Hamilton Elementary School

In a second grade classroom, growth doesn’t always arrive in big, obvious ways. More often, it shows up in the quiet moments. A student trying again after getting something wrong. A hesitant voice becoming more confident. A concept that once felt out of reach finally making sense.

For Abigail Azizkhan, those moments are the work. This week's staff shoutout goes to her.

In her second year as a teacher in the School District of Lancaster, Miss Azizkhan is already shaping a classroom where learning is deeply connected to belonging, where students feel supported enough to take risks, and where growth is something every child can experience.

A colleague who nominated her said: Miss Azizkhan understands that learning cannot happen without a sense of belonging. Her classroom is a warm, inclusive space where students feel safe to take risks.

She extends this spirit of community beyond her classroom walls by actively participating in school events and sitting on committees.

She is a true team player who frequently shares resources and strategies with colleagues.

One of Miss Azizkhan's greatest strengths is her ability to manage a classroom with a wide range of learning profiles. Rather than seeing these as obstacles, she views them as opportunities to refine her craft. She seamlessly integrates specialized supports into her daily lessons so that every student can participate fully without feeling "different."

By effectively managing these diverse needs, she ensures that students who might otherwise struggle are instead discovering their academic strengths and building the confidence to succeed alongside their peers.

Read her full story on our website, link in comments.

International Night was a beautiful reminder of the varied cultures that make our school such a special place to learn and grow.
From the delicious homemade dishes to the stunning traditional attire worn by our students and families, the night was one to remember! It was wonderful to see our community come together to share history, traditions, and, of course, some amazing food!
A huge thank you to all the families and staff members who hosted booths, prepared food, and shared their heritage with us. You help make Hamilton a place where every culture is celebrated and every student feels at home.

Another wonderful Choose Your Own Adventure Day! Thank you to our awesome committee for all of the planning and hard work that went into the event and as always, thank you to all of the incredible volunteers who came to support our kids and the engaging and fun filled activities that occurred! 

At Hamilton Elementary School, learning doesn't begin with a worksheet or a lesson plan. It begins with connection. In classrooms where dozens of languages and lived experiences come together, that connection matters. For Nikole Hample, an English Language Development (ELD) teacher, it's the foundation of everything she does.

For the past 11 years in the School District of Lancaster, Hample has built her work around a simple but powerful belief. Language is about access. It's identity. It's belonging.

A colleague who nominated her said: “Nikole is always willing to support her colleagues by sharing the resources she thoughtfully creates for her students. She generously shares these materials with ELD teachers across the district and welcomes new teachers into her classroom, offering guidance and expertise with enthusiasm.”

Another colleague who nominated her said: “Nikole Hample embodies our belief in celebrating and empowering every learner by fostering a warm, supportive community where students can discover their strengths, build confidence, and truly feel they belong. She consistently goes above and beyond in her role as building contact, thoughtfully adding resources for the team to share and ensuring everyone has what they need to help students thrive.”

Read her full story on our website, link in comments.

Everyone had a great time at this morning’s Read Across America pancake breakfast! We loved all of the great “dress as your favorite book character” outfits and the arts and crafts centers were fun too! Thanks to our team for putting another fun event together! Happy Read Across America week!

Both the Hamilton and Burrowes Elementary School basketball teams and the Hurricane cheer squad are to be commended for their impressive teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance in yesterday’s game. Every student athlete showcased their skills and results of their hard work and the crowd loved it all! Congrats to all of the coaches who dedicated their time to work with their athletes to prepare! We’re already looking forward to the game next week!

Another successful Kids Bingo Night!! Thank you to all of our families, staff members, PTO, and generous donators and sponsors for making it a wonderful night for all!

Due to inclement weather, the School District of Lancaster will operate on a 2-hour delay on Tuesday, March 3.

During two-hour delay schedules, buses will operate exactly two (2) hours later than their regular A.M. pick-up times. Breakfast will not be served at this time.