Joseph Arnold Elementary School

This school is all about Green Ligh/ Blue Light /Pink Light and Red Lights. I feel as if teachers get paid extra for giving all these lights to kids rather than being an influencer and being a role model for the kids. Teachers need to learn a basic thing that when you point a finger at a kid, there are 3 finger pointing towards you. Punishing and humiliating kids is the solo motto followed here. Your kid was not listening, she was talking to much, kid was not following the rules so we gave her yellow/red light. Now my question is what light should a parent give to the teacher who is not able teach the students how to behave ? This model of mental punishments is from 1960s. This is 2012. Please learn something new to discipline kids and try some influencing techniques.
—Submitted by a parent

Our recent experience with this school has been very disappointing & disheartening. When my husband & I dropped off our 4 year old son to his assigned Kindergarten teacher, she didn't acknowledge any of the parents. She was not friendly, welcoming, or warm nor did she at least introduce herself. Right off the bat, I knew that this teacher was not the right teacher. A few days after school started, my son was not himself. He usually is very bubbly &happy, but since he started attending her class, he was not himself. We were then called by the school & reported that our son was hitting the teacher & was "very upset". Our son has never lashed out like this before. At his previous preschool, he's never had this type of behavior. In fact, our son is known to be social, friendly, affectionate, & loving. My husband & I have come to the conclusion is that this teacher does not know how to deal with children my son's age & so he's acting out because of his experience. Teachers, especially elementary school teachers, should not be allowed to teach if they are not patient & who don't know how to effectively communicate with children. Their principal also was not very helpful or understanding
—Submitted by a parent

aronld is a best and only best school i know in torrance.teachers are nice and funny also serious about work. my son has ms hitt and she is the best!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is going on his third year at Arnold and I have no major complaints. He struggled a bit in the first grade and his teacher was very helpful in helping me help him focus and to grasp the concepts of the cirriculum. They do offer a few after school activities--my son is a regular at the drawing classes they hold throughout the school year. I do wish, however, that they offered some type of music class for the younger grades, where they can have the experience of musical instruments. The PTA is great--they are always thinking outside of the box when it comes to school activities and fundraisers. I am very proud to say that my son attends Arnold Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family's experience with Arnold has been disappointing. The administration and staff model intolerance and unacceptance, with few exceptions. The departure of Principal Goolesbey coincided with the departure of professionalism, principles and began our family's search for an adequate learning environment.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 4 kids attending Arnold Elementary and I couldn't be happier. The teachers are well qualified and they care a lot about the students and the school. I, along with many other parents, help out in the classrooms and I am always amazed at how many different subjects are taught throughout the day yet how thorough each subject is taught. My kids have always liked their teachers and usually are very happy to go to school. They have quite a bit of games and equipment to play during recess and their school lunches are pretty enticing for kids because they are pretty tasty but also for parents because they do their best to be healthy. Last year there was an optional excersise program a couple of times a week during lunch recess which I hope to see again this year.
—Submitted by a parent

Both my boys attend Arnold. We have always been pleased with the teachers and the principal. Both of them are challenged academically and are very happy there. My only complaint would be with parent involvement. Very few parents volunteer for PTA. The same few parents do ALL the work. Many parents expect the world but don't do anything to help in the classes or at the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son goes to Arnold & I have nothing but great things to say about the principal Mrs. Tasker and the staff. The principal is very caring, always available, and completely professional. The teachers are fantastic, a dedicated team, who work extra hours to further student education.
—Submitted by a parent

I think the teachers/staff of Arnold Elementary School are exceptional and many teachers devote time after hours for extra programs, like GATE, the Fun Run and talent show.
—Submitted by a parent

My experience with this school was great until grade 3. My child felt unjustified many times by his teacher or teacher aide. I feel that his needs were not being met so he got bored easily. He is not a visual or auditory learner so my child was easily bored and not learning to full capacity. Almost all of my childs teachers did not care to think outside the box and realize (which is a no brainer) that not all kids learn the same way. The sooner this issue is addressed and dealt with the better off the students will be. the goal should be for all kids to have the most positive academic expereince possible. I will keep my fingers crossed for a change to benefit the children that are kinesthetic learners...:-)
—Submitted by a parent

Both my sons studied in arnold elementary for a very short period of 2 months. my elder one in 4th grade and the younger one in his Kindergarten. my experience with this school was amazing. My kindergarten son, who used to dislike his previous schools, liked this school very much. thanx to Mrs Luttrull who took real interest in grooming my child and making him fit to go to his first grade. My 4 th grader son also enjoyed his school and his teacher's guidance. Both did great.....thanx to the principal and the teachers
—Submitted by Uma BM, a parent

My daughter is currently in first grade at Arnold. I really like the school a lot. Her first grade teacher is very involved with all the kids and whenever I pick her up she has a nice story to tell me about my daughter. They do a lot of extracurricular activites, field trips, art class, computer, etc. A lot of parent involvement as well. My daughter came from a private montessori school and I was worried that public school wouldn't challenge her but the homework that is assigned along with the extra homework keeps her on her toes. I love the school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school was a disappointment despite the well-regarded reputation of the school district. I felt during all but one of my child's six years there that the teachers had fairly rigid teaching methods and did not try to adapt them to the different ways in which students learned best. I know several other parents besides myself that found it necessary to obtain private tutoring for our children for them to be successful. Surprisingly my child has been much more successful and had more empathetic teachers in middle school than in elementary, which is the opposite of what I had been led to expect. Since the time my child was at this school, there have been changes among the staff so things may be different now.
—Submitted by a parent

From our recent experience, arnold elementary is clearly not a school where the children come first. A first grade teacher was observed by my husband and myself, while volunteering in the class, to be working on personal projects. When we approached the teacher with this and other mounting concerns, there was no accountability, lack of maturity and professionalism. Parents have asked their children why they don't ask for help in the classroom. Their responses have been that they are 'scared to ask'', 'she will get mad', or 'we're not allowed to ask for help'. The result after speaking with the principle, as the teacher has gone into hiding and none of the parents can seem to get ahold of her, is that i need to stop talking with other parents in the class about these shared concerns because 'I have a reputation to uphold at this school'. Overrated torrance education.
—Submitted by a parent

Everything was great when I was at Arnold. I had great teachers, I had a great play ground, and most of all I felt safe there. I gave almost everything a four, because it was almost perfect there (There is always room for improvement though)! The only thing that was not too good was there safety and discipline, because if you did get in trouble all they would do is have you sit at a desk for 15 minutes and then let you go, to me that is not what I consider discipline, but all in all the school was great!
—Submitted by a former student

The communication between teaches and parents are weak. I suggest the teacher of each room should give his/her email to the parents of all sctudents at least. So we can easily to know kids' performance.