Thurgood Marshall Elementary School

The teachers in this school haven t been communicating, informing or honest with the parents how students are being taught in their child's classroom with the new Common Core Curriculum. It's not until we advocate for our child's progress that we receive a response and they evade the Common Core Curriculum. Are the Thurgodd Marshall Elementary teachers conducting their own independent Common Core Curriculum in their classroom? What evidence do we have that they are teaching is state standards in our child's classroom? We have been requesting communication either through e-mails, parent teacher conferences either through the principal and teacher and all we receive is pass the buck from principal to teacher. We are working parents and we don t have the opportunity to observe our teachers in the classrooms. The perception is either the student either gets it or they don't with the new curriculum in this school. If the student doesn't grasp the concept of the RIGOR curriculum the student will be impacted once again at the end of the year assessment test!

It is the worst school.The teachers don't know how to teach common core and then expect the kids to know it.The new princepal is ok but the way she wants dissmal done doesn't work for this school.The secretary is not nice she is rude to the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Teaching is great ! The school itself is so unorganized and does not like to give parents notice of special events (Example: Children's award ceremonies, Programs your children are suppose to be a part of. They earn awards but for some reason they are out of them when it is time for the children to receive them so they don't get awards certificates.) When picking up car riders it's the worst I've ever seen at any school 75% of the time they leave it up to one person to make sure it goes smoothly parents are coming in through the exit lanes and always getting out of the cars to pick up their children and block up the doors to me it is a hazard. You shouldn't have to wait in a line for 30 mins or longer just to get your child when you are close to the front of the line! The dismissal is so very unorganized and hopefully soon they will fix that problem! Parent involvement would probably be more if they were giving enough notice of events occurring at the school!
—Submitted by a parent

The head principle at this school needs to be retrained on communication skills. My kids have been at this school for 4yrs and out of those 4 years when walking the hallways with my child she has never opened her mouth to even speak one time. I went to see her one day and had to write my reason on paper for the visit, so they could submit it to her.Until this day she never contacted me about my child. If I could sell my house tomorow just to get my kids out of this millitary school I would it is not proffessional at all.Some of the teachers are focused more on discipline rather teaching. They talk to the kids any type of way until a parent walks up on them. My children used to be excited about going to school but have changed drastically as if they are no longer intrested. It's as if some of the teachers have taken on the attitude of their leader.The good teachers have all run away. This schools needs a new leader is more about the children rather than someone who is more concenred with themselves.
—Submitted by a parent

Ms. Brown is a seasoned (in knowledge) teacher who loves the arts and makes sure your child learn. She's firm, but fair. Ms Brown is a sweet heart. Her assistant Mrs. Huff is good, but a lot times I felt her stress made her frown ALOT. I pray for the teachers b/c they endure not only our children but parents and administrative staff. Ms. Brown is very knowledgeable and I appreciate her nuturing spirit and my child has truly developed K' skills and more. Ms. Brown is a cool teacher to have.... Thank u Ms. Brown!
—Submitted by a parent

Parents raised concerns with the respect of wanting absolute truth. Instead we were treated like mushrooms left in the dark and fed manueaur. The Parent Teacher Organization lacks leadership and communication. The parents do not have a voice. The principal has made all decisions how funds are allocated and spent. I say rename the organization to the Principal Teacher Organization. At the first and last P.T.O meeting there was a discussion about a playground at the tune of $60,000. Why not invest the money back into our teachers and students. Parents questioned the student school supply list. The BOE kindergarten curriculum states all materials and supplies are provided. Marshall parents were given a list. The principal stated the supply list at Wal-Mart is just for reference. She had no idea teachers where also passing out a list. Parents don t need a reference as to keep tissue paper, copy paper, Lysol and hand-sanitizer in the home. So arrogantly she stated that there s over $119,000 in her Title IV account she didn t need parents to purchase school supplies. Obviously funds were not available prior to the beginning of the school year. That s usury.
—Submitted by a parent

I visited Thurgood Marshall Elem. this week and was shocked that instead of the first week of school being a positive experience that teachers had already resorted to using humiliation, demeaning language, and ridicule toward students. It is just awful to see that some of the teachers are down right insensitive and should work as prison guards instead of molding the minds and futures of our precious commodities: children. I suggest that the principal hold workshops on professionalism, proper teacher-student communication as a strategy to address these inappropriate behaviors that can be damaging to our children. In fact, the principal needs to model acceptable behaviors so these educated state employees can imitate. When in doubt, ask yourself these questions: "Was my comment necessary?" "Was it professional?"
—Submitted by a parent

Good staff, nice environment, due care of students, etc makes us feel safe about our students and their skills to get promoted in proper way.
—Submitted by a parent

This was my child first year there. I was very expressed with Ms. Odom ( a new kindergarten teacher). For this to be Ms. Odom first year, I think that she did an excellent job with my child. She was very informative and organized. Let me not forget to give her Assistant Ms. Favors her props too. Wonderful Job! The overall school did a wonderful job with recognizing their students for their acccomplishments.
—Submitted by a parent

I thought when I enrolled my child at Marshall Elementary that it was an excellent school. I spoke to several parents and they had nothing but good things to say about Marshall. I hate to think what schools they were using in comparison! A many Marshall faculty members yell at the kids in class, in the cafeteria and hallways, and they don't seem to really like children at all. A teacher with a nasty attitude attempted to speak tersely as she approached me from behind and quickly apologized because she thought I was one of the students! Also, I believe that good teachers should do all they can to enrich young students' lives, not just throw homework/classwork at them and say, 'good luck figuring it out.' There are decent teachers there but they need to create a mentoring program for new instructors and hold these professionals accountable for underperformance of bright students.
—Submitted by a parent

Marshall has the ability to be a great school but lacks leadership that involves teacher support program that welcomes their expertise. Very closed minded thinking and micro-management has caused school to lose its best teachers. While they offer great extracurricular activites, this means nothing if academics are not tight. Gifted program needs more expansion. Six hours of advanced class a week for child isn't enough. There is very little parent involvement unless free food is offered or a talent show. I have talked to excellent staff members that voiced their issues and I saw they were never addressed by principal. Parents volunteers are almost not there.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a Marshall parent for the past two years.My kids have excelled as the development of the whole child is targeted at Marshall.The teachers at Marshall go the extra mile for each student. Success and discipline are high priorities for the staff of Marshall Elementary.The principal and administrators are very supportive of the parents and students.Parental support and involvement are encouraged and I have seen many parents step up to the plate.The school has a balanced specials program which involves PE, Art, music, computers and other extracurricular activities like basketball and cheerleading.The use of technology is integrated at the school with the use of laptops and smartboards.The power and value of education is continuously advocated to the students and their parents and most students/parents have accepted their responsibility as being part of the Marshall family.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of the academic program is average. I believe it should be a little more rigorous to hold the students attention and continue to challenge them. (my opinion only) A lot of children enter school with a lot of knowledge and that knowledge is not challenged enough in the 1st and 2nd grades. As a result children loose interest and grades begin to fall. This school needs to add band atleast by the 4th grade. PE should be everyday and not just 2 or 3 days a week. I think that the parental involvement is up to par. Most functions are packed. Overall the staff is very professional,friendly, and knowledgeable. I have had a pleasant experience thus far.
—Submitted by kimberly, a parent