John Tyler Elementary School

WHOOPS! I HIT A BUMP, CAUSING ATHE MISSPELLING OF THE WORD "ALTHOUGH" IN MY RANT.... STILL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CONSTANT MISUSE OF PRONOUNS AND ENGLISH AMOUNG ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES. IF PARENTS CAN NOT SPEAK PROPER ENGLISH, IT IS PASSED DOWN IMPROPERLY THROUGH THE GENERATIONS! I'M JUST AN AVERAGE PARENT THAT HAS A "PET PEEVE" TOWARD ADULTS WHO HAVE LIVED IN THE U.S.A... FOR MANY YEARS, YET REFUSE TO SPEAK IT'S NATIVE LANGUAGE! THIS IS NOT THE COUNTRY YOU IMMAGRATED FROM; SPEAK THE LANGUAGE. I WOULD NEVER GO TO ANOTHER COUNTRY AND FLAUNT ENGLISH BEHIND OTHERS' BACKS, GOSSIP, ETC. IN A LANGUAGE SOMEONE ASSUMES- ASSUMES-OTHERS DON'T SPEAK FLUENTLY. I DON'T LET PEOPLE KNOW I SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH UNTIL I RESPOND TO A GOSSIPER IN SPANISH. THE LOOK ON THEIR FACE IS PRICELESS!!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends this school and I feel that their is too many children in her 4th grade class. There is nearly 28-30 kids in one class with only one teacher. The Math teacher is terrible. I have sent several notes to her regarding my child and it seems as if she just ignores what I tell her.I just can't seen to understand how she's teaching the kids. My daughter comes home so confused about her Math assignments. The Math teacher needs to take some courses herself to learn good methods of teaching 4th graders Math.
--Submitted by a parent

The principal at this school tries to stay out of any situation he can. Instead of having an open door policy. The students do not get any recess time in the winter despite having sunny days, there are plenty of excuses in summer as well. One was too many students on the playground another was a student having medical problems. Yet the 2nd graders are expected to stay put like robots during class and during other classes they must attend. They are also expected to do well in their yearly tests, kids need play time to let off steam. P.E. is only held once a week! This will surely bring students medical problems! If students are doing well and can take on more of a challenge they are ignored and made to sit through the brain numbing class. If your child has a disability learning i suppose that will be noticed but if your child can take on more he'll only remain stagnant.
--Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love this school! My son was constantly in trouble at his previous b/c his teacher and adminatrators did not understand or care to find solutions with his ADHD. His 1st Grade teacher at John Tyler went above and beyond to help him learn in a way that worked for him. He is reading at a 5th grade level now and has honor roll every 9 week period. He become where he loved go to school instead of dreading it. I look forward to my son future years at John Tyler
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in kindergarden at this school and I am so unhappy. At my son's pre-k school, he read way above level and they never had any discipline problems out of him. His pre-K school put a note on his file stating how well he reads and also to keep him challenged. This is the 2nd month of school and they still are not challenging him and he is constantly on color change. This bothers me as a parent because I know my sons abilities and when a child isn't challenged they get bored and they get in trouble. I have went as far as contacting the principal and he promised me they would challenge him, but I needed to understand that the classroom was very crowded and they would do the best they could do. There are 31 students in my sons class with 2 teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 3 kids in this school 6th grade, 4th grade and k. I love this school and the admid. however i do not like the fact that we were rezoned last yr. my k student has 26 kids in her class and my 4th grader has 25 and when you have that many kids in one class the kids suffer. My 4th grader scored a perfect on his social studies sol last yr and my 6th grader scored a perfect on her reading sol last yr besides over crowding i really love this school
--Submitted by a parent

I have the greatest 6th graders ever. I teach U.S. History, my classes are on task every day. We have fun learning History and my students and I are are totaly into the challenges we face together. I also have the greatest group of parents any teacher could ask for. They send in supplies, support from home and keep me informed. And regardless of what some may think, we have the greatest Administrative team a student, parent or teacher could dream of. Watch the Tigers and listen for the roar.
--Submitted by a teacher

My son has been in this school 6 yrs now and I must say, this school is going down hill. They have rezoned yet again and still have overcrowding in the classrooms in spite of adding on a wing to a newly constructed building. This year, something new- some grades have 2 teachers to a classroom to accommodate over 30 kids in 1 classroom! The discipline needs improvement too. Kids are getting away with too much and they know it. Lots of bad attitude kids and bullying. Dont want to 'suspend' kids- wont look good on the schools record from what I heard. My kids have never written a book report this whole time in this school. Teachers are forced to focus their teaching only on what is needed to pass the SOL's for accreditation. On a positive note, there are many great teachers who care and do a great job.
--Submitted by a parent

This is our first year with John Tyler. My daughter is in kindergarten. I feel many improvements could be made, but overall I think they do a good job. I commend portsmouth schools for working so hard to beat their bad reputation.
--Submitted by a parent

JT is a great school. I have had children in the Portsmouth City School System since 1993 and am quite pleased in the much needed inprovements made by our Superintendent. The teachers and staff have always been quite willing to meet my concerns in a positive manner. The school is fully accredited, and I know the work that my 2nd grader routinely does - I did not do in the 2nd grade! PTA and parental involvement could be better, as we came from Churchland Elementary where it was quite high. But that does not reflect on the school. Keep up the good work John Tyler - this family in Portsmouth is very pleased!
--Submitted by a parent