Canyon View School

Ok, I think that anybody who has the time to complain about their own public school should reevaluate their time. If you see a problem with your school then don't become part of the problem but help to solve it. Tearing down the teachers or the principal isn't going to do anything but hurt them. I am not a full time staff member here, I'm a district staff that works part of my time at this school. The new principal is working very hard to make improvements in the school and the community but that can't change overnight. It takes time and the more support from the community the school gets will only help the school improve faster. If you have a problem, the new principal is really great to talk to. He will listen to your concerns and put solutions into practice.
--Submitted by a teacher

Don't just walk, RUN from this school and entire school district! There are many mean teachers that love to humiliate kids. You are lead to believe it is an academic school, yet when your children go there you realize it is a joke. There are so many parent projects it's ridiculous. It seems like parents have to do the teaching at night because core subjects are just glazed over and not taught well during the school day. When two of my children reached 5th and 6th grade, so much math was taught at home at night and very little during the day. During the day the students seem to spend their time coloring and doing word searches. Oh, and the worst part is that you need to watch out for your husbands, as there is a sixth grade teacher that has affairs with them. The Canyons District is fully aware of the situation and refuses to do anything about it because they say what she does in her personal life isn't their business, yet it is affecting the community, students at this school, and the entire faculty and staff. What happened to INTEGRITY? I thought getting rid of the terrible principal last year would have helped, but unfortunately, the problems run too deep. RUN AWAY!
--Submitted by a parent

My two children currently attend school at Canyon View and have made many friends, but have learned very little. Perhaps my expectations are a bit high for Utah, as my kids have attended school in two other states before moving here, but I can't help feeling surprised each week at the low expectations teachers have for their students. We are halfway through the year and the second graders are still working on +/- 6, only up to 12 or so, which is a real downgrade from the double-digit math my child started learning in first grade. My fourth grader used to get separated into asvanced math and reading groups, but the teachers stopped doing this because the students were too noisy when changing rooms--definitely not the most constructive way to solve the problem! The PTA this year seems very disorganized--taking five months to get the phone directory printed, and hosting a fall pizza social that was chaotic at best. Meet the Masters, Sudio Kids, and Mad Science are nice perks, but the school is really wanting more programs, a gym teacher, an art teacher in an art room, a language class, etc. A good school--if you're looking for nothing but the basics for an average child.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter was only at this school for first grade, so my experience is limited. I understand from friends that the Kindergarten teachers at this school are excellent. There will be a new Principal at the school for the 2011/2012 school year, so comments about the past Principal are pointless. I thought the amount of homework for a first grader during the first part of the year was very excessive, but the teachers got together mid-year and changed course. After that, it became 15-30 min. of reading plus work on math facts, at parent discretion. I did not feel there was much acceptance of difference of any sort. No ethnic diversity here, and almost no religious diversity (as with many SLC public schools, the dominant religion in our state shows through).
--Submitted by a parent

My children have attended over the past 4 years. Be careful for bad teachers! There are many bad teachers, and parents write letters requesting the good teachers.You ONLY get a good teacher if you volunteer or have a legitimate reason! The biggest problem with the school is the Principle Mrs. Okumura. She is the one thing holding the school back for being so much better! She WILL NOT make those hard choices, she avoids making decisions. She is not a leader in the school. She thinks the girls at school can do no wrong. She has actually had an assembly for ONLY BOYS to tell them to be nice to girls. There was not an assembly for the girls! If there are fights or problems it is the boys who get in the most trouble. Beware of the Canyons District! Your Childs days spent in school have been greatly decreased. Way too many furlough days. We had 17 days for winter break, many Monday and Friday off, spring break this year will be 9 days! Even Valentines Day my kids had off! The amount of time off seems excessive! This school really needs good leadership.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been very impressed with the academic standards of this school. My children have excelled academically, socially, and emotionally. The teachers are innovative in teaching styles and they set high standards for all students. The office is staff is friendly and helpful. The principal is exceptional...she goes out of her way to help solve problems in a kind and compassionate manner. She loves the children at the school and they love her. I transferred my children to this school several years ago and have been extremely happy with the school and the community.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is warm and welcoming. My child loves this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My review is a bit mixed. My children have attended this school for 4 years now. First, let me say that 70% of the teachers at this school are exceptional. Now, having said that, if you don't agree with excessive homework, run away. In second grade, my daughter had 2 hours of homework a night. It made me wonder what they were teaching during the day if I had to do that much each night. The other problem at the school is the Principal. She is terrible. If she puts a target on your child's back, there is nothing you can do. Likewise, if she puts a target on a teacher's back, there is nothing they can do. Many of the past PTA Presidents and PTA board members have all pulled their children from the school after serving.
--Submitted by a parent

We have a first grader at Canyon View Elementary. What a great school! I volunteer, as many other parents do. There is a incredible spirit of love and nurturing at CVE. From Mrs. Okumura(Principal), to the women in the office, to the teachers and the volunteer parents, it just feels like our child is in competent hands. Mrs. Armstrong, our son's kindergarten teacher last year, is a energetic, loving and kind teacher. She does a excellent job of guiding the children without tempering their spirit. Her nurturing personality makes her the perfect teacher to introduce a child to elementary school. Mrs. Mawhinney, our son's first grade teacher, is a little older and has that calming influence that a very experienced teacher brings. The children are always quiet and attentive in her class and she does a wonderful job. Best of all, our son loves it at CVE!
--Submitted by a parent

I have a 4th grader and Kindergartner attending Canyon View Elementary from outside of their school boundaries because the staff at CVE is so head and shoulders above the caliber of nearby schools. In particular, the principal, Mrs. Okumura is an amazingly caring and devoted professional - she takes the time to personally get to know every child in the school (over 600 students) and it shows. I feel blessed to have found a school that still operates and feels like the elementary schools of yesteryear...warm, inviting, supportive, where education is first and foremost and discipline is appropriate and caring yet firm.
--Submitted by a parent