Student Services

Tutorial is a time for students to make up missed work, to ask questions, and to receive individual explanation, enrichment, or extra help. If a teacher must be absent from a tutorial, he or she will arrange another tutorial time or another tutor from the same department. Teachers are available to work with students, individually or in small groups, every afternoon. Teachers may require students to attend tutorial. Tutorial is not an in-depth remediation program. Middle School Help Session runs from 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. Upper school tutorial is 3:20 - 3:50 p.m.

2018-19 ASAP Guidelines

2018 - 2019 Information Beginners – 5th Grade - Printable Version  

Hours: 

12:00 to 3:00 p.m. for Beginners & PreKindergarteners only
3:00 to 6:00 p.m. for Kindergarteners (Beginners & PreK may also stay until 6:00)
3:15 to 6:00 p.m. for First – Fifth Graders

The After School Activities Program (ASAP) provides after-school care for children who need to stay after regular school hours. ASAP is housed in the Daws Student Activities Center. The program provides enrichment and interaction with peers through centers, games, recess, snack, and structured play. Lower School students also have an opportunity to complete homework assignments and study. 

ALL students in Preschool and Lower School MUST have a complete set of ASAP forms on file with the ASAP staff. There are 3 required forms: 1) the ASAP Letter; 2) the ASAP Parental Agreement; and 3) the ASAP Emergency Information Form.  These forms must be completed and returned to school PRIOR to a student being permitted to stay for ASAP.  If you want your child to stay for ASAP on the first full day of school, you must complete these forms before school begins and send them in the first day.

ASAP Staff:
The Director of ASAP is Betty Ann Jennings. Other staff members include but may not be limited to Juanita Roberts, Susan Rozier, Vicki Anderson, Kathryn Hayden, and Diane Nicholson. 

ASAP for Preschoolers:
Students who stay after the Beginners/PreKindergarten school day ends must either bring a lunch from home or order a school lunch from FLIK if they are staying for ASAP. ASAP “Notes” will be provided by the Preschool teachers so parents can easily communicate with their teachers if children are staying for ASAP. Carbonated drinks and food that requires heating or refrigeration are not permitted. Beginners have a nap time, and individual mats and blankets are provided. PreKindergarteners have a quiet rest time each afternoon. 

Beginners and PreKindergarteners who stay for ASAP can be picked up in carpool line in front of the Preschool with the Kindergarteners at 3:00 p.m. Parents can indicate this choice on the ASAP Note that is to be sent in to the teacher. If they are not picked up in the 3:00 p.m. carpool, they will have to be picked up from the ASAP room in the Student Activities Center by a parent either prior to 3:00 p.m. or after 3:10 p.m. 

Kindergarteners may stay for ASAP after their school day ends at 3:00 p.m.  This should be communicated with the classroom teacher and the ASAP Staff.  All Kindergarteners who are not picked up by the end of Kindergarten carpool time (3:10 p.m.) will be taken to ASAP and must be picked up there.

Please see the ASAP Guidelines for Parents for specific information about late pick up fees, etc.

Daily Schedule for Lower School Students in ASAP:

Mondays – Thursdays:

3:30 - Sign In – Cantrell Lunchroom

3:30 – 3:45 – Travel from Cantrell to Daws/Snack

3:45 – 4:30 – Homework

4:30 – 6:00 – Free play on Preschool playground (weather permitting)

Fridays:

3:30 – Sign In

3:30 – 3:45 – Travel from Cantrell to Daws/Snack

3:45 – 6:00 – Free play on Preschool playground (weather permitting)

All Lower School students who are not picked up by the end of carpool at the Cantrell Lower School (3:30 p.m.) are taken to ASAP and must be picked up there. 

If you are going to be late picking up your student in carpool you must call the lower school office (up until 3:20 p.m.) or leave a message at extension 254 before 3:30 p.m. in order to avoid a late pick-up charge. 

Picking up from ASAP: 
Preschool ASAP students who will be leaving in the 3:00 p.m. Preschool carpool will be brought down from ASAP to the Preschool carpool area in front of the Preschool at 3:00 p.m. If you will be picking up your child from ASAP either before 3:00 p.m. (Beginners & PreK students only) or after 3:10 p.m., you will need to proceed around the Loop Road to the back side of the Preschool building (across from the baseball field), park in one of the parking spots across from the Daws Student Activities Center, and walk up the steps and inside to pick up your child from ASAP. The doors for the ASAP rooms will be clearly marked. If students are on the playground, you will still park in the parking spots near the baseball field, and come in the back gate of the playground for pick up. 

If you have any questions regarding ASAP, please feel free to call or email Betty Ann Jennings at bettyann.jennings@stratford.org or call 477-8073 ext 235. 

Important ASAP Dates/Closings for the 2018-2019 School Year

Monday, October 8th – Columbus Day Holiday – No School – No ASAP

Tuesday, October 9th – Faculty In-Service Day – No School for Students – No ASAP

Wednesday, October 10th – PS & LS Parent Conference Day – No School for Students – No ASAP

Monday, November 19th- Friday, November 23rd– Thanksgiving Holidays—School Closed – No ASAP

Friday, December 14th – Last Day before Winter Holidays – Noon Dismissal – No ASAP

Monday, December 17th - Tuesday, January 1st – Winter Holidays – School Closed – No ASAP

Wednesday, January 2nd – Faculty In-Service Day – No School for Students – No ASAP

Thursday, January 3rd – School Resumes/ASAP Resumes

Monday, January 21st – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday – School Closed – No ASAP

Monday, February 18th – Presidents’ Day Holiday – No School – No ASAP

Tuesday, February 19th – Faculty In-Service Day – No School for Students – No ASAP

Wednesday, February 20th – PS & LS Parent Conference Day – No School for Students – No ASAP

Friday, March 22nd – Grandparents’ Day – Noon Dismissal – No ASAP

Monday, March 25th - Friday, March 29th – Spring Holidays – School Closed – No ASAP

Friday, May 3rd – PS & LS Field Day –Noon Dismissal – No ASAP

Friday, May 24th – Last Day of School –Noon Dismissal – No ASAP                    

At Stratford our goal is not to package students for colleges but to find colleges that offer the best possible fit for each of our graduating seniors. Our focus is on helping students cultivate their particular talents and interests in ways that will serve them well throughout their lives as well as in the college admissions process. Once their academic and extracurricular strengths and passions are apparent to them, we help seniors zero in on those colleges that will serve them best in achieving their goals.

The college admissions process for a Stratford student begins in pre-kindergarten. Stratford’s curriculum is designed to lead all students to achieve at the peak of their potential from the first day they arrive until the day they graduate. The journey continues through lower and middle school where children are encouraged to explore their particular interests through enrichment activities as well as clubs. The first formal introduction to our college office and the college admissions process comes in ninth grade when college counselors address freshmen and their parents at the freshman orientation session. The College Office provides general information relevant to college admissions throughout the freshman and sophomore years. Sophomores and juniors take the PSAT in October of every year, and the school provides feedback to students on their performance. Juniors who take the PSAT compete for the prestigious designation of Commended Scholar or National Merit Scholar, designations awarded to top performers on the PSAT each year by the College Board. Juniors and seniors take the SAT and/ or the ACT.

In the winter of their junior year, students and their parents are invited to a college kickoff night where they learn about the college admissions process and are provided with a copy of The Stratford Academy College Counseling Handbook. Following kickoff night, juniors and their parents attend an individual college conference with our counselors and the college admissions process is formally launched. Throughout the year, the college office hosts a number of special sessions for juniors and their families, communicates information about college fairs in our area, and helps individual students narrow choices and set specific college goals.

Seniors have opportunities every week in the fall and early winter to visit with college representatives visiting our campus. Students work closely with the college counselors to see that every application is complete before it is mailed. College counselors help students gather letters of recommendation and offer detailed guidance to students related to their list of college choices. Virtually every senior applies to multiple colleges, some deemed to be reach schools and some safety schools. At the end of the journey, our goal is that every senior will have more than one exciting acceptance.

Stratford students and parents should refer to the College Office tabs under the student and parent portals for up to date information relevant to college rep visits, local scholarships, forms and specific guidelines pertaining to their particular class and graduation year.

Stratford Academy’s Counseling Department provides support services to students who may be experiencing any impediments to the process of learning. Interventions include but are not limited to short term counseling and guidance, crisis intervention and referrals to appropriate community resources. Provided also are opportunities and support for strengthening social and emotional development in the context of identifying and reinforcing individual student strengths. Through the implementation of age appropriate programs and educational opportunities we work diligently to promote and foster a climate that is inclusive and thorough.

Counselor’s Responsibilities

Program Management and System Support

Individual and Group Guidance

Counseling Services

Student, parent and faculty consultation

Coordination of Interventions, Conferences and Referrals

Student Assessment, Standardized Testing, Classroom Observations

Compliance with Professional Standards and Best Practices as Developed by the American School Counselor’s Association

 Accommodations Guidelines - Grades 7-12

Stratford’s Counselors

Director of Guidance Tina Wootan

B.A., Mercer University (Psychology) 1983
M.Ed. Mercer University (Special Education) 1985
Ed.S. Georgia Southern (Community Counseling) 1996
Licensed Professional Counselor

Tina Wootan was employed by Stratford Academy as guidance counselor in January of 1999. Previously, Tina worked in various clinical venues including a psychiatric hospital and outpatient center. While the majority of her clinical work was with children and teens, she also worked with families and professionals giving her the experience and "people skills" to function in a larger school community with many and varied responsibilities. The transition from clinical work to the education field was challenging, rewarding, and very energizing. Stratford offered an excellent opportunity to use established skills and at the same time to grow professionally and personally in a warm and nurturing environment. Both lifelong citizens of the Macon community, Tina's husband of 23 years is a local attorney and has been in private practice since graduating from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. He also has a Masters degree in tax law from Emory University. They have three sons and a daughter and seven grandchildren. Tina enjoys spending time with family, reading, lunch with friends, and anything related to nature.

Tina sincerely appreciates this very special and family oriented school community and all that they have done to support her career in working with and caring about our students, families, and faculty.

Tina works across divisions with students, parents and faculty in developing, communicating and implementing interventions to address emotional, familial, behavioral, academic and social concerns. You may reach her at 478-477-8073, ext 214 or tina.wootan@stratford.org.

Counselor Jaqui Wilson

B.A., Wesleyan College
M.A., Argosy University, Atlanta
LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
NCC (National Certified Counselor)
RPT (Registered Play Therapist)

A graduate of Wesleyan College, Jaqui Wilson began her career in education. She worked in publishing where she assisted in the development of curriculum for children, youth, and adults before entering the classroom as a teacher. Jaqui taught Social Studies, particularly World History, Psychology, and AP Psychology in middle Georgia prior to entering the clinical field of counselor. As a teacher, Jaqui was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2003. She also spent several years representing her school while presenting nationwide to educate other teachers on how to integrate technology into the classroom.

After receiving her Master’s degree in Community Counseling, Jaqui worked with children and adolescents, along with their families, in a clinical setting treating a variety of issues that often included anxiety, depression, family adjustment issues, divorce, academic difficulties, etc. She also led a substance abuse group for youth ages 11-18. In addition, Jaqui has experience working with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault both in a crisis setting and in seeking safe shelter. She continues to work in this area as a volunteer.

Since becoming part of the Stratford family, Jaqui has blended her experience and expertise in education with her clinical knowledge. She advises several clubs in the Upper School: SALSA, ADL, Ambassadors, and Girl Talk. Many of these clubs work across all divisions of Stratford to mentor younger students in a variety of skills. Jaqui works with Tina Wootan across divisions with students, parents and faculty in developing, communicating and implementing interventions to address emotional, familial, behavioral, academic, and social concerns.

Jaqui lives in Macon with her husband Mark and son Nicholas.

You may reach her at 478-477-8073, ext. 283 or jaqui.wilson@stratford.org.

Counselor Charlotte V. Stewart

A.S., Macon State College (Elementary Education)
B.S., Macon State College (Public/Human Services)
M.S., Fort Valley State University (Mental Health Counseling)
LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)

Charlotte V. Stewart is a licensed professional counselor in private practice with Crossroads Christian Counseling Center,  Macon, Georgia, specializing in play therapy for children, as well as, providing therapeutic psychotherapy services for all ages.  Charlotte is presently in the final process of completing the requirements needed to obtain achievement at Registered Play Therapist.

Charlotte joined Stratford Academy in August 2016.  She works on Tuesdays in collaboration with the Guidance Department to assist with providing counseling services and support to the student body, staff/faculty.  Charlotte is available for one-on-one meetings and periodic check-ins with those who may need assistance to provide a sense of calm when stressors occur. Charlotte’s main goal is to let our Stratford school community know that the support services department cares about each student and is available for guidance.

After completing graduate work at Fort Valley State, Charlotte worked with River Edge Behavioral Health with children from 5 to 18 years of age and prenatal mothers. She also has experience with Early and Pre-Kindergarten children with Head Start EOC Macon/Bibb County.  Charlotte served for 24 years as the Director/Coordinator of the Women’s Ministry at her church and has lead various youth conferences and summer camps, and multiple charitable drives for non-profit organizations.

Charlotte is single and the mother of two sons: Jerami (deceased) and Jarvis (33). Charlotte’s genuine love for helping others, and her great love for children has provided a great sense of peace and purpose in life!

You may contact her at 478-477-8073, ext 208 or at charlotte.stewart@stratford.org.

** Read this quarter's articles selected by the Stratford Counseling Department:

The Guidance Office will offer an interesting and helpful article or weblink, on a quarterly basis, to parents on a subject that is useful and timely. If you find an article that you find and think that our parent community would benefit from please email it to me at tina.wootan@stratford.org or jaqui.wilson@stratford.org.

Parenting

College Professor Warns: How Not to Be a Lawn Mower Parent, Read about opportunities to learn strength and self-confidence, so she can handle future challenges with grace. 

How to raise successful kids -- without over-parenting | TED Talk By loading kids with high expectations and micromanaging their lives at every turn, parents aren't actually helping. At least, that's how Julie Lythcott-Haims sees it. With passion and wry humor, the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford makes the case for parents to stop defining their children's success via grades and test scores. Instead, she says, they should focus on providing the oldest idea of all: unconditional love.

Anxiety

Default Worries and what they do for the brain, Thoughts about how to teach your child to handle/cope with worry.

Why Smart Kids Worry. 5 Anxiety-Reduction Tools to use

Social Relationships

When Little Girls Are Mean: Helping Young Girls Handle Relational Aggression, Information about mean girls in elementary school.
 

Archived Counseling Articles

The Help Desk is a free tutorial service at Stratford that provides students with individualized help in science, math, and writing. Staffed by teachers and qualified student tutors, the Help Desk is available every period of the school day. Students may sign out of their study hall to attend the Help Desk as needed. The location of the Help Desk changes each period and is posted in both the study hall room and throughout the school.

Stratford Academy is committed to providing opportunities for students to develop their individual abilities and skills within the context of a rigorous curriculum. Begun in 1998, the Learning Support Center is staffed by learning specialists, tutors, and part-time teachers who understand learning differences and offer individualized and small group instruction to students who are experiencing academic difficulty. The underlying goal of the Learning Support Center is to prepare students to become successful, independent, life-long learners.

While providing the school more flexibility in working with students, the implementation of the Learning Support Center does not reflect a change in Stratford Academy’s standards of admission.

For more information or for a copy of the Learning Support Center fees schedule, please contact Patsy Hayslip, Director of Stratford LSC at 478-477-8073 extension 222 or by email at patsy.hayslip@stratford.org.