincoln PTSA off the ground. If you can't make this meeting, no worries; minutes will be shared afterwards and there will be plenty more meetings to come! (fun meetings, I promise!)
If possible, please let me know if you can attend, by emailing me at lisarsmith@live.com.
Thanks in advance for the contribution of your time and talents!
- Lisa Rivera Smith
★NEW Advanced Learning Testing
This is a reminder that Advanced Learning eligibility testing is open through September 24. More Information can be found here: Flyer
Stephen Martin, smmartin@seattleschools.org Supervisor, Office of Advanced Learning
Kari Hanson, klhanson1@seattleschools.org, Director of Student Support Services
Advanced Learning Webpage: https://www.seattleschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=14554
★NEW New Features Available Through The Source
The Source is Seattle Public Schools’ online portal that allows parents, guardians and students access to schedules, attendance, assessment scores, and secondary student grades. Many exciting new services for families are coming this school year and will be accessible via the Source including:
- Data Verification Form: This year, instead of receiving a paper form, you can go online to verify your student’s information. (please contact your school if you prefer a paper copy of the student verification form).
- SchoolPay Online Payments: Review and pay your student's fees or fines via credit/debit card or electronic checks to their schools.
- High School & Beyond Planner (coming soon): View your student's four-year course plan based on graduation requirements and future goals.
- CareDox Health Portal (coming this Fall): View and update your student’s health information; get timely updates when your child receives care from the school nurse.
- Naviance Application Preferences (available September 4-19): For each student in grades 8 through 12, record your family’s decision for using.
Remember, you need to have a Source account to take advantage of these new services! Source setup instructions for parents and guardians can be found online at: https://www.seattleschools.org/SourceSetup. Questions about the Source may be directed to sourcesupport@seattleschools.org
Community News
★NEW SkiBus! SkiBus! SkiBus!
The 2018-19 ski season is right around the corner (well, really it is months away), and please consider signing up for the 2018–2019 Ski Bus. Weather permitting, we will have 6 after school Friday trips to the Summit at Snoqualmie starting in early January. Signups (at SkiMohan.com) will start in mid-September and the earlier people sign up the better, so we can commit to a specific number of busses. Signups after November will be considered, depending on space. We will have an information meeting in early November for parents, including information about volunteering.
If you have any questions, please contact the HIMS Ski Bus coordinator (school parent volunteer) Jan Tackett at: 206.297.7616 or theskihawks@gmail.com.
★NEW "How to Be a Happier Parent" talk on September 18
Please join us! Jane Addams Middle School and JAMS PTSA are excited to host a talk by KJ Dell'Antonia, author of "How to be a Happier Parent: Raising a Family, Having a Life, and Loving (Almost) Every Minute" next Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. in the JAMS auditorium (11051 34th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125). This FREE event is open to all interested parents, staff and community members.
Unlike so much anxiety-inducing parenting advice out there, "How to Be a Happier Parent" does not demand that parents add more to their already busy lives or reinvent the wheel. Instead, the book, and the former New York Times Motherlode editor herself, offer a well-timed reminder that a satisfying family life isn’t about hauling kids around and eventually dropping them off at Destination: Success. It’s about finding happiness—real happiness, the kind you look back on, look forward to, and live for—along the way. Email info@jamsptsa.org with any questions.
★NEW WA State PTA Survey
WHAT ISSUES ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Take the PTA online survey to help your PTA delegates vote on the TOP 5 issues that are most important to your school. The issues supporting the “Health, Education & Welfare” of our students cover a wide spectrum of legislative policies from school meals and closing to the gaps to pre-school, recess, SEL, teacher shortages, gun safety and more. Take the survey to find out what’s on the proposed agenda and share your priorities with your PTA.
Your voice matters, please take a few moments and let us know what’s important to you and your family.
Questions: Contact : Leg Chair or HamiltonPTSA@live.com.
https://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=f9b7c938-406a-4c06-ba71-ca3815a50562
★NEW Woodland Soccer Club Has Space for Girls Fall Soccer!!
Do you have a girl who'd like to play soccer this fall in a fun, recreational environment while getting to know some other girls in the neighborhood? Woodland Soccer Club has space available at all middle school age groups (U12 - usually 6th graders; U13 - usually 7th graders; U14 - usually 8th graders). The season begins the weekend of September 8, but we can accept registrations and placement on teams past that date. We also offer scholarships for anyone needing one in order to play. Please contact heleneobradovich@gmail.com for more information on how to register.
★NEW One on One Basketball Seattle Presents...
Pre-Season Player Development Programs (Red & Purple Levels)
Ravenna CC or Queen Anne CC (Th), Meadowbrook CC (Sat)
- our nationally renown progressive basketball individual skills class
- prepare for middle school basketball (Red), or high school basketball (Purple) this Fall!
- shooting technique, efficient ball-handling, effective passing, smart defense, court vision
- Invite your teammates!
Fall Pure Stroke Shooting Clinic - starts next week!
Ravenna CC or Queen Anne (Th), Meadowbrook CC (Sat)
- learn all about proper shooting mechanics and how to fix your own shot
- This 8-week clinic is guaranteed to make you a better shooter!
Meadowbrook begins 9/15! Ravenna and QACC begin 9/27!
Check the schedule and register by clicking on the link below:
seattle.1on1basketball.com
★NEW Kids With An Edge
Kids With An Edge is now enrolling for:
- Math Classes to establish Strong Fundamentals. Highly interactive and SPS Core Standards based. Teach children what methods to use and why- "Math is Not Magic". There is a reason why 3/5 ÷ 4/7 = 3/5 x 7/4! Support a student's current curriculum, strengthen concepts from a previous year, or take a look ahead.
- Python 1 Computer Coding, Friday or Saturday classes
- Early Learning Reading/Math Programs for Ages 4-7. Highly interactive, effective and engaging format.
https://www.KidsWithAnEdge.com
email: info@kidswithanedge.com
Disclaimer
Listings in Community News for any specific commercial or organizational product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Hamilton International Middle School or the Hamilton PTSA.
Submission Guidelines
The Hamilton Weekly News is emailed on Thursdays to those who have opted in to receive the newsletter at PTSA Hamilton Weekly News Signup. If you have comments, corrections or additions to the Hamilton Weekly News, please contact the editor at HamiltonWeeklyNews@gmail.com. We welcome your feedback! Please submit content for inclusion by Wednesday afternoon. Click here for full submission guidelines.
Know a parent or guardian who’s not receiving the newsletter? Please let them know they can sign up at PTSA Hamilton Weekly News Signup.
Hamilton International Middle School
1610 North 41st Street, Seattle, WA 98103
Main Office: (206) 252-5810 | Attendance:(206) 252-5814
Website: http://hamiltonms.seattleschools.org
Hamilton PTSA
Website: http://www.himsptsa.ourschoolpages.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonPTSA/
Past Newsletters: http://hamiltonms.seattleschools.org/about/calendar_and_news/hamilton_weekly_news/
The SPS 2018–2019 Academic Calendar
http://www.seattleschools.org/district/calendars
★NEW Advanced Learning Testing
This is a reminder that Advanced Learning eligibility testing is open through September 24. More Information can be found her: Flyer
Stephen Martin, smmartin@seattleschools.org Supervisor, Office of Advanced Learning
Kari Hanson, klhanson1@seattleschools.org, Director of Student Support Services
Advanced Learning Webpage: https://www.seattleschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=14554
★NEW New Features Available Through The Source
The Source is Seattle Public Schools’ online portal that allows parents, guardians and students access to schedules, attendance, assessment scores, and secondary student grades. Many exciting new services for families are coming this school year and will be accessible via the Source including:
- Data Verification Form: This year, instead of receiving a paper form, you can go online to verify your student’s information. (please contact your school if you prefer a paper copy of the student verification form).
- SchoolPay Online Payments: Review and pay your student's fees or fines via credit/debit card or electronic checks to their schools.
- High School & Beyond Planner (coming soon): View your student's four-year course plan based on graduation requirements and future goals.
- CareDox Health Portal (coming this Fall): View and update your student’s health information; get timely updates when your child receives care from the school nurse.
- Naviance Application Preferences (available September 4-19): For each student in grades 8 through 12, record your family’s decision for using.
Remember, you need to have a Source account to take advantage of these new services! Source setup instructions for parents and guardians can be found online at: https://www.seattleschools.org/SourceSetup. Questions about the Source may be directed to sourcesupport@seattleschools.org
★NEW Advanced Learning Testing
This is a reminder that Advanced Learning eligibility testing is open through September 24. More Information can be found her: Flyer
Stephen Martin, smmartin@seattleschools.org Supervisor, Office of Advanced Learning
Kari Hanson, klhanson1@seattleschools.org, Director of Student Support Services
Advanced Learning Webpage: https://www.seattleschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=14554
★NEW New Features Available Through The Source
The Source is Seattle Public Schools’ online portal that allows parents, guardians and students access to schedules, attendance, assessment scores, and secondary student grades. Many exciting new services for families are coming this school year and will be accessible via the Source including:
- Data Verification Form: This year, instead of receiving a paper form, you can go online to verify your student’s information. (please contact your school if you prefer a paper copy of the student verification form).
- SchoolPay Online Payments: Review and pay your student's fees or fines via credit/debit card or electronic checks to their schools.
- High School & Beyond Planner (coming soon): View your student's four-year course plan based on graduation requirements and future goals.
- CareDox Health Portal (coming this Fall): View and update your student’s health information; get timely updates when your child receives care from the school nurse.
- Naviance Application Preferences (available September 4-19): For each student in grades 8 through 12, record your family’s decision for using.
Remember, you need to have a Source account to take advantage of these new services! Source setup instructions for parents and guardians can be found online at: https://www.seattleschools.org/SourceSetup. Questions about the Source may be directed to sourcesupport@seattleschools.org
★NEW Advanced Learning Testing
This is a reminder that Advanced Learning eligibility testing is open through September 24. More Information can be found her: Flyer
Stephen Martin, smmartin@seattleschools.org Supervisor, Office of Advanced Learning
Kari Hanson, klhanson1@seattleschools.org, Director of Student Support Services
Advanced Learning Webpage: https://www.seattleschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=14554
★NEW New Features Available Through The Source
The Source is Seattle Public Schools’ online portal that allows parents, guardians and students access to schedules, attendance, assessment scores, and secondary student grades. Many exciting new services for families are coming this school year and will be accessible via the Source including:
- Data Verification Form: This year, instead of receiving a paper form, you can go online to verify your student’s information. (please contact your school if you prefer a paper copy of the student verification form).
- SchoolPay Online Payments: Review and pay your student's fees or fines via credit/debit card or electronic checks to their schools.
- High School & Beyond Planner (coming soon): View your student's four-year course plan based on graduation requirements and future goals.
- CareDox Health Portal (coming this Fall): View and update your student’s health information; get timely updates when your child receives care from the school nurse.
- Naviance Application Preferences (available September 4-19): For each student in grades 8 through 12, record your family’s decision for using.
Remember, you need to have a Source account to take advantage of these new services! Source setup instructions for parents and guardians can be found online at: https://www.seattleschools.org/SourceSetup. Questions about the Source may be directed to sourcesupport@seattleschools.org
PTSA News