616 Benton Ave
Monroe, LA 71202

I can attest that teachers here do an excellent job of helping students succeed. They go above and beyond to ensure the success of their students! However, this school to a certain extent is run like a juvenile detention center. The students have to carry all their books home daily because they don't have lockers which causes strain on their still-developing backs (they can't leave any books at school). Also, the students aren't allowed to have hooded jackets. Some students resorted to tucking the hood in or cutting their hoods off. If caught with a hooded jacket (even if tucked in), the jacket could be taken from the student even in the event of heavy rain or extremely cold weather! One student I know personally was sent home walking in the rain with no jacket all because he had a hood tucked in! The PRINCIPAL confiscated the jacket which is unbelievable considering the weather that day. I understand the need to be stern due to the demographics and such; however, how the front office staff speaks to parents is preposterous! It is very important to deal with each parent individually and not assume EVERY SINGLE PARENT will have a difficult attitude towards you. Show some kindness and grace. Be more empathetic and compassionate. It costs nothing to greet a parent with a welcoming tone. It trickles down from the head. They behave this way because the leader allows them to be this way, which really gets in the way of effective communication. Students should not be receiving suspensions exceeding 3 days for minor offenses. The disciplinary system is extremely flawed! The punishments DO NOT fit the "crimes". It's as if they DO NOT CARE about this and students receive extensive suspensions and miss critical school time and there isn't a care in the world. I understand the need to have a firm ground, especially with how children at this age can "try you" but some things are a bit overboard. There is no such thing as a perfect school but if we can remember that parents are respectable people who deserve respect just as much as the staff regardless of their age or how they appear, things can go a whole lot smoother. Also, this is a SCHOOL, not a detention center. It'd be helpful if we considered this as well.

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