Mesita Elementary School

" PTA is her own little fundraising army and uses funds inappropriately, under the table, preferential treatment is rampant". Examples? I have never heard of such a thing there. The PTA is very fair and is always looking out for the best interests of the students and teachers.One of the best PTAs in El Paso. Feel free to join the board.All I can say is get more involved in your childrens school and don't appear just when something is wrong.
—Submitted by a parent

Mesita Elementary The tone is set at the top Lila Ferris,Principal, is a well spoken individual; BUT is DISINGENUOUS. She is not friendly, she has GATE KEEPERS to ward off anyone that she & her staff feel are beneath her, or do not meet her wealth standard or what can they do for me or get me something I want scam.Her office STAFF are rude, condescending, prejudice. They bend EPISD rules to suit them& who they want at the school. There is no confidentiality when problems arise a gossip. If you have a problem with a teacher, or your child needs accommodations, everyone will know about it by day s end & will be talking about it at student pick-up at 3:15PM. She covers for teachers and other staff that are inept and bullies! She also will rid her school of very good teachers if they don t go along with the pack! PTA is her own little fundraising army and uses funds inappropriately, under the table, preferential treatment is rampant. What once was a very nice,good school, w/hardworking folks, is now a DICTATORSHIP.She s been here TOO LONG; it's harming the school. She was a Lorenzo Garcia, Superintendent advocate he's in prison! What she has been doing?
—Submitted by a parent

WOW-I am so glad that someone else had the guts to say it like it is! I am a great-grandmother who still lives in the Mesita area! The principal Ms Ferris has run off or pushed out many great teachers. Her staff is VERY RUDE and feel protected because she is a horrible administrator. There are several BULLIES there-2nd Grd Teacher/Dual Language/ Cafeteria Mgr...She keeps them working and harms the students and insults the parents. SHAME ON YOU Ms. Ferris. The school is mess. Go somewhere else.

oh and st.patricks school is horrible horrible they babysit they teach NOTHING I AM A X STUDENT AND MESITA WAS EXCELLENT!

Mesita is the best elementary school in El Paso. Very caring and professional teachers and administration. My children are very happy and so am I. C. Renteria
—Submitted by a parent

I have been extremely pleased with my daughter's writing and reading abilities since she began attending Kinder at Mesita. She had previously been at a private school. I have not had any of the negative experience (watching TV by administration); I have been invited to participate with my daughters education including lunch and I appreciate that they want to limit us having lunch with our children to once a week to encourage socialization with their peers. The only complaint I have is with the horrific drop off situation and the fact parents seem unable to follow basic safety procedures when dropping off/picking up their kids.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has many dedicated teachers who not only teach but really care for their pupils.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with several comments made here about Mesita's Connecting World program. To be GT and dual language is a lot for a public school to take on in one program. My one experience in meeting with the director of the program to discuss a serious concern was not good. She responded with little critical thinking, creative problem-solving and tolerance for other perspectives. Given that these are the skills I wish my child to develop in school, I am looking now for alternatives.
—Submitted by a parent

I have read all the reviews and am saddened by some of the comments. My son was in the dual language program, but it was not the right fit for him. That's not to say it's a bad program, just not right for him. I think if we take the time to actually try to speak with the teachers and administration you will find they are very pleasant and do listen. I also have to say I love the new WATCH DOG program. Its amazing to see how the children interact with the Dads that are on campus. Keep up the good work.
—Submitted by a parent

I took my child out of the dual language program. I did speak w/administration, however, they completely sidestepped the issues & gave me the typical 'not a good fit' answer. It is not about fit, time & again the issues we parents raised were about standards/quality of the education. NO BASICS. I too had issues with the English portion. They DO treat the parents as complainers, not partners. My child was doing very well as far as grades, but the standards of the teachers especially the English was definitely sub-par. I have had Mexican national families flat out tell me the only reason they're in the program is to get an education in Spanish for free! This program is a spanish language program not a true 'DUAL' Language and not a GT program. Once we got into the monolingual we realized how far behind in reading, math & science.
—Submitted by a parent

had my daughter at the dual -GT program 'Connecting Worlds' and, even though I leave a block away from mesita, and work as teacher's instructor at UTEP I decided to take her out and move her to a Dual program at the YISD. I am one of many who have exited the program. It's popularity is based on overrated comments from parents who unfortunately do not know better. Maybe because is one of few dual programs at the EPISD. Teachers (with few exemptions) are not prepared to teach to a gifted and talented group. Kids sometimes are under a lot of pressure. Each year or during the year kids are dropping the program. Administrations wont listen to you. Not friendly at all. The director of the Dual Program is famous for being not interested on the feedback from parents or students. If you address a problem, you are a complainer. Submitted by a parent
—Submitted by a parent

I could not disagree more with the post of May 21, 2008. My son participates in the Connecting Worlds dual language program. It is an excellent program for all academics, not just for Spanish. All of my son's teachers have been more than competent to teach in both Spanish and English. It is true that Spanish is the first language of some of the Connecting Worlds teachers. Some of these teachers may be even stronger with Spanish than they are with English, but isn't this what you would want and expect from a true dual language program? Our family compared Mesita with various schools in town. We chose Mesita for its programs. We are very happy with our son's education. We have never doubted our decision. As for the staff, I am at the school often and I have certainly never seen staff watch television rather than do their jobs!
—Submitted by a parent

This is not my daughter's first school, and compared, she hasn't been happier.
—Submitted by a parent

The Connecting Worlds Program is excellent! The program has very good bilingual teachers (mrs. Dayoub, mrs. Nieves, mrs. Pitchard, mrs. Gonz lez, excellent persons!) and help the kids to learn in a multicultural enviroment giving them the chance to excel. The new building is awesome, the PTA has done a lot thanks to the parents envolvement. Nice parents and safe enviroment, my kids love their teachers, are proud of being a Mustangs and Im very pleased with the program. But, unfortunately our office personnel is rude and unkind, if you would like to talk with Mrs. Spivey (subdirector) be prepared of not having a proper attention.
—Submitted by a parent

Huge disappointment. Rude and unprofessional. From Administration down to the quality of the lunch room personnel. It operates like a cold institution. The office personnel is a rude & mean. They treat parents like enemies. They keep parents waiting while they chat and watch TV! Once the Principle was with them-didn't say a word! Many timesI have had to correct my childs spelling list- for misspelled words! The dual language program is a farse- they only care about the Spanish portion of the program. The English is shoddy at best. Try to have a meeting with the teacher and Ms. Spivey the director will intercede and speak for the teacher. There is a teacher that actually calls the kids names. My childs teacher can't write or speak English. Try to get through to the Pricinpal- good luck, doesn't return messages. Some nice teachers - very nice parents. Needs much better academics.
—Submitted by a parent

mesita is very well known for extraordinary parent involvment, but we definately need more involvemt day by day and of course new faces would be wonderful too. Academic is top notch!
—Submitted by teresa, a parent

We moved our student to Mesita from a private school because it is down the street from our house and my husband and I had heard great things about the dual language curriculum. My daughter tested into the dual language program, but her private speech therapist recommended that we keep her in an english-only program for one more year while she overcame her stuttering issues. She was placed in a english only classroom for 1st grade and was going to be pulled out for an hour a day for enrichment. My daughter had anxiety attacks in the lunchroom and nobody offered her assistance. When I was told that I could not stop in to have lunch with her, red flags went up! I could go on and on...
—Submitted by a parent

Mesita Elementary is Awesome! I love it. I have 2 children that attend Mesita and they love it. Staff encourages parent involvement, and there are numerous activities to be involved in or support. I enjoy being a parent Mustang!
—Submitted by a parent

I love the school it has a kid friendly enviroment and has various good teachers. The gifted and talented program only adds more spice to the great things the school can offer. From its musical programs to its fitness programs everything is to the max level of kid friendly enviroment. It also still helps maintain the kids morals because of the respect and responsibility material the school counselor distributes to the children.
—Submitted by Sofia Cruz, a former student

I hate that my children must attend this public school! There are good and bad teachers in the mix, so it's pretty much hit or miss from one year to the next. Discipline is definitely a problem with consequences for misbehavior being wishy-washy and slow at coming. Valuable teaching/learning time is robbed because of this reason in many classrooms, if you have the misfortune of ending up in one of the inadequate teacher's classes. The pricipal (L.F.) is not only unfriendly, but down right hostile to parents. The assistant principal (M.W.) is no better. The office staff is the rudest bunch of sour-faced women I have ever had the misfortune to have to deal with. There are actually signs posted in various places throughout the school telling parents to stay away/out. Campus is open and unsafe. Bright spots here are the caring counselor, music staff, art teacher, and science teachers.
—Submitted by a parent