2. Welcome to Stratford High School 2009-2010 Eighth Grade Orientation

3. MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to provide a safe, academically rigorous, and culturally enriching environment that fosters intellectual, emotional and ethical growth. Expectations Academic: Proficient in Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Communication and Critical Thinking Academic: Proficient in Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Communication and Critical Thinking Civics: Individual & collective rights and responsibilities, contributions & Civics: Individual & collective rights and responsibilities, contributions & appreciation for diversity appreciation for diversity Social: Supportive, positive, adaptability and conflict resolution Social: Supportive, positive, adaptability and conflict resolution

4. Stratford High School Goals 2009-2010 1.Establish a school culture that models acceptance, ethics and respect. A. Foster student connectedness to the school and initiate a school climate in which students experience physical, emotional, and intellectual safety. B. Expectations, skills, and rules of conduct will be identified, modeled, taught, and practiced. 2.Improve overall student achievement as measured by state, district and teacher designed assessments in the four core curricular areas. A. Implement school/department based data collection processes (Data Walls) and initiatives (Individual Student Success Plans) as defined in the school improvement plan to drive instruction resulting in improved student achievement. B. Implement specific school wide, department and classroom intervention strategies (SRBI, Effective Teaching Strategies, Differentiated Instruction) based on data collected to improve student achievement..

5. Stratford High School Goals 2009-2010 3. Demonstrate the integration of technology in all areas of instruction to enhance student learning and understanding. A. Enhance school/community/family involvement through the regular use of communication avenues which include voice mail, e-mail systems and teacher/department/school web sites. B. Implement electronic grading, attendance, data collection and parent portal through the student management system.

6. Stratford High School Who we are Staff Staff 3.5 Office Administrators 3.5 Office Administrators 3.5 Department Administrators 3.5 Department Administrators 2.5 Pupil Service staff 2.5 Pupil Service staff 1.0 Nurse 1.0 Nurse 7.5 Special Education teachers 7.5 Special Education teachers 78 Certified staff 78 Certified staff 4 School Counselors 4 School Counselors 14.0 Classified staff 14.0 Classified staff 7.0 Secretarial staff 7.0 Secretarial staff 7.0 Custodial staff 7.0 Custodial staff 1 S.R.O. 1 S.R.O. 2 Security Officers 2 Security Officers

7. Stratford High School Who We Are Student population Student population 1000 students 1000 students 52% minority 52% minority 45% free/reduced lunch 45% free/reduced lunch 83 Special Education students 83 Special Education students ESOL District Program: 41 students from: ESOL District Program: 41 students from: Africa, Asia, Central Europe, Poland, Central America, South America, & China Africa, Asia, Central Europe, Poland, Central America, South America, & China

8. Stratford High School Who We Are Facility Facility 184,766 square feet 184,766 square feet 65 classrooms 65 classrooms 600 seat auditorium 600 seat auditorium self contained library self contained library gymnasium & auxiliary gymnasium, fitness center gymnasium & auxiliary gymnasium, fitness center cafeteria cafeteria 3 computer labs {1 mobile} 3 computer labs {1 mobile} green house & courtyard green house & courtyard Devil’s Depot, school store Devil’s Depot, school store

9. Stratford High School Who We Are Programs/Student Activities Programs/Student Activities LINK Crew LINK Crew Collaborative teaming Collaborative teaming Peer Mediation Peer Mediation Chorus: Select & Concert Chorus: Select & Concert Band: Jazz, Marching, Concert Band: Jazz, Marching, Concert Honor Society: National, Honor Society: National, French, & Spanish French, & Spanish Mentoring & Internships Mentoring & Internships Formalized Fall, Winter, Spring team sports Formalized Fall, Winter, Spring team sports Broad spectrum of student clubs & organizations as noted on the school website Broad spectrum of student clubs & organizations as noted on the school website

10. Stratford High School Who We Are Services: Services: Special Education Support Special Education Support Counseling (Guidance, Social Work, Psychologist) Counseling (Guidance, Social Work, Psychologist) Focus Groups: decision making, attendance, social skills, grief & anger management…. Focus Groups: decision making, attendance, social skills, grief & anger management…. Speech and Language Speech and Language OT, PT for identified students OT, PT for identified students Health Office Health Office Tutorial Assistance in study halls Tutorial Assistance in study halls “Double-Dose” literacy & numeracy instruction “Double-Dose” literacy & numeracy instruction Athletic Trainer Athletic Trainer Career Planning Career Planning Career Pathways: Career Pathways: Health & Medical Careers (Pre-nursing) P.L.W. (Pre-engineering) Culinary Arts (Red Devil Inn)

11. Stratford High School 2009-2010 Grade 9 Core Subjects Language Arts: English I Language Arts: English I Science: Studies in Science; Biology Science: Studies in Science; Biology Math: Intro to Algebra, Algebra I or Geometry Math: Intro to Algebra, Algebra I or Geometry Social Studies: World Studies Social Studies: World Studies Physical Education: 2 periods weekly for the year Physical Education: 2 periods weekly for the year Health Education: 3 periods weekly for 1 semester Health Education: 3 periods weekly for 1 semester Electives: one/two Electives: one/two “Double Dose” Literacy & Math “Double Dose” Literacy & Math

12. Typical School Day Warning Bell: 7:37 Period 1: 7:40 – 8:28 Period 2: 8:32 – 9:16 Period 3: 9:20 – 10:04 Period 4: 10:08 – 10:52 Period 5 {Lunch}: 10:56 – 12:19 Period 6: 12:23 – 1:07 Period 7: 1:11 – 1:55

13. STUDENT DECORUM Follow guidelines as outlined in Student Handbook: passes, privacy, electronics, smoking, substance abuse, weapons, security/locker use Follow guidelines as outlined in Student Handbook: passes, privacy, electronics, smoking, substance abuse, weapons, security/locker use Respect/Cooperation Respect/Cooperation Hazing, Bullying, Sexual Harassment Hazing, Bullying, Sexual Harassment Dress Code: safety, distracting, offensive, gang or drug related Dress Code: safety, distracting, offensive, gang or drug related Backpacks/book bags Backpacks/book bags Consequences: referrals, detentions, suspensions, other Consequences: referrals, detentions, suspensions, other

14. Contact Information If you are interested in a personal tour or more information about our school, please contact us @ 203-385-4230. One of the following administrators: Principal: Margaret Lasek, Assistant principals: Joseph Crapanzano, William Pancak, or Charles Senft will be pleased to assist you.