Delayed Start 1-25-2023

Stratford ISD Parents and Staff, Due to the amount of moisture on the roads, coupled with the forecast for below freezing temperatures overnight, SISD will have a 2-hour late start tomorrow morning. Our buses will run on pavement only in the morning.  This decision is being made at this time to allow our families time to make adjustments to their morning routines. Thank you.   Paul Uttley

Tuesday, Jan 24 2023

Regular School Today

Stratford ISD Parents and Staff, It appears that Stratford is the only dry area in the Texas Panhandle.  While the predictive weather apps are still calling for snow in Stratford, it appears that we are on the edge of this storm.  This uncertainty, coupled with the timing of any snow that we may get, makes the decision whether or not to have school a difficult one.  Stratford ISD will have school as normal today (1-24).  This decision is based on the following: As of right now, we do not have snow on the ground, or even falling, in Stratford.  We have not had any rain, so if it does snow we will not be dealing with any ice.   While driving the roads this morning, the vehicles coming into Stratford did not have snow on them.   The predictive weather apps called for snow starting at 3:00 this morning and have continually been pushed back.   It appears that if we do receive snow, the event will be over well before dismissal.  I am aware that this may not be a popular decision, but based on the information available at this time, I believe it is an appropriate decision.  Thank you.   Paul Uttley

Tuesday, Jan 24 2023

Games at Gruver

SISD Parents and Staff, Gruver ISD will not be charging "regular" admission to the basketball games this Friday.  Instead, they will be collecting donations for the Circle of Friends, an organization in Hansford County that assists families who are fighting cancer.  The link to the flyer is:   http://r16.us/gruverisd/bball_pink Thank you to Gruver ISD for inviting us to participate in this event.  Let's show them that while we are competitors on the floor, we are all teammates in the fight against cancer.   Paul Uttley

Wednesday, Jan 11 2023

Roads

SISD Parents and Staff, While the snow that we received overnight was not heavy, the roads are slick this morning.  Please use extra caution and allow extra time getting to school today. Tardies will not be enforced this morning.  Thank you.   Paul Uttley

Friday, Dec 16 2022

Basketball Officials

SISD Parents and Staff, All the school districts in the Amarillo area received an email this week from the head of the basketball officiating chapter.  The verbal abuse of basketball officials continues to be an issue and it needs to stop.  I am the first to admit that I am not always happy with the officials, especially in the heat of the game, but the officials are doing the best they can.  I contacted the individual who wrote the email and told him that SISD fully supports his organization and his officials.  He was very appreciative of the call and stated that Stratford is typically not an issue and he appreciates the way that our fans conduct themselves.  In an effort to support good sportsmanship by our fans, SISD administrators will proactively visit with fans if they are being too aggressive towards the officials.  While I understand this is subjective, we need to provide an appropriate venue for all fans to watch the games and cheer on our teams.  To help you better understand the issue, from the point of view of the officials, I have pasted some of the email below.  Please understand that I am sending this email as a proactive measure.  I want us to cheer loud for our players and coaches, let's just be understanding of the officials.  Thank you.   Paul Uttley 1. Profanity and disrespectful  language will not be tolerated. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!  We are having far too many incidents and T fouls for this behavior.  Starting today, any use of the word F@&K will result in disqualification, Period.  This language will not be tolerated at any level. The Chapter has the complete support of everyone on this issue, including the people at a way higher pay grade than any of us.  NO MORE PROFANITY FROM ANYONE! PLAYERS, COACHES, FANS 2.  There will not be anymore personal verbal abuse towards the officials. Especially the SUB-VARSITY REFEREES.  Amarillo Chapter had 2 officials just quit this week.  Walked away and said ITS NOT WORTH IT.   We wonder why there is a shortage of referees, now we know why!!!  Varsity coaches are expected to set the example, and sub varsity coaches will leave the referees alone.  Mistakes are made by players, coaches and referees.  Some players are better than others, some coaches are better than others and some officials are better than others.   3.  Deal with your parents!!  No referees = No games.  Pretty simple 4.  When the game is over, its OVER!  Every site we play at has an administrator and some type of security.  No one gets to get close to or confront the game officials after a game.  This is unacceptable. Not one of our officials should ever feel uncomfortable while leaving a gym.  I don't think too many of the coaches, players or fans leave a game and wonder if they can get to their car without conflict.   5. 95% of the officials call games for the kids.  They have no other motive. It's nice to get paid, but the majority do it because they love the game and the excitement of the actual games.  A small % are motivated by money.  That's just the truth.   Let's make this easier, not harder.   From the officials view, every game needs to be a positive experience.  We need everyone's cooperation to make this work.     

Thursday, Dec 15 2022

Tonight's Game

SISD Parents, We hope you are traveling to the game to cheer on the Elks this evening.  If you are not, please remember that you can listen to the game via the link on the SSN page ( https://stratfordsportsnetwork.com/ ).  The game will also be able to be viewed via the NFHS website ( https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/uil/gamf9f4436cd5 ).  The NFHS website is different than the system we have set up for home games and viewers will have to pay a subscription fee to watch the ballgame (this is outside of SISD's control).  Good luck to the Elks this evening and we hope to see you at the game.   Paul Uttley

Friday, Nov 18 2022

Weather

SISD Parents and Staff, I have to apologize as the weather this morning ended up being much worse today than I anticipated.  It appears that Stratford received the brunt of this storm as other area superintendents have told me that they barely had any snow in their areas.  At least we received some moisture out of this storm.   Due to the amount of moisture on the roads, and the forecast for temperatures to be near 20 degrees overnight, the roads will be very slick in the morning.  For this reason, we will have a 2 hour delayed start tomorrow (11-15-2022).  Busses will run on pavement only.  Breakfast will not be served tomorrow due to the late start.  I am notifying you now to allow you the most time to prepare for this late start.  I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but this decision is being made for the safety of our students and staff.  Thank you.   Paul Uttley

Monday, Nov 14 2022

Regular School

SISD Parents and Staff, We started checking the roads this morning at 5:15 and have continued to drive the roads up until a few minutes ago.  Since 5:00 this morning, there have been periods of heavy snow and there have been times when the snow has been very light.   I have also visited with our transportation director and another area superintendent. Based on the evaluation of the roads and the consultation with others, we will have school as normal this morning.  Please ask your high school drivers to allow extra time this morning and to use caution while driving.  I realize that our school district is very large and some of you may not feel comfortable driving this morning.  If this is the case, please stay home.  Tardies will not be enforced this morning to allow all of our students extra time to get to school.   Please be safe.   Paul Uttley

Monday, Nov 14 2022

Bad Weather Information

SISD Parents and Staff, The cold weather today is a reminder that we are entering the winter weather season in Stratford.  Of all the decisions that superintendents have to make, decisions related to delaying/canceling school are the ones I dread the most.  That being said, the safety of our students and staff members will be the driving force behind any weather related decisions.  While I know that many of us feel confident in our abilities to drive in adverse conditions, I also have to consider that we will have many teenagers, who do not have the same expereince level as adults, driving in those same conditions.  I also know that canceling school can negatively impact our parents who have to go to work.  I hope these few examples show that the decision is never easy.   If school is delayed or canceled, you will receive notification via ParentSquare.  We will also post the same information on Facebook and our website.  Let's all hope for plenty of moisture this winter with temperatures that stay at 33 degrees or warmer so we do not have to worry about this issue.  Thank you and have a great weekend.  Stay warm.    Paul Uttley

Friday, Nov 11 2022

Playoff Game

SISD Parents and Staff, The playoff game for the Elks, next week against Cisco, will be Friday (11-18) at 6:00.  The game will be played at Lubbock Cooper.  The ticket prices will be $5.00 for adults and students.  Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (the link for online tickets will be sent at a later time).  There will be a send-off at 11:30 and there will be an early release for all students/campuses at 1:30.   Thank you and Go Elks. Paul Uttley

Friday, Nov 11 2022