Herbert A Derfelt Elementary School

My son has attended this school for the last to years, I am finding that both the teachers and principle don't like parent involment. I find this to be a problem because I like to be involved in my childs life.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been going to Derfelt for the past 2yrs. My ex & I had to go to court. So I took my court papes into the office at Derfelt so they could make copies while I was having a conference with the principle. He was very nice. But Sherry(the younger one that hasnt been there that long)gave me a couple papers she wasn't supposed to. So when I went to return the papers back to the school the other Sherry accused me of "TAKING" the papers. She is very rude. Very unprofessional. She is not a good role model for our children.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had children in this school for almost 10 years. We have seen 2 principals and several teachers come and go. Mr. Mingo and his staff has done a wonderful job. The teachers and PTA are there to help in anyway they can! Couldn't be happier...
--Submitted by a parent

I am not happy with this school ,parent involvement is not wanted by the princilal.
--Submitted by a parent

To be fair, I only have experience with the one classroom and teacher, and have no basis of analysis for the entire school. Ms. Kayam is an excellent teacher. Our daughter`s teacher is hard working and well organized.
--Submitted by a parent

I use to go to this school 1 year ago. I stayed there for K-part of 5 grade and it was grate!! I think it is a great school. like every Morning g I will make up and make my mom wake up. I was so much fun there I think that all kids should go there and that all the teachers are grate!! Mr. lefler, ms. cooly are thee BEST!!!
--Submitted by a student

My son and I both love this school. The staff is A+. My son can't wait to go to school each day. The smaller class sizes offer a better chance of success.
--Submitted by a parent

According to Shirley Igo, National President of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) students should receive no more than 30 min 1 hr of homework for grades 3-5. At Derfelt Elementary it is more like 2-3 hrs a night. Homework is intended to reinforce classroom learning, and help students keep up with their studies. Excessive homework just goes to increase family stress and is counter productive. The well rounded educational curriculum we enjoyed in our youth has since been replaced with a program geared more towards children passing a particular test (so that the school can continue to receive federal funding) rather than providing our children with the skills, knowledge and abilities to succeed in life. I am all for homework but only to the extent that it involves us parents and reinforces what was learned in class without disrupting the family.
--Submitted by a parent