Edit *my son in TK was being beat every day by the same kid, and coming home with marks, ultimately leading to a concussion that I was unaware of because the school didn't alert me when he was kicked in the head. I guess when a kid is beat daily, why tell the parents daily about it? They'll see the scratches and bruises anyways? I didn't know about it until we were at Kaiser and they were asking questions the following day. This school did not move the kid, they just let it happen, and so we moved far away. It's sad because both of my kids were having problems from kids with the same family, (his older 4th grade sister was trying to stick up for him by tormenting my 2nd grader) but the school just looked the other way, and so I told my husband to look for a job to move us closer to my parents. The last couple of weeks before we moved, I was terrified to drop off or pick my kid up from school because the other kids dad was so angry. It's a shame, because I really liked Northern California and Vacaville, but my kids are finally in a great school with a 0 tolerance policy, and better parking. It was worth the drastic move to get my kids in a better school and in the same county where my parents teach. It's sad to see a school with such potential fail because they are fearful of disciplining ethnic known problem students. They need to learn when enough is enough and switch classes or kick the kid out instead of letting kids get beat daily.*
I was not going to review this school until later, but every time I look this school up to get the phone number, the undeserved low reviews just bug me. Both of my parents are teachers, and I know what a bad principal is. The first thing that I noticed last year, was how the principal knew each student, and gave individual attention to students by name. This may sound dorky to some, but I was touched with how endearing it was when the principal ran out to high-five a shy student, and he high-fived back! The principal came back into the office, and genuinely told the office staff, "that made my day!"
It was bittersweet for me on the first day of school this year when I learned that we now have 2 principals. Of corse the assistant principal, whom we have also had the opportunity to be impressed with is doing a great job as acting principal - but the district has been so impressed with our previous principal that they want us to share him! Hmph! Don't they know that I can be selfish?! I really am happy for his promotion, and his ability to positively touch so many more students lives though...
Next is my rant about teachers, I generally feel like teachers go into this field to help, and then they get grossly underpaid and sometimes treated poorly. The teachers and instructional staff that we've encountered here have been inspiring, and they obviously go above and beyond! As an added bonus, we've also got to learn about K-9 rescue dog staff members which I feel teach about life lessons and touch up even more upon responsibility!
As a leadership school, they are big on teaching the children habits that successful people follow, and making them comprehendible for young children. Be respectful, put 1st things 1st, be a leader, be a good sport, be responsible, be nice to other people, and don't judge other people. I like how considerate this is shaping my children up to be. I actually prefer this program to the STEAM school we were at prior.
As the previous reviewer mentioned, the crossing guards and support staff are a ray of sunshine! The crossing guard on one side has got to be setting a Guinness Book of World Records for ever so friendly waiving to the most people, then on the other side you feel like you're viewing a spirited drill routine as he safely crosses the children, and the sweet ladies whom help with the carpools at the school entrance always try to remember names and put safety first. You can't help but smile, even on the most chaotically busy day.
Now for my cons: that playground mulch gets packed in their shoes and gets all over my floors at home! I freak out thinking about the safety of my kids climbing on jungle gems (but I guess that's any playground stuff.) The campus itself is a bit tired looking (but that's just cosmetic, and I guess it's up to us as parents to sign up and/or donate to boosters to help) there is a very schoolmarm figure in the office that isn't as friendly as the rest... all-in-all, I'd give 4.5 stars if I could. hopefully I'll upgrade this to a five star review in a year or two! read more