Jacktown

I attended Groner from 93-96 and am very greatful for the attention and help I recieved from the teachers. I actually learned to speak English at that school. At times I did feel aggravated by one teacher when it came to correcting eachothers exams since I was very shy and quiet and once or twice I got yelled at by that teacher. I remember it like it was yesterday. Looking back I don't agree with the approach that teacher used in that situation, then again now being an ESL teacher myself there are times when we unintentionally mix our personal issues with our work. Believe me, I meditate on that when I find myself in the same situation and make sure I don't make the same mistake. Other than that I am very greatful for having the opportunity to attend Groner Elementary.

I used to go to Hazeldale elementary around 2006-2012, and passed my entire 6 years in elementary at the school. I have started and graduated from school in the BSD. Back then, it was a lovely, quaint school with a great and caring staff who communicated with parents, wanted to see their students succeed, and placed the well-being of the children above all else. I am disappointed to say that this has drastically changed for my niece and nephew who we just recently had to PULL and TRANSFER from the school due to negligence and cruelty on part of the staff and other students. My nephew has been relentlessly bullied on the bus, and the school has done little to nothing to stop it. His sister has had to step in on multiple occasions to defend him because the adults around them will not. He had items stolen from other children that the school nor the families have replaced, and he has received actual, visible injury from the altercations that occur on these instances. On top of this, recently on parent-teacher night, his teacher had no kind remarks to say about him, nor did she care to visit with his mom for the full allotted time she was supposed to. She only spent the time insulting him and putting him down in front of his mother, and started their meeting late. She spent the time criticizing his academic performance rather than creating a plan to fix it. While I understand the stress that teachers face as both of my teachers have taught in the BSD for decades, it is also pertinent to treat the students who are struggling with respect and care so that they do not slip through the cracks. My nephew has ADHD is known to be hyperactive, but he is also incredibly smart and sweet. With the teaching and harassment he has received this year, his self-esteem has never been lower. The school could not care less, nor could his now former teacher. This is not a place I would ever consider sending my children, as they no longer care to foster an environment of learning for children with ALL types of needs as they should. I am so sad to see that this is what the school has become after myself and my siblings all had wonderful experiences there in years past. Now we are left to pick up the pieces of damage that the faculty member has caused, as well as the neglect on behalf of the school with my nephew’s bullying situation. I can only hope that no other child faces these circumstances, and the school can learn to care more about its student body.