Dear Hamilton Families,
My letter this month should be titled “We Are Awesome!” because, frankly, we are! We are an amazing school community! One definition of community is “joint possession,” and that best describes what I love about Hamilton. Our parents, teachers, staff and principal share ownership in the success of our children. We work together and appreciate each other, and that is an environment where kids can be successful.
Our Hamilton parents participate on all levels of school life, and that speaks volumes about our relationship with our principal. I recently heard Mrs. Pierides say, “Let’s not just say we’re a partnership. Let’s really be one!” Parents at Hamilton are welcomed to work with the school to create enriching experiences for our children. Habitat Day, nutrition tastings and the school breakfast, the School-Based Planning Committee and our school musical are just a few examples of ways we truly partner with the school. I told you. We are awesome! And lucky.
Our teachers and staff are also part of the village that takes care of our children. Hamilton teachers are invested. They care. Our faculty recognizes that their hands are molding our children into the adults they will become, just as we do as parents. That is a tremendous responsibility, and I have seen respect for that role in the gentle hand on a child’s shoulder in the hallway as she was about to make the wrong choice and in the congratulations extolled by our school custodian to a little kindergartener. “Joint possession.” Everyone has a stake in our children’s success. Hamilton is special that way.
But things that are special are always fragile. Our colossal awesomeness is actually a delicate design that we must continue to nurture.
Thank you so much for letting me have a new part in our Hamilton family this year. I have gotten so much out of the ways I have been able to participate in our school. If I had a nickel for every wonderful Hamilton School experience I have been privileged to be a part of, I could probably fill the gym. Thank you for the opportunity! And most importantly, thank you to the incredible volunteers that make all our extra “stuff” happen. Someone delivered pizza and bagels and Subway sandwiches to our children this year. Someone taught them knitting at lunch. Someone sent us email updates and maintained a beautiful website. Someone organized armies of volunteers for Field Day and Comedy Night and the 5K Run and the School Musical. THANK YOU to all our volunteers for their endless support!
Have a wonderful summer, and be proud of what you’ve been a part of at Hamilton School!
Sincerely,
Sandi Stern