Bridgeway Island Elementary School

Bridgeway Island is a Title I school. We receive extra funds and special attention because we have too many under performing students. How are you rewarded for under performing? That’s right, you get special attention. The kind you don’t like.
I have been a parent here since opening day in 2002 and have been a parent volunteer, donated more than $ 10,000 in funds and supplies, I have 3 children.
We have a computer lab, built in 2002. We even have a state-​of-​the-​art weight room. As for the staff. They are too scared to step out-​of-​line. Great people though, just like you and me. They need to keep their jobs. I know someone who should lose her job.
My 13 year-​old was getting D’s and F’s in 6^th, 7^th and 8^th but kept getting great «test» scores. I pulled him out, placed him within the same district at Independent Studies and Va-​Voom. Instant A’s. They were even so kind as to erase Bridgeway’s report card and take all the school funds allotted for my son for the year. Good for them. His «test» scores dropped to average.
Ask the children what they think. My 17 year-​old developed a twitch when addressed by the Principal. More on her later. My 17 year-​old is now a Sophomore at American River College.
Maybe you want to have your children educated in a school that is arranged like the county pokey or you enjoy idling SUV’s backed up single file all vying for the ONE drop off spot. Works great on rainy days! Pickup? Forget about it. Blocked off!
Perhaps your child is interested in things like, wood shop or Art class. Nope. Props to the VP Grisaffi, he educates his children there.
Maybe, like you, you want to wear regular clothes. Nope. How many of us have worn uniforms and what do they represent? Authority? Work? The teachers don’t wear uniforms. Support staff like security do.
No offense to anyone wearing a uniform, I served 8 years as a US Marine. I was proud to wear it. I chose to wear it. I just thought school was to encourage the CREATIVE MIND, not regimented militaristic thought control.
Got a beef with the staff and would like to sit down and discuss things. Great, make an appointment. Oh, sorry, the teacher isn’t available. I hope you read your Parent Guidebook. You didn’t confirm the appointment. You can no longer file a grievance. Bye-​bye now.
Remember yard duties? We have Security Guards, fences, gates, special walkways. We have a sign outside proudly stating the skateboarders will be arrested. Is that sending the right message?
I know the school doesn’t have any control of their budget, or what books they buy, what’s in the books or the what they teach, or the food they serve, or the economy… I do.
Get to know Grace. She’s a very nice woman who has the highest scores, the best clothes and the perfect smile. Perhaps you like it when a grown woman addresses herself to you in the third person, «Ms. Chin is not very happy with you right now.» addressing my son after being told by her boss at Pupil Services that my child can in fact participate in school functions without her consent. No one deserves this form of condescension.
The sound of her voice can only be partially described. Imagine imitating your favowit Warner Bros. cartoon character; the One who hunts for Bugs Bunny. Now, in your mind tighten up that voice to a pitch that causes her second-​rate school-​wide loudspeaker system to protest with feedback.
If you, unlike her, live in the neighborhood, you enjoy hearing the afternoon announcements, from a ½ mile away. «Ms. Chin is &%$eased to an)^#@:ce that today is As*&_+leys’s Bir&*$##day! Come to the o^^%$#@ce to pick up your p*^%$l.» I don’t think so. Keep the pencil.
Perhaps you want to park your bicycle on the sidewalk and she tells you, «Ms. Chin doesn’t want you to park your bicycle on the sidewalk.» Oh, no! Do I get the hose?
Don’t worry, citizen, you’re safe now. She called the police who explained to her that it is a BICYCLE. As Elmer Fudd, she’s capable of sneaking up on only the most Wiley of parents. You wascal…
Perhaps when you call the school to obtain a copy of the California 1^st Grade Standards, your favorite principal SHOUTS to the incredibly patient school secretary, «Tell Mr. Montgomery that Ms. Chin doesn’t have them… they are somewhere on the Internet…»
Okay, me will check.
Seriously, I was told, along side 20 other parents at back-​to-​school night, «You can expect your child to have good marks until the reporting period. Most children experience burn-​out around this time. After the break, their grades will improve until the next reporting period.»
Bridgeway has the highest scores in the District. Are we getting played? Just teach to the test scores and, Voila! Extra Money!

My year as a student teacher here is almost up and I am reluctant to leave! My kindergarten class is a bunch of silly monkeys, but I have grown to love them to death. My master teacher is intelligent and is a fantastic teacher. I have learned a lot being here. I’ve been able to observe as well as converse with many other teachers from K and upper grades and everyone seems friendly and dedicated to their work. Teachers and colleagues get along fairly well and collaborate for new ideas and strategies.
This school is in a middle class neighborhood and is new, opening only a few years ago. The building itself is very nice, with a relatively big campus site. The classrooms are decently sized as well. There are two playgrounds (one for K and one for all the other grades), bike racks (students tend to live very close by and is safe for them to bike or walk), teachers lounge and workroom, good machines/​technology to work with, a library, YMCA after school, computer lab and a Learning Lab. They have on-​site counselors/​nurse/​specialists/​librarian. Sad to say, due to budgets, the librarian will be leaving this year.
The food they offer the kids are very healthy for a balanced diet and are made fresh. They provide a sald bar as well. It’s actually quite delicious! =) The one thing about this school is I’m surprised they don’t put out food often for teachers in the lounge! I guess we can cut back on the extra calories then =)
The principal is very hard working and has kept the API score for this school in the 800s. She pushes the teachers and students to do their best. The staff in the office is helpful, but often very busy.
Overall, I would want my child to be educated here if I was from around West Sacramento! Go Bees!