Rhoads James School

Indeed, a one star experience. I'm an occassional substitute; retired. No, I don't need the money. I also graduated top honors from Yale, Penn, and more; picking up two masters degrees and publishing along the way. So, even though underestimated, I bring more education and teaching experience than the stereotype label, sub, allows. I didn't accomplish this background without liking hard work. Mine is a mission to make a difference. I care about our kids in school. I came to inspire students, not babysit. That said, Rhoads has been one of THE most depressing entries in my journal from many scores of assignments throughout the system. Juvenile behavior was only part of the problem. It seemrd, largely, administrative. The Principal, male, covered his vulnerability by scapegoating the sub for a lack of administrative responsibility. Subs are classic scapegoats? The more I overcame riotous behaviors, the more blame I got. Finally, I had to insist that action be taken by administration in order to get classwork done. Once, I caught 3 of my students playing in the hall. I observed the Principal in the hall, listening to me; asserting no authority. Rhoads is an uphill fight.

Mrs; E.. Caldwell, Principal, is very committed to the success of James Rhoads;. The community must work together for the success of the students....parents and school working together. Educators cannot do their job alone....criticism breeds nothing. Working together brings success. Children learn their actions at home so help your child. You have a caring principal who wants the best but the work begins at home and continues at school.

I believe that the problems our school has is due to the principle lack of leadership. She does not support or back up her staff. She do not report every incident that happens. I feel that as a leader she should protect all staff and students not just the ones in her click. Because of her lack of leadership teachers that really care about the students and been there for years is leaving. My child has been a school there for serval years. I have been blessed to have had awesome teachers for her. I believe that if she was removed and a caring principle was placed there James Rhoads would be a wonderful school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has been a huge disappointment. My 3rd grader is the reason that PSSA test results are where the are for the school. He did better than every child in the third grade in the school and most in the district. My interaction with my boys' teachers and the principle have been dismal. If your child needs special plans like a 504 this is not the school to attend. They have yet to get one implemented for my 1st grader and have not even started the process for my 3rd grader.
--Submitted by a parent

Kindergarten thru first grade was an excellent experience but grades 2 and up are questionable. Some of the teachers are abusive and uncaring. The principal is ineffective. Teacher attendance in some classes is poor and are replaced with ineffective substitute teachers. Last year my child was on the honor roll and I could see that he was learning. This year I am deeply concerned; all that he learned last year (first grade) seems to be going out the window. When he left first grade he was reading well, this year he is stumbling. The new Math seems that they have taken the hard way to teach something that is relatively simple. The parents will not attend meetings, i.e., out of 400 students, only two parents showed up for Home & School Association meetings; on a good day four parents when show. Some of these children have hard home lifes and to have to come to school and be pushed and shoved around and asked, 'why did you bother to come to school' is totally unacceptable.
--Submitted by a parent

The principal was not very visible and unconcerned. The teachers are unable to teach in a creative way and as a result of this the kids are bored and distracted because of the teaching styles are antiquated. They need a great deal of improvement in order for education to be their top priority.
--Submitted by a parent