Preview Page A

BARK dogs have been visiting our 6th graders in the library.  Their Language Arts Unit 2 is called:  Animal Allies.  Studies have shown that beginning readers are more comfortable reading out loud to dogs than to people. 

So the dogs visit 6th graders who sit down and read to them.  The dog owners are teaching our students about the reading program as well as many other topics related to dog ownership. 

Students are able to ask questions and then they get to pet all of the dogs.  They have met Jet, a Golden Retriever, Violet, a Pit Bull and Labrador mix, Henry a Labrador, and Lady, a type of sheep dog.  

by Brianna Armstrong and Daniel McGlynn

On Friday, May 5, a group of nearly 50 Hamilton 6th graders visited Cal State University / Long Beach to participate in the "SMAES Science Extravaganza", an all-day event that involved exciting, hands-on workshops and laboratory experiments.  

Caption A.  Who are these students?  What are they doing?

Caption B.  Was Hamilton's the largest group attending?  Who was supervising?

Sponsoring the event was the Cal State student chapter of the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists, a professional organization, to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The Hamilton students met and worked with the University's engineering students and faculty, and also took tours of the various engineering facilities and workshops.  

See more fun and intriguing photos from the event.
 

(Click image above for enlarged view.)

If the best things in life are free, then Blue Points are the best thing ever!

Blue Points are virtual credits, given to Hamilton 8th graders just before they say goodbye to middle school, authorizing them to participate in fun and enjoyable end-of-the-year activities.

These events are organized and supported by our staff and teachers.

The Blue Point Premiere

On April 24, at 9:00 am, after attending an assembly explaining the system, every eighth grader received one full share of 175 "Blue Points".  These were given out absolutely gratis and free of charge.

The winning 175 points in each student's initial share are more than enough to clear them for all end-of-the-year activities (see list below).

Please note that a ticket is required for some activities, to defray costs.  In such cases, ticket purchase is required on top of, and in addition to, clearance to participate.

What To Do Now (And What Not)

Yes, every student receives a free set of Blue Points.  It's hanging onto them that's the trick!

Luckily, for the majority of students, no special effort is required to hang onto Blue Points!  All the student must do is what they're already supposed to do.  The basics are being prompt, being prepared, being polite, and following directions.

The "dark side" of Blue Points appears when a staff member or teacher is presented with compelling cause to deduct Blue Points from the account of students who are late, unprepared, impolite, or seemingly unable to follow directions.  Note how the Blue Point Pyramid, above, shows how clearance for various activities is gradually revoked as students lose increasing numbers of Blue Points. 

Go Beyond! - Why Not? 

What if "business as usual" sounds deadly boring to you?  Here's a suggestion:  During these final days of Spring 2017, why not take a fresh approach to school?

You can view this as something purely personal.  You could decide, for example, that you will henceforth participate actively in class.  You could try "thinking outside the box" as an automatic alternative when you're faced with a difficult task.

As an alternative, maybe you'd like to do something involving others.  You could take extra trouble to help students who need assistance.  You could organize a project with the help of your teacher and classmates that will truly benefit you, and/or your class, and/or the school, and/or our city.

Choosing goals like these will mark you as a scholar.  People will notice! See what you can come up with, and talk it over with your classmates and teachers.

End-Of-Year Activities 

Here's the list of amazing and cool activities that our staff have offered to this year's qualified Blue Point holders:

• Cal State Long Beach Field Trip, May 30.   Please bring $10 to cover sack lunch and transportation costs to your fourth period teacher before May 26.
• Knott’s Berry Farm Trip, June 9.  Tickets for Knott’s Berry Farm are $47.  Last day to purchase Knott's tickets is June 2.
• Ice Cream Social, June 12.  Free.  Ice cream will be distributed to eligible students after lunch at the lunch benches.
• In-House Movie, June 12.   Free.  After the ice cream party, in our Auditorium.
• Marching to Promotion, June 15.  We're honored to recognize our happy and successful students each year, and this year will probably be especially exciting because we're planning to have three promotions instead of one!  (This is an effort we're making to properly accommodate students' guests in our Auditorium.)  The ceremonies will commence at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM.

Important Notes 

Note all activities listed require adherence to the standard Hamilton dress code, with the exception that students may wear their Class of 2017 Hamilton T-shirt.  

Class of 2017 T-Shirts are available for $15 through the Student Store Tuesdays and Thursdays until May 18.  The price goes up to $18 after May 18.  

Also note that the 2017 Yearbook may be purchased for $37 through the Student Store prior to May 18, and for $40 thereafter.

2017 End-Of-Year Calendar - Hamilton MS

         May 4    -  T-Shirts, Knott's tickets, and Yearbooks go on sale.  
                          Knott's and CSULB permission slips due.
         May 18  -  Discount prices end on T-shirts, Knott's trip,
                          CSULB trip, and Yearbooks.  (Add $3 per item
                          on each price quoted above after May 18.)
         May 26  -  Last day to pay for CSULB
         May 30  -  Cal State Field Trip Per 3-Per 6
         June 2   -  Last day to buy Knott's tickets
         June 9   -  Knott’s Berry Farm 11 am - 8 pm
         June 12 -  Ice Cream Social Per 4
         June 12 -  In-House Movie  Per 5
         June 13 -  Non-Promoters Notified (Multiple F's)
         June 13 -  Academic Awards Night 6 pm-8 pm
         June 14 -  8th Grade Promotion Practice  Per 1-3
         June 15 -  8th Grade Promotion (morning)
         June 15 -  Last Day of School 
                          for 6th & 7th Graders (2:18 pm dismissal)

• ☐  My Grade Point Average (GPA) is 2.5 or above.
• ☐  My attendance is at least 96% or better.
• ☐  I have no D's or F's in English/Language Arts.
• ☐  I have no D's or F's in math.
• ☐  I have not been suspended.

Get A Student Seller ID And Sell Stuff Online by Nov. 17 for Prizes

Hamilton's annual fundraiser has begun, running from Tuesday, November 2 through Monday, November 17, a two-week campaign this year--but with a new and surprising wrinkle! 

The twist:  for the first time ever, students are encouraged to solicit customers via social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, even direct email.

Above:  Merchandise Catalogs for Hamilton's 2015 Fundraiser.  [Note:  Right-click and choose Save File As... to download full PDF catalog of these elegant holiday gifts and treats!]

Student fundraising has a long and honored history at Hamilton.  We have sold chocolate bars, magazines, even cookie dough, to raise money for school activities.  Student sellers have always earned points toward prizes for motivation.  This year there are more prizes than ever, including a mystery gift for parents for students who sell more than 10 items.

Seller Prizes, Levels A Through L.  [Note:  Click above to view larger image, or right-click here, then choose Save File As... to download full-size PDF prize poster.]

There are two significant innovations to this year's fundraising:  First, the variety of available items is greatly increased--see catalogs above for examples.  And second, customers can order from anywhere in the world, using their credit cards.  Students can custom-write a sales pitch to be auto-delivered by email, even create a display ad featuring especially desirable products and containing a clickable link, to post on their Facebook page or Twitter feed.

To do online sales, you need a working email address.  Here's how to get started:

• First, key in the Hamilton Group ID number below, where it says "REGISTER HERE!".  Our Group ID number is A1148252 (you can copy and paste that).  Click Go.
• A Registration Form opens in another tab.  Key in your first and last name.  Also enter your email address and your first-period teacher's last name.  Click Next.
• A new form will open, and your Seller ID will be displayed!  Your Seller ID is important!--copy it, save it, write it down.  You will need it to check your sales or send out more emails. 
• Note there is also a textbox on this form, where you can write your sales appeal.  (If you enter nothing, the default Auto Message will be sent instead.)
• Below the text box, there are boxes for entering the email addresses of people you want to contact.  To reassure you and your customers, Midland Fund Raising has pledged to treat personal data such as addresses, phone numbers, email, etc. as private information.  They will not sell this information or share it with third parties.
• Finally copy and save your personal sales URL (web address), under the words "You can shop online at".  Note that your sales URL ends with your Seller ID number.  Any merchandise sold via that URL generates prizes for you.  You are free to publicize and distribute this link (URL) through Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• Once you have keyed in the email addresses of potential customers, click "Send Emails".  Congratulations! You've invited customers to see what's on sale, buy something they like, and help fund our school activities.  You've ALSO invited them to help YOU earn prizes!

REMEMBER:  You receive prize credit for every item you sell!  The more you sell, the more prizes you earn!

Important Note to Hamilton friends and student supporters:  NO CHECKS PLEASE!! Online payment by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.  In-Person Sales by Cash or Money Order only.  

Hamilton Fall 2015 Fund-Raiser:  Important Dates

Sale Starts:  Tuesday, Nov. 3

Sale Ends & Money Due:  Tuesday, Nov. 17

Product Will Deliver:  Before the holiday break

Sponsoring Company:  Midland Fund Raising / 3088 E. Commercial Drive / Midland, MI 48642 / Toll Free Nationwide: 1-800-624-3050