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  • Reminder: Friday, March 13 is a Synchronous E Learni...

    Dear School City of Hammond Families, This is a reminder that Friday, March 13 will be a Synchronous E Learning Day . Students will participate in  live online instruction with their teachers . Students should log in to their classes at their scheduled times and follow directions from their teachers. Thank you for your continued support.

    Wednesday, Mar 11 2026

  • Elevate SCH: March 2026-Newsletter

    Elevate SCH Elevating Excellence, Restoring Unity     Message from the Superintendent: March Forward Together Dear School City of Hammond Families and Community, As we move through March, I am proud of the continued progress across the School City of Hammond. Our students, staff, and families continue to show what is possible when we work together with focus and care. This month, we recognize National School Social Work Week from March 1 through March 7. We extend our sincere thanks to our school social workers for the vital role they play in supporting students and families every day. Their compassion, advocacy, and commitment help remove barriers so our students can thrive. March is also Women’s History Month and National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. These observances remind us to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women and to reaffirm our commitment to inclusive environments where every student is valued, supported, and empowered. State testing is underway this month. The IREAD assessment for our second and third grade students is especially important because it measures the foundational reading skills that are critical for long term success. We ask families to partner with us by ensuring students get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time every single day during the testing window. These simple habits make a powerful difference in student confidence and performance. Our eleventh grade students will also be taking the SAT during this window, and strong attendance and punctuality are equally important. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of the School City of Hammond. Together, we are building strong readers, strong schools, and strong futures for every student. Warm regards, Anthony O. Salinas, Ed.S. Acting Superintendent    Women’s History Month Throughout March, the School City of Hammond proudly recognizes Women’s History Month. We celebrate the achievements, leadership, and lasting contributions of women who continue to inspire our students, schools, and community every day.   National School Social Work Week From March 1 through March 7, the School City of Hammond proudly recognizes National School Social Work Week. We thank our dedicated school social workers for their compassion, advocacy, and unwavering support of our students and families. Their work makes a meaningful difference in our schools every day.   March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month This month, we are proud to join the nationwide observance of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! It is an important time for our community to come together to promote inclusion, celebrate the incredible contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities, and continue our work to remove barriers to accessibility. We remain dedicated to fostering a supportive, empowering, and welcoming environment for all of our students, staff, and families   Celebrating National School Breakfast Week! This week is National School Breakfast Week, and we want to take a special moment to send a huge, heartfelt thank you to our incredible Food Service staff across the School City of Hammond! Every morning, our dedicated cafeteria teams are up early, preparing nutritious and delicious meals to ensure our students start their day ready to learn, focus, and succeed. We know that a healthy breakfast is the fuel that powers great minds, and we are so grateful for the hard work, warm smiles, and care our food service professionals dish out to our students every single day. Thank you for all that you do to keep us going!   Reflecting on a Powerful Black History Month We recently wrapped up what was truly a positive, engaging, and meaningful month of celebrating Black History across the School City of Hammond. Throughout February, our schools and departments hosted inspiring programs, presentations, and celebrations that honored the rich history, culture, and contributions of African Americans. Thank you to everyone who attended events and supported these important learning opportunities for our students. Your participation helped make this month impactful across our district. As we enter a new month, we remain committed to continuing the celebration of Black history, culture, and the achievements of our students and community. Black history is American history, and that celebration continues in our schools every day.   Around our Schools   Pride on Display at Inaugural JROTC Color Guard Competition This past Friday, we were proud to host the inaugural JROTC Color Guard Competition at Hammond Central High School against East Chicago Central. It was an outstanding display of student leadership, discipline, precision, and school pride. Our young cadets represented their schools with excellence, demonstrating the core values of commitment, teamwork, and respect. We are proud to be one of the few districts that offers JROTC and continues to strongly support this valuable program for our students. In the end, Hammond Central emerged victorious over EC Central, and there was certainly a great deal of pride in the air. Congratulations to our JROTC students, instructors, and families for making this inaugural event such a success. We look forward to building on this tradition in the years to come.   Student Spotlight: Hammond Central Senior Honored by Mayor We are thrilled to shine this week's Student Spotlight on Marco Aurelio Ocampo, a senior at Hammond Central High School who recently received the City of Hammond Mayor Distinguished Service Award from Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. Known for his discipline and motivation, Marco leads over 140 cadets as the Battalion Commander (Cadet Lieutenant Colonel) of the school's Army JROTC program. Outside of his exemplary leadership, Marco is a dedicated Culinary Arts student at the Hammond Area Career Center and puts his skills to work as a line cook at Rosebud Steakhouse. True to his favorite quote, Marco is tackling his future "sin miedo al éxito" (without fear of success)! Read the full story here: NWI Times: Student Spotlight   Celebrating Athletic Excellence: Hammond Central Student Athletes At the March 3rd Board of School Trustees meeting, we had the honor of celebrating the outstanding achievements of our Hammond Central High School student athletes! Athletic Director Chris Moore led a special presentation highlighting the dedication, sportsmanship, and hard work our athletes have demonstrated this season. We were absolutely thrilled to have the students in attendance to receive their well-deserved recognition in person from the board and the community. We are so incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished both in their sports and in the classroom. Way to go, Hammond Central!   Celebrating Read Across America Week This week, we proudly celebrate Read Across America Day! This special event highlights the joy and importance of reading for our students. We were thrilled to have several of our administrators step into classrooms to share some wonderful stories. We also want to extend a special thank you to the Hammond Firefighters Local 556 for generously volunteering their time to visit and read to our classes. Please enjoy the photos below capturing these great moments of community and literacy in action!   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, 1:00–1:45 PM (free play) Tuesdays: Mini Class Sessions for ages 3–5, 1:00–2:00 PM Thursdays: Birth–5 Sessions, 1:00–2:00 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   Save the Date: Preschool & Kindergarten Registration   You’re Invited: Cheer on Team Hammond 71 at Robotics Competitions The School City of Hammond is proud to present Team Hammond 71, our student-led robotics team focused on innovation, leadership, and a passion for STEM. Through hands-on engineering and competitive robotics, our students are challenged both technically and creatively while representing our community with pride. We warmly invite students, families, and community members to come support our team at their competitions this season. Week 1 – Mishawaka District Event March 7 to 8, 2026 Penn High School 56100 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545 Week 3 – Lafayette District Event March 27 to 28, 2026 Jefferson High School 1801 S 18th St, Lafayette, IN 47905 If Team Hammond 71 qualifies for the State Competition, they will also compete at: FRC Indiana State Championship April 18 to 19, 2026 Indiana State Fairgrounds Blue Ribbon Pavilion Woodland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205 Come see the students in action, celebrate their hard work, and cheer them on as they showcase creativity, teamwork, and engineering skills. Your support makes a difference and inspires the next generation of innovators. We hope to see you at the competitions this season.   Hammond Arts & Performing Academy Get ready to fly away to Neverland! The Hammond Arts and Performance Academy (HAPA) warmly invites you to experience the magic of their upcoming musical production of Peter Pan at Morton High School. Join us for an enchanting evening performance on March 20th or 21st at 7:00 PM, or catch the afternoon matinee on March 22nd at 2:00 PM. Please note that this is a completely cashless event, so be sure to plan accordingly. To secure your tickets and find more information, visit www.hammondapa.com. We can't wait to see you there!   Franklin Elementary 6th Annual College & Career Expo Get a head start on exploring exciting future possibilities! Franklin Elementary is proud to host its 6th Annual College & Career Expo on Thursday, March 12, 2026. This interactive event is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about different career paths and educational journeys through hands-on experiences. We want to extend our gratitude to this year's generous sponsors, Purdue University Northwest (PNW) and the Area Career Center (ACC), for helping make this event possible. Be sure to mark your calendars, and scan the QR code on the flyer for more details!   Important Dates to Remember Please mark your calendars and be aware of these upcoming schedule updates as we move through March: Sunday, March 8: Daylight Saving Time begins! Don't forget to "spring forward" and set your clocks ahead one hour. Friday, March 13: End of Grading Period 3 Friday, March 13: Important Calendar Update: Synchronous eLearning Day. All students will participate in synchronous, live online instruction from home. March 30 – April 6: Spring Break (No School)   Gratitude Corner: Recognizing Our Supporters Supporting Our Aspiring Chefs: A Special Thanks to the ACF We would like to extend our sincere gratitude for a recent generous donation made to the Hammond Area Career Center (ACC) Culinary Arts program, which was officially recognized during a special board presentation. Chef Jim Galligan, Chairman of the Board for the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chapter of Northwest Indiana, joined us to provide an overview and history of the local ACF chapter. Alongside him, ACC Culinary Arts Instructor Chef Jack Velazquez, Jr. shared exciting highlights from the year, showcasing the impressive accomplishments and hard work of our culinary students. Thank you to the ACF and our community partners for continuing to invest in the future of our young chefs!   Funding Your Future: Ongoing Scholarship Resources As our students prepare for their next steps after high school, we want to ensure they have every opportunity to help fund their college education and career goals! To make the search easier, we have created a dedicated Google Drive folder filled with available scholarship applications, deadlines, and information. Please bookmark this link! We will be continuously updating this folder with new local and national scholarships as soon as we learn about them, so we highly encourage students and parents to check back frequently so you don't miss out. Access the Scholarship Folder Here: 2026 Scholarships  

    Thursday, Mar 05 2026

  • IREAD Testing Starts March 2. Let’s Cheer On Our Rea...

    Dear SCH Families,  The IREAD testing window is March 2 through March 13, and our students are ready to shine. Last year, our students showed great effort and strong growth. We are proud of the progress reflected in the attached results, and this year, we are excited and focused on increasing our passing rate even more. 📌 Please check with your child’s teacher or school for your student’s specific testing dates and times, as schedules may vary by building. Families, your support makes a powerful difference. You can help your child succeed by: 🍎 Providing a healthy breakfast ⏰ Making sure your child arrives on time every day 😴 Ensuring a good night’s rest 💬 Offering encouragement and positive words Every day counts. Every student matters. Together, we are Elevation in Motion and moving forward. We can do this. We will do this. IREAD is Indiana’s early literacy assessment that measures foundational reading skills such as phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. In the School City of Hammond, students in 2nd and 3rd grade participate in IREAD to help ensure they are on track to become confident readers.

    Friday, Feb 27 2026

  • Don't Miss Out: Summer 2028 Trip to South Korea Info...

    Dear SCH Families,   The World Traveling Wolves from Hammond Central have been to Barcelona and Madrid, with London coming up soon!   Next, Hammond Central High School is sponsoring a trip to South Korea for students and their families in the Summer of 2028.   Our South Korea informational meeting is Thursday, February 26 at 6 p.m. at Hammond Central.   We don’t want your family to miss out. This trip could be a turning point in your child’s life—building confidence, curiosity, and global awareness. 👉  Find meeting info and RSVP here:  https://rsvp.eftours.com/k4vb3e8 Reminders: - $200 discount available for early enrollees. - Enrollment opens at the meeting—first come, first served. - Learn more about our travel partner, EF Educational Tours, at  www.eftours.com . We can’t wait to share how this journey can shape your child’s future. Join the World Traveling Wolves on another great adventure. See you there!  

    Wednesday, Feb 25 2026

  • Reminder: No School Monday 2/16, eLearning/Conferenc...

    Reminder for families: There is  no school on Monday, February 16 for Presidents Day. Students will also have an  asynchronous eLearning Day on Tuesday, February 17 due to Parent Teacher Conferences. Thank you!

    Friday, Feb 13 2026

  • Elevate SCH Feb. 2026 - Newsletter

    Elevate SCH Elevating Excellence, Restoring Unity     Message from the Superintendent: Honoring the Past. Inspiring the Future. Dear School City of Hammond Families and Community, February is a time to celebrate excellence, reflection, and the powerful contributions that shape our schools and our community. As we recognize Black History Month, we honor the achievements, resilience, and leadership of African Americans whose impact continues to inspire our students and staff. Throughout the month, our schools will engage students in meaningful learning experiences that highlight history, culture, and the importance of equity and respect. These experiences connect the past to the present while inspiring our students to build a brighter future within our school community. Family involvement plays a vital role in student success. When families and schools work together, students feel supported, motivated, and confident in their learning. We encourage you to participate in school activities, engage in conversations at home, and continue partnering with us to strengthen our schools. I am incredibly proud of the dedication shown by our staff and students each day. Together, we continue working toward a future where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Thank you for being an essential part of the School City of Hammond family. Your partnership makes a difference in all that we do. Warm regards, Anthony O. Salinas, Ed.S. Acting Superintendent    Honoring our Leaders We are proud to recognize the African American leaders who guide, inspire, and support the School City of Hammond community. This brief video highlights their names, roles, and locations, celebrating the impact they make every day across our district.   Celebrating Our School Counselors During National School Counselor Week, February 2–6, we honor the dedicated counselors who support the academic, social, and emotional growth of every student. Their guidance, care, and leadership make a lasting difference in our schools. Thank you to all our counselors across the School City of Hammond for everything you do to help our students succeed.   Family and Community Involvement   Family Forum: Understanding Your Child’s Learning Needs All families are invited to attend one of our Family Forum sessions to learn more about supporting your child’s learning. This is a great opportunity to gain insights, ask questions, and connect with educators. We hope you will join us!   Around our Schools   Franklin Elementary Shines at Elks Hoop Shoot In December, students from Franklin Elementary competed against peers from other area schools in the Elks Hoop Shoot contest. Four of our students won their divisions and advanced to represent Franklin at the regional competition on Saturday, January 10, at Plymouth High School. Congratulations to Alexander Franklin and Julianna Campbell for representing Franklin at the regional contest. A special congratulations to Jaydon Ray, who finished second in his division, and to Thea Robinson, who won her division and will move on to the state competitions! We are so proud of our Franklin Elementary students for their hard work, skill, and sportsmanship.   Early Learning Center What do you do with a dream? If you’re Susanne Companiott, PACT teacher at the Hammond Early Learning Center (HELC), you take that dream and turn it into the - Once Upon a Story Free Bookstore - that impacts all 500+ students at the HELC! Through tremendous effort and a belief in the power of books and reading, Susanne connected with like-minded individuals and organizations to learn how to begin and sustain a project that each month provides a new or gently used book to every student at the HELC. Thanks to the generosity of individuals, schools, and other organizations, the bookstore opened for business in December 2025. Classrooms visited the bookstore and students were able to choose a book of their own from the collection of books available. A listing of benefactors is posted in the bookstore. A recent donation from Adventures in Learning will help provide additional support.  Donations of new or gently used books for preschool/pre-K students can be made at the HELC, 7006 Marshall Ave.    Birth–5 Family Sessions & Playgroups Birth-5 Family Programs are an opportunity for parents and children to participate in hands-on activities and free play together. An adult must accompany and participate with their child during the Sessions and Playgroup. To attend an SCH background check needs to be completed and approved.   Below are the different types of Birth-5 opportunities we are offering in February.   On Monday's and Friday's, we will be offering Playgroups from 1:00-1:45, with free play. On Tuesday's from 1:00-2:00, we will be offering structured Mini Class Session for children ages 3-5. On Thursday's from 1:00-2:00, we will be offering structured Birth-5 Sessions.   In the sessions on Tuesday's and Thursday's we work on art activities, fine motor activities, gross motor activities, story time, and songs.  The Birth-5 Sessions and Playgroups are located at the Hammond Early Learning Center at Morton Elementary (7006 Marshall Avenue, Hammond, IN 46323). To attend please enter the building at Door A and sign in at the office. You will need an ID to attend, and an SCH background check needs to be completed and approved. You can fill out the background check here at the ELC. You will be directed to the classrooms from the office. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Del Rio at dedelrio@hammond.k12.in.us.    You’re Invited: Cheer on Team Hammond 71 at Robotics Competitions The School City of Hammond is proud to present Team Hammond 71, our student-led robotics team focused on innovation, leadership, and a passion for STEM. Through hands-on engineering and competitive robotics, our students are challenged both technically and creatively while representing our community with pride. We warmly invite students, families, and community members to come support our team at their competitions this season. Week 1 – Mishawaka District Event March 7 to 8, 2026 Penn High School 56100 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545 Week 3 – Lafayette District Event March 21 to 22, 2026 Columbus East High School 1801 S 18th St, Lafayette, IN 47905 If Team Hammond 71 qualifies for the State Competition, they will also compete at: FRC Indiana State Championship April 18 to 19, 2026 Indiana State Fairgrounds Blue Ribbon Pavilion Woodland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205 Come see the students in action, celebrate their hard work, and cheer them on as they showcase creativity, teamwork, and engineering skills. Your support makes a difference and inspires the next generation of innovators. We hope to see you at the competitions this season.   Hammond Arts & Performing Academy Last Saturday, HAPA vocal soloists performed at the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest. Olivia Cuellar and Aliyah Villegas won gold medals for group I solos and will be heading to the state Solo and Ensemble Contest. Cecilia Owens Korba, Estrella Weston, and Ava Kelley won silver medals for group I solos, and Alyssa Watson earned a gold for a group III solo. Congratulations, all! We are proud of you!   Celebrating Career and Technical Education Month February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, a time to recognize programs that prepare students for future careers while teaching real-world skills. At the Hammond Area Career Center, students gain hands-on experience, develop leadership skills, and explore opportunities in fields like engineering, media, healthcare, and more. We are proud of our students and educators for their dedication to learning and career readiness.   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!   Students Bring the Harlem Wizards Game to Life On January 22, the Harlem Wizards faced off against the Region Rebounders in an exciting game full of fun, energy, and community spirit. This event was part of our Kindness Campaign, a partnership between the Hammond Council PTA and the School City of Hammond. Thanks to the talented students in the Radio and Television program at our Area Career Center, a highlight clip was created that captures all the action and excitement. They did an amazing job showing the energy of this incredible event. If you missed the game, you can watch the video and see the event through the eyes of our students. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to our students for their incredible work behind the camera.   💗 Kindness Corner   Franklin Elementary PBIS Winners Congratulations to the Franklin Elementary PBIS winners for January! These students are being recognized for modeling respectful, responsible, and safe behavior. We are so proud of you and the positive example you set for your school community. Keep spreading kindness and making Franklin Elementary a great place to learn and grow!   Important February Dates to Remember • February 16: No school in observance of Presidents Day • February 17: Parent Teacher Conferences and Asynchronous eLearning Day Thank you for your continued partnership with the School City of Hammond.   Upcoming Observances All Month of February: Love the Bus Month, recognizing the importance of school transportation and promoting bus safety and appreciation across our school community. February 15: National School Resource Officer Day, honoring the dedication and service of our school resource officers who help keep our schools safe. February 16: No school in observance of Presidents Day February 23 to 27: Public Schools Week, celebrating the impact of public education and the students, staff, and families who make our schools strong.  

    Friday, Feb 06 2026

  • SCHOOL RESUMES TOMORROW, JANUARY 27, 2026

    SCHOOL RESUMES TOMORROW Normal Schedule Please ensure students dress warmly for the cold weather.

    Monday, Jan 26 2026

  • Accessing Google Classroom on a Personal Device

    Dear Families, To support students during our Synchronous eLearning Day, please review the attached flyers with step-by-step instructions on how to access  Google Classroom on a personal device . Flyers are included in  both English and Spanish for your convenience. Sincerely, School City of Hammond

    Sunday, Jan 25 2026

  • Synchronous eLearning Day – Monday, January 26, 2026

    Dear Families, Due to inclement weather, Monday, January 26, 2026, will be a Synchronous (live instruction) eLearning Day for all School City of Hammond schools. Students should follow their school’s eLearning schedule and participate in live instruction as directed by their teachers. Please note that assignments completed on Monday may be submitted on Thursday morning upon students’ return to school. There will be  no after-school activities or events . If you have questions regarding your child’s schedule or assignments, please contact your child’s teacher directly via email as your first point of contact. Thank you for your continued partnership and flexibility as we prioritize the safety and learning of our students. Sincerely, School City of Hammond

    Sunday, Jan 25 2026

  • Monitoring Weather Conditions for Monday

    Dear SCH Families, As we move through the weekend, we will continue to closely monitor weather conditions. If any adjustments to school operations are needed, families will be notified promptly. Please continue to watch for updates. Thank you for your continued partnership and flexibility as we prioritize the safety and learning of our students. Stay warm and safe!

    Friday, Jan 23 2026