Fifth to Sixth Grade Orientation

As principal of Hamilton Middle, I want to welcome you and your child to an important chapter in their education and growth: the transition to middle school! You are receiving this newsletter because your child is currently in fifth grade and is enrolled in an elementary school that matriculates to Hamilton Middle.

Below please find an important list of items and dates for things that are currently taking place or will be coming soon as we work to welcome our new sixth grade students and their families.

Connecting at Elementary Schools

Our school counselors have shared this presentation with all fifth grade teachers at our elementary feeder schools. Teachers shared the presentation recently with their classes. The presentation gives a good overview of many important aspects of middle school including start and end times, transportation, student schedules, lockers, after school programs, and more. In addition, our two Hamilton counselors visited your child's 5th grade classroom in February to share more specific details about the transition and answer their questions.

Parent Orientation Opportunities

In February we held two virtual parent orientation meetings. Please read the summary of what was shared below.

Incoming 6th Grade Orientation Recap

Incoming 6th Grade Orientation Recap

Thank you to those who could fit our fifth grade orientation meetings at Hamilton Middle into your schedules in February! It was wonderful meeting new families, and greeting lots of eager and excited incoming sixth grade students! For those of you who could not make the orientations, or for those of you who may want to look back at the information, I offer you the below links to the presentations that were made at the meetings. I look forward to seeing you soon!

John Burkholder
Principal

Student Services Presentation

Principal's Slideshow

Academic Presentation

Sixth Graders at Picture Day

Music Overview Video

Click on the below button for a less than four minute Loom voiceover video overview of our Music program at Hamilton Middle. This video was NOT part of our presentation at the orientation meetings in February.

Music Program Overview

6th Grade outdoor lunch at Camp Hamilton

Hamilton Main Entrance

Some of you at our orientation meetings asked for a visual of our what we consider our "main front entrance." The photo below is Door #1, our main entrance. This door faces our small parking lot directly adjacent to Waukesha Street. This is the door that all sixth grade students will enter each morning on school days. It is also the door that the large majority of sixth grade students will exit each day. If you are a parent visit Hamilton Middle during the school day, this is the door you should go to.

Meet the Staff!

Meet the Sixth Grade Team!

Meet the Sixth Grade Team!

We would like to take this time to introduce you to our Hamilton team of classroom teachers that will serve sixth grade students across their core academic day in the 2022-2023 school year. Below you will find photos and short bio statements for teachers, all of whom work to support sixth grade students. Bio statements present each staff member's general approach to teaching and learning, along with a sentence or two about who each is as a person. On behalf of the entire team, welcome to Hamilton!

Erik Branch
Classroom Teacher

I want to create a class that kids are excited to be in because it's full of learning and laughs. I live with my family in McFarland, WI. Between Wright Middle School and Hamilton I've taught for over 20 years.

Allyson Dehnel
Classroom Teacher

As a teacher, I most enjoy watching students grow throughout the course of the year. I value the risk taking, the willingness to ask questions, and the pure enjoyment of learning that is fostered by building a strong and trusting classroom community. Outside of teaching, I try to dedicate time to travel as well as any activity which gets me outside!

Sarah Gores-Lund
Classroom Teacher

I relish the daily energy, creativity & curiosity students bring to Velma Hamilton & the classroom! Their ideas amaze me! Learning with them is a gift! My husband of 22 years, Mark, & I have two amazing kids - Margaret (20) & Stan (18). Spending time with my family, taking long walks, playing board games & reading are some of my other contentments! I received both my undergraduate and Master’s degrees from UW-Madison! I am a devoted Badgers and Packers fan! I hail from a close-knit family of ten, born & raised in Fond du Lac, WI. I love our great state!

Shelly Duffield
Classroom Teacher

My approach is building a strong classroom community. Students should have voice and choice in what their classroom should focus on insofar as instruction and demonstration of knowledge. I have been teaching in Madison my whole career, including 16 years at Schenk Elementary. Keeping me busy ALL THE TIME, are my two sons who are in 1st & 3rd grade. Running on trails and being with children in a classroom, are two of my favorite things.

Justin Kruger
Classroom Teacher

I have a whole student approach to teaching and learning with clear learning outcomes and steps on how to reach those outcomes. I have a dog, cat, two daughters and a wife. I'm passionate about the outdoors and nature and have a diverse background of experiences that influence how I teach. Welcome!

Calliope Jordahl
Classroom Teacher

I believe students learn best when they are actively involved. I enjoy creating a community where students feel supported to take risks that help them grow socially and academically. I grew up in Madison. I live in the Hamilton attendance area with my husband, three kids ages 15-22, and two spinones (dogs).

Jody Strasser
Classroom Teacher

In order for us to learn we need to have fun and work as a community in the classroom. I love the outdoors and have many interests and hobbies. I love learning new things and having fun and encouraging others to try. I am so looking forward to meeting the new sixth graders.

Bob Wiedholz
Classroom Teacher

My approach to a successful year involves getting kids active in their learning. In math that means kids talking about their math thinking, and in social studies that means hands-on, interactive units. I am a married, father of 3 who is passionate about the outdoors. I am handy, helpful and usually happy.

Jordan Meiller
Classroom Teacher

The best part of teaching is seeing how much students grow over the course of a year. I enjoy collectively building a strong classroom community that is fun, challenging, and fosters a sense of belonging for students. In my free time I like to play volleyball, garden, kayak and spend as much time outside as possible!

Students playing cello — Orchestra, Grade 6

Students using a computer — Unified Arts

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