Due to the forecasted morning mix of snow and rain, Stratford Public Schools will operate on a 2-hour delayed start tomorrow.
Because of the delayed opening, the previously scheduled early dismissal for Data and Collaboration has been canceled. Students will dismiss at their regular scheduled time.
Please allow additional travel time in the morning and continue to monitor district communications for any updates.
Thank you for your flexibility and partnership.
Heather Borges
Superintendent
Stratford Public Schools


Dear Stratford Public Schools Families and Staff,
Due to the severity of the storm and the continued hazardous conditions, Stratford Public Schools will also be closed on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The Department of Public Works requires additional time to safely clear roads, parking lots, and walkways. The storm has resulted in heavy, wet snow and significant ice accumulation following plowing, creating unsafe travel and arrival conditions.
All district schools and offices will be closed for the day.
The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our highest priority. We appreciate the tireless efforts of our DPW crews and first responders as they work to ensure our community is safe.
Please continue to monitor district communications for any additional updates, and take necessary precautions as you travel.
Thank you for your continued understanding and partnership.

We’ve partnered with Panorama Education to hear directly from YOU. Whether it's school safety, academic support, or classroom environment - your feedback shapes our district’s future.
⏱️ Time: Takes less than 10 minutes.
🔗 Action: Click the link below (in our bio on Instagram) to start the survey for your school!
https://surveys.panoramaed.com/stratford/2702593263/surveys
#FamilyEngagement #OurSchools #PanoramaSurvey


All district schools and offices will be closed for the day.
The Board of Education meeting originally scheduled for Monday evening will be rescheduled to Monday, March 2.
The safety of our students, staff, and families is always our top priority. Please take precautions, stay safe, and monitor district communications for any additional updates.
Please click the link in our instagram bio for additional resources from Mayor Chess.

"You haven't gotten it... YET."
That one little word changes everything. Today on From Forest to Shore, we are tackling the world of Math! ➗✖️
Join hosts Matt Rivers and Dr. Michelle Eckler as they chat with our amazing math team—Dr. Tehmina Khan, Kathy D'Amico, and Diana DiCenzo. We’re moving past the flashcards and drills to talk about real-life math strategies you can use at home. 🏠
In this episode, we cover:
🛒 How to turn grocery shopping into a fun math lesson.
🧠 Why "fast" math isn't always "good" math.
💡 How to help your child when they are frustrated (without doing the work for them!).
✅ Why getting the wrong answer is often the best way to learn.
Whether you love numbers or dread them, this episode is for you!
🔗 Listen now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app! (Link in bio)
#StratfordPublicSchools #FromForestToShore #NewEpisode #MathIsFun #GrowthMindset #StratfordCT #SPS #RealWorldMath #ParentingHacks

We have some news for you: The "Math Gene" is a myth. 🧬🚫
Coming this Thursday on the From Forest to Shore podcast, we are busting the biggest misconceptions about learning math.
Hosts Matt Rivers and Dr. Michelle Eckler sit down with our district’s math experts to talk about why speed doesn’t equal smarts, why mistakes are actually a good thing, and how to stop the tears at the kitchen table during homework time. 😭➡️😊
Get ready to change your mindset! 🧠✨
#StratfordPublicSchools #FromForestToShore #MathMyths #GrowthMindset #ComingSoon #StratfordCT #ParentingTips #MathAnxiety #EducationPodcast


This week on Tech "Twos" Day, we broke down Computational Thinking. And guess what? It’s not just for the coding lab! 💻🚫
We explored how to use Google Docs and MagicSchool AI to turn "Messy Problems" into "Solvable Steps" in ANY subject.
✅ English: Debug your essay flow.
✅ PE: Analyze your split times.
✅ Art: Decompose a painting into layers.
✅ Science: creating algorithms for plant growth.
SPS Teachers: The new "Computational Thinking Workspace" template is ready for you in Google Classroom. It guides students through the 4 steps: Define, Decompose, Visualize, and Automate. Not an SPS Teacher? No worries! The template will be linked in the YouTube Description for you to download!
Grab the template and start building logical thinkers tomorrow! 🧠✨
#TechTwosDay #SPS #EdTech #TeacherTips #GoogleClassroom #ComputationalThinking #STEMeducation #MagicSchoolAI #TeachingStrategies


🏗️ STEM Night Alert: Ready, Set, BUILD! ⚙️
Franklin Families! Get ready to unleash your creativity! We are hosting a Parent STEM Night featuring "Playful Engineers."
Come experience the joy of learning by building your very own Chain Reaction Contraption (Rube Goldberg Machine) with your family!
📅 SAVE THE DATE: Monday, March 23, 2026
📍 Location: Franklin Gymnasium ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
✨ Two Ways to Join the Fun:
Morning: Parents are welcome to visit their child's classroom during the school day!
Evening: Join us in the Gym for the main event!
👀 Sneak Peek: Want to see what you’ll be making?
Watch this video: https://youtu.be/j0k2E8JnSb4?si=1O1_Qqt8ZIOZZClL
(Or search YouTube for: "Playful Engineers Chain Reaction")
Please Let us know if you are joining us during the day or during the evening by Friday, March 20th : FUN GUARANTEED !
HERE IS THE LINK TO RSPV
https://forms.gle/R5i9t8y4EMyQaFyQ7

👑 Do We Have the Next Tom Thumb or Lavinia Warren at Franklin? 🎩
Calling all confident and enthusiastic 3rd and 4th graders! The Barnum Festival is looking for two special students to be crowned this year’s Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren.
Save the Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Finalists will enjoy a special breakfast and a show by The Amazing Andy while interviewing with judges. They are looking for well-spoken, sociable students to represent our community!
The Winners Will Receive: ✨ A Scholarship Prize 🐘 The chance to lead the parade at the Beardsley Zoo 🚗 A spot on a float in the Great Street Parade 🎆 VIP treatment at the Ringmaster’s Ball, fireworks, and more!
Let’s see a Franklin student take home the tiara or top hat! 🎪
Click here for more info : https://riley-learning.my.canva.site/tom-thumb-contest-webpage/page-4
#BarnumFestival2026 #FranklinPride #TomThumb #LaviniaWarren #StudentLeaders

Come join the Franklin Elementary literacy team for a fun evening of learning! We will be sharing hands-on activities to help support reading at home.
🍕 Bonus: We will be serving pizza and have special giveaways!
When: Thursday, March 5th
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Franklin Gym
Please RSVP using the link below so we can get an accurate headcount for food: 👉 https://forms.gle/MnHTnxvqMJB2fTTZ6
We can't wait to see you there!
It’s time to look back to see how far we’ve come. In today’s episode of From Forest to Shore, we are bidding a fond farewell to two dedicated public servants who have spent years shaping the future of Stratford Public Schools.
Matt and Michelle ask the outgoing Board Chair and Board Member the hard-hitting questions about their tenure. We’ve edited their answers side-by-side so you can hear their unique perspectives on the work that goes on behind the scenes! 🏫
In this episode, we discuss:
📈 The Science of Reading & rising test scores
🤖 Implementing our new AI Policy
📱 The reality of the Cell Phone Policy
💼 Fiscal responsibility & "running it like a business"
❤️ The personal "Why" that drives public service
Whether you are a parent, staff member, or community member, this is a fascinating look at the decisions that impact our classrooms every day.
👉 Listen at the link in our bio.
#StratfordCT #StratfordPublicSchools #NewEpisode #Podcast #EdLeadership #StudentSuccess #CommunityUpdate #StratfordBoardOfEd #EducationMatters #ListenNow

On the next episode of From Forest to Shore, hosts Matt Rivers and Dr. Michelle Eckler are sitting down for a candid "Exit Interview" edition. We’re joined by outgoing Board of Education Chair Mike Henrick and Board Member Lisa Carroll-Fabian as they reflect on their years of service to Stratford Public Schools.
We tried something a little different this time: Two separate sit-downs. The exact same questions. One side-by-side perspective. 🤝
From the tough decisions (like cell phone policies and budgets) to the moments that made it all worth it (graduation day! 🎓), you won’t want to miss their insights on how far our district has come.
🎧 Drop date: Thursday, Feb 5th. Turn on your post notifications so you don’t miss it! 🔔
#StratfordPublicSchools #FromForestToShore #StratfordCT #PublicEducation #BoardOfEd #PodcastTeaser #Community #StratfordPride #EdTech



The countdown to Bookjoy is on! The Scholastic Book Fair starts THIS Thursday, January 29th!
Here is everything you need to know:
🗓️ When: Starts Thursday, Jan 29th.
👨👩👧 Conferences: If you are attending Parent-Teacher Conferences, please stop by the library to shop with your child!
💳 eWallet: Don't want to send cash? Set up a safe eWallet for your child here: Link to Book Fair Page
🤝 Volunteer: We need you! Check the previous ClassDojo post to sign up for a time slot.
See you at the library!
♥️ Mrs. Johnson

Reach out to Mrs. Johnson to inform if your child needs a new hat or scarf : )

District offices will open on a three-hour delay, but will be open.
Please note that the Board of Education Meeting and Finance Committee Meeting will be held as scheduled on Tuesday evening.
Thank you for your continued partnership and cooperation. Please continue to monitor district communication channels for any updates.

As we hunker down for this "monster" snowstorm and the sub-zero temperatures following it, I hope everyone is staying safe and warm! 🥶☕
Question of the day: How much snow do you think we will actually get? Let us know your prediction in the comments! 👇
Since the district has already communicated tomorrow's cancellation, we wanted to share a few updates regarding our schedule for the week:
🔔 Important Reminder: Early Dismissal & Conferences Please remember that Thursday, January 29th is an Early Dismissal at 12:30 PM due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Conference invites have already been sent home.
Please follow up with your child's teacher directly if you have any questions regarding your scheduled time.
📊 PowerSchool Update: Report Cards Report Cards have been updated and are now available in the Parent Portal.
If you have any questions regarding access, please contact the Main Office at 📞 203-385-4190 or email our head secretary, Ms. Alves, at 📧 alvess@stratk12.org.
🎟️ Valentine Basket Raffle (Deadline Extended!) A huge thank you to the families and staff helping with this fundraiser! Due to the weather, we are adjusting the timeline:
Basket Drop-off Deadline: Please bring donation baskets to Franklin by Friday, January 30th.
Ticket Sales: February 2nd – February 13th.
Live Drawing: February 13th.
Cost: 1 ticket = $2 OR 3 tickets = $5. (All proceeds support student activities!)
📚 Scholastic Book Fair Starts This Week! Students will visit the fair during their scheduled Library time, since the fair will be hosted right in the school library.
💳 Go Cash-Free with eWallet: If you are interested in a worry-free, cash-free option, please set up an eWallet for your child using the link below (or scan the QR code at school): 🔗 Set up eWallet here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/franklinelementaryschool17
🙋♀️ Volunteers Needed: We still need help with Setup (Wed 1/28) and Running the Fair (Thu 1/29). 👉 Please click the sign-up LINK attached here on Dojo to click on the time that is best for you! Thanks in advance for your support!
Enjoy the snow day and stay safe!

Due to inclement weather, all schools and the District Office will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026. Stay safe and warm!
#SnowDay #SchoolClosed
