Bethesda Elementary School

On June 6th 2013, Bethesda Elementary let a man come into the school with a lady and claim to be my child's father and grandmother. The front office staff didnt check ID, nor did they make this man sign in. This man was able to walk into the office and given my son's classroom info and allow to walk to the class and get my child and walk out of the building. When the school was asked who checked the my son out, they had no idea, nor did they know when he left.When the school was asked how did this happen, Mr Glenn stated that they were so busy with 5th grade graduation. Parents please help me, do not allow this school to get away with allowing strangers in the school without following proper policies and precedures. I have not seen or heard from my son since I dropped him off at school Thursday June 6th. Parents please let other parents know about this.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of two gifted children, I must say that I am quite pleased with the level of differentiated AIG services that my fourth grader and fifth grader are receiving. My children are assigned work that is both challenging and engaging. My children are thrilled by rewards like 'caught being good' ice cream parties and a trip to a Durham Bulls baseball game last year! My only concerns are a lack of parental support and a lack of opportunities for a band/orchestra. (Apparently, this is a DPS thing...) However, I find the teachers both knowledgable and compassionate. I am happy to have my children in such a wonderful school!
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot say that I am disappointed the school, but I am disappointed with my child's teacher. My son is in the first grade, and I feel that the homework that he gets is busy work. He came from another elementary school where he attended kindergarten, and the work was much more challenging than it is now. Also, his teacher is out a lot. I am a former school teacher, and compared to other 1st graders at other schools, I feel that his teacher is not following the curriculum. The only feedback I get about my son's classwork is from him. I am very disappointed with this 1st grade teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

We are the parents of a special needs child, and we could not be more pleased with a school and it's staff than we are with Bethesda Elementary School. Every step of the way the staff and Ms. Walker, the Principal, have helped us to nurture a child who loves school and learning. He is entering Second Grade and is very excited. The teachers and other staff have been more than willing to help when needed and even gone above and beyond their jobs at times. The staff and teachers at Bethesda are doing a great job not just teaching our son, but making school a place he is excited about. The Teaching Assistant in his class won 'Teaching Assistant of the Year by the Arc of Durham'. That's just how good the staff and leadership is. We would recommend Bethesda to any parent, especially a special needs kid.
—Submitted by William and Cathy Wickward, a parent

We are very please with Bethesda. Our grandson will be going into 1st grade and is reading well above grade level as well as writing paragraphs with 4-6 sentence. He is a very fast paced child and requires a certain type of teacher to keep him focused,which he had at Bethesda last year. The principle and staff worked closely with me, keeping me informed of his progress. We are very pleased with Bethesda and look forward to the next 5 years.
—Submitted by Betty Seymore, a parent

This school needs a lot of work. Specifically the need for quality teachers. My child has been there since kindergarten, (is now in the 4th grade)and with the exception of that year I have been extremely disappointed. I continue to try and work with them, but continue to be disappointed and wish I had moved my child!
—Submitted by a parent