George Herbert Walker Bush Elementary School

I have three students that attend this school. This is there first year here and transferred from another DISD school. I was greatly disappointing with the school by the end of the year. The principle is very rude and hard to voice concerns too. When she spoke to me I felt belittled, so left the school wondering how she spoke to the children. As the year progressed, I found out through my children the irrational expectations the principle had for the students. To expect students to sit quietly and focus on school lessons with no daily recess; or, even the ability to talk at lunch. My oldest child has been on honor role and in the TAG program since kindergarten, but had the hardest year of her life. Her homeroom teacher has openly told the class she has a favorite student. That she hates the school, and that she will take any of her family out of her will if they become teachers. All other teachers at the school I have experienced are GREAT!! The greatest problem is the leadership(principle, AP, & support staff). Their is a BIG bullying problem in this school and feel it is due to the lack of leadership and consequences for the bullies.
—Submitted by a parent

The teacher my child has is great and would be rated 5 stars. Unfortunately, the administration at the school is substandard. At the first evening function we attended Principal Dash spoke to the parents as if we were ill behaved children. She is very condescending to say the least. Throughout the year there have been various complaints of how rude the Principal, Asst. Principal and office staff have been. There is no warm and fuzzy feeling in the office. SOMEONE IN DISD should take a look at the administration of this school and do something about it. The teachers and facility are great but the administration is going to ruin this school and it reputation.
—Submitted by a parent

I have teachers in my family. I know how hard they work! I wonder how hard any of the office staff works? I picked up my fourth grader a while back. It took a while for them to find her. While I was waiting, I heard the annoying conversations over the principal's walkie talkies. I couldn't believe it, but I actually heard them asking who was going to get lunch. Perhaps, yesterday's lockdown wouldn't have happened if they were less concerned about the lunch menu.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children in this school and I have been so disappointed in so many ways. I will only really present the situations I feel are the most vital. I came to pick up my child one day from the nurse's office and she was not there. They let me in without checking my ID. Their were two children left unattended, one taking a breathing treatment. The child set it down and the child next to him could have easily picked it up and used it. That was unreal to me. I could have easily left the school with either of those children and no one would have known. There was no supervision. The fact that they just let me in and did not know me, it was a new office lady, scared me to death. What if my child was in the nurses office and someone came and took her. This should never have happened. As a parent this has made me feel unsafe to have my kids in this school. Also there were times when I was told by administration they would send home homework or items that were never sent home. The VP told me she would show me my son's homework and send it home during a time when he missed school for surgery and nothing was sent home. They tested him hi first day back to school too. :(
—Submitted by a parent

I am 100% disappointed in the administration at this school. They are too cheap to even print paper to send the children's homework home. This has been a horrible experience. I come from a family of teachers and went to great schools my whole life. I have never seen a school so horrible. I love the teachers, but everything else is horrible. I could write a book about it.
—Submitted by a parent

The administration under Principal Dash will be the demise of Bush Elementary unless something is done immediately! There have been countless incidents of administrative ineptitudes that one could write a book on. All of which have been repeatedly conveyed to the appropriate personnel. Principal Dash is OVER HER HEAD!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a third grader. This is our second year at Bush. The first year was rough, but I thought it was just first year growing pains. I was wrong. This year has been worse! I have e-mailed both principals about my concerns and have yet to receive an adequate response. According to my child, he witnessed his teacher's stuff being put outside of her classroom during lunch just because admin thought it wasn't neat! What principal does that?? I doubt this teacher would ever dump out a child's backpack just because she thought it was not neat?! I am beyond disappointed with his year at Bush...we are considering moving this summer just to be at a different school. I know the teachers aren't safe to speak up, but maybe if we as parents do...something will change!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I volunteer regularly at this school and I am appalled by several things. The first being long, drawn out, self absorbed, and threatening morning announcements by the principal. I would be scared if I were a young child listening to the principal. The administrative staff is unwelcoming when I sign in as well as rude to all the individuals in the office during my time at the school. During dismissal announcements, the principal has actually threatened the children "Don't make me come out there." The hallways are bound to be somewhat noisy with 768 students leaving a school, and children should NEVER feel threatened. I believe the school would improve treamendously with new leadership improving on communication, people skills, and the ability to keep a consistent staff.
—Submitted by a parent

I guess I'm not the only parent concerned with leadership on campus. I have two students in the building and am frustrated with the time lapse for pick up. My daughter has to wait in the car with me 10 minutes before her older brother finally comes out. Having more than 30 kids in a class seems way to many, and I'm very upset we never hired a computer teacher. I was assured by administration that they would be hiring more staff and that has not happened. Unlike other comments below I do have a problem with communication from the school. Today I received an RSVP to my daughters awards ceremony that was dated today and stated it was due yesterday. Small things like this are frustrating for working parents and has happened throughout the year. I didn't appreciate the conduct from the principal at the African American History Program - parents had to wait in a single file line to get our kids. Kids were crying, yelling and sleeping because it was so late. See utube video!! The teachers are fantastic and the campus is pretty but the lack of responsibility in hiring needed staff is unacceptable!! Parent tip - make sure you cell is charged at pick up....not much else to do.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is new to Bush Elementary this year. His teacher has been extremely kind, has had great communication and has helped my son blossom in his education. I do have concerns with the school overall - my son states that he is not allowed to talk at lunch at all, recess is rare and only 10 minutes and there is no computer teacher. Our past school was very different in these aspects and I believe they are important for kids growth. End of day pick up is a nightmare. I attempted to become a school volunteer but after spending time in the office listening to the Principal be rude to her staff over a walkie talkie, I left discouraged. Instead I ask the teacher specifically what I can do to help. I would recommend this school to others because the building and staff seem so great and my son is so happy there. I've met other parents who agree that the teachers are amazing and we are less than impressed with office staff. I would caution parents - events are last minute, the Principal and Assistant Principal are not cordial in any way and school procedures seem to be a mess. Be early and check the online site for important dates.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a second grader. I had heard of this site, but never thought that I needed to visit it...that was until I encountered the administration this past Friday. I have never heard an assistant principal shout at students like I heard Friday over the intercom. I honestly was so dumbfounded that I had a difficult time enjoying my time with my daughter. I love the teachers, but I honestly don't know how they survive the daily intake of negative feedback from the principal and assistant principal. My fear is that what my daughter's second grade teacher said will come true...that all of the staff aside from a select few will leave. What a tragedy! These teachers work like trojans to make our children successful...and they may leave never to return again. I am told some are leaving the profession all together!!! I am at my wits after Friday and don't know what to say...there are no words.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school full of committed, hard working teachers. I have been very pleased with both of my child's teachers the last two years, and have no complaints or concerns in that area. I do, however, agree with the posts below about the less than impressive principal. She is impossible to speak to, rude, and completely unapproachable. I am so disappointed that this beautiful school full of tremendous potential is being run by a principal that does not put families, children, or even her staff as a priority. Going to the school for my child's birthday, lunch, or to volunteer is an absolute nightmare because the administrative staff is impossible to deal with and very cold. I would give the school five stars if the administrative staff weren't lacking so much because the teachers and all the campus has to offer is out of this world. I would recommend this school because the teachers are committed to a challenging and positive educational experience for the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

To quickly summize my thoughts... we LOVE this school! The teachers we have experienced have been GREAT. This is a nice NEW school. We are happy to be here. Have not had a personal conflict with the principel (as others I know have had), but I can say COMMUNICATION to the parents is terrible. Lucikly for me, we have a great homeroom teacher that keeps us informed on what is scheduled each month. Feel there is room for improvement for the leadership team on that topic for sure.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with nearly every one of these comments for Bush Elementary... especially when talking about the leadership. Instead of breaking our lease and moving to an unknown area of Dallas . It benefited me and my child to find ways to work around the impossible-to-deal-with-and-speak-to-Principal (and in my opinion, the Vice Principal is no better just does what the Principal says to do or NOT do). Now, in order to bring focus to the 100% POSITIVES of this school the teachers and support staff are fantastic! I have found there are several staff members and teachers who are more than willing to help when needed or at a minimum counsel with you, when you have a concern about your kids education. They will go out of their way to make sure you understand any and all challenges your kid may have and will offer additional support afterschool or give you tools to be able to do at home to provide extra support. Due to the extra help from this schools teachers and staff my son is now excelling. I feel these people do care and have compassion for their students I am glad my child is at this school. I would recommend this school to other families.
—Submitted by a parent

Bush Elementary is a GREAT school where kids learn and are the priority. Parent communication is good and I know everyone there cares about the children. I think Principal Dash does a great job and is working to make Bush an even better school. Despite some challenges she is facing she is committed to that campus. I appreciate her and so do the kids and I know they are her focus.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great and the teachers are terrific! The principal is lacking for sure - but where the prinicpal falls extremely short - the teachers and parents rise to the occasion. To summarize one persons earlier statement - if you participate in the school, the parent activities, volunteer when you can, offer assistance to the staff and teachers - generally support the school, then you will have a positive reaction and feel great about the environment where your children are being educated. Key item here is you must participate! If you are seeking a school which offers so much in a NEW campus, great facility, environmentally clean, offering a variety of classes - then you MUST check this out! We do not regret one minute sending our children here.
—Submitted by a parent

We are very fortunate to have this school in the Town of Addison. From our personal viewpoint... we find the teachers to be amongst the best we have experienced - as our youngest child is attending this school (and previously attended a local private school). Agreeing with the other comments on the Principal (as this person is not committed to the students, parents or the school) and is difficult to speak with. I would give her a 1-star rating at a minimum - as there was not a '0' rating. Luckily for the school - the school is full of supportive / nurturing staff / teachers around the campus to assist parents/families when the leadership falls short. The school offers - art, music, gym, computer classes, TAG, two-way dual language, library services, educational garden, YMCA afterschool program., etc... This is a unique school in that is new and has a bright future ahead of itself. We do not regret transferring our child to this public school!!
—Submitted by a parent

We moved our son out of this school as fast as we could. He was being buliied by another student and it seemed to take a lot of prompting with the vice principal before enough was done to prevent it and the child in question was dealt with appropriately. We found communication with our son's teachers difficult, often not receiving a reply to an email. We also feel that there was not enough communication with parents from the teachers about the curriculum and how they wanted homework assignments approached. I read some of the instructions myself and as an educated woman couldn't figure out what the blast it was that they wanted. We are now in a better school district and our son is much more settled and happier. I wouldn't recommend this school. Even at PTA events where our kids performed, we felt like outsiders. Left an overall bad taste in our mouths for Bush and DISD.
—Submitted by a parent

Addison is an area where most families send their kids to one of its many private schools; while, we can afford to do the same Why should we? The debate on the pros/cons; priorities/goals of public vs private are often inaccurate and irrelevant. After weighing our options, we dove in without hesitation and after 1-year, I am proud to say we do not regret our decision - as you do "create your own environment . If you want a poor experience sit back and do nothing. Being involved/supportive in our children s education to make sure the environment is what we expect is key. The school is excelling beyond our expectations, especially given it is DISD. The school is not perfect and those issues we personally have would be found in any school whether it be public or private. The school provides a beautiful/safe/clean learning environment, with all of the modern conveniences expected in a new school with ample opportunities to achieve academic excellence for those who want it. Teacher involvement (for us) has been phenomenal with constant communication and support. Frustration will be high for those who feel the school should deliver excellence without working for it.
—Submitted by a parent

We've had 4 teachers that have been exceptional. From an academic standpoint - all teachers have delivered. They have taught our student how to read in Kindergarten. They have brought forth exciting, hands on material for science, social studies, reading, writing and math. The teachers have demonstrated a real passion for what they do and have nurtured and loved our student. Parents must be involved and engaged. I'd recommend this school
—Submitted by a parent