Dear Students, Parents, and Community Members,

June’s letter may be the last before we open! It is so exciting to think that in 55 days we are opening the doors of East Hamilton School. It seems like only a few weeks ago Robert Brittingham and I came on board and started the process involved in opening a brand new school.

I must say I have learned so much over the last year. Just as we know in teaching children, you learn and retain 90% of what you do and so much less of what you only hear or see. Our minds are exploding with information and new knowledge acquired over the last few months! I can assure everyone that we have such a sense of ownership with East Hamilton because of the hard work, endless hours, meetings, projects, grant writing, hiring, and ordering of furniture, textbooks, technology, lab supplies and equipment. I would not trade a minute because this was such a remarkable opportunity for all of us.

We have been so lucky to have added two secretaries in the hiring of Dianne Hammonds and Penny Bean; our registrar, Lynn Francis, who actually joined us in January; and finally our middle school assistant principal, Chrissy Easterly. Anyone who knows these talented individuals, knows the level of expertise each of them brings to East Hamilton. Just as in our faculty, we have hired the “best of the best” in our support team. 

Our enrollment continues to soar, but do not worry. We have space and room to grow. What is most exciting is the fact that students are registering, joining different athletic teams or organizations, cheer squads, dance teams, color guard and band. Our students are already making themselves known and becoming a part of what will be tradition at East Hamilton.

Final walkthroughs in the school itself have shown us the incredible talent of our architect. As we see the tile work so meticulously done with multicolored walls and areas, the extraordinary visual aspects of East Hamilton become very apparent. It is breath taking when you walk down halls and see the colors used and the floor designs in each classroom; the cabinetry in labs, the color design of our dining hall which incorporates all colors used throughout the building; and finally the sheer massiveness of the building.

The outside athletic fields are beginning to take shape. You will notice that grading is taking place, irrigation systems will go in, seeding and sod will be done. Many thanks to Hamilton County for their support both financially and with suggestions, but particularly to our architect and Ted Gatewood, our athletic director for their design ideas as well as their tireless energy in acquiring bids and ultimately contracts for the work. It is truly amazing what we have accomplished. Watch for the changing landscape! Help us to protect it as we progress!

We are excited to have had the continuous support of our parent group, USS, throughout the year. They have assisted us in many areas, including athletics. Without them, some things would not have been possible. We appreciate all of the hard work and the countless hours our parents have spent with the goal of making East Hamilton a great school.

With the downturn in the economy, we are moving a bit slower than we had first planned on outside facilities, but we also know that part of what we do as a community is to move forward with a sense of responsibility and level headedness. We may be a bit behind, but we know what we need and want will come in time. We must join together in order to make it happen. We can do it but we must keep up our efforts and know that by working together as a community and school, it will happen.

Finally, we want to offer many thanks to each of you for your support over the last year. We have all been made a part of the community and have established close relationships and friendships with so many of you. We are all appreciative of everything you have done to welcome us, question us, support us, and work along side us for the benefit of East Hamilton and the students. The best part is that we are at the beginning with much more to come!

We look forward to the completion and our taking occupancy. We hope you will join us once the clearance is given!

The Hurricanes are ready! We will see you in July . . .

Pam Dantzler