Vandergrift Elementary School

This is the third year my kids have gone to this school and it seems to be getting worse each year (as the scores have shown). My kids have gone from loving to go to school, to crying nearly every night after they return home. Teachers yell a lot- not directly at my kids, but in gerenral. You can feel the tension (and yelling) if you spend any time volunteering. The PTO needs more support, and are limited by the school district's policies, which according to my friends who have kids in the other elementary schools, are not adheared to equally among the other elementary schools (number of permitted fundraisers, playground equipment, number of parties allowed...). My children have witnessed teachers flipping desks over to get their point across to students, and I have witnessed scarcasm directed at students, that undermines the confidence of the kids. Staff seem to always have an excuse why the school isn't thriviing and they blame the fact that we have a high rate of free/reduced school lunches or paretnting and the responsiblity never ends up on them. When I've gone to the administration about thesee concerns, I have gotten either no response or "I don't agree."
--Submitted by a parent

teachers dont call you and they have hardly any activities for the kids. how can i make this better for my child?
--Submitted by a parent

The education is good. This school has no playground for the younger children, just a big yard! Why they can't have a donated playground, or have the PTO organize something like 'project playground' would be great. My daughter said they arn't aloud to talk during lunchtime, and they need 'serious' crossing gaurds, for the parents who walk their children to school.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a good school but could use some work. How the PTO functions needs to be revised. The quality of education is very good. Extra cirricular activities available to students needs some improving.
--Submitted by a parent