Birch Elementary School

My review is nothing against the teachers. Whether it's the system itself, or the ones in the offices, this school is a nightmare to have to adjust to and deal with. What should have been an enjoyable introductory year to the school system, made me want to explore any and all other possible options for my child's future schooling.They do a lot to keep the kids engaged, but that also requires the guardians to be so involved that it takes up as much time as adding a part-time job to your schedule. For those that are doing it with minimal outside help, that's just not plausible. Therefore, the parent feels like a let down and the kid is disappointed their loved one isn't there for every event. Don't even get me started on the number of early release days they have. My kid just had to be one of the few left in the class because it was not plausible for me to constantly leave work because y'all decided to have a fun activity day and didn't want to keep the kids afterwards. How does this make sense: drop off at 7:30a, request one person per child drive 45minutes to zoo to wait for bus to show up at 9:30, and then get told that once we sign the paper we can go do whatever, even just leave).They're overly strict with their attendance discipline policy. The state allows 18 days/year (9/semester), yet if a child is out 5 (including tardies) then the parents are forced to sign and send them to Saturday school. If you don't, they automatically put them in ISS when the return to school. If you have already started a grievance before punishment is carried out, they have the right to carry it out anyway. How is punishing a 5 year old child for something that was out of their control ever okay?I wish the school had an assembly for new parents to the school system. They just throw you in and expect to know how it all works. For those that aren't surrounded by others with children, the whole year feels like a never ending slap in the face because they just assume you know what it means for your child to be in their school system. The only knowledge I have of kindergarten programs is 30 yrs old, I was the student, and it was not a public school. They hold information fairs, but for those that are high anxiety, that sounds like a panic attack walking in the door. I get trying to keep it fun and engaging, but sometimes I just want to sit and listen to the information I need! Not everything has to be an activity.This school need to do some major changes.

My son went here for most of k through 2nd and is a GT kid. I had to do so much to have him even screened at SH and was told that they do not really have a GT program and "it's better for kids to be in the classroom." (45 min/wk of AR is their GT program) He is in an unimpressive GT program at another school (That problem will be resolved soon). The staff returned calls about my concerns, they merely "gave me a bone do chew on". The principal clearly doesn't care about the education there and proves to be in it for her own best interest. My kids bowed their heads to say grace before eating, and a teacher told them "you do not have to do that here." When I addressed this with the principal, she told me (and I quote) "I can assure you that the teacher did not tell them that they couldn't pray." My reply "That is understood by a child to mean not to do what they were doing." She had no response. Best features of this school are security, fairly clean campus, the very few dedicated teachers that care and they are aware that they are far behind on the tech curve. They might get good ratings by state standards but their method of delivering well educated students is appalling.