Vargas Elementary School

the front desk staff is super rude. I went to the school's office in hope of getting information about enrolling my child in the school but the front desk lady (with a big build) was not nice. she did not give clear information but when i asked questions, she scolded me to show her frustration that i asked questions. Every question I asked has been deferred to school's website. I wonder what is her responsibility as a front desk clerk? Before visiting the school office, I was so sure that i would give public school a trial by enrolling my child there. I walked out of the office and determined that the staff did not treat me as a potential parent at the school with respect. How are they going to educate and take good care of my little one? Private school it is! the director at the CDC next door is a lot nicer and helpful in spending time explaining about activities and programs at the CDC.

My son has been coming here for over a year now. The district gave a new principal that is great, had made sure that most of the teachers are pretty good, and the new PTA is reasonable good. They are trying to help Vargas. The problem is that there is no an interested community to build on. It is really hard to find parents that care about their kids education, so few people is up against a big wall of problems. Among all the problems the principal is up against, the latest PTA was secretive and wasted most of the kids money. Then, the little bit that was left got stolen. So the new PTA is trying to restore morale, trust and bring family participation, but is almost impossible. I see how teachers have to tell parents that it would help if they try to connect with their kids, read together and get involved in their day by day life. Apparently, it had to be said, but is not enough, they still don't do it. If the community is not involved in this, the test scores are not going to improve.
—Submitted by a parent

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

Vargas is a great school. The teachers and the principle are wonderful. The students are amazing! :)
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child in this school and I am most disappointed in the lack of concern the school gives to the students behavior. It seems the teachers in the lower grades spend more than enough of their time trying to converse with children who do not know how to speak English. My opinion is that the teachers and adm. staff have a passive attitude.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is very good the teachers give personalised atttention to student's Progress. and we wildin new school
—Submitted by a parent

My son went to Vargas from K-2. It was a heartbreak. I agree with a previous post about non-english speaking students setting the pace for the class. He was unstimulated and pretty anonymous. My daughter was there for kindergarden only, thank goodness. I've met a few parents from Vargas and we've all agreed that the school is mediocre at best.
—Submitted by a parent

My 2 kids have been in this school for the past 4 years. The school neither encourage nor support bright kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Just an ok school. Good teachers though.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is very good the teachers give personalised atttention to student's Progress. School does not have suffient funds
—Submitted by ram Joe, a parent

Good school, excellent teachers
—Submitted by a parent