Magnolia Elementary School

Posted September 15, 2009

This year my daughter will exit Magnolia to go on to Junior High. We have had our ups and downs. She has had wonderful teachers and some who were not positive influences (a great life lesson). I feel she will be prepared next year. I guess I would say that I am apathetic about Magnolia. I would give more credit to parents that we know how to parent our children. I should not have to sign a contract pledging to feed my child and limit their tv time. Teachers should not have to pledge to teach our children (Isn't that their job?). One parent pointed below that they focus on STAR testing. So do all other schools. Remember however, this is an optional test. Your child does not have to test. Just write a letter opting them out and present it to the principal. We have done this with no issues.
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Posted September 14, 2007

Your complaints are valid about testing, but having been involved with my children's teachers and as a former member of the Site Council, all teachers in all schools unfortunately are teaching for State and Federal Testing. School funding is tied to academic performance. Challenges do exist with ESL students but that is not exclusive to Magnolia. Extracurricular activities increase from Grades 4-6. This school has some excellent teachers that do go outside of the box and challenge students. We must remember that teachers are there to teach and not babysit our kids so in turn our kids are expected to learn. Parent involvement varies from class to class depending on the availability of the parents. I encourage every parent to be involved in their child's class. My second child is in 5th Grade and will leave in 2009. Our first child left in 2007 and was well prepared for Honors Courses at OJHS.
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Posted August 28, 2007

We have been at Magnolia for several years. The teachers are great and want the best for the students, unfortuately, this school is very focused on STAR testing and scores leaving not a lot of time for subjects other than reading and math. There are too many activities that revolve around fundraising putting too much emphasis on money instead of the children and there is never an accounting of where all the fundraising monies are being spent. Many parents in my circle have stopped participating in school activities because they do not feel welcomed by the PTC. I would like to see this school start focusing on the children again.
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Posted August 11, 2006

We have attended Magnolia for three years. The teaching staff is wonderful and attentive but the some programs are lacking such as music, art and computer science. The school has too large a population for all children to get a chance to participate in extracurricluar activities such as the choir. In addition, with the recent changes in the administration have come an atmosphere change. Some parents are beginning to feel unwanted and the constant negative tone of the communications sent home (newsletter, notices) are a disappointment. I miss the fun educational environment that used to prevail at Magnolia.
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