Education

A Community of Leaders

“Helping all students achieve their maximum potential in reading, writing, listening, speaking, mathematics, reasoning, study skills, the use of technology, and the content areas.”

Stratford Community School District was founded in 1905. In 1999, the new addition was built connecting the elementary wing and the gym wing; the original school building was torn down. The students participated in a service learning project, funded with ComServe funds, and created a butterfly garden called the Peace Garden. The playground is well equipped with climbing equipment, a soccer field, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, and jungle gyms.

Stratford provides a quality program for students. Members of the Financial Future Committee stated it well when they said Stratford was a public school much like an exclusive private school. The average class size is 15 students and there is one class per grade level. With the small classes, students receive additional small group and individualized instruction. The program provides enrichment opportunities for all students in music, art, instrumental music, physical education, Exploratory, and Spanish. There is a computer lab with 24 stations where the students receive individualized instruction in reading, spelling, and math daily. There is an Information Resource Center in the library with computer stations, a scanner, printer, and digital camera for creating multimedia projects. Students can access the Internet from the classrooms and the library. Technology is a tool to support learning. The goal is for students to learn to use a range of technology, from multimedia computer hardware and software to information access using the Internet.

Stratford Elementary School serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade. There is also an Early Childhood Program which serves four year olds. Students in seventh through twelfth grade are served in Webster City. Stratford provides transportation to and from Webster City, including an activity van so students can participate in extra curricular activities, too.

The students have opportunities to participate in schoolwide special events such as Outdoor Education, the Renaissance Festival, and Spring Olympics. They perform in plays and musicals where they design the sets, make the costumes, and have lots of opportunities to perform solos, duets, and quartets. Parents and grandparents comment they wished they had had the opportunities students have to perform for appreciative audiences. The students are actively involved in community service and perform for local care centers and senior centers. The jazz band recently toured the area, made a CD, and had a t-shirt silkscreened with the jazz band logo. The students performed so well they were invited to return.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in special events such as the honor choir, the honor band, the Math Bee, the Geography Bee, and Invent Iowa. Stratford has had students represent Stratford at the district level and the state level.

Stratford Elementary School has received many rewards and much recognition. Stratford was one of ten schools selected to be part of the Team-Based Variable Pay Pilot School Project, part of the Teacher Quality legislation (2004). Stratford received a Wrap Around Grant for its innovative early childhood program which is a combination program serving students with special needs, students who qualify for Headstart, and all four year olds in the community in an integrated setting. The program is an excellent program and helps prepare students for kindergarten. It was funded with Empowerment funds, and district funds. There is a tuition fee for families that can afford to pay a tuition fee.

Stratford recently received a Small Rural School Achievement Grant from the Rural Education Achievement Program. Stratford has also received grants to fund technology, early childhood, before and after school child care, and fine arts. The staff are invited to present at conferences. Three teachers plan to present at the Beginning Reading Conference in the spring of 2003 on "Words Their Way" and a spelling program using developmental spelling levels to teach spelling.

Stratford has a Home School Assistance Program. A certified teacher works with families who choose to home school. Families can also choose to dual enroll students. Students can then participate in the school activities that best support their educational programs.

Stratford has a Before and After School Program which serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Homework Help is also available after school.

Character is important. Stratford uses the Six Pillars to model good character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. The students planned community service projects. The Sheltered Reality Food, Clothing, and Necessities Drive for the Homeless and the Jump for Life jump rope-athon were two of the community service projects. Physical fitness is important. There are baseball, softball, t-ball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and tennis teams for students to join.

The school was invited to participate in the "Every Child Reads" Literacy Initiative and is featured in the IASB newsletter, the Arrowhead AEA "Take Five" newsletter, the Freeman Journal, and Stratford Courier regularly. The teachers submitted a proposal to present at the "Beginning Reading Conference" at the University of Northern Iowa on developmental spelling and using "Words Their Way." The teachers actively participate in professional growth and development. Currently, there are several Book Talks where teachers read professional books like "Words Their Way," "Reading with Meaning," and "Mosaic of Thought."

Stratford Elementary consists of Grades K-6 and a combination early education program. Grades 7-12 are tuitioned to Webster City Middle and High Schools. Transportation is provided.

The average class size is 15, and there is one class per grade.

Early Childhood

Gina Balsley

Early Childhood

Mary Buie

Kindergarten

Andi Berglund

First Grade

Gina Monroe

12

Second Grade

Deb Bergman

11

Third Grade

Janice Baker

15

Fourth Grade

Susanne Carlson

10

Fifth Grade

Michelle Potratz

14

Sixth Grade

Martha Simonson

17

Exploratory

Karen Mason

Physical Education

Angie Doud

Band

Don Anderson

Music

Shirley Anderson

Art

Lisa Schaa

Learning Center

Stephanie Troncoso

Associate

Irene Hoshaw

Home School Assistance Program

Nancy Janney

Superintendent

Sarah Binder

Principal

Sarah Binder

Secretary

Linda Swedlund

Secretary

Kelli Carlberg

Custodian

Darrell Borer

Head Cook

Barb Scott

Cook

Marsha Adams

Bus Driver

Dennis Bergman

Bus Driver

Scott Bergquist

Bus Driver

Burton Patterson

Bus Driver

Fred Osborn

Bus Driver

Lee Carlson

Bus Driver

Neil Swedlund

Bus Driver

Roger Hoshaw

Bus Driver

Grace Lambert

Additional Special Events

Stratford School Post Office
School-to-Career Mini Society
Renaissance Festival
Multicultural Celebration
Character Counts
Celebrations

Additional Special Programs

Home School Assistance Program
Dual Enrollment
Before/After School Program
Wrap Around Program