December 17, 2020
Vol. 2, Issue 23
School Building Closed Over Winter Break
As we move into Winter Break, please be aware that our Hamilton Middle building will be closed beginning at 4pm on Friday, December 18 and will remain closed through 8am on Monday, January 4. If you or your child needs to pick up any of the materials currently on the tables inside our main entrance, please do so by 4pm tomorrow.
Continuing the Hopeful Journey Toward a Return to In-Person Schooling
There will continue to be communication on the reopening of schools for in-person instruction as we end the current calendar year and move into 2021. Like you, as principal I am hopeful for a safe return to brick and mortar schooling as soon as possible. In each edition of this newsletter I will do my best to update you with the most up-to-date information on the reopening of schools. This information is not being provided because of any set date for reopening, as such a date has not been determined. Here are the current highlights as we head into winter break:

MMSD:
  • Tonight join MMSD on the MMSD Facebook page (Madison Schools - MMSD) at 6pm for the first in a series of virtual events: A conversation about the district's process and timeline for reopening (fb.me/e/41wSz0pLW). Live interpretation will be available in Spanish & Hmong. Join this Zoom for interpretation: zoom.us/j/91860866973.
  • The school district plans to make a decision on the format of schooling for third quarter by January 8.
  • Click on the below MMSD Reopening Info button for a full range of district information pertaining to the reopening of schools.

Hamilton:
  • Our self-initiated Hamilton Planning for Safety committee continues to work on plans for our eventual reopening. To date our list of protocols and procedures around which we are planning number 63. An example of a few of the items that were considered at our most recent meeting include planning for the regular cleaning of PE equipment, strong consideration of not using lockers in an effort to limit congregating and close contact in hallways, and increasing the number of entry doors for the start of the school day from three to six.
  • Classroom ventilation systems were recently upgraded with a type of filter that is much better at controlling air contaminants. In addition, air systems have been set to replace fully the air in any room six times per hour, a number that research suggests we can increase by cracking open windows.
Chromebook Help Over Break
If your child's Chromebook has any problems over break, please check out the below link for common problem solving tips. This information is also available on the Hamilton Library Portal. If your child's Chromebook completely breaks down, please complete this form as the district will be offering exchange opportunities on both Mondays of break.
Naming the Hamilton Library
Did you know? Hamilton has submitted a proposal to the Board of Education to name our LMC. We want to posthumously honor Jill Gerth, our former library assistant of 18 years. Jill was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in June, 2019 and died on August 19, 2019. Her positivity, warmth, skill, and generosity made our LMC a welcoming space for all who used it. We look forward to getting BOE review and approval early in the new year. If you have any ideas related to this naming of the library, questions, or comments, please contact Alex Phelps VHM Librarian via this form.
So Long Sandy Saether!
While the end of the day on December 18 will send us all off on a two-week winter break, for Hamilton School Secretary Sandy Saether, the break will be longer as she moves into retirement. We wish Sandy well in her retirement and thank her for her years of dedicated service to the Hamilton community. In her place will be Pam Coltharp who was most recently a grade level secretary at LaFollette High School. The photo with this news item is of Sandy pulling the fire drill to start our December fire drill! And yes, we do continue to have monthly fire drills as safety never takes a holiday!
Meal Distribution Schedule During Winter Break
Over winter break there will be fewer sites open for meal distribution. Meal distribution over winter break will only take place on Tuesdays at sites identified on this schedule. Note that Hamilton Middle is NOT a distribution site during winter break.

If schools are closed due to weather, curbside pick-up for meal boxes will be canceled for that day. Please review the weekly delivery schedule to find the next day’s most convenient location. The District will be providing curbside pick-up for meal boxes during Winter Break on Tuesday December 22 and 29th. If weather is bad, please check district social media channels, MMSD website or Food & Nutrition’s website for cancellations. If canceled during winter break, the District will be move delivery to Wednesday, December 23 and/or 30.
Upcoming Dates of Interest
Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates:
December
  • 21-Jan 1--Winter Break-NO SCHOOL
January
  • 4--School Resumes
  • 18--MLK Jr. Holiday-NO SCHOOL
  • 22--End of First Semester-NO SCHOOL: Grade Reporting
  • 25--Third Quarter Begins
February
  • 11--Parent-Teacher Evening Conferences
  • 12--Parent-Teacher Conferences-NO SCHOOL
Hamilton Quick Links:

Report an Absence: 204-4702
Photo Finish
From all of us at Hamilton Middle we wish our families a restful Winter Break and good health as we head into the new year. Please enjoy these throwback photos from a world before social distancing!