Helping Hands offers tips, reaches out to troubled teens

Educators at Hamilton High School are inviting students to help themselves, their friends and classmates through the Helping Hands/Friends Helping Friends Program — an extension of the Hamilton High School Crisis Intervention Team.

"There are times in life when we all need to reach out to someone else to help us through those difficult times," said Linda Milholland, a HHS counselor. "Through this program we want to let students know that it is okay to reach out and that there are many individuals inside our building who care about students."

The program is designed to give students an opportunity to talk to caring team members — teachers, counselors and administrators — about stress, depression or any concern they are comfortable talking about, team members said.

"It is also important to let students know that they can come to us to talk about relationships — whether it be with family members or classmates," said Kim Vieira, a HHS health teacher and chairman of the program.

The crisis team was formed last year out of a "concern that maybe we weren't reaching out enough to our students," he said. "We are trying to be more proactive than reactive."

Educators also are asking students to help one another. Each student was given a questionnaire that listed signs to look for in a teen contemplating hurting himself or herself.

In the last year, four students at the school have committed suicide, the most recent in September.

Students were asked to circle the signs that a classmate may be exhibiting, write down the name of that classmate, and return it to a counselor or teacher at the school.

All information is kept confidential, Vieira stressed, adding that students "are not snitching, they are reaching out.

"A lot of the students will actually put their own names on the sheet seeking help and now we have a tool that we can use to help them before they feel it is hopeless and they have no where to turn," Vieira said.

Members of the team can be identified by the "helping hands" painted outside their doors at the school.

"Since the referrals were made available, crisis team members have talked with numerous students regarding personal issues. We want students to know that we care about them and that we want them to be happy and healthy," Milholland, said.

-Courtesy of the Journal-News

Hamilton High School's Rhapsody Dinner Theatre

COME JOIN US FOR A "WHO DONE IT?" MYSTERY AS HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL'S RHAPSODY IN BLUE PERFORM AT THEIR ANNUAL SHOWCHOIR DINNER THEATRE. THE PERFORMANCE WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, MAY 10 AT 8:00 PM. FOR TICKET INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 887-4816. ENJOY A GREAT EVENING OR MUSIC AND MYSTERY.

Committee reviews boundaries

THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTED A BOUNDARY COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF PARENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND TEACHER AND PRINCIPALS REPRESENTATIVES TO REVIEW BOUNDARY OPTIONS FOR THE EIGHT NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MR. JIM PAULUS, THE GROUP'S GOAL IT TO CAREFULLY REVIEW THE BOUNDARIES OF EACH SCHOOL AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD MEMBERS. THE COMMITTEE WILL HOST TWO PUBLIC FORUMS FOR PARENT AND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK BEFORE THEY MAKE THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD LATER THIS SPRING. THE DISTRICT COMMENDS THE GROUP FOR SHARING THEIR TIME AND INPUT AS WE WORK ON MAKING THE TRANSITION TO THE NEW SCHOOLS AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE

construction to generate economic activity for city

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EIGHT NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WILL GENERATE MORE THAN $2.3 MILLION IN NEW INCOME TAXES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS? THE GREATER HAMILTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ESTIMATES THAT THE INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY WILL GENERATE APPROXIMATELY $350 MILLION IN TOTAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY! THE DISTRICT IS EXCITED TO HELP IN THE REVITALIZATION OF OUR GREAT CITY!

district offers program for social responsibility

THE DISTRICT HAS IMPLEMENTED FOUR NEW PROGRAMS DURING LAST SCHOOL YEAR: GOAL SETTING, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND CHARACTER EDUCATION. WE ARE PROUD THAT WE ARE EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS NOT ONLY IN ACADEMICS BUT EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD SO THAT THEY GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND WILL BECOME BETTER PERSONS. THESE PROGRAMS WILL ALSO BE ENHANCED THIS SCHOOL YEAR AS WE WORK WITH OUR STUDENTS ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

HHS Theatre to present "Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs"

THE DISTRICT PRIDES ITSELF ON ITS STRONG FINE ARTS PROGRAM. HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL WILL PRESENT SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS ON FRIDAY, APRIL 25 AT 8 PM AND AGAIN ON SATURDAY, APRIL 26 AT 2 PM. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 887-4816. THE 23RD ANNUAL FACULTY RECITAL AND ART EXHIBIT WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 29 AT 7:00 PM. THIS EXCITING EVENT WILL BE HELD AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ON PYRAMID HILL BLVD. WE INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY THE ARTISTIC TALENTS OF OUR FINE ARTS STAFF

Summer School Information

Elementary Summer School will be held from June 9th thru July 3rd from 9am until Noon. Bus service will be available for students.

Adams and Monroe students will attend classes at Adams Elementary School
Buchanan and Grant students will attend classes at Grant Elementary School
Hayes and Pierce students will attend classes at Pierce Elementary School

All other students will attend classes at the elementary school in which they are currently enrolled.

Please return the registration form to your child's school. If you have any further questions, contact the principal at your child's school."

Secondary Summer School

Summer School for Secondary Students (Grades 7-12) will begin on June 12. For course offerings and fees, please download the Secondary Summer School Brochure. Registration will be held Monday, June 9 and Tuesday, June 10 from 9am to 2pm. Fees are due at the time of Registration.

Limited transportation will be provided. Bus schedules will be available at registration.

Fine Arts students will need to pick up a Fee Waiver Form from the Fine Arts office prior to registration. Please call the Fine Arts office at 887-4816 if you have questions regarding your child's eligibility for a Fine Arts Fee Waiver.

Students will also need to have an Emergency Medical Form on file for Summer School.

Questions should be directed to Mr. Vereker, Counselor at Hamilton Education Center, at 887-5197.

Hamilton City School Secondary Summer School Dates and Times

Calendar

1st Term: June 12 - July 2
2nd Term: July 7 - July 25

Class Hours

7:30AM - 9:40Am
9:50Am - 12:00 Noon

Location

Hamilton High School (Grades 9-12)
HHS Job Development Center (Grades 7-8)

Registration Dates - HHS Cafeteria
Monday, June 9 and Tuesday, June 10
9:00AM - 2:00pm

Lane Library Open to Public at HHS

The Lane Library Book Drop is open at HHS. You may now return books from any of the Lane Libraries by dropping them outside the main front doors or in the HHS Library. Books will be picked up daily.

Also, we have books from Lane Library that you may check out if you have a Lane card. And, the free computer classes, taught by a Lane staff person, will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 3rd at 6:00 p.m.

The HHS Library is now open to the public, after school, until 7 p.m. Any questions, see Linda Less in the HHS Library.....

• Parents Save Money!
  Students Save Time !
  High Schools Enrich Curriculum!
  Colleges Receive Early Enrollees!

Adams Elementary:

• Students collected more than 1000 cans for St. Rafael's food drive
• Adams' students, staff and Adopt-A-School partners First National Bank and the Rossville Post Office, adopt 10 families to see what they can do to help make their holidays a little brighter.

Buchanan Elementary:

• The Buchanan Elementary Kids Club has been very busy this holiday season. Our first project was a holiday package to Sgt. Eugene Barnes and his unit stationed in Afghanistan. Sgt. Barnes is the brother of our computer lab manager, Mrs. Allen. Our school family donated needed supplies, and we used a portion of funds raised at bake sales and turkey grams to purchase additional items.
• We are also sponsoring a food drive benefiting St. Raphael. Students who bring in a food item write their name on a "hand" which becomes part of a wreath showing how we all help together.
• Kids Club met and made Christmas cards for our soldiers.
• We are also going to Huntington Court Nursing Home on December 18th to deliver crafts made at Family Craft Night. We will sing to the residents.
• (See our Good Deeds Photos)

Grant Elementary:

• Grant Elementary students help to "Fill the Can" for the St. Raphael food drive

• Grant Elementary 2nd graders work with Mrs. Grantz to write their holiday greetings to soldiers. Mrs. Dowers, second grade teacher along with student teacher Miss Manoni, have guided the children in writing 3 times so far. Mrs. Dowers has a contact person from this unit who sends things periodically to the troops. This has led the children to understand the sacrifices made by the soldiers so that we will remain free.
  

Hamilton High School:

• Salvation Army "Angels" - part of the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program.  The students and staff will be sponsoring 50 angels this year.  Angels are area children that are need of a little help this season to have a Merry Christmas. Ages range from infant to 12 years old and these children need the basic necessities such as clothes, coats, hats, etc. A new toy is a luxury, but these sponsors always come through in a big way.
• Boxes for Smiles - a competely student-led movement to provide shoe boxes full of life's personal necessities, such as toothpase, shampoo, soap, etc. to be donated to St. Rafael's just in time for the holidays.
• Coats Collection - Wildlife Ambassadors is collecting coats for those who will need one as the winter sets in.
• The Hamilton High School DHO (Diversified Health Occupations) class planned, decorated, prepared, served, and then cleaned up for a holiday dinner for the homeless at the Chosen shelter at Serve City. We had a feast prepared and the students really enjoyed giving back to the community. The recipitants were most grateful and there were enough left-overs for lunch the next day.
• The DHO class is also in the process of preparing Christmas boxes for the children staying at the Haven House during the Christmas holiday.
• The Diversified Cooperative Health Occupations Program sponsored two "Angels" through the Salvation Army Angels Christmas Project. The class collected the needed items on the wish list for each child.
• The Fishing Club and Advisory Class are both contributing to the Angels' Programs over the holidays
• Wildlife Ambassadors will be visiting Golden Years Retirement Center on Thursday, Dec. 13 to treat the residents to a presentation featuring an oppossum, screech owl, black rat snake, several species of tortises.

Jefferson Elementary School:

• Students and three faculty members went Jungle Jim's onDecember 7th to decorate a Christmas Tree. The theme is holiday cheer from around the world with paper cut -outs of children colored any different outfits from around the world with a globe as the tree topper.
• Also, on Thursday, December 20th, the Jefferson chorus will be singing at Living Waters ministries at 6:00 p.m. The church serves a free dinner there on Thursdays and I thought it would be a good community outreach to sing a few holiday songs. After which, we will go caroling in the neighborhood and back to school for pizza.

Wilson Middle School

• WMS Cheerleaders, instead of buying gifts for other members fo the squad, spend their time and money shopping for their "Adopt-A-Family".
• National Jr. Honor Society painted windows at theirAdopt-A- School partners Nov 29th at TheWashington YMCA, Central YMCA, and the Millville Mcdonalds (See the photos)
• National Jr. Honor Society is holding a dance on Friday Dec. 7th to raise money to adopt students at Wilson who are in need this holiday season. They not only provide a holiday for that student but for all other children living in the household. Donations can be made to Wilson Middle School putting "NJHS Adopt-A-Family" in the note of the check. Cash is also welcome. All donations should be made by Dec. 10th. Shopping will be done on the 11th.
• WMS Student Council and Pride Club members recently collected over 1000 canned food items for Open Door Pantry. Mr. Smith's advisory won the contest for collection of the most items. Pictured are student council members.

Cleveland Elementary School:

• Students at Cleveland are holding their annual Hat and Glove drive now thru De. 21st. The public is invited to help us as we collect gloves and hats for the needy. Items can be dropped off during regular school hours at the main office.
• St. Raphael Food Drive - students will be collecting canned good the week of Dec. 18th to donate to St. Raphael.
• The Cleveland Spirit Committee sponsored a fundraiser to adopt 20 children at the One Way Farm for Christmas. The children in Mrs. Keith's class raised the most money so their teacher, Mrs. Keith, dressed up like a turkey and the whole school started their day off doing the chicken dance. The whole school helped to raise $400.00.

Fillmore Elementary School:

• Kidz-N-Character, Fillmore's Drama Group, is doing a Toys for Christmas Drive.  Children are bringing in a new toy or a $3.00 donation.  They are also "Adopting A Family" for the holidays.
• Fillmore Student Council is raising money for the Open Door Pantry this holiday season thru 2 fundraisers.
  • Students at Fillmore voted for teachers to dress as Santa Claus and The Grinch. One cent equalled one vote. Mr. Gary Campbell will be Santa and Mrs. Susan Damm will be The Grinch this THursday, Dec. 20. Students also were able to purchase elf hats, Santa hats, and reindeer antlers to wear all week. Student Council sponsored the event. Fillmore collected $745.00 to donate to the DeMarcus Thomas Fund. Fillmore has the Holiday Spirit!!!
  • During the last week before break, students will be selling reindeer and elf hats.  All the students will wear them the last day before break so that everyone is in the holiday spirit.

Hamilton Freshman School:

• Students in Life Skills have been busy making blankets and box to fill with candy for the senior citizens at Berkley Square. They made 35 blankets and 70 boxes. The boxes will be filled with candy made by the Life Skills students.(Click here to see our photo album)
  

Harrison Elementary:

• Students donated canned goods for St. Raphael. Basketball Jones, one of the students favorite speakers, was the speaker at an assembly recently.  Admission to the assembly was a canned good.

Hayes Elementary:

• Hayes Elementary has adopted families at the holiday season for the past 20 years. We are continuing this tradition of giving. This project is under the leadership of Mr. Brown and Mrs. Smith. Each year several Hayes families are adopted and our students collect food, children’s clothing and holiday gifts for each family. Donations are accepted until December 19th, 2007. Please drop off donations to Hayes Elementary. Your donations are greatly appreciated.Clothing sizes include: Girl size 5T, Size 6X, Boy Size 7/8 slim, Boy Size 14, extra large boys shirts, boy size 7, medium tops, girl size 8, girl size 6X, Boy size 10-12, girl size women’s XL, girl pant size 17, boy size XL tall, and boy size 34x34 and XL shirts.

Lincoln Elementary:

• The student council at Lincoln is selling candy canes during the month of December and donating all the profits to our PTO for them to buy items for the Santa Shop at Lincoln. This will help out the kids that can't bring money to buy gifts for their relatives.
• Lincoln 2nd Grade students went to Jungle Jim's to help decorate the trees.

Monroe Elementary:

• Students are donating change for Honor Flight. This is where WW II Veterans are sent to Washington, DC to see the memorial dedicated to them.
• The canned food drive is still going on.
• Monroe's chorus (called Monroe Magic) is going Christmas caroling on December 14th to area nursing homes
• Monroe's staff is adopting needy families for Christmas by purchasing gifts for the children

Van Buren:

• On Friday, October 26th, in recognition of "Make a Difference Day", Van Buren students had a "Make a Difference Food Drive" in support of our goal to practice good citizenship. They were able to donate over 2 barrels of food products to Shared Harvest Foodbank.
• On Tuesday, November 13th, in partnership with their Adopt-A-School Partners, held their Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for students and their families. The dinner was a huge success with over 500 people in attendance.