Riverside Elementary School

This school is going through many changes including renovatios new teachers and administration. The new principal is caring and always ready to speak to parents she is often at the drop off area in the mornings and after school. The staff is nice and helpful. The new teachers are great, special thank you to Ms Han she is one of the best teachers in this school. It took this school a while to get people who cared about our kids but now its on its way to becoming a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

Riverside has improved greatly so far and has a great vision for 09-10 that is now focusing our students and their education! We are thankful that we now have a Board Member who is a parent and took a stand to make the positive and very important changes that he did...Thanks Mr. Martin Gonzales for being a productive and concerned parent and now our great Board Member..We appreicate you!
--Submitted by a parent

Its a new school year 09-10. Riverside School District is ready to start a new even more productive year ever! We have new administration with a big vision for our students! I am excited to see the positive changes. I am greatful we have new administrators who are accountable! Welcome Mr. Rivera and the new staff..Welcome back teachers and staff!
--Submitted by a parent

My children attended this school and I am very proud of the teachers they had. The best ones have moved onto higher levels in other districts. The last principal left only after bringing the school from underperforming to highly performing by bringing in many great educational specialists, so it is a shame she left. Yes there were a few bad ones! as a matter of fact the bad ones drove away the really good ones who wouldn't put up with such low standards! The district has way too many issues, I hope they fix rthem and then maybe I will bring my kids back, for right now I moved my children to Laveen to follow one of those great teachers now in admin. there. I wish the school the best and will continue to support its improvement as an active community member but I won't risk my childrens eductaion waiting.
--Submitted by a parent

Riverside is going through many positive changes including new administration and programs to enhance our child s education. Teacher s are dedicated to their job and care for our child s learning. Thankfully, those that were not so great either decided to leave or were removed from the district including the principal and her staff. We are looking forward to a new school year with dedicated staff and great things to follow.
--Submitted by a parent

Mrs. Pamela Eklund is a fabulous Administrator! I have never seen such great concern for the education value of a child as this Principal has provide for EVERY child. Mrs. Eklund has a great educational staff: Ms. Estrada, Ms. Mendoza, Ms. Eastep, Mr. Whiteman, Mrs. Wingo, Ms. Herrera, Mrs. LaMont and Mrs. Silver, please come and see for your self.
--Submitted by a parent

Many great changes have taken place over the past five years. Administration at the Elementary level is finally taking charge of the school. Programs to involve parents are slowly forming. Participation is low but it is still new. Extra curricular activities are slowing beginning to form. Technology in the district is top notch. Teachers are teaching and ones who are not or are in desperate need of retirement have been removed, even if it took till march( better late than never). I do not like the uniform policy as it is not cost effective. I now have to purchase school clothes, non school clothes, and church or special event clothes. Single mom of three can't afford it. Parent participation needs to include all types of parents not just talks for parents learning how to assist their child with learning. PPO joke. Visit other successful districts watch and learn. Ask get rewards.
--Submitted by a parent

I have one child at Riverside. I have to say that the school has changed greatly in most recent years. They are beginning to offer more programs to assist students than before. The one thing that I have noticed is that there is not much parent involvement with the school system. The school has begun monthly Coffee Talks in English and Spanish to address certain issues to make Riverside a better school. However, they is often very little parents who attend. A school is supposed to be a community where everyone participates not just the teachers. It takes a village to raise a child. We need more parents to give positive contributions so we can continue to improve.
--Submitted by a parent

Riverside is an average school in a high minority (demographic) area. The teachers are mostly excellent. The parents however fail to take advantage of the power of involvement in the school. I have two children in the district and both test far beyond the federal standards. The curriculum is just fine. The parents in this district fail to take action and would rather complain then work towards a better school. The non-existent PTO committee is a perfect example of this, as is the nearly empty board room during board meetings. To say a school is horrible and not provide a reason as to why, just shows the average mentality of the districts parents. Support your school fellow parents, help with the PTO, attend board meetings, do not just complain! Use your power as a parent in the school!
--Submitted by a parent

Riverside is a growing school with great potential. It has grown incredibly since my children started and continues to grow. They are adding many activities at the middle school, as well as tutoring and increasing parental involvement. The teachers seem dedicated and knowledgeable, however administration is constantly changing. 3 years ago I may have given it a bad review, but I have watched extracurricular activities be added and fought for, a PTO attempted, and teachers who will fight for students well being and work overtime to help a student achieve their goals.
--Submitted by a parent