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

Parent University 3: eSpark Learning 

I will be hosting "Parent University 3, eSpark Learning" on Wednesday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the elementary library.  The purpose of this meeting will be to present some new information about eSpark Learning, options for use, and our next steps. Time will also be reserved to answer questions.

Technology Devices in the Classroom

Chromebooks (4-5) and iPads (K-3) are currently being added to classrooms.  Within the next week or two all classrooms will be equipped with 1:1 devices.  Students will begin using them shortly after arrival.  We currently have not set a launch date for eSpark Learning.  Parents will receive a notification in advance of a launch.  This notification will be sent via email and hard copy.

eSpark Learning Professional Developers Provide Training for Teachers

On October 14, eSpark staff developer, Mary Ellen Mazza was here to help teachers with getting ready for implementation of eSpark Learning.  Staff developers were also here on September 6 to train teachers.

Elementary Coding Club to Begin

32 students in grades 3-5 have signed up for Computer Coding Club.  This club is taught by the Women in Computer Science Club students from Colgate University.  The club will begin on October 31 and will meet five times, on Mondays, through December.  The club will again be offered in the Spring when Colgate students return from the semester.

Professional Development  

Columbia Teacher’s College staff developer Christine Holley was here on October 3 and 4 to work with teachers in grades K-2.  Teachers worked on increasing their knowledge of the workshop model in Reading and Writing.  A school-wide focus was on using writing assessments to inform instruction. Additional topics included strategies for improving our word study (phonics, phonemic awareness, spelling and vocabulary). Three Columbia staff developers will be here working with teachers in grades K-8 for 15 days throughout the year.

October 3, 2016

Dear Elementary Parents and Guardians,

On Friday, September 30, Dr. Alston and I met with two parents who expressed concerns regarding the eSpark Learning pilot that was scheduled to begin in October.  I narrowed the points of concern down to:

1. Screen Time: How much screen time will students be required or allowed to have?
2. Is there evidence that this type of learning works?
3. When will eSpark Learning take place?  What will it replace?

Having had time to reflect on the matter, I recognize that I could have done a better job of communicating the conflict and the various opinions that are before us. You should know that I met with teachers and the eSpark representatives on September 6th and 7th.  Based on those meetings, I am holding off on our launch of eSpark Learning until the staff has a firm understanding of the implementation options and how this form of personalized learning can assist in teaching.  We will be having a series of meetings moving forward and meet as a group on October 14 at our Superintendent’s Conference Day.

To give clarity on the matter, I am also inviting parents interested in learning about:

1. Context for decision to pilot eSpark Learning
2. Options of how eSpark Learning will be used?
3. Research on personalized learning
4. Data from using eSpark in our HCS Summer School program

This informational event will take place on October 11, at 7:15 in the elementary library.  I hope to see you there.  

Respectfully yours,

Kevin Ellis

Hamilton Elementary Principal

                eSpark Learning: What You Need to Know

On September 22, I held a "Parent University" in which I outlined the transition to 1:1 devices in the elementary.  I also introduced a "pilot" program, called eSpark Learning, designed to supplement the existing learning already taking place in our classrooms.  At this "Parent University," a few parents raised concern about the use of technology and web-based platforms in our school community.  I appreciate hearing well-thought out questions and concerns, as this helps me to better understand the various perspectives.  Please know that decisions are made with the input of the entire learning community.  I would like to clarify some of the key points that I made, as they are important in framing conversations going forward:

•  HCS Elementary will be 1:1 devices for students in grades K-5 this fall.  

•  HCS was almost 1:1 prior to this year.  eSpark Learning did not influence our decision to go to 1:1

•  eSpark is a "pilot" program that will be evaluated in the spring of 2017, as we did with our summer school program. This summer we piloted eSpark Learning with our K-5 summer school students.  As a result of the positive feedback, and lessons learned, we are piloting eSpark Learning to a broader student body.  

•  eSpark is a support to build skills and cognitive abilities in our students.  Protocols are for 60 minutes(K-2nd) and 90 minutes (3rd-5th) a week.  Work will be done outside of the regular, reserved instructional time.  It is supplemental and does not "replace" existing instruction.  It will not interrupt our reserved ELA or Math instructional time.  It will add value to an already rich curriculum.

•  If a parent does not wish to engage their child in a eSpark Learning, we respect your decision to do so.  I would, however, ask that you review the material on our web-site and have a conversation with me.  

I will be communicating more information about this to the public in the near future.  If you would like to learn more about eSpark Learning, please see my previous blog, dated August 11.

Kevin Ellis
Hamilton Elementary Principal