History
In 1998, Hart Magnet Elementary School was returned to its original building located in a residential neighborhood off of Broad Street near the center of Stamford. The entire building was renovated and expanded, and the new 80,000 square-foot building is beautiful, airy, colorful and well-equipped, and sits on 3.5 acres. Our new playground was dedicated on September 9, 1999, and has equipment for all ages as well as a grassy field for sports and games.
Hart Magnet School has a science and technology focus. We have two science teachers who enrich our students' scientific experiences and a technology teacher who sees all of our students every week. Additionally, we offer students a unique experience in which they are able to choose from a variety of mini-courses in academic and enrichment subject areas during our three mini-course weeks.
What is a Magnet School?
The federal government operates a Magnet Schools Assistance program which provides grants to eligible local school districts to establish and operate magnet schools that are under a court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation plan. The statute defines a magnet school as a public elementary school, public secondary school, public elementary education center, or public secondary education center that offers a special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of students of different racial backgrounds. Our original and continuing theme as a Magnet school is to promote excellence in education through both science and technology.
What is different about Magnet Schools?
Our Magnet theme is Science and Technology. The school district has supported us with three additional teaching positions in science and technology. We have a specialist who teaches science to the K-2nd classes and another who teaches science to the 3rd-5th classes. The additional exposure to science and technology is above and beyond the standard Stamford Curriculum in science.
We have always had a technology teacher that sees every student in the school. We have two labs, in addition to four computers in each classroom. Also we have several wireless links throughout the building providing access to our high speed inter and intranet.
A third component of our theme is that we have mini-courses during the year. These one-week long additional classes are chosen by the students and are directed at further augmenting the curriculum in science or technology.
Do students receive a regular general education?
Hart School follows the Connecticut and Stamford curriculum frameworks. Each grade level has a curriculum page and you can also access the curriculum guides by grade level at the SPS website at
http://stamfordpublicschools.org/content/64/88/133/default.aspx
What is responsive classroom?
Responsive classroom is a social emotional development program directed at improving the learning environment of the classroom so that all students can be successful learners.
Some of the components are:
Morning Meeting—builds community
Rules and Logical Consequences
Guided Discovery
Academic Choice
Structured Play
Classroom Organization
Family as a Partner
You can learn more about this program at:
http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/
School Wide Rules
As part of the Responsive classroom approach to developing socially resposible students in 2005 Hart School students developed our own five school wide rules:
Treat others Fairly and show respect for differences.
Always do your best work.
Solve problems with kind words and be a good listener.
Be responsilble for your words and actions
Be safe and respectful with your body and school property.
When does the school day begin and end?
The school opens at 8:55 and ends at 3:25
What happens when it snows during the school day and the school needs to close early?
Parents are asked to complete a contact form so that they can be notified in case of an emergency closing. Parents can also contact the school, and check the district website to find out if schools are being closed early. In addition by filing out a special form parents can receive announcements through the Parent Link system, if you didn’t receive a form please contact our school secretary.
http://stamfordpublicschools.org/content/66/1732/default.aspx
Where do I find out about snow delays and closings?
The Stamford Public Schools website has up to date information at:
http://stamfordpublicschools.org/
What standardized tests does the school give?
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Standardized Assessment Tests
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Test
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Description
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Grade(s)
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When
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CMT
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Connecticut Mastery Test
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3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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March
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DRA
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Developmental Reading Assessment
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K, 1, 2, 3
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Sept., Jan., Apr.
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KLRT
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Kindergarten Language Readiness Test
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K
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Spring
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LAS
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Language Assessment
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ELL (K to 12)
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February
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Math
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District Math Test
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2
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Spring
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NNAT
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Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test
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K, 1
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Spring
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OLSAT
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Otis-Lennon School Ability Test
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5, 8
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Spring
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PFA
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Physical Fitness Assessment
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4, 6, 8, 10
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Fall or Spring
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Stanford
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Stanford Achievement Test
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5, 8
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February
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What is differentiated instruction?
Teachers in Stamford Public Schools practice differentiated instruction. Lessons are designed to address the needs of all learners through carefully crafted instruction and activities to meet the needs of all students. A fundamental part of differentiated instruction is a basic belief that learning is a complex process, which requires ingenuity, knowledge and commitment. Every student is a unique learner with academic strengths and weaknesses. Classrooms are designed to foster individual exploration, continued growth and educational independence. To see differentiation in practice please explore the videos at the SPS website.
http://stamfordpublicschools.org/content/64/88/4800/default.aspx