Pickett Elementary School

Having worked in several schools throughout my career, I haved enjoyed my time at Pickett the most. The teachers and administraters work well with each other are are supportive of one another. The staff in constantly involved in continuing education and professional development to stregthen their skills in the classroom. At Pickett, we promote and encourage the children to be respectful, responsible, and safe individuals. We promote positive behavior and we strive to instill values and sense of community within the school and classrooms. We are fortunate to have some of the latest forms of educational technology. We have close to ten Smartboards, ELMO systems, Senteo sets, a computer lab, two technology rooms, and each classroom has four to five computers. Parents regularly volunteer and are encouraged to be active and involved in their child's education at Pickett. At Pickett, we expect each child to reach their full potential and succeed.
—Submitted by a teacher

Oh and I forgot. This school has been in academic emergency for 10 years and should close down.

I was a recent visitor to Pickett School as part of a community outreach program. During my time there I found that the building was clean and quiet. The teaching staff is a mixture of veterans and younger teachers who are binging new ideas to the building. The teachers use the newer technology like Smartboards to keep the students' motivated. Many positive programs were in place to reward the students. This seems like a very good place to send your children.

My children started attending Pickett last year and they love school. They come home excited about all the new things they have learned. Their teachers are in constant, open communication with me about any concerns as well as any triumphs. The staff there are wonderful and make family feel that they are welcome in the building any time. I have never seen a school celebrate children's achievements more than Pickett.
—Submitted by a parent

My children currently attend Pickett and although I had heard negative things in the past I can say that the school is absolutely wonderful and the negative comments are completely untrue. Pickett has many new teachers wil great credentials and who are working hard daily to ensure the students succeed. They have had many plays, and activities after school to encourage parent involvement and the teachers regularly communicate with parents through planners and phone calls which I LOVE! My kids are finally saying that they are enjoying school and I have seen just how much they have learned in the past year. I have noticed that the teachers also do a great deal of hands-on learning and spend a lot of time using new technology as well! I am proud to send my kids to PICKETT!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my kids at Pickett for many years. All of their teachers have been very helpful and my kids have really enjoyed their time there. The building is always clean and the hallways always have work and student rewards hanging up. Parents always sem to feel welcome there.
—Submitted by a parent

Pickett Academy is operating on a low budget and is not as financially able to provide top-notch elementary education as better- funded schools, however, I have noticed that this school's teachers and staff are widely disorganized and have problems communicating. Teachers' mailboxes are often full from notices given out over a week ago, the office has disorderly piles of office supplies and papers on the floors, and I once stood in the office for ten minutes waiting for one of the office staff within 5 ft of me to acknowledge me. The classroom doors all have graffitti etched into them. The few teachers I have observed struggle to keep order in the classroom, let alone teach efficiently, so much bad behavior goes without reprimand. I have been appalled by the disorder every time I have been in this school.

There is almost no communication from teachers. They don't explain their grading system, what the kids are learning, or when there are social problems (teasing, etc.) My children are tormented but little to nothing is done, nor am I ever told about it by the school. My daughter had to go to the emergency room when a girl knocked her down. The school nurse put ice on it, and by the next day it was swollen to twice normal size. My white kids sang 'Black is Beautiful' last year. They go so far into black pride that the very few white or Latino kids are totally left out. Few extracurricular activities, nor are the kids allowed time to play. There are some great teachers, but most are mediocre at best. This should in Toledo to have been the first school to be rebuilt!
—Submitted by a parent

Students are not disciplined and are generally 1-2 or more years behind what is expected at their grade in math and reading; school is run down; staff seems to only expect the worst from the students; parents obviously are not involved