Templeton Elementary School

First of all, you don't need to live in Templeton and pay outrageous school taxes to go to this school!  Even with overcrowding and teacher lay-offs, this school is accepting students from any district.

Every school has great teachers and not-so-great teachers.  Although a parent cannot request teachers by name for their children, the k-2 principal does read and take into consideration every written request made regarding the parents' desired classroom atmosphere for their child.

The school has been slashing programs every year.  California has a severe budget problem that is affecting our education in this state, statistically putting us in the bottom 40% of the world.  What a pitty.

Unfortunately, I think this school has lost sight of the goals for our children with the constant financial worries going on.  Its up to the parents to volunteer as staff for the playground (last year it was closed for a period of time until we got some volunteers out there), the parents staff the cafeteria, they are aides (and often left alone) in the classrooms.

While most of us are thankful for the work of our volunteers, I am not okay with leaving my child at a school in the care of volunteers without teaching credentials or at least some Early Childhood Education experience on their resume.  Although the parents are required to be figerprinted prior to being left unattended with the children (although this rule is loosely followed), there is no training and I have seen the safety of some children jeopordized by poor parental judgement.

I'd like to see more emphasis on our kids and less on the "day care".  Short school days are abundent and parents are receiving more recognition than the teachers or students.

Shape up!