It's Back to School For Hamilton Students

When classes begin in the Hamilton School District Thursday, students and staff will begin their annual quest for greater academic and personal achievement through the trials of a new school year.

While a lot of the focus on education in the 2011-12 school year has been on state leaders in the Capitol, leaders here have waited to see the changes and plan in order to create the best experience the district can for its students.

“We are leveraging this new era in public education to be the best school district possible to meet the needs of our students while making wise use of the taxpayers’ dollars,” Hamilton Superintendent Kathleen Cooke said. “Our goal is not just get through this financial crisis and just survive, but secure the long-term future for our children and communities.”

The 2011-12 school year will also make the 50th year of operation of Hamilton High School, which opened in 1962. The school started with just freshmen and sophomore students and added a grade each year, with the first class graduating in 1965.  

The start of a new school year also marks a time for change in the district. Some of the new items in the district this school year and things parents should know include:

• A “Response to Intervention” initiative to accelerate efforts to enhance and differentiate instruction in the district.
• A community survey will be implemented in September.
• The district will begin using Facebook to get information to parents.
  • School lunches will cost $2.25 for elementary students and $2.65 for middle school and high school students. Milk will cost 30 cents. Lunch menus will be listed in school newsletters and the district website. 
  • School fees have been set at $19 for pre-kindergarten and half-day kindergarten students, $35 for elementary grade students and full day kindergarten students, $45 for middle school students and $60 for high school students. Fees for families are capped at $150.

Other fees this year include $5 for a padlock at the high school, $175 for drivers’ education, $20 per sport for middle school students, $30 per sport for high school students, $60 for a family athletic activities pass, $10 for extra-curricular activities and $20 for co-curricular activities at the middle school, $15 for extra-curricular and $30 for co-curricular activities at the high school. 

Retaking school ID photographs will cost $3, high school transcripts will cost $5, parking will cost $100 and students will pay a $20 technology fee.

• Classes for full-day kindergarten through fifth grade will run from 8:35 a.m. to 3:25 p.m., classes at the middle school will run from 7:25 a.m. to 2:35 p.m., and high school will run from 7:20 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
• Schools will not hold classes Sept. 5, Oct. 28, Nov. 23, Jan. 20, Feb. 3, March 16., May 25 and May 28. Thanksgiving break will take place Nov. 24-25, winter break will take place Dec. 23-30, and spring break will take place April 6-13. The last day of school is scheduled for June 7.
• Parents must provide immunization records for DTP, MMR and polio vaccines for children. All students in the district are required to have the Hepatitis B and varicella vaccine. Students entering grades 6, 9 and 12 are required to have immunizations for tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertusis and Tdap vaccine. Students entering 5-year-old kindergarten along with grades 6 and 12 are required to have two doses of the varicella vaccine.