Brinker Elementary School

Very disappointed. Extremely poor communication between teacher and parent.After repeatedly reminding the teacher that I am not receiving emails from her the problem has still not been fixed.Preferential treatment.When my child complained of a headache the whole day was ignored by the teacher.Got a call in 15 minutes from the daycare after she reached saying she was running a high temperature.Prior to this school, my child attended CFB-ISD and the parent school communication,interaction was much higher than this place.Pity our tax dollars are getting so little return from this place for being in such an affluent neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has loved this school for the last 3 years. Its a safe fun school good parent involvement
—Submitted by a parent

Our family moved to the Brinker area as a corporate transfer, and we chose our area quickly. We knew Brinker was a good school, but are constantly surprised by what a great school it is. The teachers are caring and communicative, our children are challenged, and we all feel safe and welcome. The classrooms themselves are a little crowded, but class size is about the same as most public schools in the USA and I have never felt that my children have been lost in the crowd. I am looking forward to having a bit more space after their renovations in Spring 2013. For what it is worth, the lunches are certainly above average.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been at Brinker for many years off and on. I currently have 3 children in 1st, 2nd and 4th grades. I have to say I am extremely pleased with this school year. All 3 of my teachers are quite communicative and I so appreciate it. They are all open to questions and concerns. My kids are thriving and I am very happy. Our PTA is wonderful and large and we will always need more involvement. We do have a lot of kids but we're figuring it out as a community.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been at Brinker for more than 2 years now, I currently have 2 children in 1st and 4th grades. I love this school, the teachers, the principal is really open for listening. Our PTA is wonderful, off course we will always need more involvement. We do have a lot of kids but we're figuring it out as a community. I'm very pleased by the curriculum my kids are receiving in here. All places have something to be improve but for sure Brinker es a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

Extremely disappointing!!!! My son started in second grade and has been there for 3 years now and the bullying started in second grade. I blame myself for the first year as I dismissed the name calling as "kids being kids" and just spoke to my son about it and informed him that he isn't the one with the issue and we should pray for the kids that don't know better. When he came home in 3rd grade with his spirit totally broken because a 5th grader had called him names, I had it. What made it worse, the school knew about it and had the kid write an apology note to my son, but did not inform me or the other parents that it had occured. Once I notified them that I was aware of it and highly upset that he was being bullied they acted concerned, told me they had a no tolerance rule and it would be handled. This was after the fact but I still had hopes that they would do something to encourage the students build each other up instead of tear each other down but when asking the counselor the plans going forward she only got defensive and thought I was accusing her of "not doing her job"...... Hmmmm. well there still is no program to encourage anti bullying, but I am sure its on her list
—Submitted by a parent

Great community feeling - dedicated staff and leadership - opportunities for parent involvement through PTA. Exemplary campus.

Very disappointing. The teachers do not maintain any communication with the parents. No response to email or calls. Preferential treatments. No place to turn to for help. Truly a lost year. Since I still believe in regarding the teachers, I choose to not make a list of issues. But some very disappointing behaviours. One thing is for sure - I do not think the teachers really care. - A very sad parent.
—Submitted by a parent

I share the frustration with the previous reviewer. I am pretty sure not every one of them are bad but my child have had a tough luck. They blame their student for their inability or indifference! Do they really intimidate you by telling you to bring your perfectly "NORMAL" kid to a doctor for anything they see as a trouble? Yes they do. They try to manage their students as they were prisoners in a correctional facilities and they don't listen to you even when you or your child has an excuse or explanation to get them. It looks like they see themselves as somebody with superpower and never agrees that they are only humans who can make mistakes. Once they file ANY report against your child, that's it. They never take it back or revise it no matter what you tell them even with a proper reasons. But listen to my advice and do not appeal - your child will begin to bring home even more "Stop and Think" reports for ANY trivial mistakes at school. Yes, I do feel they retaliate. I did file a couple of complaints to PISD so far but nothing really changed. So glad my child is done with this school and these people.
—Submitted by a parent

Extremely disappointed in Brinker. (cont). When we requested a more structured classroom, he was placed in a class with 18 boys. Then the teacher intimated that he should be seen by a doctor for his inability to focus!! When my sister attempted to meet with them, they were only interested in starting a process to document him as a behavior problem. We eventually moved him to a private school with more structure. They work with my sister and the discipline problems have faded away. He is an alwasys was an excellent student academically. Now, he's o with a teacher and in a school that "sees"' him and really cares. He's doing beautifully.

My daughter has been at Brinker for 2 years now and she absolutely loves it. Her 3rd grade teacher was outstanding and my daughter really thrived under her direction. For me, the school is lacking in many areas. The classrooms are old and small. They are not equipped with current technology like SmartBoards and there is little computer integration into the curriculum. I would like to see better communication. There is little to no communication from the principal. In fact, my daughter didn't know Brinker had a principal for most of 2nd grade. The school events are very weak and participation is poor as a result. Finally, don't expect anything other than TAKS prep...art instruction is poor, no foreign language and no extra curricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

It is great place to work.
—Submitted by a teacher

Brinker Elementary School is led by two warm and caring individuals, Barbara Richardson, Principal and Patricia Hempstead, Asst. Principal. They lead a team of professional staff members who are educators at heart and truly devoted to helping children reach their full potential. The school has a kind and welcoming energy where students and parents feel safe and at home. As a new staff member this year at Brinker, I find this school has a sense of honest humility and healthy collegial relationships. The student body is very diverse yet cohesive and we are blessed with so many amazing, involved parents Being a memeber of the Brinker family is a great gift for which I am extremely grateful!
—Submitted by a teacher

My son was at Brinker for a short time. This school has had several complaints as well as students who have been removed due to lack of ability within the Special Education Department. If you have a child that may need something extra, this is not the school for you. The building is great and there are funds here. The teachers receive 'gifts' from certain parents, and they choose the teachers prior to the year's beginning. There are very specific groups of parents that have a voice, and the rest do not. The Special Education rating has gone down substantially with Brinker and one of the teachers within the department who injured a special needs child is still working at this school. It is surprising that in such an affluent area the elementary school is barely acceptable.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter had excellent teachers throught the years. But i agree with the comment that there are various groups among parents.if you are not in it you will not get any chance to involve in any of the actvities. I also noted that PTA parents get their choice of teachers for every year. thier children actually boast about that in class that they got to choose which teacher they wanted as class teacher.I feel kids are basically good, but a group of parents feel they are privilleged and hence encourage kids act out that way. compared to Barksdale in west plano, extracurricular activites( clubs , after school programs ) are nil in this school. I will take any other west plano school over this one on academical and social environment.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was in Ms. Snowdens class this year for Kindergarten. Ms. Snowden is a GREAT teacher and I really enjoyed having her as my sons teacher. I enjoyed our year at Brinker but was a little disappointed with the other parents. It seemed like if you were not in the same social circle, you are not included in after school events.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter is a kindergartner at Brinker Elementary. We feel that she is receiving an outstanding education. She is challenged every day and is learning on a consistent basis. We are pleased by what she has learned. Her teacher has been in the field of education for 30 years and is loved and respected by the students. She provides excellent leadership for the kindergarten classes. Children attend physical education daily, art and music twice a week, and library once a week. Parent involvement at Brinker is fantastic as well. Parents are scheduled on a volunteer basis to work in the PTA sponsored 'work room' to assist classroom teachers in preparation for upcoming lessons. Kindergarten parents also have the opportunity to be reading buddies and to participate on a center committee. Various after school PTA sponsored activities are also available to the children. Some activities include: Spanish Club, Art, and chess.
—Submitted by a parent

My 5 year old goes to this school. After 3 months, my conclusion is this school is better than most privates
—Submitted by Frank, a parent

This is a great school, excellent education plan.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers. As a parent I feel a little detached from the school. Some times it seems we are not allowed to be too involved. Lots of money in this school which makes it nice, but some of the parents are way too pretentious.
—Submitted by a parent