Thanksgiving Break Reminder & Warm Wishes

Good afternoon families, As we begin the Thanksgiving break, we want to remind you that students are now out of school and will return on  Monday, December 1 . During this season of gratitude, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our School City of Hammond families. Your support, kindness, and partnership mean so much to us. We wish you and your loved ones a warm, peaceful, and joyful Thanksgiving. May your holiday be filled with rest, connection, and moments that remind you of what matters most. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the School City of Hammond. 🧡

Tuesday, Nov 25 2025

Elevate SCH: Nov. 2025-Newsletter

Elevate SCH Elevating Excellence, Restoring Unity   Message from the Superintendent: A Season of Gratitude As we enter the season of gratitude, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for within the School City of Hammond. Each day, our students, staff, and families remind us of the power of community, compassion, and collaboration. This month, we are completing our districtwide Food Drive. This is a wonderful example of how our schools come together to support one another and make a tangible difference for families in need. Your generosity truly embodies the spirit of giving that defines this time of year. As Thanksgiving approaches, I extend heartfelt thanks to our teachers, staff, parents, and community partners for all that you do to help our students succeed. Together, we are building a brighter future for all SCH children. I wish each of you a warm, restful, and safe Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones. With appreciation, Anthony O. Salinas, Ed.S. Acting Superintendent    Celebrating our Psychologists! In honor of National School Psychology Week, we would like to recognize and THANK our amazing School City of Hammond School Psychologists! Elizabeth Aguilar Amber Balcerak Gina Good Tricia Hill Jacqueline La Fave Juleon Meredith Monica Townsend Ericka Wills You help students discover their strengths, develop confidence, support their mental health, and find direction toward success. Your work truly makes a difference in the lives of our students and families. Thank you for your dedication, your compassion, and your commitment to helping our students thrive. We appreciate you this week and every day!   We Packed Our Bags and our imaginations for National School Lunch Week – October 20th - 24th We embarked a journey across the globe with National School Lunch Week 2025!  Taste the World of School Lunch was an amazing and delicious adventure. Our lunches took us around the world, and our students were able to taste the world one bite at a time! Our lunch trays were filled with foods from France, Mexico, Germany, United States, Italy, Ireland, Greece, China, and many other countries!   Catch a glimpse below of our school lunches and our food service professionals that ensure our students are well-fed and poised for academic success!   School Highlights   Area Career Center & ACCtvHammond Stay informed with the ACCtvHammond Student News, streaming LIVE every Friday at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM on YouTube. Make sure to tune in and don’t forget to Like and Subscribe. ACCtvHammond will also be highlighting staff every two weeks, so stay tuned for these exciting spotlights! Project ADAM Heart Safe School A Project ADAM Heart Safe School is a designation awarded to schools that have successfully implemented a comprehensive sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) emergency response plan. This includes placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs), training staff in CPR and AED use, and conducting regular emergency drills. The goal is to create a Heart Safe environment for students, staff, and visitors by ensuring an immediate and effective response to cardiac emergencies, as survival rates decrease significantly with each minute without treatment. The School City of Hammond Area Career Center will be the first school in Lake County to earn this designation.   Career Readiness in Action at the Hammond Early Learning Center While most preschool/pre-K classrooms have a list of classroom helper jobs from which students can choose, Head Start teacher, Crystal Bell, took the helper job choice process to the next level. Her students went through an interview process in order to secure their classroom helper jobs. Ms. Bell interviewed each student individually, so she could “meet her students where they were” developmentally and adjust her questioning process to fit the students needs and abilities.She asked each student their name, which job they were applying for and why they felt they were the right candidate for the job. After the interview, she thanked each student, shook their hand, and let them know they would be receiving a decision regarding whether or not they had gotten the job they requested. At the end of the school day, each student received a congratulations letter that informed them that they were hired for the job for which they had interviewed. Ms. Bell’s students now know about the interview process from their own experience and have the satisfaction and pride of knowing how it feels to be chosen for a position for which you’ve applied.   Family, Fun and Learning at the ELC The ELC combined family, fun, and learning at its first Fall Family Festival on October 22nd. Over 400 people attended, representing 122 ELC families. ELC staff supported students and their families as they moved from learning station to learning station throughout the building. In addition to the math and literacy stations, families and their students completed a scavenger hunt with the matching clues provided at each station. As they were getting ready to leave the building, students turned in their scavenger hunt sheets and received a bag of goodies. Thanks to Trustee Blake-King and Acting Superintendent Mr. Salinas for attending the event! Birth–5 Family Sessions & Playgroups School City of Hammond is currently offering Birth–5 Family Sessions and Playgroups at the Hammond Early Learning Center at Morton Elementary (7006 Marshall Avenue, Door A). These programs provide opportunities for parents and young children to participate in hands-on activities and free play together. An adult must accompany the child, and an SCH background check is required to attend. Weekly Schedule: Mondays & Fridays: Playgroups, 1:00–2:00 PM (free play) Tuesdays: Mini Class Sessions for ages 3–5, 1:00–2:15 PM Thursdays: Birth–5 Sessions, 1:00–2:15 PM Tuesday and Thursday sessions include art, fine motor and gross motor activities, story time, and songs. For more information, contact Ms. Del Rio at dedelrio@hammond.k12.in.us   Edison Elementary Highlights We’re proud of all the wonderful things happening at Edison Elementary — from exciting field trips to new opportunities for our students to shine. Go Flashes! This fall, our students enjoyed an Applied Skills trip to Scheeringa Farms, a PBIS celebration with Halloween-themed games, and the PTA Trunk or Treat. Third graders visited County Line Orchard and welcomed the Hammond Fire Department for a fire safety lesson. Several classes attended School House Rock Jr. Live by HAPA, featuring some of our Edison students, and we launched two new programs this year — a Choir led by Ms. Elora Maniatis and a Leadership Club led by Ms. Lucy Torres.   Franklin Elementary Student Council Food Drive Franklin students recently completed their food drive from November 3–14, with donations going to the Gate Church on Sohl Ave. to benefit our community. Candy Wars & Trunk-or-Treat Franklin hosted its first Candy Wars competition to collect candy for our Trunk-or-Treat event on October 24. We collected 141 pounds of candy and were able to supply all tables at the event! Congratulations to Mrs. Barnes’ class, who collected the most candy with a total of 27.28 pounds. Each student in the class received one free book from the book fair as a reward.   Hammond Central JAG Installation & Initiation Ceremony The I&I Ceremony recognizes and installs the JAG Career Association officers, officially initiating them into the program. Each year, students who demonstrate strong leadership qualities are selected to join the Career Association, where they help improve school culture, raise awareness, and create peer-led opportunities for growth. This year’s Installation & Initiation Ceremony was held on October 8, 2025, in the Media Center. 2025–2026 JAG Officers: Reynaldo R. – President Samantha B. – VP of Career Development Morgan O. – VP of Social Activities Nayerra S. – VP of Service Learning Gianna C. – Secretary Karma T. – VP of Civic Awareness   Hess Elementary October was a month full of learning, laughter, and family involvement at Hess Elementary! Families participated in Side-by-Side activities, working together on math challenges in the classroom. We also hosted Math Harvest Night, where students dressed in their Halloween costumes and enjoyed an evening of math games and hands-on learning. Our Kindergarten classes took a trip to the pumpkin patch and used their pumpkins to create book reports featuring their favorite story characters.   Jefferson Elementary Our Jefferson students spent October learning about kindness, inclusion, and standing up for others. While Anti-Bullying Month is coming to an end, our commitment to creating a safe, caring, and respectful school community continues all year long. Kindness isn’t just for October—it’s for every day. Trunk or Treat On Thursday, October 23rd, Jefferson Elementary held one of its most popular events of the year! Our Trunk or Treat was kicked off and we were flooded by students, families, and community partners! We had so much fun seeing students dressed up and in such high spirits. This PTA-sponsored event adds to the culture of our school and helps us maintain a positive relationship with the community that means so much to us! As we transition into the Thanksgiving season, we would like to express gratitude to our families, students, staff, and friends in the community. It is our mission to serve the community and educate the whole child! We had a professional photographer, Ashley Wintczak (sister of Mrs. Emily Wintczak, 2nd grade teacher), attend our Trunk-or-Treat event and generously provide free photographs. You can view photos here.   O'Bannon Elementary O'Bannon held another successful Family Fun Night on October 29th. There were over 350 attendees! Families played games, Trick-or Treated, entered raffles, voted on the best decorated pumpkin, and ate snacks. We couldn't have done it without the support of our awesome staff. Our next Family Fun Night will be Wednesday, February 25th from 4:15-5:15.    Student Highlight   Morton High School & ACC Student Honored at OCOS Awards Congratulations to Kira Roberts, senior at Hammond Morton High School and student at the Hammond Area Career Center, who was named Female Student of the Year at the One Church One School (OCOS) Community Awards Luncheon! Kira was awarded a scholarship for her accomplishments in school activities, including volleyball, National Honor Society, and Cosmetology School, as well as her active involvement in her church. In an exciting surprise, the new President and CEO of OCOS also awarded four seniors a $15,000 scholarship to Miles College! We are so proud of Kira and all students honored at this incredible event   💗 Kindness Corner Thank you to all the parents and staff who joined us for our Kindness Crew Coffee and Conversation meeting at Harding Elementary on 11/13. We continue to promote kindness and practice it throughout the School City of Hammond. This gathering is an important part of our year-round anti-bullying initiative, and we appreciate everyone who helps make SCH a kinder place every day.  

Monday, Nov 17 2025

📢 Reminder: The School City of Hammond Job Fair is t...

The School City of Hammond Job Fair is today! 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 41 Williams St.  Hammond, IN 46320 Don’t miss your chance to connect with our team and explore exciting career opportunities.

Wednesday, Oct 29 2025

Parent-Teacher Conferences – Monday, November 3

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on  Monday, November 3 . We encourage families to meet with teachers to discuss student progress and goals for the school year. Please contact the school directly for available conference times. 🕓 Conference Schedule: Elementary Schools: 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Middle & High Schools: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 💻 Asynchronous eLearning Day for Students Students will learn from home on this day. Assignment Information: Grades K–2: Assignments will be sent home by Friday, October 31 Grades 3–12: Assignments will be posted in Google Classroom

Monday, Oct 27 2025

Is Your PowerSchool Contact & Emergency Information ...

Dear Families, To ensure smooth communication, please review and update your phone number and emergency contacts in PowerSchool. This includes anyone authorized to pick up your child. Having the correct information helps us reach you quickly for school updates, announcements, and pickup arrangements. Thank you for keeping your contact details current! - School City of Hammond

Friday, Oct 24 2025

🌟At School City of Hammond, We Choose Kindness Every...

October is Bullying Prevention Month.  T he Hammond Council PTA and the School City of Hammond are partnering to launch the  Kindness Crew , a year-round initiative to spread kindness and build stronger connections across our schools and community. 💛 Our  first Coffee & Conversations meeting will be: 📅 Thursday , November 6, 2025 🕓 4:30 PM 📍 Harding Elementary School This event is  open to all district staff, parents, students, and community members . Join us for coffee, conversation, and a chance to make a difference! If you’d like to be part of the Kindness Crew, please complete this short form below: Sign Up for the Kindness Crew Together, we can make kindness a daily practice in every School City of Hammond school! 🌟

Friday, Oct 17 2025

Elevate SCH Oct. 2025 Newsletter

Elevate SCH Elevating Excellence, Restoring Unity   Message from the Superintendent October reminds us of the power of community, compassion, and care. This month, we stand together for Bullying Prevention Month, encouraging every student and staff member to choose kindness and respect in every interaction. We also celebrate National Principals Month by honoring our principals for their unwavering leadership and dedication. Your guidance shapes our schools and inspires success every day. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to support those whose lives have been touched by this disease and to stand in solidarity for hope and healing. In addition, we recently celebrated National Custodian Day on October 2. We are deeply grateful for our custodial staff, whose hard work ensures safe, clean, and welcoming schools for all. Together, let us continue to lift one another up, spread kindness, and celebrate the many people who make the School City of Hammond a community of strength and care. Anthony O. Salinas, Ed.S. Acting Superintendent   Celebrating Our Principals! October is National Principal Appreciation Month, and we’re proud to recognize the incredible leaders who guide our schools every day. Our principals work tirelessly to support students, empower teachers, and build positive learning environments across the School City of Hammond. Thank you for your leadership, dedication, and commitment to excellence. You inspire growth, kindness, and success in everything you do. We appreciate you! Jennifer Allen-Rycerz – Scott Middle School Joan Denny – O’Bannon Elementary School Taylor Garrison – Lincoln Elementary School Steven Grimm – Edison Elementary School Dr. Johnny Goodlow – Eggers Middle School Regina Grohar – Franklin Elementary School Dameca Harrison – Hammond Central High School Melinda Hawkins – Burns-Hicks Elementary School Christine Kibler-Wheeler – Morton High School Raymond Liskey – Harding Elementary School Mary Rykiel – Hess Elementary School Anne Ruiz – Irving Elementary School Alan Walczak – Jefferson Elementary School   School Calendar & Key Dates Stay up to date with important events and activities happening throughout the year. View the Full School Calendar   Grading Period Reminder We’re nearing the end of the grading period on October 14! Finish strong. Every effort counts!   Game On: SCH Athletics Congratulations to Coach JaMesha Harris! We are proud to share that JaMesha Harris of Hammond Morton High School was named the Colts Flag Football Coach of the Week last week, as announced by the Indianapolis Colts. Coach Harris earned this recognition after being nominated by her fellow coaches and athletic directors from the Indiana High School Girls Flag Football League.   Come Cheer Us On! Follow our website www.mortonathletics.com for schedules, records, and more information on all of our teams. Go to https://www.jedtv.com/hammond-morton.html to watch live streams of our Varsity sports events! Facebook ‘Morton Athletics’ ; X - @morton_hammond ; Instagram @govssports   Reminder that all non-high school students must have an adult chaperone in attendance and actively supervise them during sports events. All SCH MS and HS students in attendance must present their student ID at the ticketbooth. Adult chaperones must supervise their children at all times of the event and dismissal. Students found unsupervised at athletic events and their chaperone(s) will be removed from events without refund. There is no re-entry at athletic events. No outside food is permitted at athletic events. No backpacks or large bags are allowed at athletic events. ALL MHS HOME ATHLETIC EVENTS ARE CASHLESS!   Boys Tennis Senior Night Congrats Boys Tennis as they finished a competitive fall season! Volleyball Senior Night & Sectional week for Flag Football, Boys, & Girls Soccer! Sectional Tickets can be purchased online through www.ihsaa.org   Our schedules for the year can be found at the following web address: https://websites.eventlink.com/s/hammond-central-high-school/   Inside Our Schools Meet Sarah – Our SCH Therapy Dog! Sarah is our very own SCH Therapy Dog! Sarah is new to SCH and the 2025-2026 school year is her first year in the district. A therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide comfort, support, and affection to people in a variety of settings. Currently, Sarah is working at Edison and Jefferson following her handler's schedule. Sarah is here for the whole school.​ Students and staff may interact with her.​ Sarah is here to provide support, comfort and smiles to all.​ She is available to talk to, to pet, and to play with.   FAQs What kind of dog is Sarah?​ She is a Boarder Collie mixed breed​ Where does Sarah live?​ She lives with Mrs. La Fave, School Psychologist, and goes home every night​ Did Sarah get trained for this type of work?​ Yes! She has completed her AKC Canine Good Citizen certification and is in the process of her Alliance of Therapy Dogs certification.         PACT (Parents and Children Together) Program Announcement Families of PACT students are invited to a presentation on Thursday, October 9th at The Early Learning Center. Indiana's Early Learning Standards and program expectations and goals will be reviewed. Families will also gain an understanding of the PACT assessment process and report card in preparation for the upcoming Family/Teacher conferences.  Please enter through Door A and join us at one of the following sessions: 8:45-9:30 or 2:15-3:00   Contact Kelly Patterson at 219-933-2400 ext 1061 or kjpatterson@hammond.k12.in.us if you have any questions.    Moments at Harding Harding Elementary has kicked off the year with energy and excitement! We celebrated a successful Back to School Night, enjoyed a fun Family Game Night and PTA meeting, and launched a whole-school Physical Education PBIS system. Our Safety Patrol program is back in action, helping students stay safe, and the Daily Joke of the Day with Mrs. Wacaser continues to bring smiles to students throughout the school. Here’s a glimpse of some of the great moments happening at Harding this year!   Moments at Hess During the month of September, we introduced our Hess Hawk Helpers. These students help during arrival by passing out breakfasts and assisting our younger students to class. They also help open milks and lunches during Kindergarten lunch time. They are true role models at Hess! Our Hess Hawks celebrated College Go! Week with a spirit week. Our favorite day was when the students dressed up for their future careers. We had scientists, doctors, SWAT members, cheerleaders, artists, and so many more professionals around the building.     Celebrating Hispanic Heritage at Burns-Hicks Elementary Burns-Hicks Elementary proudly celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month on Thursday, October 2, 2025! Students, families, and staff came together to honor the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of the Hispanic community. Enjoy a few highlights from this wonderful event below!   Scott Middle School Sparks Innovation At Scott Middle School, our teachers, students, and school community are embracing innovation through the new makerspace, created in partnership with 1st Maker Space. Teachers received hands-on professional development to confidently guide students through projects that build creativity, problem-solving, and STEM skills. Students are exploring robotics, coding, engineering, and even creating unique projects like a cardboard carnival, where they designed functional games using engineering and design processes. With guidance from makerspace instructor Nick Trottier, these experiences help students connect learning to real-world applications and future college and career pathways. Our Scott Middle School makerspace exemplifies how our teachers, our school, and our students work together to make learning engaging, hands-on, and inspiring for everyone.   Empowering Our Students: A Visit from R. Mateo Magdaleno This week, both of our high schools will welcome nationally recognized speaker R. Mateo Magdaleno for a powerful motivational assembly designed to inspire and empower students. Morton High School: Tuesday, October 7 at 8:00 a.m. Hammond Central High School: Thursday, October 10 at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Magdaleno’s one-hour presentation helps students build confidence, turn challenges into purpose, and take positive action toward their goals. Known for his engaging storytelling and impactful message, he has partnered with organizations such as Ford Motor Company, McDonald’s, and PepsiCo, inspiring thousands of students across the country. Each session includes a 45-minute live presentation and time for student questions and photos. We’re proud to bring this uplifting experience to our School City of Hammond students!   It's Career Day at Morton High School!   The Survive Alive House is Back! We’re excited to announce that the Survive Alive House is returning this year! This hands-on program teaches students important fire safety and emergency preparedness skills in a realistic, safe, and engaging environment. Students practice escape plans, fire drills, and safety strategies that can make a real difference in keeping themselves and their families safe. Our School City of Hammond students look forward to this annual experience that combines learning with fun, helping them gain confidence, awareness, and life-saving skills.   Trunk or Treat Fun in Our Schools   HAPA Spotlight Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! Jr. The Hammond Arts and Performance Academy presents the all-district performance of Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! Jr. the second weekend of October. This high-energy musical brings the beloved Saturday morning cartoons to life on stage, blending fun and learning in a way that’s perfect for students of all ages. With favorites like “Just a Bill,” “Conjunction Junction,” and “Interplanet Janet,” this production reinforces lessons in history, grammar, science, and civics through catchy tunes and lively performances. We hope you’ll join us for this entertaining and educational performance! There is at least one student onstage from every SCH elementary, middle and high school! Performances are at Morton High School on Friday, Oct 10 @ 7pm, Saturday, Oct 11 @ 7pm and Sunday, Oct 12 @ 2pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or pre-purchased at www.HammondAPA.com Future Performances   🍎 Food Service Spotlight “Old School Mostaccioli” Returns! Each school year, our dedicated Food Service team comes together to test new recipes and bring fresh ideas to the menu—while also enhancing the classic favorites our students know and love. We are spotlighting our famous Old School Mostaccioli, a comforting dish that brings back memories and creates new ones with every bite. School lunch isn’t just about food—it’s about the wonderful aromas, the familiar tastes, and the traditions that connect generations. While we're always working to move school food service into the future, we also take pride in preserving the best of the past. What’s your favorite school lunch memory?   Lunch Menus: Families can view daily and monthly menus online. Menus include a variety of choices, with options to meet different tastes and dietary needs. View Menus Here   💻 Technology Cybersecurity Awareness Month In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, please take a moment to discuss online safety with your children. Teach them to use strong, unique passwords and to be wary of clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal information online. By practicing basic cyber hygiene together, we can all help protect our digital well-being.   💖 Kindness Corner Choosing Kindness at School City of Hammond At the School City of Hammond, we believe that kindness is one of the strongest ways to prevent bullying and create a culture where every student feels safe and valued. As part of our commitment, we are excited to launch our Kindness Campaign with the very first Kindness Coffee and Conversations meeting. This event will take place at Harding Elementary School on Thursday, November 6 at 4:30 p.m. in partnership with the Hammond Council PTA. This is a district-wide gathering to share ideas, build connections, and kick off our kindness initiative together. Light refreshments will be served, and we welcome everyone to join us in spreading kindness throughout our schools and community.   🤝 Parent & Family Engagement SCH Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Team (left to right) Jackie Robledo, FACE Facilitator Partner, jdrobledo@hammond.k12.in.us Luz Avila, FACE Facilitator Partner, leavila@hammond.k12.in.us Kelly Patterson, FACE Facilitator, kjpatterson@hammond.k12.in.us The SCH FACE Team’s role is to ensure families have a voice in Title I planning and decision-making, create opportunities for parents to be active partners in their child’s education, and build connections with community resources that support student success.  Examples of the FACE Team’s work include… Supporting families and schools on family literacy or math nights Reviewing the school’s Family Engagement Policy and School-Parent Compact Organizing family forums and connecting families with resources such as tutoring, technology support, or community services Supporting families and schools on parent/teacher conference nights. By working collaboratively, the FACE Team helps our schools create a welcoming environment where families are informed, engaged, and supported.    Make an Impact – Volunteer We love welcoming families into our schools! Volunteering is a wonderful way to stay connected, support students, and be part of our school community. To ensure the safety of all students, every volunteer is required to complete a Volunteer Background Check Form each school year. Even if you filled one out last year, a new form must be submitted for the 2025–2026 school year. You can find the form on our parent website, accessible via the link provided below. Access Form Here   Join Our Team! School City of Hammond Job Fair We’re hiring! Join us at the School City of Hammond Job Fair on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 9 AM – 4 PM at 41 Williams St., Room 118. Come meet our team, learn about exciting career opportunities, and discover how you can be part of #10xBetter!  

Monday, Oct 06 2025

SCH Fall Family Survey

Greetings Parents/Guardians, This year we will be conducting two family surveys, one in the fall and one in the spring. The School City of Hammond is a Title One District, and you are an important part of our team!  We appreciate your feedback and thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.  SCH Fall Family Survey   In partnership, Allison Lenzo Director of Federal Programs

Wednesday, Sep 17 2025

School City of Hammond at the City Job Fair – Sept. 18

The School City of Hammond will be participating in the City of Hammond Job Fair on Thursday, September 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hammond Civic Center (5825 Sohl Avenue). This event is open to the public and provides a great opportunity for anyone interested in exploring employment opportunities, including positions within the School City of Hammond. We encourage parents, family members, and community members who are seeking employment to attend. [Monday, Sep 15 at 3:51 PM] School City of Hammond at the City Job Fair – Sept. 18

Monday, Sep 15 2025

Elevate SCH Sept. 2025 Newsletter

Elevate SCH Elevating Excellence, Restoring Unity   Message from the Superintendent I am proud to begin this month by sharing exciting news about our students’ success. School City of Hammond saw a 6.7% increase in 3rd grade IREAD-3 passing rates from 2024 to 2025, outpacing the state’s growth of 4.8%. This accomplishment reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, and the continued support of our families and community. It is proof that when we work together, great things happen. As we move further into the school year, one of the most important ways families can continue supporting student success is by helping children be present and on time every day. Strong attendance builds academic growth, strengthens connections with peers and teachers, and sets students up for long-term achievement. This month we also recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrating the cultures, traditions, and contributions that enrich our schools and community. It is a reminder of the power of diversity and the importance of learning from one another. Finally, I encourage families and community members to stay involved. Volunteering your time and talents in our schools creates meaningful connections that inspire students and help us grow stronger together. Thank you for all you do to support our students and schools. Together, we are building momentum and creating opportunities for every student to thrive. Anthony O. Salinas, Ed.S. Acting Superintendent   📚✨ Big News from SCH ✨📚 Achievement in Action: IREAD-3 Results We are proud to announce that our district has achieved a 6.7% increase in 3rd grade IREAD-3 passing rates from 2024 to 2025. This outstanding progress highlights the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, and the strong support of our families and community. Together, we are building momentum, celebrating student success, and moving forward with confidence toward even greater achievements.   From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This month reminds us of the importance of diversity in shaping our schools and communities, and it provides an opportunity for students to learn from the stories, history, and achievements that continue to inspire generations. Together, we celebrate the richness of heritage and the strength it brings to our shared future.   🌟 Honoring Leadership During Hispanic Heritage Month 🌟 In the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are proud to recognize a historic milestone for our district. Mr. Salinas serves as the first Hispanic Acting Superintendent of the School City of Hammond. His leadership, vision, and dedication reflect the values of hard work, perseverance, and commitment to education that inspire both students and staff. As we celebrate the contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities nationwide, we also celebrate the impact of Mr. Salinas right here in our schools.   Game On: SCH Athletics Hammond Morton HS Athletics: Community Update – 9/9/2025 Stay up to date with Morton Athletics! Visit www.mortonathletics.com for schedules, records, and team updates, and watch live streams of Varsity games at JedTV Follow us on Facebook: Morton Athletics, X: @morton_hammond, and Instagram: @govssports. Event Reminders: All non-high school students must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, and all SCH students need to show their student ID at the ticket booth. No re-entry, outside food, or large bags are allowed. Fall Highlights: Football is 2-1 after a 42-20 win vs Alan B. Shepard HS. Ranked 9th by NWI Times & Post-Tribune, next game is vs Byron Center (MI) Girls Volleyball is 8-1, surpassing last season’s wins, with upcoming games vs EC, Whiting, Hobart, and Hammond Central. Cross Country hosted the Richard Jay Invitational on August 30. Girls Results Boys Results Interested in joining a team? Register your student today via Final Forms and reach out to our head coaches for more information. Check out the latest news on our standout athletes! Check out the latest news on our standout athletes! Amari Price (Football) – Read about his recent performances and contributions to Morton’s winning season: Chicago Tribune Article Jalen Arnold (Football) – Learn more about his skills and impact on the field: NWI Times Article Celebrate our talented SCH student-athletes and follow their journeys this season! Hammond Central Weekly Sports Schedule: 9/8-9/13   WJOB Spotlight Don’t miss our monthly WJOB segments, airing every 3rd Wednesday of the month! These segments highlight the incredible work of our students across the district. In our last segment, Area Career Center students from the Early Childhood Education and Construction Trades – Carpentry programs shared their experiences with SkillsUSA competitions. They spoke about what they enjoy most in their fields, why these experiences are important to them, and how participating in competitions helps them grow their skills. Tune in each month to see more of our SCH students showcasing their talents and achievements! Next segment will be September 17 at 9:00AM.   School Calendar & Key Dates Stay up to date with important events and activities happening throughout the year. View the Full School Calendar   First Marking Period Progress Reports The first marking period is already upon us! Progress reports will be available on September 12, and parents can view them in PowerSchool. Stay informed and celebrate your student’s achievements as the new school year gets underway!     Attendance is Crucial Being in school every day and arriving on time is essential for student success. Each day in the classroom helps students build skills, stay connected with teachers and peers, and keep up with important learning. When school and home work together, students thrive. Let’s make every day count!   HAPA Spotlight Marching to Success We are so proud of our HAPA students who performed at Indiana State University’s Marching Band Day during the football game! It was an incredible experience for our students to showcase their talent and be part of this exciting event. A special thank you to the Marching Sycamores for hosting such a wonderful day. Check out the photos below to see our students in action!   Upcoming 2025-26 Season We are proud to announce our major productions for the 2025-26 season! We can’t wait to see you at the shows and share the incredible talent of our students. Performances will be held at: Oliver P. Morton High School Hammond Central High School Join us in celebrating the arts and supporting our HAPA students!   🤝 Parent & Family Engagement Make an Impact – Volunteer We love welcoming families into our schools! Volunteering is a wonderful way to stay connected, support students, and be part of our school community. To ensure the safety of all students, every volunteer is required to complete a Volunteer Background Check Form each school year. Even if you filled one out last year, a new form must be submitted for the 2025–2026 school year. You can find the form on our parent website, accessible via the link provided below. Access Form Here   🍎 School Lunch & Menus Breakfast & Lunch - Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) All students receive Breakfast & Lunch at no cost! Mission Statement: The School City of Hammond Department of Food and Nutrition provides excellent quality meals, prepared and served in a safe, sanitary, and pleasant environment, while reinforcing healthy eating patterns for students, staff, and their families.   About Us: ·        Our menus are nutritionally analyzed with a software program called LINQ to ensure nutritional integrity as well as full compliance with USDA regulations. ·        Our school kitchens are inspected twice each year by the Lake County Health Department. We proudly say that a perfect score is our norm. Lunch Menus: Families can view daily and monthly menus online. Menus include a variety of choices, with options to meet different tastes and dietary needs. View Menus Here   💻 Technology & Chromebooks Parents, please remind your students to take good care of their Chromebooks. For students who bring devices home, make sure they are fully charged and ready for the next school day. Proper care ensures that all students can continue learning without interruptions.   💖 Kindness Corner Enchanted Backpack Grant We’re thrilled to share that Franklin was awarded two vans full of school supplies and additional funds to support our kindness and anti-bullying initiatives. This marks the third time we’ve received a grant from Enchanted Backpack, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support. Each class created a poster to thank Enchanted Backpack, and one student representative from each class proudly held their poster to show our appreciation for this amazing gift. A special thanks to the SCH Teamsters for helping unload the vans; the extra hands were truly appreciated. We’re excited to continue making a positive impact and are so grateful for our supportive community. Check out the video below to see the celebration in action. A Reminder About Kindness “If you want to make a difference in the world, go out and do something good for somebody. Don’t wait—just do it.” – Dolores Huerta At SCH we are kind, we are respectful, and we are 10xBetter together.  

Tuesday, Sep 09 2025