Roquemore Elementary School

My neice just moved here from New Jersey and put her 5 year old daughter in kindergarten. She is a sweet and well behaved little girl. She is hit over and over and has been kicked, grabbed by an aide in the cafeteria for getting up to empty her trash. Her arm and thigh have been squeezed by other children. She has been punched in the face and has been left behind in the bathroom during an actual "fire" at that school. We have had many meetings with the teacher, assistant principals and the principal. We have gone to the AISD and complained about them. The principal keeps telling us each time that "that the problem is being handled". Then three days later, she is being hit again!!! The kids are out of control here and there is clearly no discipline going on. These bullies need to be put out of the school. We will keep making all the noise and trouble that we can about this school. We will be attending school board meetings in the future in order to bring our complaints against this principal and the lack of concern for the safety of a little innocent 5 year old girl. We have pulled her out of that school and insisted that the AISD send her to another school.

60 people took valuable time out of their day on June 23, 2011 to show their support for Roquemore Elementary's new playground vision, to meet the new Principal, Ms. DuPont and the new Asst. Principal, Ms. Harry. The current Asst. Principal, Ms. Brooks was present. Ernie Horn from Score a Goal in the Classroom has taken the lead fund raising task to make sure the Roquemore kids have playground equipment at their school with they arrive for the fall semester. Please send your tax-deductible contribution to Score a Goal in the Classroom, Attn: Ernie Horn, 819 Penn St, Fort Worth, TX 76102-3413. The fund goal is $50,000...each dollar helps!

Although this school has not yet been ranked as a "recognized" school, I believe we will see a big change next year. With more community involvement, as demonstrated by 60 people showing up at a meeting at the school recently, and the district focusing a great deal of attention on this school, I feel confident we will begin to see a positive change in student performance. RIght now we need for the community to come together and help in providing the necessary funding for some playground equipment for 2nd through 6th grade children.

My daughter, who is a single mother, working fulltime and attending college has just moved intothis area and we are excited that her daughter will be in a school where she is not 1 of 4 white children - since she is taking a financial jump by obtainingher own apartment sot that her child will be in a better school system, and I as the grandmother will be driving from Fort Worth on days when the mother is not only working 8 hours a day but then attending night classes. Then I read where Katie McGowan, a parent states " The majority of the children are from lower income families and tend to lack discipline". Unfortunately because of being a single parent I guess my daughter falls into that group - I resent that statement. All apples are not red Ms. McGowan.

Roquemore offers no homeowners, no PTA, & no accolades for teachers. Constant student turnover demands staff work 115% harder. Teachers stay late, come early, & pray together. This school is not for sissies. If you work here, it's because you have a special calling & a unique expertise with classroom management. The principal is compassionate.The AP, teachers, nurse, counselor, specials team,office & aids are outstanding educators who love the kids!
—Submitted by a teacher

I love the staff at this school. Everyone is very helpful and friendly. When I walk into the school, I feel like I am walking into my own home.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very nice. I have had my kids there for 3 years now. I really appreciate the teachers and principals at this school they are dedecated. The only thing I don't approve of is lack of parent support. I go on every field trip and will come to school whenever necessary to support my kids learning. Most other parents don't do this. I am surprised at the lack of school support.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in his second year at Roquemore. I adore the teachers and all of the staff. The school does not have a PTA or a yearbook. I feel as though he is missing out on the everday joys of school. The majority of the children are from lower income families and tend to lack discipline. I hate to sound so negative, but, I feel as though this school is unacceptable. My son LOVES going to school and I hope things improve. The staff is awesome and VERY involved. But you can tell they are reaching limits as well. There are NO extracurricular activities. NONE!!
—Submitted by Katie McGowan, a parent

I love the teachers and principals here--they worked very hard to help my child achieve. This school has very little parent involvement, no PTA program even. There are also many discipline problem students. We left Roquemore this year because my child kept getting picked on by bullies.
—Submitted by a parent

my child just started attending Roquemore this year while we were staying with family members in the area. The teachers at Roquemore are, for the most part, exceptionally experienced and truly strive to meet the needs of the children. He has picked up some negative behaviors from some of his classmates, but the teachers and staff are dedicated to all of the children.
—Submitted by a parent

Great Administration, Caring Teachers! As a former substitute who worked in this school, this is a place I enjoyed going because children are the top priority!
—Submitted by a teacher

I read comments about schools failing students and parents being concerned. Yet, these noisemaking parents fail to take responosibility for their child's short comings. A straight A student tells me nothing, straight A's where? My son received commendable performance on the TAKS and attended Roquemore for the first 2 grading periods, the problem is not with the teachers but with the students and the parents. I removed my child not because teacher failure, but parent failure. When the teacher has to spend more than 10 minutes an hour maintaining discipline in an environment of disrespectful and apathetic students, it is not the teacher who is failing! It is the parent. Who taught or failed to teach these children manners and values? THE PARENT. My child now attends private school where students accept responsibility for their actions, or in the case of Roquemore students.. lack of!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers my children had while at Roquemore were actually quite good. But the facilities and support from the principals, counselors, etc seemed lacking. Many students did not seem to respect the teachers and parental support was lacking, to say the least. I was glad to get my kids out of this school!
—Submitted by Pam, a parent

Upon moving to this school district we were warned by over 50 different parents that this school was way below standards academically and in manner other areas. We decided to see for ourselves what we thought. We put our straight A student in this school whom was being considered for the gateway program. A student who loves homework, school and cannot wait for summer to be over so they can return to school. Needless to say our child is now in counseling because they hate school. This students grades have fallen and after meeting with teachers and the Vice Principle repeatively the only result we have found is to withdraw our child and home school our child. We could not transfer them because this school on average was 5 weeks behind all other schools and over half my child's grade level could not pass the required T. A. K. S. testing.
—Submitted by Very Concerned Parent, a parent

I have taught PreK and Kindergarten at Roquemore for 6 years and cannot see myself teaching anywhere else. This is a commited group of teachers who truly care about each child's success. Each grade level works together to be sure the curriculum is taught to each child in each class in a multitude of styles. Great School!!
—Submitted by Janelle Leamon, a teacher

The teachers that I have encountered at Roquemore want nothing more than to see your child be successful. The teachers I have worked with have been open and easy to communicate with. I have a child with ADHD, and he is difficult to work with in a classroom setting. I have seen so much improvement over the past couple of years since we came to this school. I appreciate all the support I have received.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started her kindergarden year at Roquemore and had at least three different teachers that year come and go from her class. The whole situation made it hard for the children as well as the parents to adjust to the constant changes. Needless to say we had a rough year that year. My daughter is now a in the first grade at Roquemore and everything has been pretty good so far. My daughter really enjoys her teacher Mrs. Blanton as do I.
—Submitted by Danielle Jones, a parent

I am a former teacher (6-7 years ago) & this was by far the roughest school I've ever taught at.
—Submitted by a teacher

My son has been a transfer student at this school since the last half of kindergarten. I wouldn't move him to another school for anything. The faculty at this school is the best. Very attentive and genuinely caring. This is by far a wonderful school. Thanks, Kristi
—Submitted by a parent