Dolores Street Elementary School

I have mixed feelings about this school. My mother attended here, I attended this school & my daughter is now in her last year here.
Pros the staff in the office is super nice and so is the current principle ms battle very nice lady.
They have always been helpful and I’ve had them help during any times my child was ill, hurt or something that I was concerned about. Never have they turned me away or anything like that.
You know that you can always call the office and find out if your child is ok or need to speak with them if it’s urgent they will send notes to class or let you go to the class if you need to speak to your child.
The staff may ask kids not to run but that’s due to the safety of your child to not get hurt in anyway. I appreciate that
Another pro is their breakfast in school I like that my daughter can arrive to school knowing she will have something to eat in the morning it’s really good to know they have went with no child left behind
Pro Mrs orijel best 4^th grade teacher at Dolores I’m sorry best teacher she was so incredible!
Cons parking is not their fault but they should try to have all gates open even the ones located on Dolores that way all children can get in from all sides it’s very difficult to drive through a school zone and residential zone while looking for parking or simply dropping off your child thru the valet area… And I must say the new crossing guard on both stop signs are just not good the one on 228^th doesn’t go to both sides of the street she just goes to one side and expects everyone to cross at once like if this were Japan everyone go on red! I’m sorry no if she is letting one side cross then you must allow the other vehicles to pass and then wait till you allow the next group of kids cross and allow the other side of cars pass while your on the other side helping kids cross it’s not stand on one side and everyone go it’s just not safe and the other girl on the other side was good till i just saw her on the phone and kids waiting then her only walking less then half way telling the kids ok come on like really so your not even going to meet them half way it’s not even a big street it’s only 10 feet across really bothers me especially when it’s children involved and their not even my kids but that doesn’t matter Childers safety always comes first for me…
Con some teachers are not the best but I think if you speak up and let them know you mean business they will see your not playing. I look young so sometimes I get mistaken for her older sister and I think that is a reason why sometimes I get talked to like I’m a child but then I let them know I’m sorry you must have mistaken me for someone you can speak to that way too I’m the mother of this child not an adolescent!
Con after school program yells at your kids does not do any activity your child has signed up to claims you need to leave your child the whole time (pick them up late) to experience the program but I have arrived late and she never did anything fun all it is, is a day care where your child gets ample time to do their homework with no help from the instructors because their to busy on their phones or talking to each other and yelling at your kid along with a brief snack time where they still get yelled at oh did I mention their military style drill of exercises they do before snack yea were talking about 6 – 10 year old kids here not teens mind you they love to yell not sure if I made that clear. The only one who is really nice here is ms D and miss Wendy they may yell every now and then but they are pretty cool

On this year (2013), Dr. Seuss Day was not great! I have experienced this event with my nieces and nephew in the past and it was pleasant. This year Ms. Kendrick continuously blabbed on the microphone. That woman is everywhere!

Admin has been through some changes but it seems to have settled down now. They do not allow you to change your child’s classroom if they get a teacher just putting in the time and not interested in teaching anymore. They are argumentative and unfriendly — dismissing your complaints and saying things like YOU are the problem — not their lazy teacher (s). One in particular spends her days playing piano for the class. No, it’s not a music class — it’s 4^th grade!
However, most of the teachers seems engaged and interested. There are some truly outstanding teachers who do a great job and keep you informed with emails and even facebook.
The school itself is very prison-​like. There is no grass and very little tree shade. Be prepared for your kids jeans, shirts, hands and face to come home filthy from the tarmac.
Kids are not allowed to play outside their play area so if they’ve made special friends the previous year and those friends are not in the same classroom the following year — they are not allowed to play together. It’s very much like Cell Block A cannot be on the yard the same time as Cell Block B. Really quite ridiculous.
Children are not allowed to run or they will sit out their recess. I’m sure it’s all about safety as if the child falls — the tarmac is going to chew them up!
PTA is useless for working moms. They plan meetings during work hours and if you miss 3 meetings they kick you out. PTA should be renamed to SHM — Stay Home Moms.
There is a wonderful after school program called Woodcraft Rangers. The 1^st hour is dedicated to homework, then snack, then they play outside or stay inside depending upon the activity the child chose when enrolled in the program. It is an outside program not a program provided by the school. You have to sign your child out at the end of the day and if your child has too many absences, the program may drop them to allow other children to attend who will actually show up.

From it seems the teachers are nice and the principal is very very young. Kind of dont know how to feel about that but if she can handle the job then I guess.