Beyond the core academic curriculum, Hamilton students benefit from various enrichment activities each tied to extending student learning. The enrichment provided at Hamilton is funded via PTA contributions and community donations.

Throughout the year, special enrichment programs, such as Youth in Arts, Poets in the Schools, Kindermusik, and more are incorporated into the school day for all grade levels.

In addition, an assortment of classes and activities are offered during lunch and after school for Hamilton students. There are a mixture of free, PTA subsidized, and full charge classes. The PTA has a scholarship program for all paid classes.

The Winter After-School Enrichment Programs are listed below. No classes on holidays or during spring break. Download the Application (PDF).

Enrichment Coordinator: Nancy Loebl, 415-884-9670

After-School Enrichment Programs

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

 

  

 

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

  

   

  

Mondays

Homework Help

Designed to assist students with the completion of assigned homework and assistance with classroom assignments.

Available to: 1st - 5th Graders
When: Mondays, 3:05 - 4:05 pm
Cost: FREE (9 classes)
Class size limit: 25 students
To apply: See Application Form

Spanish

Available to: 1st - 5th Graders
When: Mondays, 3:05 - 4:05 pm for beginners
          Mondays, 4:10 - 5:10 pm for intermediate
 Cost: $362 (8 months)
Class size limit: 10 students (intermediate class is instructor referred)
Questions: Carolina 884-2216
To apply: See Application Form

Hip-Hop

Permission Slip Required.

Available to: 3rd - 5th Graders
When: Mondays, 3:05 - 4:05 pm
Cost: FREE (9 classes)
Class size limit: 15 students
To apply: See Application Form

Tuesdays

Chess

Available to: 1st - 5th Graders
When: Tuesdays, 3:05 - 4:05 pm
Cost: $43 (9 classes)
Class size limit: 15 students
Questions: Call Bob at 370-9861
To apply: See Application Form

Running Club

During lunch recess, participating students will be given the opportunity to run 1-2 miles. They are rewarded for each mile they complete. Supervision provided.

Permission Slip Required.

Available to: K - 5th Graders
When: Tuesdays, Lunch Recess
Where: Upper Grade Field
Cost: FREE (Drop-in)
Unlimited Enrollment
To apply: See Application Form

Ballet

Permission Slip Required.

Available to: K - 5th Graders
When: Tuesdays, 3:05 - 4:05 pm
Where: Multi-use Room
Cost: $61 (9 classes)
Limited Enrollment
 Questions: Call Heather at 883-3844
To apply: See Application Form

Wednesdays

Science Adventurers

www.scienceadventures.com
Available to: K - 5th Graders
When: Wednesdays, 2:00 - 3:00 pm, begins October 10
Cost: $76 (5 classes)
Class size limit: 15 students
To enroll: Call 888-458-1812

Thursdays

Yoga

Permission slip required.

Available to: K - 5th Graders
When: Thursdays, 3:05 - 4:05 pm
Cost: $45 (9 classes)
Class size limit: 12 students
 Questions: Call Janna at 898-3555
To apply: See Application Form

Fridays

Open Computer Lab

The Computer Lab will be open during lunch recess for keyboarding practice and interactive educational games.

Available to: K - 5th Graders
When: Fridays, 12:00 - 12:30 pm
Friday lunch drop-in
Where: Room C-1 (Computer Lab)
Cost: FREE (ongoing/drop-in)
Class size limit: 20 students
Volunteers Needed
To apply: See Application Form

Hip-Hop

Permission Slip Required.

Available to: K - 2nd Graders
When: Fridays, 3:05 - 4:05 pm
Cost: FREE (9 classes)
Class size limit: 15 students
To apply: See Application Form

 

Special Enrichment Programs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WATCH D.O.G.S. ARE COMING TO HAMILTON!

Who are WatchDOGS (Dads Of Great Students)?
WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at Hamilton. During the day, WatchDOGS may read and work on flash cards with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow, mentor students, and participate in any other assigned activities with not only their own students, but other students as well. Their mere presence offers additional security at the school during the day. On the day of their participation, the participants are given a brief review of their involvement and an official WATCH D.O.G.S.® t-shirt or vest with a disposable ‘Dog Tag’ identifying them as WatchDOGS. 

Why be a WatchDOG?

  • Spend a day making a difference in the lives of your children and all children at Hamilton.
  • Be a positive role model for all Hamilton students.
  • Continue to strengthen the partnership between the school and the parents at Hamilton.
  • Spend meaningful time with your students in the school setting.
  • Actively and positively engage with all Hamilton students.
  • Smile and be a HERO for a day!

How do you become a WatchDOG?
It’s so easy!  Come to our 1st Annual ‘Dads and Kids’ Pizza Night at our school Thursday, September 27 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Meet at the Multi-Purpose Room at 6:30 pm for FREE pizza and drinks. At 7:00pm we will have a presentation about our WATCH D.O.G.S.® Program by fellow Hamilton Dads. Dads, granddads, uncles, step-dads, and adult brothers . . . this is your chance to have a night out alone with your child in a fun atmosphere at school.
Registration Form.

A huge THANK YOU to our Top Dog Team for their support in launching WatchDOGS at Hamilton: David Winnett, Leland Gibbs, Phil Marsh, Tom Zebrowski, Steve Virshup, and Jay Alexander. 

For more information
visit our website at www.fathers.com/watchdogs or contact the WatchDOGS Coordinator, Laura Winnett, at 883.3603 or marinillini@sbcglobal.net.  

Before you come to the Dads and Kids Pizza Night, please: 
1.   Fill out the bottom portion of this Hawkline and return it to school (ASAP) saying that you will attend the pizza night so we’ll have an accurate head count for the food.   

2.  Mark  your calendars,  and  we’ll  see  you  Thursday, September 27 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.  Official WATCH D.O.G.S.® Uniform T-shirts for WatchDOGS and ‘My Hero’ T-shirts for students will be available for $11.00 each.
T-shirt order form.

Upper Grade Activities

5th Grade Outdoor Science Camp

This week-long camp provides daily hands-on experiences in all areas of the state science curriculum.

Student Council

Representatives from 3rd through 5th grade meet on a monthly basis to plan activities that help build community ties. The students learn to raise funds, manage a budget, and give back to their school and community.

Conflict Management

Conflict Management/Resolution is a program designed to help students resolve conflicts peacefully. A group of 4th/5th grade students meet twice a month to discuss issues and then act as liaisons for the entire student body.

Art Docents

The Art Docent program consists of a monthly art lesson taught by parent volunteers. Students gain knowledge of the artists lives and work, and participate in themed art projects based on famous works using a variety of artistic techniques.

Youth in Arts

The Artists in Schools program provides elementary and middle schools with artists-in-residence in visual arts, dance, drama, and music, infusing the curriculum with the arts. Residencies are custom-designed with input from classroom teachers to link to existing curriculum.

The Artists in Schools program aims to keep the arts at the heart of a balanced education by:

  • Engaging students by offering diverse, multi-cultural arts activities
  • Fostering artist/teacher relationships that are mutually-beneficial
  • Empowering teachers by introducing new methods of instruction derived from
  • the arts
  • Encouraging community support for the arts
  • Assisting schools to address the California State Content Standards for Visual and Performing Arts

Thanks to the support of both the Hamilton PTA and a very generous grant from Youth in Arts the 2005/2006 Artists in School program at Hamilton promises to be an exciting one. Grade levels will be treated to a wide range of creative programs presented by a wonderful line-up of artists.

  • Kindergarten and 1st grade classes will study and create multicultural art projects that link art history, nature and geography.
  • 2nd grade students will participate in a dance residency which introduces them to music from a variety of different cultures, and teaches them to express the music through movement.
  • 3rd graders will use mixed media by combining photography, painting and printmaking to explore personal identity.
  • 4th and 5th grade classes will enjoy learning the art of Cartooning. The classes will learn to draw people, animals, and backgrounds that will be incorporated into original scenes and stories.
  • The entire school will be treated to a performance by 'Til Dawn, a teen a cappella group comprised of 9th to 12th graders.

California Poets in the Schools

1st – 5th grade students participate in weekly poetry writing class for 6 to 10 weeks. The class helps students learn to recognize and celebrate their own creativity, intuition and intellectual curiosity through the creative writing process. The classes are lead by a multicultural community of trained, published poets who bring their experience and love for their craft into the classroom.

The 4th/5th graders were part of a special theme based program, entitled Language of the Awakened Heart. The final day of class is the highlight of the program when a talented musician turns student poetry into song.

View Sample Poems

Kindermusik

Melissa Ayotte, popular piano teacher and licensed Kindermusik educator, will bring her joyful music program to Hamilton’s Kindergarteners this year. Melissa’s goal for the children is to help them develop a confident, joyful voice for singing and speaking as well as learning the essential building blocks for a future of music appreciation and learning. Students will explore many facets of the musical experience-speaking, singing, moving, dancing, listening, creating and playing instruments, as well as learning about reading and writing music. We’ll learn about the instrument families, the orchestra, the piano keyboard, and a few famous composers! Classes will be 3 minutes per week, held on Mondays, parents are invited and encouraged to attend Music Mondays, check with your child’s teacher for specific class time. You can also contact Melissa Ayotte anytime at (415) 721-1929 or visit www.singandsign.net to find out more about Kindermusik programs for younger children (infants & toddlers) in Marin County.

Benefits of Kindermusik for the 4 to 7 year old child:

  • Balances activities that integrate listening, vocal development, movement and performing in instrumental ensemble.
  • Introduces your child to the written language of music while cultivating music creativity.
  • Provides age-appropriate musical experiences that lead your child toward a lifetime of joyful music making.
  • Helps you and your child recognize special interests or skills for future formal music instruction.

   

 

Hamilton Elementary School One Main Gate Road, Novato, CA 94949 Office 415-883-4691 Attendance 415-883-6520 x500 Fax 415-883-2249

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