Whitman Elementary School

My daughter started out in another school and did wonderful! She was above all of her class when she started at Whitman. Her teacher at the time admitted that it would be easy for her to fall behind because they had to work with the other students who were EXTREMELY behind and the children who knew what they were doing would pretty much be given an assignment and told to do it without help. Well she still did alright but eventually the grades fell. My son started out there and learned next to nothing! If you're wondering why they were there (& I bet you are!) well it was only because of transportation issues and it being close to our home at the time. I felt like telling parents to grab their children and run when I saw people enrolling their children their. The staff has some nice teachers but it also has its share of "ghetto" teachers as well. I had other people I knew and some from the neighborhood all complain about the same things. 5 other children that I knew transferred to other schools because their grade fell after being in Whitman. One of the parents of those 5 had to pay for tutoring because his child was so far behind the children at Union (where he is currently enrolled, doing great, and enjoys everyday he's there). I made it to this site only because I'm searching for a better school because I feel my children have no chance in Whitman. If you put you're children in this school be prepared for home schooling your child also because they will need you more than just a here and there math problem. You will have to reteach everything! If you ever go into the classes and sit with the children or help them you will see the MAJORITY are extremely behind. And on top of it!!!... Flyers and notices are always handed out at the last minute making it hard for parents to make arrangements to attend programs or purchase items for their children (the majority of the children who attend this school are from low income families. They don't think about the fact that most of these children's parents can't toss money out their pocket to purchase things at last minute. Lots of them don't even get school pictures and they don't have retakes or fall and spring photos.) The children say the cafeteria food is gross and upsets their stomachs and it's too much trouble for the staff to figure out that lactose intolerant children can't have milk! Well I could keep going but won't. These are only some complaints based on my experience there and of the people I know. I really hope they get it together there! The school is nice and sits in a nice neighborhood and it's needed. (Not another abandoned building). Also they need fine arts and more activities. The kids have nothing to look forward to! Nothing that makes coming special.