Chamberlin Elementary School

With recent events that have impacted the State of Louisiana and public schools, Chamberlin has managed to survive and strive for excellence. The new principal has high expectations for the students, teachers, and parents. As a result, those expectations have translated into high quality instruction and performance. Programs that were in place prior to the storms have continued with additional students but without interruption to the curriculum. The continued emphasis on reading and discipline has created an atmosphere where students are ready to learn and demonstrate what they know. Teachers have continued to work to meet the needs of every student while creating high-quality lessons that interest students and engage them in learning. The school has been beautified by teachers, students, and parent volunteers with a garden and plantings around the school to make it a more pleasant place to come and learn every day.
--Submitted by a teacher

I have a child in the 1st grade at Chamberlin Elementary and his teacher is Mrs Messer. She is a PHENOMENAL teacher. My son has really learned a lot in her class, his reading has improved 150%. She makes learning fun, yet sticks to her guns when it comes to discipline. I have friends that have kids in the other two 1st grade class's and they are VERY happy with them as well. I have heard some negativity about the principle but have not had any problems with her. I hope that Mrs Messer sticks around for a long time because EXCELLENT teachers like her are very hard to find. I wish my first grade teacher was as good as these 3 when I was in school.
--Submitted by a parent

I have grave concerns about the future of Chamberlin. I am concerned with discipline measures and I am concerned with the parental involvement that is almost nonexistant. The school has been a vital part of our community and has met the educational needs of so many children. But I am seeing a decline in many areas of need at Chamberlin. The students are becoming more and more unruly and undisciplined. The teachers that are on staff are some of the very best and I am afraid that they will start looking elsewhere unless the parents and the faculty start working together to bring about the academic success of each child in the school. This is not a one person job... it requires everyone's involvement.
--Submitted by a parent

Under new leadership this school has declined in many ways over the past 3 years. Test grades have dropped, students are being taken out and being put in private schools, and parent involvement is minimal. I am greatly concerned about the education my child is getting. Too much emphasis is being put on the schools report card and issues that involve funding instead of the quality of education and making learning fun. I am very disappointed in the WBRP school board for appointing to this position someone who lacks the experience or knowledge needed. It would seem to make better sense to take someone from the ranks of vice principal than to take someone who has never served as principal, vice principal or a classroom instructor. The emphasis needs to be put back on the students, parents and teachers in order for Chamberlin to get back to where it was.
--Submitted by a parent