C. W. Haman Elementary School

Like many other parents, I was hesitant on sending my daughter to this school based on the "scores". I could not be more impressed with this school! The Kinder teachers are amazing. I am always impressed with how well they really know their students. My daughter has not only grown leaps and bounds academically, but socially as well. She has become so confident in her work. The principal is wonderful and cares a great deal about her students. I am so grateful I did not rely solely on the "scores", and am excited to see what the future holds for us at Haman!
—Submitted by a parent

Was very hesitant on sending my child here because I hadn't heard much about it and the "scores" weren't as high as some others in the district-- but so far I am very impressed with this school! The K teachers are excellent! I have been volunteering regularly in class and have been very impressed. There is a real emphasis on reading, writing and math and some very cool science and art projects. If there were a tenth of the parent involvement here that there are at neighboring parent participation schools I think Haman could be a top Santa Clara School!
—Submitted by a parent

My child moved to Haman from a neighboring school when he had trouble and was not supported by the staff. Since being at Haman, he has had only caring, organized, and capable teachers, and has done well on standardized testing. The teachers and staff are bending over backwards to help him reach his potential and become successful socially. I can't say enough to praise the teachers he has had.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school
—Submitted by a parent

At first I was skeptical putting my child into a public school...though my daughter was put in Mrs.Bicknell's class..this is a teacher like no other, a one in a million. She is structured, she genuinely likes her kids, and knows them and understands them often more than the parents do...she truely is awesome. My daughter had always done poorly ion the state testing, though Mrs. Bicknell was able to get my daughter past the anxiety that those tests brought her and when we reeived her scores not only were they accptable but they were more than I poosibly could have wished for. Mrs Bicknell has truly brought out the best in my child
—Submitted by a parent

Having gone to only private primary, secondary, and post-secondary/graduate schools, my wife was very skeptical initially of Haman. Having gone to only public primary and secondary schools in an albeit affluent California community and both public and private post-secondary/graduate schools, I was only mildly skeptical initially. We have both found that Haman is a school that far exceeds its 'numbers' (which are nonetheless respectable). Haman has 1) Exceptional leadership in its principal, Pam Fox, 2) Outstanding, spirited guidance in its faculty, 3) Facilities and resources that surpass levels I recall for schools I attended in my youth, despite Haman having to manage 'razor-thin' budgets. The only possible negative is that I would like to see more parental involvement, yet I believe too much involvement (as appears to occur in some neighboring schools with higher 'numbers') may be destructive. Today, I would be proud if all my kids graduated as Haman Huskies!
—Submitted by John Martsolf, a parent

We have been very happy with Haman Elementary, and feel a great sense of commitment and community from practically every teacher and the parents on the PTA board. Perhaps this is because we are pragmatic about our expectations of schools, districts, and teachers. To a large extent, we consider it our responsibility to be very involved in our child's education and development in all aspects, and if anything is lacking within the school boundaries, make it our business to supplement outside. The limitations in the arts/extracurricular activities is not a function of the school, but of the district and the California system in general. Haman should not get dinged for that. It is still a wonderful and engaged environment where imperfection strives to do the best it can -- and no one can ask for anything more. Our child has certainly found a home here, and we are very grateful.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe Haman is a gradually improving school. There has been a wonderful increase in parent involvement and a fantastic increase in teacher involvement. My child is learning that being in class and at school for the extracurricular activities is a fun place to be.
—Submitted by K Freitag, a parent

I believe the school should enforce the no violence policy a little better than they do. Its not just enough to put it on paper.
—Submitted by Ginger B., a parent

Haman Elementary School truly values the children that they serve. My son has had a fantastic experience the past 2 years. He has been actively involved in Conflict management, safety patrol, and additional support in mathematics so that he doesn't become bored. Ms Bicknell is a fantastic teacher that truly understands her children and the needs of the entire family. Haman is a great elementary school and we are going to miss it tremedously!
—Submitted by a parent

My child attends Haman school and is behind in many subjects, I work with him along with his teacher but he is still behind. I do not feel that he gets the attention that he needs to keep up with his peer's. I feel the school is working hard to help these children but there is only so much they could do. The teachers and staff at our school are wonderful, friendly, open people. They make me feel welcome. Unfortunately the teacher's do not have time for extracirruclar activites as they have to teach so much in so little time. We do have wonderful teacher who try really hard and I give them much credit for that!
—Submitted by a parent

Cheers to Haman School! My hats off to the entire staff for their unconditional support and caring demeanor, which is reflected in every child being treated with the utmost respect and positive reinforcement. Academically, the school exceeds their ratings and you see that in each child's accomplishments. I am a volunteer and a parent to a first grader at Haman School and I applaud all our children and each staff member for making a difference. August 2005
—Submitted by Ilda Jeronimo-Silva, a parent

My son spent only one year 2004 in Haman and I wish we would not have to move. I was really skeptical at the beginning looking at the ratings of the school but the staff is awesome and I feel totally blessed that my son was able to be in Mrs. Bicknell's class. I learned coming from a very good district (Cupertino) that the scores are not all that matters. The staff and the principal have a great role in how well your child will do and I have as a parent the major role in my child's progress. My son has always been a good student and I was scared that his level would drop coming to a school with 'lower ratings'. The opposite happened and he has improved even more significantly than he did in the Cupertino district. Voahangy Rasetarinera
—Submitted by Voahangy Rasetarinera, a parent