Pelham Elementary School

I am a parent of a child that attends PES. I have had constant troubles with teachers telling the children to shut up. I've had problems getting the Principal to talk to me , I had to go to the board of education twice the head man at the board of education had to call the principal and make him call me. Im currently dealing with the fact that my child has been out sick with excuses and papers under a doctors care and now have to go to a MAST metting at the Grand Jury Court Feb. 23 2012. On top of that they have released my childs information to people not authorized with is a violation to our privacy rights. They have also let some one pick my child up that had no authorization to do so. I went to get her from school she wasn't there they didn't know the man that picked her up they said she said it was her grandpa after and hour and a half I found my child with a relative after franticially searching the scholl for her. I do not what so ever reccomend this school. Theres to much sickness there to begin with and teachers that shoulnd't be teaching and pricipal that doesn't care to hear what the parents have to say..this is this worest school I have seen .
--Submitted by a parent

For the school year of 2009-2010 PES now has a uniform policy for the children that attend the school. Unfortunately there are many of us that can not afford to buy these clothing when the children already have nice and appropriate clothing to wear to school. I myself am a single mother who struggles from day to day. I know there are many familys that are having a hard time with the way the ecconomy is currently. I feel as though they picked an inappropriate time to do so with uniforms. On top of the uniform ordeal, school colors with khakis shirts etc.. but yet there is no particular color with the shoes. They say this will make the school better but in a sense it kind of makes it worse. As a parent I completely kick against this. I feel as if it is unnecessary.
--Submitted by a parent

After-school programs should be available to any student that is in need. That's what a public school is about, isnt' it? The before/after-school program is a self-supporting program, any child who needs it should have access. A two year waiting list and very few respectful, safe options in town is not acceptable. This school/town needs to do something about the before/after-school care issue.

As a parent and a teacher at PES, I see both sides of the coin. PES is a great school in my opinion. The teachers are there because we care about children. Yeah, we have our bad days and we make mistakes. I have been guiltyof responding inappropriately to a student. As a parent I am guilty of this as well.When this happens at school or home I apologize, but I also teach my children to do this as well. Many of the students at PES have not been taught how to deal with conflict. Education does not just happen in the classroom -it begins and ends at home. PES is not perfect but it can be made better if we all work together. You want more extracurricular activites for your child? Try offering your services.
--Submitted by a parent

The one thing I don't appreciate about this school is the disrespectful tone used by teachers with students. You can have structure, authority and repsect shown with out this type of poor communication. Disrespect breads disprespect. Maybe a parenting class would help. My child has had two very wonderful teachers and no bad experiences. We have been very happy with his accademic levels. The down side with be absolutely no extraciricular activites are provided, definately room for improvement. They try to get parents involved, but a lot of parents do nor participate. I appreciate the Pricipals and teachers responding cheerfully when talking with them and stopping by. To comment about the following posts my child has never been bullied and I agree with march 27 comments.
--Submitted by a parent

The school needs to be consistant with the way the teachers are. Some teachers tell the students to shut-up and I feel that is putting children down.
--Submitted by a parent

The academic programs are good... if you want to put up with all the bad teachers. There really are no extracurriculars. And if you, as a parent, try to get involved with your student's school life, the principals absolutely do not care to hear what you have to say. The bullies are unbearable... Not only do the bullies consist of students, it also consist of the teachers. They intimidate your child so bad. This is a bad school.
--Submitted by Virginia Hatcher, a parent