Connerton Elementary School

Connerton's Principal is up for termination pending allegations of insubordination, breach of ethics and the board is working to revoke her license. You decipher what you believe to be true about Anna Falcone when you see the articles and the comments that follow in the Tampa Bay Times, St. Pete Times, TampaBayOnline (TBO), the Land O' Lakes Patch, and other various media sources. The things that are stated therein are only the tip of the iceberg. Over 25 teachers of a mere 30, transferred to other schools within the district to get away from such a principal and her underhanded ways of "leading" her employees. Those that stayed, did it for their own children who attend the school, trying not to uproot them midway through their elementary schooling. Now that Mrs. Falcone is gone and can no longer work for the Pasco County School District, Connerton will be 200% better than it ever has for the students, teachers, support staff, community, and the surrounding/supporting stakeholders. Enjoy the new Connerton for what it has the ability to become!!

Connerton is a fabulous school that truly centers around students as it should. This week my kids have been talking about campaign kindness and hoe they will get to make special desserts with guidance and administration. I love the enthusiasm that everyone models for our students. I appreciate everyone at that school for having an impact on my children!
—Submitted by a parent

We have 3 children that go here & we have had a fabulous experience at Connerton. They love their teachers & enjoy school. We appreciate the administration & the way they communicate w/ the parents. Our children love their school!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school consistently exceeds my expectations. We have been a part of COES since it opened and could not be happier with the results. The principal sets a very positive tone overall and that is reflected in the staff. There are many programs in place to encourage students to do their best (Student of the Month, Mathematician of the Month, classroom rewards, dogtags, etc.) and they work. Further, the school is very proactive about developing kids with excellent character and does not tolerate bullying of any kind. They do great anti-drug/anti-bullying campaigns throughout the year and have a solid guidance department. Also, it is the most high-tech school around, on par with a private school: 1:3 ratio of students to iPads in each classroom, every teacher has their own mac laptop, interactive white boards that are beamed onto the walls, plus a real working newsroom for the morning news, an art kiln for pottery making, etc. This school is just amazing, and most parents that I know would agree with that assessment.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to Land O Lakes from Michigan two years ago. I was so worried about whether or not Connerton would be a good school. When we met Mrs. Garcia at the open house my worries quickly disappeared. She was so warm and welcoming that I knew she would take good care of my daughter. My child had an awesome year and Mrs. Garcia was superb! For first grade my daughter had Mrs. Mitchell and she flourished! I have had ample opportunity to volunteer as well. I worked in the library once a week from January to May 2012. During that time I was able to observe most of the teachers and I was impressed. In my opinion the teaching staff of this school is excellent! I did have one awkward interaction with Mrs. Carswell (the now former Asst. Principal). Honestly I was not surprised to hear they transferred her - she was a very tightly wound lady. I did not have any negative experiences with Mrs. Falcone. Overall our experience with Connerton has been awesome! We are proud to be Champions and our family will continue to support this school and the teaching staff. We are looking forward to a new school year with positive change. Go Connerton Champions!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. It is organized, well maintained, very clean. The staff is professional and polite. My daughters teacher Ms. shook was Outstanding! The kids learned so much. I was given a ton of oppurtunity to volunteer, and I was treated with a lot of respect. While i volunteered I was able to observe the teachers, in the Unity Primary Pod. All of them were patient, polite and even against all odds, they always taught at an outstanding level of excellence. The only complaints i have are, the art teacher deserves her own classroom, rolling a cart around is silly, by the time she has got out all the supplies, class was almost over. My other complaint is that the gym teachers are pushing the kids harder then i think they should, its 90 degrees outside, the kids are going to pass out from heat stroke at the pace they set. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Search TBO.com and Land O Lakes Patch for stories about the Principal Anna Falcone and the many problems at Connerton Elementary.

My daughter has gone to Connerton since it opened and pretty much have had issues with all the teachers except for last year. Also when it was Sanders didnt always luck out w/ the teachers there. I'm frustrated with the principal being a bully and running the school anyway she sees fit and is not concerned about the greater good. She puts teachers in and grade she likes and forces them to quit or retire. I'm pulling my daughter out and she will be attending another school. Make your own decision , just trying to help. Many parents feel the same look on TBO.com
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are great but the administration staff are insufficient in running a productive, transparent elementary school. As good as the teachers are, without competent support from administration, this school will remain unsatisfactory at best.
—Submitted by a parent

This is not a new school this is a transfer of Sanders Elementary to a new location. The Principal is so self involved that she cant help the teachers to teach. It is amazing that people think is is not the same day in and day out situations.There are a very few people at this school that really cares about the children and parent involvement and it is not in the Administration because there is no leadership for the parents or the students here at Sanders/Connerton with the Principal..SOOOO SAD
—Submitted by a parent

I was a teacher at this school for 34 years. What a wonderful school to work at! Sanders will be greatly missed when it closes at the end of this year. Thanks to everyone that made my teaching career at this school so enjoyable!
—Submitted by a teacher

I have recieved excellent care for my daughter regarding every issues and concern over the last two years. The staff have taken great care to assist in all problems that have arisen. I am looking forward to the same personal support and care in the following school year.
—Submitted by a parent

Sanders has been through many changes already this school year. The administration and staff have handled them in the most professional way possible. Teachers are most often available within a 24 hr. time frame. The office staff knows the answers to most questions or exactly who to contact to get them. Go Sanders!
—Submitted by a parent

WOW! What a dynamite administration. They care about children first and make every effort to provide their teachers with the resources necessary to teach. The teachers are very caring and with in reason just a phone call away.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a family atmosphere and very caring teachers. The teachers are sincerely concerned about my child's growth and work with me to develop a plan to help my child grow. I love this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Sanders Memorial is one of the worst elementary schools I've ever seen. They appear to lack interest in teaching and are more concerned with punching the clock. They excuse themselves from teaching topics like spelling and cursive writing because 'this is the age of computers'. They dropped support for the AR reading list and testing. Homework in math, science, and English are nonexistent. Their only focus is on FCAT, not education. We tried everything we could to get a transfer to a better school, but were stopped by either the school or district at every turn. It was bad enough we eventually moved to provide our children a better quality education. If you can avoid Sanders you should.
—Submitted by a parent

Since coming to Sanders in January of 2006 we have been very happy. The education my children receive is what I would expect it to Be. My children are happy. The teachers and staff care about them. Campus needs remodeling which I know is forthcoming in the future.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our 4th year here. Many changes have happened, but overall, we are very happy. Our children are doing well and regarding the teachers we have experienced, All have cared deeply for our children. Communication is good and the principal has an open door policy and the assistant principal has been very supportive.
—Submitted by a parent

There is a lot of communication from this school if people choose to listen or read! There are a lot of kids for such a small looking school, however, the class sizes are better than other schools in the area. Administration is willing to listen and help if you go to them.
—Submitted by a parent

School is very overcrowded. No stability or consistency. Three principals in the past three years. Unsettling amount of teacher turnover. Terrible communication between school and home. No sense of community at this school.
—Submitted by a parent