Sunday 9/17, RJ Soleyjacks, Principal at Hamlet Elementary School
introduced himself and his school to St. Andrew’s Christian Formation. Our
Beloved Community ministry has been working with Principal Soleyjacks since
February to address several important needs at the school.
To a room full of parishioners, RJ described what he believes it will take to
transform the worst performing elementary school in Amarillo ISD for the 250+
children who attend. Hamlet is located in one of the poorest and most dangerous
neighborhoods in Amarillo, across the Dumas Highway from Wonderland Park.
Bottom line - those of us attending were impressed and inspired by Principal
Soleyjacks. He revealed the harsh realities that his students and teachers face
every day. But his enthusiasm and practical strategies for making the school 1%
better each day captured our hearts and imagination.
Principal Soleyjacks shared the following THREE opportunities where St.
Andrew’s volunteers and/or financial contributions would make a real difference.
As always, if this is your ministry:
To volunteer – contact Nora Stidham at 806-679-9773 or
nstidham@sbcglobal.net
Nora can let you know ways you can support students at Hamlet even if you
have little time to offer. Every volunteer hour will make an outsized difference
with the student(s) you support.
To give money – feel free to contact Jim Whitton at 806-236-7371 or
jim.whitton@gmail.com
Two of Hamlet’s priority financial needs (not covered by the Amarillo ISD budget)
are:
● Scholarships for their after-school program for 20
students
○ $200 per student per semester
■ So far, we have 6 students/ $1,200 paid for
Spring 2024
■ To go, $2,800 - to pay for 14 more scholarships
for Spring 2024
● Replace missing PE equipment
○ $10,000 is the total needed
■ So far, we have raised $8,500
■ To go, $1,500
● Overall need = $4,300
Donations of any and all sizes will be welcomed.
● To donate:
○ Write a check to St. Andrew’s and write “Hamlet” in the Memo
section. Place it in the offering plate or drop it by the office.
○ Put cash in an envelope in the offering plate or drop it by the
office with “Hamlet” on the envelope.
○ Give online at standrewsamarillo.org/give, select Make a
Donation, then select Beloved Community and write “Hamlet”
in the Designation section.
Should gifts from St. Andrew’s parishioners exceed the amounts needed for
these two projects, the Beloved Community ministry will use the funds in other
ways for the future benefit of Hamlet Elementary.
For any questions, please contact Nora or Jim or Mildred Rugger at 806-316-
7995 msrugger@gmail.com or Colleen McCall at 806-236-5303
colleenwmccall@gmail.com.