White Elementary School

When moving to Glendale, California from Cleveland, Ohio a huge concern for me was being in an area where my soon to be kindergartener would attend school. I looked up the ratings of R.D. White Elementary online and they had outstanding scores! I was really excited only to find out that the ratings are a complete and utter lie. I enrolled my daughter and attended the orientation. It made me super skeptical because when I was asking questions to the staff no one could answer me. They gave me the answer «go on the website and find out». I was taken by surprise when I had a staff member in front of me that couldn’t answer a question about the school they are employed by. I should have went with my gut and started looking for a different school but I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Upon my daughter’s first couple of weeks at school she started being punched, hit, and scratched by other kindergarteners. I contacted the teacher, vice principle, principle, and superintendent to voice my concerns. This was the first and only formal meeting. I brought my friend as a witness incase anything legal happened but they said I could not have her in the room. I know my rights and told them she is sitting in the meeting. Throughout the meeting they kept saying proper consequences are being taken and I asked well over 20 times how and I never got a straight answer. I told them it is unacceptable for kids to be punching each other, not a friendly punch but a blow to the stomach or head. They said they are taking care of the situation and talked with the parents but didn’t tell me what actions they are taking to ease the situation. You can talk with someone’s parents till the end of time but if their child is harming others apparently this school thinks it is okay. My daughters teacher was kind enough to keep emailing me daily about things going on. My daughter struggles with paying attention and wanting to be the center of attention. Much as a little girl does. She gets loud and sings a lot and sometimes doesn’t finish her work, problems I am happy to work with my daughter on considering she is 5. My daughter then one day got in the car when I picked her up, looked at me, smiled and said «mom! Guess what? I didn’t get hurt by anyone today!» That is when my red flag went shooting up! I contacted them again to voice my concern and was told the same answer that things are being taken care of. Then a few weeks went by and my daughter came home and said that a classmate of hers said that «I am going to bring a gun to school, point it at your head, shoot and kill you.» I got furious! My daughter was being threatened and by another 5year old! I don’t care about the age of a student when it comes to threats, I care about the safety of a child, this is not right! No action was taken again besides talking to the parents and asking me to trust them. I get that a 5year old doesn’t quite understand what they are saying sometimes but they have an understanding of killing and know it is wrong. I started looking for other schools for my daughter at this time and planned on moving because this school cares about keeping a reputation as opposed to keep a child safe. This week is my last week at R.D. White and I am taking her out three days early because of the next event I am about to tell you. A child went up to my daughter said that he wants to «tape her to the wall and rip her clothes off and then rip her underwear off»! I reached out again and was being told that things are under control. I am livid! I spoke to the vice principle and he said once again you have to trust us, things are under control. I stood up and said no they are not! I do not trust the administration because nothing is being done. He said that «would you want me to release personal information about your daughter to the other parents if you daughter did this?» I said yes! I want to hold my daughter responsible and let the other parent know their child is safe. So I don’t know how this is being handled. All I know is they don’t believe in suspending a 5 year old. I don’t believe in suspending a young child either unless they are threatening another student! Doesn’t matter the age! They need to be suspended, put in another class, or have mandatory psychological therapy. The vice principle then proceeded to tell me that it’s a lot like hanging with your family and a kid is watching grand theft auto being played, it is normal. My response was «No it is not!» It is not okay for a child to watch murder and punching hookers and stealing and rioting! He then proceeded to tell me that since the past two years under the new principle that this year there has only been 3 suspensions. Maybe they should suspend more students to keep the school safe instead of trying to boost up statistical ratings when no one really knows what is going on in the school. Do not send your child here!