Tom Hawkins Elementary School

I have to say, I LOVE THIS SCHOOL!!! I grew up here in Tracy and moved away for many years. When I was moving back everyone kept telling me to go to Jefferson School District! (which surprised me considering when I lived here Jefferson School District consisted of....Jefferson!) So when we starting house hunting I would only look in Jefferson. I am so thankful that we moved to the Hawkins district. All of the teachers have been amazing! My only complaint is that Kindergarten in part day. While living overseas my daughter attended a full day kindergarten program and I feel she was much more prepared for 1st grade then my current kindergartener. This has nothing to do with the teachers. I have personally worked with all 4 kindergarted teachers and they are all amazing! But you can only do so much when you have half a day. I am happy that they did decide to extend the kindergarten day for the 2011/2012 school year. I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about this school! I don't ever want to leave! :)
--Submitted by a parent

My son will be new at this school for the 2012-13 year. Is the principal as bad as I hear or is it just growing pains adjusting to a new style of leadership? Any feedback appreciated!
--Submitted by a parent

I am starting to see a pattern....the new principal is terrible. Luckily, the rest of staff is terrific or I would do everything I could to move my child to Jefferson. The main issue I have with her is she is not organized. She sets dates and times for events and then changes them at the last minute. I guess she thinks the whole world revolves around her and her schedule but as a working parent, it is extremely unsettling, not to mention how it dissapoints the children.
--Submitted by a parent

I strongly agree!!!The new principal is extremely "disrepectful" to staff, students and parents which is ironic considering she promotes the new school rules that state " be respectful, be responsible, and be safe". What a joke. However, the rest of Tom Hawkins staff is awesome!
--Submitted by a parent

Let me make this clear. My children are all principal honor roll students and never get into trouble. So the theory that only students who do not do well or get into trouble all the time must be the students and parents who do not like the new principal, is completely unacurate. There is nothing to like about the new principal. She is disrespectful and power hungry.
--Submitted by a parent

I feel sorry for anyone who feels that our new Principal is not fantastic. She holds staff, students and parents accountable. Some people don't like that can't get away with the BS they have been allowed to get away with for so many years. The only people who could possibly feel threatened by this wonderful new addition are those who kids have been been help accountable for their actions up until now. She is bringing the school back to being run by the people it should be run by, not by the few parents who have held court up until now.

We have two children that attend Tom Hawkins. The first has been at the school for 7 years now and our second, for 5 years. We have always loved our teachers and staff and now we can say the same about our new principal. She is tough, and has many rules, but none of which that can be considered wrong for our kids. Those that think otherwise must have the "blameless" children that are getting into trouble. Follow the rules. Life and your actions do have consequences and she is teaching them that.
--Submitted by Sherri, a parent

I have 2 kids who attended Tom Hawkins this year, and we have been a part of this school for the last 4 years. I've been very happy with the staff up until this year, and I'm very sad to say that we will not be returning next year. This decision was a very hard one to make, but I will not have my children in such a hostile environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Last fall we made a huge move across the country and all of my kids attended Tom Hawkins. I could not have been more pleased with our choice. I was very happy with the teachers, the other kids, and all involved in this school. They made our transition as easy as possible and definitely made us feel welcome.
--Submitted by a parent

I can only say positive things about our experience at Hawkins. I have had kids in every grade and have always been more than satistifed by the education they have received. Worried about the STAR test results? How about volunteering to help in the class? Because of budget cuts, there aren't the teachers aids to work with kids who need one on one help or ESL students. Be a part of the solution!
--Submitted by a parent