Jennie Dean Elementary School

Overall, I see hard working dedicated teachers. I am worried about too much $$$ being spent in some areas with no support of test data to see it's worth!
--Submitted by a parent

Someone is impressed because administration is in the building? Another's son has an aid? Is it an aid for the whole class? Questions are answered when asked? Have the standards gone so low that people are impressed by individuals showing up and doing their jobs? Has anyone looked at the test scores? How does the staff at Mayfield feel about the preparedness of the students coming from Jennie Dean? Parents volunteering, having lunch with students and joining the PTA says way more about the parents than it does about staff or administration. By the way, good for you if you got that great teacher, hope your luck continues.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is above and beyond grade level thanks to the dedication and encourage of his teacher. If we have a question, it is answered. If there is a function, we are there. If there is a doubt, it is clarified. I respect the adminstration and will support the school in any I can.
--Submitted by a parent

I just wanted to give a shout out to the Special Education Staff at Jennie Dean. They have been so helpful and supportive of my son's special needs. The staff has been great about communicating with me on how my son's day went. They are very receptive whenever I offer new information that I've read about, and in turn, they've shared great information and techniques with me. My son's aid has formed a great bond with him and created a safe, stable environment for him. Thank you so much!
--Submitted by a parent

Jennie Dean is a great school and the principal is present in the building every day that he is not at a meeting. Since we are in School Improvement, he is required to attend meetings more than once a week. The Assistant Principal is always present and they both do a great job of walking through the hallways and being present in the cafeteria on a daily basis. In reference to a comment about translating getting in the way of student's education, that is completely inaccurate. The teachers teach in English and the translator works in the office so there is no way that this could get in the way of instruction. Staff seems to all work together very well and help each other out when necessary. I love Jennie Dean despite the negativity that people may have towards the school. Most of the parents who complain are not the ones who volunteer their time with PTA, offer to help in their child's classroom, or ask what they can to do help... Teachers work very hard to change the future through teaching your children. They do their jobs because they care, we all can look up their salary and we know that there are other jobs they could go to college for 5-6 years and make plenty more money.

We love Jennie Dean teachers and other school employees because they are always there for us. My 2 children enjoy coming there everyday. We participate in PTA meetings, lunches and various activities that the school offers.
--Submitted by a parent

I love JDES my kids have attended Jennie Dean for the past 3 yrs, I love the community feeling there. School employees and teachers know the children and parents by name its a warm enviroment where your child is not jst a number like in some of the bigger county schools. We have had wonderful teachers and Im impressed with the level of communication from the schol and MCPS. In fact, I have put off moving in order for my kids to stay at Jennie Dean. I know many other parents who feel the same way.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school has changed since I attended it myself some time ago. They have a few good teachers that are actually willing to try and teach your child, however, I believe a few of them might have been there just a little too long and their tolerance has gone down. The format for teaching, to me personally has changed pretty much everywhere now that we have to have translators. My child complains of the constant distraction it causes, and I don't feel like he's truly learning to the best of his abilities. I think the Principal at this school is really putting forth effort in making this school better than what it was 2 years ago.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree about time and learning being wasted with constant transitions due to the Parallel Block structure. It will be interesting to compare notes with schools who have also implemented Steps to Literacy but not Par. Block. I think above all else, the literacy program was a worthy investment, however not so much for the whirlwind daily schedule. We are trying our best as teachers to shed light on what it is really like: we never fully finish a lesson the way we want, we have kids in constant motion who can't remember the 12 teachers' names they see each day, and we can't create a sense of calm with all this movement.
--Submitted by a teacher

Too much time wasted in constant movement between classes.
--Submitted by a parent