Gallatin Elementary School

I have become very disatisfied with GAllatin school since the new principal has come. I used to feel I had a relationship with my sons' teachers, now I barely know them at all and feel uncomfortable by the way I am treated by the office staff. The new principal made many changes, comes off as cold and arrogant and the small boost in test scores doesn't make up for the destruction of a school that was once a community. I have had a cuouple problems with her and contacted the district and they haven't acted or gave me any answer about my concerns. We are looking to move after living in Downey happily for 15 years and the school is the number one reason why.
--Submitted by a parent

Awesome school with awesome staff. The Principal is doing an outstanding job. The school is very clean and the students are very smart.
--Submitted by a parent

Mrs. Fierro is the best teacher my son ever had,she is caring, sensitive and joyful. This year my son enjoyed learning because of her. About the school: Extracurricular activities are none, kids are still waiting for chess classes that were offered at the beginning of this school year. What happened with gardening?. The new Principal seems so aloof that sometimes scares.
--Submitted by a parent

Gallatin School is made up of hard-working, caring teachers and fun-loving, intelligent students. We have a loyal PTA who works hard to provide extra resources for our school. It is a little disconcerting to read negative reviews about our continued move towards a SAFE, closed campus. Parents and visitors are welcome at Gallatin, but we need to know who is on campus and why. There have been numerous 'close calls' in the past ranging from strangers seen in the hallways to irate parents coming into classrooms to speak with students who are having conflicts with their child. In no way have we intentionally set out to make parents feel that they are unwelcome. Rather, our goal was for everyone to feel good about dropping their child off and trusting that school personnel has done everything possible to prevent wrongdoing.
--Submitted by a teacher

My daughter has attended Gallatin for 3 years. Her teachers: Mrs. Moreno, Mrs Lemonier have been excellent. They have challenged her, given her support and pushed her to become a better person & to 'grow up'. My son just entered 1st grade and I have to say that he has not had the same experience and I am saddened by that. He is not challenged enough, the teacher feels that homework is not necessary or important because he doesnt get much. projects are rarely done. I am not sure if it's because of the new regulations or guidelines implemented with the arrival of the new principal, which by the way seems very unfriendly and a bit arrogant, but it is extremely disapointing. Mr. Means is missed greatly because he knew many of the students by name, their families and the school seemed warm. Cant say the same now.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been at gallatin since k and is now in second grade and he is doing very well at home and in school. I also like the communication that the teachers have with the parents.
--Submitted by a parent

Not only is safety procedures and exagerated, but what's with the new pricipal who wants to be reffer as DR. so high and mighty she needs to be moved asap
--Submitted by a parent

I am so saddened by our new policies and procedures the school now has. Before this school year Gallatin was a family. Well at least this is what I felt. Now I feel I am dropping off my children at a concentration camp. I know Safety is of primary concern and so is mine. I am the parent but it was the greatest feeling of security to drop off my children at their classroom door. If administration is so concerned about Safety then do your rounds and make sure the campus is clear once the last bell rings but do not take this away from us. Gallatin is not the Gallatin that I was proud of. It is now somber and dark and so impersonal. I should be enjoying these years with my children and this may seem so insignificant to some but to me it meant the world.
--Submitted by a parent

Your absolutely right. It just seems so difficult to approach some staff members or even a PTA parent. Overall I am happy with my kids education. My kids love Gallatin and so do I. Gallatin's pros far more exceed the cons.
--Submitted by a parent

My children have been at Gallatin for all of grammar school and it is by far a great school. Although there does tend to be some 'political nonsense' involved at the school that makes the PTA seem cliquish and some of the staff unapproachable, most of the people associated with this school are here to help the students get the best education they can while having fun at the same time. As a single parent with limited income, I can relate to some of the previous comments regarding the excessive fundraising, but you should only do what you are comfortable doing and I do not feel bad when I don't participate. This school does not force you to get involved...they ask. We are proud to belong to Gallatin!
--Submitted by a parent