Swan Creek

It is my experience that I have seen Halls become one of the best elementary schools in Harford County. I have had 3 of children attend Halls over the years and the school continues to flourish in community as a beacon. There are numerous reasons why Halls is growing in high honors and achievements but it starts at the core with family engagement. Principle Jankowiak and her staff have taken time to listen to what parents and students need to excel in school, whether it is an added crosswalk in the neighborhood, extra bus stops for children, assisted walking clubs for walkers, or even the for food or clothing for families on hard times. She has opened to door for parents and families members to be the biggest cheerleaders in our kids lives and takes the time to listen to community. They offer events and classes for parents to stay evolved and the kids look forward to being in school each day because of the joyous environment. I feel blessed knowing my child is in great hands each day and their teacher is only a message away if needed.

Before my children attended here, I had previously worked in a professional setting with one of the principals. During that time, I witnessed some concerning professional etiquette and decision-making firsthand, which unfortunately aligns with what my family later experienced at this school.Two of my daughters attended here, and one of them endured relentless bullying in her classroom. She was hit, kicked, punched, tripped, and spat on by other students. It became so normalized that she was even referred to by other students as a “punching bag.”What was most upsetting was that the school did not inform us about the extent of the bullying. Instead, we were led to believe our daughter was regressing due to mental health issues. In reality, the problem was the classroom environment and the lack of intervention.The classroom itself was chaotic. There was little instruction, no homework being assigned, and very little effort to maintain a safe environment for students.When I raised concerns, the situation seemed to be minimized and kept quiet. It was only after I filed a police report and made it clear I was prepared to contact the media that the school finally agreed to switch my daughter to a different classroom. Until that happened, I could not send her back to school. She missed four days, I believe. Additionally, some policies seem misplaced. For example, my daughters were not allowed to run at school because they might “become injured.” Children need to move and play, yet serious safety issues were not being addressed.This school needs real change. Administration must support teachers and enforce meaningful consequences for bullying and physical assault. Students who harm others should face appropriate disciplinary action.Most importantly, leadership needs to treat every student the way they would want their own child treated. Imagine these students are your children — and act accordingly, RWES!

They gave my daughter a referral for something they didn’t even do

St. Joan of Arc School in Aberdeen, MD has opened their arms to my daughter. She transferred to this school last year and has had a wonderful and smooth transition. The teachers and staff are caring and very professional. In one year her grades have improved tremendously and her social skills have soared. I highly recommend St. Joan of Arc to any family who is looking for great education and compassionate staff. I'm so happy we chose this school.