Cibolo Green Elementary School

Sorry but I am going to be blunt and honest writing what others in our neighborhood will say but not publish. This school, though rated highly, does not compare to our experience in other NEISD schools. Let us begin with the absence of a full enriching curriculum - art for example is omitted from the curriculum but children get PE up top 5 days a week. I know obesity is a problem in this area, but I do not see why arts and music should be compromised, when both tie into facilitating other areas of learning, due to those parents that cannot take care of their own children's health. There is a lack of tenured teachers. The school is a revolving door which means that your child may be in a classroom with someone learning the job, which can impact learning! Zero communication. No notes home as the school is GREEN - but what about email? Heck they do not even bother to notify you about conferences, you have to remember to look on the website in case they have bothered to post it there! Obsessed with test scores BUT the district pass on reading is ...37%!!! So the school may look great but this means anyone can pass and means nothing in terms of ability! Please - lets change this!
—Submitted by a parent

Where to begin.. should I start with the fact that the only homework sent home is to help them practice for the 'TEST', OR that bullying goes unchecked if the child being bullied isn't from the preferred neighborhood, or if their parent isn't one of the MANY that spend all day there discussing other kids and their families' problems. There are no paper notifications sent home, they rely on the internet - because they are GREEN. While this is an excellent idea, it's implementation isn't shared among all the instructors, and the result is often chaotic. I moved my child into this attendance area, with high hopes for a great experience. However, after a very hard year, in which the teacher failed to grade papers and reply to emails about 'missing work', I moved her out again. Hard for her in the short term, but she had an excellent year this year at a better-run school. I waited to post this with the hope things would turn around this year, but after talking to friends who remained, I realized the problems were still there. Maybe it's because i grew up on the east coast, where education is sacred. It would be nice if the administration remembered what they are there for - TEACHING!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I was worried my 5th grader would having a difficult time adjusting because he attended the same school from K-4 nearby, but we moved and I also have a Kindergartener so we changed schools. I was blown away by the kindness of the staff, administration and PTA. I have never felt more welcomed to join the PTA at any other school I have been a part of. (6 other Elementary Schools through my 3 children.) The environment is amazing and they offer so much for the children to participate in. They have great functions like festivals and fun walks and earth day. I also agree that 4 award ceremonies a year are too many, but it is a minor detail. My older son also felt accepted even though many of these students have know each other for years. It has been a very pleasant experience and I look forward to the next 5 years with my younger son.
—Submitted by a parent

Two of my children attended this school last year. Both of their teachers were fabulous! They learned a lot. However, the administration and district itself need work. 1. School starts at 7:30am! And they are STRICT about tardies. We had to leave our house (in the same neighborhood) at 7:10 in order to get there on time because of traffic at the school. If you have a child in K-2, pick-up is a nightmare, too. 2. There is no art program. 3. The district's GT testing is awful! They have made up their own tests, instead of using national tests and teacher recommendations like other districts. 4. Attendance is highly stressed, to a point of feeling like you should send your kids to school even when they are sick (I never did, but I had friends who did). 5. To second the previous reviewer, the awards ceremonies. 6. If you have a child that needs any help, admin is quick to help in the beginning, but it fades during the year. 7. The principal is nice and involved, but it seems that more emphasis is put on attendance and testing than anything else. I really had high hopes for this school. We moved our kids to a smaller school in a different district and we are all much happier.
—Submitted by a parent

We had a wonderful year at the first year of this school. The principal is very involved and gets to know all of the parents and students. The school has clubs and many fun and new activities. The teachers are caring and every classroom has i pads and new macs. My only complaint is the awards ceremony held every 9 weeks. At this school, if your child has straight A's and perfect attendance, expect tears every 9 weeks. An award is given every 9 weeks to the outstanding boy & girl in each class, and several other awards are given at the end of the year. The same students get several of these awards, and it is heart-breaking for your child not to receive any of these awards. I have spoken with several other parents who stress over the awards show every 9 weeks. If the principal would do away with the awards presentations, the school would be perfect. The teachers say they are forced to give out these awards, and wish they didn't have to. Only at this school, are you not good enough if you have straight A's and perfect attendance,
—Submitted by a parent

For our first year in Texas schools, we had a great year at NEISD schools, Cibolo Green Elementary being one of them. I was disappointed my daughter would not be able to be in a self-contained gifted class as she was in her Florida school, but it turns out Texas is more stringent regarding their definition of a gifted child, so there are not as many students identifed as gifted to warrant a full-time class. Are they missing students, or is this an accurate reflection of giftedness? Academically, my daughter was very successful and she enjoyed her teachers. She did very well on the TAKS test. The PTA is the best PTA staff I have experienced and I have a son who is going to be a senior next school year. Considering each event was new for the school, things ran smoothly. I look forward to my daughter attending next year!
—Submitted by a parent

The first year at Cibolo Green has been excellent. Teachers were very helpful and attentive to our child's needs. Questions posed to the teachers were quickly addressed and the administration and PTA kept us fully informed via regular meetings, emails, newsletters, and social networks. Parents had ample opportunity to become involved in the school by volunteering in the classrooms, library, cafeteria, and a robust Watch DOGS program. Definitely a great first year for this school!
—Submitted by a parent

This has been a very sad year for this community. The excitement of the opening of the wonderful campus has been quelled by the ineffective administration. There isn't a focus on high level instruction, rather one of remediation and low level expectations. The administration is running this campus like a Title I campus that is in need of improvement. How sad that the district made a poor selection in administrators. She will destroy this campusl.
—Submitted by a parent

Cibolo Green has great teachers who care a lot. The problem is the principal the district choose for this new school. She comes from a title 1 school and is running it like one. She doesn't care to communicate with the parents. It's hard to get involved in the school. Next year my children will not attend this school. The district NEEDS to replace the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so excited about the opening of our new school in August 2010. It will include students who previously attended Roan Forest ES (which was capped), and the overflow students at Bulverede Creek ES. We know the campus is beautiful and expect great staff and parent involvement!
—Submitted by a parent