Morikami Park Elementary School

Everyone in entitled to their own opinion. There is a lot that is not up to par at Morikami Park. Starting with the 150 minutes per month of PE, which is not happening. Administrators and teachers were told to count walking to the cafeteria as part of the PE programs minutes. The "coach" who teaches PE is also not up to par. He shouldn't be wearing an athletic team hat or a St Andrews logo shirt to Morikami. He should be in a regulation Morikami logo polo shirt and no hat. The kids can't wear a hat for PE. He doesn't really need a hat as he teaches 4 square in the class room.

My daughter is just completing Kindergarten. We have been very happy with her teacher and the academics of this school. Even though we had the choice of sending her to a gifted program, we chose Morikami and could not have made a better decision. Her teacher gives her extra projects and work to help keep her interest and help her grow at her own pace. I think parents need to be reminded that school is only part of the learning process for our children. Many parents do not spend quality time helping teach their children and rely only on their teachers...shame on them! Then they blame the schools and teachers for their children falling behind or not learning enough....education is also part of their responsibility as a parent . RESPONSIBILITY is a term that is losing its signifigance in our society. It seems that it always is someone else's fault. Perhaps some people should look in the mirror. This website is for expressive opinions both negative and positive.....the reposnse that that someone made to "keep your opinions to yourself" is ridiculous as that is exactly what this forum is for.
--Submitted by a parent

Does anyone know if 100% of in-boundary (Clint Moore to Linton, Military to Turnpike) applicants are accepted at Morikami Park?
--Submitted by a parent

To the parent who posted on 2/21/12. In the future, please keep your suggestions to yourself. They are not wanted.
--Submitted by a parent

As a 3rd grade parent that is fortunate enough to be able to volunteer, I can without a doubt say that the IB curriculum is being taught continuously and is discussed even when doing unrelated things like fractions. The IB money was crucial in getting technology into the third grade classrooms as well, as well as other projects/items that you did not bother listing or do not know about. As far as the cyber bullying, parents need to be responsible as well. Why a 3rd grader would have access to social networking is beyond me, but if you chose to allow it, you can do more to protect your child from it than the school. It seems as though there is one bitter parent that is hellbent and angry at the school. My suggestion - it's a choice, so choose your home school instead.
--Submitted by a parent

Morikami is a choice school to a certain percentage of the families there. There are several neighborhoods that are zoned for MPES so that would proably be the reason the parents are clicky.....THEY ARE ALL NEIGHBORS! And unfortunatly not everyone can volunteer due to having jobs/careers/school or being single parents. Not everyone has the luxery of dropping their kids off at school then hitting Starbucks and the gym. IN THE REAL WORLD PEOPLE WORK! I agree that there should be a school zone. The way the parents fly in and out of the parking lot should not be tolerated with children around. It seems the childrens saftey is not a priority. Also, the physical education program (or lack there of) at MPES is a disgrace and a joke and talking to other parents I am not the only one who thinks so.
--Submitted by a parent

I believe the disgruntle grandparent at the prior post, is in the wrong avenue posting his unhappiness. This has not reflection on the education provided by Morikami Park Elementary School. My daughter had an amazing career there all A student, the on to BAK gifted and next year Suncoast. Thanks to the education she was given at Morikami she is a Straight A student, successful, happy,empathetic, aware of the world around you and the school is a five star school all the way. Unfortunately Mr Livingston had a awfull incident, but this is a decision made probably by the school system, not the school itself,embarrassing that it happened, but Ryan is getting a private school education with the taxpayers money, and this incident may teach the class another lesson in how bureaucracy is wrong at times.
--Submitted by a parent

My grandson Ryan Livingston was denied the catered lunch brought into his christmas party yesterday, because he is on free lunch program, therefore his lunch was brought in by the cafeteria. He was the only one in his class denied the chicken. His father was there playing santa as he has done for the past several years. This is just beyond my comprehension.IT IS BEYOND WRONG. SHAME ON YOU!!!!

I strongly disagree with the prior posting from a dsigruntled parent. Remember Morikami is a choice school and if a parent/family are unhappy they can either request an appointment with administration to resolve issues, or go back to their home school. Since our country's eductaional system is operating with extreme reduced budgets, Morikami is fortunate to have caring parents, a foundation and community who can step up to the plate and at least patially fill in the gaps due to the state of the economy. This parent may not realize that without these generous donations, the school would not have a math/science lab, new technology equipment, new outdoor play equipment, and new sound stage to encourage the performing arts, new educational materials, etc. If this parent is not getting the attention or being "recognized" why not try coming into school and volunteering so the staff can get to know her/him? Diversity does exist and is embraced at Morikami and all students are afforded the same educational opportunities. No child is left behind at Morikami, and all parents are welcomed at Morikami.
--Submitted by a parent

School and academic wise this school is great. The school vibe is extremly snobby, most parents are very clicky and stuck up. The school administration and staff seem to treat the parents who donate hundreds and thousands of dollars to the school more superior then the parents who can not afford to do so. Parents who donate money pay for parking spacing in front of the school with their names so they do not have to walk as far to drop or pick their child up. I think everyone should be treated equally and they are not. Another thing is there is no school zone and parents speed in and out of the school with no regard for the walking children and parents. The new principle is horrible. She is not friendly and cares more about directing parking lot traffic then greating the children and parents in the morning (like the old principle Mrs.Elfe did), Honestly I do not even think I have seen the assistant principle. Last year Mrs Elfe and Mrs Schriber were friendly and seemed to put the parents and childrens needs first. There is not a lot of ethnic diversity either.
--Submitted by a parent