Hello HCS Families,

The district is looking for parental and community input on several committees.  Dr. Alston has asked for parent representation on our Strategic Planning Committee.  If you would like to be a part of shaping the district mission, vision, and plan going forward, please contact the district office (824-6310).

Additional community membership is needed for other school groups.  We are looking for your support on the following committees: Technology, Curriculum, Budget and Scheduling.  If you would like to volunteer your services to any of these groups, please contact the elementary office (824-6330) or email me at <kellis@hamiltoncentral.org>  It is important that we have the input of the entire Learning Community.

Thank you,

Kevin Ellis
Hamilton Elementary Principal

Below is a copy of the letter that went home to parents. It outlines how we will use eSpark Learning for the 2016-17 school-year.

Dear Hamilton Families,  

Over the past two months, I have had the opportunity to meet several times with teachers, parents, and community members to discuss the use of eSpark Learning here at HCS.  We are excited to offer this independent learning opportunity for our students.  However, we realize that there are concerns about how and when it will be used within classrooms.  Given this feedback from the learning community, the elementary teachers and I have come up with a plan for the use of eSpark Learning with our students.  This plan addresses the concerns of the community and still provides the environment for students to use this independent learning tool.

It is important to note that we have an obligation as a Focus District to offer our students that did not make adequate progress additional instructional supports.  eSpark Learning provides this support through differentiated instruction and engaged learning activities.  

How will we use eSpark Learning?

After School eSpark Learning Class:

Students who have been identified through our Focus District status will be invited to participate in this after school class.  We will identify these students through standardized test scores and teacher recommendations.  Invitations will be sent home to these students by November 22.  

If space permits, other students who could use additional academic supports will be invited to participate.  These invites will go out the week of November 28.  

The eSpark Learning group will meet after school from 2:50 to 3:50 two days a week (exact  days need to be determined).  This club will begin the week of December 5 and run each week through June 9.  Two teachers and one aide will be overseeing the after school class.  

eSpark in the Classroom

• Teachers will use eSpark at their own discretion within each classroom.  There will be no expectations (protocols) for use.  Parents can communicate directly with their child’s teacher about any concerns they may have.

• eSpark Learning will not replace any of our existing core instruction in ELA or Math.  If teachers choose to use eSpark Learning during the school day, they would use it during supplemental learning times (examples: center work, activities block).  

If you have questions, please contact me here at HCS.

Kevin Ellis

Hamilton Elementary Principal

eSpark Learning:

Please look for an informational letter and email about eSpark Learning that will be going home with students tomorrow.

The information includes how and when eSpark Learning will be used at HCS Elementary.  The process for student use includes input from the entire learning community.  This included 3 Parent University meetings and several individual and small group meetings with parents and community members. Additionally, the process for use was determined through meetings with the classroom teachers.  The process outlined in the letter is one that both administrators and teachers agreed upon.

The decision to use eSpark Learning was made as a result of our Focus District distinction and that we have an obligation to provide additional services to the students identified in this distinction.  

Thank you all for your patience throughout this process.

Kevin Ellis
Hamilton Elementary Principal