Student and Instructional Support Services
Support services within the School City aid the instructional staff in providing a good education for Hammond's children. The schools recognize that readiness to learn, good nutrition, and attention to health concerns are important factors for success in school. The School City also ensures easy access to programs designed for special groups of students.
Head Start is a federally-funded program designed to provide educational and social experiences for children to prepare them for kindergarten. Learning experiences focus on developing reading readiness, language, motor skills, and social and emotional growth. To be eligible for enrollment in the Head Start Program:
- The child must be four years old on or before June 1 of the school year of enrollment.
- The family income must meet criteria set by law or the family must receive assistance from the Department of Welfare.
- Applications are available at all Hammond elementary schools. For additional information, call the Head Start Office at 989-7345.
Nutritional Services -- All Hammond schools participate in both the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs. Each school provides both breakfast and lunch daily when school is open for a full day. Meals are planned to provide at least one-third of the student's recommended dietary allowances. Modifications to the school meal will be made upon a written (doctor's) prescription to the school nurse. Free or reduced-price meals are available for children from families whose income is at or below income guidelines established by the federal government.
Dr. Julie Boettger, Director 
Health Services -- Nurses in Hammond's schools help to ensure that students are healthy and ready to learn. In addition to first aid and emergency care, school nurses conduct a regular program of health screening to identify conditions that can adversely affect learning, including vision and hearing testing, scoliosis screening, and dental inspection. School nurses also keep immunization records and monitor student health to help prevent the spread of communicable disease.
Joan Culver, Director
Transportation -- School bus transportation is provided to all students with disabilities who have need for this service. Application is made by the parent through the Special Education Department. Transportation is also provided to and from the Area Career Center to students from Clark, Gavit, and Morton high schools. Application for transportation to and from the Career Center is made through the home school counselor. Additionally, transportation is provided to the alternate school site to students who are displaced by construction or renovation at their home school.
Terry Butler, Director
School Security -- It is the policy of the School City of Hammond to invite and encourage the public to visit the schools. However, in order to ensure that any person who comes into the buildings is clearly identified and that the safety of students is assured, all citizens are asked to cooperate with school officials to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning. The following regulations will be enforced without exception:
- Entrances available to the public during the school day are clearly identified.
- All persons are required to go immediately to the office upon entry to a school, prior to visiting in the building.
- Anyone found in the school building who has not followed this procedure will be subject to prosecution as a trespassers under the provisions of Indiana Code 35-43-2-2.
David L. Safstrom, Coordinator