Harris Elementary School

)ur 1st year at Harris & last. I had 1 in 5th and 1 in K. I enjoyed all of my teachers. My 5th had a successful year learning & pasting all subjects, due to Mrs.McCraw. She went beyond the call of duty to educate him by staying late to tutor, sending home extra study books. My K had 2 caring teachers although her class environment was not structured (I am an educated Prek teacher and my class had more self control). She and I enjoyed both Ms O and Ms Knox. The Principal, Dr. Burton, was absolutely degrading and condescending. I went to visit my children & was told I could not because I did not schedule an appointment and it would be disruptive to their educational process. I did LOUDLY complain. Dr. Burton became upset and asked me if I wanted to sign my children out. I responded this would disrupt their learning process! She called the resource officer, Gwinnet s finest, to explain their policy. After meeting with her, the officer & 1 of the 3 assistant principals, I complained to the Board. We met again with the Board & she learned that she was not able to neither intimidate me nor keep me away from my children. Harris left me with the impression of the 1960 s era.
--Submitted by a parent

I can see little changes being made each week at BB Harris and I like what I see. Teachers and Staff are Amazing and deeply care about the children. More and more parents are being coming involved and the kids love to see there parents involved. We have a wonderful PTA and fantastic parents. This is going to be an Incredible year of growth for the children and school. Just for the record my kids LOVE the principal Dr. Burton. If you've had a bad experience in the past I suggest you give it another shot with an open heart remember no one is perfect and not every day is perfect.
--Submitted by a parent

I find that for one, the playground has hardly anything on it, but more importantly, the Mrs. Burton, the principal, is very confrontational and rude. She lacks respect for the parents, as well as the children, and is very militant, which in my opinion is ridiculous for an elementary school. The children are expected to behave at a maturity level that is above normal for their age, and the environment in this school is negative and unstimulating. I am willing to take a guess that Mrs. Burton has no children of her own, and therefor really has no true experience in raising them. You can pay for any college education in the world, but you still don't know 1/2 of what a good parent knows about kids! I suggest a new Principal for this school, and it could easily be turned around.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started her first day here today. She came from a school that was redistricted this year. I was a little upset that she had to move after seeing the bad reviews. I know it is only day one but I meet the principal in the hall today waiting on my daughter for lunch. I didn't see any of these bad things people have said. She seemed very nice even invited me into her office to share some photos. She talked very highly of the school and her staff. She was very friendly and even came over to my daughter at lunch and introduced herself. My daughter came home today happy with the school,teachers and principal.
--Submitted by a parent

Pre-principal Dr. Lauri Burton I would rate the school a 5 and if I were to base the review on her alone, I would rate the school as a 1. Dr. Burton comes off as very unfriendly and insincere- only going through the motions without any passion for her position as school leader. Any time that I've personally voiced a concern involving the school or my children, I feel that she gave me "the brush off". I don't feel that she even contemplated or validated the issues. Overall, she is closed to all opinions, ideas, or thoughts other than her own. Under the leadership of Nancy Hammond, I felt the school had a much more welcoming air. She always had a sincere smile and hello for students and parents. It was obvious that she was well respected by everyone that come into contact with her. The children, parents, and staff looked up to Nancy Hammond as a leader. They appreciated everything she did, going above and beyond expectations. The children FEAR Dr. Burton and she leads not with an open heart and mind, but an iron fist.
--Submitted by a parent

Having had five children walk the halls of BBHarris both when Nancy Harris was principal and now with Laura Burton at the helm, I am uniquely qualified to speak to the care, consideration and leadership of both principals. We miss Ms. Harris and fondly remember her. However Dr. Burton has filled her shoes with amicability and concern for the children of BBHarris. She and her staff strive to and bring out the best in each. My family has had a great experience at BBHarris.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. My son is a special ed student and he has had great teachers and therapists. The staff really cares about the children. Yes, Dr. Burton can be a little weird but she can also be very nice. What principal is perfect? There are others like her in GCPS. I think everyone has gotten used to her and just ignores her when she takes a bullying tone or treats the adults like children.
--Submitted by a parent

BB Harris is still a great school IN SPITE of Dr. Burton, a principle with power issues. Apparently, enough of the good teachers and staff have tolerated Dr. Burton's autocratic, Napolean issues, and the school remains a good learning experience. After she tried to bully me for asking questions about my child, she has since been nicknamed, "The Dominatrix" my my spouse and I. We will leave our child there, as long as we have no interaction with this sad woman with a character disorder. But the school board has no excuse to allow her to destroy the spirits of dedicated teachers and children.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is HORRIBLE!!!! "Dr" Burton, the principal is RUDE RUDE RUDE. She is closed minded, she talks to parents as if they were students, and she is a BULLY. She takes up for her staff with NO REGARD for the parents say so. She a GOD complex, and she is a bully to the children. The classes in this school are WAY TOO FULL! I am looking into homeschooling my child until next year because he is bullied so badly by the staff. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE! Understaffed, Overpopulated, and the parent has ZERO say so in their own child's education!
--Submitted by a parent

I met the principal.That's really all there is to say.I found her to be a mean spirited person and left the school in tears.I hope that my child never comes into contact with her.
--Submitted by a parent