Linwood Elementary School

Posted: May 12, 2021

While there are some great teachers at Linwood, there are others, along with admin; who do not have what is in the best interest of student's first, but what is easiest for them. Hopefully new principal next year will do better.

For example, we have found IEP meetings to be extremely difficult to schedule and they wait until the last minute (right before their deadline) to schedule the IEP meeting, even when I have tried to schedule the meetings well in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts. Additionally, when I have asked questions during the IEP meetings, my questions were often met with annoyance and condenscending attitudes. I had to make several requests for IEP progress notes, which should given with every report card. IEP Meetings were only scheduled for 20-30 minutes, so meetings were rushed.

We had major concerns about our student's math skills because they had deep difficulty with basic multiplication and division (upper grade student), the homework would cause overwhelm. We requested more support for math from the IEP team and we were shown "data" that our child was performing ok. When the IEP psychological evaluation results came back, our student scored in the FIRST percentile for math for their age and grade. We asked the IEP team about this discrepancy and they blamed our student for being a bad test taker.

Our student also experienced harassment, intimidation and bullying. Students at Linwood are expected to report "conflict" immediately, even in front of their bully. Our student experienced major bullying over the years at this school. More recently, one of the last events was reported to me directly after school, so I was able to report it to the teacher the same day. The plan was for a restorative conversation, however it took several days for it occur and then my student was bullied horribly again. This time it was reported before dismissal, the day it occurred, when they felt safe to do so. My student requested cameras be checked and his friend to be interviewed since he witnessed everything. Bullies denied it, recess staff didn't notice anything, so case closed. They never checked the cameras or interviewed the friend (confirmed by friend). The admin blamed my student for not reporting it immediately in front of the bullies (victim blaming). We had to get the district involved after Linwood admin stonewalling and giving poor excuses for not investigating thoroughly. We had no choice but to pull him from Linwood.

Posted: May 12, 2021

Posted: May 12, 2021

Posted: May 12, 2021

Posted: May 12, 2021

Posted: May 12, 2021

Posted: May 12, 2021

Posted: May 12, 2021

Posted: July 19, 2018

I would give this school a C+. There are some really great teachers and staff, which why we have stayed this long. My major concerns are safety during pick up and drop off. There is ZERO organization or carpool lanes; and many parents double park. Many kids don't use cross walks to and from school, they dart between cars. No one enforces the safety rules during drop off and pick up, teachers and paraprofessionals are chatting with each other. Anyone can walk on campus to drop off or pick up their child, which is not ideal in this day and age.

Posted: July 19, 2018

The homework load seems to vary by teacher. One of my kids has a learning disability, so teachers are accommodating with smaller HW packets for that student. My other child completes an 8 page HW packet in a day or two so we supplement at home.

Posted: July 19, 2018

Our kids have had amazing teachers some years and less than great teachers other years.

Posted: July 19, 2018

We love the "Character Counts Caught You" cards and Principal's Table lunches for kids who are caught being kind or good leaders.

Posted: July 19, 2018

I am unsure as there has been a new assistant principal every year.

Posted: July 19, 2018

Posted: July 19, 2018

In our experience the staff has done a great job in helping students work out problems and address bullying. We know of a couple of families who did not share our experience and ended up transferring.

Posted: March 3, 2018

I have personally seen this school help students struggling with peer tutors, parent volunteers and extra staff assistance. My daughter has always been advanced academically, so to challenge her, they've paired her with struggling peers to help them get caught up, as well as providing her work which is more at her level vs the current level her class is at. The Math is Cool program, as well as other extra curricular academic clubs are encouraged and made fun!

Posted: March 3, 2018

As I've previously stated, there is a zero tolerance for bullying. The staff is very involved and recess monitors are on top of anything even close to bullying. I've never heard of any bullying from parents, students, or any of my many friends and family that attended Linwood.

Posted: March 3, 2018

Linwood is hands down the best elementary school in the country! Their methods and guidelines should be mandatory everywhere. From all my previous comments above, to their outdoor lunches and providing Linwood shirts to all students! They go above and beyond in everything they do. My children are so lucky to have experienced life at Linwood!!!

Posted: March 3, 2018

Homework is not overwhelming, but challenges students and encourages parent participation.

Posted: March 3, 2018

The teachers at Linwood obviously love their job and students. They participate in college day on Mondays, Linwood pride day on Fridays, various fun spirit days, with a huge emphasis on character building, community outreach, very strict anti bully, and many other amazing qualities in the teachers. In the 16 years my family has been at Linwood, from my younger siblings to my children, nephew and friends, there has only been one teacher set in her very old ways, which the principal worked with a great deal to modernize her approaches, allowing her to aggressively reach many more students with different learning styles. All the specialty teachers are even enthusiastic and incredible! No complaints at all for the teachers!

Posted: March 3, 2018

In addition to my remarks above, every month, students are awarded character awards when teachers have noticed specific traits being displayed. It's always a surprise to the students, which is extremely effective in motivating the kids to strive for these awards. They also give out "Paws", little "caught ya" slips and positive praises for many character traits. Their college days place a strong importance in continuing education and instills a foundation of education importance, encouraging students to strive for excellence academically as well!

Posted: March 3, 2018

Gina Naccarratto is the best principal, hands down! All my comments above are a direct result of great management and leadership, particularly from the principal. Her "Principal's Table" lunches are a reward program for students displaying great character. She is present and approachable at meals, recess, and anytime she's walking through the halls. Her positive impacts encourage students to be friendly, kind, responsible, trustworthy and many other great character traits. Her calm and accepting demeanor make her students feel comfortable reaching out for help academically, socially, and personally. The school helps students struggling with lack of food or academic help at home.

Posted: April 27, 2016

Posted: April 27, 2016

Posted: April 27, 2016

Posted: April 27, 2016

We have two kids at Linwood and a third, who is excited to become a Linwood Lion in the fall. This school has many fabulous teachers who love their students and work hard to make learning interesting and fun. The school offers after school clubs and sports as well. Our kids are thriving since moving here from their former school. As parents we appreciate the well rounded education our kids are receiving, as well as the emphasis on building good character.

Posted: June 3, 2014

Linwood Elemetary teaches children to test. Homework is minimal and as a parent I must create work during the week. The Principals, and teacher are unprofessional. The school holds back boys, bullies children and parents.this school has diminished my sons self esteem. They have told my child that he is not allowed to cry or will be punished. The teacher addresses my child with "What, what do you want" and yesterday made the remark that something is wrong with him. This school refuses to work with children as an individual unless they have a diagnosis and refuses to utilize simple practices to resolve issues.

Posted: January 1, 2012

Mrs. Renner was a teacher for two of my children. They loved her and really grew and developed a love for learning because of her. I saw no favoritism or burn out in her. She is a strong teacher and seeks out new learning. Her weekly communication kept me informed on what was going on in the class. I would highly recommend her as a first grade teacher!