Rice (Lilian J.) Elementary School

I went to Lilian J. Rice from 1950 to 1955 Mrs. Krantz was the principal. she was strict but fair. It was a good experience. I'am glad to see that the school is still offering a quality education. JOHN

First of all I want to say I volunteer in my children schools. Its the number one thing parent who wants to be involved in their children life should do. At least 1 hour a week! Many of us parents tend to blame the school and praise others, but, if you see what the others have, is PARENTS that SUPPORT their school. My daughter has gone to Rice since she was in K, now she is going to 5th grade. Since last year the school abandoned the uniform policy and kids can now wear regular clothes, something I do not share. A student should identify himself/herself as one. And uniform does that! It is a school that any teacher or staff I have interacted with have always been helpful and friendly specially the vice-principal. I think even if it is a public school, Principal and teachers should be a little harder on parents and ask them to support their school. I think if parents and teachers get together, we can make of Rice a better school, more than it already is.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is one of the best, I have my daughter going to this school and she likes it very much, and so do I.
—Submitted by a parent

very good schoool my daughter goes to this school and she likes it very much and also likes CART.The education is very good and her teacher helps her her verrrrry much with her math and reading problems.
—Submitted by a parent

I would give many Kudos to the School's Psicologist Dept. Teachers , Administrative Office and Principal. They try very hard to make Llilian J. Rice a better school. The only thing that I would like to recommend is that all the children from Elementery grades should not be all toghether at recess. Children are often pushed by older ones. Kids should be separeted by ages and everything will be much easier for both school personnel and kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I am really pleased with this school all my 3 children attend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended school here for 1 year, I now drive her across town. My daughter is an advanced student and has been skipped ahead a grade at her new school. When she attended Rice she was oftentimes ignored by her teachers because she is self disciplined and well behaved. She was put off to the side with coloring pages so the teachers could focus on non English speaking students.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school is above average. I enjoy the CART rotations. This school keeps you occupied with different activities. For example the Liscense Plate Club and Square Dancing and the soccer club. The bad thing is, that there is no girls basketball team this year! Anyways, I like the teachers. But I dont like the environment. At recess, there are people using bad langauge and pushing eachother. When you have a stomach ache or a heade ache etc, the nurse just tells you to lie down and rest. If you got hurt, they just put ice on it and dont care. I think that is what this school needs to improve on.
—Submitted by a student

My son was there last year and we move the area, we had to enroll him a in different school and we requested a transfer. It was denied since my child was not an A student at that school. I spoke with the principal and with no care ignore my feeling about my child going to that school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in kindergarden at Rice Elementary School. Mrs. Clayton is a true educator and believe me she goes above and beyond to assure that each child receives a necessary structure and basics which they will benefit and use throughout their years. Kudos to you Mrs. Clayton, we truly need more teachers like you in our schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I am sad to see that there are no statistics here for the special education classes. I wonder if their data is lumped in with everyone else. Or, is it just ignored in the normal presentation of what Rice Elementary is all about. I have found the principal and office staff to be friendly, supportive, helpful, positive, and trustworthy. When the special ed teacher Miss Amy was at the school, she was beloved by her students and many parents as well. She developed a real community for the special needs children to have school and friendships. She reached out her influence even to the family giving the moms of these special children opportunity for a support group and the chance to make friends. Miss Amy will be missed. We look forward to seeing what the new teacher will offer our children and us parents in the special education department.
—Submitted by a parent

Rice is a great school with very knowlegable teachers. Rice also has a very hard working and caring PTA. The principal has made many changes that have greatly improved this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Academic wise, they are very good. But when it comes to harrassing and bullying, may I suggest that they start having a program about harrassing and bullying. I'm afraid if my other kid will be bullied. I hope they will do something about it. The teacher should report it to the principal's office.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Lilian J. Rice Elementary and now my son is enrolled there in Kindergarden. He also attended Pre-school at this same school. I am an active member in the PTA and look towards furthering my involvement within this school. Over the 2004 summer vacation, we received a personal at home visit from members of the school staff and PTA. They came on a personal level to greet my son and introduce themselves and welcomed him as he was to start Kindergarden. Not only did this excite and give a sense of belonging they even gave him a starter gift bag with items like a pencil engraved w/school name, a magnet with school logo and phone numbers, also a pen which also had school name for the parent. This truly makes a bond between the community and school. Overall, the staff, teachers and principal Mrs. Nakamura are exceptional people.
—Submitted by Autumn Young, a parent

Well, I have to begin by stating that this school definitely stands out from others I've seen by, the geniune compassion and sincerity you receive from the entire staff at Rice. The Principal Mrs. Nakamura, Staff as well as PTA members took it upon themselves to go out into the community prior to this school year beginning. They went to homes in the community and introduced themselves on a personal level to families and especially new students. They even brought a gift bag containing a pencil, pen, and a magnet all representing the school. More importantly they made an impact on those children; especially my own child. He felt special and could not wait for the year to begin. I can proudly say that this school is completely dedicated to the wellness of the community and it's children. I myself attended/graduated from this school and now proudly my son will too.
—Submitted by a parent

This school needs more student and staff communications. Needs improvement in providing tutoring for the students in Math and Reading. Communications between Principal and Students can improve. Rather than ignoring student harassement between students as just simple student issues... entire school staff should address these harassements as true emotional issues that can and will impare our children in later years. The 'Bully Program' will be a great start.
—Submitted by a parent