River Valley Middle School Middle

I am very unhappy with the lack of communication between the school and the parents. We are not informed about days off of school or early dismissals. Just today my daughter was sent home 2 hours early for snow (its not even snowing).. how do they know someone would be here to let her in the house? At her previous school they had an automated phone service that actually called us parents and let us know about any and every day off or early release. I think they should consider something like this! I was getting ready to leave today when the bus pulled up. 5 min later I would not have been here to let her in the house. She would have been left sitting outside until her normal bus drop off time.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a hard time with the teachers. Some of the teachers will in class make fun of other students. I just do not feel safe. I wish i could stay home everyday. I like to learn and some days are not as bad as others. I usually can not wait to leave school. Only a few teachers act like they are their to teach and not act like school is a gossip talk show.
--Submitted by a student

I do not enjoy classes at RVMS. All day long we are only studying practice tests for the OAT tests. Teachers try to make us think we are going to fail if we do not score high on this one test. I have been stressed out the past few weekks. I do not feel prepared for this OAT test. Why are theteachers witing untill the last min to try to teach what si going to be on this test.
--Submitted by a student

The school does not have much to offer. The staff seems tired and not willing to help kids that need extra help. Lots of work sent home for the parents to teach.The school does not teach any computer skills. Computers are only used for study island a complete waste of computer time. I would pull out my child if given a chance. Teachers look at your child as a number and not a real child.
--Submitted by a parent

This past school year has been wonderful. The new principal really cares about the children. The school has programs to help those that are falling behind and they really seem to be helping those that need them. I believe you have to pay attention to the progress of the school altogether and not just how a certain few may be doing and how many are getting in to trouble. Actually, I believe there have been less children in the office this year for trouble than there has been in the past. I feel parents can make a school better if they are willing to take their free time and do something. The parents and teachers really do care at Bidwell. I am proud to be a parent of two children that attend and succeed because of the teachers and their awesome ability to teach!
--Submitted by a parent

The school performance has improved greatly over the last couple months with the hiring of a new principal. My daughter loves coming to school now, whereas before, she dreaded it. She says the principal really cares about them, walks around the school and visits them and actually talks to the kids!
--Submitted by an administrator

My daughter just started this school this past year. I have not been impressed at all with her progress. I am not sure if it is her or the school (teacher). I am so shocked at how much homework she has had. It basically leaves no time for anything once she gets home. I just wonder what all they are doing at school.
--Submitted by a parent

We have only been at Bidwell for 2 years & academically I have not been impressed. It seems like many of the kids who are struggling get left behind. What is going on over there? If my son does not get through this year and pass, I will be forced to pull him out of school & home school him to get him caught back up & once that is complete, it will probably take 1-2 years, I am enrolling him in Washington Elementary or whatever school has the best proficiency rating at that time.
--Submitted by a parent