Ottawa Elementary School

My daughter attended Ottawa. At fist I was excited about the school then as the year went on I realized I was getting no help from the staff. My daughter is very gifted and I have talked to her teachers and the principal about ways to stimulate and keep her motivated. They were willing to give her extra work but could not provide much past that. The test scores show this school does the minimal for the kids. Not impressed.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends Ottawa. We moved just out of district recently, but I am keeping her at Ottawa. Why? For a number of reasons: Smaller school building, AWESOME (did i say awesome? let me say it again..awesome) principal, who knows all of the kids very well. The teachers, for the most part, are very communicative with parents (again, parents NEED to be involved...don't put it all on the teachers). The nurse and social worker are very helpful and caring. The PTO always has fundraisers and after school events for the kids (dances, end of year carnival, breakfast for moms/dads, book fairs, etc). The only negative is the office staff. There is one woman who just sits at her desk all day. You can be the only one in the room, but she still won't acknowledge you. The other staff members are nice. Ottawa also offers, free of charge, a homework club that meets 3 days out of the week, for an hour after school, to help kids catch up with work. My daughter is more productive in this club than she would be at home, so I love it! Excellent School!!! The art/gym/music teachers are excellent, as well.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school, , all of our children have attended ottawa. , Our son is currently attending. The principal is wonderful I love how he knows all the children by name. The teachers are truly dedicated an care about there students. We loved the school so much that when we moved we got an in district transfer so he could continue going. The staff at ottawa truly are careing people an our children are their main concern. I wouldn't change anything they are truly dedicated....
--Submitted by a parent

This is a very caring school. The students are wonderful. They love their teachers and they know that all the staff knows them, and that is a safe place to go. Learning in number one. I am sorry there are parents writing in who apparently have grudges. There is always a few who spoil it for others. But if you come to Ottawa you will see first hand which parents are angry and bitter. Many, many of our parents, and PTO members are welcoming and friendly with all the kids. No matter the social economic class. They even have funds to help the children who need assistance. We have a few bad apples,who think that they don't have to follow rules. Rules are made to keep our students safe. Teachers make rules because they have to consider everychild in thier room -- no just the ones who can pay the teacher off
--Submitted by a parent

Great area to have a school. Most all of the K-5 Teachers are great. The gym, music and art teachers are outstanding. The principal seems great at first, but once you spend alot of time at the school the truth comes out. 2 out of the 3 office staff are very nice and helpful. The third is there to collect a check. The nurse is very nice and caring. The lunch people are great. The PTO leaders are a Joke - big waste of time to go to the meetings - the third clerk is a PTO leader and a big reason the school PTO meetings are a waste of time.
--Submitted by a parent

The school academic wise is ok for a public school. My child is considered gifted so the down side is she spends so much of her time helping others instead of being challenged. The PTO group is not worth joining. It is very "she said, she said" typical clique and maybe that's the problem? Professionalism needs improvement as I do feel that when a visitor enters the office that they shouldn't have to wait for the secretary to stop gossipping before being helped. This has happened several times this year. Classroom communication between parent /teacher needs improvement. More parent/teacher conferences should be scheduled.
--Submitted by a parent

As a former teacher at Ottawa, I can honestly say that the principal and staff are highly dedicated people who care about their students so much that their own families often have to suffer. They should not be judged by how many extracurricular activities they attend, but by how happy and safe their students feel with an excitement for learning and an appreciation of success. When a student needs support, a service is provided. This staff has helped to provide food, clothing, and supplies to families that are in need with their own personal money. To say this staff is detached or uncaring is false! The parents, PTO, and staff have always been supportive of each other. It would be easy to name those few parents who wrote the negative reviews and continue to be critical of those things that were voted on and passed by the majority. What a shame that they are only hurting their own school! Ottawa is often referred to as the "Ottawa Family" for a reason, and the people working there are there because they want to be there. They form long-lasting friendships with the community, and many former students have brought back their own children to experience this great place to learn.

I have had two children attend Ottawa. I feel that the staff provides an excellent opportunity for learning. Since it is one of the smaller elementary schools, the staff and families there.
--Submitted by a parent

I love Ottawa. It has a great sense of communtity. Teachers are caring and do go over and beyond their role as "teacher". Parents who are involved in their child's education, are a welcome part of the Ottawa team. Students feel loved at Ottawa. They know the staff cares for them. The office, the lunchroom moms and all the extra teaching staff -- care about the children. It's a place where you would love your children to be a part of.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Ottawa since kindergarten and is now a 5th grader preparing to attend Algonquin middle school next year. I am also a parent of a 28 year old and a 26 year old, who both attended Utica schools. I have never "requested" a teacher for my child and I have never been disappointed with any of his teachers. In fact, each teacher has had a positive effect on my son, that I know he will carry with him for the rest of his life. The teachers attend many of the after school events, including the PTO meetings. Every single one of the teachers is a caring professional, truly interested in the success of each student. The members of the office staff are welcoming and helpful every time I have called or visited the office. There are simply not enough words to praise the principal. His committment and dedication to the school, staff, teachers, and every single student is remarkable. It is a true pleasure to see someone who loves their job so much, especially when it involves my child. The school itself is decorated with the students' work throughout the hallways, has state of the art equipment for the students, and is simply the best elementary school there is.
--Submitted by a parent