Bear Creek Elementary School

I heard nothing but good things about Bear Creek, so I was excited that my son would be starting kindergarten in the fall. Since this time I am unimpressed. My main problems are: My son is always missing papers. It appears his teacher does not check to make sure students have their homework. I have been told this is his responsibility. He is 5, come on now. Kindergartners are supposed to bring home sight words. Teacher was not giving new sight words even though the baggie was always in his book bag. I had to start making my own for me son. Now its towards the end of the year and the teacher has "concerns" because he doesn't know all the sight words. My son is always coming home with marker on his back. Clothes are expensive. Paperwork that is filled out for field trips are sent in and taken out of my sons book bag, yet two days later we get the paper work asking to be filled out AGAIN. I am just so frustrated with he lack of communication between teacher and parent. Not sure if its the teacher or the way the school is. My son seems to learn better on a one on one basis, but in his classroom, I really believe he is getting lost in the shuffle. :(
—Submitted by a parent

We LOVE Bear Creek Elementary! I have 2 daughters and both of them went to school here. One daughter has graduated high school and my other daughter is currently attending 5th grade at Bear Creek. My daughter that graduated still talks about how much she loved this school and my younger daughter loves it just as much! The Principal and Vice Principal are top of the line professionals and get the job done! I love the fact that they have made Bear Creek a National Honors Society School I only wish my older daughter had the opportunities that my youngest daughter has with GT classes and National Honors Society. Keep up the great work!!! The Benkert/Sharpe Family.
—Submitted by a parent

I also moved within the school boundaries so that my son could attend here. This is his third year in this school and I could not be happier with the choice I made. His teachers have been wonderful and nurturing. The principal and vice principal have been very attentive. And I've noticed the school improving every year (it's gone from a 5 to a 7 rating these past two years). They provide activities to engage the parents and diverse learning experiences for the children.
—Submitted by a parent

The Staff is wonderful at Bear Creek Elementary.. I relocated to Dundalk just to ensure my three daughters were able to attend. The programs they have in place to help the students are wonderful. Communication is always open between the administration and parents. Can't beat this school!
—Submitted by a parent

I have twin boys getting ready to start second grade. They have been at bear creek since Pre-K. I have brought up learning concerns with some of their teachers only to be basically ignored. I feel like the communication between school and parents need to improve. I also feel as though elementary school should be about learning and having fun, but the principle and assistant principle have basically taken away every fun activity. and all holidays. I remember elementary school as fun, but with bear creek their is nothing fun about school.
—Submitted by a parent

the school is great i recommend it all the tim to friends. the only things i would change are the time in advance when they lt you know about awards and the graduation ceremonies ..there is none.
—Submitted by a parent

Bear Creek has provided a very productive and nurturing environment for my 8 year old daughter and my 6 year old son. My husband and I would not choose another elementary school for our children, because the staff and teachers ensure that every child learns to the best of his/her ability.
—Submitted by Jameisha Rogers-Carter, a parent

This was my daughters first year in school. She is in the cals program. I found it to be a safe and loving place for her. I was very scared to let her grow up but as I have found out she is treated just as well in school as she is at home. The teachers are all very kind and caring they have taken care of my daughter as I would myself, and when she is sick they even take the time to call and check on her. I can't thank the teachers and staff at bear creek enough for allowing me the extra time to part from my daughter so I could see for myself that she be in good hands. I thank them all so very much.
—Submitted by Patty Lamb, a parent

My second daughter is graduating 5th grade from BC this year - my eldest graduated in 2002. Both girls are so different, but one thing that remained the same was the support and care that every teacher and staff member gave. The older daughter was in GT classes from 2nd grade all the way through, and with the help and guidance she recieved she has continued on this wonderful education path and now is a straight A/B GT student in High School. My younger daughter has difficulties in Math mainly, and has been given every opportunity to come in before school, during lunch and recess and attended Math facts clubs along with tutoring to help her achieve the success she needed to enter middle school. I am sad to leave BC - but my children take with them memories that will last a lifetime! THANKS YOU ALL! KIM D
—Submitted by Kim Duncan, a parent

This school was not a great school for my son. He entered the school at the 4th grade level in Nov. 03. He had some discipline problems which the school dealt with in an ok manner. In my opinion, they sometimes enabled his problems. <BR>
—Submitted by Erika M, a parent

since the last comment about parent teacher communiction was made, the teachers have improved this by keeping parents up to date about the childrens progress.
—Submitted by a parent