Running Brook Elementary School

Running Brook provides an awesome environment for learning. The principle and most of the teachers are great. My son is a 2nd grader who has challenges with reading. He has made alot of progress in reading this year with the help of the reading program. The school has several activities for the students. Also, has tons of after school events for families. Mr. Todd is an amazing principle! The school has a men on campus program. Which encourages the fathers to get involved. Love the school and Ms. Bettinger!
--Submitted by a parent

this is one great school and what makes it great are the people there teachers and staff,volunteers and parents and most of all the children. when you walk in the door you can feel the love, the caring and concern for you and your child/children. i volunteered there most amazingist job i have ever had. i was every where they allowed me to help in several different areas i love those people and they arent just students and staff and parents and teachers,principals, etc. they are a family. love you guys over there more than excellent jobs from everyone.. we miss you too
--Submitted by a parent

I have been pleasantly surprised by RBES. The staff has a tough job given the demographics of the school - lots of single parents, uninvolved parents and the transience of the students. Teachers have to work extra hard and there are a lot of resources at this school to help them succeed. I disagree with the comment about the school counselor - she has been a great resource for me. There are a lot of kids with behavioral problems and the teachers & counselor have to make sure that they are not preventing other kids from learning. I volunteer a few times a month and see how difficult this is.
--Submitted by a parent

The home room teachers are great and they try to bring the best out their students. However, the school counselor and her followers either lack training or have nothing to do but pick on students. Shame on you!!!
--Submitted by a parent

This School is GREAT!!! my son attends and before he started this school had a lot of difficulties, in every school her ever went to. Everything has changed in his life and I'm happy for him. He loves his school and offered comes home to tell me about his day and his teachers. The principal is great!! as well as staff. this message has been approved by Ms. Mallory :)
--Submitted by a parent

RBES is a wonderful little school. The teachers do a great job of differentiating their instruction so that students not only achieve, but are challenged. There are many resources to support and educate students who are not only struggling, but who are advanced and above grade level as well. These resources often mean a lower teacher student ratio during classroom instruction. RBES has a wonderfully diverse population, and the vast majority of the teachers are fantastic. Every school has areas in which they can improve and the administration is very approachable and receptive to praise and crticism from parents. We have been very pleased with our child's experience at Running Brook.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of now two Running Brook Elementary Students, and am very happy with this school. Since Troy Todd has started as principal, I have seen positive changes here. I have been on the PTA for four years, and served as room parent for both childrens classes. I volunteer as much as possible, b/c I believe it is up to us as parents to raise our children right..quit whining, get involved and DO something!! It's not the governments schools job to raise our kids, but ours. The faculty are great!! (most of them) and as parents, we have a voice!! If you aren't happy with a teacher, by all means, take it to the top, if need be. There is no excuse for administrative staff or any one else to be rude- I think the school is a great little school!!
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a student at RBES and I disagree with all the criticisms here. The school is an interesting place to go to in my opinion, and most teachers & staff are at least reasonably nice. We do have some rude teachers, but they're outnumbered by friendlier and more enthusiastic ones. And what's wrong with an unbalanced student:teacher radio, anyway?

First of all, what the writer above sees as " teachers parenting children" I would have to disagree. Running Brook is a very nurturing environment. The teachers and staff alike go out of their way to make kids feel welcome. Unfortunately, there are those situations where the teacher needs to step into the parenting role as it has not been effectively managed at home. I would state that the administration is new as of last year( principal and asst principal) and therefore you need to give them the time. They have two uniquely different styles of management and you need to respect that. I will say this. If you have a problem in a classroom or with another student or students they work with you to make it right. The office staff is unprofessional. I agree with that.
--Submitted by a parent

I very concerned, I think they need to hire a whole new staff, administrative that is. very unprofessional. and would you believe its a family running the front office (mother and daughter) and they are the rudest! teachers you are not the kids parents, YOU ARE TEACHERS. some of you seem to forget that part. The school needs to make a change, now.
--Submitted by a parent