Eshelman Avenue Elementary School

Loud, Loud, Loud, uncouth. We neighbors of this mess have nicknamed it "ghetto elementary". Between the obnoxious double and triple parking, and the proclivity for parent to honk incessantly (as if a kid can't figure out by day 2 that the same parent in the same car at the same time is picking them up-duh), and the diaper throwing it's a nightmare. We have trash cans people, and we use OUR OWN driveways to come and go from our respective homes. Parents block driveways and leave litter everywhere. The school has good crossing guards, but their noise level offends daily. When it's not horns, its bullhorns and announcements. The entire neighborhood does NOT need to hear every announcement. I ran the PA system in High school, and I KNOW you can flick ONE SWITCH and only broadcast INSIDE the school. I am sorry to hear about the bullying issues and unsanitary diaper issues. It gives one the impression quickly these students will be the future incarcerated.

Horrible school!!!! Principal is rude not only to parents but to STUDENTS!! They just started a new "policy." PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER SCHOOL WHEN DROPPING KIDS OFF...ONLY AT THE GATE. They've gone too far. I'm a PARENT AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO DROP OFF MY CHILD INSIDE NOT OUTSIDE! They do not ask for identification when picking up a child nor do they have staff at the front gate when school ends...so this policy is RIDICULOUS!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a very concern parent about the safety of my children and others. I have seen dogs (pit bull and others) right next to the gate were I pick up my kids. On october31st. I saw a parent that brougt a dog into the building and told stuff in the office . on november 6th I spoke with the principal about my worries. (we had been attaced by dogs) my kids are so afraid of them. Mrs Parnel said she will do NOTHING about it. I told her she should look for the safety of our kids. What if they get bitten? she said then she will be responsable for it, but who is gonna suffer the pain and trauma have she thought about it. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR A TRAGEDY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? Please no dogs around the school gates. I agree with other parents she was rude.
—Submitted by a parent

I am beyond upset, disappointed, frustrated and angry with this school, Mostly the Principal, Vise principal and office staff. This staff at this school only cares about test scores as well as their (meaning principal) scores and rating for herself. I was told by the principal herself (Rhonda Pannell) that her focus is on her schools scores. Children get bullied daily there, potty in their pants and are forced to sit in it all day (refusing to call parents) get hurt or bullied and the lady s on the ground that are sup to watch and protect them shew them away while saying (go on go play I don t want to hear it) When a child is sent to the office for trouble no action is taken depending on the kid they do play favorites. There are a few good teachers; my problem is w the higher up, PRINCIPLE/OFFICE CREW...When a child is being bullied (hit, punched, kicked or even chocked pure physical stuff) Mrs. Pannell s response is, your kid getting bullied is not my problem, he/she needs to get over it, it s out of my hands! WTH!!! Our children are NOT SAFE at this school with her as a principle and her minions that follow her every word n move. There is much more to say but no room left.
—Submitted by a parent

This school only cares about test scores and getting the funding no matter at what cost. The teachers have given up on the students and the system. The principal does not return phone calls. There is no accountability of any kind. It is always the students or parents fault. They get the scores by bullying, intimidation, put downs and making fun of them if they don't get it right away. If your child does not understand they are just put to the side to concentrate on the ones that do. Teachers put hands on kids to intimidate, scream, and curse. When you let the principal know she might transfer your child to a less agressive teacher however the cycle continues. Students are taught negative behavior and encourage to follow and use it with one another. The school will say all the right things and legal things about what they are going to do to make the situation better but there is no action to solve the problems. I advise parents not to send there kids here at all. It is not a happy, encouraging and safe environment. There is a bullying epidemic and they are not part of the solution based on actions.
—Submitted by a parent

As a President of ELAC, I can say that all the staff are doing very well. Leadership -Principal and Vice Principal- have an excellent PMA. People who works at the office are very polite and available. Also some of them are bilingual (english-spanish) Same teachers care more than others, but all of them are available for academic issues. Mr. Ali is the music teacher. I saw his wonderful job in the last spring concert. All the parents enjoyed the way he trained the orchestra. It's a hard work well done. My son was in the 5th grade and they had very interesting field trips. One of them was a visit to the Ocean Institute. They dissected fish. Then, they used the microscope to investigate bacteria, plankton, etc. Also they went to Harbor Park to take samples about the water in the lake. Finally they made a Power Point presentation in the Ocean Institute.
—Submitted by ALFONSO ESCALANTE, a parent

Wow, after reading those comments about Eshelman I am thinking my kids went to a different school. Both my kids attended Eshelman K-5. This was a few years ago, my son is graduating high school this year and my daughter is in 8th grade. I was so satisfied with their education they received from Eshelman. All the teachers they had were wonderful, both achieved high grades. The activities at the school were fine. My kids enjoyed the after-school program and singing in chorus. I was a TA for my son's 4th grade class and was at the school everyday, and was able to see what went on there. The only thing that concerned me was lunchtime. The kids were told not to talk while eating, I didn't think that was right to do, they can't talk in class, why not lunch? Thank you, Debbie Hernandez
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Eshelman in the 3rd grade and the principal seemed to be more concerned with the test scores than the well being of the children. I will admit that they do have a good reading program. They don't want to do what it takes to teach a child that is having difficulty learning there curriculum. They only want to deal with the smart kids. I would never send any of my children back to Eshelman.
—Submitted by Tabitha, a parent

My child went to this school for one year. The principal was not helpful at all and didn't listen to my child's teacher. I think that the communication between the principal and the teacher was not good at all. This affected my child's application procedure for Magnet school. However, the teachers was very helpful and tried to do her best.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my son at Eshelman since K. He is now in 4th grade. I have never been more disapointed in my life. This is a horrible school. They is no extra caricular activites for tthe children what so ever. They care nothing about parent involvement. All parent activities including Back to School, holiday programs and PTA meetings take place during the day. How can any working parent manage to attend? The administration is the worst I've ever seen. The office people are rude. They have a nurse only 2 times a week. ALthough I have never had a problem with any of my sons teachers, I can't imagine they are doing the best that they can with what little resources they receive from LA County Unified.
—Submitted by Tracy Chronister, a parent

This school has an excellent reading program that is unlike any that I have seen before. My son just turned 6 and is still in Kindergarden, but he has such a good understanding of sounds and how to turn those sounds into words or how to spell a word based on the sounds. He made such rapid progress. This program is from K-1st when they really learn how to read. I have a relative who is in 1st grade at another school and she does not know half as much as he does in his Kindergarten reading program. I am very impressed.
—Submitted by M SILVA, a parent

My child attended Eshelman from kindergarten through 5th grade. (I worked at the school for 2 of those years.) Of all the teachers she had during that 6 years she only encountered one who should not have been in that profession. The majority of the staff and professionals working there are great. However, I found that according most staff [believe] the child is 'guilty' until proven innocent; meaning that the adults assume the kids are only out to get away with something instead of simply being kids who may be making perfectly innocent mistakes. There are several Special Education classes offered on this campus and the teachers involved are some of the best I've even seen. Their students fairly blossom under their care. Overall, your child will have a great time at this school. And remember, the ultimate responsibility of your child's education lies with you their parent. The teachers can only do so much.
—Submitted by Claire Curtis, a parent