Ritchie Park ES

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ritchie Park is a good, solid school. We have been a part of the community for several years and our child has thrived. Ms. Long is definitely a "buy the book" type of principal, which some parents like and some do not. At the end of the day, I do think that the principal has the children's best interest at heart which is all the parents can ask for. I don't think that she is one to get caught up in the politics of having to deal with helipcopter parents who can just be down right annoying (every school has them.)

The teachers and staff at RPES are welcoming and warm and want what is best for the kids, and we have found that each of our child's teachers has taken a vested inter4est in our child and really pushed them where they needed to be pushed. I never expected having a teacher call me on his/her personal time during the school year to just chat about my child and this has happened on a regular during our time here. If people are looking to leave RPES because of the principal, I can only look at that as a better thing for my child -- it should help with overcrowding (which is a problem in a lot of schools throughout MoCo.)

At the end of the day no school is perfect but I think that annoying, overbearing parents can be a lot of the problem. RPES is a good school and the surrounding neighborhoods are very nice with (for the most part) welcoming, down to earth families.

She is not "buy the book." She is "by the book."

[Anonymous]

I'd like to know specifically what those of you who are complaining think the principle could do better. The complaint that "she lies. she plays favorites and targets children. She cannot solve problems. She is totally ineffective" are opinions that could be based on the poster's personality or issues just as quickly as they could be based on the principle's. So what are the specific complaints?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to know specifically what those of you who are complaining think the principle could do better. The complaint that "she lies. she plays favorites and targets children. She cannot solve problems. She is totally ineffective" are opinions that could be based on the poster's personality or issues just as quickly as they could be based on the principle's. So what are the specific complaints?

Why do you need to know so badly? I wouldn't post a specific complaint. It would be obvious who the poster was. The OP asked for feedback on the school. She got it. You don't have to like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to know specifically what those of you who are complaining think the principle could do better. The complaint that "she lies. she plays favorites and targets children. She cannot solve problems. She is totally ineffective" are opinions that could be based on the poster's personality or issues just as quickly as they could be based on the principle's. So what are the specific complaints?

PP - please read this page:
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/principal-versus-principle.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to know specifically what those of you who are complaining think the principle could do better. The complaint that "she lies. she plays favorites and targets children. She cannot solve problems. She is totally ineffective" are opinions that could be based on the poster's personality or issues just as quickly as they could be based on the principle's. So what are the specific complaints?

PP - please read this page:
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/principal-versus-principle.aspx

The point of this thread is to help someone who is potentially interested in RPES. Thank you so much for correcting everyone's grammar. I agree with the person who said that some parents are just meant to home school. Perhaps you want to look into that?

Back to the topic - RPES is a fine school. Ms. Long does not have a ton of fans but the teachers, staff and community (with the exception of a few) are all great. Regardless of the school, neighborhood you decide to buy in you could have issues. Best of luck! Also, you may want to set up some time to tour the school and see things first hand.

[Anonymous]

I have to agree that the new principal is terrible. Getting an IEP or any kind of services has been a nightmare. Beyond that, there are problems at recess, problems on the busses and the administration does nothing. If anything, they are spiteful with class placements and want your children to fail. The teachers do their best, but the children are not properly placed. I agree - the principal lies and is dishonest.

[Anonymous]

I must disagree. My child has gone through the IEP process at RP. Under this current administration, a need was discovered and the IEP process was very concise and professionally conducted. The ultimate result is my child is finally receiving services which have been truly needed. Previous to this administration, my other children did not receive services and we had to go the private pay route.

Parents at the school love to complain, but will not set foot into the school to help out. Or if they do "help out" it is to see how their child and only their child is performing.
It is very easy to critiicize when one does not get their way. The admistration follows MCPS policy and guidelines.

Presently, all schools in MC are over-populated and parents must help out and not for their own interest, but in the interest of all. The administration has addressed the bus issues e.g. speaking to the bus load of kids, holding student meetings etc. If more parents would "parent" their children rather than expect the school to do it for them, most of these issues would be non-existent.

[Anonymous]

The whole culture of the school is reactionary and over the top. Especially the school counselor. Everything is "the worst thing ever," " "sure to cause life long issues" etc, etc. But, they will never refer to services. It is like no one in administration has ever worked with children or has any training in working with children.

[Anonymous]

Take a transfer to COld Spring ES, just across from RPES. Cold Spring is wonderful, well respected principal and wonderful teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take a transfer to COld Spring ES, just across from RPES. Cold Spring is wonderful, well respected principal and wonderful teachers.

How do you do this, "take a transfer" thing? We're not in RP - we're somewhere WAY worse (won't mention, but trust me) and never thought this was possible. Can someone elaborate? And am I too late for this school year?