[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF STRATFORD LANDING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 2013

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stratford Landing 
Elementary School in Alexandria, which is proudly celebrating 50 years 
of providing an excellent education to the students of Fairfax, 
Virginia.
  Built on land once owned by George Washington, Stratford Landing 
Elementary School officially opened its doors with Principal Eleanor N. 
Hollandsworth on September 3, 1963 with an initial enrollment of 301 
students in grades one through six. This student population would more 
than double the next year.
  In response to a rapidly growing community and an influx of military 
families the following year, Stratford Landing underwent its first 
renovation in 1966, adding an additional hallway of classrooms.
  As schools across the Nation began to implement kindergarten classes 
to comply with the Federal Head Start initiative, Stratford Landing 
opened its first half-day kindergarten program in 1968.
  During the 1970s, Stratford Landing initiated one of the first Gifted 
and Talented Centers in Fairfax County Public Schools, developed to 
offer a unique academic program to qualifying students in grades three 
through six from multiple local elementary schools. Stratford Landing 
also expanded to include two preschool programs, which supported early 
intervention for young children identified with autism and 
developmental delays.
  Over the years, the school underwent other renovations to add a gym, 
music room, day care facility, playground, 10-classroom modular unit, 
and seven learning environment trailers. It also created an English as 
a Second Language program to better meet the needs of students.
  In 2009, Stratford Landing developed and continues to refine a 
Discovery Garden, supporting environmental and science studies. The 
school also began offering a full-day kindergarten program with the 
last phase-in by Fairfax County Public Schools for the 2011--2012 
school year.
  Stratford Landing continues to stay abreast of technological changes 
by adding Smart Board technology to all classrooms, increasing the 
number of mobile laptop carts, investing in hands-on voting systems, 
and using other technology tools to support the needs of 21st century 
learners.
  Stratford Landing Elementary School, the parent-teacher association, 
and the school community continue to work in partnership to benefit 
student success and achievement both in the classroom, on the school 
grounds, and through diverse after-school programs. And while the 
school mascot and student fashions have changed over the years, 
Stratford Landing Elementary School has remained cotnmitted to 
providing an academically challenging and positive learning environment 
in which all students thrive.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this opportunity to commend 
Stratford Landing Elementary School as it marks 50 years of providing 
educational opportunities to the children of Fairfax County.

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