VHMS Hamilton Headlines

November 5, 2020

Vol. 2, Issue 17

DECEMBER 7 is a Regular School Day!

(The day had been previously scheduled as a staff-only professional development day.)

Book Fair Begins!

The VHM Scholastic Book Fair runs Nov. 6-19! Check out our Book Fair Homepage here.

Shopping possibilities:

You can put items in a cart and buy them
You can set up an 'eWallet' for your child to shop with (and can share it with relatives for them to contribute $ to)
Are you able to contribute to our fund for VHM students whose families aren't able to buy books this year? Just go to the Hamilton eWallet (ignore the grade level -- they made us choose one grade, but 6-7-8 graders will be able to choose a book) and add whatever you can. Ms. Phelps will access this eWallet to fulfill requests of students.

Questions? Email librarian Alex Phelps

Art Contest Winners Announced!

Thanks to Seventh Grade Student Sonia for organizing and running an Art Contest for sixth grade students. The winning submission was this pencil drawing of an alley cat. Runners up are featured in the below pictures.

Report Card Release

First quarter report cards are being released this week. As you may know, we are using a new grading system at all middle schools in MMSD. Over time and based on feedback from teachers, students, and parents, we will modify and adjust our approach to grading and reporting here at Hamilton. Please be patient with us. For a longer description of grading, see this link to last week's edition of Hamilton Headlines.

When you receive your child's report card, please pay close attention to the grading explanation at the top of the report. In addition, please know that at this time, a blank score is not an omission, and instead means that the given academic domain was not covered during the grading period.

Requesting Gently Used Winter Coats and Gloves

As you begin to pull out winter coats and gloves and find that they may not fit anymore, please consider making a donation to Hamilton Middle. Gently used middle school student and adult sized winter coats and gloves are being accepted. Donations can be made by simply stopping by our main school entrance on Waukesha Street, and placing the items in the marked barrel. Entrance doors are kept unlocked on regular business days, 8am-4pm.

Toys for Tots Distribution

This year's Toy for Tots Distribution will be held at the Alliant Energy Center, December 17-19. Specific times of distribution are as follows:

Dec 17-18, noon to 6:30pm

Dec 19, 9am to 12:00pm

To register to receive a toy use the below link button. Online registration is open through November 15. All documents listed on the Registration Instructions and Application link will need to be brought to the toy distribution.

If you need help with the registration, please contact Kristin Ensminger, Hamilton Social Worker, at ksensminger@madison.k12.wi.us.

Toys for Tots Registration

Upcoming Dates of Interest

Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates:

November

6--Quarter 1 Grades Go Home
6-19--Book Fair
19--No School: Parent-Teacher Conferences
25-27--No School: Thanksgiving Break

December

7--Regular School Day!
21-Jan 1--Winter Break

Hamilton Quick Links:

Report an Absence: 204-4702

Online Absence Reporting

Tech and Chromebook Help

Library Resources

PTO

Neighborhood Food Sites

Photo Finish

8th grade Zap Mac team members sporting their new sweatshirts!