Vargas Elementary School

This school is in need of direction to say the least. This is a great school with a diverse population and a great staff who are dedicated to the students!! Unfortunately there is a dark cloud looming over and it's called the PTA. They are solo minded and have their own agenda they have been trying to implement for the past 2 years. It just isn't working. It has driven all parent participation and contribution away. This unit must be dismantled immediately. One comment below states that parents would be 'honored' to have a leader with a PHD however, I ask: How can a leader with a PHD from Stanford lose the entire PTA fund? Or was that the intention from the beginning. VARGAS needs to change their strategy by eliminating the current PTA and BRING BACK THE UNIFORM POLICY!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent who has a student that currently attends Vargas, my child really loves his teacher who is kind to all the children, but I am more worried about the low level work they hand out to the students what worries me the most is the people they hire to watch the students during recess, they dont even watch the students they just sit on there butts andtalk to eachother. They are also VERY rude and yell at all the kids for no reason. the office doesnt care when you put in a complaint about the issue because they are low staffed! they just dont care about your kids!
--Submitted by a parent

I had my daughter at this school. It sucks. My daughter's first grade teacher was very negative from the start. Didnt give my daughter a chance. I asked about the KLAS and how I can put her in that after school program and they said it was full already. KLAS is for kids to do their homework or get help in other subjects. When I passed by there all the kids were playing around. They abuse this program and use it as an after school daycare. My daughter goes to a way better school. I regret taking her to this school from the start. Everyone has their own opinion.
--Submitted by a parent

My first experience with Vargas,all I can say is grandaughter's Kinder teacher was great.My grandaughter did not go to preschool and she came out learning SO much. The dress code was wishy washy, the lice alerts were way too many. I feel the school needs more direction and leadership. Need to also do a website like Ellis does, keep parents posted via web. Time to update and keep up with the times..
--Submitted by a parent

I'm guessing the person below me IS on the PTA. Or they probably are the person everyone is complaining about.

From an exsetensial view I think the parents and leadership of Vargas would be honored to have a leader with a PHD from Stanford. Having a leader in the school that knows what it takes to be successful in education is an invaluable resource. The fact that a parent with credentials as impressive as the current PTA presidents has taken much of their personal time to guide the school toward success should be applauded. I think parents, faculty, and leadership would want to support success instead of settling for comfortable mediocrity that seems to be supported by many of these posts.

This school has some great teachers. However, the PTA is most horrible. The PTA president thinks that she owns the school. She screams at the principles in front of the students. Her kid is "my mom is the president of PTA" type. She drove away many good parents from involvement as if she was afraid that they would outshine her. She labelled the school a "Ghetto" and her entourage is a bunch of "YES" people. The teachers behind her are all brainless and have no common sense. It's a no wonder this school is forever in "PI" status having these kinds of teachers around!
--Submitted by a parent

I was a student at Vargas Elementary School now I am a first year college student. I had a good experience at the school but my good experience at the school turn for the worst when I went to the 5th grade, the teacher (who is still a teacher on the campus and is female.) I got was very mean to me in the form of tell me to stay after when the other would go play at recess then calling me very mean names for almost a full school year.

This school has very dedicated and highly committed teachers, but the new lleadership at this school is worrisome. I would think twice before sending my child back to this school. Many families have already left because of the new leadership. What an unfortunate circumstance to happen to a school that is so full of promise and discovery.
--Submitted by a parent

I wished I'd interviewed the faculty before moving my child to this school. After the fact, I'd learned from friends that when they'd interviewed the principal told them that they would not want their own family members at this school! Although my child's last two teachers were very good, my child felt many of the kids were "bad" and feared that ignoring them was not an option. I agree with a previous posting stating the faculty being passive and the lack of concern over students' behavior. I've heard that the school has a disciplinary game plan for next year.
--Submitted by a parent