Everglades K-8 Center

kindergarten is being given an excessive amount of homework daily. It should only take an average of 30 minutes a day of mostly independent work. They are also receiving test on spelling words every week adding to this excess of work. By testing the spelling words in kindergarten the school is going against all mandated learning guides for the Miami-Dade county public school. I ve had various meetings with the school s faculty and all they can say is having the spelling as well as the length of homework is an administrative decision. I have met the principal various times as well. Anytime I bring up the subject, she assures me that "what she says goes, and that she will not be changing anything." Our children deserve leadership that will follow rules,listen to concerns and not overwork them just to further their own careers. Parents should not have to call the district to remind them how to do their job correctly.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the teacher of that program and would like to clarify a few things. At the orientation meeting, it was explained in detail what the teachers would be looking for, appropriate language skills, social skills, adaptation skills, and behaviors. We wish we could welcome all 53 applicants to the program but unfortunately we can only accept 8 as role models. Parents are always welcome inside my classroom, but not during the instructional day. I can discuss any concerns before or after school hours. Most of the children that interviewed came in, participated, and enjoyed themselves. That is my goal. I want to make this a wonderful experience for the child so we can see his/her full potential and we want the child excited with the prospect of being in the class. If a child is acting in a way that may be harmful to him/herself or others, cannot adapt within a reasonable time, or seems miserable, I will most definitely contact the parent to pick up the child. I do not want to cause emotional stress to any child . My classroom is warm and inviting place where children find the love of learning.
—Submitted by a teacher

The school is very clean everything looks very organized which does explain the school's good ratings. I took my son for an evaluation there. One thing that I did not like very much is the fact that the teachers do not let you go inside the class so you can know what type of environment your child will be in. Their policy is that children must get accustomed to going inside the class alone. I respected that ok. After I left my son at that school I headed back to work. Five minutes when I was getting back to work I get a phone call from the teacher to pick up my son now. I said "Wow I'm already heading to work". She very coldy said "You have to pick up your son now he hit the teacher". I agree my son's behavior was inappropriate. So I get there to pick up my son and I apologized to the teacher. She just looked at me and very coldy said "Ok thank you". I give this school a low rating for first not allowing me to go into the class and check out the environment and two for not giving me any suggestions as to my child's behavior. He has done other evaluations at other schools and behaved really good so it makes me wonder.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school my kids have been here four years now but This school has really changed a lot since the new principal,she never goes out of her office and a lot of parents have never met her,there's no security kids are running wild ,no supervision and one coach can't handle 500 kids .I think we need to come together to have a better foundation ,and more structured school setting for a better and safe education.
—Submitted by a parent

i am an involved parent who has a sixth grader at Everglades K-8 Center. He has attended the school since second grade. I work with the PTSA, teachers and administration. Currently there are many activities for students to participate in. The music program is outstanding as is the art program. The academic program is first class and my child loves going to school. If I have a question or concern, the principal will always find time to talk to me. I am vvery happy with the school and the education my child is receiving.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attend this school and I have been very happy with the quality of the school and the teachers (particularly Mr. Guadano). While parental involvement is substantial, many of the teachers are wonderful and dedicated and go above and beyond to help their students. I am particularly thrilled with the tremendous cultural and ethnic diversity of the school. My children truly have the opportunity to mix with and learn from children of all nationalities, colors, religions, and cultures.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been in this school for 8 years and all i have to say is that everglades has seen better days. After the new principal the school started to degrade in almost all aspects. The math department at everglades is mediocre and many students now are in high school and barely understand half of what the teachers are teaching due to a lack of a strong math foundation. There are barely any after school activities and much of them are not worth it since they are charging you triple of what you would expect to pay at a league . Parent involvement is almost non existent and the ptsa is a joke. Back in the glory days of everglades their were so many different clubs and sports, but now every sport is a joke and ALL of the ptsa's money goes to the cheerleading program and i dont understand how that benifts the our students education. If i was a parent i would NOT let my child attend everglades due to the poor education standards. I am ashamed of saying that i am an alumni of everglades k-8 center.

I've only been here for a couple of months, but It's so boring here. there are like no events, the yearbook entertaining, and overall this isn't a very fun school. plus when i walk to school the crossing guard is doing her job, but the security is usually gossiping with another parent. i think we should have field-trips, talent shows, and afterschool sporting events. if money is an issue then they should ask the parents who wants to be a volunteer coach, and they could always charge a dollar admission for talent shows. and they should really give more details about their rare events. they say they are going to do something, and i'm always asking, when and where. this school needs a lot of improvement.

this school deserves an a+ its the most incresible school ive ever been too i was in it for a year an some months unfortuenatly for me i had to trnafor because of where i lived but i made the most amazing and awsome friends there i miss them so much and i hope i could see them again especially the teachers are amzazing in this school i highly recommend it to any child they will have the best time of there life in this school i love the p.e teaches themusic teacher im not too fond about but not all schools are perfect i loved this school and i hope my kids can gp to this school when they are old enough because i want them to enjoy this school like how i did

My daughter has been going to this school since kindergarten & is now in 2nd grade.she is in the gifted program since first grade. Being my first child I was eager to enjoy every moment I could with her. This school is nothing I ever wanted for my child. This school lacks activities for holiday's as well as parent evolvement opportunities. My daughter's teacher for gifted is the only thing I can say is an A+ about this school. The security conducting traffic morning and after school does a horrible job!!!! She is too busy finding gossip in the neighborhood! It will break my heart to take my daughter out of this school because she is close to her friends, but I believe charter school is going to be our best option.
—Submitted by a parent

Everglades is an A rated school and the teachers care about their students.
—Submitted by a parent

im an 8th grader in this school im so sad ths year im leaving. ive been i9n band and have had alot of fun in p.e. this good and to me the best teacher there i mrs.churcill although i dont have her i make the time in a day to see her she rocks, ive never met a teacher like her.
—Submitted by a student

Everglades K-8 Center under the leadership of Dr. Doylene Tarver has been rewarding for all students, faculty and the Weschester community. She is truly the principal who really cares if the children suceed.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student at Everglades, I must say that this school has its good and its bad. It is a small school, meaning that there are more chances that a student gets individual attention from parents and counselors. The teachers are very prepared and knowledgeable. They actually know what they are talking about. The counselors actually try to create your schedule and accommodate everyone. The counselors are always available to speak to, and they will listen. They put together great activities like book fairs, pep rallies, and motivate the students to excel. However, the school is a very controlled environment. I think in my 5 years there I only saw 3 fights, and they were taken care of extremely quickly. Yet, if a student continues with the feeder pattern into Miami Coral Park Senior High School, they enter a larger school with less of a controlled environment. Also, there less opportunities to compete in athletic events unless thestudent is enrolled in a PE class
—Submitted by a student

i am a student at Everglades k-8 Center (i am in middle school) i have to say that we have the best teachers at our school and i learn alot P.E has to be taken in both 6th and 7th grade. i actually enjoy going to school since the taechers make it fun to learn they just dont throw you everything at once they explain it untill you understand it. the teachers here make learning fun and not boring. my favorite teacher at this school is Ms.Chuchill, my langusge arts teacher she is the best and the nicest teacher i have ever had. my other teachers are good too like ms.collier, mrs.pedraja, mr.guadano atc
—Submitted by a student

All I can say, we had our first year of chess. Im very happy with the support we got from everyone. I thank our state governer,for giving our kids programs to grow. You the parents make the different
—Submitted by EVELYN MECIAS, a parent

The school during the year 2005-2006 has improved somewhat. I still feel that parent participation is not encouraged. The principal talks the talk but not the walk. Dr Traver also says her door is always open but not her ears. Children in kindergarten and first grade do not have physical education because 'it is not important', yet the U.S.A has a large increasing amount of children that will be overweight. Too much is placed on tests and children are not really learning to read and write. In younger children too many subjects and not enough comprehension. The results of this failure will soon be seen.
—Submitted by a parent

Academics are strong, but falls short on creativity. No sports except through paid after-care program. Band program is small. Parent involvment is good.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is excellent, the administration does a very good job of challenging the students and the teachers are always willing to talk to parents. The school in itself has a very home like feel since most students have been there since kindergarden. Music and Art are taught at Everglades and PE is required up to Middle School where it becomes an elective. The staff is corteous and treats the students fairly. Overall an excellent school.
—Submitted by A Sanchez, a former student

The administration does a great job at challanging our kids and leaving no child behind. The principal is very energetic and is visible all the time. The teachers reflect the energy and are very enthusiastic about teaching.. (Happy teachers + Happy students= success).. Great learning environment. We are definetly happy to be at Everglades K-8.
—Submitted by a parent