What's for LUNCH ?

Interesting Facts About USD #349

• All students in grades 6-12 have a laptop computer to use 24/7. This district is one of the first in the state to initiate this innovative program, having begun in 2000. Fourth and fifth grade students have a two on one ratio of laptop computers.• USD #349 has graduated 3 National Merit Scholars in the past four years.

• In two consecutive years, USD #349 was named a "Highly Resource Effective" school in Kansas by Standard & Poor's.

• USD #349 has an active Educational Foundation endowing numerous scholarships for graduates and providing resources needed by staff and students.

• USD #349 is the recipient of a 21st Century Learning Grant. With those resources, the district has started an after-school program for students in grades K-8.

It is entitled Shining Through Academics and Relationships at Stafford (STARS).

• USD #349 provides the Parents as Teachers program for families with children ages 0-3.

• USD #349 is the Stafford County home to Head Start and Early Head Start.

• USD #349 has a "Bridges to Learning" Preschool.

• USD #349 offers all day Kindergarten. The district was among the first in the state, doing so in 1996-1997.

• USD #349 includes an Adult Learning Center. This is a high school dropout recovery program that serves the community.

• The elementary school is the site of nice playground equipment, due to the generosity of donations to the Educational Foundation.

• USD #349 was designated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as a Kansas Healthy School. Many health initiatives are promoted to the students and community.

• USD #349 students, staff, and families have the capability of participating in Kansas University Tele-medicine education and health, and mental health consultations.

• USD #349 is proud of their state-of-the-art track and track equipment, much of it attained through generous donations.

• Stafford Schools are fortunate to have modern facilities. A few examples: New high school finished in 1999. At the same time additions were added to the elementary school, the cafeteria was completely remodeled, and Central School was "recycled" to house district offices and other classrooms.

• The district is committed to improving the culture and climate of the organization. Student community volunteerism is taught and encouraged.

• USD #349 offers a low student-teacher ratio.

• Of the district's 29 teachers and administrators, 13 have advanced degrees.

• Dual Credit College classes are offered through Pratt Community College, or any Community College in Kansas.

• The local Board of Education takes leadership training seriously with their commitment to the Kansas Association of School Boards. A former board member was president of KASB. Currently, and a current member, Rodney Roush is KASB president for 2010.

• Stafford High School has an expanded curriculum due to its commitment to technology. Students may take dual credit college classes online. They also have access to Advanced Placement classes. Spanish I-IV classes are offered onsite, and students desiring additional foreign language courses have them available online. •

Although SHS is a rural high school, the district is committed to Career and Technical Education. Student may choose to learn career options in Agriculture, Family and Consumer Science, Technology Information, Building Trades, Health Sciences, or Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

• The latter program (above) is known Stafford Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (SEED) Center. Students start their own business and become business owners through this program.

• The Building Trades Class is building a new house in Stafford to be sold this year.

• Health Sciences has graduated their first class of trained medical technicians in various career areas.

What Can Stafford Schools Do for You?

 What sets Stafford Schools apart from the rest is that we offer a one on one laptop program. Each student is issued their own laptops for personal use and can be taken home during the school year. The laptop is used in each of the enrolled classes. Our laptop initiative makes other online study available to our students. We offer AP (Advanced Placement) courses, such as AP government,  in cooperation with Maize High School. We also offer AP Chemistry as an on site course. There are also options of taking on-line french and art classes.  In addition, we offer on-line college courses through Pratt Community College.