School Resources » February Newsletter

February Newsletter

Message from the Assistant Superintendent

Hello Red Devil Community, 
 
We have reached 100 days of school in the 2023-2024 school year!  Hitting this milestone, I have enjoyed reflecting on the hard work and accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students.  From butterfly releases to Harvest of the Month creations; being inspired by Missy West to UPK students taking their first field trips and bus rides as a class, our days have been filled with enriching activities both in and out of the classroom.
 
I am excited and grateful to welcome our new Principal, Mrs. Sweeney and am looking forward to our future as a leadership team for our school community.  The two of us will work together to provide the most enriching and enjoyable learning experiences we can for your Red Devils.
 
Below you will find a newsletter full of celebrations and information to help make the upcoming months easier to plan for.  We will be on mid-winter break from February 19th-23rd and hope you all have a wonderful vacation with your families. As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns; [email protected] (315)324-5938 x26140. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
 
Respectfully,
Lauren Morley
Assistant Superintendent

Message from the Principal

Dear Red Devil Community,
 
I can’t begin to thank you enough for welcoming me as a Red Devil with open arms. I am honored to be joining such a wonderful school community and I look forward to getting to know you all in the weeks ahead.
 
Since joining Hammond, I have spent time visiting classrooms and meeting with grade levels to get to know students and to review the expectations we have for our students when coming to school each day.  Things such as: 
  • Making sure our words and actions are kind, safe, respectful and lift others up
  • Accepting differences
  • Treating others how we want to be treated
  • Being responsible for what we say and do
  • Following directions
  • Being good role models
  • Asking for help solving a problem when we need it 
 
As a student, I remember my years of schooling as being full of friends, teachers, and staff who cared about me and of course, lots of fun and learning. I hope that together, we can provide the same memorable experience for your child(ren) here at Hammond. I look forward to working with you and your family as a team to help your child be successful and become an independent, lifelong learner. Together, we can achieve so much more! 
 
The staff and I will work hard to encourage and praise good behavior throughout the school day.  If your child is having difficulty managing their behavior and is sent to the office, I will typically begin with a warning and remind your child about making good choices and what types of consequences they may get if they are sent to the office again.  If a child continues to have difficulty managing their behavior or they are sent for something severe, I will call home so we can problem-solve together on how to best help your child find success.
 
Although I have discussed these expectations with the students, it would be greatly appreciated if you could please take some time to review them with your child as well.  The support and reinforcement at home will help your child to be more successful both academically and socially when at school.  
 
As always, thank you for your support and cooperation.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Jamie Sweeney
UPK-Grade 12 Principal

Upcoming Events

Five Hour Free Friday

On Friday, March 1st, teens in the region will be supporting “Five Hour Free Friday”. From 4-9 pm, participants are encouraged to put down their phones, get off social media, and spend time doing other activities. Teen advocates from our area visited Albany for Legislative Day and Assemblyman Scott Gray supports this initiative. Click here to take the pledge and participate!
 
St. Lawrence County, New York Unplugged. Five Hour Free Friday

Hammond Central School Presents: Beauty and the Beast

Mark your calendars! We will be performing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical on March 22nd and 23rd at 7:00 PM in our Gymnasium! Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Children under 3 will get in for free. We hope to see you there!
 
Hammond Central School Presents: Disney's Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical

Around Campus

December and January Students of the Month

Congratulations to our December and January Students of the Month honored at the Board of Education meeting; Tuesday, February 13th. We are proud of all of our Red Devils and appreciate the hard work, perseverance and dedication they have towards their academics!
 
December Students: UPK Rhylan Bowser; K Johnna Washburn; 1st Grace Milsap; 2nd Aubrey Ellis; 3rd Jakob Merrihew; 4th Lillyona Christman; 5th Arianna Chapman; 6th Jacob Neuroth; 7-9th Grades Tyler Cardinell; 10-12th Grades Caden Slate
 
January Students: UPK Hazel West; K Oliver MacDonald; 1st Chase Johnston; 2nd Hunter Clark; 3rd Jade Washburn; 4th Finnley West; 5th Norah MacDonald; 6th Lilly Jones; 7-9th Grades Alenia Gilbo; 10-12th Grades Chloe Fleming
 
December Students of the Month January Students of the Month

Ava Howie and Landree Kenyon Score 1,000 Points

Congratulations to 11th grader Ava Howie for scoring her 1,000th point during the girls basketball game against Hermon Dekalb. Another Red Devil hitting the record books and as a Junior! This was a part of the girl's 55-38 victory over Hermon Dekalb on January 30th at our home court.
 
Congratulations to 12th grader Landree Kenyon for scoring her 1,000 points in our win against St. Lawrence Central and adding to her already impressive resume she got her 1,000 rebound just this week in our last regular season non-league home game against LaFargeville!  Ladies, your hard work and talent are exceptional, we are so proud to call you Red Devils!
 
 
Ava and family with s sign reading "Congratulations 1,000 Points Ava Howie #3" Landree Kenyon and Family

Hammond Excels in Algebra II

The results from the 2022-2023 proficiency tests are in, and Hammond came out on top for Algebra II! All Hammond students who took the Regents exam for Algebra II last year tested as proficient. We are one of 52 districts in New York State that achieved 100% proficiency for Algebra II. We are so proud of our students for this accomplishment and thankful for our math teachers who have helped to teach them the course material! Click here to read the full article.

Celebrating Wendy Amyot’s Retirement

We wish to congratulate Science Teacher Wendy Amyot on her upcoming retirement and thank her for her years of service in our school district! Her last day with us will be Friday, February 16th. Our staff came together to host a wonderful luncheon to honor her and played Pickleball to celebrate her career. We will miss you!
 
Photos with congratulations on retirement cake Staff play pickleball Teachers during the luncheon

NYS Troopers Read to 2nd Grade

Our 2nd-grade Red Devils had a great visit and book reading with the NYS Troopers. A special thank you to NYS Trooper Brandi Ashley, Trooper Brendan Paquette, and Trooper Erik Lyndaker for visiting with our students; we loved having you in class and listening to you read!
 
Group picture of troopers and students

Red Devils Hit the Slopes

Our Red Devils got to test out their skis and snowboards at Dry Hill with advisor Mrs. Meyer. The Dry Hill staff provided lessons for our students to learn how to use the equipment and travel down the hill safely. Located in Watertown, New York, Dry Hill is a family-owned ski area with different levels of trails for all ages and skill levels. Thank you for having us!
 
Students skiing Student group photo Students skiing

7th Grade Scientist Explore Cells

We have some excellent young, up in coming, Scientists in Mrs. Ellis’ 7th Grade Science classes! Our Red Devils are learning about different types of plant and animal cells and their components. The class was recently challenged to dissect frogs, giving them a chance to apply what they have been learning about this school year. Great job everyone!
 
Two students dissect a frog Students working on worksheets around a black table two students dissect a frog

Go Saints! Red Devils Cheer on St. Lawrence Hockey

On January 20th, Mr. Bush, Mr. Rathbun, and Mrs. Morley took 38 of our honors students to the St. Lawrence vs Yale Division I Men’s Hockey game. We had a terrific time cheering on the Saints in their 4-2 win over Yale.
 
photo of hockey team huddling on ice Hammond students sitting in the stands photo of hockey players on the ice rink

Hammond Students Win at Cheer Nationals

Congratulations to our Red Devils, Amelia Hollister in 3rd Grade and Alexis Kroeger in 9th Grade who are members of the North Country Elite Stallions Cheer Program and just placed 1st with their squads at the National Championships in Cleveland, Ohio!

 

Winning Cheer Team at Hard Rockin' Nationals

School Community

  Upcoming Events
Feb. 19-23 Mid-Winter Recess - No School
Feb. 27 8th Grade NAEP Assessment
March 7 Athletic and Student Physicals with Chris Jewett 12:30-3:00
March 12 BOE Meeting, 7pm in the School Library
March 13 Gateways Field Trip for 12th Grade
March 15 Professional Development Day - No School for Students
March 18-22 Scholastic Book Fair
March 18-20 Grandparents Breakfast *More information to follow*
March 21 DownBeat Percussion - Gr. 6-8 at 1:00 pm in the Clayton Opera House
March 22-23 Hammond Musical, "Beauty and the Beast" 7pm in the School Gymnasium
March 27 Washington DC Trip Interest Meeting at 6:00 pm in the Cafeteria
March 29 - April 5 Spring Recess - No School
April 8 Eclipse Event with HCS Community *Details to be determined*
April 9 BOE Meeting, 7pm in the School Library
April 19 Devil Day, 11:30am Dismissal
April 22 BOE Meeting, 7pm in the School Library