Los Cerritos Elementary School

My younger brother (now 25), and my two daughters attended this school. First daughter, who is now 16, and second daughter who is currently in 2^nd grade. I had nothing but wonderful experiences with the first two. Very involved with the school and teachers and even the principle! The difference in the school between the 9 years from my first daughter and second daughter, is drastic. Some of the best teachers have left or retired and the ones that are left are a hit or miss. Depending on which teacher you get determines the fate of your child’s education.
I was your typical PTA mom, until recently started a small business that takes up all my time. I do truly believe in parent participation, but this year (with the weak principal), I feel like the school’s only goal is to get funding with the help of test scores and attendance. So they push over and above (which is great, this isn’t a part of the complaint), but what happens to the children whose learning curve isn’t as fast as the others is that they stay behind.
This year I have Mr. Hzina, 2^nd grade teacher who used to teach 5^th grade. He is notorious for being the «cool» teacher. 2^nd grade homework consists of a packet going home on Fridays and due the following Friday. Our job as parents is to read to our children at least 20 minutes a night and make sure that she finishes her homework, and studies her spelling words. The packet we get is about 15 pages front and back. This is something that we do every week and there was only 1 time she turned it in incomplete due to an illness. Well just last Friday I just received a progress report with all checkmarks on «needs to improve» for every subject except math. Keep in mind, I just got CHECKMARKS. No comments, no «it is important that we speak» kind of message. Just checkmarks. Now, as a concerned parent, of course I’m appalled! Why would you leave the poor child’s progress report with nothing to recommend if we’re already doing what we’re suppose to be doing then are you telling me that the teacher is doing everything on his end to help my child reach the standard marks? It almost seemed that he sent the progress report to say, «your child needs improvement in all subjects and if she doesn’t improve will be held back». That is basically the tone it took with me. Well, since he is the educator, isn’t that a reflection on him? Or does all the time «in school» just to go over what’s in the homework packet and not «teach», then relay on the parents to do all the «teaching». It’s ridiculous! Maybe I was spoiled with brilliant teachers in the past to expect more. My first daughter had Mrs. Stein in the 3^rd grade and she was absolutely the best teacher! She loved and cared for each student. She took her time with the ones that were behind and she empowered the students that were gifted. She retired this year :(
I’m just sad that this is happening to my neighborhood school. I’m now considering changing school districts.

Really great school. Very community oriented. My kid loves it here, great teachers and wonderful staff.